Shooting Stars

1

☆ The Beginning ☆

7:00 am - New Canada, Earth
I woke up to the reminiscent whispers of a howling midnight breeze. With the sounds of leaves whirling around the empty streets, and oak trees rustling in the wind, I sat up in bed. It was still dark out. Coming to my senses, I rubbed my eyes, clearing away my usual morning fogginess. I began to get dressed for another routine day at work. I had an especially important job in our society; it was quite crucial, in fact. I was an Operator. Without us, the land would soon deteriorate into rubble and ashes as it once had centuries ago during World War III after the arrival of the Outsiders, an astronomically powerful group of extraterrestrial beings. Back then, the populace of our nation had not yet known the immense capabilities of the foreign invaders. The government of New Canada had attempted an assault on the Outsiders' militant forces, but had failed awfully. This resulted in the third world war, which lasted for several years. Finally, New Canada was defeated. Luckily, the Outsiders were lenient. Knowing their culture would eventually die out, they granted us our freedom as long as we kept their traditions alive. Consequently, many aspects of both cultures blended together in harmony, blossoming into a more modern time period: the Third Era. For hundreds of years, we had kept or promise by appointing Operators. Our job was to organize everyone and everything in the nation. We did everything from planning ceremonies to sorting people into their rightful place in society. We were essential to the prosperity of our nation; I was one of the best.

8:55 am - New Canada, Earth
Walking down corridor by corridor, I soon reached the main office. The entire room was buzzing with its usual energy. As I approached the gray walls of cubicle 11B, I opened the small gray door and found a bright yellow sticky note attached to the front of my hologram projector. Scrawled on the small piece of parchment read:
Testing Today -
Please report to office 84A immediately.

9:05 am - New Canada, Earth
Oh, right.
I had an operating exam today.
I hastily grabbed my supplies and headed out the door. I quickly scurried towards building A.

"Ouch!" On my way, I had accidentally run into a tall, looming figure in a pitch black suit, causing me to drop my stuff. He looked quite peculiar; I just couldn't place my finger on the reason why.

"Excuse me," the looming figure said with a gruff, authoritative tone as he rushed on.
I stood there blankly for a couple of minutes and realized that I was late for my exam. I quickly gathered the fallen entities and speed-walked towards the examination room.

7:30 pm - New Canada, Earth
After another tiresome day at work, I decided to walk home alone rather than take a hover pod. Retrieving yesterday's leftover nutrient packets from my food chamber, I went outside and sat on an old-fashioned wooden bench my father had built for me when I was a little girl. I looked up at the illuminated night sky and reflected on today's events. I aced an exam, as usual. My routine was pretty much the same each and every day; I wake up, go to work, go home, sleep, and repeat. I gazed up at the stars, almost mesmerized by the brilliant bits of starlight painted across an intense blue canvas. A slight shimmer danced faintly over the horizon.

"I wish my life could have a change for once. "