The Falling Star

Chapter One - Earth

'I feel the sun on my face. I see trees all around me, scent of wildflowers on a breeze, water brushing against my skin. It's so beautiful and In this moment, I'm not stranded in space. It's been 97 years since a nuclear apocalypse killed everyone on Earth, leaving the planet simmering in radiation. Fortunately, there were survivors. 12 nations had operational space stations at the time of the bombs. There is now only The Ark, one station forged from the many. We're told the Earth needs another 100 years to become survivable again, 4 more space-locked generations, and man can go home, back to the ground. The ground, that's the dream. This is reality.' I think as I look out the small window placed above the cot in my cell "Prisoner 280, face the wall." Rick one of the guards shouts as he walks in 'Reality sucks.'

"What is this?" I question as I turn to face him "Quiet. Hold out your right arm." He avoids answering me "No. No. It's not my time. I don't turn 18 till tomorrow I've not even had my trial." I step back away from him "Hold out your arm. Your necklace." He reaches my me but I step back again my back hitting the wall "No. It was my mom's." I cry out tears brimming my eyes "Take it off." He shouts "Prisoner 280" "Fuck you" I shout dodging him as I run out the door, Immediately bumping into someone, they reach for my arms steadying me "Liza" My dad says "Stop, wait here" He walks to Rick and they whisper to each other before he walks back over "They're killing us all, aren't they, reducing population to make more time for the rest of you?" I say as I use the information Clarke told me "Liza, you are not being executed. You're being sent to the ground, all 100 of you." He admits not questioning how I know about the air supply issue "What? But it's not safe. No. No. We get reviewed at 18." I murmur shaking my head too shocked by what he is saying "The rules have changed. This gives you a chance to live. Your instincts will tell you to fight, just like your mother, and I need you to do just that baby okay. I can't lose you, too. I love you so much." He assured as a tear leaves his eye

A guard shoved a needle into my neck and the last thing I see is my dad's being pulled away but I hear him say "Earth, Liza. You get to go to Earth."

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"Liza" I hear as someone shakes me "Liza wake up!" I open my eyes as a jolt shakes me, "What was that" I say rubbing my neck looking at Monty "The atmosphere" Jasper says from my other side before a screen turns on in front of us "Prisoners of The Ark, hear me now. You've been given a second chance, and as your Chancellor, it is my hope that you see this as not just a chance for you, but a chance for all of us, indeed for mankind itself. We have no idea what is waiting for you down there. If the odds of survival were better, we would've sent others. Frankly, we're sending you because your crimes have made you expendable." Jaha says "Your dad is a dick, Wells." Murphy shouts causing everyone but him to laugh "If, however, you do survive, those crimes will be forgiven, your records wiped clean." He promises

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"I saw a ship launch not more than 20 minutes ago. Who was on it? Was it the prisoners? They're just kids. Are they going to Earth? Has something changed?" A woman shouts as the people gather "Folks, as I said, at this time, we cannot confirm or deny anything." Callie answers offering nothing else "Come on, lady! Is my son on that ship." A man questions causing the commotion to restart

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"The drop site has been chosen carefully. Before the last war, Mount Weather was a military base built within a mountain. It was to be stocked with enough non-perishables to sustain 300 people for up to two years. No one ever made it there. Because we spare you no food, or water, or medicine, I cannot stress strongly enough, that Mount Weather is life." He continues as Finn unbuckles his belt, "Spacewalk bandit strikes again. Go, Finn! Check it out." A guy yells as me Monty and Jasper roll our eyes