Terra Novus

Chapter One

My name is Calliope Harper. I'm an advocate for the Terra Novus program. Before the war, I loved my home. Before my childhood was lost forever to the war. But the time for grieving the past is over. It's time for a fresh start, for the benefit of future generations. This is why I joined the program.. and got stuck with the job of preaching from a literal soap box the the masses.

A towering man with sunken eyes screamed at me from the audience, fists clenched at his sides.

"Why should we abandon our Mother Earth, who gave us life so long ago?" He shouted.

"Our Mother Earth, whom I respect, has given us a place to live all these years." My partner, Alexander Darthe replied calmly, "But, after the wars, the safety of this Earth has been jeopardized. For the happiness and safety of future generations, we must ensure that mankind will be able to continue, rather than wither and die with the deteriorating Earth."

More grumbles.

"It will be hard, I know. We will always remember the Days on Earth and mourn the loss of our dear planet."

Uncomfortable silence.

"You idiots!" It was the same man who had spoken earlier. "This talk of a new life will ruin us! Can't you be satisfied with our life now? Why don't you do your part in reviving Mother Earth rather than talking like she's a piece of roadkill? The future is here! We must all do our part to bring back the life we did before!"

I could see Alex struggling to answer. I stood and gave my spiel again, ranting about how this is all for the good of humanity. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

"The Earth is dead, and we will mourn her as we move on." I said. The man began to say more but I forced my voice to overpower his.

"We urge you to register with Terra Novus. We do not want to leave anyone behind. But, you can choose to stay behind when the Earth is truly dead and the atmosphere finally breaks."

"Then I will stay!" A woman from the crowd shouted, backed by over-zealous cheers.

I could see the tall man reaching for his pocket from where I stood, to the side of the audience. I reached for my own sidearm, realizing things were about to get violent. The man spotted me, glaring with fire in his eyes, and pulled his hand from his pocket, empty. I clenched my own hand around the handle of my gun as he turned to shout at Alex once again.

"We don't want to stay and debate with you." Alex replied softly. "We are leaving. What you do is your choice alone. Think on what we have said."

Insults and cheers followed us to the truck varying from taunts to stay and fight and encouragement to leave and never come back. I kept my eye on the tall man, holding my hand on my gun as I backed towards the truck. Hatred and confusion filled the eyes of the crowd. "Thank you for your time." I nodded politely with a grin when a gunshot rang through the air.