Chronos Counting

I took a seat on one of the stools lined up at the kitchen counter. I was toying with my phone and listening to the radio broadcast on it. I listened to music a lot. It gave me a sense of relaxation… and peace. The whole world was drowned out, it was only me. Me and the stories depicted through the melodies that filled my ears from these wireless earphones.

My music suddenly stopped and static filled my ears. Another announcement I presume. Providence ought to respect our privacy. Butting into any electronic device and automatically broadcasting all their announcements on everything without notice is a real pain.

“Attention everyone, attention, please forgive us…” I turned down the volume, Providence really wants everyone to listen to them, but honestly, they don’t have to scream at us, “…for this unprecedented announcement as it is an urgent matter which everyone must immediately receive…” the female voice stressed on the word immediately.

“This announcement regards Providence’s decision to include new tax prices to time distribution throughout the world.” Oh that’s just great. They just love giving us more things to ruin our lives with. “We will now shift to Providence’s prime representative, Commander Byron, who will inform us of Providence’s new unanticipated operation.”

My phone emitted static-like noises into my ears once again, like that from a television when you’re on a channel without reception. Then he, the Commander, finally began to speak after the static has cleared.

“As you all know very well, Providence initiated ‘Project Chronos’ just over a year ago.” Yeah, we know very well, a little too well, I think to myself. He continues, “It has been extremely successful in reducing population levels and improving society throughout the world. It has transformed this world into a better place, a utopia, you could call it…”, that part got me.

I couldn’t contain my laughter. These people are out of their right minds if they think initiating a mass-murder operation is ‘improving society’. It’s just like they say, those with power decide what’s wrong or right. But still, I question their sense of justice, and I’m sure many do. It’s that none of us have the courage, or power for that matter, to overthrow them. And it sucks.

The Commander continued with his announcement, “Those who have not been engaged in improving our utopia have been removed, however, we still have not fulfilled our second motive.” I listened in to the deep voice. “This second motive has been hidden from the public for safety reasons; however, it is now time to reveal it to you all. The global population has declined at a steady pace, but it still has not declined enough.” The last sentence shattered me. What do they intend to do? How much more pain do they intend to inflict on us?

Byron continued, “We are now initiating phase two of Project Chronos, a 50% tax fee for all time distribution transactions. Phase Two of Project Chronos will be initiated in exactly one week at 2359, in your time zone. Please be prepared and everyone, stay safe and have a great day.” I almost didn’t notice the sarcasm within that last sentence.

The announcement continued, this time in another language I could not understand. They must be repeating it so that the message gets through to everyone. I removed the earphones from my ear.

“What are they doing? What are they doing?” I repeated, irritated and also worried. I glanced over at my sister, Kat; she was lying across the couch on the phone with one of her school friends before the announcement intercepted her call. She was now standing. Just standing. She was only 13, but she was fully aware of what Providence had just done.

“Dan…” my sister started towards me, “there’s still time, there’s no need to worry…”

She said there was no need to worry. But the both of us knew that wasn’t possible. I could see it in her face. She was scared. But not scared for herself - for me. Phase Two of Project Chronos was not the only event happening next week. It was also my 16th birthday. The day death would take its hold on my wrist.