Incipience

Chapter 13 pt 2

Cult movies have never been my genre of preference, but the few that I have watched come to mind as I take in my surroundings. 

There are rows and rows of women surrounding me, each of us clad in identical outfits. We all have on white maxi dresses with a floral crocheted trim on the long sleeves, pink flats that match our pink holo-watches and the same white headbands the cadets had during the induction ceremony. Individually, we look cute. Collectively? Very creepy. It doesn't help that nearly all of the women here are half awake either. As far as I can tell, I'm the only alert (and alarmed) one in the crowd, so their artificial tranquility just adds to the effect.

Similar to the cadet's ceremony, there are officials decked out in their fancy robes and stiff posture lining the stage, though this time there's only one representative of the army present: General Bagzah. I don't think it's much of a coincidence that I'm seated smack dab in front of him, nor do I think that it was chance that chose Rombag, N'vei, and N'vizwei to be the soldiers stationed by my section. If that's not enough, Chloé, Diane, and McCormick are seated in the audience on the ground level nearest to me decked out in their battle uniforms (minus the helmet), a sharp contrast to the other cadets who're in their white ceremonial formalwear. 

If I didn't know better, I'd say that a certain someone's trying to send me a message.

"Jaz'Qina a Inova," a councilwoman greets. "Welcome to Inova! I am Councilwoman Panve and it is an honor to stand before you all during this momentous occasion, for today you all become official citizens of the Inovarian Empire!"

The audience cheerfully applauds. The ladies surrounding me clap half-heartedly, still obviously dazed and lethargic. My hands remain in my lap while my eyes stay trained on General Bagzah. If he went this far out of his way to make me uncomfortable, it's only fair that I do the same.

"Before I proceed, I would like to take a moment and thank the soldiers in the audience for their service." Councilwoman Panve gestures to the cadets lining the first rows of the arena. "You all were able to protect your kinsman when they were vulnerable during a violent boarding of the ship and for that, Inova thanks you."

She turns her attention back to us, her expression full of pride. "While you all were in stasis, the cadets who were chosen to join Inova's military were able to fend off an attack from our greatest enemies: the Quinzentenians. They attempted to seize your ship and weaponize the Empire's data on Earth, but both your fellow humans and their Inovarian instructors were able to protect you, some even sustained heavy injuries in order to do so. Are you not grateful for their service?"

Again, clapping ensues. The councilwoman holds up her hand to silence the enthusiastic cheers from the audience long after the polite golf claps from my peers have subsided.

"The Quinzentenians knew that, if they were able to pirate our ship, they'd be a step closer to winning the war. While our technology is superior to theirs, obtaining it wasn't their primary mission, you were." 

Councilwoman Panve gestures to us with both hands, "You are the future of Inova. Each and every one of you was handpicked to serve as cultural ambassadors of Earth because of your outstanding qualities and heart. When tragedy befell your planet, you all rose to the occasion and became the pillars your communities needed. You served as nurses, babysitters, teachers, caretakers, and so much more when others were unable to do so. Never once did any of you give up on the hope and loving-kindness that characterizes humanity even when trouble times justified it.

"Earth needed our help and now Inova needs yours. We have been at war with the Quinzentenians for six generations and it has hardened us. We need your guidance to reclaim the softheartedness our people were once known for."