Ξ C L I P S Ξ

Chapter I.
Prologue

3798, Sector 10, Milky way, Earth

Ever since the extra-terrestrials have reached the pinnacle of technology and decided to expand and unite all star systems with living beings humans no longer felt superior. We no longer felt like we were the only one. In fact, there were various kinds of species scattered through the Galaxy, not just humans. Humanoids, beasts, robot AI colonies. However, it was all back in the 100's... It has been almost 700 years yet humans are still oppressed by aliens who use our planet as some sort of junkyard. There are not many humans living on Earth anymore, only the poor stayed, the rich could travel through the sectors and settle in a peaceful rocky planet. I was not that lucky...

"Clark, help me get these gadgets to the shop! Now!" I closed my old history book that I was just reading and ran out of my small, rather stuffy room. I walked towards the woman who just asked for my help and as I reached her, I took the box filled with all kinds of broken devices, wires sticking out of them.

"What are these for?" I asked while lifting the heavy box a little higher "These things went awry a long time ago you won't be able to repair them" I rolled my eyes at the short lady who gifted me with an angry expression in response.

"I'll sell them as spacecraft parts. I know it's a scam but maybe it will work. We need the money, Clark. You have to understand" She sighed sadly so I just nodded and brought the crate into the humble little shop which was already stuffed with gears and tools. I dropped it on the counter next to the cash register. She gave me a kiss on my cheeks and let me go. Finally, I said slightly smiling and going back to my room through the back garden into our house. As I fell on my bed dramatically I lifted up the book I was reading about Space History but put it down soon anyway. I wasn't that interested anymore. I stared into nothing for a while, just the plain white ceiling above me looking dull as always. The silence was broken by the sound of my phone.

"Eclipse..." I whispered, never really intending to voice my thought whatsoever.

I unlocked my phone as soon as I could just to have a huge smile spread across my face. Eclipse. One of my favourite artists was about to start a concert. She lived in Sector 4 so the time there would be around midnight. It's a shame I never had Clips. Those microchips are excessively expensive and very rare to find on Earth anyway. Nobody really cares about Sector 10. I started the video clip of Zing in backstage. She was doing a live where she just talked about how she felt before her concert. I wish I could attend. It's crazy how developed technology has become over the years, we can attend our idol's concert virtually without having to go anywhere. Clips are the microchips that you need to put on the side of your frontal lobe. These devices are not only used for the Eclipse app exclusively even though it was made by the same company: A.C.E. With this, we can also browse the internet, play games, and make better quality music. I'm not really sure of the last one but I'm certain than my music would be better quality. The only thing I have for now is Composer3000, which is super outdated, but I'm trying my best. Music is my life, I love listening to music and making music and dancing to music... just everything that have to do with music. One day I wish I could become an Eclipse idol; it is going to be tough since all non-humans despise earthlings with a passion. They would never accept a human performer. Maybe I should just let go of this dream?

As I was watching the live, my mother came into my room. She seems to be done with all the fuss in the shop. I reckon she closed for today. She smiled at me gently.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, I will get you a Clips one day, I promise" I shook my head as a sign of saying: Ah, never mind. "One day you have to continue running the Laurent's business. Your father will soon retire and I will have serious back problems from all these carrying." She chuckled lightly.

I suddenly lowered my eyes back to my phone that I locked immediately starring at the black screen. My parents don't want me to leave Sector 10. I had countless fights and arguments with them about the family business and my dream to have my own spaceship and make my own music on Eclipse. Eclipse is the perfect programme for youngsters to make their dream come true. And I want to do that, I want to be an idol, I want people and all kinds of creatures, androids and gynoids to know my name. Nobody will know my name if I stay here to sell old, rusty wireless spaceship parts.

I sighed and put away my phone, laid on my back and turned away from my mother's questioning gaze.

"I'll go make some lunch..." her voice was quiet "Be ready in half an hour... your aunt is coming over by the way." I sat up right away as I heard that sentence.

"Oh shit..." I mumbled a little too frustrated.

"Language young man!" She gave me a furious look and then walked out of my room.

Good Lord, have mercy on me. This family is something else and the least thing I needed for my self-confidence – which is already non-existent – was my know-it-all, aggravating, narcissistic aunt. All she ever does is bring everyone around her down so she seems like the perfect human being in the whole galaxy. She found a rich husband and now they are living in Sector 7. Those well-off bastards always take the opportunity to bring down my parents.