The Experimental Cosmos

7. All That Glitters

An hour after we are officially intimidated, all initiates are summoned into the auditorium for a briefing and for the assignment of our schedules.

The auditorium is a huge, one-way glass dome, with red seats and a wooden stage at its centre. The seating arrangement seems to be on a first come first serve basis, so we all rush and grab 7 seats in the 4th row from the front.

As the auditorium slowly fills up, the stage is taken by Mr. Jerry Fernández, the kind and fun teacher who injected a 16 year old with sodium pentothal an hour back, and 5 other adults who we assume are teachers.

As we settle in, though, we start to realise that the place is too quiet for something that contains thousands of teens, and not just Reticence quiet. This is something else, a silence that seems to have erupted from forcibly calmed nerves.

Mr. Jerry begins talking just as I am about to point this out to Kalani.
"Welcome initiates!! You are all in the place which is going to be your home for the next year, and which is going to train you for the adult world after you make your Choice.

As you know by now, my name is Jerry Fernandes, and I am going to be your weapons instructor. I am usually the first one to address the students because they find me friendly, and I am. I know you are unnerved by what happened in the dining hall today, but I assure you, it was in line with your training.

At each of your births, your guardians signed an approval for the initiation officials that clearly states that the administration of non-lethal drugs and doses to their wards during training is known and approved by them. The rule is, we have to tell you every drug that that goes into your body. The contract is available in the headquarters if you want to read up on it.

Also, I know you are all feeling really calm, and as per the rule I have to tell you that that is because of the Alprazolam administered to you via your lunch. Now you can't really feel violated- how else can 5 adults manage an auditorium full of teens??

So, now to introduce you to all your teachers. They are going to guide and mentor you for the most important thing in your life, so remember to be respectful. "

As he looks to his left, a serene-looking middle aged woman joins him on the stage. She is dressed quite simply, in a turquoise shirt and blue trousers, with a single string of pearls around her neck and her hair in a bun.

" My name is Ms. Maya. " she starts, with a breathtakingly composed voice.
"I am going to be your academics mentor, and subjects like maths, science, social science will be taught under me. I am also the student counseller, so don't ever hesitate to share your troubles with me. We are all here to grow. This is not a competition. This a prep for your future."

A mousy looking man takes the stage next. His eyes look unfocused and even under influence of the Alprazolam, the teen spirit in the room wakes up, and whispers and chuckles about the man being on drugs start making their way around the room.

" I am Mr. Andrew, your games instructor. I hope we will have fun." he says, and then literally shuffles off to the side. So centuries of development, and the education system STILL doesn't give importance to sports. Well, it is what it is.

The next speech is made by our to-be language instructor, Catherine Lodge, a young woman with sharp features whose personality could be Bella's twin- manipulative, evil and unfortunately, bloody good at what she does. Well, what is language without a little drama.

Sarah Jones, the art mentor, is a meek little thing whose eyes dart around because she knows she is going to be the favourite subject of student jokes this year as well.

The last to speak is Mr. Will Hector. He is dressed in a crisp blue suit and is the kind of man who immediately inspires awe and commands fear and respect.

He tells us he is our technology mentor and let's us know that our official training and classes begin tomorrow, and we can also talk to our parents on the common phones in the lobby from tomorrow, because today is the day of our chip fitting.

We all exit the auditorium dazed and overwhelmed, and as we start walking towards the living quarters, we spot another fight break out in front of us. They are a boy and a girl we haven't seen before, and as other students attempt to break the fight up, the girl starts cursing and, grabbing her shoes in her hand, takes off in the direction of our dorm. Well, that explains the empty bed at the end.

The boy runs a hand through his hair, and starts walking off. As Rudy tries to approach him, he roughly pushes him off and Rudy stumbles and hits me. As I struggle to regain my balance, my back is steadied by a hand that could only be Jay's, and I look up and give him a grateful smile before we continue on our way.

Inside our dorm, we see the girl in deep conversation with Cherry and Bella, and from their conversation the girl's name seems to be Kamilah. We look at each other and shrug- it seems like she has already decided her group. As I walk towards my bed, I suddenly feel hands on my shoulder, and before I can turn, I hear Bella's voice whisper in my ear,
"Finders, keepers. Don't try to coerce the girl away from us, flower."

She smirks and starts to walk off, but this time I grab hold of her hand and twist her around.
"Beware, I am a Rose, I have thorns"
I say in the most dangerous voice I can do, and she runs her eyes on me like she is checking for thorns, then clicks her tongue, and walks away.

We all stare after her in disbelief, and then collapse onto our beds in peels of laughter, but our moment of peace and normality is cut short when the speaker system crackles to life once again, summoning everyone for the Chip - Fitting.

OH, I appeal to the creations of mankind,
Use and dissect my brain to see
But cruel and thirsty as you are world,
Leave my memories be.

Tomorrow's chapter marks the most dangerous practice in the book. Make sure you follow the story so you find out the rest of the secrets!