Under The Dome

Chapter 1: Atria

First!! Pronunciation of names!!!

(you know the drill, I absolutely SUCK at figuring out how to pronounce names while reading. So, just to ease my own conscious, I'm going to break down everyone's weird space names)

Atria: 'AY-tree-uh'

Aten: 'AY-ten'

Cohen: 'Co-en' mostly he just goes by 'The Explosion' or 'Bomb Boi'

Deimos: 'DEE-mose 

Elera: Ee-lur-uh

Nova and Vega are pretty self explanatory.

OKAY!! Now that that's done, on to chapter One!!!

***

I stare, open mouthed, at those shimmering blue words;

 Congratulations Atria Stone, You have been accepted into THE UNTAMED. Pilot Training Division 1971.2003.

Report to THE UNTAMED base at 0900 hours tomorrow. Where upon arrival, you will complete a series of physical and cognitive tests, and be assigned to your training Squadron.

Rookie cadets are permitted 2 belongings from home to be brought with them. Please note that any and all weaponry not provided by THE UNTAMED will be confiscated. 

I always knew I would be accepted, but now... it doesn't feel real. Being a part of THE UNTAMED is a coveted position, competition is fierce. A letter of acceptance means one less person eating valuable rations, and with four mouths to feed at home, there's not a lot of extra to go around. 

I keep reading the words over and over again, waiting for them to change, or for another message to show up saying that they've made a mistake. 

No, I really got in!

Elura opens the bathroom door, when she sees my face and the glowing port in my hand she practically lights up like the sun. Squealing, she catapults onto the bed and wraps her slender arms around my neck in a bear hug. 

She's far too skinny for a 10 year old, but then again, we're all a little thin. Her brown skin and long curly hair are still damp from her shower 

"Did you use all our hot water again?" I ask, feigning annoyance, as she adjusts off my back and takes the port from my hands to read it herself. 

"NO," she says, shaking her frizzy head of hair. "there should be enough for you to have a short shower." 

By that she means the hot water will last for about 2 seconds before turning ice cold again. I should be annoyed but I'm to happy to care about hot water right now. I am going to get out of this tiny apartment and be a pilot in THE UNTAMED!

***

Mom and dad have already left, so I'll tell them the news tonight.

They were both really successful in their fields. Dad works in the government building, he was climbing the ranks in office and was on track to becoming a representative, then mom got pregnant with Elura. Even though having more than one child is still technically legal, its highly frowned upon because it adds unneeded strain on the cities resources. Dad lost all of his momentum at work, and was eventually demoted to Head of Broadcasting. Now his job is to manage and oversee what's being broadcast on the cities 24/7 Holo-Screens. 

His office is still in the main government building though, a huge Cylindrical structure at the very center of the city, it's the tallest building in Domerest and one of the oldest.