It was dark when she woke, and it was oddly quiet. The noise from the forest, the crowds of the village, and even the wind seemed to have disappeared. All replaced by an Erie silence.
“Where am I?” She asked herself.
Aiyana glanced around, her breath coming in short, labored spurts, and she finally felt the cold metal beneath her. Aiyana is the daughter of the chief of TAWINA. TAWINA is one of the settlements on Earth.
The settlements were created after the GREAT Climate Change, almost 1000 years ago. A time in Earth’s history where the climate changed for the worst. First, the Icecaps melted, then the great floods covered 50% of the earth’s surface. Then the extreme weather made it difficult to grow crops.
Then the great famine came. As the Earth died, settlements were created on the remaining lands on earth. Domes can recreate perfect habitat returning pockets of forest. It also protects its inhabitants. The scientist created the Domes in secret. Only a few were chosen to live in the domes and were mainly established to preserve humanity.
Her vision was still adjusting to the darkness. She was trying to remember how she got here, or where there was?
She tried to rise, but she was strapped on a seat. Her hands traveled down along the straps until she found the locking mechanism holding her strapped onto her heart. She tugs to release it; the belts automatically retract, and as soon as she is freed from her seat, she starts to float. She didn’t get far as she hit her head on the control panels. She must have pressed something as the lights on the board turned on.
Aiyana is brilliant and was a mechanical engineer back on her settlement, so she was not clueless about technology. However, space technology was another thing. It was not something she never knew existed.
“it’s just a machine,” She comforted herself. She needed to stay focused to figure out what was going on.
“Your awake” A robotic voice coming from the panel broke the silence.
“Where am I?” She asked; AI machines were standard in her settlement. So that gave her some comfort that this was tech from her territory. But how come it was kept a secret.
She had 1000 questions, but she needed to know where she was.
“Allow me to activate the temporary gravity to help you acclimatize yourself,” The AI says before replying to her question.
Aiyana falls on the seat with a loud thump, “Christ,” she curses as she feels a throbbing on her ass. She also felt like bile rising in her throat but managed to hold it in.
“You are merely feeling sudden motion sickness. It will pass once the gravity in the pod balances out.”
“How did you know?”
“I can read your vitals. But first, let me answer you’re your first question” As the AI spoke, the white panel in front of her dissolved like a screen revealing a double glass panel. And outside, she could see stars as far as the eyes could see. And just on the right corner, a purplish planet.
The AI continues, “You are in the outer region of Pluto. Since the gravity of Pluto is weak, we are drifting towards the asteroid belt at the edge of the solar system.”
“Pluto?” She whispered
“Yes,” The AI replied nonchalantly
“How?”
“The space pod you are in lift-off MARU, one of the moons of Pluto.”
“That’s impossible I was on Earth.” Aiyana started to hyperventilate, not believing the AI.
“Is this some trick?” Why can’t she remember how she got here? The shock of everything consuming her.
“I am an AI; I can’t do tricks.”
“Then why am I here?”
“Your grandfather activated me through the medallion you have on you. Your grandfather created my programing to help assist you on your transition.”
“TRANSITION? ASSIST ME? WHAT ON GOD’S GOOD EARTH ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I WANT TO GO BACK TO EARTH, TO MY HOME. WHERE IS ARGOS? WHERE IS MY GRANDFATHER?”
“From the rise of your heart rate and the tone in your voice, you are still in shock. I will now administer a mild sedative on the airstream to help you relax. Hopefully, this will calm you down. We shall talk more once you are calmer.”
As the EON spoke, Aiyana started to feel sleepy. Protesting a program is futile, so she allowed herself to inhale the drug and slowly fall asleep.
Before she slept, she whispered, “Grandfather.”
As the words left her mouth and slept finally consumed her. Memories of what happened invaded her mind.
Earlier that week -
“Tell me about your dreams, Aiyana,” Egos said as he stood across the sparring mat.
It’s our fourth day of lessons at the lake. Our usual no-holds-barred combat has ended. The others have returned to the Main Hall, but Ego has decided to stay with me. I knew that my dreams returning were bothering him as much as it was me.
“It’s nothing to worry about, Argos” I gave him a weak smile as I grabbed my things from the bench. Argos walked towards me; he had his arms around me in one swoop.
“So, you’re still marrying me on Friday?” He whispered in my ears.
“Well, if you're going to be nosy about some silly dream, then.” Before I could finish, Argos started to tickle me.
It’s easy for Argos to overpower me, seeing as I am merely 5 ft while his 6 feet 11 inches. It also doesn’t help that he’s muscular. He is the strongest fighter in our tribe. As the chief’s son, he was destined to be the strongest. I may be good at fighting, but I can never outpower Argos. He lifted me in his arms like I weight nothing. My long dark hair got undone and fell on his broad shoulders.
Argos brushed the strands off my face. His dark loving eyes pierced through me as he pulled me into a kiss. As always, I melt in his arms.
“I can't wait to have you all to myself” Argos smiled his boyish grin as he slowly puts me back down, “But seriously, Aiyana, I worry about you.”
I tousle his dark locks that fall just above his ears. “My dreams?” I finally echo, worry building inside me.
What do my dreams have to do with anything? I thought to myself.
“You have been having nightmares,” He said, “recurring nightmares.”
I shrugged, trying to hide my worries to myself. I don’t need Argos to worry about them. I’ve not had them for a long time until a few moons ago. “Don’t look so worried. All soon-to-be brides have strange dreams before their wedding day. You know, worrying about every little detail. Don’t tell me you’re not a bit worried about getting your brothers in check during the big day.”
Argos arched his eyebrow; he could see through my lie but knew not to push. “Well, I do worry about them.” He laughed.
As Argos led me out of the combat hall, my mind wandered back to my recent nightmare. It always starts in the forest - at least it feels like the forest.
-
Darkness surrounds a golden haze rising from the horizon. Instead of the sun its fire, the entire forest burning. The fire reaches the end of the village, as the Dome cracks in front of me.
