From what we were told nearly 1000 Years ago a nuclear apocalypse killed every life on earth, leaving the planet uninhabitable for generations to come. Our people to protect and preserve the human race combined 12 space stations into one. They called it the ARK. Together they entered cryosleep, hopefully to wake up at a time when earth would once again be inhabitable. 123 years ago, 864 years after the apocalypse, they emerged from their sleep, technology had reached its limit. But what they found was not what they had hoped for. Earth had changed. It was unrecognisable. It was bigger and looked different from above, but data confirmed that it was indeed their home. That it was earth. And so they decided to wait and observe, deeming it to dangerous to return. Now 123 years later after five generations born in space the population, despite regulations, had nearly reached a staggering 9.000. The intended capacity had long since been reached and the resources were nearing their end. And so it was decided that mankind had to go home, back to the ground. The ground that was always the dream.
…
Location: ARK Spacestation. The Last Bastion of Humanity.
Year: 987 AA (After Apocalypse)
At the southern edge of Level Two, in a sector that had rarely seen this kind of activity since the unification of the twelve stations, the forging of the ARK itself, scientists and mechanics paced the corridors in urgency. Normally these halls were nearly deserted, located at the very edge of the ARK. Now muted voices accompanied the steady mechanical hum and the constant vibration of life-support systems. And with it came something else, something that hung in the air.
Fear.
It simmered in the atmosphere as if emotion was made physical. As if one could stretch out their hand and take a hold of it. It was written over every teenager's face standing in line, wrists bound and guarded by armed officers.
No one spoke loudly. Some whispered. Others stared straight ahead, as if even a sideways glance might speed up the inevitable. The resistance and screaming had long stopped. The outcome now seemed inevitable.
Still admits it all Kael, kept his back straight, no visible emotion on his face. He had experienced death before. Seen it up close. Seen executions before. The opening of the airlock. The final flash of a body drifting into space.
Floating
Everyone of the teenagers knew it was inevitable. After all they had all been convicted and long since sentenced to death once they reached their 18th birthday. They knew it would come. Told themselves that they were prepared. None were saints but most weren't sinners either. But now with cold metal restraining their wrists, they knew it was final.
Kael knew it as well. But unlike the others he was not scared. What had he left anyways. Nothing bound him any longer. To this place. To this life. At least that was what he told himself. Because of course there was always this spark in each of them, in every resident of the ARK. The dream of returning to earth.
"Move"
A voice accompanied by a rough shove forward brought him out of his thoughts. They neared the end of the corridor, of their last march. And with it came the restlessness of the other teenagers, the other prisoners.
"This is bullshit"
The voice came from two steps behind. Everyone turned and looked at the boy. John Murphy, Kael thought.
"They cant just-"
"Quit"
A guard turned sharply and drove the butt of a weapon into his side.
Murphy sacked a bit and clutched his side. Still a dry laugh came out of his mouth
"What or you gonna float us?"
No one laughed with him.
The boy in front of him, Jasper Jordan he believed, tried and failed to breathe normally. His hands shook so badly that one could see it from behind him.
"Hey" Jasper whispered or at least tried to, to the boy in front of him "Maybe… maybe this is just a test. Or they are taking us somewhere else." A second later he added "It is not our time yet"
The boy in front, Monty swallowed "Yeah. Sure"
Both didn't seem to believe themself.
Suddenly they stopped. Their group had reached their destination. With a loud hiss the heavy door slid open. One by one the teenagers were brought through the door. Each second of waiting seemed to stretch endlessly. Some still gave a small protest while being brought inside.
Finally it was Kael's turn. Cold and dim light illuminated the inside of the room. The space was cramped, stacked with rows of seats, each equipped with their own restraints. Some already occupied by other teenagers.
Kael was led to one nearly in the centre of the room and strapped onto the seat. He observed the room more closely. It seemed less like their coffin, like one of the airchambers used for floating and more like a transport. Looking into the eyes of the others already seated he confirmed that they had reached the same conclusion as well.
And yet it didn't diminish the fear hanging in the air. The absolute certainty of death was replaced by the unknown.
One by one the others were shoved inside. One by one straps locked into place. After all were seated metal clicked, their wrists finally free except the wristband still firmly attached at their left arm. Guards collected the handcuffs.
"Hey, what is happening?" one boy near the door finally asked
"What are you gonna do to us?" a girl asked fearfully
"Let me out! Please!" another voice sobbed
No answer came.
One by one the guards left the room
Finally the doors sealed shut with a loud thud. And then silence. The room now only illuminated with the cold and dim light. Just enough to show the fearful and young faces of the occupants.
Suddenly a loud noise broke the silence. Engines roared to life. The room, the shuttle began to vibrate
No one knew what was going on.
No one knew where they were being taken.
No one knew what would happen to them.
And that uncertainty, even more than death, was the real terror.
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A/N:
Hey, the author here. Trying to reignite my passion for writing with this one. Wrote a lot offline over the years and collected a lot of ideas but gave up on uploading and writing for others. Yesterday I had a random idea about a The100 fiction and everything came to my mind like a snap. Should be enough material to last me at least a hundred chapters. If I continue that is. But I just felt like I had to share this idea and story with you guys. So I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. Some things may seem off or different from the show. That is because they are. I am using the story and ideas of The100 as a general outline to build something more. That is all I am going to say. Anyway thanks for reading and have a great day!
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