About The Laws of Space

Post 157:

The Laws of Space

Episode Four:

Chapter Three Continues

            …“Enough, Kiernan. Let’s try to get through the day without anymore outbursts. You can argue and fight, bite and scratch to your heart’s content. Just save it for later. This is my time.”

            For seven hours, the Charges listened and took notes about what was to come. The Test was a flawless predictor of human potential, able to solidly place a person in their appropriate caste. Of course, the Test was not the end. One could be granted more or less Space based on their service and devotion to the good of the System from that day forward. She only had to use the example of the disgustingly famous Alder Tate to illustrate the point; Susa had watched that incident the day before her arrival at EF 25. After a fall of such magnitude, it was only a matter of time before he made news.

            “In closing, what are your fundamental Laws?” she asked.

            STAY OUT OF IT. MIND YOUR SPACE. TO TOUCH IS TO DIE.

            “Good. Now run along. Tomorrow is another day.”

            After dismissal, Susa made her way through the backdoor of the classroom. The building was quite large, shaped like a barracks, with three distinct areas. She taught in the common area, where the children were free to roam and scrap after classes broke. The center section was the decontamination and preparation area, solely used by whatever Spacer was in service. Past that was the largest section, a sterilized, hermetically sealed chamber. This was and would be Susa Burke’s home, fifteen more days.

            Finally cleansed, she entered her quarters and took her first deep breath of the day. Despite all the precautions, despite her untrammeled character, she was terrified. Go wash your face. Calm down. Susa did as her thoughts commanded, but the tension kept rising. It’s natural. It will all be over soon. There was a slight buzz in her left palm as it read BP—RECOMMEND CALM AGENTS.