Averai clutched at the harness of his seat as the twin turbine VTOL (vertical take off and landing) transport rocked under the wind as it slowly moved down to the landing platform like many others nearby. Averai was still struggling with what his so called parents told him the night before. That he wasn't there child but in fact given to them by the theocracy to be raised. That he was apparently what was dubbed a third child as every family was made to have three. Two of there own to maintain the population and a third given to them to be raised so that he may serve the theocracy free from the burden of civilian affairs.
The VTOL ground to a sudden halt as it touched down against the earth and the back ramp slowly lowered. The instructor who picked him and the other people up unbuckling himself and telling them to do the same. Averai struggled with the buckle as he was raised in a farming village. He rarely came into contact with technology as everything was done by hand as electricity was something that was only taught at school or read about in a book at night under candle light.
Averai finally undid he clasp as he walked out blindly following the instructor as he quickened his foot steps to not be left behind.
Averai looked around there was 6 VTOL transport like his nearby all doing the same as the children were led to an assembly area under the rain, that only intensified the depressing mood
A razed platform was empty, the rain falling down on them there soaking there clothes as more and more people arrived to stand by them. Averai stood there as he looked around the field surround by strangers all the same age as he. Some stood tall, some stared at the ground and others like the girl next to him wept oblivious to what fate had in store for them.
It felt like an eternity as they waited until a man in a dark green military coat climbed up to the platform. His foot slamming down against the wood beneath his feet causing the speakers to echo out. A smirk creeping up his face as he watched all eyes turn to him scanning the various looks on all there faces, before finally speaking.
"Congratulations all you thirds for answering the call of the theocracy by being born"
Some understood the meaning behind his words and others had no clue like the girl next to him.
"I am your taskmaster, I will be in-charge of each and every one of your destiny's, so heed my words as if you fail to follow them you shall regret it it. Does any of you thirds feel like explaining the situation to those who do not?"
the field went silent before a boy near the edge raised his hand, the taskmaster simply stared at the boy.
the boy shouted out the answer for all to hear "We are thirds given to our parents by the theocracy, for the theocracy. As thirds it is our duty to serve the theocracy with our lives or until we are no longer needed"
the task master smiled as he walked down of the platform the children separating allowing him through as he walked towards the boy who just answered his question
"excellent text book answer" the boy started to smile as a fist suddenly slammed into his gut causing him to fall to the ground throwing up onto the earth and the taskmaster boots.
"however all I asked is, does any of you feel like, I never told you to actually explain it to them"
pulling his gun from its holster he aimed it at the back of the boys head.
"lets try this again now third, clean my boots"
the boys heart began to race as he felt death inching closer and closer on how he could clean the boots as he had nothing to do it with. Glancing to the sides as he looked for help tears mixing with the rain on his cheeks, until salvation found him as a fellow third stuck his tongue out slightly. Lowering his head he began to lick the taskmaster boots, his heart thundering in his chest as he heard the gun being put back into its holster.
"currently this is the most you can hope to obtain, but if you follow my words I promise you a better fate"
the boy continuing to lick his boots as he dared not stop.
"now each of you thirds follow the instructors"
the instructors began to walk off the field and the thirds began to follow them. Averai took a step forward noticing the girl next to him unable to move, as she hesitated on what to do. Grabbing her wrist he pulled her, feeling her resist he pulled harder as he took another step leading her from the field.
A bang and a scream herd behind them as the instructors and the thirds that followed turned to look. A few boys and a girl attempted to flee and were met with the ruthlessness of the task master. Three more rounds followed the first hitting the other two boys in the back and the girl in the leg. The boys being dead or as good as. The girl continued to crawl trying to escape her fate as several soldiers approached her and began to drag her back towards the taskmaster. The instructor resumed there walking as they chatted among themselves as if nothing happened, although Averai could swear they now seemed happier than before.