The greeting was abrupt.
Zane could feel the planetary supervisor's feeble expectations were low.
The invasion was still so new, and there was little information given besides to follow the next notification window. Zane disliked being in such scenarios. There were just too many unknowns to draw a good plan.
A blue notification window popped up, and Zane proceeded to read it.
***
All citizens will now be separated by class.
All classes will proceed to their designated portals
2nd class - gold portals
3rd class - silver portals
4th class - green portals
5th class - blue portals
There will be 4 colored portals placed in many locations all around the globe. A temporary map will show you all the portals close by. Once entered, your designated team will guide you through the next phase.
You will soon begin your training and immersion into your job roles. Do all you can to learn how to perform your duties well. Your fate depends on it.
You will be given 12 hours to comply.
During this time, we encourage all citizens to conclude any personal matters and place any items they wish to bring along with them in their inventory. You are also allowed to bring anything you can carry, though if you discard any items inappropriately you will be fined.
FIRST NOTE: All citizens will only have access to their private homes. If you do not have a home or cannot gain entry to your home, you must immediately proceed to the portal of your designation.
Entry to all other spaces will be temporarily banned.
Everything on this planet is the property of the Embst Sovereignty. Damages will result in equal punishment.
You have been warned.
SECOND NOTE: food and sustenance will be provided for your bodily needs. Extra food will require payment.
LAST NOTE: ALL NEW CITIZENS ARE UNDER SURVEILLANCE. WE HAVE TAKEN OVER ALL OF YOUR ELECTRONICS. ALL YOUR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION HAVE BEEN CONFISCATED.
ANY INCLINATION IF REVOLT WILL RESULT IN PLACEMENT OF THE 6TH CLASS: SLAVE.
AS A DEMONSTRATION, WE WILL NOW SHOW YOU ALL THE FATE OF THE 6TH CLASS.
YOUR 12 HOURS ALSO BEGINS NOW.
***
"Ask and you shall receive." Zane thought to himself. His mind already started to play out scenarios in his head, but he was immediately appalled and then distraught by the following notification window.
It played a disturbing video.
He wanted to turn it off but he couldn't.
Zane was in horror, unable to do anything. The blue screen followed his line of sight as he tried to look away.
Countless naked individuals of many different and varied species stood on a platform. There were never-seen before lifeforms besides humans. The range was endless. Humanoid-like to simply a glob of squirming flesh, there were so many unique species.
All of them had their extremities bound in an energy chain. One by one, they were bid upon like livestock or items to be consumed.
The image changed, as the blue screen progressed to show video after video of the fates of a slave. The Embst Sovereignty purposely showed the most horrible treatment.
Every horror imaginable was displayed for all to see.
There were those who were lucky and beaten bloody and unconscious. Though they still being punched or whipped, at least they didn't have to be awake during their torture.
Worse yet we're those forced upon and raped. The struggle and resistance were only returned with a beating and a more domineering handling. Eventually, their eyes zoned out as their minds escaped their violated bodies.
The more unfortunate were cut open alive and experimented on. Their eyes were dry, no longer able to cry tears of pain from their long torment. They were tied down on long metal tables, eyes wide from the excruciating torture as their bodies convulsed. They no longer could bear their agonizing suffering as their screams no longer escaped from their open mouths.
The worst for Zane was the psychotic ones who enjoyed purposely torturing their slaves. Those were the cruelest and most abhorrent. Zane had to close his eyes as he refused to watch any longer, but the sounds… the sounds would haunt his dreams.
Those around Zane were either vomiting or closing their eyes and covering their ears. The videos seemed like an eternity. Such vile treatment was impossible to endure.
The video clips ended. There was a fearful silence that ran through the entire planet. Dread and unwillingness to fall into the 6th class was on everyone's mind.
"Never. I will never allow that to happen." Zack's previous comment made Zane shiver. Zane would rather die than be tortured.
The blue window screen closed, and Zane was still unable to move. Looking at his hands, he realized he was trembling. He was never scared to this extent before. He made a resolve to become stronger to never allow him to feel in such a way again.
"But what should I do? What can I do?" Zane knew he was currently at the mercy of the invaders who suppressed his planet. Thinking, the thought of fighting back flashed in his mind, but he immediately squashed the thought.
"I am a small krill, part of a large school of fish. But once that whale came along, we were swallowed whole. Now inside the stomach of the whale, there's nothing I can do but become a part of the whale."
Making up his mind, Zane was going to become part of the Embst Sovereignty. At least for now. He needed to establish himself. Now inside the whale that is the Embst Sovereignty, he had no better place to start.
"I need to go back home. I'll light a couple incense sticks for mom and dad and take whatever I can." With his next move in mind. He moved quickly past his struggling coworkers dazed and out of their minds. It was every man for himself, but looking back at the office he was reminded of humanity as it once was.
With a fleeting feeling of the irrecoverable past, Zane reminded everyone that time was ticking. With a deep breath, he annunciated, "Everyone! Remember, we only have 12 hours. Go find your loved ones and do what you need to do."
With that, Zane ran off to his apartment.