8th Grade Occupational Studies
The next five years will determine your usefulness to society.
Katarina stepped off the transport pad in front of her new Institute of Absolute Learning Facility. It was the first time she had been away from her home. She spent her first thirteen years in IAL CC-1811-REI-45. Everything she needed was provided. She never knew what it was like outside until today. Memories of when she left played in mind.
“Hello, Katarina.” The facility matron came to her home building with the test results. She had taken the occupational tests at the beginning of that year but no one told her how she scored. It was the only test they ever took that mattered. As in life-altering mattered.
Katarina opened the door wide for the facility matron to enter. The two of them sat in the quant living room opposite each other. The facility matron clutched an envelope and kept a smile on her face.
“Well, Katarina, your results came back from your occupational tests. You’ve known this day would come.”
“That means I’ll be leaving, doesn’t it?” Katarina did her best to keep her breathing calm. She had watched others get their results and leave the next day. She knew she would be leaving, the question was to where? Where would her life take her?
“Yes. Everyone raised here only stays until their results come back. You’re almost thirteen years old. You’ll have your birthday in a new place with others who share your aptitudes.”
“Where will I be going?” Katarina asked, not taking her eyes off the envelope. Her future was right there in that small piece of paper with her new facility number in it.
“Before we open this, do you have any questions?”
The girl shook her head. They had been preparing for this moment for the past year. While none of them knew what their future would be, they did know they’d be leaving. Katarina had her belongings packed in a small suitcase in her room. The only things she had left were her hygiene products, her nightgown, and the clothes she was wearing.
“The remainder of your schooling will be focused on your career objective and nothing else.”
“What happens if I change my mind?” Katarina asked. “Like, what if I discover I’m not really made for my career?”
The facility matron smiled and shook her head. “I’ve been doing this for quite a while and I’ve never seen anyone stray from their test results. It’s designed to give you the best possible outcomes so you can be the best societal contributor possible for you.”
“Huh?”
The woman laughed. “In other words, the test is designed to match you with your natural proclivities. It’s more than just answering a bunch of questions. How you answer and take the tests are also considered. With everything the test entails, you can rest assured you won’t change your mind.”
“But, what if I don’t like it?”
“How can you not like it? It’s designed for you.”
“But,” Katarina said, “I thought the tests were designed for everyone.”
“Exactly. We all come from the same, return to the same, and live in the same. When it’s designed for everyone it’s designed for you. And when something is designed for you, it’s designed for everyone.” The facility matron rested her hand on Katarina’s. “I think you’re just nervous about leaving what you’re familiar with. You don’t have to worry. Everything there will be the same as everything here. You’ll have your own place just like this one. The same schedule and routine. Only the information you learn will be different. Suited specifically for your future.”
“What kinds of things will I be learning?” Katarina asked.
“Oh, that I don’t know for sure. It depends on what’s in this envelope. Do you want me to open it?”
The girl bit her lower lip and nodded. She fidgeted with her fingers as she watched her caretaker open the envelope. Inside was a set of numbers and Katarina stared at them, uncertain if she should be happy, excited, or scared.
“”G-1634-QHH-88-DUE. Congratulations. You’ll be learning about your work with the Department of Ultimate Equality. Who knows, you may be an Equality Enforcement Officer when you graduate.”
“An Equality Enforcement Officer?” Katarina did her best to suppress her squeal. “We had one of them visit us a couple of years ago, right? They’re so stoic. I’m not sure I can be like that.”
“You’ll be fine. I’m sure they were just as excited as you are.” She stood and handed the sheet of paper to Katarina. “You’ll leave first thing in the morning. I’ll meet you at the transport pad with the others. Don’t lose that paper. You’ll need it to enter the transport information.”
“I’ve never traveled before.”
“None of you have. Tomorrow will be a new experience for all of you.” She opened the door and looked back. “I have several more deliveries to make. You have a wonderful evening Katarina.”
And that was that.
Katarina stepped off the transport pad in front of her new Institute of Absolute Learning facility G-1634-QHH-88-DUE. The archway over the entrance had the symbol for the Institute of Absolute Learning and the emblem of the Department of Ultimate Equality. She took a deep breath as she stepped through the gates and merged with the crowd to attend orientation.
Walking around the common area with the others felt familiar. Everything about this new facility felt the same as her old one. The weather was a little different, a bit colder than what she was used to, but there wasn’t much to be done about that.
The group, maybe a dozen or so, funneled into the main facility building and found somewhere to sit. No one said anything. Everyone, including Katarina, sat down and pulled out their portable computers. They waited, staring at the screens, for orientation to begin. A singular tone came from their computers and everyone sat up straight to pay attention.
“We all come from the same, return to the same, and live in the same.” The room filled with different voices reciting the natural motto they all grew up with. An androgynous face appeared center screen with the words, “Welcome to Orientation” under it.
“Welcome to Orientation,” the face began to speak. “You have been selected, based on your proclivity, to learn everything you will need to know to be an effective member of society. Your position within the Department of Ultimate Equality will be selected based on your aptitudes during your education. Every position is important and no position is more important than any other.”
The children stared at the screen, listening without responding, as the face continued.
“This is your first year here at G-1634-QHH-88-DUE. Many have come before you and many will come after you. Do not think that those who are further along in their studies are more important than you are. You are all equal as we are all equal. Those who have come before and are still in their educational process will be able to assist you in adapting to your new educational process. There are many things to be learned and as future agents of the D.U.E. you will be required to learn every aspect of equality on every level as we instruct you to learn it. Deviation from equality in any form will be met with consequences, though they will not be the strict consequences you will face upon graduation.
Simulated replication of the third violation consequence may be seen from time to time. Take note of those occurrences. You may have to deliver those consequences yourself.”
A few of them shifted uneasily in their seats. Katarina looked around to see if she could pick out who in their group might be the first to receive a third violation. She picked out a few and committed their likeness to memory.
The face continued. “Each of you will receive your study material based on your aptitude testing. Some of you will be studying the same material at the same time while others will be covering something different. Rest assured that all students will be studying all material in turn. Your individual housing assignments are appearing on your screen at this time. Take note of your housing assignment. At the end of orientation, you are to report to your housing assignment to drop off whatever belongings you have brought. A facility matron or facility patron will come by for inspection. Any unauthorized material will be removed and any necessary material that is not provided or present will be noted and delivered by day's end.”
The face continued with the orientation, giving an explanation of the types of course materials that the students can expect to receive. It reiterated the rules of the facility, schedules for meal and socialization times, as well as what is considered appropriate conduct. Every child was given an appointment time to visit the clinic.
“Each of you has reached the age of reproduction. This has been covered at your previous facility and therefore it will not be necessary to go over it again. Note your appointment times and dates. You will receive three reminders of your appointment and a facility care worker will escort you to the transport pad and to the clinic for the removal of your reproductive organs.
Once the operation is complete, you will be allotted twenty-four hours for recovery before you are expected and allowed to continue with your studies and interactions with other students. You may or may not be aware of the passage of time after your visit to the Clinic. Keeping this in mind, you will be checked in on from time to time by a facility matron or patron or a facility care worker. You will not be responsible for any course material or student interaction during your recovery.”
At the end of the two-hour orientation, the student’s screens switched off. In near unison, they put away their computers, stood, and made their way out of the main hall. Katarina stepped outside and shivered. It had gotten colder while they were in orientation and it took her a minute or two to adjust. She blinked the cold from her eyes and looked around the facility. Following the numbers tacked to each of the buildings, she followed them to find her new housing unit.
She noticed this facility had the same layout and structure as her old facility. Everything was the same except for the number of students. There were far fewer than she was used to. “That’s because this is only a five-year facility,” she reasoned out loud.
“Right with the first guess,” someone said behind her. She turned and looked at the young man. “Names Jim,” he said, extending a hand. “I’m two years ahead of you, so if there’s anything you need just let me know.”
“Hello, Jim. I’m Katarina. I’ll be sure to ask if I need anything.” She returned her attention to finding her quarters.
“My place is right over there,” he pointed at one of the homes they were walking towards. “Which one’s yours?”
“I don’t know.” She showed him the number she had notated.
“Oh, you’re three down from me.” He led her to the empty housing unit and stood at the doorway as she set her bag inside. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
“No,” Katarina said, not paying much attention to him. She looked around and just as her former facility matron had said, everything was exactly the same. She looked at her bedroom and bathroom, unpacking her meager belongings as she went. She set her computer on her desk and inspected the kitchen.
Jim, realizing that he was no longer on her mind, turned his attention to something in the distance and left her to settle in.
Katarina poured herself a glass of juice and sat on the couch in the main room. Above the heating and cooling unit, on a glass frame mirror, were etched words.
We all come from the same, return to the same, and live in the same.
Intolerance will not be tolerated.
We are all Equal.
Micheal is a Neurodivergent Ghostwriter and Eclectic Author who works in Fiction and Non-Fiction. He has experience with ADHD, Schizo-Affective Disorder, Conversion Disorder, and more