The vast Central Station Platform, which previously had been a sea of shouting and panic, is now pulsing rhythmically with deep silence, machines humming, scanners beeping, and the quiet rustle of thousands waiting beneath the Ark light.
Everyone’s wrists were bound with the silver Ark Bracelets. They shimred faintly with each movent, reflecting flickering blue holographic lights above the registration booths.
Cyrus stood at the edge of the raised platform, hands behind his back, his expression calm and expressionless, yet his eyes tracked every movent across the platform.
The survivors were slowly grasping the true reality; order had replaced chaos, and tethers would soon replace freedom.
---
"Alright, everyone! Listen up!"
The managent officer’s amplified voice reverberated through the vast platform.
Suddenly, the faint murmurs that were echoing across the platform ceased, and thousands of nervous, exhausted faces turned toward the managent officer.
Clearing his throat, the officer stepped forward; the holographic panels cast faint shadows across his sharp features.
"Let’s go over the basic rules of the Ark. As you all already know, everything here operates on the Ark Credit System, or AC for short. As ntioned earlier by the commander, resources are limited within the Ark; every single item you eat, wear, or use must be exchanged for Credits."
Silence rippled through the crowd.
Raising his hand to emphasize his point, he continued in a steady but firm tone, "Entertainnt facilities operate on this sa principle. The better your lifestyle choices are, the more AC you’ll spend."
With a tap on the screen beside him, an illuminated chart appeared above their heads.
As the officer continued, while pointing at the chart, "There are three levels of als in the Ark: ordinary or simple als, which cost 100 AC; exquisite als, which cost 1,000 AC; and finally, luxurious als, which cost 3,000 AC."
The crowd of survivors exchanged glances, with uncertainty on their faces.
The officer’s eyes were as sharp as ever as he continued, "This also goes for the residential quarters; you need to pay in order to have a place to stay. The residential zone is divided into multi-person rooms that cost 200 AC daily, double rooms that cost 1,000 AC daily, and single suites that cost 5,000 AC daily."
The holographic light washed over thousands of faces, shock mixed with disbelief.
Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.
"Five thousand for just a room?"
"That feels like robbery."
"At least dorms are affordable..."
"But how long will twenty thousand Credits last at those rates?"
The officer ignored the murmurs and continued, explaining to them, his voice still steady and firm.
"These stumps are standardized to maintain balance. The Ark provides safety, food, and shelter—three essentials that the current outside no longer offers. Within these walls, everything holds value."
---
Professor Albert adjusted his cracked glasses, raising his hand with a hint of trepidation.
"May I ask," he rasped, "how exactly are these Credits earned?"
The officer gave Albert a glance and explained, "To earn credits, you must work. Every person inside the Ark is required to contribute."
He began pacing in front of the crowd like a conductor orchestrating an unsettling symphony.
"There are five types of primary job classifications currently available," he announced.
He raised one finger to emphasize.
"One: service personnel, such as cleaners, cooks, manual laborers, etc., with a daily wage of 600 AC."
He raised a second finger.
"Two: agricultural personnel, involved in food cultivation and livestock handling, earning 900 AC daily."
"Three," he raised the third finger, "Technical Personnel, such as teachers, doctors, and engineers, earning 1,500 AC daily."
He extended the fourth finger. "Fourth, Research Personnel, which consists of scientists and specialists with variable incos based on research contributions and discoveries, with a minimum earning of 4,500 AC daily and no maximum limit."
Then his hand closed into a fist as he said the final classification: "And finally, combat personnel, those brave enough to risk their lives outside these walls for missions, patrols, and raids. There is no fixed salary, but they can earn a minimum of over 10,000 AC daily."
He scanned the crowd as he lowered his hand. "The Ark does not support idleness," he said firmly. "Every breath of clean air you take here must be earned. Only through work can you eat, rest, and live in peace."
The silence that followed was deafening; a palpable tension hung in the air as the survivors processed their new set of realities.
So stared blankly at their bracelets while others frantically calculated their potential earnings, and others were thinking about what kind of jobs they could do.
An ordinary worker earning 600 AC a day would spend 300 just on food and another 200 to rent a room, leaving them with almost nothing. A few clenched their fists, while others ground their teeth, understanding that this sanctuary is not a salvation camp; it is structure, discipline, and control.
Any lazy or sleazy person can’t survive in this place at all.
"Those interested in research or combat," the officer continued smoothly, "please register at the side booths. Everyone else should choose your work category using the interface on your Ark Bracelet; Noah will process your allocation automatically."
The voice brought everyone back to reality as the survivors began to split apart.
Lines ford in front of the terminals while the soldiers maintained order like sentinels watching over their flock.
Selene turned to Professor Albert with eagerness in her eyes, her calm and cold exterior dissipating slightly.
"Professor let’s go and register our job".
Albert nodded thoughtfully. Jas and Rose followed quietly behind them. As they approached the special line reserved for researchers and combatants, holographic boards hovered above the counters, each displaying bold titles:
RESEARCH DEPARTNT,
COMBAT ENLISTNT.
Ti ticked by, and after a few minutes, it was their turn. A tall female officer, dressed in a dark gray coat and augnted visor, greeted them with an air of professionalism.
"Na and field of expertise," she inquired.
"Albert Shelsy," the old professor replied, his voice steady. "Gene Biology and Viral Pathology."
The officer’s visor flickered to life as Noah, the Ark’s AI, cross-referenced Albert’s history.
Data stread rapidly across the holographic screen like a digital waterfall. Monts later, Noah’s calm yet chanical voice echoed through the hall:
Ark Registry Result:
Subject: Albert Shelsy – Confird.
Previous Occupation: Chief Researcher,
Apex University Institute of Bio-Genetics.
Specialization: Gene Mutation Analysis, Viral Geno Engineering, Pandemic Suppression.
Rank Assigned: B-Class Senior Research Director – Biogenetic Division.
Daily Base Inco: 6,500 AC (minimum) Achievent Bonuses.
Access Level: Tier III Laboratory Clearance – West Sector.
Gasps rippled through the nearby researchers.
Albert blinked behind his glasses in surprise. "Senior Research Director..."
He chuckled softly, weariness creeping into his tone. "I suppose that’s one promotion I didn’t expect after everything that happened."
The officer offered a faint nod. "Congratulations, Director Shelsy. The Ark recognizes valuable minds."
Next up was Selene. "Selene Ross," she said confidently but with an undercurrent of nerves.
"Research intern, Biogenetics under Professor Shelsy."
Noah processed her information swiftly:
Subject: Selene Ross – Confird. Specialization: Genetic Sequencing and Bio-Material Synthesis. Rank Assigned: D-Class Researcher. Daily Base Inco: 3,500 AC. Access Level: Tier I Laboratory Clearance.
User Comments
0 comments from readers