The View from Above

INFLUENCE

She was destined for greatness and had been her entire life. She'd been prepped and primed by caregivers from the moment of her Arrival while her distrait parents hurried from home-to-office-and-back-home-again, their faces perpetually engulfed in the three-dimensional images of their Mini-Holos.

One of her earliest memories was of a conversation between her mother and the caregiver. The words were but a faint echo now, yet they still recalled the warmth of the honey sun on her toddler head as it gleamed through the open window. The rays had shifted and shimmered, casting kaleidoscopic shards of light on the walls through the translucent scene playing out on the LearnHolo in front of her bouncing chair.

“Has she spoken anything more than babbles yet, Frijia?” Her mother’s facial expression and tone had remained neutral, as was appropriate. “You need to work on that with her if she is to be President one day.”

Indeed, Cressidia Quirk would be the nation-state’s most beloved icon of the twenty-second century. Like every other parent in the safe, pristine, thriving paradise known as Arkton, renowned business tycoon Fomir Quirk and award-winning actress Camrae Quirk had been studiously preparing for a child prodigy since the arrival of Cress’s older sister, Teeya.

Their first child, however, had had other plans for herself, and by her third Life Celebration, Teeya’s rebellious demeanor and outspoken mind had branded her too eccentric for politics.

And so, the role of prodigy had naturally passed to Cress upon her Arrival a year later. Of course, Fomir and Camrae had also planned for Teeya’s future success, already having enrolled her in the Institution’s media program in confidence of her becoming the next Holo-News mogul. But everyone knew that it would be Cress who rose to nobility; and not only for the way her features grew around her, bringing to life a fairy-like girl with an almond complexion, iridescent chestnut hair and wide, doe-like hazel eyes.

She was beautiful, yes- but Cressidia Quirk would grow up to be Arkton’s perfect icon for many other reasons:

She was smart, with an uncanny ability to retain all the information she received at the Institution.

She was talented, with a euphonious singing voice and long, thin hands seemingly fashioned with the harp in mind.

Most important; she was unwavering, with a belief and enthusiasm in the history and purpose of Arkton so unquestioning, it would soon have all eyes drawn to her.

Including the eyes of the Presidency.

ACENDANCY

When Cres was twelve years old, the newly elected President had an episode.

For five days, it was all that Arkton talked about. Even the children were privy to the news, it being so sensational that comments leaked out of mouths instead of being thought into threads on Holo-Chat, media footage spreading across shared screens rather than on private viewers.

By the third day, the gossip had swelled into a monstrous cloud that trailed above, garnering curious tilts of heads. Sure, people had episodes and it was common enough; there’d even been a few over the years in the Quarter where the Quirks lived. Cress had always felt sorry for the afflicted; watching them being ushered away in Medic trucks to the Behavioral Clinic left a strange feeling in her stomach.

“Purify your thoughts, Cressidia,” her mother would say in a steely tone when her daughter commented on the flashing siren lights and shouting outside their large housing complex. “You are rational enough now to realize they’ll be treated and watched over with care at the Clinic.”

But the Presidency had always remained untouched by an episode, and this new cloud of unfamiliarity soon burst into raindrops of rumor that splashed loudly against the rooftops and windows of Arkton’s tallest chrome buildings, which jutted upwards like sleek paintbrushes along the picturesque, cerulean edge of the East Sea. It didn’t take long at all for those raindrops to blend together, pooling into puddles of conspiracy along the sidewalks as the adults hustled to the Workplace and children bustled to the Institution.

On the fourth night, a Presidential announcement played over the Holo-Screens of every housing complex throughout the nation-state before supper:

“Citizens of Arkton, may we have your undivided attention as we address a matter of grave importance: President-Elect, Rojano Frane was afflicted by an episode earlier this week. It is a tragedy of unspeakable proportions that has befallen our esteemed leader. Just as with all the other episode-afflicted, Mr. Frane will be receiving the best care possible at a Behavioral Clinic in Quarter 725. Although an occurrence such as this is indeed unprecedented, it is something that we as a people and as a nation-state will overcome. As for now, President-Reserve, Sellie Myar shall be filling the position, until a President-Elect is determined at the next Election Ceremony.

“For those wishing to remember President-Elect Frane, Wellwish donations can be made at the Presidency Building, located in your Quarter’s Square. Commiseration wares and Holo-Adds will also be available for purchase at the Presidency Buildings, alongside merchandise in support of President-Reserve Myar. Please welcome our new President as they embrace their title and prepare to lead our great and prospering civilization toward further discovery, expansion, and glory in the oncoming twenty years. May good fortune continue to sanctify us all."

Cres could still see her mother's spiky blonde hair catching the light from the dining chamber’s crystal chandelier as Camrae shook her head. “Such a shame. He would have been a good President.”

Teeya had scoffed, the neon jewelry she wore jostling against her black and grey apparel as she reached for another piece of bread. Her soup bowl wobbled as she leaned over it, tendrils of steam carrying the savory aroma of chicken broth and vegetables toward the ceiling. “He was weak. Sellie Myar is much more deserving of the title. Arkton is much better off in their hands.”

“Hush, Teeya,” Fomir had reprimanded. “Choose your words concisely.”

Teeya’s chestnut eyes fell. “I apologize.”

“And what’s all this talk of things you’re seeing on the Holo? Nothing in your summary mentions President-Reserve Myar. Are you viewing in Private again?”

Teeya nodded, dubiously wiping at a smudge on the dining table that had suddenly captured her interest.

“That is forbidden, Teeya. You know better.” Fomir stared hard at his daughter. Behind him, the Holo-Screen’s small Active light had cast vermillion shadows against the wall.

“Yes, but father, there’s so much talk! About the Presidency, and how they actually created and control the Holo Corp and stuff about the Fertility Clinics and Arkton’s past and about the size of Arkton and-”

“Enough!” Camrae’s usually quiet voice rang out then, piercing through the room like a needle and stinging them all into silence. “You will go to your bedroom, Teeya. I’m disconnecting you from the Holo for the night.”

“But mom!”

“Do as you’re told, or it’ll be longer!”

Teeya had pushed herself from the table then, a faint huff escaping her lips as she’d sauntered down the hall. Later, Cress had tiptoed to her sister’s room in the dead of night, her stockinged feet padding silently across the sensory-warmed marbled floors.

“Tee?” she’d whispered as she clambered atop the bed, accidentally elbowing her sister awake in the process.

“Ow! Go back to your own bed, Cress.”

“What you said earlier, none of it is true. The Presidency doesn’t control the Holo Corp, and you know Arkton’s history. They teach it all the time at the Institution.”

Teeya’s eyes had narrowed. “Grow up, Cressidia! You think you know everything but you’re just a pet!” Her words made Cress recoil, and she couldn’t understand the tight feeling that had suddenly clenched her chest.

“You grow up!” she’d spat back.

“You are so naïve, perfect little future President! Just go away and leave me alone!”

“Fine, I will! You’re trouble, anyways!” Cress jumped from the bed and bounded to the door.

“Ugh!” Teeya’s fists slammed against her bedsheets with a loud thump, her dark curly hair bobbing. “I live in a circus!”

Cress scoffed, slamming the door behind her.

In the darkness, Teeya’s Holo-Screen blinked once before settling back into a steady glare.

***

Nineteen years later, after she had graduated from the Academy and won the Election, Cress had fallen out of touch with her sister.

Teeya had gone on to work in news media as expected, but her attitude had grown increasingly hostile after their parents’ retirement from the workforce and their subsequent Departures. After the election, she’d turned on Cress when she realized that Roan wouldn’t be joining them at the celebration party, and that Cress had called off the wedding.

“What happened, Cress? You’ve been with him for six years, surely it can’t be as simple as ‘we split’! Don’t you feel anything?!”

“Purify your thoughts, Tee! We just… We couldn’t agree on things that were important.”

“You mean, you couldn’t agree on traits to list at the baby factory, right?! You make me sick; you’re absorbed in the Presidency’s fake reality, perpetuating their lies!”

Teeya’s words had been so full of emotion, so dangerous, that Cress had been left without a choice. She’d called the Presidency officials later that night and admitted to their suspicions of her sister’s beliefs and her private Holo posts containing leaked documents and fake evidence of a before.

After much deliberation, the officials had all agreed that the Behavioral Clinic was the best place for Teeya.

It hadn't been until the next morning when Cress found the small purple gift bag with the gold tissue paper, a black felted box and a Holo-Card resting inside.

Inside the box lay a small, plain gold locket in the shape of a heart, its dainty shell opening up to reveal a childhood Holo-Print of them smiling brightly and waving to the viewer.

Teeya’s note was etched in her spiderweb-thin print, leaving that weird feeling in Cress’s chest, like too much air pumped into a balloon.

Congratulations, little sister. You’ll make a great President. But just in case, this should remind you to always remember where your heart is.

ENLIGHTENMENT

Arkton was a sprawling metropolis, with 3.8 million square miles of beautiful landscape, perfect weather, and safe communities. Cress regarded her view from above within the Presidency building like a Queen surveying her Court. The ocean rolled in the distance and the regal buildings glinted in the evening Spring sun. Birds tweeted happily as they darted past her window, and the smell of salt and strawberries danced along the breeze.

She had Ascended earlier that day, becoming Arkton’s newest President-Elect. It was a tumultuous time to Ascend; episodes were occurring more frequently among the nation-state’s two hundred thirty million citizens, violence even erupting in the Squares of certain Quarters which was something that hadn’t occurred since Arkton’s creation many centuries ago.

But Cress was ready to prove herself.

She turned at a knock on the door and followed the officials down the hall, to an elevator that led them down to the deepest levels of the Presidency building. In the small, boxy enclosure, the officials’ blindingly white apparel glared against the stainless steel walls, making her squint.

When the officials unlocked a thick metal door that grated and screeched open to reveal a large, secured room, Cress’s brain tried to process the thousands of screens lighting up the walls, screens showing barren lands beneath a sickly orange sky. It was windy, and flurries of ash somersaulted through the air.

On one, Cress thought she could make out the smoldering remains of a forest through a thick haze.

“Arkton is our last habitable continent. Previous civilizations tried to save the planet and failed. Thanks to the Presidency’s collaboration with Holo Corp and their management of Arkton’s first generation, we’ve protected what remains underneath a PermaVent that expels our wastes and prevents outside toxins from getting in. The PermaVent projects a RealitySim to the nation-state from the inside. We’ll give you some time to review everything and digest it all.

“Under your order, may good fortune continue to sanctify us all.”

***

Cress stared at the Menu box on the Holo-Screen in front of her with blurred vision and trembling limbs. She couldn't process it, didn't want to.

She moved the mouse curser toward a dropdown list, clicking it open. The list offered hyperlinks too terrifying to click:

WORLD WARS

EXTINCTIONS

EVOLUTIONARY INFERTILITY

RADIATION / POLLUTION LEVELS

ARTIFICIAL CREATION

Cress let out a sob, her hand reaching for the gold locket around her neck.

In that moment, she wished for her sister. Her parents. Roan.

Anyone.