by Aldia Elwood (Author)
Worker 19-C597 is a thoroughly unremarkable laborer. Like all others, they spend their days working tirelessly at their assigned tasks, and then collapsing into a dreamless sleep once light fades from the sky. In the Kingdom there are no aspirations for greater things, no ambitions to be had for the Worker. Nothing but the sterile lights set against the endless grey of the great, eternal city. The endless routines that ensure that empires remain eternal, that monarchs are left unchallenged, and that the Worker is left in chains. Any disruption of that routine, even a small break in the far-reaching grey, could have disastrous consequences for the order of society. Millenia, eons of civilization could be shaken to their very core by a single act. Workers could be roused from their slumber, and finally see the chains for what they are. Histories of revolt, long hidden away, could be remembered. Echoes of rebellion, comrades thought lost. A single spark could illuminate it all.But that won't be necessary. The Kingdom is a Paradise. Its castes ensure safety, security, and peace. All of its people eat, are granted eternal life, and work toward a brighter future. Unity through purpose. Workers don't need to question, they don't even need to think, that will be done for them. Worker 19-C597 doesn't question their existence. They don't need to look up or dream of destruction and mayhem. The Kingdom provides. In their heart of hearts, they know what would happen, should ever this peace be broken. Blood and chaos, insecurity, sin and decadence. Insurrections that end only in destruction of property and the tragic deaths of the idealistic rabble-rousers.Revolution.Peace is far better. The certainty of the grey eternity, the promise of true salvation.