"THE STORM IS OVER. ENERGY CONSERVATION MODE DEACTIVATED. STANDARD ENERGY CONSUMPTION MODE ACTIVATED."
The announcement blares through the intercom like an insistent alarm, abruptly breaking my sleep. I'm still lying on the bed, drained from my recent adventure out there. The race against time to return to the domus, escaping the scorching heat of the day and the sandstorm, has left my body almost completely drained of any energy.
"MICHELE is urgently required at the command center!"
The robotic voice of the intercom sounds like a shrill and penetrating cry in the quiet of my sanctuary. The situation doesn't seem good; my mother probably wants to give me a piece of her mind.
"I REPEAT! MICHELE is urgently required at the command center!"
It really sounds like there's a sense of urgency. The echo of the announcement reverberates in my mind, insistent like a hammer on my conscience. I rub my tired eyes, trying to fully wake up as I get up from the bed. I quickly put on the heat-resistant suit, tighten the belt around my hips, and grab my helmet, sliding the clear visor down to protect myself from the adverse elements.
I step out of my pod and make my way quickly to the command center.
Heavy footsteps echo in the narrow corridors as I head toward the command center. The walls of the Domus are made of recycled and reinforced materials, an attempt to create a sheltered atmosphere in this hostile world. The passageway is illuminated by a pale artificial white light, giving the environment an unreal feeling, as if I'm immersed in a dream.
Our Domus "Hope" is an intricate labyrinth of interconnected domes and sealed corridors. It's an engineering marvel, an improvised refuge created to shield us from the relentless external elements. Through the darkened glass of sporadic portholes, I can see the scorching desert stretching endlessly, a desolate and inhospitable land where survival is a daily struggle.
The refuge consists of 13 domes, with 8 arranged octagonally along the perimeter. Inside, there are four domes arranged in a square, and a central dome within the square. Of course, the central dome serves as the command center. The various domes are connected by small hermetically sealed tube corridors. In case of breaches, the damaged domes can be easily isolated, preventing the entire structure from losing oxygen and overheating. The inner domes are the most crucial, housing our essential facilities such as the power plant and the greenhouses. The command center has complete control over everything in the Domus.
As I walk through the corridors, I pass by my sister Maria, who seems to be engrossed in reading on a tablet. I greet her with a nod, but she immediately gets up and hugs me.
"Be careful out there, Michele," she says with a worried tone. "I don't know what's going on, but be cautious."
I smile and nod. "I will, promise."
I finally arrive at the command center, where my mother Elena is busy monitoring flashing screens and rapidly scrolling data. Her figure is an imposing shadow, standing in front of the controls like a general on the battlefield.
"MICHELE, you're finally here." Her voice is sharp, full of concern and irritation.
Upon entering, I'm met with a stern gaze from my mother.
"Sorry, Mom. I was still resting."
Her eyebrows furrow in a stern expression as she watches me. Elena is in charge of the Domus's security and one of the prominent figures in our community, the right-hand woman of our commander. She's a strong and determined woman, driven by the need to protect our people at all costs.
"Giancarlo told me about the damage you caused to the Etriclo and the hangar wall. Not to mention that you risked being swallowed by the sandstorm," she says coldly, a tone that doesn't allow for arguments.
My heart sinks in my chest. I had hoped my mother wouldn't find out so soon.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"Mom, I'm sorry. I wanted to bring back results," I say, trying to justify myself.
"We can't afford such reckless behavior in the situation we're in."
"I know, but it was worth it. I found tomato seeds, quinoa seeds, pre-collapse freeze-dried food, and several bottles of water." In this arid and hot world, water is the most precious resource due to its scarcity caused by the extremely high external temperatures. Each bottle is a treasure to be preserved. We recycle our bodily fluids, introducing new water into our closed-loop system to help keep it running. As I speak, I try to explain the reason behind my reckless action.
Her gaze softens slightly, but the reprimand is still evident. "The loot is good, but considering the damage you caused, you'll be punished."
I know I deserve punishment, but I can't help but let out a sigh of disappointment.
"Your daily rations will be halved for a week."
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My mouth opens instinctively to protest, but a single look from my mother makes me reconsider. I know it's a severe punishment, but I understand her reasoning. In a world with limited resources, we must make every effort to protect and manage them wisely. In our reality, the only currency we have is food and water. It's a harsh punishment.
"Mom..." I'd like to protest, but her gaze silences me.
She could have punished me with extra work, but considering my role as an explorer, she knows I would have preferred that, rendering it an ineffective punishment.
"It's a fair punishment, Michele. You need to learn to consider the consequences of your actions. Safety is a priority. We can't afford to jeopardize our precious resources."
I nod slowly, feeling embarrassed for having disappointed her. I understand the gravity of my role and the importance of my missions, but sometimes fatigue and danger can undermine my clarity and judgment.
"That's not the only thing I wanted to talk to you about," she continues, putting aside the reprimand for the moment.
"Now that you're here, listen carefully. Something serious has happened." Elena turns to a screen, touching the display to enlarge an image. The image is blurred and uncertain, but I can see the silhouette of a dome similar to ours.
"Eureka." Elena pronounces the name of the communication outpost with a tone of concern. Eureka is one of the key points that connects us to the outside world, an outpost that maintains contact with other surviving communities and exchanges crucial information. If something happened to Eureka, it could have repercussions on the entire communication and exchange network.
"Has the signal fallen?" I ask, trying to remain calm despite the growing anxiety within me.
"Not only has the signal fallen. We've lost all contact with them."
Her words hit me like a punch to the stomach. Our communication network is crucial to maintaining cohesion between different surviving communities, sharing crucial information, and ensuring that we're not alone in this hostile world.
"And what do we know?" My trembling voice reflects the anxiety taking over.
"Not much. The signals crashed suddenly, and all our attempts to reach them have gone unanswered. And it's not just Eureka. We've also lost contact with other outposts in the neighboring areas."
The idea that we might be cut off, isolated from the rest of the world, starts to creep into my mind like a nightmare. The feeling of being trapped, with no way out, is suffocating.
"Is there a possibility they were attacked? That Raiders hit them?" My mind starts racing, thinking of all the dangers that could threaten other communities.
Elena shakes her head, but her expression is serious. "We can't rule anything out. It could be a technical failure, a malfunction in the communication systems. But the situation is too uncertain right now."
That answer doesn't reassure me at all. Fear begins to spread within me like poison, enveloping every thought and emotion.
"So what do we do?" The words come out of my mouth before I can think. The anxiety makes me feel like I'm suspended in a state of confusion.
"We need to find out the truth, Michele." Elena looks me in the eyes, her expression serious but determined. "I need you to leave as soon as night falls for Eureka and find out what happened. Take an exploration vehicle and all the supplies you'll need. We need to know if there are survivors, if there's still hope."
I know this mission will be risky, that the unknown out there could be more dangerous than any sandstorm.
"I'll do everything I can, Mom. I won't let Eureka fall into oblivion."
Elena nods, her intense gaze fixed on me. "I know you can do it, Michele. But remember, safety is the priority. Make the right choices and come back safe and sound."
I feel spurred on by her confidence in me, and renewed determination takes over. I can't allow our world to further crumble, and I'm willing to put everything aside to uncover the truth.
I leave the command center. My mind is filled with thoughts and anxieties. The priority now is to prepare to leave for Eureka. However, the displeasure of having been punished lingers. I try to leave behind the harsh reprimand and punishment. It's not easy. I know my mother is right, but I can't help but feel a bit frustrated. I walk through the Domus corridors, the walls illuminated by artificial lights. I pass by Maria, who seems to have returned to studying.
"Hey!" I call out, smiling slightly.
She smiles back and gets up from the table. "How did it go?"
"The usual story. Punishment and scolding..." I respond, trying to make it seem less serious than it is.
She shakes her head, with an understanding expression. "Mom is tough, but you know she does it for our own good."
"I know..." I say with a sigh. "But sometimes I wish I could make my own choices without always having to be accountable."
Maria chuckles slightly. "Well, that's the price we pay for survival."
"True." I agree. "Anyway, I'm about to head out again. I'll leave as soon as night falls."
She nods. "Alright, be careful out there."
I leave the corridor that connects the command center with a determined step, feeling adrenaline pumping through my veins. I know I have an important mission to fulfill.
Before leaving, I make a brief stop in my pod that I call "room". I look around the bare walls, the few personal items I've gathered over the years. The faded photo of my mother, father, and sister smiles from a corner, a happy memory. I take the photo and hold it in my hands, feeling the connection to my family, my community, and our shared purpose.
I head toward the entrance of the hangar dome, but before stepping through the door, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around and see my mother approaching, a pistol in her hand. It's one of the few weapons we have, a precious treasure kept under lock and key.
"I'm sorry, Michele." She says with a serious expression. "I know you did what you did because you thought it was right. But you need to understand that we can't afford to jeopardize our resources and safety so thoughtlessly."
Her words hit me deeply. I know she's right, but it's hard to accept that I made such a grave mistake.
"I entrust you with this pistol." She continues, handing it over cautiously. "It's one of the most precious treasures we have. Bullets are scarce, and we have no way of making new ones. I'm telling you this because I don't want you to use it unless you're in a life or death situation. You absolutely must avoid armed conflicts unless you're forced into it. Even then, it would be better to try and escape."
Only a few in the domus have access to weapons. They're meant to defend us from malevolent individuals. However, ammunition isn't readily available outside: wasting bullets needlessly is the worst thing I could do.
I look at her, the weight of the pistol's responsibility in my hands. I understand it's a huge responsibility, and I should only use it in extreme situations.
"I understand." I say sincerely. "I promise I'll only keep it for self-defense in extreme need."
Elena nods, seeming satisfied with my response. "Be careful out there, Michele. And always come back home safe and sound."
"I will, Mom." I say, feeling grateful for her concern.
She quickly hugs me and gives me a light smile. "Now go, and be careful out there."