"Captain DX:199, the enlistment is about to begin please report to your station" DX:199, or Captain Jacob, as all the non robotic members of the Advance Troops called him, slowly rose from his chair and got dressed in official uniform.

"Captain DX:199, of the Advance Troops, ready for transport." A humming sound filled the room as Jacob faded into ash.

~

A buzz filled the streets of Twin Rivers town. Today was enlistment day which meant that all able bodied people, age 18-25 would have to report to the town square and listen. If their name was called then they would be required to travel all the way to a major transport city to be teleported into their new home.

Thomas walked through the winding alleys of his hometown. This was his first time ever doing the enlistment since he was only 18 years of age. His father escorted him to the square.

"Remember son, the likelihood of you being chosen is only 25 in 250." his father, Matthais, said "you have absolutely nothing to worry about whatsoever."

Sounds like he is trying to convince himself more than he is trying to convince me, thought Thomas. "I know dad, I know. This is only the 7th time you've told me this. I am not worried, I mean besides, even if I get enlisted I have a year of training that will prepare me for any actual danger. You and I both have nothing to worry about."

"I only pester you-"

"Because you care," Thomas finished.

"I love you."

"and I love you too" Thomas joined the huddle of his fellow youth. Being surrounded by so many others reassured him. He would not mind at all if someone like Daniel got enlisted.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"Hey Tom, over here!" Thomas's best friend, and Twin River's best dancer, appeared. Alex pushed his way through the crowd and next to Thomas. "Are you scaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaared"

"Shut up" quickly replied Thomas. "The only thing that scares me is your cooking"

"Ha ha, seriously though, what do you reckon the odds are that one of us gets enlisted?"

"Please, the IDPA only requires 10 percent of a town's youth each five years. If anyone should be worried it is the Johnsons with their 12 kids." Thomas had researched the topic on his laptop for hours. He was not even the slightest bit worried. Or at least, that's what he wanted Alex to think. Truth was he was so scared he could cry, but he did not want his potential last moments on Earth to be sad, so he refused to cry.

"Will all potential enlistees please write your name down on one of these slips. Then join me on the stage." The mayor looked sad, he knew that the people he sent would almost all die and he hated that he was the one to do it. Why couldn't the IDPA do their own dirty work?

The line was slow and the wait was long, but Thomas was glad about this. It meant that he would have extra time to spend with Alex before he had to worry about the enlistment.

"Write your name and your age on this slip of paper please" said the old woman running the stand. She looked almost as sad as the mayor but nothing could be done. If she did not fulfill her duty then someone else would. At least she could make some money before forcing these youth to sign their potential death warrants.

Thomas wrote his name then went to hand the pen to the person behind him. Then he realized that he was the last person in line, he had been so busy talking to Alex he just never noticed. So he handed the pen to the old lady and stepped up onto the stage. Technically there was no rule that said talking was not allowed but as he rised up those steps there was a silent reverence to the place. Everyone understood the gravity of this stage. 25 people were going to leave and not return for at least 5 years. Even longer for most.

"If you are all ready. I will begin the reading of the names" said the mayor solemnly.

"Daniel Gilmonge"

"Calob Johnson"

"Vanessa Jones"

"..."

Thomas stood at the stage with the horrible realization that these were the people he grew up with. The people that he went to school with. The people he played soccer with. The friends he loved. Despite his earlier fortitude he began to tear up. Then he heard the words that broke him.

"Alexander Libson"

"..."

"..."

"Thomas Wilson"

Just like that both he and his best friend were to be shipped away. Into a different dimension. To kill a different people. To fight a distant war.