“Necessity is the mother of invention” - Plato.

Flash Back - The year 2030

It's ready, finally after months, it's ready. I have it all set up and ready to go. The cables are in, the rig is fully calibrated, and I'm stuffed with chips and hot pockets. “Nothing will stop me now,” I whisper in anticipation. This is my moment. Slowly with as much care as I can muster, I lift the helmet and am just about to fit it on my head when. “Riiiiiiiiiinnnng,” the doorbell goes off, startling me. “Just a second,” I hear my Mom say as she walks to the door.

Just a doorbell. I get ready to wear the helmet again, this time without all the theatrics. I'd just gotten my VR immersion rig and was gearing up to spend my day with some of my buddies before I get shipped off to some college. But fate seemed to have other plans.

“Jamie, someone is here to see you!” Mom yells up to me. She sounds a little off. I frown for a second before putting down the helmet. Someone for me? That’s weird. I could have sworn everyone was already on, and I was the last to get on. Sighing, I stand up and head to my door. As I head down the stairs, I look back into my room in longing. Just a little longer, guys. “Jamie!” Mom yells again. “Alright, already! I’m on my way, Geez.”.

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I head Down the stairs angrily, but when I turn the corner, my anger evaporates. I see two men and my mom talking. My mom looks puffy and almost like she is holding in tears. The two men are indifferent and stand there as still as statues. They wear black tuxedos like some kind of men in black. This can't be good. My steps slow, and I approach the door more cautiously. “Mom, who are these Guys?” I ask. I can’t think of any reason for them to be looking for me. I hadn’t, to my knowledge, done anything wrong.

“Jamie miner?” one of the men said. “Yes?” I answered hesitantly. “Your birthday is January 1st, Yes?" I answer in the affirmative again. “Congratulations, Son." At that moment, I knew why he was here.

Tensions had been high for years, each country doing everything it could to amass resources and higher the best of the best. I heard the rumors. I heard the whispers. I’d ignored them. But at this moment, where I’m frozen in shock, I wish I had listened.

The Man looks me directly in the eye. “You've been drafted.”