Atmos Dome

Open your eyes, it's time to wake-up. The Sun has gone down and the Moon reflects across the Atmos Dome. A World inside has settled in for the night; a World outside is beginning to rise.

In two nights, it will be the 1000 year anniversary of the completion of the Atmos Dome. The greatest construction mankind has ever accomplished; and also, the largest division of humanity.

Inside Atmos live 'the Chosen'. A lineage of old world elite; sheltered from disappointment, pain, and the realities that come with being human.

Outside dwell 'the Forgotten'. The scourge of workers, gatherers, expendables; whose only reason for being is to provide that faux reality.

No one outside has ever met or spoken with anyone inside the Dome. We aren't even sure if 'the Chosen' know we exist. Many of our stories have changed over the past 1000 years, through politics, religion, cults, gangs, or lies. But, it seems each division has come together with one ideology just in time for the 1000th anniversary; it's time to destroy the Atmos Dome and all it represents.

My name is Crow. I was orphaned at birth, and raised in a Government Internment Shelter (G.I.S.). Since then, I have been taught to unload and reload the Submarines that discard waste and import goods to Atmos. My people mine the outside planet for resources, refine them and place them in Submarines, which go under the Dome and safely deliver these products to 'the Chosen'. Other Submarines return with trash to our side of the Dome to be burned.

For the past 7 years, I have had my hands on discarded treasures that I could only dream to possess. This may be their garbage, but I'd risk my life if I were to keep any of it. The Government Armed Security Services (G.A.S.S.) is the military unit used to police my people with force. One rule is 'All items from Atmos must be destroyed' and if ignored, there would be no arrest, no trial, just a confirmed violation and an instant death by bullet.

I was given the name Crow out of pure animosity.

During the construction of Atmos, it was noticed that many birds were colliding with the Dome and dying at record numbers. To turn a negative into a positive, the fowl were gathered and made into a high protein goop, which was fed to the workers building the Dome. They called this goop, 'Crow Cake'. A play on the terms, 'Let them eat Cake' and 'eat Crow'. An elitist joke possibly; because the workers were starving, and they believed once construction was finished, more Domes would be built to save all of humanity. The truth unfortunately was that once Atmos was completed, several Nuclear Power Plant Cores became unstable and destroyed the outside world. It was thought that this was just a coincidence, and not known at the beginning of construction. But many believe this was 'the Chosen's plan all along, the ultimate separation of classes, not by race, religion, sex, belief; but by an actual solid impenetrable structure.

It was too late for 'the Forgotten' as the final walls were sealed. Two Governments were formed, Atmos and Ocalypse. The Atmos Governance ultimately controlled the Ocalypse Body giving the illusion of two organizations, but directed by one world Government.

The Ocalypse citizens were forced to accept the destruction from the Nuclear fallout. Millions died. Those that survived developed abnormalities, both internal and external. The worst abnormalities killed even more people. Once the population was able to flourish again, the violence returned, as did disease and malpractice. The dream of living a happy life was replaced with the will to keep Atmos provided with luxury. Some thought that if you worked only to please Atmos, once you died you were reincarnated within its walls.

Again, this is all just my conspiritual beliefs. The facts are fluctuating and taken from historical tales, but that's all I truly have in Ocalypse, my beliefs. Our Government's job is not to conform to the truth, but to control action. And all action is performed under darkness. In Ocalypse the Sun alone will kill a human if exposed longer than 30 minutes, so we hide indoors during the day and work at night under the cool light of the moon. Our trash fires, mines, and refineries reflect like stars across the Dome.

I'm one of the lucky ones. Working at the docks gives me certain luxuries. A slim glimpse into the World beyond the walls of the Dome. I get to smell the fresh trash as the door of the Submarine first opens. Even their waste smells sweeter than our air. I can't physically see through the glass walls, but over time my mind has imagined such an amazing world just by handling their garbage.

I was born an orphan, as you know, but I was also born without any abnormalities. I've been tested. Studied. My blood is so rare to Ocalypse, that some believe I am actually from Atmos, which is impossible because there is no way in or out of the Atmos Dome for humans. The Submarines are controlled drones. The walls are too thick to destroy. And the entire G.A.S.S army is sworn to protect Atmos at all cost. So, I'm just a freak, I guess. A normal body in a sea of abnormalities; beliefs in a world of disbeliefs; with dreams that will never see the light of day. That's why they call me Crow. The sour taste in a mouth full of lies and regret.

One night now, until the 1000 year Anniversary.

The whispers began floating around the docks as soon as the first Submarine opened its door. I was there to take in that sweet smell before we unloaded the contents onto conveyor belts and into the trucks on their way to the Burn Factories. Louder the whispers got until everyone was freely talking about the Anniversary; and a coup to destroy the Dome. Too loud it seems, as the conversations eventually made it into the ears of the G.A.S.S. Agents on patrol. I did my best to keep my head down and continue working, but I could feel the tension in the air building like a thick fog. It felt like all 1000 years of history, torment, pain, frustration, and guilt; was pinpointing into this very moment in time.

The last Submarine was unloaded and into the final truck of the night. I could return to the safety of my room at the G.I.S. Building and wait for this fog to lift. As I stood alone waiting to cross the street in front of my building, a garbage truck drove by and a package fell from the rear. It slid to a stop at my feet. A cleanly wrapped present. A gift for one of 'the Chosen' never opened, but just thrown away. I had never received a present before. I knew of people getting them on their birthdays, but as an orphan I was never so lucky. A quick look around. No one was watching. I bent over as if I was going to fix my shoe lace, and under my shirt the box went.

Into my room. Lock the door. As far as I know, no one saw me. I'm in the clear. I sat the wrapped box on my bed. I couldn't help but smile as I untied the ribbon and tore off the paper. Inside, light blue paper covered the little treasures within. It smelled so fresh and amazing. Next I pulled out a necklace with a gold heart-shaped locket. Opening the locket, I found a small photo of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her innocent smile; big welcoming eyes; I could feel her spirit uplifting my own; my heart became warm and calm; She was like an Angel; An Angel that wandered into Hell and found a way to give peace to a lonely forgotten soul. Looking back into the box I pulled out a handwritten note which read:

"As I look out my window this Moon filled night, the trees below cast long shadows, for the Moon is low and the Sun is sure to rise. My world only reaches as far as my eyes can see. All around me is a horizon, where the land ends and the sky begins. Always there like my world is a raindrop on a leaf with me there inside. Is that me? Am I that small of a world to be equal in design as a raindrop on a leaf? My world is as far as I can see. For anywhere I go the raindrop surrounds me. No matter my location on the leaf. The raindrop protects me.

There were rumors of a world beyond our horizon. We referred to these beings as 'The Whispers'. Long ago an ancient book was found, which told of a group of Angels that saved our world; only to sacrifice their own souls. At first, only the brave spoke of their existence. Soon, pieces of our history were found in other stories, and like a puzzle, a picture was beginning to form. A lie hidden from so many for too long. The truth of our past Worlds being as one. Only to be separated by greed, fear, and superiority. As word spread to rectify our past, Governments turned on the people, using wars, disasters, famine and drought to distract us. But, the truth was becoming clear to a growing number of believers. In the end our Governments were overthrown and replaced with the faithful.

Today is a new day. A glorious day. One I want to share with you. My name is Hope. I sent you my photograph, in a locket gifted to me by my mother. This locket is the greatest treasure of my life. My wish, my show of belief, my dream is for you to return this locket to me. I understand that this package may not reach anyone, and will be lost forever. But, I'm taking a leap of faith. Please, come into my world, and rescue me from guilt. I don't know how. I don't know when. But, I believe in you.

Yours truly,

Hope."

Banging on the door brought my attention back into my room. G.A.S.S. Agents were calling my name from the hall. I knew what they wanted, so I gathered up the package and escaped out a window. I ran as fast as I could, for as long as I could. Where could I go? If I got caught, I was only going to be killed, but I had nowhere to hide.

I spotted an empty truck at a refueling station that was still running. I headed to the edge of the city. A patrol blocked the road. Agents surrounded the truck. One asked for Identification. I searched the compartment of the truck and located a badge. The Agent waved me along without any other questions. I drove as far as the road would take me. Atmos always on my left. Closer and further the Dome moved as the road flowed along.

In the distance, there was something different. Just a speck at first, but soon it was clear. A large door. A door into Atmos. I stopped the truck a few yards from the entrance and got out. The Moon was low. And the Sun was sure to rise. If this door remains closed, again this night, I will face ultimate death. As I walked toward the door, two large spot lights came on and directed their aim upon me. I stopped. Stood still for what felt like eternity. No words were spoken. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the necklace. With my fist held high, I presented the heart-shaped locket of Hope. A loud burst of air stirred up a cloud of dust, as the door began to open.