Influence

By Indigo Wren

In the year 2317, life as we know it no longer exists, and it's all thanks to one man, and a bit of old magic.

Majaristo Marshall Strickland, sporting an IQ between 300 and 350 at closest estimate, has decreed that all 16-year-old children shall be tested to determine their IQ, and their results will determine their life's path.

When Lydia Butler is tested, she scores nearly as high as the Majaristo - between 300 and 325 - and is swept away to the Capitol before she knows what's happening. Her life will never be the same again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Indigo Wren
• Release date: Oct 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463553299

Indigo Wren

Indigo lives in Alberta, Canada with their two young adult children and their life partner. They have adopted and lost a variety of cats over the years, but usually have one hanging around. They enjoy teasing the cat, writing (of course), and hanging out with the kids. They began writing at a young age, starting with short stories, moving on to poetry, and eventually participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and completing their first novel. Since then, they have produced several manuscripts of novel-length. When they grow up, Indigo hopes to be an expert in the field of faery security. Their advice for writers, young and old, is to be brave in their work and never give up.

Book preview

Prologue

In the country of Springland, there are five distinct Units of residency, delineated by IQ. Each Unit is assigned a colour of uniform to wear and given a list of career paths to choose from. Each Unit has a single Keeper, who wears a green uniform regardless of the Unit they originate from, as well as several dozen Guardians, who wear pale versions of their assigned Unit’s uniform.

All children in Springland are raised from birth in the Academy, where they don black uniforms until the age of 16. The Guardians at the Academy, clothed in grey, are responsible for the upbringing, care, and education of the children until such time as they become adults in the eyes of the law. At the age of 16, the new adults undergo mandatory IQ testing and are assigned a Unit to live in based on their results.

Minor Unit is for those citizens with an IQ below 90. These citizens, wearing orange uniforms, are assigned the occupations of custodial, sorting, and other relatively unskilled work. Those who are incapable of working are assigned a full-time Guardian as a caretaker.

Modal Unit is for those of average IQ, ranging from 90 to 109. Modal citizens wear red uniforms and take on the everyday jobs of sales, wait staff, food preparation, reception, sanitation, construction, mechanical, maintenance, farmhand, and warehousing.

Master Unit citizens, with IQs ranging between 110 and 119, wear yellow uniforms while they perform the tasks required of police officers, firefighters, nurses, emergency medical services personnel, stenographers, paralegals, skilled tradespeople, and skill technicians.

Maven Unit citizens, with IQs ranging between 120 and 140, are clad in purple uniforms while performing their occupations involving the environment, biological systems, green buildings, architecture, nuclear engineering, organic farming, and solar and wind energy engineering and installation.

Marquee Unit citizens, who have IQs above 140, wear royal blue. Elite Marquee Unit citizens, with IQs above 165, wear navy blue uniforms. Citizens in Marquee are teachers and professors, physicians, pharmacists, architects, engineers, scientists, accountants, anesthesiologists, lawyers, and members of the government of Springland.

Chapter 1

Spoiler alert: In the end, I win, but you’re going to have to decide if that meant the good guy or the bad guy won.

I was born in the spring of the year 2301, same as everyone else in my year at the Academy. I grew up in the care of the Guardians, same as everyone else for the last 200 or so years. I’m not special by any stretch of the imagination. I’m just regular old Lydia Butler. I have a few friends at the Academy, but I’m kind of a loner. I do things my own way, which gets me in trouble sometimes. I don’t conform exactly to the way the rest of society thinks things should be, so they try to knock me down a peg or two sometimes. I don’t let that get to me. I just keep on plugging along, doing my own thing, and take it all in stride.

Having told you all of that, would it surprise you to learn that later on in this story, I turn the world upside-down? I won’t tell you how now, but suffice it to say that it was a surprise, even to me, when it happened.

They taught me to read when I was very small – two or three years old. I mastered the skill by the time I was four. When I was six, I had read every book in the very small Academy library, so I read them all again. They had a very limited selection, and after downloading them all to my Terv and reading them at night in the dark over and over, I got bored with them. I was craving more and different stories. I started downloading the daily news, but I could only read so much about the Majaristo before I wanted to strangle the old man.

When I was 14, and I was finally granted some free time to wander the area surrounding the Academy on my own before I became an adult in the eyes of the law at 16, I discovered a small building in the Minor Unit area. It was mostly abandoned, very much derelict, and so very intriguing to my young mind. I immediately started exploring it.

There were old 20th century desks in the rooms in the upper floors, and chalk boards on the walls. This must’ve been a school house back then. I wandered down the stairs, going deeper into the guts of the building. When I reached the bottom floor, I found a pile of rubble blocking what used to be a door. I cautiously scaled the pile, careful to not disturb the detritus lest it should shift and collapse beneath me, and slid down the other side into the room beyond.

What greeted me on the other side was illuminated through grimy windows at the top of the walls along the outside of the large room, and at first I wasn’t sure of just what exactly I was seeing. There were tall structures in rows throughout the room, unlike anything I’d ever seen before, and each structure had shelves lining them from bottom to top at regular intervals.

The air was musty. There was a distinct quality to it that I had never come across before. It was almost dirty, but not quite. It was almost dusty, but not quite. If I had to put a name to the smell of the air, I would call it old.

As I crept through the room silently, I was able to see more of the content of the shelves. There were things on the shelves that I had heard of in History class, but never seen before. Books. Hundreds of books. And not the kind we read in our pods at the Academy, but real, paper books. The kind you hold in your hands, not just read on your Terv. My young mind was absolutely in awe of this treasure trove of history brought to life. I pulled a book off the shelf. The glossy cover was covered in dust, and the book beneath slid around, startling me. I pulled off the dusty paper cover and held the thick volume in my hands, feeling its weight and heft. I opened the cover and scanned the pages. My eyes fell to the copyright page: 2003. This book was 312 years old. I shivered. It gave me an odd sense of glee to realize I was holding a book that had likely been untouched by human hands for at least a hundred years. I slipped the dusty cover back on the book, careful not to tear it, and set the book back on the shelf where I’d retrieved it from, and looked around.

This must have been a library. History class had briefly touched on these earlier in the year. We didn’t learn a whole lot about the 20th century and how things were back then, but we learned the basics. I drank in the knowledge like a sponge, though, as the history of our land fascinated me, and now it was coming alive right in front of my very eyes.

My Terv beeped insistently. I glanced down at my arm. I had 15 minutes to get back to the Academy before I would be late for roll call. I looked around the library longingly, wanting to bring a book back with me, but knowing I would never pass Inspection with it, and clambered back over the pile of rubble and out the other side.

I made it back to the Academy with three minutes to spare. I slid to the end of my bed, grateful I’d had the foresight to make the bed that morning, and stood straight and tall, arms at my sides, chin up. The two rows of five teenagers in the room stood identically, all of us waiting anxiously for a Guardian to come inspect our quarters.

The tall female Guardian appeared in the doorway, an imposing sight all on her own, but more so when you realized your life was in her hands. She carried with her a tablet clutched in a hand enrobed in a white cloth glove, and held tight in her other gloved hand, as if it would grow legs and run away at any second, was a stylus to mark down on the tablet what failings we young women had committed. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a severe bun on the top of her head. She wore the standard grey Guardian uniform, and it fit her just as well as it fit all of the Guardians, which is to say, not well at all. It sagged in some areas, and was tight in others, and neither were flattering whatsoever.

She stalked through the room, looking down her nose through the standard-issue spectacles at us. She stopped at me, and I could feel myself quaking in my drab brown shoes.

She swiped a gloved finger across my face and looked at it with disdain. Why, she boomed, is your face dirty?

Oops! I’d forgotten to stop by the wash house to make sure I hadn’t smudged any dust or dirt on myself after my exploration of the old school house in the Minor Unit territory.

Answer me!

I jerked my head back from the Guardian in surprise. I – I don’t know, Ma’am.

’I don’t know, Ma’am’, she said mockingly. Could it possibly be that you did not wash your face?

Y-yes, Ma’am.

Don’t forget again! You will receive two demerits for this offence. She pulled out the tablet. Hold out your arm so I can scan your inTerval. I did as she requested. She held the tablet over my Terv, and the device automatically read my statistical information. Lydia Butler. You’re already down six demerits this month, including these two. Lose four more, and you go into solitary for the remainder of the month. She glared down at me. Do you understand?

Yes, Ma’am.

Smarten up. It’s only the 12th of the month.

Yes, Ma’am.

The Guardian exhaled sharply through her nose in a huff and moved along to the girl next to me. I realized I’d been holding my breath, and let it go. I closed my eyes and counted to 10, then opened them again. The Guardian had moved down to the last girl. She stood at the end of the room near the other door. She held up the tablet so she could read off of it.

Female barracks, Room 14-E, you have passed inspection with 18 out of 20 points. You can thank Ms. Butler for the missing points. I suggest you ensure you are ALL washed up before inspection from now on if you want full points. Good afternoon. She turned on her heel and marched out of the room.

We all let out a collective sigh. Nine sets of eyes turned to me. I’m sorry. I take full responsibility for the missing points. I put my hands up defensively and spoke as quickly as I could.

That’s the third time this month, Lydia! Joanna whined.

I know, I’m sorry.

It’s not good enough, Andrea said, crossing her arms across her chest.

I slumped onto the end of my bed and stared at my roommates forlornly. I’ll make it up to you somehow.

How? Lucy screeched. You say that every time, but we’re down by six points this month. We’re behind everyone else.

Not everyone! I declared. 12-S is behind us by a point or two still.

Nine pairs of eyes stared at me reproachfully. The twelve year old boys hardly count. We’re not in direct competition with them.

I sagged. You’re right. I know.

Amelia positioned herself in front of me. Why ARE you so dirty, anyway?

I, uh, just went out for a walk, and, uh, got into a dusty area.

You were in the Minor Unit territory again, weren’t you?

I nodded.

You know you’re not supposed to go there, Rae said, the snarky tone in her voice betraying the concerned look on her face.

There is no rule expressly forbidding it, I countered.

She’s right, Rebecca said.

Well, whatever, you shouldn’t go there. Those people are –

Rebecca whipped around so she was face to face with Rae. Are what, Rae? Dirty? Disgusting? Stupid? What will you do if you end up in Minor Unit in 2 years?

Rae’s jaw snapped shut and she pursed her lips tightly together. Still, she should do that when Death is on holiday.

It’s not going to get her killed, Rae. Just relax.

Fear is often greater than the danger, Rae, Amelia said. I understand your fear, but really, somebody has to do the jobs the Minor Unit members do. They’re not dangerous people, they’re just… less intellectually-endowed than everyone else.

Yeah, well, I’ll see you all in a few years when I’m in Marquee and you’re all in Modal or Master.

Relieved the attention had shifted off of me, I took the opportunity to slink off my bed and out of the room. With inspection over, we were now free to wander the Academy as we pleased, though we were not free to exit the grounds. I sprinted to the wash house. My first look at myself since leaving the dusty old library was a bit shocking. There was dust and dirt spread from one end of my face to the other, and my hair was completely wonky. There was one less-dirty swipe across my cheek where the Guardian had used her glove to show me how dirty I was. I sighed. I opened a cupboard and pulled out a clean wash cloth and cleaned myself up, wetting my hair to tame it a bit until I could get back to the barracks and use a hairbrush on it. I patted it down and sighed again.

My mind wandered to the old library. The old books. I wondered if they were the books that the Majaristo had outlawed after becoming President, in the Time Before. Had he somehow managed to miss this old schoolhouse when he had declared only select topics as Suitable For Public Consumption?

My Terv beeped, tugging me out of my reverie. I rolled up my sleeve and glanced down at it. Rebecca was messaging me.

Where did you disappear to?

I went to the wash house to clean up. Send, I spoke into my forearm.

Everyone’s cooled down, she replied.

I’ll come back in a little while. I’m going for a walk. Send.

Okay. See you later.

The inTerval screen darkened, and I pulled my sleeve back down over it. I stared at myself in the mirror for a few seconds, taking in the sight of my disheveled hair, despite my attempts to tame it, and shook my head while chuckling to myself. Oh, the things you get yourself into…

I left the wash house and wandered around the halls of the Academy aimlessly. Eventually, I found myself in the kitchens. The cooks were busy preparing for the evening meal, and didn’t notice me at first. Finally, Louie, the head cook, saw me sneaking around. As I rounded a corner, the large man clad in a white uniform stepped in front of me.

Miss Lydia, what do you think you’re doing? he asked kindly.

I’m bored, Louie, I whined. Can I help you?

I’m afraid not, Miss Lydia, he said, shaking his head. You know you’re not allowed to help in the kitchen. Academy policy strictly prohibits residents from having a hand in the preparation of the food.

I pretended to sigh. I know, I said in a mock sad tone. I just thought, maybe, possibly, you would bend the rules for me… just once?

I’m afraid not, Miss Lydia. Now go on, scoot on back to your barracks to get ready for dinner. He gave me a once-over. Your hair could sure use a brushing. You been playing in the bushes again?

I laughed. No!

Well, you go on back to your barracks and brush your hair up nice and proper, and we can chit-chat later, okay?

Oh, okay. I swung around on one leg and stalked out of the kitchen. I slid my sleeve up and glanced at my Terv as I walked. There was still an hour until dinner would be served. I sighed and walked back to the barracks, leaving my sleeve up this time.

When I arrived at the room I shared with the other girls, Rebecca was alone. She was lying on her bed, swinging her arms wildly, as if conducting a symphony. Rebecca, what on earth are you doing?

Without missing a beat, Rebecca sat up, still waving her arms around. Oh, hi! I didn’t hear you come in! I’m listening to music!

It was then that I noticed that the lights on Rebecca’s earlobes were glowing blue. Oh, okay. That makes sense.

You want to listen, too? I can stream it to your Trin.

Sure, why not?

Rebecca swung her arms in a few completely different directions, and my head was full of pianos and string and wind instruments. Now her conducting motions made sense. I laid down on my bed, and the two of us conducted to the music in our heads until it was time for dinner.

At the same time, I was visualizing the library, and making plans for when I would go back to it next. I was determined to explore it fully.

Chapter 2

I was sinking slowly into the chair and more quickly into the story I was reading. I had read easily two hundred of the