Escape from Planet Ajax

By Eliza Hazeldine

 

Ajax. A planet of perfection amongst the stars. That's what Amber thought at first.

 

But now that years have passed since her and other people of Earth were sent there, she longs for the planet she once called home. Yet far greater secrets and horrors lie beneath the surface. When people begin to disappear, it only leads to far worse discoveries.

 

The Treatment was supposed to be nothing more than a rite of passage for the young adults of Ajax. Until Amber and four others discover the dark truth. Now instead of worrying about the past, the teens must fight their way to a better future.

 

In this story of growing up and facing fear head on, a girl must stand tall in the face of trials and monsters that come for her. But can she face the unknown and escape from Ajax when betrayals could be just around the corner?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eliza Hazeldine
• Release date: May 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393821007

Eliza Hazeldine

Eliza grew up with a love for story telling and stylish shoes. Between her marketing job and drinking too much iced coffee, she creates outfits on her blog The Writer's Walk-In, reads, paints, and brainstorms new writing ideas. She lives in beautiful Colorado.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I BEGAN TO RECITE MY poem. We are a little dot. A mere expansion in the nothing. A crater in the space. We are power, we are strong, and we are past, present, and future. My class clapped once, twice.

Thank you Amber, your poem was enriching, spoke Mr. Thomas, Welcome to writing class students, it is year twenty thirty-six and life on planet Ajax has blossomed since we built this planet into our new home.

I wasn’t fully paying attention to my writing class. It was too early for this.

It wasn't always like this you know. We used to live on Earth. I was fifteen when I was shipped here. Our government looked like it was getting better, but I guess that was wishful thinking. A third war was on the horizon. There needed to be a relocation of a substantial number of people to a place that didn't have nuclear warfare happening. Little did we know that a ship had been built. A ship to Ajax.

That's where we were, planet Ajax. Well, technically it was an undiscovered dwarf planet. Just between Mars and Earth was our slice of paradise. They already had made it able to contain people but considering the government loaded around three hundred adults and two hundred children, I guess we were test subjects. Now there’s one thousand people and counting.

Everything was a blur. It was the year twenty thirty-two. I said goodbye to my family, like any other day. I briefly remember the news reporters saying something about nuclear warfare on the television. We started screaming we were all going to die. I punched my brother, and my mom pulled us apart.

That morning didn’t prepare me for the men who came into our school and herded us into buses. Dark suits, pistols on their hips. I thought maybe the teachers knew what was happening, but when I asked, they were just as clueless as us. A colony of yellow bugs were moving out of California. It must have taken all night to take us where we were going. If we had known where.

The bus windows were blocked with boards. It was pouring buckets and we ended up at a grey and dreary facility. They kept telling us our parents were on their way. The kids were going wild. More people, hundreds went through that building. A mixture of elderly, middle aged, and young. Strangers who looked nervous. Some excited, some terrified. Me, I must have cried for hours. After hours of questions and being identified, we were driven out into the middle of nowhere. And there, standing like a sleeping giant, was a ship. At first no one believed what was happening. Some tried to run off. But we all still ended up on the ship. There were more ships that followed us. Some the same day, others within the following years.

Ajax was half the size of Earth, and a dome was keeping air in. I remember when I first saw it and thought it looked like a soap bubble. Once the dome opened it reminded me of what Earth looked like before there was war. Untouched, with trees and flowers in bloom. The ground under my tennis shoes was covered in nothing but grass. What buildings there were, were a pristine white. There was a school already built for us, with places for people to live in or work out of. Every hall and room was painted blue and white. Everyone received new clothes. Ajax had been prepared.

I remembered how on Earth soldiers were everywhere. Streets had trash and grime with few children to be seen. Earth seemed like a pale, dying, copy of Ajax. Yet somehow, I missed that copy and couldn’t help but bitterly resent this paradise. I don’t think I ever got over that bitterness.

When we asked the adults about our families, they said we all had to make sacrifices. We never knew what happened to them. Some got over it, others were never the same again. Our parents, families...gone. We were on our own. What were we anyway? Fools, followers. Because in all honesty, we should have never got on the ship.

AMBER! HELLO? WAKE up! whispered my friend.

Wait, what? Oh, sorry, I apologized. Luncheon time had just started. Auto pilot was my go-to for today. My sandwich seemed tasteless, and my hand was continuously twirling a tress of my chocolate brown hair. Ellen was watching me like a hawk, trying to read my emotions as usual.

Still trying to figure out the meaning of life, are you? questioned Johnny. He ran his hand through his messy ebony locks as he sat down at our table. After so many years, I’d thought he'd have learned how to keep his shirt unwrinkled but apparently it wasn’t possible. We all wore uniforms. Girls in a simple white dress, boys in pants, a white shirt, and a blue tie. The only difference with adults was the women wore a light blue dress. Equality had come to be everything up here.

Not really, I responded, Just thinking how long we've been stuck on this chunk of rock.

Damn, it’s been three years, muttered Ellen, poking at her green beans with a fork. Her blonde hair was pulled back tight into a ponytail, except for the few strands that fell into her face.

Not that long, Beth mentioned as she joined us at the table, You and Adela have been here the longest right? Beth had always been the positive force in our group, with her bright, playful blue eyes and curls of strawberry blonde locks.

Lucky me, I laughed, Four years for Adela and me, three years for Ellen, and two years for Johnny and you.

Beth sighed, I didn't think it had been that long.

Ah, memories, reminisced Johnny, Nothing like the end of the world and being shipped into space to really make life worth living.

For once Johnny, would you stop being such a smart ass, Ellen growled.

Sheesh. Fine. I'm just saying, grumbled the boy, digging into his potatoes. The table had gone quiet unlike the rest of the cafeteria.

Well hey, Beth smiled, At least since you were the earliest group of teens to come to Ajax, you'll get the Treatment and join society! You don’t have to do schooling anymore. The Treatment was nothing special other than when teenagers came of age and became official adults. After that we would have a graduation ceremony to complete us entering adulthood. Lucky me, I bitterly thought.

That is true, agreed Johnny, We've got a while left for us.

I’ve asked teachers and they tell me the Treatment isn’t a big deal, chimed in Ellen, You just have to fill out forms, nothing out of this world. It’ll be easy.

Their reassurance calmed my nerves. It was nice to know that even if I was without parents and siblings, I had them. After the last few years, they had become my family. My thoughts were interrupted when the bell for class chimed.

Back to the horrors of education, bellowed Johnny.

Don’t do anything stupid, Ellen said, Especially the Panic button.

I laughed at Johnny’s insulted face. Ye have little faith in me.

I SCURRIED THROUGH white and silver hallways to class. Pushing and going with the flow of all the people. If I was correct, class would be outside today.

I must have been too wrapped up in my mind because I rammed into someone, dropping my schooling tablet.

Here, I've got it.

Thanks, I'm so- I felt my stomach do a flop. It was Siaren.

Siaren. How are you? He ran his fingers through his dirty blonde hair. His hair looks soft.

Fine, trying to get to class. It was nice seeing you, he said in a rush, bustling off to his destination. I couldn’t help but sigh as he made a mad dash through the hallway.

When I finally got to the outside classroom and grabbed a pillow from a pile to sit on, I realized I was early. I took a seat on the ground and looked through my schooling tablet. The sun was bright today, making me sweat. Where were those notes I typed last-

Afternoon Amber. I turned to see an elderly gentleman walking towards me. His white cane gave away who he was. George Filon.

Hey, Mr. Filon. You doing okay? His greying hair was tucked under a hat and his crisp white suit was blinding.

I’m quite well, just taking a stroll before class starts. Ready for your English exam?

Yep, pretty sure I’ll do fine.

Good, you always did succeed with classic literature. Are you excited about Graduation?

Umm, yes.

A crooked smile pulled at his lips, For a young woman who claims she’s excited, you do not sound very sure of yourself.

I just-I keep thinking of Earth. I guess I’m just missing my family and my old home.

I saw it. Sadness flooded his eyes and then was gone in a blink. If you could see them again, your family, would you?

I was startled. Few ever spoke about Earth or their families they left behind. Yes, I wish I could. But we both know that would have to take a miracle.

The impossible needs only to lose the i and the m to become possible. You never know what tomorrow may bring.

"Classes are to commence in five minutes, rang a speaker through the school. Well, I suppose I should get to my classroom, have a nice rest of your day. I hope to see you for that extra review time you asked me about. Oh, and I almost forgot, Amber no matter come what may, do not forget that love you have for your family."

I was going to ask what he meant but students were flowing to the outside classroom, and Mr. Filon was already waddling to his class.

TODAY WE SHALL BE REVIEWING for our test on the history of Ajax and Earth. Can anyone tell me about the beginnings of Ajax, Ms. Marice began.

Missed you at lunch, I whispered as Adela flopped onto a pillow next to me.

A wicked grin graced her features, You know how I am, grab food and then eat in a tree. I don’t know how you guys can stand that flippin cafeteria with everyone screeching. Now, what’s really important to me is any new Siaren developments.

As hard as I was trying to pay attention to Ms. Marice, it wasn’t working. I crumbled like a cookie and told her how I’d ran into him.

Are you serious? You didn't even say anything else to him? Adela questioned. Adela had been at my Earth school, and in my class no less. While I was the one bawling my eyes out, she held my hand stating everything would be okay. Ever since then we’d been close. Her dyed hair had made quite a scene when we had first arrived here. Even though people frowned at her unique trait, her black waves still had a faint cherry red sheen.

The Head Man is the top dog on Ajax, along with his wife, child, and six officials he has chosen as his counsel. Ajax had only consisted of children, teens, and a hand full of adults when it first started up. There is around one thousand people on this planet, currently. Due to not enough oxygen, more people were not allowed to join us at the beginning of travel to Ajax. Oxygen levels have stabilized since then and people can now have families, to a certain extent, recited a student.

Correct Anthony, praised Ms. Marice, Now what caused us to have to come to Ajax? My hand shot up.

Yes, Amber?

Tensions were starting to build at the end of twenty-one, specifically talk about nuclear weapons. However, although people were shipped here only four years ago, the preparation for people began in twenty twenty-six so that Ajax would be prepared for us.

Excellent Amber! Soon, once all of you become of age, you will join society, be given a job assignment, and help Ajax grow. Ever since we came here, the Treatment has been a representation of creating a new world for mankind. At first, our leaders had originally given the Treatment to adults of twenty-one years or older, which included vaccinations and filling out documents to become a complete citizen of Ajax. However, it has progressed into a belief where new adults will receive the Treatment as they graduate. You will all be able to experience the Treatment now at the highest year in your schooling. It will be a great honor given to you all. Look, there are our wonderful leaders; Head Man, Head Wife, and Head Child!

We all turned in our pillow seats to see the three people walking by. Two men in black suits followed quietly. Guardians, men used to protect. Mostly to watch over the Heads and protect civilians if necessary. The way they moved gave away their mechanical design. Mechs was their technical name but at times it was difficult to tell that they weren’t human. I’d always wondered who had built them, probably mechanics or scientists from Earth, but Ajax wasn’t a place for questions. There was Mrs. Jemima Gruet, Mr. Sylvester Gruet, and their son. Siaren.

Siaren sure is looking pretty good, whispered Adela. I watched silently like everyone else, barely hearing the greeting my teacher was saying. He looked exactly like his mom. Blonde hair, perfect complexion. But unlike his mother's brown eyes, he had teal blue like his father. Their clothes were all the same shade of baby blue, except for the silver pins of a tree they wore to show their higher status. The perfect guy. And the most untouchable.

WOULD YOU JUST DROP it! I hissed. Adela and I pushed through the crowded halls searching for our next room.

No, I will not drop it! You’ve got to buck up girl! Siaren is single, you need to go for it!

Look I don’t have time for-wait a sec.

The halls seemed to empty, and the students turned to look down the stairs. The waves of bodies parted as six Guardians marched our way.

Oh, I forgot to tell you! There’s some huge hub bub going on!

I pressed myself up against the wall making room for the men.

Like what?

She leaned in close, her breath right on my cheek. Ms. Lorez vanished.

Vanished? That’s not possible, she’s got to be on Ajax. There’s nowhere-

To go? Adela finished, I don’t know, apparently they checked her living quarters, and she wasn’t there. They’ve been searching everywhere, and they still haven’t found her yet.

Oh, come on, I rolled my eyes, You’re making it sound like it’s a murder mystery.

It is! You’ll see, next thing you know they’ll find her body abandoned in a classroom! As the Guardians exited the hall, I continued to walk. I’ll see you around, okay?

Fine, but you’ll see what I mean!

Chapter 2

CLASS ENDED AND I WANDERED past the school towards the living quarters. The worker’s buildings came into my view and I watched people go in and out. Green trees flowed from an artificial wind. The white and blue of Ajax all seemed to mix. The buildings had only a few windows, most of them fake. The sky was clear as always, with its fake shade of blue that was programmed by the technicians who worked the dome. It was a rare day if rain or snow fell. If you could even call it real weather. Another ability only possible from technicians. I’d had too many hopes that maybe one day I’d be able see real snow or wear normal clothes, let every color of the rainbow show itself on Ajax. I doubted that would ever happen though. When I came to a silver bench in front of a white building, I sat down to wait.

People passed by. A child and mother were giggling. A man was talking into a communicator that was attached to a pole. Whoever he was talking to made him smile.

My eyes glossed over my surroundings. They paused when I saw the small camera just above and to my left in a tree. I was never fully sure what they were watching for. But I always knew someone was watching. Watching us while we ate. While we walked and talked. An eye was always looking our way.

I swear if he’s late again, I’m- my thoughts stopped and focused on the young man who came to sit next to me.

Seriously Bran, you need to work on your timing. He knew I was joking and playfully punched my arm. Bran had graduated into society last year and had been on the same ship as Adela and me. Adela was strapped in next to me on the ship and Bran was on my other side. He was a college student back then with hopes of majoring in architecture. He never even got the chance to follow that dream. Unlike us teenagers from school, he was lucky to have his mother be transported on the ship after us. His sister would be on another ship within a few months.

You know how work is and taking care of mom and Elexi. I’m usually always busy. How was school today?

Fine, getting ready for final exams, talking about the Treatment. How was your day?

Uneventful. Making sure the food hasn’t gone bad, so we don’t all starve to death.

Bran was a part of the Life Giver division. He made sure Ajax continued to be sustainable for life with food, water, and air. He’d wanted to be a part of the Home Giver division or the Leading division, but once again, another dream that was never coming true.

No matter how many times people said you should be proud of your division, it often felt like an empty proclamation. Our occupations weren’t just jobs. They were there to divide people. But of course, no one spoke of such things unless they wanted to be arrested.

The girls say hello by the way. I went home after work and they wanted me to tell you congrats on graduating. His mom was a ray of sunshine. I couldn’t recall how many times I’d gone to their home in the family quarters to just talk with her. She and Adela had been the emotional anchor I needed. Elexi was a full of spunk and had a knack for building liking her brother. Her sarcasm and charm had brightened my days when we were first shipped here.

Tell your mom and sister thanks for me. And you never know, maybe you’ll get into a different division someday. I knew it was stupid to give him hope for something that would never happen. The Leaders of Ajax decided your occupation assignments. You could be a leader who helped society like teachers, doctors, or counsel members. Those occupations were always few and far between however. Or a home giver who built and created buildings or kept Ajax protected such as the Guardians. Or like Bran who kept Ajax healthy and alive.

I wish. Everybody has a role to play Amber. You know there’s only three job occupation sections, nothing new or pointless.

I know but it doesn’t hurt to have hope.

And you? Have you thought of what you’d like to do with yourself? Not like you have a choice but might as well think about it.

His sarcasm made me laugh. I’d rarely thought of the future. My mind was too busy thinking of the past. Don’t know, I’ve got too much on my mind as it is.

Thinking of the Treatment? Damn, is it that obvious, I wondered.

What was it like?

At first, Bran’s hazel brown eyes seemed clear. The Treatment was fine. It was...

His clarity defused into confusion. "I...I...you’ll think I’m crazy but it’s kind of fuzzy to