The sound of heeled boots clicked against the sleek surface, the pair belonging to a student who was walking at a brisk pace towards the central part of USC Station. She wasn’t the only one making their way to join up with the various students from distinct parts of the large station, floating in the vastness of space. There was a PA all across the station about the Intergalactic Exchange Student Program, those with a new message from the head of USC were selected to take part in the freshly created program. The student made her way towards the forefront, finding minor difficulty in bypassing her peers as she finally arrived. A large hologram comes to life, showing the face of the Director of USC, though gender unknown, the Director were one of the few species who were glad the Humans got rid of the former system.
“Students of USC U, I am sure you have lingering questions and you may ask them via your EVA. Simply put, we on the board of USC have decided that you will be our first subjects in a proposed solution to learn more about one another’s origins. If you feel as though you would not like to participate, please exit to the left now.” The Director’s beady eyes looked around at the crowd.
Some selected participants left the room. The Director cleared their throat, “Now, those of you who chosen to stay will be given the opportunity to study and learn about your desired planet.” This brought the crowd to murmur among themselves. It intrigued many while a few were still lost. “For a more in-depth version of the proposal, please access your EVAs and check your student portal messages. As of now, once you select your desired planet, your name will be placed in a lottery. A Host will be selected by lottery and with your name attached to the ticket, you will live there and experience first-hand at your desired planet’s home world. If you find yourself placed with a displeasing Host, you may dispute the claim via EVA. We will ping you shortly after this PA and students, please be on your best behavior. For some of you, there will be few of your kind taking part in such a grand event. We look forward to your testimonials once the program has ended. Thank you for sparing time to attend this PA, please return to your classes. Don’t forget to check your EVAs after class.”
The hologram disappears and everyone’s already checking their EVAs. The first one out the door is the same student who made her way towards the front. The trial program intrigued her before it disturbed her lessons. The student would’ve been annoyed if it weren’t from USC, themselves calling for her. Dismissing her useless thoughts, she crossed the platform, above her were transparent ceilings to see to the vast space outside; a bright white, dying star was far from the station and gave them the energy they needed. In the heart of an entire new galaxy, she could call this place home after leaving Terra Citadel back in the Milky Way.
Turning into the station’s own transport station, she waited for the train to come. While doing so, she turned her left palm up, opening it to greet EVA, the blue feminine AI coming alive, “Greetings Ms. Genesis, time has passed to check your biotics and to return to your lessons. You have 22 new messages and 10 missed invoice calls. Would you like to check them now?”
For each student on the station, they each had an EVA installed in their desired hand, a small, harmless chip to slip beneath the skin. Each EVA is uniquely tailored to each student’s personality and interests. Their EVAs voice would only be for their ears only. If onlookers were to see them speaking to their EVA, they could hear no audio.
Sakowin check the time, the train would be arrive shortly, “Check for a message from the Director or pertaining to the exchange program they mentioned.” She retorts.
“Checking… 1 Urgent message from USC. Do you wish to continue?”
“Sure, there’s nothing else I have for the next hour. Read me the message.”
The transporter arrived just as her EVA started reading off the message to her. She boarded and found a seat among the few passengers. Genesis noted the few beings who were likely selected for the program too, taking a seat off towards the back of the transporter.