Conscripted
“You have been conscripted into the UN Navy, Keene Knirs.”
scrolled across the bottom of his eye screen in big scarlet lettering. He froze
in the middle of the school hallway. It was his mother’s worse fear.
Ten days ago on the first day of school after Christmas break,
he’d turned eighteen but he still had four months before graduation at Cass
City High School. Would they let him finish High School? If he wanted to
register and attend college, would they let him?
His dream had been to attend college for vehicle repair. Keene
and his dad always seemed to have one project car after another in the barn to
work on.
The war in the Middle East still battled on for the last
twenty or so years. Peace keeping units patrolled day and night, while the
tension increased in the generational conflict between China and Japan. Half a
decade ago, Japan changed their non-aggression constitution for one that
protected their national right to defense, after the US failed to defend them
against China’s aggression in disputed waters off Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. The
new constitution resulted in Japan’s formal dismissal from the UN.
China had threatened to cut off strategic US military
supplies. Little things like there are no shoes produced on US soil, since 2014
when all tariff’s on foreign made shoes were lifted, the last shoes made in
America were now over five years old. When we bluffed, China started calling
in all the financial instruments they held.
The required news on his internet services scrolled in green.
Today’s headline read, “Japan’s secret navy shelled Shanghai. Estimated
hundreds of thousands injured and tens of thousands dead.”
Charlina Lock ran into him literally, “Why did you stop,
Keene? Everybody knew this was coming?”
“I’ve been conscripted.” Keene said, wishing his voice didn’t
squeak. She was the prettiest girl in their class. Of course, their class was
the smallest in at least the better part of a century. With the advent of
better farming tech, the requirement for manpower decreased. Cass City had been
dying since the turn of the millennium.
“Oh, man! I’m sorry.” Tears welled up in her big green eyes.
Flipping her long red locks over her left shoulder, she continued, “Salmer
Blackurn’s cousin over in Caro got the notification on Christmas.” She paused,
chewing on lock of her hair, “He was gone before school restarted.”
Tears formed behind Keene’s eyes, he fought them back. “Do you
know if he asked to go on to college?”
“IDK but I doubt it. He worked on his uncle’s farm, Salmar’s
dad’s place.” She said.
“Warning you have two minutes to get to class.” scrolled
across their eye pieces in maroon, one of the school colors. The school had
access to everyone’s feed, which sucked because they blocked postings that
weren’t theirs or required by law during class hours. Keene would have loved to
post updates of the car project of his and Bruce’s in Mr. Torres’ auto shop
class. It was one cool restro, his word for restoration.
Charlina patted his back, “See you in Physics.”
Keene nodded.
Half way to Spanish class, Keene got another text, “Report to
Principle Sari’s office immediately.” His feet slowed his progress towards room
121, Mrs. Sanchez’s class. Mom complained about the small school not offering
foreign languages of the new global powers.
As he rounded the corner, he saw Jimmy Hunt opening the door
to the office. They had been in school together their whole lives. Jimmy’s
birthday was the day after his. Jimmy caught sight of Keene and waited for him
to catch up.
“Army.” Jimmy said with red rimmed eyes.
“Navy.” Keene said, “Have you heard if we can choose college
instead?”
“IDK but my grades aren’t good enough, bro. I planned on
working for dad on our dairy farm.”
Keene said, “Mechanic – vehicle, hopefully.”
“Gentleman, come in. Stop standing in the hallway.”
Both turned and walked slowly toward the principle. “Yes,
ma’am.” They said in unison.
“Congratulations, boys! You’ve graduated.”
Keene’s mouth dropped, looking at Jimmy’s raised eyebrows. He
didn’t know if he should cheer or scream.
Jimmy’s face drained of color, he asked, “What happens now? Do
we get to walk with our class?”
Principle Sari placed her obese hand on to Jimmy’s shoulder,
“No, son. Tomorrow either you’ll report to the bus leaving for one of the Armed
Forces Colleges or for basic training in Kentucky.”
Keene’s face flushed red while Jimmies face already drained of
color turned more of gray than white.
“Do you need an answer now?” Keene asked.
She turned her brown beady eyes toward him. “No, you will get
instructional scrolls after you get home. Do you need rides home or did you
drive today?”
“Drove.” Both said again in unison.
“Drive safely.” Principle Sari said ushering them towards the
door.
“Don’t we get to say goodbye to our friends?” Keene whined.
“Nope! Your parents have been notified and they will probably
want to spend the time with you. But you can always say goodbye after school
hours.” She said leaning on the metal doors closest to the student parking.
“What about the contents of our lockers?” Jimmy asked.
“Janitor Henry has emptied them for you and will be here
soon.” she said.
Jimmy’s face flamed red. Wow, what did he keep stashed in his
locker? At the same time, under her breath, Keene was sure he heard Principle
Sari say, “It’s the only reason you’re still here.”
Six months later, standing at the attendance office of Naval
Trades College, Keene waited for his passes for a home visit to print. The
tall, awkward big glasses clerk whispered loudly at him, “Don’t miss your bus
to basic or they won’t let you come back to school. They’ll ship you out
immediately.”
“I don’t plan on missing anything.” Keene winked at her. She
liked him, but he didn’t return the feeling. It was good to have someone in
admin on your side. It really was a case of who you know and not what you know.
“I will follow my schedule exactly.” He saluted and she giggled.
As he boarded the bus, his thoughts drifted. It would be good
to see mom and dad, and his family tonite. But Jimmy’s funeral tomorrow wasn’t
going to be easy. Charlina and what was left of their class would have a hard time celebrating their graduation the next day.
© 2013 Kim Izzy
This short story was inspired by this news story:
http://news.yahoo.com/four-chinese-ships-disputed-waters-japan-050631644.html
