Both Of Us Are Lying

"Breaking news: The Earth population is rebelling and refusing the implantation of the MicroMac234 Chip. A danger to the United Confederation of Planets?"

"This is ridiculous! He's seventeen!"

Muffled voices reached Lucian's ears as he stood in the hallway. He grimaced.

"Lucian is one of our best. His age is irrelevant," one of the voices continued.

A moment later, a man came out into the hallway, furious. He gave Lucian a cold look before storming out.

"Mr. d'Angeli?" called the man who had remained in the office. Lucian took a deep breath and entered the principal's office of Galatea National Academy.

"Please sit down."

Lucian complied. He hoped he wasn't in trouble, though his concern was limited. His parents would simply make a donation to the school if necessary.

"Mr. d'Angeli," the principal began. "You are an excellent student, with a very bright future ahead of you. You are exceptionally talented for someone your age."

"Thank you, sir, I don't deserve so much." Lucian murmured, feigning modesty while hoping the principal wouldn't see the arrogance in his eyes. But the man was already moving on.

"That's why we've decided to immerse you in one of our special teams. It's a huge opportunity to strengthen your already excellent record."

Lucian's eyes lit up. He was finally going to have the chance to prove himself.

"The operations center you'll be assigned to is on planet Earth."

Lucian's face fell.

"You're joking." He rasped, forgetting to watch his tone.

"This is a huge opportunity." The principal repeated like a robot, ignoring the young man's glare.

"Are you kidding? Earth? That's ridiculous. This planet is a dumping ground!"

"This planet still has a significant population. And I would advise you to watch your tone and stop this contempt immediately."

Lucian stared at him, dumbfounded. He was so used to the sugary tone of adults intimidated by his parents' influence, so used to getting away with everything, that the principal's dry voice had surprised him.

"You will be going to planet Earth to complete this internship, end of discussion."

Lucian wasn't stupid. This so-called opportunity was punishment disguised as a reward. His university had found a way to send him away without his parents being able to object. He sighed. Earth? How awful. Being transferred to Earth was the most dreaded professional sanction across the galaxy, and here he was doing his final internship on this very planet? At least he'd have some responsibilities.

"Can I go now?" he asked, with all the insolence he could muster without being reprimanded.

The principal nodded, and the teenager went out into the hallway. He rushed to the schoolyard where his best friends were waiting for him.

"So? What did you do this time?" one of them asked, laughing.

Lucian felt a smile spread across his lips despite his bad mood. He kissed Hannah, his girlfriend, before declaring, "These bitter old men don't want to deal with me anymore; they're sending me to earth!"

"No way?"

"You're kidding right?"

"Ha ha, very funny."

At this chorus of exclamations, Lucian simply repeated his conversation with the principal word for word.

"Damn, they actually really hate you!"

Lucian rolled his eyes, grinning.

"What do you want me to say, they can't handle my swag." he retorted, his tone completely overdramatic, shrugging his shoulders.

"Oh, shut up!"

They laughed again, then silence fell.

"Are you really going?" Hannah asked, her bright eyes looking up at him.

He sighed.

"I don't know. It's not like I have a choice."

"But what about your parents?"

"The school says it's a great opportunity, like a reward for my good grades or something."

"But can't you just tell your parents you really don't want to go?" his best friend suggested."Nah dude, you know how they are. They'll pay if it's going to be on my record forever, but since they're all about 'owning my mistakes,' there's no way I'm getting away with it."

And he was right. Twenty-four hours later, he stepped off the spaceship at Station 456-Earth. Sighing, he waited in the station's lobby until a large man approached him.

"Lucian?"

The teenager nodded.

"Himself."

The man considered him for a moment before introducing himself.

"Nathan Trenley, Special Operations. I'll be your supervisor for the duration of this internship."

Lucian stared back. 'Never show them you're intimidated,' his father repeated, and the teenager did his best to live up to that motto.

Nathan Trenley narrowed his eyes, then smiled.

"Let's go."

He left without waiting for Lucian, who had to half-run to keep up with the man, who was much taller than him.

They left the station, and Lucian was shocked by the state of destruction he saw. The buildings, which predated the Emmigration, were obsolete and mostly destroyed.

And that's when the explosion happened.

The station shattered, and the force of the blast knocked Lucian and Nathan Trenley to the ground. The man immediately got up, grabbed Lucian's arm, which remained shocked on the ground, and roughly pulled him to his feet.

"Run !" They ran for cover behind some debris and saw five hooded men running out of the remains of the station.

"Fuck the Chip ! Death to the Confederation !" one of them shouted.

Trenley turned to Lucian and smirked.

"Welcome among the forgotten, pretty boy."