Have you ever imagined living in the future where your countries have been sunk under water? Global warming is a real thing. Yet, very few people took it seriously when things could still be fixed.
In the year 2518, humanity has almost been wiped off the face of the Earth. Each country, or what was supposed to be a country many years ago, sent a fleet of ships with their smartest, strongest, and fittest individuals with the hope of maintaining our species.
Indonesia sent 10 ships when the first "apocalypse" strikes in the year 2150. As of today, only 3 ships remain sailing the ocean of the blue planet. Those ships are Garuda, Matahari, and Rama. Garuda is the biggest ships and is supposed to be unsinkable. It is where King Mega and his two sons, Prince Surya and Prince Chahaya live. As for Matahari, it is where the thinkers live. They make new innovations, conduct research, and store medicines. Matahari is also where the universities exist. As for Rama, it is the ship that defied the odds. Rama was supposed to be sunk a hundred years ago when seven Indonesian ships were attacked by the Renegades, the pirates that sail the seven seas. But as of this very day, Rama still prevails.
On the 4th floor of Rama, a young woman named Mutiara lives with her sickly father.
"Dad, I am leaving for school. Don't forget, today at 10 AM, I will have my Takdir placement in the Great Hall." Ara fixes her ponytail in front of the mirror.
"I won't. I will take a leave from work for you," Rahmadi says to her only daughter who is now grown up, looking confident and strong, just like her deceased mother.
"Wish me luck! I will see you in a few hours!" Mutiara, who is better known as Ara, waves her hand at her father.
The door of their cell slams as Ara walks out of the room, Cell number 444. She hums softly as she makes her way on the busy corridor.
"Ara, you are getting your Takdir announced today, aren't you? Good luck, Sweetheart!" Ara's neighbor, Ms. Hujan says.
"Thank you, Ms. Hujan. I am hoping for the best. You know how hard I've worked to go to university in Matahari, right?"
"Of course! I practically raised you! Don't worry! You will get into the best universities there is in Matahari!"
Ara gives her a quick hug and waves goodbye. On the 10th floor of Rama, the grade 12 students have gathered. Some look nervous while some cannot be more excited.
"Hey, Guntur. Today is the day! Are you excited?" Ara calls Guntur, her best friend since kindergarten. To be fair, Guntur is Ara's only friend and vice versa.
"I am not excited at all. Not even the slightest bit. Unlike you, I am not smart, Ara. I already know where I will end up. Scrubbing the toilets in Garuda," Guntur answers. His face looks as gloomy as the night sky.
"Don't say that! There is a chance that you can get an apprentice at Matahari. Or you can get a pass to work here in Rama. You know? Help your dad minding the store."
Even though Ara tries to support him, Guntur still looks as depressed as he was when Ara found him.
"Alright, students. Gather around, please! The briefing will start very soon." The teacher's voice can be heard filling the whole room from the main speaker.
In a few seconds, the voices begin to quiet down and the only teacher in Rama makes her way onto the podium.
"I want to re-clarify that whatever Takdir you get at the end of today, you cannot refuse it. If you refuse it, you will be dropped into the sea in your own tiny ship. Your Takdir is your only life purpose in the New Kingdom of Indonesia. Declining your Takdir is the same as betraying the King and our Nation. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Teacher!" answered the students at once.
'How can it not be clear when the same propaganda has been taught to us ever since we are old enough to read?' thought Ara.
She is as calm as anyone can be. She is on the top of her class and she cannot be more confident that she will study in Matahari.
Little does she know that Takdir, her destiny, will say otherwise.