Chief Rita Songworth - 13

I no longer take much notice of the people outside the training area that is sectioned off for the aircrew and soldiers who will soon board the ES Siren. At least we're getting fed and keep warm. The training is just something else to take my mind off all the shit that's happening in the world and my parents dire situation. If I could take them with me I would, but only the fittest and most skilled are welcomed aboard the Siren. And my parents and weak and sick, made ill by pollutants and the stress of survival. I can only hope to make them proud.

Chief Rita Songworth - 12

I've always felt privileged at being one of the lucky ones to start a new life, yet all around me even the most malnourished 'outsiders' are giving us and the rest of the crew pitying looks. I've heard the gossip. Many people don't think we'll even make it halfway to the new world of Solitaire. Many others imagine the whole idea is make-believe, a way for the elite and the government to get rid of a whole lot of prisoners and people from a world already overcrowded.

Chief Rita Songworth - 11

So Zane put forward a proposal to me today. He'll look out for me if we share a bed. It's selfish to admit I felt some relief at the idea as I've heard the men will greatly outnumber the women. That's like putting gas near a hot flame. Despite my rank, I can't see me being safe from men who aren't getting their quota of sex. But with Zane as my lover and protector, I'd be strictly out-of-bounds. I know it's worth thinking about at the very least.

Chief Rita Songworth - 10

The visit to my parents has left me feeling flat. I can't muster any enthusiasm for the journey ahead, at least not right now. Not while I imagine my parents left alone to die, and my mother probably the last to go. Who will look after her? Who will bury her? It doesn't bear thinking about. Grief is my middle name and I can only hope my guilt at leaving my mom and dad behind will fade the farther away we get.

Chief Rita Songworth - 9

I visited my parents today, a bittersweet experience and one that I'm almost glad not to repeat. My father hasn't got long left on this world and my mother - I think her heart will break long before her spirit. She asked me not to visit them again, she doesn't want my memories of them to be blighted by seeing them sick. When she gave me a precious, hand-knitted blanket to take with me as something to remember them by, I had to choke back my tears. My parents are everything to me, but I know that by staying on Earth I might well be signing my death warrant right along with theirs.

Chief Rita Songworth - 8

I'm so glad I decided to try out for a position on the ES Siren. We mightn't get much, but we're fed, given clean clothes and a shower once a day. That's a hell of a lot more than what I've seen everyday civilians get. Guess this is my new family now. I can only hope my parents are still proud of me. I'm going to go and see them on my next training day off. Especially now that everything seems to be in place for us to leave any day now. It might be my very last chance.

Chief Rita Songworth - 8

We trained with the electro-whips today--no use having guns when one bullet could destroy the whole ship. So much voltage in one handy little unit, I feel like a cowgirl about to lasso a bad guy. But it's serious stuff. The whips could be the difference between life and death, I'm determined to master handling it.

Chief Rita Songworth - 7

With all this training I wish we could just leave already. I've had little to no time to spend with my family and I've begun to get used to the idea of being on my own. Still, beneath my self-assurance I'm nervous about having no one to protect me, no on there for the unconditional love that we humans take for granted. Zane's persistence is really wearing me down.

Chief Rita Songworth - 6

Zane introduced himself to me today. I can't help but feel flattered. He's above me in the ranks and everyone seems a little in awe of him, even a little afraid. I'm not sure what everyone is afraid of - he's only ever been nice to me. But maybe that's because he's attracted to me. In this world, finding someone to watch your back isn't to be scoffed at...of course, now I'm wondering if he's the man for the job.

Chief Rita Songworth - 5

I knew training would be rigorous but I'm determined to better myself and chase a better life, if not for myself, then for my parents and their belief in me. Still, I never in a million years expected to be elevated as quickly as I have through the ranks. Chief Songworth...who would ever have believed it? One things for sure, I'm never going to take things for granted.

Chief Rita Songworth - 4

I made it! All that rigorous physical and mental testing and I passed the first phase of being a soldier. Top of the class in fact. Huh, who'd have thought. I have a few days rest, but most of us have forgotten what rest means. It'll take me four hours good solid walking to see my parents, but it just might be my last opportunity to see them one last time.
Can't believe it might be a goodbye.

Chief Rita Songworth - 3

So after months of living like dogs, my parents tell me they want me to apply for a position on one of the air carriers that are headed to a new world. Solitaire. It sounds so exotic and wonderful, but I'm betting it'll be hardcore living and nothing as beautiful as Earth once was. I argued that I wanted to stay with them, but we all know if chem-lung doesn't get us all--sooner rather than later--then starvation or even murder at the hands of once respectable people turned desperate, just might. I'm still fit and healthy, and being a soldier just might be the one guarantee that sees me taken away from the nightmare that is my life. But leaving behind my parents...my heart aches just at the thought. Guess I'd better not count my chickens before they hatch. I mightn't even be accepted into the ranks of those lucky enough to go.

Chief Rita Songworth - 1

My parents had no choice but to give up their real estate business months ago, but we clung onto our own home for as long as we could before we had to flee. We're thankful now that we've still got each other. The looting is getting out of control. No one is safe. I can't see that Earth will come back from the brink now. Greed and politics rule this world over harmony and preservation of the planet.