Pensive Power

I never know why they continuously observe us. I don’t even know when or where, just that they are watching. The problem was I could not remember when it started but all I can remember is that they had started. The history is there, vague and amiss, in the world of knowledge and ignorance.
There were claims that you were never alone, not even in your own room, but these were only claims - to frighten and to psychologically traumatise. But they say that every rumour has some truth to it.
Such was life in the biggest planetary system in the known universe - the Imperial Federation of Constellations. How can I see this as “A universe of peace”? It was the opposite - there was conflict everywhere - just we denizens were not supposed to know it. But what am I to complain as I am but a number not even noticed in my city let alone the universe!
However, this was all about to change - and it was more sudden then I would have thought. I never thought much of it, but now, I believe I can.
The clock blinked 0700, the lights turned on. It was time. It was time for change, even if nothing comes from it, I can only hope for one to be aspired. Everything to them will be the same but everything to will change. I will show them that all is not lost, for I still have my hope, for now.
A buzzer started. The Habit, or the routine of the morning, was to start. For now, they would suspect nothing. Moving to the food dispenser, I find that again today they decided I should diet on oats again today. What was the point of oats? Refuse, I thought, but to what that would accomplish as I would have nought to eat today and this day was important.
Gulp it down quickly - that was the trick, like everything else under the Order. Too slow and the taste sticks and stays, destroying the denizen slowly, just like the Order.
The next buzz. Clothes. Today it seems that I have an important job today as I see the three strips sprawled across my white shirt. I chuckled as I imagined what they would think trusting me on a day like this. After all, today I did have an important job to do, just not theirs.
A booming voice sounded and echoed throughout the room. Too slow, already I am suppose to be dressed and moving out of my room into the filing residents.
Run and dress. It was a movement that every denizen was used to. Little time it took for me to be filling down the hall amongst every other person. Every person was scanned - both for attendance and for items. Non regulation was not allowed.
The scanners hidden in the wall could tell everything, even my thoughts. But the minute microchip in my ear stud filtered the information and made them ignore me for it also gave the impression I was being watched by a higher power. That microchip saved my life - but that didn’t stop me from holding my breath during the scanning. For if it was to fail just once, just at that last moment…. but it wouldn’t, it couldn’t.
The last buzzer - the end of the Habit. I receive my piece of paper containing the work I have to do today, and head on out to the day that will change my life forever.