The entire neighborhood was out on the street. An industrial aircar bearing the Imperial pennant had lowered itself onto the parade field next to the high school. All snapped to attention as the imperial anthem was played. Out of the massive aircar slid a ramp that was so red it hurt to stare at it. Trundling down the ramp was a servant. Slowly it made its way down the street as the crowd parted before it. My parents were retired diplomats but as barbarians, we never had anything close to an imperial envoy take notice of us. I was sure an enemy of the state had been found and the unlucky wretch was going to learn of it from the mechanical representative of Joss. My family stood on our lawn watching it. Few of us could afford anything like a humanoid robot, so even without the imperial trappings, it was a spectacle. Closer and closer it came and then stopped in front of our house. It bowed and asked for me. My bowels felt like ice and my vision dimmed. It bowed again and asked if it could come inside. Father sprung to life and begged forgiveness for our lack of civility. Anyone or thing bearing the blessings of Joss was to be treated as if HE were here. In our living room, a hologram of Whu Zhan, an old family benefactor appeared. “Even though you were born a barbarian, you are chosen for a chance to become civilized. Your hard work as a young pioneer has opened the door for civilization to shine on you and your family. Rejoice, young man!” the hologram beamed.
He continued “Dearest friend, Joss loves you! 1,200 years ago He saved the barbarians from themselves. A thousand years has passed since the gods gave him the key to the world. The sons of Chin administrate every city on the Earth and our beloved pioneers spread Joss on a dozen worlds. You may end up on one of these worlds, given your skills and family history. Many an elder has noted your love of Joss, your family has a long history of trying to become civilized and SoCal has been a friend of Chin for centuries. The Chin Elders Who Care For the Barbarians may allow you to take the entry test for the Nipponese Pilots Academy. I know you are young and do not want to place unrealistic hopes in your heart. No barbarians have ever been schooled higher than a Kimchee cousin of Chin but that may change, some of it depending on you. Who can comprehend the mind of Joss? There are rumors that Nipponese cousins may attend the Forbidden University. The sons of Chin have always been the chosen, our numbers were always the greatest of the Middle Kingdom’s children. Rightfully so, I might add. Now we are running out of men to run our kingdom. It is no coincidence that barbarians are allowed to be the righteous harmony fists of their own provinces. Soon the Dragon will not just fly over this solar system. Now that Ouzhōu is a fully functional spaceport, the Dragon will soon be able to reach nearby stars. ”
“Your mind is probably full of questions right now. Patience, this letter is to put your mind at ease. The benevolence of Joss will take care of all of your needs. You will report to the Kimchee school in Tianshi via the enclosed transport receipt. Your chit will be updated by this messenger mechanical servant. You need only pack some personal items, as Joss’ blessing covers you. At the Kimchee school, you will go through an orientation course and then an indoctrination course before your trip. You will then be sent to the Nipponese Pilots Academy on Chan-juan. Your family’s elders all assure me you are made of stern determination. You will need that skill to get through your orientation. None would be foolish enough to openly question Joss’ decision to give you this chance but many will try to make you give up the journey on your own. They will use this as proof that barbarians are not meant to be pilots. It is only coincidence that you have black hair and brown eyes but this will help some deal with the novelty of your kind wearing a sacred blue jumpsuit. Again, your chit will soon be the color of a civilized man. Be prepared to be scrutinized, challenged, accused but such is the burden of a pioneer.”
“Also added to your chit is 3,000 wan zhu. It is not as generous as it seems for a cadet has many expenses before his first pay. Do not worry about your parents, Joss has seen to that. I have taken the opportunity to be your sponsor for many reasons but the privilege of composing this greeting letter was foremost. I did not meet in person a barbarian until I was 18. Your father and mother have been a boon ever since my diplomats stole lead me to SoCal. Your aptitude, grades, & family are impeccable. I have been around for your upbringing and know you are one of the brightest young men I have met here. Follow your heart, discipline your mind, keep quiet as often as you can, and never forget that your appointment to THE academy bears the chop of Joss himself. That alone will open many doors. The hardships ahead will strengthen you in ways none can imagine. Some will be determined to make sure no barbarian, chop or not, leaves the academy with a set of wings. You are not only earning face for you, you are opening the doors for your people. Never forget that.”
The hologram disappeared and the servant stood there as still as a statue. I turned to father and asked “What do I do next?” as our eyes met. “Give your mother a hug, pack your toiletries and go with haste, my son. Make sure you bring plenty of shaving supplies. Nothing says ‘barbarians’ like facial hair.” I quickly did as he said, bowed to father, hugged mother and addressed the servant for the first time. “I am ready to do Joss’ bidding”, the traditional workman’s chant to a son of Chin. Even though it’s a robot, I wasn’t taking any chances. Would you? It bowed ot me and I returned the courtesy. “Follow me, young master.” Everyone gasped, as you probably are, but I swear it is true. The imperial servant addressed me not as a barbarian but as a cadet. I followed him, drinking in the admiring looks from my neighbors. The aircar was huge, an industrial model. Once through the ramp’s end, I saw why. The main cabin was an oval, with a plush sort of bench running it’s perimeter. “Place your bag under the bench and make yourself comfortable, young master. We have 5 stops across the planet to pick up the other 24 cadets. We will eat and bathe after the flight. Depending on the time, you cadets may get to sleep before we take the long march to the academy.”
I chose a space on the bench by a window and felt the aircar lift off the ground. Too scared and excited to concentrate, my mind flitted from thought to thought. Some absurd, some embarrassing, all silly and unimportant compared to what was ahead. The aircar continued to rise as it passed over the massive Heavenly Ocean, chasing the sun. There were NO cadets from the eastern barbarian lands, naturally, and I was the only cadet from the western barbarian lands. The rest would be from Kimchee, Nippon, and the Land of the Gods No matter what, I will not dishonor my parents. I will not quit and I will see the stars as a loving servant of Joss.