Year 135 | October 27 — Capital of the New Union / Argen Central Square
The sky was gray like old paper. It wasn't raining, but the air had a metallic taste — the kind that warned of something you couldn't undo.
The crowd gathered in the Central Square pressed together under watchtowers, surrounded by soldiers in rigid formation. Children on their parents' shoulders. Students in school uniforms. Old men with tired eyes. Everyone waited for the official broadcast, eyes fixed on the massive holo-screen hanging from the façade of the Focus Palace.
A tone beeped three times. Then, silence.
The image of Emperor Regent Caelus VII appeared on the screen. He wore the official white mantle marked by thin red stripes — the symbol of unquestionable authority. His eyes were cold, his voice even, effortless.
"Citizens of the New Union."
The silence in the square seemed to grow heavier.
"Today, history changes. The stability of our world depends on the courage to cut ties with a flawed past. Martial Law No. 14/135 takes effect this very moment, ensuring we will never again be dragged into disorder."
The crowd exchanged glances. Some swallowed hard.
"Read carefully. Remember clearly. Justice is now permanent."
The voice of the Secretary of State followed, flatter — as if reading a school announcement:
"MARTIAL LAW No. 14/135 — June 3, Year 135 of the New Union
Establishes the Hereditary Penal Transfer
Article 1 – On Penal Heredity
From this date forward, the remaining sentence time of any convicted citizen will be considered hereditary property.
§1 – If the convict dies before completing their full sentence, the remaining years will be transferred directly to their direct descendants.
§2 – The division may be equal among the heirs, unless one voluntarily assumes full responsibility for the sentence.
§3 – Heirs who refuse to serve the transferred sentence will be summarily executed for severe violation of state order. In the total absence of heirs, the sentence will be extinguished due to lack of succession.
Article 2 – On Voluntary Transfer of Sentence
A convict may voluntarily transfer their entire sentence to a single heir, provided that heir formally accepts full responsibility.
Article 3 – On Reeducational Containment Camps
Reeducational Containment Camps are isolated facilities for long-term penal service, intended for citizens serving hereditary or direct sentences.
§1 – Inmates must perform physical and operational labor supporting the New Union's maintenance, such as infrastructure upkeep, energy production, and agricultural work.
§2 – Biological reproduction among inmates is permitted, provided it's approved by an internal council.
§3 – Children born inside the Camps will be automatically transferred, at birth, to Affiliated Military Orphanages. They may return to the Reeducational Containment Camp only under the following circumstances:
I – If they inherit sentences from direct relatives who died while serving their own;
II – If they themselves commit a crime classified as a military, civil, or public order offense under the Central Law of Disciplinary Reassignment."
"Now even being born is a crime," someone whispered — and the echo seemed to accuse more than the words themselves.
A muffled sound cut through the air. It wasn't thunder — it was the sound of a stifled scream. Then another. And another.
On the towers, soldiers raised their rifles.
The holo-screen faded out with the phrase:
"Guilt is a legacy. Peace, a duty. Obedience, a virtue."
The emperor gave a slight bow. The transmission ended.
For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then, as if some invisible thread snapped, chaos began.
"They're gonna use our children!" a woman shouted.
"This isn't justice!" yelled an old man with a cane.
Soldiers advanced.
Sirens wailed from the west tower. A boy ran, shoving through the crowd. Others followed. The screams started. The first arrests.
The first gunshots.