Chen didn’t figure it out. We whispered about it when he came outside, waiting for the last boy to finish his time.
“I froze,” he said, sitting on the ground on the flat, rocky patch between the Hive and the beach with his head in his hands. “I could sort of see what I was supposed to do, but every time I picked something up, I just kept looking at the Master in the doorway. I got the tube on the disk, but the stick-thing just didn’t make any sense. It seems so obvious now.”
“It will be all right,” I said. “You did well enough at everything. And you’re a great gardener. The Masters know that. I think you’ll get it.”
We waited forever, as the afternoon sun fell behind the massive Hive. A hot wind still blew in from the sea, and the screeching cries of little insects filled the air. Around us, Masters and Lowforms scurried, doing their daily tasks. A group of Soldiers exited the Hive, heading out on a patrol. There were two Lowform Runners with them, and they filed along up the beach. I watched them until they were out of sight.
Finally the last boy came up. I could tell from his face that he hadn’t figured out how to build the thing. Was I the only one?
Across the rocks I could hear Gil boasting. I wasn’t the only one. He built the Lowform seat as well. One other boy, Jerome, seemed to have gotten it most of the way finished. Everyone else had either choked under the pressure, or been totally baffled about how the parts fit together.
Maybe that was it. Maybe I’ll get it.
All of the younger boys trooped out and formed a circle around us. I’d done this every year since I was taken out of the nursery, watching the older boys learn their fates. Fifty or sixty kids moved into silent order, with us in the middle. Three of the Masters scuttled out of the Hive and approached our little group, cutting through the circle of younger boys. We all jumped up and stood at attention. The Masters stood with their hind ends toward the sun, and I had to squint against the fiery sky to see them. My eyes burned.
“Rank finished,” the center one clicked. “Jobs.”
One by one they clicked out our names. Three of the boys ended up as Cleaners. They rushed inside to join the ranks of men who hauled waste from the Hive, both Lowform and Masters’, and dragged it out to the sea. It was hard work, but they would grow strong. Two were named as Runners. This was odd, as Gil had beaten both of them in the footrace. Their chests puffed with pride as they strutted into the Hive. Soon they’d leave with Soldiers. If they were lucky, they’d come back with them. If not, they’d give their lives in service to the Hive. Ultimately, we all would.
Three more made Gardener. Chen’s face fell that he wasn’t among them.
“I thought I’d get it,” he whimpered.
I wanted to throw an arm around him, but there were only a few of us left, now, and the Masters were watching.
The Master pointed at Chen, and he snapped to attention.
What would it be? Where would my best friend spend the rest of his life?
“Caretaker.”
My throat closed up. Beside me, Chen sobbed a quick cry from deep in his belly.
“No . . . not that. Please . . .” But there was no begging with Masters. Our personal wants were deep beneath them. All served the Hive.
I watched Chen slump toward the entrance. He turned back and took a long, deep breath, eyes wandering across the rocky edge toward the sea. This was his last moment of sunlight. He would be taken to the Mothers’ Hall, to live the rest of his days in the dim caverns, surrounded by females and crying babies.
Oh, Chen. I’m so sorry.
My view of him got blurry for a moment and I wiped my eyes on the back of my hand. When I looked back, the entrance was empty. Chen was gone.
Five more of us waited outside.
“Divers,” clicked the Master, and my ears perked up. This should be me.
It wasn’t.
The two boys named hugged each other and raced for the Hive door. Divers had the best sleeping chambers, and extra shellfish and bug rations. They were made.
The remaining three of us looked at each other. Me. Jerome. And Gil.
My heart pounded in my dry throat.
What was left? Had they forgotten us?
The Master clicked for attention, and pointed at us one, two, three.
We each straightened as its pincer aimed our way.
I stared into the setting sun, with the tall, graceful silhouette of the Master in front of it. I breathed deep, as Chen had done, savoring the clean, salty air in my nose. In moments, my life’s fate would be revealed to me.
The Master’s mandibles clicked.
“Queen’s Service.”
I looked at Jerome and Gil, whose faces held the expression I knew I wore as well. Did it just say what I think it said? Is it real?
Gil gave a loud whoop and pumped a fist into the air. A whooshing laugh escaped my throat. Jerome just looked dumbfounded. He wasn’t a great diver, or a fast runner. He wasn’t strong like me. But something must have told the Masters that he was worthy of the highest honor in the Hive. We would pass through the boundary where no other Lowforms were permitted. We would enter the service of the Queen herself. Beyond that, we didn’t know. Queen’s Servants never returned to the main Hive. They were far above the rest of the Lowforms. Hardly as exalted as a Master, but . . . Queen’s Servants.
All around, the younger boys cheered for us.
Now the tears streamed from my eyes, as I joyfully followed the Masters into the Hive.
I had done it. I was entering the Queen’s Service. My heart still broke for Chen’s dismal fate, but this moment belonged to me. I had barely dreamed it was possible, and yet here I was, descending toward the glorious unknown.
“Can you believe it?” Jerome whispered as we paraded past the other Lowforms waiting in line for their evening meal. “I can’t believe it.”
Gil answered, “Of course I can. Never had a doubt.”
I said nothing, basking in the admiring glances of all the Lowforms we passed. We were better than the Gardeners, with their fungus-stained hands. So much better than the Cleaners, who always smelled sour. Better even than the Divers, who nodded as we filed past.
Noah, Queen’s Servant.
I lifted my chin and followed my Masters deep into the Hive, where my Queen waited to command me.