Star Arc Short Notes: The Federation's Showcase #2

On a habitable planet, sparse but neatly planned camps stand amidst lush greenery. As the roar and vibration of the shuttle traversing the atmosphere subsided, those inside finally met the gaze of the green and gray landscape through the slowly opening cabin window. The shuttle landed on a flat runway; countless similar craft were already waiting or preparing for takeoff. Humans, disembarking with varied attire and expressions, observed their surroundings with a mix of novelty and unfamiliarity. Within the spaceport, numerous 'prospective citizens' as bewildered as themselves headed towards designated buildings, with no clue what awaited them. "Citizens arriving at the registration desk, please follow the ground and guiding drone instructions to proceed to the administrative district for inspection and registration," the magnetic, mechanical male voice from the speaker echoed across the entire runway and tarmac. Subsequently, staff and rotary drones divided and guided the dense crowd, which gradually broke into black rectangular formations, entering the high-rise buildings reflecting the bright sunlight, based on proximity. Inside the building, several inspection lanes were lined up. Each time someone passed, the screen on the gate displayed their physiological and psychological status. "Lane A-II-17, anomaly." "Subject's psycho-physical response exceeds standard parameters." Several staff members, holding tools, immediately rushed to the lane. Under everyone's gaze, a subject was secured to a restraint and moved towards a small black door nearby. He struggled but quickly disappeared behind it. The other queuers watched silently. The green light turned on again. The line continued to move forward.