Short story - The Parenthood Application

NOTE: This story is originally written in Dutch, my mother tongue. I prefer writing in my own language as it is easier for me to create the meaning I intend this text to have. This post is automatically translated by Yoors. Although I’m convinced machine translators are not (yet) fully capable of successfully translating a piece of fiction like human translators would do, I simply do not have the time to translate the text myself or the money to hire a translator. However, I have revised the text and made sure the post is more or less understandable for readers who prefer the English translation. If you notice any mistakes, inconsistencies or unclarities, feel free to tell me and I am happy to change them.

It's time for a new short story! As I would like to experiment with different genres and styles, I chose science fiction this time. It's not a story about extraterrestrials or high-tech spaceships, but about a couple in a future society that wants to fulfill their want to have children with the help of new technologies and ideas. This short story is part of a bigger concept in my head, but it is also a separate part. Enjoy!

Andrew put his head on his shoulder and stretched. He let out a soft unintelligible moan and a number of bones creaked audibly. The wooden chair on which he had been sitting for about half an hour was killing his back. He sighed and let his head fall back. It was an uncomfortable position, but it was better than any he had tried in the past few minutes.

Looking up, he noticed an oblong blue banner attached to the wall. In yellow letters, it read "Fight extremism with neutrality"; the famous quote of Captain Burke. Andrew had always found it strange that this banner was shamelessly displayed in the National Institute of Family Affairs New Atlantis. During history lessons, children learned that after the Great Flood, Captain Burke wanted to create a world where extreme actions and words, as he called it, would not have the chance to incite people. Everyone was to live as neutrally and moderately as possible. According to Burke, history taught him that politics, activism, religion and also drugs and alcohol only led to the extreme and that this caused misfortune. He believed that people could leave this extremism behind by understanding themselves. Therefore, he and a group of scientists developed a series of objective personality tests determining a person's path at each major stage of life. Through these tests, children learned which school and education suited them best, adults understood which career path they could pursue, and potential parents knew whether they were suited to raise children.

For the latter reason, Andrew sat on a rickety little chair in the Institute. Captain Burke might have developed a very ingenious system - which Andrew is quite sceptical about - he should have invested in decent furniture. Next to him, Rosalie wobbled nervously on an equally shabby chair. He had been friends with her since they were children and she was the woman with whom we had filed for parenthood. That day, the Institute would determine whether they were approved for the next stage. But the officials - almost lifeless robots who spent the entire day entering data into their computers - kept them waiting a long time. Andrew couldn't handle the tension any longer and stood up. He turned around and looked through the glass wall that he had previously sat with his back to. The wall offered a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Although most people would get dizzy at the sight of the endless water, Andrew felt calm. In the distance, he saw a shoal of ornate wrasse. They were one of the few species of fish that dared to come so close to the Dome. Andrew followed the movement of the shoal as they swam towards the beams of light shining from the surface of the water onto the Dome. This made Andrew wonder what it was like on the surface. Hundreds of years ago, also under the supervision of Captain Burke, the Dome New Atlantis was built. The first underwater city provided shelter for refugees after the Great Flood made the earth unlivable. According to legend, no one has set foot on the surface ever since.