An evil Empire. A boy that nobody remembers.

And a girl who must remember him, or die.

The Empire spans a thousand planets and has lasted ten thousand years.

On breadbasket colony worlds like Ockham, every family must give back to the Emperor a portion of their yearly crop, according to the Contract.

Like clockwork, the Harvest ship comes to collect His share of grains, livestock, and your eldest child.

Every ten-year, your farm is fallow – with your eighteen-year-old to remain as a breeder and pick up the yoke of the Emperor's Contract for the next twenty years.

Trysk and her twin brother Brem should be fallow this year, but the Universe seems to have other plans when a strange boy arrives on their farm just before Harvest.

~~~

In the cab of the transport, the Counter took off his helmet and looked in the rear-view mirror.
"The mother's still following behind, calling out their names."

"They know the rules. Whoever touches Harvest and is of age, becomes Harvest. But the whole thing would be easier if they didn't name them. You should never name the livestock. And that's what they are. Livestock."

~~~
Reader guidance: There are horror aspects and gore/violence in limited scenes. Suggested reading age 17+.