The Chance to Explore: Part 2 Leaving Home
Chapter 2 Leaving Home
"Twenty-one..." Jaden echoed the little technician that sat in front of him.
"That's correct, Mr. Quinn." Responded the short woman. "after reviewing the personnel files, the interviews and test from all the applicants, you were ranked as number 21." She rose from her desk and leaned across the table. "Aren't you happy? You're one drop out away from getting to go."
"Might as well be one million." The young man replied. "I've met most of the final candidates; we all had different reasons for applying but none of them are going to drop out."
The tech "a-hemed", unable to come up with a counter argument. "Yes well, just in case, we must finish this final inter-"
"Isn't there some way? I mean can't the An'Mas accept just one more?" Jaden blurted out before he could stop himself.
"Space is limited on the ship." Margret (the name Jaden has chosen for the rather annoying lady) said settling back down in her seat. "There are 20 aliens staying on Earth so the 20 Humans can be housed in the same area of the ship; anyone else would most like be isolated somewhere else."
"I...d-don't care." Answered Jaden figuring he might as well risk it all now. "I don't care who I bunk with or where I am on the ship, as long as I'm on the ship. Haven't...haven't you ever wanted something so badly that it's like your life was defined by it?"
From Margret's deadpan expression it was obvious that the answer was "no". It was a common theme now-a-days. No one dreamed about adventure or exploration anymore; it was all about profit and immediate gratification.
"I'm sorry Mr. Quinn, but-" She began but a strong tap on the interview rooms two-way obs. mirror stopped her. "Eh, excuse me." And with that, she stood and hurried out.
_ * Great; just shot myself in the foot. Good-bye number 21 * _
Not 10 minutes later, the door to the interview room opened again but it wasn't Margret. Instead, a rather attractive woman entered; dark-haired, business suit and heals. She pretty much gave radiated the message, "Your boss works for me." Walking around the table, she sat in Marge's chair and then just stared at the young Jaden Quinn as if he were a some kind of science experiment.
"What did you mean?" She finally said.
"I-what? When?" Jaden replied.
"That you didn't care where you were posted on the ship. Why do you want to join the An'Mas so badly? According to your file, you have two degrees, a short but decent military record, you could have a good life here on Earth. Why risk going off into deep space with a bunch of aliens who may or may not have Humanities best interests at heart?
Jaden sat back, running a hand through his hair while collecting his thoughts. "I know I should be grateful that I made it this far. That out of probably millions of applicants I go so close. But it's not enough. I've done a lot of different jobs in my life but the one things that I've always wanted to do is to explore. To go to a place no ones ever been to and see what's there because we'll never know what we might find if we don't. Sadly I was born in a century where every mountain has already been climbed, every ocean crossed and continent mapped to the last inch. Well now I have the opportunity to see the galaxy-"
"Maybe only for a few months-" the woman interrupted.
"Even if it's only for a short time, even if I spend my days scrubbing floors and washing windows or whatever. This may be my only chance and I'm not going to just give up because someone thinks I shouldn't go if I can't have a human roommate."
Jaden sat back, hoping to see understanding in the woman's eyes. No such luck, another deadpanned expression. *No wonder I can't keep a relationship going, even women think I'm corny*
Her gaze turned back to the window and she looked at it as if expecting for someone to tap it again. When it didn't her eyebrows disappeared under her dark bangs. After a few minutes she turned back, completely bewildered. "I guess it's your lucky day, Mr. Quinn; you just made the cut."
"I'm going to space..." Jaden said to no one in particular. He barely believed it; his family and friend refused to believe it. But it was happening; somehow he had managed to argue his way onto the ship.
The next month was a blur of activity. Briefings, press interviews, podcasts and all the young human wanted was to get on that ship and leave. After all, it was possible that this was all just a dream. He could have slipped and fell and any second he'd wake up in some hospital with an IV in his arm and a nurse telling him to turn his head and cough.
The weirdest part of it wasn't the idea of working with aliens but the nanobot implants. These little machines needed for life in space, floating through the bodies of every single crew-member. Once injected, the little suckers took nearly 2 weeks to come on line but once fully adapted to their hosts they'd translate any pre-programmed language, eliminate 85% of waste and give the immune system the boost it would need for visiting new environments. At least that's what they were supposed to do in theory. At the moment Jaden and the other twenty candidates were being forced to sit in a classroom and listen to a NASA instructor read Japanese manga until they were able to understand the man...it took nearly 6 hours.
"Glad that's over." Francis, one of the U.K. nominees, said once we were finally released for the day. "One more hour of having to listen to that guy drone on about a girl who can see dead people and I'd have gone mental."
"Well it's done and from now on we'll be able to understand anything that anyone says to us." Replied Walter Jefferies, American and appointed "commander" of the human population on board the Majestic Explorer.
Jaden rolled his eyes as he listened to the older man. He seemed like a nice guy but something about him rubbed Jaden the wrong way. He had an air of superiority around him; like he knew something the rest of the candidates didn't. Plus he was kind of an ass.
"Everyone get some rest and go see your family." He added. "We leave in 3 days."
3 Days Later
Jaden pulled on gloves and watched, fascinated, as the edges sealed themselves to the sleeves of his "space-suit".
"These An'Mas uniforms are amazing." Bahati, a well developed woman from South Africa, marveled. "Check this out." Turning to the rest of the group, showing everyone her lean, smooth back and just the very top of her buttocks. Pulling back her hair she took each corner of her collar and pressed them together. Slowly the suit seemed to mend along the seam, sealing her inside. "Good-bye to the zipper, I think."
Suddenly a number of An'Mas entered, they were the twenty who were staying behind. One of them approached Jaden holding a helmet. This was the young man's first real encounter with one the "New Guys" outside of briefings and lectures about space travel. His heart began to thump against his ribs as the alien stood in front of him. Though he had tried to memorize the names of each species on board the ship, he always ended up connecting them to the Earth animal they descended from. And to be blunt, the guy was a fox; copper fur, bushy tail, the works.
"Once you enter the shuttle it is important to remember to keep this helmet on for a full 26 hours." His mouth moved as he spoke in his own language but all Jaden could hear was English. "It will slowing introduce air from the Majestic Explorer's life support systems into your lungs; allowing the nano-particles enough time to handle any microbes or bacteria that your body isn't capable of fighting on its own."
"Thanks." Was all the human could reply before the fox moved on to repeat what he had said to one of the other humans.
Slowly the 21 humans made their way to the launch area. The press and loads of other people cheered as they boarded a medium sized transport craft. As it lifted off and headed towards orbit, Jaden stared out a small porthole at the rapidly diminishing landscape.
_ *This could be the last time I see it. _*
The flight to Earth orbit didn't take long and it was there that the humans got their first close up view of the Majestic Explorer. At first glance the vessel really didn't live up to it's name. She was built more function rather than style. The exterior was rugged instead of smooth with antennas and sensor-rods dominating the hull; essentially more Millennium Falcon than U.S.S. Enterprise. The entire aft quarter was devoted to engineering and the ships jump-drive, the rest was a mix of crew quarters, science labs, a hydroponic forest, and (of course) ship operation areas.
Once the shuttle had docked and been secured the pilots and the humans made their way toward the airlock. As a set of double doors rolled open HE appeared. Win'telsis Trovani (trans: He who out runs the wind), the captain of the Majestic Explorer. If Jaden had to guess, he's say the wolf- * _No!__ * he chided himself for again thinking of them as animals. The Ookamari was relatively young bug he was showing signs of stress related aging; a common trait amongst leaders._
"I know that I should have met each of you long before your arrival on my ship." He said addressing the humans. "I apologize but the operation of the Majestic and establishing good relations between Earth and An'Mas Republic took precedent. I will, however, meet each of you as time allows. For now please look to my second officer for assistance. He'll be in charge of your duty assignments until you are fully integrated into the crew. His name is Breyson of the Golden Plains Herd; you will address him as "Lieutenant Commander" or "Sir".
The being the Ookamari indicated was a massive, strongly build stallion. * _Yes a stallion, dammit__ * Jaden thought, giving up all presence. By human standards he was considered above average hight, but the second officer must have had a full 15 inches on him. His coat was dark, almost black, with a blazing red mane and his muscular body filled every inch of his uniform. Jaden wondered if the rest of the humans were as intimidated by the large horse as he was._
"Attention all hands!" Came a blaring voice. "Departure burn in five minutes, report to launch station immediately!
The captain looked up at the source of the voice then back down at his crewmembers. "Before we can safely use our jump engines we must reach a considerable distance from Earth. Commander, please escort everyone to the main observation dome; it may be a long time before they can look upon their home again. I'll be on the bridge."
The twenty-one humans strapped themselves into the chair that were situated around the transparent obs. deck. On the right side, Earth seemed so clear and unspoiled; on the left, perhaps one of their many destinations.
The Lieutenant Commander came around rechecking all the harnesses. "The initial burn to escape your planet's gravity will at first overwhelm our inertial dampeners so don't be worried about feeling the heavy weight on your chest. It will pass." Jaden couldn't be sure but the dark stallion seemed to take an extra long time with him; even stared at him. But finally the second officer moved on and spoke to everyone.
"One of your leaders wanted to give a final farewell."
He pressed a button on a wall panel, the Earth and stars vanished and were replaced with the American President. "I just wanted to wish you good luck and Godspeed." He said in his trademarked Texas drawl. "We hope to see you soon."
And then he was gone.
"Attention! Departure burn in 30 seconds."
This was it, Jaden realized. This wasn't a dream, he could feel the excitement coursing through him and his heart began to race as the countdown began.
"5...4...3...2...1...Execute!"
Everyone jerked as the ships engines sprang to life, pushing them away from Earth. Through his helmet's comm Jaden could hear his comrades murmuring. Some were laughing, other crying, more than a few were whispering prayers and saying good-bye. He just took a breath and held it, experiencing the moment and watched as Earth pulled away until it vanished past the edge of his helmet. No going back now.
Nearly a minute later the ship-wide comm sounded again. "Inertial stabilization...now"
Almost immediately the force holding them against their seats lifted and everyone began to unbuckle themselves.
"It's so small." Said one of the New Zealanders and everyone turned to see their homeworld rapidly dwindling. It wouldn't be long before it was just another little ball of light floating in space.
Wow, okay. I think I'm finished with setting the story. It should be much easier to write now that all the technical stuff is done and I can focus more on the characters. I know there are some areas that could use a little more detail but like I said I just want a story not a novel. I'm really looking forward to doing the hot stuff; there should be a little in the next chapter but I'm hoping for a lot.
Thanks for the reviews and suggestions. I'm not having anyone preview this, it's pretty much type and post, so if you notice any mistakes let me know.