Page 34 of Between Earth and Eternity
Ori has her face practically smashed against the window but pulls away to ask, “You already knew what it looked like?”
When I turn to face him, he leans back in his seat.
“I’m an engineer, or at least, I was an engineer. I worked on some of the design components over the years with a team. Our superiors were the ones who got to see the plans in their entirety though,” he says, staring out the window.
“You helped design Zenith?” I ask.
He smiles but shakes his head. “I was very low on the totem pole. As you can see by the size alone, it took thousands of people to create this.” He nods toward the window.
I take in the huge ship as we draw nearer. The closer we get, the more magnificent it becomes.
I watch as shuttles like ours approach the underside of the ship. This must be where we will disembark. Sure enough, one by one, the shuttles line up to enter what appears to be a massive holding bay.
“Crew, disengaging impulse engines,” the pilot informs.
Slowly, we glide through some sort of force field airlock, and the ship sets down into the bay.
“Crew, prepare cabin to disembark.”
The rustling sounds of people unlocking their harnesses rumbles through the cabin.
“Zenith passengers, please follow your assigned steward once you exit the shuttle. They will instruct you on where to go from here,” Osman’s voice rings out over the comms.
We gather our things and follow the long line off the shuttle. My legs feel like jelly when I first stand but quickly regain their strength by the time we locate Runa in the sea of people.
“Welcome aboard Zenith. You all may leave your baggage here. It will be delivered to your cabins while we attend a welcome orientation and safety briefing.”
This is going to be a long day. I spent all my energy getting through the launch, and I was hoping we would go straight to our rooms.
“This way please.” She places her hands behind her back as we set our things in the designated area.
There are several hallways that break off from the bay, some larger than others, but most of us are directed to the same one.
“Where do you suppose those people are going?” Ori asks no one in particular as we watch a smaller group go down a different hallway.
“The first-class passengers don’t have to do orientation,” Laz turns around to answer.
The crazy thing is that the cheapest ticket was somewhere in the multimillions. I can only imagine the cost of purchasing a first-class ticket.
“That isn’t true, Mr. Soren. Everyone must attend orientation. They will just be watching from a different area,” Runa says without turning around to face us.
“Either way, it’s special treatment,” he says in a whisper so only Ori, Pace, and myself can hear.
“As if they need more,” Payson sighs, then he addresses Ori and me. “Have you two met Laz yet?”
Ori and I shake our heads.
“Nice to meet you,” Laz says, holding out a hand. “I like the hat by the way,” he adds as we each shake his hand.
Laz and Pace start chatting about the materials used to build Zenith as we make our way farther into the depths of the ship. Ori and I remain quiet, taking everything in, and there is a lot to behold everywhere we look. The interior isn’t as menacing as the exterior, which was sleek and metallic with an almost crystalline look. Inside is pure luxury and comfort. The walls and floors shine while warm lighting sets the welcoming and surprisingly cozy aesthetic. It feels open and airy somehow. A sensation I was not anticipating on this journey.
While the ship itself is magnificent, a blend of sophistication and technology, it doesn’t go unnoticed that a large number ofthe crew are badges in their blacked-out uniforms, stationed in multiple areas.
It’s strange. Almost as if they’re hiding in plain sight. What are they protecting us from? Or, perhaps, what are they preparing for?
I’m so distracted, my senses so overloaded, that I don’t realize we’ve arrived at the orientation until I step into a large auditorium, an enormous multilevel domed structure, completely packed with passengers finding their seats surrounding a stage in the center. It’s larger and fancier than any room I have been in, with plush velvet seats and gold finishings.
Runa directs us to seats right beside the stage. I hate being so out in the open.
