Page 35 of Between Earth and Eternity
“Don’t look too excited, Skyler,” Laz says with a mischievous grin.
I give him a smirk back. He could fit into our group nicely I think.
Runa ushers us into the row, then stands at the end of the aisle as the other stewards do the same with their groups. I’ll give it to Mannox Industries, they certainly are organized to a fault. Everyone has a job, and things seem to be running smoothly.
Not long after we take our seats, the lights dim, and a familiar personage appears on the stage.
“Hello, Zenith passengers. Welcome,” Zara says, beaming with her too white smile as the crowd bursts into applause. “This ship will be your home for thirteen months until we arrive on Eden. The journey is long, but you will find everything you could ever want or dream of while you are aboard.”
My stomach is a tangled mess of butterflies and knots. It all sounds good, but I’m not sure thirteen months will be enough for me to wrap my head around the idea that we are being propelled through space. The fact that we are here at this very moment, floating above the Earth, is already too much.
As Zara goes on about amenities such as spas, virtual reality lounges, and clubs, I scan the crowd. Most watch Zara with excitement and wonder.
I spy, high above us in the tallest sections of the auditorium, suites where people lounge with drinks in hand.
Laz wasn’t kidding; there is still an extra level of elitism, even among the rich.
“Well, we certainly won’t get bored,” Ori whispers to me.
“You can say that again,” I reply.
“Allow me to introduce your superior officers, including our captain, Ira Carter,” Zara says, gesturing to the end of the stage.
The crowd erupts into applause again as the crew files onto the podium. I pick out the captain immediately, not only because he is the only one wearing a hat, but his dark brown skin and navy blue uniform stand out in the row of stark white uniforms the rest of the crew adorn.
“Captain Carter will now address us with an opening statement.” Zara stands near the captain as if she is a real person in the group.
“Thank you. Passengers and friends, we are honored to serve you on this momentous journey. I want you to know first and foremost that the entire crew of Zenith—from the cooks to the stewards and your superior officers—have been trained and prepared at the highest level for this journey through the stars. Your comfort and safety are our top priorities.” He smiles warmly, looking at the crowd, the crew nodding to confirm as he speaks. “If you ever have any concerns, please let your steward know, and we will do our best to provide whatever you may need.”
He steps back in line with the other officers as the crowd claps. Captain Carter is poised. His calming demeanor alone makes him the perfect person for a job as important as this one. I’msurprised to find the knots in my own stomach have loosened a bit.
“And now, some very special guests,” Zara says.
The room shifts its attention to the next group making their way to the stage. These individuals, I recognize immediately, not only because I’ve seen them countless times throughout my life, but becauseeveryonein the world knows their faces.
The Mannox family.
zenith (noun): the time at which something is most powerful or successful
Rich. Beyond rich. Practically royalty. And striking in more ways than one.
At the head of the group is the one and only Alister Mannox, followed by his wife, Clarissa, youngest son, Slade, and last but certainly not least, his eldest son, a crowned prince if there is one, Vallen.
Vallen Mannox is almost a carbon copy of his father. Tall, dark hair, hazel eyes, and a jawline that is worth noting. Slade takes after their mother, with his deep brown eyes and light reddish-brown hair.
Both sons carry a bad-boy reputation, but gossip has been swirling that Vallen has cooled down the playboy persona since he turned thirty last year. Slade is closer to my age and is still notorious for frivolous spending and partying.
Instead of modest applause, people jump to their feet, clapping wildly. I’m determined to stay seated, but unfortunately, the entire crowd stands, so I have no choice but to join them.
Mr. Mannox waves to the audience, turning to get a view of the entire room, to soak in his glory like a true king of the universe. He wears a three-piece dark gray suit, perfectly tailored to his slim, tall figure. Clarissa wears a simple black dress but has a diamond choker on her neck. Subtle. She watches her husband with a tight-lipped smile, hands clasped in front.
“Thank you, thank you,” Alister says, urging the crowd to take their seats once more. “I want to begin by saying how elated we are that this day has finally arrived. Like Captain Carter mentioned, it truly is an honor to provide this experience to all 20,000 of you.”
I bite my lip, my knee bouncing nervously. In the corner of my vision, Ori watches him speak with a glint of something in her eyes I can’t place while she plays with her hair, twirling the dark strands around her fingers over and over again. A nervous tick, maybe.
However, Payson is serious, unblinking as he watches. No one has outright said how they feel about the Mannoxes in our little group, but I intend to find out eventually.
“Humanity could have ventured down countless roads that would have led us to perish alongside Earth. When the sundering occurred, we had a choice to surrender, to be swallowed up just as easily. But we did not go quietly. Instead, we proved that we are capable and determined, that it would not be our end.”
