Page 62 of Between Earth and Eternity
“What if we start a group for young single people?”
“I’m sorry, what?” Surely I didn’t hear that correctly.
“You know, an activity group. There’s a bunch already on the ship, but not really one specifically for single people, where we can meet and mingle with other young adults on the ship. I think it would help us get out and do more. You know, to prevent getting bored.”
I scrunch my nose, not sure she’s selling it all too well.
“I’ve heard cabin fever is a real thing. We can’t do the same things every single day with nowhere to truly go. We need all the fun distractions we can get.”
She has a point. We still have little over nine months to go until Eden, and while there is much entertainment on the ship, it would be nice to switch things up a bit.
“Is this some ploy to get me and Payson together?”
She bites her lip to hold back a smile. I never told her about the conversation I had with Pace, but I know she’s taken notice that we haven’t spoken.
“Maybe a little bit,” she admits with a bashful smile.
I hate to crush her match-making attempt by telling her that it is highly unlikely now that I know Laz and Payson haven’t been truthful with us. I haven’t been fully honest either, but my secrets are contained, for now at least.
“What about you and Laz? Do you think there’s something there?” I ask to get my mind off it. She ponders my inquiry like she honestly hasn’t thought of the possibility before. Maybe she hasn’t, but they did dance that night at the bar. And I’ve caught them checking each other out more than once.
“Maybe. I guess we’ll see.” She opens one of the books I pulled from the shelf earlier. “So? What do you think of my idea?” She tries to act casual about it, scanning the book, but I can tell she’s excited.
I purse my lips. “I don’t know, Ori. I’m not much of an extrovert.”
Her face falls, pleading eyes and all. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve missed out on so much. And since winning the Lottery, for once in my life, I don’t have to struggle. I can actually start living. I want to try new things, experience it all.”
I may have learned more of her past, but I’m sure her words could never truly convey the years of her life spent on the border, in hunger. I can hate Mannox Industries for a thousand different reasons, but I can’t when it comes to Ori. I wish every single day that my name was never drawn, but I am grateful that Ori’s was.
“Fine. I’m in.”
She squeals excitedly like a little kid. I roll my eyes, but I can’t help smiling at seeing her so happy.
“And, hey, if we want to do a movie night, I have some recommendations with people going crazy because of cabin fever. Some cautionary tales,” I say, winking.
“Ha ha, very funny.”
She pulls out her StarComm. “I’ve already taken notes on some ideas. I’ll send them to you.”
As I wait for her message to come through, I get the itch to ask her the question that’s been in the back of my mind since that day on Sega.
“Do you ever get the feeling that those two knew each other before the Lottery?”
“Laz and Pace?”
I nod.
“Not really. I figured they just became fast friends like you and I did.” She goes back to typing something on her device. I guess that answers that. I’m the only one being paranoid, as per usual. But it doesn’t explain the list of conundrums building in my mind. I may be a cynic, but I’m not blind.
Once Ori sends me her long list of possible activities, we return to the suite, sitting on the couch to go over her ideas and turning a movie on for background noise. We are mid-conversation when the display screen pings with an incoming message, and seconds later, Captain Carter’s face appears.
“Good evening, Zenith passengers. I’m pleased to report the journey to Eden is proceeding smoothly and remains on schedule. I hope some of you enjoyed the chance to stretch your legs and explore when we docked near Sega. However, I must address a more serious matter.”
I sit criss-crossed and hide my hands underneath me to keep from fidgeting.
“Before boarding Zenith, each of you underwent a debriefing, where you were asked about any involvement—direct or indirect—with radical groups opposing Mannox Industries’s mission.It appears these groups are not only disrupting operations on Earth but have extended their reach beyond the planet. We have received intelligence suggesting that members of these groups may currently be aboard this ship. We are still investigating how this occurred, but most importantly, I hasten to remind you that if you have any information or have observed any suspicious activity with a fellow passenger or even a crew member, you are to report it immediately. If you fail to do so, the punishment will equal that of those who have been found guilty of belonging to these groups.
“I want to assure each and every responsible citizen aboard this vessel that your safety is always our top priority. And this message is not to alarm you, only to provide you with information and to reassure you that while these underground forces look for any opportunity to cause chaos, they will swiftly meet their ends.
