Cat & Mouse

Meet the Crew

Nadia and Roxy walked side by side. Barely able to contain their excitement as they clung to each others arm and boarded the space craft to take them to their destination. Ahead of them, and behind, others they could only assume were also part of the expedition were trickling in as well. They didn't seem quite as excited though. What a bunch of killjoys.. Both girls thought, sharing a glance they both giggled knowing exactly what the other thought.

Surrounding the ramp to board, doing what Nadia could only assume was guarding, and also loading supplies onto the craft multiple marines roamed the area. Nadia hoped that not all of them were coming. Nothing killed the mood quite like a bunch of prideful, overgrown muscle heads. She huffed earning a glance from Roxy. "Oh, come on Di. Think of them as eye candy? We are probably going to be stuck on this thing for while. We might as well enjoy some scenery that isn't white, metal or eternal darkness." Nadia glanced at her and rolled her eyes. She had her own version of eye candy. And it for damn sure wasn't space marines. Their ego and toxic masculinity was higher than their IQ she had come to realize. And this turn-off behavior of theirs was never justified. Roxy just chuckled and pulled her the rest of the way inside.

Once inside, everyone was called to the mess hall. Roxy wasn't wrong about everything being metal and white. If it weren't for the several humans not wearing white to break up the endless white, it would've definitely been too bright for the eyes to handle. Even the lights were fricking white! Nadia was grateful when someone used a dial on the wall to dim the lights. In fact it wasn't just her, others gathered in the hall waved, nodded or muttered their gratitude as well. Everyone then took their seats at the various tables, speaking quietly amongst themselves. That is until the man that recruited them all showed up and silenced them all.

Nadia tilted her head. He was tall, lean, very clean shaven and well dressed. He had light hair, and blue eyes. But what drew the most attention was how calculating and lifeless his eyes were. It didn't take a genius to realize that he wasn't human at all. But in fact most likely some kind of robot. She knew they had terms for them like droids, androids, cyborgs, synthetic lifeforms, so on and so forth. But really, just robots. It was simpler that way. The robot spoke.

"Good morning to you all. Weyland Industries would like to take this time to thank you all for coming on this expedition today. We are aware you may have a lot of questions and we promise to answer them all. As you have all noticed there is a military escort here. We have no reason to believe we will actually require their skills. It's merely a precaution. We of course have the flight crew, and the medical staff as well. Otherwise on board we have all of you. Hand chosen by our company for your personal achievements. You may introduce yourselves individualy. That said, we have brought a survivalist on board as well. We are unaware on what to expect exactly with the terrain of this planet. A travel and safety guide seemed the necessary thing to do. I ask miss Roxeanne to speak to you all at this time." the android finished and stepped away. As he did Roxy stood up.

"Hello, everyone. You already know my name and what I'm here for. Basically if we do encounter any challenging situation or bad terrain just do what I say. That way the medical personnel don't start putting in overtime. We will reach the planet in about two weeks. So until then let's get to know each other and make the most of this paid down time." She said with a smile.

Some more murmuring passed through the crowd but they nodded in acknowledgement. Roxy took her seat next to Nadia. Afterwards the robot stood. "You all are aware of your responsibilities here. Your employer would like to begin construction for colonization on this planet. However, we must first confirm its capabilities to sustain crops and life. Which is where you all come in. We would like to begin this construction within a month. Please make the time count. At this time, please find someone or two to pair off with as roommates. Otherwise, you are all dismissed and may go unpack in your rooms." he said. With that he turned and he left the mess hall.

Everyone did as instructed and found. people they were willing to share a room with. Nadia and Roxeanne naturally looked at each other and grinned, right before leaving the mess hall as well and headed to their room. "I hate that you were right when you said about the metal and white." Nadia groaned and Roxy snickered as they unpacked their belongings. The rooms were simple but nice, and of course, white. All rooms had bunk beds, luckily the beds could separate into two twin sized beds if you preferred. Which most people did. They also had two desks, and one large window to look out of.

Flopping down on her bed Roxy extended her arms above her head and stretched. "If I figured the place to be so boring I'd have brought some decorations." She said matter of factly. Nadia grinned and pulled out a few posters. To her they were great, but she knew Roxy would roll her eyes. After all, where Roxy would have preferred a k-pop boy band, Nadia preferred history, ancient architecture, or science. So the posters of course reflected that. One was just a poster of a colorful DNA strands and atoms, another was a blueprint, and the third was just pyramids. She hung them up around her side of the room with a satisfied sigh as they broke up the neverending white.

The sigh catching her attention, Roxy glanced over, and this time it was her turn to groan. "Well at least it's less white." she mused trying to make the most of it. Nadia grinned, "right?" she noted rhetorically. Opening up the two storage lockers also in the room, the girls pulled the bedding from them. Each making their own bed with the, again white sheets. But at least the microfiber blankets were a grayish blue color.

There was a ding as the overhead speaker lit up, alerting of an incoming message. "Attention all passengers. This is your pilot speaking. We are preparing for take off at this time, please take a seat. We will inform you when it is okay to resume normal activities." the overhead speaker beeped once more, the light turning off signaling that was the end of the transmission. The girls of course following instructions as they sat down.

They felt the whir of the ship as it started. They also felt when it seemed the ground was dropping out below them as the vessel rose into the air. After rising high enough, the last thing they felt was the force of the ship curving upwards and forwards and they broke through the atmosphere and stratosphere and into the eternal darkness of space. Nadia and Roxy stared out the window the entire time they made their ascent. Admiring their home world as they left it for who knew how long. Nadia hoped her neighbor wouldn't forget to water her babies for her while she was away. Roxy hoped she remembered to turn off and lock everything.