Chapter 1 Destiny #2
I know what to expect, in theory. I am not expecting the corridor to be over one hundred feet tall, though, with winged people flying around the top half as if it is a second level. I even spot ledges and doors near the ceiling for them. I wonder idly if their apartments are up there.
At eye-level, the corridor is a riot of color.
Booths and tables line either wall of the corridor, with all manner of aliens milling about, shopping and chatting, most somewhat recognizable from the orientation videos I studied.
The Dhugaren’s are the most noticeable, simply because they tower over the rest of the crowd.
Reminiscent of Yetis and Bigfoot back on Earth, the Dhugaren’s are all over seven feet tall and covered in thick fur, with rounded ram’s horns curling back between their ears.
A stratocratic people, they had less than five million left in their entire population.
Their home planet, ravaged by war, has been turned into a nuclear wasteland.
They were an advanced species, despite their primitive appearances.
Was basically all the video said about them.
Wings, fur, gills, and fins. Pastel skin, pointy ears, and does that guy have tentacles?
The Originem is trying to create a diversely populated station, attempting to re-integrate populations that haven’t been mixed in millions of years.
It was part of the thing that drew me to apply here, but it might be a long time before I am used to the sights around me.
We pass booths selling all manner of wares, nothing I can even remotely recognize, and with each step my smile grows until I’m grinning like a fool at every citizen unlucky enough to lock eyes with me.
I think I hear one or two people mutter “neophyte” before I try to reign it in a bit.
I’m guessing that’s the best translation the babelfish can find for whatever slang word they use for newbies here.
I feel my dad behind me but don’t bother turning around, not wanting to spoil my own mood.
I spot a door with a flashing 16 above it, along with a handful of unrecognizable characters I'm thinking are 16 in other languages.
At least they all had number systems based on 10.
One of our many similarities! The video chirps in my head.
“Found it!” I shout behind my shoulder without looking, pushing through the nondescript chrome door. Everything is chrome! No wonder the citizens in this division insist on decorating their shops and booths. I hold it behind me for a moment until I feel him grab it.
Apartments within the sub don’t seem to be marked with human characters yet, and I am terrified I’m going to have to ask someone for directions when I finally spot a door marked 126.
It was the only one I could read, so maybe the numbers on the doors correspond to the inhabitants.
Next to the door is a black panel with “Welcome” dancing merrily across the screen in green letters.
I wave the bracelet I was assigned in front of the panel and finally walk into our new home.
It’s been a while since I’ve had a place to call home.
The satellite wasn’t home, for sure. We were kept in dormitories and given strict schedules to follow.
It was a daily battle to remind myself I was grateful, that there was always a bright side to every situation.
Before that, the modest ranch house I grew up in had been a comfortable and secure house, but maybe not a home.
Not since my mom left, anyways. It’s been almost six years now, but it still hurts to think about it. So I don’t.
“Look how nice, Dad! It’s so roomy! And they have an almost-human looking couch, can you believe that?
” The apartment opens into a wide, tall-ceilinged living room with a depressed square in the middle lined with oversized gray couches.
There are empty shelves lining the far wall and doors on either side wall.
The walls, ceiling, and floor are all the familiar shiny chrome metal of the rest of the ship, the shelves the same soft gray as the tall couch.
The color palate leaves something to be desired, but that is something I can definitely work with. There were so many beautifully colored fabrics in the market, I’ll just need to find a job... er… fulfillment position. The lingo here will take some getting used to.
“Bedrooms are in here. You can have the big one. I’m going to take a nap,” Dad says from the hallway on the left, having looked while I was daydreaming.
“Ok. It’s been a long day. Maybe we can take a walk later, get a feel for things.” I paste on my brightest smile, even though all I want to do is shake him.
“Why don’t you go on ahead, Hun. I’m not feeling up to it,” he mutters before disappearing.
I deflate as soon as he leaves the room. I wanted this to be a fresh start for us, both of us. I couldn’t even get him out of bed for more than an hour, though.
First things first, I am going to need a job. Fulfillment Position. Whatever.