Kimberly Carson was 17 and had known Christopher Parks since childhood as they grew up in Jerryfields. However, life took an unprecedented turn as it journeyed into adulthood, leaving Kim with unanswered questions to solve when her high school boy-s...
I gawked at the colossal size of the AeroGenesis Corp as I stood in front of its entrance gate. The dome of the main building gleamed like a half-cut silver eggshell radiating the humming-glow of the morning light as its company's name was boldly etched on its steel-smooth surface. Mike informed me that its steel-smooth surface was actually AeroGenesis' latest solar panel technology to absorb the sun and run the enterprise. Supporting the circular glory of the dome were vigorous white-marble pillars neatly arranged after each other, as gigantic ceiling-floor glass windows were running in between columns.
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On the West wing skirting the first outer rim of the sterling dome, a half-moon pond separated two sets of mini oval and round buildings glazed with smooth-flat silver roofs and cloaked with glossy ceiling-floor glass. Vice versa, the East wing skirting the first outer rim of the dome replicated the exact vista with meticulous precision. From afar, these mini buildings looked like eight dwarf planets revolving around the gravity of the silver supergiant dome.
The second outer rim was efficiently orbited with well-trimmed pine trees, planted in lush green lawns which carpeted the full circumference of the futuristic enterprise. Meanwhile, the third outer rim was made of sleek concrete for all kinds of AeroGenesis transports to drive around. As a final touch, rolling its way into the entrance of the main building was a wide stretch of white asphalt for people to mile back and forth, dividing the East and West wing while connecting the first, second, and third outer rim at the same time like the shorthand of a clock striking six.
Shivers of adrenaline crept up my spine, causing me to shrink into my shoes at the grandeur of the sight. Suddenly I felt the urge to straighten my jeans and brush my shirt from imaginary dirt. God knows how big this enterprise is, as rectangular buildings stretched miles in between strips of green behind the silver egg into the horizon. A sudden roar in the sky brought me back to my senses as a small black figure was launched into the crisp air from afar, followed by a grey trail of smoke. My stomach clenched at the glorious sight and–
"The hell was that!?" one of the intern kids shouted beside me, his voice almost drowned in the sudden noise.
"It's Helix-03, the third experimental spacecraft launched to Mars to survey any potential habitability," explained Rebecca loudly, our internship batch coordinator and also the tour leader of the day.
"Congratulations, interns. You've just witnessed a historical moment for Jerryfields from afar," she proudly announced, "and hopefully it will greatly motivate you all to obtain these."
Rebecca proudly waved her AeroGenesis nametag in the air, earning murmurs of admiration and appreciation from the intern kids.
"Now, after a complete tour, finally we're heading to the Media Relations quarter where several of you here will be working there. Please raise your hands for the names I call. Xavier Cortana... Trisha Hemsworth... Tan Li Fei... Michael Adams," she went on.
Mike waved his hand, his chest swelling with pride.
"Kimberly.. Clarkson?" she inquired.
I cleared my throat and raised my hand, standing on my toes behind the tall guy blocking my view.
