Less than machine

Chapter 3: Escape Velocity

"A field trip... to MARS!"

He didn't grasp it at first. Mr. Thomas had promised a surprise, sure—but this? A trip to Mars? That was enough to throw him completely off balance. He glanced over at his father, who looked just as shocked, muttering something under his breath about the trip originally being to the moon.

Today is just full of surprises, isn't it?

At first, he expected the tour to be boring—just a port, after all. A place for spaceships to come and go. But from the moment they arrived, he realized how wrong he had been.

Sure, his mood had soured at the start, thanks to what could only be described as the ultimate betrayal by his sister. Right up there with Caesar and Brutus. But that quickly faded—in a flood of vibrant blue. Color-changing hardhats? For a simple tour? He definitely hadn't expected that.

But that was just the beginning.

This place wasn't just busy—it was alive.

Robots of all shapes and sizes zipped by, handling cargo with the fierceness of lions and the gentleness of... well, what's gentle? Manatees, maybe.

It felt like stepping into a scene from a sci-fi movie. Sure, there were incredible things back on Earth, but this? This was something else entirely.

And to top it off—a field trip to space? Let alone Mars? He was going on an honest-to-god field trip to Mars, and with his father and little sister tagging along. It was more than he could've ever imagined.

"Alright, everyone, listen up!" Thomas's voice boomed, snapping him back to the present. The man's voice carried easily over the din of the bustling port. "Stick together, listen to instructions, and most importantly—stay out of the workers' way."

A chorus of "Yes, sir!" echoed from the crowd, making him grin.

"Remember, no wandering off!" Thomas called as the last group member boarded. His gaze lingered on Smith for a moment. "I'll check in soon," he added softly.

His father stiffened briefly before relaxing again. "Alright, everyone, follow me!" he said, looking oddly uncomfortable.

They soon entered a jetway bridge, like the ones you'd see at airports, but this time, the transparent walls revealed a view unlike anything he had ever seen.

The spaceport stretched out beneath them, vast and alive. Cargo containers stacked like skyscrapers, while below, people moved with purpose, almost like ants from this height. The hum of engines, the chatter of passengers, and the whirring of robots filled the air, creating a rhythm that pulsed around them.

His heart raced as the sheer scale of the place hit him. The excitement of sailing the stars for the first time surged through him, tightening his throat and sending shivers down his spine.

From this height, he felt small—a part of something far bigger than himself. This was no ordinary place. It was a gateway to the stars.

But his sister? She looked like she could fall asleep right then and there.

He frowned, nudging her sharply with his elbow.

"Ow! What was that for?" she snapped, rubbing her arm.

"How can you be so bored?" he said. "We're going to space!"

She rolled her eyes. "We see it all the time. Have you never looked up?"

His face flushed, but before he could think of a comeback, their father cut in.

"Alright, that's enough," their father said, stepping between them. "Apologize to your sister." He turned to his daughter. "And you too—apologize to your brother."