Chapter Six
Jeffery was the first to wake, as usual. His youthful energy kept his thirty-four-year-old body running at a seemingly unending pace. Cup of warm Earth-coffee in hand, Jeffery made his way through the hallways, making sure to keep quiet. Many of the Utopians were light sleepers when forced to apply themselves to Sleep naturally.
Jeffery took a sip from the cup as he fed the key pad his card. He grabbed it when it was spit back out at him, and slipped through the opening door, out into the Hanger. It was dark, as the artificial Light had yet to set itself in the sky. At his movement, however, the large, florescent lights came on, and Jeffery blinked against the sudden white light. He glanced about as his eyes steadily became used to the lighting, catching sight of the Ship that would take them up to the Space Station above. It was large, glitter-flecked surface shining against the light. He stepped towards it, reaching out his hand to stroke the smooth, rounded shell.
It was his design. He had spent nearly eight years drawing, sketching, modeling, failing, and trying again, until the shell had been perfected and had withstood the many tests They had thrown at it. While each one had frustrated Jeffery, he knew the tests were necessary to perfect the massive shell that would be their only means of surviving the vacuum of Upstairs. And such a thought exhilarated him.
A loving smile crept over his face, playing at his lips as he walked along the Ship, hand following the bulbous shape as it wrapped around. His fingertips caught in the slight crevice that outlined the door. He pulled back, taking a few steps backwards so as to get the entire Ship into view. He stuck his hands to his hips, satisfaction making him stand a little taller.
A hand gripped Jeffery’s shoulder, causing him to jump slightly and spin around on the balls of his feet. He sighed in relief at the sight of Jonathan, catching his breath.
“You know I scare easily,” he scolded, although a knowing smile tugged at the edges of his mouth. Jonathan smiled, shrugging.
“I couldn’t help myself.”
Jeffery rolled his eyes and turned back to the Ship, gaze returning to its previous stare of parental love. Jonathan smiled, coming up beside Jonathan and crossing his arms against his chest.
“Is she ready?” Jonathan asked.
Jeffery laughed, shaking his head.
“I sure as the Journey hope so,” he replied, turning back towards the door he had come in through. Jonathan frowned, a worried glance flashing in his eyes.
“Uh…what’s that supposed to mean?” he questioned, turning and jogging to catch up to Jeffery.
Jeffery smiled and clapped Jonathan on the back.
“I’m just messin’ with ya,” he laughed, reaching up to quickly scruff up Jonathan’s thick hair. “Who scares too easily?”
Jonathan rolled his eyes, hiding his sigh of relief. “Honestly, I think the possibility of dying Upstairs is enough to scare anyone.”
Jeffery merely shrugged as he slipped out of the door and into the main hallway.
“Are the kids up?”
