Telstar 4

Chapter 2.

Chapter 2.

As the shuttle connected to the colony docking bay, Commander Erik Storr moved to a position ahead of the other personnel. Sara and Paul stood directly behind him.

"Remember, the future of the colony rests on the success of this holiday. Make it work, okay. And smile!"

Just as Erik stopped talking the docking bay door slid open automatically and Shuttle Commander Heather Orson walked in.

"Good day, Commander Storr. I have brought you your guests." Heather Orson turned to the side and ushered her passengers past her. "We have all enjoyed a successful journey, and I hope the rest of your holiday goes so well."

The twenty-four holiday makers stood looking around themselves. They ranged in age from 20 years old to 75, no children or teenagers were allowed. The only thing they shared in common was wealth.

"Welcome, everyone." Erik Storr managed to convey both friendliness and authority in just those two words. "We will do everything in our power to provide you with a holiday that is indeed 'out of this world.' He turned to Heather Orson. "Thank you, Commander. May your journey back be as smooth as your journey here. We will see you again in two Earth weeks time."

"My name is Sara, and this is Paul." The two colony members stepped forward to stand alongside Eric Storr. "We are in charge of your welfare throughout your stay although you will find that all colony members will be pleasant and helpful. If you have any real problems come to either of us or, of course, Commander Storr."

"Yes, welcome everyone. If you would like to follow myself and Sara we will show you to your rooms. Once you have had a chance to settle down and recover from your journey we will take you on a tour of the colony."

"Please line up in the order that we call your names, and we'll take a slow walk to the guest quarters. Thank you."

The corridors were brightly lit with synthetic flooring that was both silent and comfortable to walk on. The temperature and humidity were maintained automatically at the optimum level for comfort.

They drew to a stop outside a door. Sara moved to press some buttons then called, "Myra Anders. Would you please come forward and press your palm against the plate. This operates as your personal key. And of course it is a key that you cannot lose."

The last comment brought some laughs and Myra Anders smiled as she pressed her hand to the panel. The door slid silently open.

Paul moved to the opposite side of the corridor. "Here we have the quarters of Henry and Susanna Bentley."

"That's us," said a large middle-aged man, holding the arm of an immaculately turned out woman. He was eager to press his hand to the panel but Paul held him back. "As this is a shared room the process of allocating it is slightly different."

Paul keyed in some numbers then Henry pressed his palm to the door panel. Before it slid open Paul keyed in more numbers and then called Susanna Bentley forward and she in turn pressed her hand to the glass. This time the door slid open.

"Now both your palms will operate as keys so you will be able to come and go independently of each other."

"I'm sure that won't be necessary as we do things together, but thank you." Henry strode forward into the room, his wife following silently behind.