The Other World

Chapter 1

     It was Claire Austin's first time on a spaceship, which was quite odd for someone of her age. The night was cold, the sun just setting behind the horizon. The engine roared to life as the pilot flipped the control switches.

     "Almost ready for takeoff," the co-pilot called from the front of the ship, getting his head-set on. It is common for many pilots to not wear head-sets, but this was a government ship, so the pilots had to always have a connection with the main control center. The ship had a grey exterior with a navy blue interior, and 2 seats in the back, for guests and passengers.

     Claire's father, Jack, just got a new job working as a spokesman for the government's new product, which Claire couldn't remember what it was called. The Auto-button? Nah that's not it. Whatever. If you asked Claire, the whole government was a joke and they were just trying to make more money, but a job was a job. Naturally, this meant Claire and her whole family moved to the capitol city of the East States of America, Norhaven. Norhaven was an exceptionally beautiful city, even though Claire has never been to the heart of it all. The government housed all workers and their families in cabins in the outskirts of the city, and Claire has not had time yet to explore the rest of it.

     The spaceship started rattling from the engine preparing for takeoff, and Claire was excited for her first space journey.
3....
2....
1....
     And it began. The engines roared as they shot up into the blue sky. Claire's stomach dropped three stories as motion sickness began to take over. She looked towards her father, who was sitting in the navy blue cushioned seat next to her and gave Claire a reassuring smile and two thumbs up.

     Claire looked out the circular window and saw the blue and purple galaxy sprinkled with glowing stars, along with the occasional flash of passing ships and other minor planets. She glanced over to her Dad, who was as fascinated as she was. A smile spread across Claire's face. Claire knew she should not be excited, and she was supposed to hate the government and their tricks, but she couldn't help it. She was in space! She knew a lot of kids her age (14) have already been in space, and practically go everyday, but where she grew up in New Virginia, there was never enough money to go out anywhere, which Claire got used to.

Even though it seemed like three seconds, it was time to land already. Claire was used to the feeling of the turbulence of the ship, so the landing did not feel like her insides would come out. The ship had a fairly graceful landing, resting on the runway of the government space research center, where all new workers and their families came to get their tour of the working facilities.

Claire's mother was deathly afraid of heights and space, even though she has never been in space, due to her poor upbringing. She says her fear is natural and she has always been afraid of space, but Claire thinks otherwise. They get out and step onto the grey concrete ground and make their way back to the building, following the co-pilot and pilot. The pilot was fairly tall with a strong build, and dark brown hair cut just above his ears. He was very handsome and young, but his green eyes stood out the most, along with rows of freckles. The co-pilot, on the other hand, was short with a large belly, his uniform threatening to bust at the seams. He had a kind, round face with pudgy cheeks and looked at least twenty years older than the pilot.

They got inside and were blasted with cool air, and had workers help them out of their safety gear. A perky looking woman in a tight fitting dress and very high heels, holding a tele-screen, walked up to Claire and he father just as they were getting their coats and things together.

"Welcome back, Mr. Austin and Miss Claire, my name is Vikki, would you mind if I asked you a couple of short questions about your experience?" Her smile was totally fake, and Claire wanted to snap back at her, but her dad was first to answer.

"Yes, we would love to give our input on our experience with you guys tonight," her dad said with a flat tone in his voice. Claire went to object, but the lady spoke before she could open her mouth.

"Okay then, follow me," she beckoned her hand towards a hallway to the left of where they were standing, and began to walk towards a door labeled A71. Vikki beckoned her hand, yet again, inside as she opened the steel door which led into a dark room. She led them inside.