Unknown --- Complete [ adding some things ]

Part 1

Robert stood outside running his hands through his shortened Brown hair. He decided to shave for his next adventure: a year asleep in space. He would awaken to his new life.

The blue van with the word Ztek painted in black stopped in front of him the door flung open. He stepped in, sitting by a man who was about a few years older than him. Cute, well-maintain hair and was wearing what Robert considered special occasion clothes.

Well, technically this was a special occasion. But they advised comfortable easy to remove clothes.

Robert stretched his hand for a handshake the man declined.

"Names Robert, are you excited for this as I am?"

"The last shuttle perished before they reached their destination."

"Sadly, Dean, we have asked you not to try to scare off the other candidates,again." The van driver stated, "this is his second time for cross country drive. He thinks if he scares off most of you he'll have a better pay out."

Robert ignored the last part.

"Second? Wow, how does your family feel about it? My siblings and Dad are all scared sick. But three years for fast and large amount of cash. You can't pass that up."

"I wouldn't know never asked them. Isn't any of their business either way."

"Oh."

The rest of the ride was done in silence. They picked up a woman before their final stop at the station.

"Greg and Savannah decided to go in early. They think it'll secure them a better sleep chamber."

"Why would it matter? They've shown us our sleep chamber.they're ALL the same."

"Rumor is you have a better chance of survival in the middle."

"If the vehicle blows up midway it doesn't matter where you're at."

"But you survived so there must be truth to it."

"In a year so much will change but we will rise as if today was yesterday." Dean responded.

The blonde woman rolled her eyes. Not actually annoyed more like she was used to his behaviour.

"Laura." The woman smiled extending a hand to Robert. A firm shake then he introduced himself. "Who did you originally train with? They told us we were getting a new member but they wouldn't tell us why."

He shrugged.

"They just told me there was too many on that team. Wouldn't give me more than that."

"Makes you worry a bit doesn't it?"

"Nah, I am pretty flexible can pretty much work with anyone."

They pulled into the station thirty minutes later. The building was unremarkable like any other giant beige building that housed an organization.

Ztek one of the oldest in space industries. And, one of the richest as they found several vacant planets bustling with minerals and other values for Earth.

They stopped first at security, scans of their entire self then their chip in their right hand. It held all their personal information like health, previous work, and most importantly how they get paid.

The money could then be stored there or transferred to a bank back home. He was excited and nervous, zealous almost as they stepped closer to their vehicle.

The two, Greg and Savannah, were suited up but not in chamber.

"It's alphabetical order." Savannah answered without being asked. No one spoke as the three caught up.

Robert discovered he would be in the center left. Dean to his right and Laura, Greg and Savannah to the right.

The door slowly lowered as someone over the intercom gently spoke everything that was happening.

"Goodnight everyone see you tomorrow" he shouted to make they heard. Same sentiments came back in response. But not from Dean.

Nothingness enveloped Robert and his team.

==========================

In the distance Robert worked to listen to what sounded like waves crashing the shore.

The cheerful screams of children playing tag close by. His older sister Hannah yelling at them because of the racket they were making.

"Robert Moon, I need you awake!"

He waved his hands at her for trying to ruin the kids fun.

"Just leave him."

"Robert, we landed off our target. You need to wake up. The vehicle isn't going to stay afloat."

When he tried to answer there wasn't any words. The scene began to repeat. Coolness of a hand meeting his face pulled him awake.

"You should have done that sooner." Dean scoffed.

"We are just a swim away from shore. Can you move your feet?"

He stared at the woman. Her unfamiliar short black hair clung to her face.

He nodded in response.

"Dean help me."

The man groan but waddle to assist. He grabs the right and she the right pulling him from the chamber onto a flat like surfboard.

"Not our first swim in these waters. Do not jump off the board. You will risk all our lives doing so."

Fragments from training burst through his mind. The severely injured are toted to shore.

"How bad is it?"

He finally asks as they reached the shore.

"You'll live." Dean answers as they slide him across the rough sandy shore.

He tries to look, investigate what the issue was but his vision blurs. His mind self-censoring everything around him as he struggles to figure out what is happening.

Laura, the blonde woman from the day before starts talking to him. She has a nervous laugh at the end of everything that she is saying but he can't figure out what's being said. Another voice, someone unfamiliar is struggling with his breathing while trying to help.

"Is it a crash landing every time?" Laura asks angrily. He feels his left leg being moved upward, something tightening around it. A strong everlasting pinch sensation surges through him and he screams.

"Sorry, mate." The man answers his cries, "It's going to feel that way the entire time 'til the bleeding stops. To answer you, Laura, no it's not always a crash landing. My team landed here smoothly. When we get to base I'll show you our lovely vehicle 'til then."

"Right."