The Empty and the Unknown

1 - The F.S.S.

Bzzt. I blinked once or twice, slowly sitting up on the nearly rock-solid cot. Bzzzt. The second shock shook me to my senses. I brushed my matted hair aside and double-tapped the small bump on my temple. The shocks originated from a microchip embedded just under the surface of the skin and were used for many different things. In this instance, they were simply overrated alarm clocks. I threw off the rough polymer covers and stood tall, shaking out the routine stiffness I had come to know and... well, love isn't exactly the right word for it.

At this point, I saw the other recruits rise up as well, mumbling greetings to each other as they changed out of their standard navy-blue pajamas, pulling on their blue and grey carbon-nylon mesh outfits. I did the same, loosening the neck of my spacesuit before tugging it over my body. It automatically tightened itself to a comfortable state, enough so that it was breathable but not too loose. The same nano-tech intertwined in the fabrics of the space suits automated almost everything on the Falcon Space Station, or FSS for short.

As I finished getting ready, the mechanical hiss of the door as it slid open rang throughout the room, and everyone stood to attention at the end of their single cots, dressed or not. In walked General Mattocks, "Up and at 'em recruits! Today marks your final day on the FSS and it's going to be a very busy day, so get ready quick!" His booming voice shook the metal walls of the recruits' shared sleeping chamber. His voice sounded less stern than usual and I thought I heard what was possibly even a hint of excitement. That triggered a small giggle, which was quickly suppressed as the General gave me a dirty look.

I hail from the S-6 platoon, a highly-specialized group who were trained with the intentions of exploring the farthest reaches of the galaxy. I, along with every recruit in this room, have trained my whole life for this, strengthening my body and my mind with the aim of expanding human-knowledge and experiences about what seemed so far away, until now. For me, it seemed almost too surreal. Every waking moment was spent specializing every possible skill, so to finally reach that moment felt like a dream.

The General began to pace through the middle of the room, clearing his throat, "I understand that this is a big day for you lot, but don't let that distract you from what you have to do. You'll all be broken up into groups of four and assigned to a starship that best suits your needs. I know that some of you may have formed strong bonds together, however, we had to focus on creating optimal groups based on each other's skills and specialties, which means you may not be paired with your 'best friends'." The General reached the end of the room and turned to face all of the trainees. " This shall be our final gathering as a full platoon. As such, I would like to say a few words for you all to carry with you as you journey among the stars."

He cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and began. "This is the first group in the history of the FSS trained to travel at lightspeed, as well as the most skilled platoon I've had the pleasure of watching grow. You have trained many sleepless days and nights. Years and years full of agony and stress, doing your best to be your best. You have earned not only the attention of colonies millions of miles away, but the admiration of your peers, myself included." Mattocks paused to take one last admiring look over his platoon. "Your mission is going to be lengthy, and upon your arrival to your new planet, you may encounter things which no other human has ever seen, but while you face whatever challenges may come your way, let the veneration of the people push you forward in your efforts to expand human knowledge."

I felt a sort of nostalgic wave when I looked around the room, remembering the scrawny kids we were before the FSS. It never occurred to me how much I had changed, not only physically, but mentally as well. The wistful memory was cut short when a half-dozen people in FSS faculty uniforms rushed through the door and began splitting the platoon into groups of fours. I stood in place and waited for someone to assign me to a group. A short-statured woman with brown hair approached me and listed off a few names, "Gage, Titus, and Aurora will be your assigned teammates. Please stand outside of the doorway and wait for the rest of your group."

I did as I was told and pushed my way through the cluster of bodies that formed as people entered and exited the room busily. My excitement and dread began to build as I realized that I was starting an entirely new chapter of my life, but with people that I hardly knew.

Sure, I knew everyone's names in the squad, but people tended to stay in the same friend group for the majority of their time spent on the station, and I wasn't an exception. This spooked me a little bit and when Gage walked through the door, I could tell by his awkward small wave that the same could be said for him. He didn't stand out too much. He was thin and pretty below-average height wise. He generally hung out with the geeky kind of kids. However, he was well-known for likely being the most intelligent in the platoon. Being among the best and brightest astronauts in the Solar System, that wasn't something to think little of.

Next, out came Titus, greeting everyone with a big smile. He was muscular and tall, built more akin to a tree than an actual man. I had seen him workout in high gravity for nearly an hour, something that wasn't possible for most. I myself couldn't handle high gravity for more than five minutes, and all I did was jog. His strong-point seemed most simply put, strength, though I could tell he was very sociable, as evidenced by his attempts to make conversation with Gage as we waited. Gage's uncomfortable silence seemed to do nothing but inspire an even greater desire to make him talk to Titus.

Lastly, Aurora emerged from the room. I hadn't noticed her very often outside of the cafeteria and the bunks, but she usually clinging near the walls or sitting by her lonesome. She skulked towards the group silently, Gage and Titus too entrenched in their one-sided conversation to notice her lean against the wall a couple feet from us. She was much shorter than me, maybe 4' 5", which only served to aid to her overall invisibility. She was an obvious outcast, which was relatively strange. People usually fit into some group, no matter how odd or abnormal, but I suppose not everyone has a place. I shrugged it off and scanned the hallways for anyone of interest.

I saw my friends lined up with other groups, and waved sadly at them. It would be the last time I saw them, though I had said my goodbyes the night before, it admittedly still hurt a little bit. After I finished reminiscing silently about the good times I had with my group, I turned my attention to the lady who had appointed me to my group, now approaching us with a friendly smile. "Are you ready to meet your starship?" She lilted cheerily.