Colonizing the Planets: Book 1

Chapter 1:

Years have passed since the beginning of the new millenia; 2000. The new millenia was infamously known to be the new age of technology, in which the rise of technological aid had begun. But with new discoveries, always comes new problems. After years of pollution and no solution to safely recycle tech materials, we have ultimately damaged the O-zone layer; pushing our only Earth into a carbon dioxide wasteland. According to scientists, our only solution now was to 'venture off into the stars in search of a suitable planet. Our first option was mars.

My name is Elijah Platt, and I am one of the six colonists selected to journey into the stars. I was the second youngest in the group, 17; the youngest was a 16 year old boy named Wilson. He was quite awkward but he graduated high school early at the top of his science and math class. He was supposedly already in advanced college placement, so I wasn't surpised that he was the first on the list to be selected for the journey. I on the other hand, was probably the biggest drop out to ever exist. I had failed three times during middle school, and by the time I entered the ninth grade I was already 17... So like the dumb person I am I dropped out. Why I was selected?.. i don't know, but the head scientist of this group told me that I would be doing most of the exploring along with Wilson and another scientist. I was basically the test dummy.

Anyhow, Wilson and I had yet to meet the third colonist. Ever since we were selected for this mission, we had to stay at the emergency Head Quarters located just outside of the NASA base in Washington D.C.
One would think that the Emergency Head Quarters would be somewhat fancy and professional, but no. The HQ looked as if it hadn't been used in years, the room we were stationed in smelled musty and stuffy, and if that wasn't enough there were literally vines growing up the wall. I would often hear an odd scratching sound in the walls, which I later concluded was rats. I wasn't the brightest, but it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out this place sucked.

I sighed and stuck my hands in my hoodie pocket, since this place was so run down, there wasn't a working heater. The NASA assistants weren't totally heartless though, they provided thin cotton blankets and very uncomfortable cots.
I shifted uncomfortably and shrank underneath the thin blanket, trying to get as warm as I could. I heard Wilson's content snoring, I was some what envious of him. I poked my head out from under the blankets and glanced over at his sleeping figure, with the dim lighting all I could make out was his bleach blonde hair. I wondered how he could be so comfortable in such a dump, I mean.. The kid hardly acted like he wanted to go home. I missed home more than anything, I missed my comfortable warm bed and my cat, Mia. I missed my mom's loving smile and for once I missed my annoying little sister, Kaley. In fact, the more I started to think about my current situation, the more home sick I felt. I guess the saying don't take things for granted was true, because you never really know how much you have until it's all ripped away from you.

I frowned at my thoughts and sat up, giving up on falling asleep. That definetly wasn't happening tonight. My stomach growled and I grumbled quietly in annoyance before getting off of the uncomfortable cot. As my feet touched the ice cold floor I jolted and shivered, deciding to bring the blanket with me. Wrapping the cotton blanket around my shaking figure, I wondered out of the room and into the dimly lit kitchen. The kitchen also looked like it hadn't been used in years, and some how it looked worse than our sleeping quarters. My eyes scanned the walls, examining several cracks that extended around the kitchen before freezing on a specific spot. I gagged at the sight of the mold and turned my head away, heading back towards our sleeping quarters. Like hell I'd eat anything out of that kitchen.

I seemed to grow groggier with each step, and as I stepped into the musty room, I noticed a figure resting against the wall. I paused, my hazel eyes scanned over the figure one more time, I didn't tecognize this person. I cautiously walked toward the figure and I spoke in a hushed tone,"Who are you?..." One moment later the unknown figure was standing right in front of me, and with the dim lighting I noticed that this mystery person was male. I backed up a little and laughed nervously,"Uhh you're standing a little too close for my comfort-" The boy stared at me, he looked to be about my age and had curly black hair that stuck out in every direction, with dark brown eyes that screamed mischief. Upon closer examination the boy seemed to be the kinda boy that every girl would dream of dating. In other words, he looked like your typical bad boy cliché.

I waited for him to tell me his name, and when he didn't speak I narrowed my eyes and took another cautious step backwards, ready to wake Wilson up at any second. Before I could take another step, the boy spoke in a rushed, kind of jumpy voice. "My name is Antonio... Call me Ben." Where did the name Ben come from?? If his name was Antonio then why did he want to be called Ben?? As if he could read minds, Antonio rushed more words out of his mouth. "Ben is my middle name. I don't like to be called Antonio." I laughed nervously,"Yeah... Yeah my name is Elijah. If you don't mind me asking, who the hell are you and why are you here?" Antonio shifted uncomfortably and rubbed his arm,"Ah, i'm sorry. I thought the NASA assistants would have at least told you I was coming. I'm the third colonist." That calmed my nerves a little bit, but something seemed off about this kid...

He seemed anxious, he was jumpy and he twitched occasionally. "Okay... Well, nice to meet you man.. That guy over there is Wilson, he's probably the smartest out of the three of us-" Antonio cut me off with a nervous laugh,"I don't find that likely. I graduated high school in tenth grade, I WAS going to college until the stupid government selected me to go on this mission." Antonio sputtered out word after word, and I just calmly waited for him to finish. "Okay..." I said hesitantly, I wasn't really sure what to say next.

All at once I began to feel the day taking it's toll on me, and I yawned. "Ah Anto- Ben.. I think i'm gonna go back to sleep." His brown eyes scanned the run down room and he nodded, this kid reeked of mischief.
Stretching and getting confortable on the cot, I pulled my thin cotton blanket over me and started to drift off into sleep, my last thoughts were about my mom and my sister, I missed them so much...

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First chapter, I hope you enjoyed this 😊