The Summit Beyond Our Galaxy - An Apple Loving Individual space opera

Chapter 4 - Double Load

Chapter 4 – Double Load

Monday, May 6, 2176
6:11 AM
Kanzen City Power Production Facility

Jerry arrived early to the power plant, before his shift started. He ate the rest of his breakfast there, while waiting patiently for his work shift to begin at 6:30. However, it was not long that he arrived, when his holo-radio began to go off. A cheerful voice spoke from the holo-radio, "Jerry, I see you here already, dude! If you're not too busy, I need something from you! Hoo-ah?" Jerry then responded, "Hoo-ah! I'm on my way right now, Carlos. See you, ASAP!" He then made his way to his employer's office. After arriving there, Carlos came in shortly. "Come have a seat!" said Carlos. Then Carlos began to explain why he called Jerry. "First of all, I approved your vacation request." He said. "However, I need to tell you that before you go on your trip, you'll have to work with double the amount of work load you normally get. As many maintenance technicians either called in sick, coming back or just came back from vacation, we're not hiring any newer technicians until August. And you'll be the only person on vacation for the next three weeks." Jerry listened carefully and understood each and every word. "No problem, sir! It's only from today until Wednesday." He said. "Then I'll be gone for three weeks, and then I'll come back to start my next project!" Carlos seemed amazed. "You just finished a project last month," said Carlos. "you wanna start another one?" Jerry nodded his head. "Yeah, yeah. I know, it's just I'm getting tired of having done the same thing all the time working here. Not that I hate it, but you know, a man can use the extra effort and productivity!" said Jerry. "Besides, thirty years from now or so, they may no longer need people like us working here. I for one don't wish to work until I'm 90!" Carlos smiled, "I completely agree, dude!" he said. "I also hope to just save up for the next couple of decades, then leave the place. Spend time with wife and kids. I'm gonna be 38 by year's end. But I know I'd rather retire at 70, rather than never!"

Jerry then clocked in and began to work. Along with him were six other maintenance technicians, as well as robots. The robots were created by Perkins Software, AI and Robotics; which evolved from the former Perkins Software and Tech Systems, which was established in Houston, Texas in 2024, by Dallas Perkins (2000-2091). They served as load balancing devices, should the power production become excessive and fall above nominal capacity. This allowed the workers to safely carry out their tasks and avoid any valve overloads in the equipment. For the next ten hours, Jerry just did what he needed to do, along with his co-workers, albeit putting in double the effort. Near the end of the day, he filled out some e-paperwork that was meant to be done by the employees who were sick or still on vacation. At the end of the day, it was worth it as they got paid an extra three cloud jewels from Monday till Wednesday. Near the end of his shift, Jerry took out his holo-phone and began to record a voice clip:

This is Jerry Sullivan, maintenance technician at Kanzen City Power Production Facility, dated Monday, May 6, 2176. I have recently finished my shift, monitoring the plant's power flows, ensuring they stay balanced and do not overload. I also completed some paperwork, although it was not my department, and I hope my efforts do benefit the facility. I need to admit, I am happy this week, the other technicians are coming back. I did happen to notice some fluctuations which is very rare nowadays, as technology has improved a very long way. However, in response to this, I have placed some tools in the cabinet with the security code 2-3-1. I recommend to IT Security that they should change this security code every two weeks and inform us via our work email, should they need us to be aware of anything. End of log.

He then left to go to eat dinner at his favorite restaurant and café. His holo-phone beeped, and a text message came in. Jerry opened up the text message to see who it was. It was from Carlos.

Carlos: Brother, I just listened to your audio log and I noticed what you did today at work. I'm very impressed! 😊

Jerry: 😃🙂 Thank you! If it hadn't been for you, I probably wouldn't be working here!

Carlos: Your team should just keep up the good work! 😃 Honestly, I believe y'all will be promoted sooner. 🙂

Jerry: Amazing! Until then, let's just focus on the now. The future isn't as important at the moment, as the present is. See you tomorrow and Wednesday. 🙂

Carlos: Goodnight, Jerry! 🙂 See you then!

Jerry then placed the restaurant location in his car's navigation software. "Priya, no need to cook dinner tonight!" said Jerry to his virtual assistant. "I'll eat out tonight." "10-4, Jerry!" said Priya. "You enjoy your night!" "Thank you!" exclaimed Jerry. He arrived at the restaurant, then had his order placed. Jerry leaned back and sighed in relaxation, as classic pop and country music from the early-twenty-first century played in the background. The robot brought his order to him in no time and he paid for it, as soon as it arrived. He ate his meal and then had a soda. "Yeah, I definitely need this vacation." He said. "I'm sure it'll be a good unwinding experience." With that, he left the restaurant and headed to go back home.

After arriving back, tried and exhausted, he went straight to bed. It was not even 10:00 PM yet, but Jerry was tired after having worked double the usual work load. Priya went ahead to do all the tasks which Jerry usually would tell her to do, before giving her the 'lights out' command. After he fell asleep, as usual the USAMSSO went about patrolling the dome. The graveyard shift came in to carry out the same tasks as the day shift. Jerry continued the same routine for the next two days, knowing he had a three-week vacation to look forward to. Then came Wednesday, where he came home and was relieved to be off the next three weeks. "Priya, I tell you this trip to Phobos after two years, it'll be amazing!" said Jerry. "I agree!" said Priya. "At least, you'll be relieved from having overworked yourself this week." "More than ever!" said Jerry.

Jerry began packing his bags, he only decided to take two bags with him. One with all his clothes, as well as some items for extra-curricular activities. The other bag, he only packed it a quarter, leaving three quarters empty. Jerry intended to bring home some souvenirs from the resort he was staying at on Phobos. Phobos was terraformed much quicker than Mars, while there was still some need for improvement, it already had a lush, breathable surface for humanity, as well as neighborhoods where many civilians resided. "Sir, your spacecraft to Phobos will leave tomorrow at 4:00 PM." Priya said. "You'll arrive there in less than half an hour." Jerry smiled. "That's good!" said Jerry. "At least, I'll be arriving there shortly. Anything else I should know?" Priya then proceeded to explain. "It is actually very pleasant over there, at this time of the year, and the beach is not such a bad place to go to." "I keep in mind!" said Jerry. "Thanks for the suggestion." Outside his apartment, many drones flew around forming random patterns, while emitting bright lights from the small LED bulbs placed on them. Jerry took a deep breath as for some reason, he felt really nervous.

He then had his holo-phone ringing to which he answered. It was Rudy and he had some news to share with Jerry. "Be careful when you go there." Rudy said. "News just came online that, a bunch of space pirates, have been smuggling illegal nuclear ore from Deimos. They're a bunch of bad seeds. The USAMSSO have issued warnings to everyone on Mars and Phobos to stay alert." Jerry was surprised hearing this. "Wow, and I thought crime was now virtually, a non-existent factor in today's day and age!" said Jerry. "Don't worry man, I'm going there for my own fun! I don't intend to meet up with anyone, nor socialize with anyone whom I don't know." Then Jerry finished packing whatever he needed to take with him. "Alright, Priya! Let's call it a night!" he said. "We must arrive tomorrow to the spaceport two hours prior to the flight to check-in." Jerry prepared to go to bed, however he did not know that this ordinary vacation, would be filled with extraordinary events. He fell asleep, oblivious and unaware of the good that was going to come his way.