ParaSpace

Welcome back to our World

As they approached the landing spot at their new place of work, the pair prepared to be bombarded with questions about them two. "What do we tell them when they ask about us?" Asked Ash unsurely. She looked over at Burke as he stood there, confident and indifferent to what his coworkers had to say. The door opened for them to be able to leave and that's when they noticed only a funny-looking robot with a plate on its forehead stating "Tobor". "Welcome weary space travelers and welcome to ParaSpace!" The paradise in space your family needs in this gloomy time." Said the robot over a speaker. Tobor continued and gestured something as if he wanted them to tag along. "I am Tobor, or you could call me Toby for short. I am Casimir's personal assistant. He is very excited to meet you face to face. He told me the three of you had already made acquaintances," Toby said as sarcastically as his communications module would allow him to. As the three of them make their way from the ship and into the main entrance to their new building, they notice a lot has changed. The old beaten-down satellite repair company they worked for was now a state-of-the-art, high-tech facility that they couldn't wait to explore. After making their way through the entrance, they are dumbfounded at how everything around them looks. It went from a rustic brown that nobody enjoyed to a brand-new, lustrous building that's almost blinding with how bright it is. "Ouch, my eyes are kind of hurting now," griped Ashley. "Yeah, I'm starting to get a headache now. Why is everything so bright, Tobor?" Asked Burke while rubbing his temples. "Casimir wants to show the world that, with his company, humanity's future is brighter than ever, and when people walk around they can see for themselves the image he has!" Explained Toby. The building was filled with relics from the past, as if it were a museum. These relics were items from around the world that sparked industrial revolutions or were a key factor in helping a population thrive. Tobor was moving quickly as they were already a little late for the meeting. A few items Burke could see were a stone wheel, a display of a lightbulb, a printing press, the first camera invented, and a very old smartphone. As Burke, Ashley and Tobor all turn down the hallway, they see the glass windows that lead to the huge meeting room. First thing Ashley notices is a group of people that she doesn't know. They didn't seem to be the regular crew that worked at the satellite company, but a whole new crew instead. "How come our crew isn't here with us like when we left?" Asked Ashley. "We discovered a lot of laziness and overall negative statistics when running their work data. The old crew, your crew, was obsolete in almost every way. They held the company back financially and therefore had to be eliminated." Explained Tobor to both of them. "Eliminated? Or terminated? As in fired?" Ashley replied hysterically from the thought of her old friends and coworkers being "terminated". Just as she asks, they all arrive at the meeting room where everyone else is waiting for them. "Welcome back, you two! Shouted Casimir to Burke and Ashley. We are all excited to meet both of you. Please take a seat, and we can get the formalities out of the way." Ashley and Captain Burke walked from the door they entered from and made their way towards the front of the room by Casimir. Everyone else takes their seat and Tobor makes his way to the corner closest to them. Casimir leaned off his desk and began. "I'm proud to be able to have everyone in this room with me. For those who don't know me, I am Casimir Romanov, a billionaire who acquired my wealth through restaurants and real estate. I have bought this old satellite repair station and turned it into the headquarters for my newest endeavor, space vacations!" Everyone starts to chatter about what that could be and Casimir brings them back so he can continue. "I know that a vacation isn't what everyone is needing in these trying times on Earth, but this is just my first step towards my plan to keep whole buildings in orbit so that can have cities in space. Now I have chosen all of you for your specific skills and traits that we desire for this first big step towards humanity's possible salvation. First, we have three great medical staff that will help with everyone's possible injuries. Elizabeth, Hazel and Clara, all from The Nightingale Society." The three women stand from their seats and give a nice warm smile and wave to everyone. "We thank you for allowing us this great opportunity! Cheered Hazel happily. "Yeah!" Joined Elizabeth. "We all appreciate it that we get to take a little break from our regular duties in the society. Casimir smiled and continued with his speech. "From Sweden we have Olof and Alec Drakenberg, two twins that love to cook." Everyone cheers as they now know who to go to for all their food needs. Both the twins gave a thumbs up to the group to show how ecstatic they were to be there. Casamir carries on. "We have our director of activities and events, Mr. Keitaro Ryosuke." He then bows towards the group, and then bows lower to Casimir to show his respect towards him. "Keitaro will be coming up with planning vents and everything the guests do onboard our vessel." Burke laughs and whispers to Ashley. "I do love their game shows." Ashley holds back a laugh to not be rude to the group. "The two that just joined us momentarily are the two former astronauts turned repairmen, Ashley Hall and Captain Sterling Burke! These two will be navigating us through our journey in the stars!" Shouted Casimir enthustiastically. Everyone claps and Alec gives Burke a pat on the shoulder. "I've been telling everyone here about what you have done in your time up there, Mr. Burke. It's quite incredible, the feats you've accomplished." Burke smirked and just waved his hand up bashfully. "I'm no hero or anything crazy, just a regular guy that did his job to the best of his abilities." Burke told the group humbly. Casimir prompted everyone to sit down and introduced Ash. "We have the trusted right hand of our beloved Captain, Ms. Ashley Hall!" Everyone cheered and welcomed Ashley into the crew. After the whole crew was introduced to one another, Casimir started to lay out the plans for what he expected. Casimir dismisses the group, but has Mr. Burke stay behind to discuss something other than business.