Space Knights: The Arrival by Gregory Samuelson (buy e reader .TXT) 📕

he was at the base of the stairs. He started to climb and it seemed to take forever to get to the top, but eventually he arrived. He stepped into the ship and was amazed at what he saw.

The bay of the ship was full of technicians dressed in white guiding people to what looked like very large tubes with half cylindrical glass tops. Trance saw his dad talking to Sammy as he helped him get into his chamber. Right next to them was his mother with Heather. A very nice lady tech turned to him and checked his name badge. She led him to his own chamber.

Trance looked across the aisle and saw other parents helping their children into chambers before they themselves were helped into their own. Trance stepped up to his chamber and again had the terrifying sensation that he was being put into a very fancy coffin with several electronic readout screens that would monitor him for the journey across the stars. How he had dreamed of this day and wondered what was awaiting him on the new world, yet he had also always dreaded this moment. He would have to be encased in this chamber that would hold him for eons at his current age.

He lowered himself into the chamber that felt to him like a cross between a very comfortable yet confined bed and a large yet rigid sleeping bag. A cocoon seemed the most appropriate name for the chamber. His parents had finished getting Sammy and Heather in their chambers and watched their lids close. They then came over to look in on him as the lady tech attached a number of monitoring devices to him.

“Trance,” said his mother with tears streaking her face, “Remember that we love you. No matter what happens, we love you.” She took a great steadying breath and calmed herself to continue. “We’ll see each other again at the end of our trip. We’ll be together again as a family. This won’t last forever. It’s just a long sleep and pause in our lives.” She turned and wiped her tears. She had given the other two the same message. Then his parents leaned in and each gave him a hug and kiss.

Trance laid back and watched them standing there as the glass lid came slowly down to seal him in. It would be so long before he would be able to see and hug them again. Quietly he said a prayer, “Watch over them dear God. Keep us safe and lead us to this other planet so we can be together again as a family. Let us praise your name for the great mercy you have shown us all. And if we have strayed, please forgive us. Amen.” With that he saw and felt the lid fit itself into place and seal him in. He took several deep breaths trying to calm down. He watched his parents move over to their own chambers. His mother was right next to him. He could just make out his dad kissing his mother one last time before helping her into the chamber. Then, as that lid closed, his dad moved out of sight to his own chamber.

Trance suddenly became aware of a slight change of the air in his chamber as part of the chamber’s sleep functions kicked in. He was suddenly filled with fear as he realized that he was about to go into the deepest sleep possible. His body started to really relax when he remembered what he’d seen before boarding the ship. From out of nowhere he thought about a conversation he’d overheard between his dad and grandfather a year before grandpa had passed away. It involved a dream his grandfather had some years before. How weird that the conversation was about grandpa seeing him approach the escape ship. But before he could recall more he felt very sleepy and his vision began to blur. The sight of the techs and other passengers faded and he went out.

As the human passengers were being helped into the deep sleep chambers on the main flight decks of the ships, other techs were on the middle decks inspecting the chambers that contained the pets that belonged to the families on the ship. There were chambers of dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, fish, various varieties of rodents, and reptiles. There were seven ships stationed at this particular launch center just for horses, sheep, pigs, and cattle. Two ships were even set aside for a variety of zoo animals. There were many ships at other launch sites around Colorado and across the United States that were just for animals. All luggage and household items were in the lowest decks of the escape ships.

It took several more minutes for the technicians to get everyone registered for the Sparrow XIV into their chambers. Then the techs checked every chamber and made sure they were all working properly. They then left the ship, and the last one out turned and shut and sealed the door. After they were all down the stairs and walking back toward the main building they passed other lines of people headed to yet other ships. The portable stairs were moved up to another door to the ship for the crew to board.

From another building further down strode out four men dressed in space suits, the crew for the Sparrow XIV. The crew marched on trying not to worry about the journey they were to take. They had all flown in space before, but this would be the greatest flight they would ever take. It took them a few minutes to get to the ship where they met another small group of techs. Together they all climbed up to the cockpit and on into the ship. The techs helped each member of the crew into their seats. The techs left the cockpit and the door was shut and sealed. The crew immediately started to perform their preflight checks. They knew they weren’t going