Space Race (Space Race 1) by Nathan Hystad (book recommendations for young adults .TXT) 📕

“We all have choices in life, don’t we? You could have secured a job with any other corporation. There are at least ten of the minor corporations on the hunt for a decent pilot as we speak,” he said.

I hadn’t even bothered to check. This invitation had held my attention. “Maybe I don’t want to be minor anymore.”

“Good. That’s what I was hoping to hear.” He led me to a room, the door rounded at the top, and the number 11 was stamped on its surface with white digits. “This is it. Please, make yourself comfortable.”

We entered, and I was taken aback. This was the finest suite I’d ever stepped foot in, let alone been invited to. The furniture was expensive, the décor tasteful but elegant. A fireplace crackled, and even though it was only a hologram, it felt like the real thing. Beyond this was a bedroom and a spacious bathroom.

“Do you like it?” Bryson’s eyes narrowed as he asked the question.

“Like it? When do I start?” I laughed.

He pulled a PersaTab from his pocket, the clear screen flashing blue as a projection began scrolling between us. “How about right now?”

The name SeaTech was on the header, with a few thousand words of employment jargon above a signature line. Bryson’s name was typed in, with a thumbprint beside it. I recalled the last time I’d pressed my finger too carelessly on an e-doc, and my heart rate sped up.

“You want me to sign a contract? You haven’t even told me what I’m doing here.” As much as it seemed to annoy me, I also found the interest in my employment flattering.

“Arlo, we don’t have a lot of time. The announcement is coming soon, and unfortunately, I can’t explain what’s transpiring unless you sign this document,” he said, urging the Tab closer.

“Can I read it?”

“This is a temporary work contract. It offers you ten million universal dollars in exchange for the next six months of your life. You will only receive the money when the term is complete. Of course, by then, I hope you’ll choose to remain with SeaTech, where you will be offered an executive role.” Bryson’s smile was gone, his jaw clenched as he waited for a response.

I didn’t know what to say. This man was offering me five years’ salary for six months’ work, and the potential to alter my future. I considered my father on Mars, and my mother under Sage’s thumb, and stared at the projection. “What will I be doing?”

“I can’t tell you that. Not until you sign.”

“My parents. I—”

“It’s included. They’ll both be given residence in our retirement community on the island of Kauai, with no work detail, once your commitment is met.”

I frowned at him. There had to be a catch. “My grandfather used to tell me if something was too good to be true, it likely was.”

Bryson smiled at this. “Then your grandfather was a wise man. But I assure you, it won’t be an easy six months. Arlo, times are changing. The face of the Earth will be far different in ten years, maybe fewer, and our expansion is inevitable. I’ll be the man to make a difference in this outcome. I haven’t spent my life creating this masterpiece for my own vanity. No. I’ve done it for our people. Not just SeaTech’s, but everyone’s. But we’re running low on time. The declaration might happen at any moment, and once it does, I’ll be unable to associate with you unless you sign this.” He pushed the Tab closer.

I didn’t love being given an ultimatum, but the offer of setting my parents up was too much to dismiss. Not to mention the ten million dollars. That would… I couldn’t even grasp what that meant, plus the option to join SeaTech’s executive team.

I tapped it with my thumb and added my signature. “You have a deal.”

The contract flashed, and my own PersaTab vibrated. He’d sent me a copy.

“Now can you tell me what this is?” I asked.

“How about I show you?” The smile returned to his face, and he led me to another room, touching his thumb to the keypad. The suite doors slid wide, revealing three people staring at us from the table.

“Drink?” he asked.

“No thanks.” I glanced at the group and noticed only one of them wore SeaTech clothing. The guy was young, maybe twenty, and he had the same clean-cut good looks as Bryson. The eyes were almost identical, and I assumed this was his son, Holland.

“We’re celebrating. Holland, grab the best stuff,” Bryson said, and his son jumped to his feet, dashing to the wet bar across the room. The table was large enough to hold twenty, and his guests were spread out around it.

The man was middle-aged, with dark skin and an untrusting gaze. Even sitting down, you could tell he was in better shape than most men half his years. The woman had dark curly hair, and she avoided eye contact with me. I judged her to be around my age, maybe slightly younger.

“Hi, I’m Arlo,” I said.

“Where are my manners? I’m just so excited to have the team together,” Bryson said.

“The team?” the other man asked. “You never said anything about a team.”

“Wait, you guys don’t know what we’re doing here either?” the woman asked.

“Not a clue. Did you get the same ‘time is running low’ crap too?” the guy asked, and she laughed, nodding.

“If I may interject, this is a ground-breaking day for all of us. Holland…” Bryson’s son dispensed four glasses filled with an orange liquid. “Local stuff. You’re going to love it. Everyone, this is Arlo Lewis. He’s piloted for Sage Industries, and most recently, Oasis.”

I waved.

“This is Luther Payne. He was Lotus’ head of security for over twenty years.”

Luther gave a slight nod.

“And last but definitely not least, we have Jade Serrano. She was the lead technology innovator for Luna Corp until recent setbacks made her a free agent,” Bryson said, and I stared at the woman. She