Space Knights: The Arrival

eating breakfast, the Sondersons washed their dishes and packed them in the car. They took down their beds and loaded them into a trailer that was already attached to the back of the car. They had loaded all of the rest of their belongings into another trailer two days earlier and had already taken it to the launch center located beyond the Denver International Airport where the escape ships were stationed. By now their belongings had been catalogued and put in the storage area on the massive ship.
After they had gone through the house one last time and said goodbye to it and the yard they had enjoyed so much, they climbed into the car and headed off to the launch center. They didn’t talk too much because each one of them was busy with their own private thoughts and fears about the day ahead and what the new world was going to be like. Would they survive the trip, die in space or worst of all sleep forever and never land anywhere?
It took them forty-five minutes to get to the launch center. Evan stopped at the gate and showed the guard their registration cards and his identification cards. The guard let them through and watched them drive up to the main parking lot that was already three quarters full. The family got out and started to unload part of their stuff. Evan went to the building carrying a box and was greeted at the door by another guard.
“How are you doing today Dr. Sonderson,” said the guard who recognized him at once and reached to shake hands. “It looks like a good day for take-off.”
“Yes it is,” Evan replied as he looked up at the beautiful blue sky with some nice white fluffy clouds floating by. He rather enjoyed being referred to by his title; after all he did have a doctorate in astronomy and was half responsible for locating the planet they were headed to. He led his family into the building, where they saw numerous other families like themselves that had registered for the global escape. They also saw many other guards and scientists moving about.
Evan led them to where they were to check in and they stopped in a line to wait. They stood in line and slowly moved forward. Finally after several minutes they were at the counter and had their registration checked. They were led back to an area where they had their photographs taken for the official name badges that they would receive as they got their uniforms for the flight. While they were being vaccinated and given shots of certain vitamins and minerals that would help keep them in good shape for the trip across the stars, technicians were sent to see that their trailer of belongings was taken to be sorted, catalogued, and stored on the great ship that they were going to board and fly in, Sparrow XIV. After being examined and checked to see that they were healthy, they went to receive their uniforms and name badges.
Their uniforms were white and very form fitting, with a slot over the left breast where the name badge was to go. They had long sleeves and there were even shoes to go with it that were more like warm padded slippers. They handed over their regular clothes to the technician at the uniform station and received the name badges that carried a photo of them, their name, date of birth, and their chamber number as well as their flight information. Also on the badge was a bit of their medical information. Once in their full uniform they waited together with the rest of the crowd in a vast waiting room. They had been there waiting for six minutes watching more and more people arriving when a lady dressed in an administrative outfit came in, called for attention, and addressed the crowd.
“Attention! Now how is everyone? I know that everyone is not here quite yet, but we need to get things going. You will receive your instructions for boarding and how the launch will take place in about fifteen minutes. Please relax and get comfortable. People are still arriving so be patient and we’ll get you on board as soon as we can.”
The Sondersons waited patiently with the rest of the crowd and watched the clock. Along with everyone else they sat in their chairs and wondered what was going to happen next. Trance looked around and watched everything with great interest. He was always very curious about his surroundings, catching all of the details around him. He saw many nervous mothers and fathers with their children. Many of the children were excited and couldn’t wait to board the ships and blast off into space. Several teenagers were discussing what the new planet was possibly to be like. Some boys were obviously fans of science fiction books and movies, and seemed to be talking most informatively about this topic.
Trance looked about at the room, noting the pure white walls and floor. There were also very large windows along the outside wall. He imagined that the glass was layered very thick to protect the building from the blasts of the escape ships. The launch pads could be easily seen from here. He also noted the many doors in the room. There was the main entrance to the building, a door to the photography room, and doors to the uniform and changing rooms; there were also two restroom doors, and finally the doors that lead out to the escape ships and the launch pads.
Very slowly the fifteen minutes crept by and then a man came in dressed in a very neat and pristine white technician’s smock. He was extremely tidy and was obviously one of the leading scientists in charge of the facility. With his appearance silence fell on the room and everyone wanted to hear what he had to say.
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen,” he said in a very dignified voice, “You are about