I was assigned by my authority to participate in an expedition in space. I heard there would be plenty of people joining but what I did not know is where our destination is. Moon? Mars? I don't know. I don't know anything except everyone joining would be given a device with our profile in it.
"Darling, please take care of yourself. I will always pray for your safety." My wife hugs me tight, her tears drench my clothes. I'm sure if she won't let go there would be snot dirtying my clothes next.
"Don't worry about me, you take care too and..." I look down at her belly.
"My little sweetheart wait for papa to come home before you come out alright?" I caress on it, smiling. Truth is, I don't want to leave them alone especially when she is in her 7th month of pregnancy.
"Can't you resign? I don't want you to go..." She sobs. Great, way to make me weak.
"I'm sorry, I can't honey."
"All assigned participants, please enter the gate for your registration! I repeat, all assigned participants, please enter the gate for your registration!" The speaker boomed loud enough for everyone to hear and soon after everyone starts leaving their family bidding goodbye and going in the same direction.
"I have to go. Take care." I kiss her forehead, taking a while to cherish this moment before letting her go.
"Bye... Come home safe!" She waves with a sad smile. I wave back and quickly line up with others.
After registering my name, I was given the device that can be attached to my wrist like a watch. I checked it, and it seems it can view my profile in detail.
"Sir, please enter with caution and sit anywhere you like on the chairs inside." One of the guards leads the way before going back to his post.
I walk in, "Wow!" is the first thing coming out of my mouth as I scan the place. There are rows of chairs inside with different colours. A few other people have already taken their seats so I do the same and pick the empty one.
The first and second rows are already full, so I go to the third row but someone pushes me aside and sit on an empty chair followed by two other people, leaving the fourth row as my only option and there's only one chair there.
Black.
The chair colour is black. Seeing other people already getting comfortable in their seats, I walk there and sit on the empty one.
Ding!
I heard a noise coming from below, looking down, I see something written on my device with a blinking light.
'So my code colour is black, huh? I guess it depends on which chair you sat on it.'
I watch people in front of me who got curious faces. The guy from before, who push me, sat on a red chair. The lady next to him is pink. Next to her is a young man and the colour of his chair is purple.
"Attention to all passengers, please look above you and wear the helmet. Just wear it and sit comfortably on your seat. Once you have done, place both your arms on the armrest and both your legs on the steel plate. Do I have to repeat?"
The next question comes out in a whisper but everyone can hear it since they all are laughing.
"Ehem! Above you, there's a helmet so wear it. If you are done, place both your arms on the armrest and both your legs on the steel plate below you. Once done, don't move and watch the magic happen."
Once he said that the chair slowly turn into protective gear for the astronaut. The once black chair has fully formed into a black uniform on my whole body.
'Wow! Awesome!' I watch in awe and see everyone also get their uniform.
The door starts closing and soon the surroundings become darker. Once shut, I can't see anything except for the light coming from machines.
"It's dark... I can't see anything." A female voice is heard.
"I'm scared..." Another woman voice starts to sound followed by a male voice.
"It's alright, we all are here. Nothing to be scared of."
Soon after, the machine starts to countdown before the launching starting from 10. Once it hit 1, I can feel myself moving up and leaving the earth.
I check the device again. It views my name and my code colour on the screen. Sliding the screen, I can see a map.
'Is this the whole map for this spaceship? So spacious. Let's see... based on this, we are... in launchpad?' I check the details by clicking on it and it says starting point or meeting place.
I wonder where our destination is. What mission do we have to accomplish with this many people in this huge spaceship?
I close my eyes, to gather my thoughts and ready myself for whatever our mission will be given to all of us. I hope it's not too hard to do and I will try not to slow down everyone else while completing the mission.