"Aunt May, I'm back!"
The door burst open, and Peter, with his backpack, dashed in. Aunt May, who was writing something at the table by the window, stood up and watched Peter hurry into the kitchen to gulp down a big glass of water.
"Oh, you're back," Aunt May took Peter's backpack and asked, "How's the work at the new lab? Still going smoothly?"
"Not bad, just really busy. I can't believe I started at the company and immediately worked on an experiment for three days and nights straight. They didn't even give me time to get familiar with the lab," Peter yawned.
"Go take a nap," Aunt May suggested. "I'm writing the agenda for next month's community homeowner activities. What do you think about the desserts? How about the pancakes I make?"
"Of course, they're great, especially with some honey syrup..."
"Oh, boy, you still know me so well." Aunt May laughed, patting Peter's back as she followed him to the door.
Peter glanced at his uncle's room and asked, "Where's Uncle Ben? Hasn't he gotten off work yet?"
"He's been doing a lot of overtime lately. You know he was recently promoted to head engineer. He has to make a good impression, and there's definitely more work at the central station than the branch stations. Some new people have started, and he has to keep an eye on them."
"I'll wait for him a bit. There's something I want to discuss with him."
Aunt May said nothing, turned back to her community event planning, occasionally discussing with Peter.
It had been a long time since the Parkers moved, and the house they were living in now was their third. Not long after the last move, Ben Parker was transferred to the central station. Their new house was too far from there, so after some time, they sold that house and moved to their current one.
The current house was closer to where Ben Parker worked. No matter which house, it was far from Peter's lab, but Peter didn't often commute back to stay; he mostly slept in the lab or the company dormitory.
The community they now lived in was relatively better, and Aunt May found a job at the community center. Her main task was to organize various community activities and maintain the community's decorum.
With some time to spare, Aunt May made Peter her specialty crème soufflé. Peter munched on it while regaling his aunt with amusing stories about his experiment processes.
Soon enough, Ben Parker returned. Over the years, he had developed some white at the temples but seemed more spirited than before and had put on some weight. He greeted Peter and Aunt May with a cheery smile.
"Uncle, did you hear about the recent hiring at the Near-Earth central station, the Stella Core Station?"
Hearing Peter bring up this topic, Ben Parker's smile gradually faded. He sat across from Peter, glanced at him, then at Aunt May, rubbed his hands together, and said with a hint of nervousness, "Of course, I've heard about it. I... am considering it."
"Good heavens," Aunt May exclaimed. She said, "Peter, did you just mention Near-Earth? Isn't this central station not on Earth?"
"Yes, Stella Core Station is the latest comprehensive space station, serving as the central hub for various Near-Earth stations. It encompasses a transport coordination center, a Near-Earth Research Academy, a Solar System Energy Dispatch Headquarters, and a Solar System Diplomatic Reception Center."
"So far, it is also the farthest space station from Earth, roughly halfway to Mars. The main traffic relies on a large portal, and they have just released a recruitment notice for the whole community two days ago, targeting exceptional engineering talent."
Ben Parker nodded and said, "Indeed, I've heard the rumors for a while, and my supervisor gave me some video material showing the interior of the station. Honestly, it looks no different from the Shuttle Central Station where I work now."
"That's no good," Aunt May raised her voice. "That thing flies out in space. If something goes wrong, there is nowhere to run."
"The portal's stability is very strong; it's said to withstand a solar explosion," said Ben Parker. "There will also be Mages stationed to defend and maintain the space station, and there's ample security personnel. Most of the core technologies of the station come from several major countries."
Realizing Ben Parker was serious, Aunt May sat down, stared at his face for a moment, then said, "We're not at a point where we eat one meal without knowing where the next will come from anymore. It's great that you want to pursue this field, but you need to think this through. There are risks involved, and we would be heartbroken if anything happened to you."
"It is exactly this that makes me hesitant," Ben Parker said, his hands twisted tightly together. "I cannot imagine a day when I lose you or you lose me; that would be terrifying."
"I don't know if you can understand, but since I was transferred to the central station, I've met a lot of different people from my usual circles—scientists, engineers, as well as teachers, doctors, and reporters."
"But they all have one thing in common: after satisfying their own and their family's survival needs, they join this project to strive for the good of the human race."
"Of course, when the shuttle was first developed, it was a considerable risk for them. The public's reaction to the technology was mixed, and the plans for building the central station could have been canceled."
"But they did their best to build this place up, to spread real information out, to help people understand and dispel their doubts. This is what led to the highly developed transportation system of New York today."
"Now, many people are confused about how to step into the economic society, and many feel anxious and fearful that our steps into the cosmos might bring disaster, but we can't blame them because all of this involves risks."
"Someone has to take the risk; I have the technology, the experience, and the determination to learn from those of excellence. If not me, then who should it be? I think it is my responsibility," Ben Parker said, lowering his head.
"Many people in the station are watching and waiting to see what we'll do. Someone has to take the first step, and frankly, I have fewer concerns than they do," Ben Parker continued.
Looking at Peter, Ben Parker added, "You've come a long way and become a fine scientist, financially robust enough to support our retirement funds for both of us."
"And you," Ben Parker said, grasping Aunt May's hand, "my dear, the neighbor lady was just praising the household chore swap event you organized. The work suits you, bringing more zest to your life than before. I think you should keep at it."
"That's the situation," Ben Parker explained, spreading his hands. "I'm not worried about a crying newborn, haven't got any loans to pay off, and am under virtually no life pressure. We have both gained a lot from this society; naturally, we have a responsibility to make it better."
"Please believe me, even out of responsibility to you, I will cherish my life very much. I spent a few days ensuring the safety of Stella Core Space Station, and the results show that this space station, built jointly by countries of Earth, might even be safer than Earth itself."
"If this is your decision, of course, I won't stand in your way," Aunt May said. "How's the lodging up there? Is the canteen any good? Do they accept postal packages? What about perishable deliveries?"
"They've got everything up there, dear," Ben Parker replied with a smile. "As for the canteen, you should know that the food in the technicians' dining hall is always the best."
"Are you planning to complete a full cycle of work up there, Uncle?" Peter asked.
"Yes, the job listing says a round is two months with a five-day rest afterwards. I think that's quite nice. We could go on a trip together then," Ben Parker answered.
Peter immediately pulled a long face and said, "I'm afraid I can't manage to take five days off. The moment I step into the lab, there's an endless list of experiments, and everyone behaves like a game NPC that hands out a quest whenever you approach."
"Oh, by the way, I heard that Doctor Schiller has returned to New York Elderly Association Hospital. Have you visited him?" Aunt May inquired.
"Not yet, haven't had the chance," Peter replied.
"That's not very good," Aunt May remarked. "Since you're off today, I'll bake a batch of cookies; you can take them to Doctor Schiller and visit him on our behalf. Don't forget, if it weren't for him, we wouldn't have been able to get our check-ups at the Elders Council Hospital."
"Is it difficult to get into Elders Council Hospital?" Peter asked, not too versed in such matters.
"Of course," both his aunt and uncle replied in unison.
"Even our current insurance doesn't qualify us for a check-up slot at the Elders Council Hospital."
"But our insurance payout has already quintupled," Peter said, somewhat surprised.
"Indeed, but I'm afraid even ten times more wouldn't be enough," Aunt May said, shaking her head. "I specifically asked our insurance manager, and he told me that unless we have some illness with medical research value, it'd be hard to get treated there. They mainly focus on major complicated diseases and rare conditions."
"A colleague's wife just got discharged from there," Ben Parker chipped in. "She had a peculiar kind of tumor; the doctors spent seven or eight months figuring it out. I saw him yesterday, and he looked so thin. In addition to the insurance, he paid a lot out of pocket."
"It's a good thing we went for a high coverage," Aunt May said, clutching her chest. "Otherwise, even a regular hospital bill would be frighteningly expensive."
After some more chatter, finishing the snacks on the table and two cups of tea, Peter went back to his room to catch up on sleep, Aunt May busied herself with baking cookies, and Ben Parker, who had initially been chatting with her by the window, was soon interrupted by a phone call.
"Hello, Ben Parker speaking. Oh, yes, he told me about it. What? The intern is sick too? Alright, I'll come over then," he said as he stood up.
Aunt May gave him a look as he stood up and Ben Parker gave her an apologetic smile, saying, "One of my colleagues took off yesterday and, by chance, the intern supposed to cover for him has a stomach bug. But today's maintenance checks have to be finished, or we won't have enough shifts. I'll be back before dinner."
Aunt May didn't say anything; she knew the life of an electrician, always on call 24 hours a day, having to rush out at a moment's notice. She had gotten used to it over the years.
With oven mitts on, Aunt May quickly packed a box of cookies and thrust it into Ben Parker's arms. He hugged her, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and drove off to Shuttle Central Station.
Parking his car, Ben Parker took the elevator and upon exiting, saw a familiar figure.
"Oh, Aux, weren't you on leave? The intern covering for you got sick, and I just got a call from Maintenance asking me to cover for you," he said.
The big-bearded man called Aux looked embarrassed and replied, "False alarm. My wife thought something had happened to our dog, but it turned out to be nothing, so I came back."
Ben Parker eyed him for a moment and, shaking the bag of cookies in his hand, said, "May made some cookies. After I finish up here, we can have some afternoon tea together."