"Well, Mr. Stanton..." The bespectacled man before me drawled, his voice thick with a Russian accent. "Your resume is certainly impressive. A degree in Aerospace Engineering, contracted work with almost all the major spaceflight companies… You even passed the physical exam with flying colors. You truly are the ideal candidate."
Suppressing a toothy grin, I settled for a polite smile. I cleared my throat and leaned forward.
"Thank you, Director Vasilyev. That's quite the compliment coming from someone of your stature, sir," I replied, inclining my head respectfully. The small Russian man smiled and began handing my papers back to me.
"In fact, I would say you are a perfect fit for the astronaut candidacy program. Welcome aboard, Mr. Stanton," Director Vasilyev said, extending his hand across the desk. I beamed, shaking his hand. His grip was firm but not overwhelming.
"Thank you, sir! I promise you won't be disappointed," I said, gathering my papers and placing them in my briefcase. Director Vasilyev smiled again and opened a drawer, withdrawing several documents which he passed to me.
"The necessary paperwork is all here. Ensure they are signed promptly. Someone will be in touch with you soon regarding transportation to the Gagarin-Armstrong astronaut training facility."
I smiled and nodded, shaking the Director's hand once more before standing up with my briefcase. After exchanging final pleasantries with Director Vasilyev, I left his office, feeling as though I were walking on air.
As I exited the International Space Exploration Committee's headquarters and stepped onto the sidewalk, I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket. I pulled it out and held it to my ear.
"Hey, Angie! You'll never believe it!" I began. On the other end, my best friend, Angie Meyers, gasped audibly.
"No way! They accepted you?" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with anticipation.
"Yes! I'm going to be an astronaut, Angie. Can you believe it?" I replied, my voice giddy with excitement as I headed toward the transit station.
"I totally can! I knew you'd get the spot. You're a freakin' genius!" Angie responded, her elation for me evident in her tone.
Angie's unwavering support always touched me deeply. Since we'd known each other, she had fervently championed my dream of becoming an astronaut. She often joked that having an astronaut friend would be cool, but deep down, I knew her encouragement stemmed from genuine care and friendship.
"We should totally get drinks to celebrate!" Angie suggested eagerly, the sound of her gathering her belongings audible over the phone. I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.
"Sounds perfect. Meet you at Atom's?" I proposed, knowing it was our go-to spot for celebrations. Angie's laughter echoed through the line, brightening my spirits.
"You bet! See you there, spaceman!" she exclaimed before ending the call. As I entered the transit center, I hailed the closest Aerocab and settled into its sleek interior, fastening my seatbelt.
"Hello, Mr. Stanton. Please select a destination," the Aerocab's AI pilot greeted me with its smooth, measured voice.
"Atom's Nexus, please."
"Confirmed. Estimated time of arrival is four minutes. Please enjoy the flight, Mr. Stanton," the AI responded. The Aerocab smoothly lifted off the ground, its wheels retracting as we soared into the air.
I gazed serenely at the skyline as the Aerocab swiftly maneuvered between buildings, ranging from small structures to towering skyscrapers. As we rounded the imposing Quicksilver Banking building, I caught a breathtaking view of the recently erected space elevator. My eyes followed a carriage ascending the length of the colossal tether, disappearing into the heavens above, destined for high Earth orbit. Though obscured by a veil of clouds, I knew there lay a substantial spaceport at its pinnacle.
"We are touching down at Atom's Nexus now, Mr. Stanton," the AI's voice broke through my contemplation, prompting me to refocus. Peering downward, I spotted Angie waiting outside Atom's. Her eyes scanned the sky, and upon meeting mine, her face lit up with a grin, accompanied by a vigorous wave.
"Thanks, Ivan," I acknowledged the AI as I stepped out of the Aerocab.
"Thank you, Mr. Stanton, for choosing AeroCruise," Ivan responded politely as the Aerocab's door sealed shut, lifting gracefully back into the sky. Making my way over to Angie, I couldn't help but smile at her infectious enthusiasm.
"Hey there, Eric! Ivan get you here okay?" Angie greeted me as we stood outside Atom's Nexus.
"As always. I've never encountered an AI quite like him before. It's no wonder the transit authority continues to entrust him with operations," I remarked, watching the Aerocab that had transported me gracefully fade into the skyline, seamlessly navigating between buildings until it vanished from view.
"I'll admit, I was apprehensive at first when news broke about AI-operated Aerocabs. But Ivan? He's truly impressive," Angie concurred, her eyes scanning me before she crossed her arms, a playful smirk playing on her lips.
"What? Is something wrong?" I inquired, glancing down at my attire for any perceived faults. Angie placed a hand on her hip, her brow arched mischievously.
"You didn't wear the spacesuit for me," she teased, feigning a pout. I rolled my eyes good-naturedly and gestured toward the entrance of Atom's Nexus.
"I promise, you'll be the first to see it when they actually give me one," I assured her, inviting her to join me inside the bar. She maintained her mock pout for a moment longer before shrugging and following me with a smile.
We stepped into the building, the thumping electronic bass music pulsating through the walls deeper within. The bouncer, a towering figure with dark skin and rippling muscles, looked up and flashed a smile of recognition as we approached.
"Eric, Angie. Good to see you two," he greeted us, nodding as we reached the entrance to the bar area.
"Hey Lucius. I made it into the astronaut candidacy program!" I exclaimed, lightly tapping his knuckles in excitement. Lucius's expression lit up with genuine happiness, accompanied by a broad grin.
"That's fantastic, man! Just promise me you'll still swing by for a drink when you're not off exploring space... Atom's wouldn't be the same without you," he remarked, stepping aside to let Angie and me pass.
"You know it, Lucius," I affirmed, exchanging a nod with him before we entered the bustling bar. The electronic bass music reverberated louder now, its vibrations coursing through my body. Glancing over at Angie, I could already see the delight in her expression as she took in the atmosphere.
"I know I say this every time… but, man, this is my favorite place," she remarked to me as we made our way to the bar and settled onto a pair of barstools. A new bartender, unfamiliar to me, approached.
"What can I get for you two?" she inquired, her voice raised slightly over the booming music. Before I could respond, Angie swiftly interjected.
"Two Atom Bombs! We're celebrating!" she declared proudly, opting for the strongest drinks on the menu. The bartender grinned and began preparing our order. I raised an eyebrow at Angie, amused by her bold choice.
"Okay… but just one! I don't want to get too wasted," I interjected as the bartender slid the drinks towards us. Picking up my glass, I clinked it against Angie's, then knocked it back in one swift motion.
* * *
I knocked back the fourth Atom Bomb, some of it spilling down my chin, and slammed the empty glass onto the table with a loud clatter. The alcohol burned fiercely as it went down, leaving a fiery trail in its wake. Throwing an arm around Angie's shoulder, I grinned widely, feeling a warm glow spreading through my stomach.
"You know what, you're like, my best friend, you're so supportive," I slurred, my words slightly muddled. The room seemed to sway gently, and my vision blurred at the edges. Angie downed her drink and leaned in closer, motioning for me to do the same. Intrigued, I leaned in, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.
Angie burped loudly into my ear, and we both erupted into fits of drunken laughter, unable to contain our amusement. The bartender, leaning against the bar, watched us with a mix of amusement and fondness evident on her face.
"You two sure are... enthusiastic," remarked the bartender, her amusement evident in her tone. "Mind if I ask what it is you're celebrating?"
Turning to face her, Angie and I exchanged playful glances, our grins widening as we suppressed giggles. Angie leaned in with a conspiratorial look, and I mirrored her expression.
"Should we tell her?" Angie asked, her laughter bubbling up drunkenly. I nodded, snickering, as we both turned back to the bartender. With a sudden burst of enthusiasm, I threw my arms up and loudly proclaimed, "I'm going to be an astronaut!"
The bartender's eyes briefly widened before she rolled them, a chuckle escaping her lips.
"Should've known I'd get some comedians in here before the night was over," she quipped. Angie and I exchanged puzzled frowns before I leaned heavily against the bar, propping my elbows up.
"Nuh-uh! I'm not lying! I got to talk to Director Vas... Vasilly... the Russian director guy! He said I was the perfect candidate!" I insisted indignantly, my words slurring slightly as I spoke. The bartender rolled her eyes, starting to look more annoyed than amused.
"You mean Director Vasilyev, of the ISEC? Yeah, sure buddy. I think you two have had one too many, I'm cutting you off", the bartender replied lazily, moving across the bar to serve another patron. I frowned at her as she walked away and turned to Angie.
"What was that for? She didn't believe me...", I said, sounding bothered. I looked down at myself for a moment and then back to Angie, who was watching me intently.
"Do I not look smart enough?", I asked her, my words slightly slurred. I stared at her for a response, realizing how much I valued her opinion of me as I did.
Angie's gaze softened as she met my troubled expression. Placing a reassuring hand on my arm, she shook her head gently.
"Eric, it's not about how you look. You're brilliant, and I know it. But, you know, sometimes things can sound a little outlandish, especially when we've had a few too many of these," she said, gesturing to the empty glasses scattered on the table.
I blinked, processing her words slowly. "Yeah, I guess you're right," I admitted, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief wash over me. "Sorry for getting all worked up. Let's just enjoy the night, huh?"
Angie smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Absolutely. And hey, don't worry about what anyone else thinks. You're going to make an incredible astronaut, Eric. I believe in you."
Her words were like a comforting balm to my bruised ego. With a grateful smile, I clinked my glass against hers, silently thanking her for her unwavering support. Maybe the bartender didn't believe me, but having Angie by my side made me feel invincible.
As we finished our last drink and got up to wobble over to the entrance, I couldn't help but think of the future, and what it was going to hold for me. We stepped outside and I looked up at the sky. It was clear now and the sun had gone down a while ago. I could see the space elevator in the distance, and the silhouette of the truly massive spaceport at it's end.
The stars twinkled, and I smiled as the alcohol left me feeling warm. "You're going to make an incredible astronaut, Eric", Angie's words echoed in my mind.