Read Online The Commander by CJ Williams - Free Book Online Page B

few inches off the runway until she slowed on the runway to taxi in.
    She pulled up next to the terminal building and the four flight attendants stepped out onto the tarmac.
    “I guess we may as well get out there,” Luke suggested.
    # # #
    “What is he doing?” Ashley asked.
    “He called it a preflight inspection,” Annie explained to the Boeing AI. “He said it was standard procedure when he flew jets in the military.”
    Ashley was miffed. “I don’t see the necessity, quite frankly. He could just ask. I would know if there was something wrong with my exterior. Besides, it’s dark; the sun went down fifteen minutes ago. He wouldn’t see anything even if there was a problem.”
    Annie chuckled. “Don’t hold it against him. He’s just nervous about tonight. The latest count is one hundred and forty-two new people. That’s a lot for us. Moonbase is about to get crowded.”
    “He better get over it pretty quickly. I can hear the buses arriving outside.”
    “Okay.” Annie let out a big sigh. “I guess it’s show time.”
    The buses pulled up to the waiting aircraft for unloading. Everyone had a small suitcase or a backpack. Their employment contracts stipulated that only carry-on luggage was allowed. In return, the contract guaranteed that all necessities of life would be provided.
    To help sell the opportunity, Luke emphasized the Moonbase’s living quarters with plush photo-spreads after Annie decorated them with comfortable furnishings. The accommodations were more luxurious than one would expect in an Antarctic research facility, but the story was that a wealthy foundation named PDEF was funding the expedition and spared no expense. Strictly speaking, that was true.
    The newcomers’ faces showed excitement rather than concern. They were about to set off on an adventure, even if it was more of an adventure than any of them could imagine. Annie watched the children cling tightly to their parents’ hands. Luke made it a point to recruit families with the initial group. Having kids along would ensure the Moonbase became a community rather than a haven for single scientists.
    Two of the flight attendants guided the passengers toward the aircraft stairs and two more waited inside the cabin to keep them moving to their seats.
    Once everyone was seated Ashley turned on the sound effects of aircraft engines being started. That was another of the small ruses that Luke had come up with to keep people as calm as possible until they were off the ground.
    After the passengers stowed their personal belongs, Ashley gave a standard passenger safety briefing through her internal PA system. The flight attendants demonstrated life vests and drop-down oxygen masks. By the time the safety briefing was completed the aircraft was airborne.
    Sitting in one of the front seats, Luke took a deep breath. Tammy, the senior flight attendant, handed him a microphone. It was his turn to stand front and center.
    “Hi, everyone. My name is Luke Blackburn. Hopefully, you’ve heard of me.”
    There was a collective, “Oh, so that’s him.” Everyone had been briefed about Commander Blackburn. He was the CEO of the new research firm, PDEF. They were now his employees.
    “First, welcome aboard. I hope you guys are as excited about the future as I am. There’s an old Chinese saying, ‘May you live in interesting times.’ I have news for you. You do, and I hope you will enjoy it.”
    Luke paused for the polite applause before continuing. “I guess I’m saying that I think of these interesting times as a blessing. We’re facing a lot of surprises in the future and I hope you’ll believe they’re as wonderful as I do. So thank you one and all for sharing our journey.
    “Second, even though we’re going someplace new and exciting, the one thing we’re not leaving behind is paperwork. If you look in the seat pocket in front of you, you’ll find some forms that we’d like you to fill out. Parents can fill out the forms for