Chapter 17
Jared, the Hero
Jared followed Rohlwig across the field into a dimly lit hallway. Along one wall, there were four elevator doors.
Rohlwig walked up to the last one and then turned around to face Jared, Paul, and Danielle. “This not-just-an-elevator will take you to your living quarters.”
“Not-just-an-elevator?” Jared thought that was a strange name.
“Yep.” Rohlwig smiled with his goofy, mischievous smile before turning to face the door. “Now, in order to access the not-just-an-elevator, you simply look up at the sensor.” He pointed to a small, black lens above the door. When he stepped closer, the door opened. “Okay. Let’s go.”
Jared could see his reflection in the surface of the shiny, metallic walls of the not-just-an-elevator. It looks like a regular old elevator to me.
After the doors shut, the not-just-an-elevator didn’t move up or down—it moved horizontally. Jared was thrown off balance and landed against one of the padded handrails.
The not-just-an-elevator changed directions several more times after that—up, down, sideways, and diagonally—before it finally stopped.
It was obvious to Jared how the not-just-an-elevator got its name. Rohlwig must’ve been the one who designed it and came up with the name.
The doors opened, and they entered a comfortable-looking, well-lit, living area.
Rohlwig turned around to face Jared and the others as he indicated the room with a wave of his hand. “This is your common room.”
Black, leather couches and rocker-recliners were spaced throughout the room. In the center was a long, wooden table with benches along both sides. Plush, beige carpet covered the floor.
Very nice. Rohlwig sure knows how to treat a guy. Jared continued to survey the room, nodding with approval. He noted that, while the room was luxurious, it was practical and made him feel at ease.
Spherical lamps, attached to the walls with brass fixtures, were spaced evenly along the velvety, drab olive, wallpapered walls. Hanging over the table in the center of the room was a crystal chandelier. Next to each couch and recliner stood a reading lamp with a pole that curved back down and a conical lamp shade on the end. There were three doors across the room, opposite the not-just-an-elevator.
“On the other side of those doors are your bedrooms.” Rohlwig pointed to each door in turn. “Danielle. Yours is the room on the left. Paul’s is the middle one. And, Jared’s is the one on the right. Everything you need is in them, including clothes.
“Which reminds me... you didn’t have to wear your robes at Ferran’s, but always put them on when you train with me out there.” He pointed at the not-just-an-elevator, signifying that he meant the training field. “You can, of course, take them off when you’re in here and in your bedrooms.” He pointed behind Jared. “You can hang them up on that.”
Jared turned his head and saw a wooden coat rack with brass hooks next to the not-just-an-elevator.
“Excuse me.” Rohlwig walked between Jared and Danielle and got back in the not-just-an-elevator. He turned around and reached for the controls. “Dinner will be served momentarily. Have a good evening, and rest well.”
Paul asked, holding up a hand, “But, what if we need to find you?”
As the doors started closing, Rohlwig quickly replied with a grin, “Then, come look for me.”
“Yeah. But where?” Paul asked.
But, the doors closed all the way before Rohlwig could answer.
Jared turned to his friends and smiled. “I like Rohlwig. He’s...”
Danielle finished the sentence. “Odd.”
Jared added, “Yeah. But in a good way.”
Danielle smiled at him. “True.”
Jared’s stomach jumped, his heart fluttered, and he felt warm and tingly. He looked away, not knowing why he suddenly felt uncomfortable returning Danielle’s gaze, and pretended to check out the room some more.
Danielle said, “I’m going to go see my room. Do you guys want to come?”
Jared tried to sound casual. “Sure.”
Paul nodded.
Danielle’s bed, desk, and chair were similar to those in the bedrooms they had on Teruvisa, and the layout was identical. But, the room looked more like an Earth bedroom—normal.
“This feels like home.” Danielle sat down on her bed. “Maybe even a little better.”
Jared agreed. “Yeah.” There was a certain quality about the bedroom. It was inviting and comfortable.
Paul turned toward the door. “I want to go see my room.”
“Me too.” Jared followed Paul out and threw a glance back over his shoulder.
Danielle stood up. “I’ll go with you.”
Paul’s and Jared’s rooms were also similar to Danielle’s, except tailored to the boys’ tastes.
Jared felt at home for the first time since leaving Earth. He thought that was strange, though. At home? On a moon orbiting a strange world? But then again, maybe I feel so at home because I’ve been here before... when I was a baby... when Teruvisa was my home.
A sense of loss and loneliness began to crowd Jared’s emotions. But, what’s home without a family?
Jared snapped out of his inward reflection when he heard the tinkling sound of a small bell from the common room. When he and the others stepped out of the bedroom, he noticed that the dining table was set for three and a hot meal awaited them.
They devoured everything on their plates—roast, potatoes, rolls, carrots, and some cherry cheesecake for dessert.
After they stuffed themselves, Jared started talking about the simulation. “That simulation was amazing. I’m still blown away by how real it was.”
Danielle said, as if thinking out loud, “I wonder what the rest of our training will be like.”
“I don’t know, but I hope it doesn’t involve thiguts.” Jared looked at Paul and Danielle, then burst out laughing.
Danielle smiled and shook her head. Jared could tell she was trying hard not to laugh.
Paul chuckled and nodded. “That’s for sure.”