The Oasis

Blake lies in bed staring at his ceiling. Tomorrow is his eighteenth birthday. He gets up and prepares his school bag with paper, pens, pencils, and a handheld device. Hurriedly, he makes his bed, pulling the sheets tightly from corner to corner. He closes the door to his room. He heads to class.

Taking his seat in front of the class he pulls out a paper and pencil along with the calculator function on his device. There are mathematical equations displayed on the board for the students to copy and solve. There were five sections each for different levels of mathematical understanding, as all aged students attend the same class. In total the class held fifteen students including Blake. Blake works on the most advanced mathematical problem. After finding an answer he submits his response through his handheld. The next class is English. The upper-level students work on peer-reviewing short stories. Blake takes out a pen to edit and mark up his partner's paper. These are the only two classes for the day.

Excitement fills Blake as he drops off his school bag in his room and picks up his utility bag for his apprenticeship. He currently holds an apprenticeship with Oasis Mechanic Jacob. Blake digs into his school bag for the handheld device he will need. He opens his messages. REPORT TO: West Engine B at 13:00 reads the message from Jacob. Blake looks at the time he has enough time to get there if he leaves now.

Pulling the heavy green door to the west engine room B Blake enters the room. Jacob is already there along with his toolbox.

“Hello Blake, today we will be changing some screws and running a diagnostics test in the engine room,” says Jacob.

“Hello Jacob, sounds good,” says Blake.

After thirty minutes of changing screws around the machines, they are ready to run diagnostics. Blake plugs his handheld into the control panel, opens the software application, and begins the diagnostics. There is an Alert pop-up ALERT: HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN ENGINE ROOM. Blake switches on the carbon dioxide purifier that runs through the vents. There is a hissing sound as the vents turn on. Blake wraps up his work on the engine.

“See you tomorrow,” says Blake.

“See you, Blake,” says Jacob.

Blake leaves his utility bag in his room. He then washes his hands and heads to the cafeteria. Blake goes through the buffet line and grabs a plate full of food. He sits down next to Rex, his father’s friend who has taken him in and raised him.

“Looks like someone is hungry,” says Rex.

“Yeah, I had an afternoon at the apprenticeship,” says Blake.

They eat in silence. Daily ship announcements can be heard overhead. Oasis is preparing to land soon for a week on a planet called Petra. Mostly the announcement focuses on preparations for the merchandise exchange.

Blake leaves for his room. He pulls out his school things and does his mathematics homework sheet. Better to get it done early. He also revised his short story based on the revisions from his partner. Tomorrow will be another day on the Oasis, think Blake as he closes his eyes.

Waking up Blake sees his clock. Heart pounding, he will be late soon for history class if he does not hurry up. He eats a quick snack and packs his school bag and utility bag to save time later on. Taking his usual seat he arrives just in time before the door is closed. Today they go over the timeline of the first space settlers and space explorers from Earth. The younger students have lots of questions during the presentation. For homework, Blake is assigned to write a report on the topic of space exploration. The next class is science, Blake is studying Biology. Although his father’s job on the Magnificent ship was as a Professor in Biology and Chemistry, Blake finds science the most challenging subject. He is learning about chromosomes and genes. For homework, he is to make a Punnett Square example. Having already stuffed his utility bag in his school bag he heads for his apprenticeship.

Today’s message read REPORT TO: COMMAND ROOM MAIN from Jacob post note: immediately. Blake is excited, working in the command room meant an important job. Upon arriving at the command room, main Blake finds Jacob deeply concentrated at work in a corner of the room.

“Hello Jacob, I am ready to work,” says Blake.

“Hello Blake, you will be helping me change the metal plates in these panels,” says Jacob.

Time flew by as Blake and Jacob worked on the panels. Blake also worked on some wires to wire down the metal plating. He learned some new techniques. After all, work was complete they departed from one another.

Blake headed to the library to concentrate on his homework. The library was located at the end of the ship in a spacious room with modern tables. It was also used by the adults for planning sales and trade routes as well as students for homework. Blake sat down to do his Punnett Square soon after he heard a familiar voice behind him.

“Hi Blake, mind if I join,” says Alex.

Alex was a classmate, the same age as Blake with sandy hair.

“It is fine, just doing some school work,” says Blake.

“How is your apprenticeship going?” says Alex.

“Good, yours?” says Blake.

“Good, I have even piloted it for a few minutes now,” says Alex “Want to try the simulator?”.

“Sure,” says Blake.

They head down the hall to a darkened room. Blake enters a pod stimulator and enters some information. He begins to pilot for ten minutes. The boys talk about spaceships for a couple of minutes before heading separate ways.

On the way to his room, Blake sees Rex. He has wanted to talk to him for a while.

“Hey Rex, have a minute?” says Blake.

“Yes,” says Rex.

“I want to find my father,” says Blake.

“I do not know where he is,” says Rex.

“I was hoping you would know something,” says Blake.

“No,” says Rex.

Blake heads to his room. No matter what he finds his father he thinks as he goes to sleep.