Mechanic

Red and green lights flash from his personal handheld device - notification. 00:02:00 hours before his mechanical test. Blake touches a hand to his stomach to calm his nervousness. His apprenticeship has given him all the tools to pass the test. He is able to diagnose electrical and mechanical failures in machines while making the needed repairs. He can deal with other miscellaneous repairs. Suddenly his artificial bacon stripes do not look appetizing but rather sickening; Blake doubts he can force himself to take another bite. As he pushes his tray away Lily comes from behind.

“Blake, I heard your mechanical test is today,” says Lily, out of breath.

“Yes it is, sorry forgot to mention it to you,” says Blake.

“I want to wish you luck, but you will not need it; you were made to be a mechanic!” Lily beams as she squeezes Blake’s hand.

As Lily heads off into the distance Blake feels a rush of warmth go to his cheeks. He quickly suppresses any thoughts of Lilly as today is his mechanical test and he needs laser focus.

Soon almost everybody left the cafeteria marking the start of a day to the Oasis’s activities. Aside from Blake, the other pupils in his grade will also be taking their work placement test soon. It is a part of becoming an adult and contributing to the ship. There was no set age when children in space became adults, although getting your first actual job title was a milestone. Blake wanted to become an adult sooner than later; he thought he had taken too much of Rex’s kindness in raising him when he was not his child.

Blake checks the time. He heads to the testing center which is in control room B. He waited in the hallway bringing along his mechanical gear as instructed in the notification. The door opens. He steps inside. He sees his mentor, mechanic Jacob Loop. Today he is not wearing his mechanical outfit gear, but rather crisp business attire with the name tag: Jacob Loop- Mechanic. Blake looked twice to make sure it was the same man. Along with Jacob is Chief Engineer Peter Lopez of Oasis and Human Resources Rita Klein. Peter is a tall man with mousy brown hair. He has a surprisingly deep voice. Rita is a very personal black-haired woman in her thirties. They are all there to test his abilities as a mechanic and to proportion the test.

“Come in dear, just in time,” says Rita.

“Thank you,” says Blake.

“State your name and ID number and your testing instructions will be given”

“Blake Sharp ID 430929834,” says Blake.

“This test will consist of three parts, the first part is manual. You will receive orders on your handheld to complete tasks in this control room B. All tasks must be completed within the allowed time of two hours. The second part is written. A written test will be administered to pass. You must get a score of 85% or better. The third and final part is an interview where we will each ask you questions and you must answer truthfully. During the test, you can ask us for clarification if needed.” said Peter

“Do you Blake agree to this test?” said Peter.

“I do,” said Blake.

“Let’s begin,” said Jacob.

A notification list appears on Blakes’s handheld device. It contains the first test, the list of repairs, and checks he has to complete in two hours. Blake begins by checking the air levels in control room B and stabilizing them. He then moves to the light panels where he works on light circuits. He works diligently. Blake pays close attention to the time. He checks the gas pipes and repairs the leakage. After the repairs are done he only has three minutes left and he goes over his work.

“Times up,” says Jacob.

He was taken to a separate room aboard the Oasis for the next portion of the test. His written test includes practical mechanical question scenarios, mathematical questions, logic questions, and physics and chemistry questions. There is also a section about safety protocols when working with certain materials and work regulations. The test is 80 questions long. Blake feels tired by the end of some of the science questions Blake had to put a lot of thought into.

After the written questions he sat in front of Rita, Jacob, and Peter for an interview.

“Why do you want to become a mechanic?” Ask Jacob.

“Mechanic work has always interested me, the way machines work to make a ship operate, I would like to learn more about these operations,” says Blake.

“What is your greatest strength?” Ask Peter.

“I am a level-headed person who will not take anybody’s side in a discussion out of whim,” says Blake.

“What is your greatest weakness?” Ask Rita.

“I can be a stubborn person to a fault,” says Blake.

The interview continued for at least forty minutes. Afterward, he was dismissed and told his results would be available through his handheld in a week while everyone else’s tests were also processed. Blake thanks them for their time and heads to his room.

It has been a week and a day since the day of the test. Blake is in his room listening to music to take his mind off the test. His handheld blinks blue. He picks it up and opens it.

Dear Mr. Sharp,

We are pleased to inform you that you have passed your Mechanic test. As of today, 08.12.78, you are licensed as a mechanic, your license number is #091847 please await a message from the licensing body on registering your profile to their database. Down below is a tentative schedule of work on Oasis to begin immediately. Your rate of pay will be +35,000 credits a year until your full salary. You will be put on track to graduate school early.

Thank you.

8.14 Monday 4 pm -8 pm control room A

8.15 Tuesday 4 pm -8 pm Engineer room 1

8.16 Wednesday -

8.17 Thursday 4 pm -8 pm control room A

8.18 Friday 4 pm -8 pm gas room main

8.19 Saturday 4 pm -8 pm laundry room main

8.20 Sunday -

Blake smiles from ear to ear. He is finally becoming an adult. Although would have to save his money to afford to live apart from Rex, he was happy he was going to earn income.

Attention to all personnel, we are now entering the Outer Belts of Red Asteroids resounding throughout the intercom.