Out There6

The open room they all sat in was normally a recreation room. Large enough to bike around, basketball, baseball or most any other activity. There was even a rock climbing wall spanning a third of the wall, opposite the door. Today it was crowded with almost every one on the station, almost five thousand people, crammed into half an acre.  It was a circular room about 160 feet across, a small platform had been set up in the center and all were turned to it. 

The leaders, sat upon three chairs on the platform, awaiting the last stragglers to arrive. The air was filled with the buzz of so many people speaking. Amelia stood close to the platform with the other people graduating into full adults. There was 21 other students who had turned 20 into the last six months and would now start jobs as well. Her grandmother stood beside Amelia's group, with the other council members. 

 The leaders made the decisions but there was nine members of the council, three for each section of the station. Their job was to handle day to day decisions within their sections and bring anything more serious to the council whole and leaders. Her grandmother had been a part of the council from the very beginning, almost 20 years. 

Deciding to begin, Alfred Tao, the newest leader of the last seven years, stood up, raised a hand for silence and waited. Tao was the youngest leader, with short black hair and lean body from years of training, he was a sharp contrast to the two he sat beside. He had been accepted seven years ago after his father died of old age at 92. Jin Tao had taught his son from an early age, hoping he would take his position after his death. At 37, Alfred Tao had shown great wisdom and promise and had been an asset the last seven years, according to her grandmother.

Slowly the room fell silent, and Tao addressed the crowd, 

"Greetings, everyone! We gather today, as you all know, to acknowledge the hard work and accomplishments of our newest group of adults. All have successfully finished their studies in both lecture and physicals and are ready to take the next step."

Tao paused in his speech, appeared to be considering something and finally continued,"Rather than repeat what some of you have heard every six months for twenty years," a few chuckles were heard throughout the crowd. These speeches covered the same sentiments twice a year and it was extremely repetitive. Tao smiled and went on,

"I will end the speech early, and simply move on the the main event."

Thank goodness, it's my ceremony and even I don't want to hear that speech again.

Sitting down, Tao gestured to the leader in the middle seat, Nicholas Westerly. He got up slowly, like his muscles took longer to respond, taking a step forward he smiled. He was 75 last month with short white hair and a beard to match that just barely touched his chest. His smile was warm and grandfatherly as he looked about the crowd.

"My colleague has the right of it, no need to take up more of your time. Let us start!" Clapping his hands twice in quick succession, he looked to her group.

Without a list, he began calling names: "Claire Riley!" A brown haired girl with a heart shaped face, stepped onto the platform next to Westerly, "Congratulations, Ms. Riley!" He said shaking her hand.

The girl smiled brightly, and Amelia remembered her. She was from Section one while Amelia was Section two but they had had a few classes together.

Addressing the crowd, Westerly said, "Ms. Riley has shown interest and promise in many of the sciences. She has chosen to learn more in the Water Recycling Labs and the Nutritional Support Lab.  We expect she will do well in both areas." 

The girl whispered her thanks, shook hands with the leaders, Tao and Zeke Ikenna stood to congratulate her, and stepped off the platform to the crowd clapping. A few louder cheers could be heard as well, probably from family or friends. The girl moved past Amelia to the back of the group, her face a bit red from the attention.

Westerly clapped again and announced the name and everything was repeated. 

Fifteenth to be called, she moved forward at the sound of her name,

"Amelia Asher!"

Smiling to Westerly and then towards her grandmother, Amelia stood on the platform. 

Wow, that's a lot of people! And I thought I knew everyone. 

"Ms. Asher, our sincerest congratulations! You have always gone above what is expected of you and your hardwork has not gone unnoticed." Westerly smiled warmly, then spoke to the crowd, "Ms. Asher has chosen Library Restoration, and Outer Ship Maintenance. Based on her studies we know she will excel at either choice," he paused, a mischievous gleam in his eyes, "at least until she finishes her training and she gets bored..." Westerly looked sideways at her to gauge a reaction, the gleam still present. 

What? Am I that obvious? I have only told two people of how I feel. How there is often no challenge.

Her face was bright red, she could feel it hot on her cheeks.  Looking to her Geema, drew in a breath, clearing her head.

Geema! I'm so dense! She is friends with Westerly! She must have told him. And I guess if he is making a joke about it, they can't be angry with me. It not like I spend my time complaining to everyone I see. Just Geema and Mr. Green.

Hoping it hadn't been long enough a pause to be awkward, Amelia smiled at Westerly and then Tao and Ikenna, "I guess."