Months passed and the harsh winter had descended upon the planet. The icy winds were unforgiving, and the plummeting temperatures made it unbearable to spend time outdoors. Reuben's work had slowed, and he was mostly confined to small repairs on local mining ships. He had almost forgotten about the woman, except for the healthy bonus he had received in the month of her departure.
One day as he arrived at work, having trudged through the deep snow, bundled up in layers upon layers of clothing, his breath misting before him, he noticed something strange. A sleek, black spacecraft had docked next to the station. Reuben's heart began to race as he realized that it could only mean one thing.
He entered the station, his boots squeaking on the metal floor, and was met by his boss who gave him a nod before motioning for him to follow.
Reuben wondered what was going on as he walked after Damien. The repair yard was quieter than usual, with only a few workers milling about. Damien led him into a small office, where a woman sat behind a desk. Reuben recognized her immediately.
"Good morning, Reuben," she said with a wry smile.
"What's going on?" Reuben asked, his confusion evident in his tone.
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"I'm here to hire you for an expedition," the woman said, her voice businesslike.
Reuben's jaw dropped. "Me? Why me?"
"Your expertise with repairs is unmatched, and I need someone with your skills," she said, her tone firm.
As Reuben was still processing the shock, Damien leaned in closer to him and lowered his voice "Reuben, you know I would never ask you to do anything you're not comfortable with, but it's a good opportunity for the company, and the pay is good too."
Reuben sighed, knowing he had no other choice. "Alright, I'll go," he said reluctantly.
"Excellent," the woman said, standing up from her desk. "We leave in two days. Be ready."
"Thank you, Reuben," Damien said, looking relieved, "you won't regret it. And, I've managed to secure a bonus for you, a very generous one. It should make the trip worth your while."
Two Days passed in an Instant...
Two days had passed in a blur, as Reuben worked tirelessly to prepare for the expedition. He packed his bags with the necessary equipment and clothes for the journey.
Reuben found himself standing in front of the spacecraft that had docked at the station. The woman was waiting for him inside the ship, dressed in a black jumpsuit. She led him to the hull of the ship, where a team of five other individuals were waiting for them. She introduced him to the team, who all nodded in acknowledgement. They didn't seem interested in small talk or getting to know him, which suited Reuben just fine. He wasn't much of a talker himself.
As the ship took off, Reuben watched in awe as they ascended into the sky. The snow-covered landscape below them became a blur as they moved.