Accept the package

“What the hell,” you say to yourself and place your thumb over the oval scanning pad. Besides the scanner, the box is plain but you realize it’s made of real wood! At first you thought it was metal etched with a wood grain pattern, but there’s no metal you know of with the feel and density of the box you just pressed your thumb to.

Red light lit the seam around the box’s lid, flashing quickly 5 times then turning a solid green for 3 seconds. Some kind of magnetic lock releases, the box twitching as its lid separates from it’s body.

Almost immediately after verification the robot bids his farewell, “Thank you! Have a wonderful day!,” but he remaines motionless, box in outstretched hand waiting for you to retrieve it.

“Uh thanks, you too,” you reply as you grab the box in one hand. The robot quickly turns and proceeds down the hallway, leaving you still confused.

Closing the door behind you and setting the box on your desk, you decide to complete your morning routine before opening it. You had been lazing around but dealing with that robot really woke you up, no point in putting the day off any more.

After a shit, shower, and shave you use an energy credit to replicate some thick cut peppered bacon, scrambled eggs topped with cheese and scallions and a buttered English muffin on the side. As you savor every bite of your morning meal you do some day dreaming on the net, browsing the different private space ship models available to citizens.

Your average middle class citizen could save up enough for the down payment on the most basic model ship in 10 years or so, with luck, at the moment that was your plan. Gain experience from working on a ship, make money on the side and save to eventually be your own captain.

The box you accepted this morning catches your eye as you take a bathroom break. You opened it but didn’t even check it’s contents. You should see what’s inside.