If the exploration department's goal is to go beyond, I'm not exactly sure how they are going to top the facility I am standing in. The inside walls are a crisp white marble with shiny windows for observation. There is a large mahogany desk to my right with a pretty dark-haired woman sitting behind it. To my left is a large visiting area where scientists have couches to sit on and a free coffee bar. While I am marveling at the sleekness of what I am seeing, an electronic voice greets Ximon and I.

"Hello, Ximon and Kaze," it says. "Your workspaces have been sanitized for you. There are four messages in Ximon's inbox. There is one message in Kaze's inbox."

"Cool," I say. I lean over to Ximon.

"How does the robot know who I am already?" I ask.

"When you signed up for a job here we integrated your information into the system. So, our electronic help is very convenient," Ximon says. I nod. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about my information being in the department's systems. All I can do is hope that the One doesn't notice and start watching me.

Ximon gestures for me to follow him and I do so. From the entrance, we go straight down a small hallway which branches out into three separate hallways. I'm guessing that each of the three sectors of the exploration department has its own wing in this facility. We head down the left most branch which is marked with an 'O' above its entrance. The 'O' stands for 'Outside'. That's the sector I signed up for in the beginning. Of the three sectors (Life sector, Dome sector, Outside sector) I thought that the Outside sector would give me the best chance of getting to see my mother. The Outside sector is all about exploring beyond the dome and finding out if there are any other places that could support life. That meant that I would probably get to leave the dome more often. Plus, I'd heard rumors of the Outside sector getting to operate drones so they can search for new places out beyond the dome. My mother worked in this sector as well.

Breaking out of my thoughts, I look out of the windows as we pass by them. I mostly see dunes and the forest but once I think I catch a glimpse of a drone. Maybe the rumors are true! I hope I'll be able to fly one. Finally, Ximon stops walking and turns left into a lab. I follow him inside, wondering what we'll be doing today.

"Hey, Ximon!" says a woman, rushing over to Ximon and giving him a hug. When she breaks away, I take a look at her and then recognize her from the picture in Ximon's office. It's Ashly Parker. She turns to look at me and her face breaks into a wide smile.

"Kaze Alio, is that you?" she says. I nod, smiling back at her.

"Well, would you look at that! Renaya's boy is following in her footsteps! Oh, this is going to be so much fun," says Ashly. I look at Ximon, who doesn't make eye contact with me. He's too infatuated with Ashly. I roll my eyes. Maybe I should have mercy on him and give him a few tips later but I'm no expert myself.

"So what are we going to do today, ma'am?" I ask politely. Ashly beams at me.

"Well, I don't know if you've heard any rumors, but we do own drones here in the Outside sector. They are fairly new, though, and we need some young people to become experienced in flying them so they can teach other people when we old-timers retire. So, today is going to start your formal drone education. You'll be taught how to fly the drones and you'll stay with the drone part of the Outside sector for the better part your years here. Of course, Ximon will still be your teacher for other department procedures but for the most part you'll be learning under me because I am the current drone master. At least, you'll learn under me if you say yes and accept the drone job. What do you say?" says Ashly.

My mind reels at all the possibilities of what operating a drone could do for me. I could find other structures outside the dome. I could fly the drone into the forest to try visiting my mother. Plus, the amount of clout I would earn from flying a drone would be unbelievable! So, I answer Ashly without hesitation.

"I definitely want the job," I say, smiling from ear to ear.

"Great! Let's get started!" Ashly says.