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children to make them productive members on the ship as a way of ensuring our survival. Now, we carry on that great tradition and introduce our newest generation.”  There was yet another round of applause and Captain Jackson stepped down from the podium.
    “Let us begin,” said the Dean. “Steven Addams, please approach the podium and announce your career choice.”
    Cassie stood in her spot as Steven Addams walked to the podium with his head held high and proudly stated “Maintenance” into the microphone. There was applause from the crowd, he shook the Dean's hand and walked back to his spot on the stage. Cassie's stomach turned knots on itself as the Dean went down the list and got closer and closer to her name. She had studied medicine and biology in University to appease her parents, but she knew her career choice was going to come as a shock to them. Finally, she heard her name come through the speakers: “Cassandra Sterling”.
    She took a deep breath and began walking slowly toward the podium. When she arrived, she looked out at the audience and saw the excitement in her parents’ faces. She looked down at the microphone, trying to avoid seeing the inevitable disappointment in their eyes. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat, unsuccessfully, then spoke.
    “I would like to join the Landers,” she said as bravely as she could manage. She looked back up and saw the blank looks flash across her parents' faces. She faked a smile and walked over to the Dean to shake his hand, then returned to her spot. 

Chapter 2
     
    Back in the apartment, Cassie's parents finally broke their silence. Nobody in the family had spoken a word since she had announced her intentions to join the Landers. Her mother was the first to speak.
    “Why, Cassie? The Landers of all professions. I told you already that you can intern with me on the medical deck. A perfectly safe and secure job.”
    “If you didn't want to be a doctor, you could have joined me in my lab,” Cassie's dad said. “I've seen your University grades. You did even better than I did in your biology courses. You could have been the next Lead Science Officer.”
    “All your father and I want for you is to be safe and happy,” Cassie's mother spoke up again. 
    “This is what I want,” Cassie finally said. “The Landers are the best on the ship. They have to be to survive going down to other planets. And it's a prestigious career. The Landers will be the first to set foot on whatever planet we eventually live on. I know it's dangerous, but I can handle it. That's why I took survival courses in University.”
    “I don't think you really thought this through, Cassandra,” Cassie's dad said. She hated when her dad used her full name. It usually meant he was upset with her. “People die on landing parties all the time. We can never really predict what's down there from the ship. The weather could be so extreme it kills them the instant they step off the ship or there could be lifeforms that murder them on sight. It's not just about knowing survival skills. Sometimes, people just die on those missions.”
    “It's true, Cassie,” her mother added. “When I was an intern, I had to perform an autopsy on a Lander. At first, there was nothing to show cause of death except some bruising on his head and face. My first thought was blunt force trauma, but when I opened him up I saw all of his organs had been sucked out through his mouth and nose. I can't imagine a worse way to die. And that was Chief Lander—what chance does a young girl like you have?”
    Cassie sighed. She had known her decision would cause a fight. Her parents rarely supported her decisions unless in line with their plans for her life. “I'm an adult now, Mom and Dad. I've made my decision and there's nothing that can change it. You know the law just as well as I do. Careers chosen on graduation day are permanent.”
    “We've known Captain Jackson for a long time, maybe we can get him to