Scifi Romance: Solaris (Paranormal Alien Space Romance) (Fantasy Interstellar Military Short Stories) by Linda Mathers Page A

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 grant you an exception,” Cassie's mom chimed in.
    “That won't work. You know that the Captain won't go against Regulations. It's just not in his nature. Cassie is right. She is a Lander,” Cassie's dad said shaking his head in defeat.
    At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Cassie's dad walked over to a screen on the wall near the door and switched it on. A video from the camera outside showed an older man, possibly in his 30s, dressed in a Lander's uniform standing at the door. Cassie's dad looked at the screen, back at Cassie, then back to the screen before he opened the door, pressing the button near the screen.
    The man walked in and extended his hand toward Cassie. “Hi, I'm Jason Miller. I'm the Chief Lander and I just wanted to come by and welcome you to the team.”
    “Thank you. I'm glad to be a part of your team,” Cassie said shaking Jason's hand.
    “I saw your University transcript. I'm really impressed. Medicine and biology as a double major is no small feat. You also managed to take survival skills and marksmanship. Were you studying to be the whole Landers team by yourself?” Jason joked.
    “I just wanted to be prepared,” Cassie said blushing slightly. She wasn't used to so much praise.
    “Before we get your training started, I just want to ask you a few things. Do you mind?”
    Cassie shook her head and led him to the couch where they could talk