It was ten days before I could check out new jobs. The days before the season finale and series finale of a great show involve lots of long days and even longer nights adjusting and editing scripts. Justina told me the higher ups would give me a call when the next project started up. I didn't bother to tell her that I was not waiting around as she had blocked me continuing to earn an income with another team in between projects.
The first day after the show wrapped, I walked into a massive building with 120 floors. Apparently, there were lots of applicants coming in for interviews as half of the lobby was dedicated to new applications. I saw several humans befuddled as paper applications were being handed out. I hadn't seen genuine paper applications ever in a job application. I picked one up myself and asked the receptionist for a writing utensil as my fancy holo stylus certainly wouldn't work for a paper application. She gestured to the box at the end of the counter with a bored expression.
The questions ranged from easy to quite difficult. Name and familial relationships defined. When I moved onto the next section, questions started regarding which tools were best for usage at clearing trees. How to determine if flora and fauna were edible was asked. Methods of engineering bridges, paper manufacture, and even sailing methods came up. At the end, I turned in my paper and pen to the receptionist. She pointed me to a line registering for interviews. I signed up for a holo chat interview and headed to Galaxy Grinds for a red smoothie. I had barely taken my first sip when my holo glowed. 'Already?' I was bemused.
"Charlie Jeanne present," I answered.
"Charlie, my name is Tanya Ridges. I have been selected to conduct your interview today," a monotone voice, indicative of a robot sounded from the pretty blonde woman.
"Hi Tanya," I responded quickly as I sipped down a gulp of smoothie. "Please call me CJ."
"CJ, the Joint Space Force Enterprises is planning to explore an additional planet to assist in the overcrowding and food shortages being faced on Earth. Recently, the Explorer 801, has found a planet that will sustain human lifeforms. See file transfer information following this holo. The position will be for a long term contract as you may need to inhabit the planet indefinitely."
"Tanya," I responded with my mind working overtime, "I want to know why the application questions were concerning some ancient technologies. Also, why aren't robots able to undertake this position?"
"There is a strange magnetic field in many zones of the planet. Battery powered electrical devices are not operational. Direct sun exposure has yet to wield sufficient solar power for the economic robotic units. Explorer 801 has entered orbit around the new planet and is able to transport individuals via transporter to the surface of the planet. Upon recovery of the exploration team, technological failures abounded. It may be necessary to use basic technology and our applicants are being screened for such need," Tanya's monotone voice blasted me with so much information that I could barely keep up.
"So this isn't like terraforming Mars?" I inquired.
"This enterprise is to a planetary base with a vibrant biological community already established, unlike the unsuitable clime of Mars which needs biodomes to support our current colonization."
"Biological communities? Does this planet have intelligent life?" I continued to probe, intrigued.
"Unobserved. Current applicants are tasked with establishing a foothold on the planet and occupation of territory. If indigenous population with communication skills resides, the primary target will be changed from acquisition to secondary goal of trade relations. Recruitment ends in two days. Look over the file transfer and accept or decline the position in the next two days or you will lose this opportunity."
"Thank you, Tanya," I accepted the file transfer and headed home to peruse the information and job terms.