space rocks

The dark alloy FTL-ship docs at the station.  You go to the command centre of the international space station and start double-checking the calculations.  You have thirteen laptop screens, each with information about the best route to take, the position of the meteorites, and graphs of every system on the ship.  You write down a few notes and go to the cupola to look at earth.  You are orbiting around Africa at night time.  The lights seem like a million beautiful fireflies, reminding you that there is life on this beautiful planet.  Life that might not be there anymore if the team can’t succeed.  It isn’t time for the end yet, you remember all the Sunday School lessons and you look out to the fireflies, there is still hope for us.  You look to the FTL-ship that docked a few hours earlier and press your face against the glass.

 

“So, kid, what do you think?  Its weird design almost makes it looks like an oversized football.  A very expensive one.  Can’t wait to get on that thing.”  Doctor Penner presses her head against the little glass windows to take a look at the ship.  Her hair floats upwards and bends against the roof of the cupola.

 

“Doctor, I have no doubt that we will save earth from this, but I have no certainty that we could save ourselves from this mission.”  You move away from the glass and allow her to get a better view of the FTL-ship.

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“I can’t let you all do this without me, what if it goes right, and then slightly wrong, and you need me?  I’m a doctor, caring for my patients is my first priority, kid.  If I perish, I perish.”  She turns towards you and raises her eyebrows.

 

“Quoting from Esther, you a believer doctor?”

 

“No, just heard Professor Scot say something like that.  I’m not afraid, he says it’s not earth’s time yet.  He’s a smart guy.  I’ll bet on him.”  She turns towards the window again to look at the FTL-ship.

 

“Yes, but we might not survive to see it.  The ship might not even survive half the journey.” You write down a few numbers on a piece of paper.  Closing your eyes you begin to calculate the speed reduction formula for when the ship needs to stop. 

 

“So, you do think biological life can survive faster than light travelling?” she asks while pressing her hand against the glass.

 

“Yes, it is not the speed that troubles me, it’s the journey and all the things that could go wrong.  Like I said, one minor error, and we are gone.  And in theory it will take its toll on our health.  Mass wasn’t intended to move that fast, I don’t believe that man was ever meant to find ways to break the laws of nature.  They are there for a reason, humanity will find the reason only when they have very nearly destroyed themselves.”  You close your eyes again and retrace the calculations you just made to search for any mistakes.

 

“I thought Professor Jane was the gloomy one.  I actually only came to tell you that everyone’s vitals checked out.  You have my go.”  She looks at your page to see only a few numbers, and frowns.

 

Professor Jane enters the cupola and you start feeling like you’re a sardine in a can.

 

“Doctor,” Professor Jane curls her lip at Doctor Penner for her comment. “Charlie, is everything ready for take-off?”

 

“Yes.  I was just checking that all the calculations were right.” You fold the piece of paper and place it in your pocket.

 

“Hah, like you need to revise your work.”  Doctor Penner says squinting her eyes. 

 

“Everyone makes mistakes, doc.”

 

Doctor Penner leaves the cupola frowning and looking worried.

 

“We will leave in 24 hours’ time.  Waiting won’t make this any safer. Let’s go kid, it’s time to get on the FTL-ship.”  She floats towards the connection tunnel and signals for you to go get your things.  Everyone placed their bags in the nodule where the FTL-ship would dock.