by Chad Josey
“Ship?” Mary asked.
Gabriel laughed. “Yes, a ship. This isn’t like one of those science-fiction movies you’ve seen. We can’t teleport you there. You’re not onboard the Enterprise. Nothing like that. The inside looks more like the International Space Station you’ve seen on TV.”
“Where they’re floating around inside?” Mary asked.
“Yes. I’m sure it is amazing to learn we have been building structures on the Moon and sending them to Mars. But, we still have been unable to create a gravitational system for inside the ship.”
“What about lasers?” Mary said joking to lighten the atmosphere in the room.
“Lasers… actually, Eden worked for the longest time in developing them. Our hopes were we could build one strong enough to deflect the planet coming toward Earth.”
“And?" Mary's feeble voice asked.
“Well, the good news for us is in doing this laser research, we developed a way to use them as a propulsion system. What once took six months to travel to Mars, now with this photonic propulsion system, you’ll get there in three weeks.”
Gabriel stood in the doorway to leave. “Let me make you a promise. Tomorrow, we will wake at six o’clock for breakfast onboard this boat. We’ll arrive at our island by eight o’clock.”
He had their full attention.
“Once there, we will go over the details with you, and the others you met this morning. But, for now, try to get some rest. Your bedroom is next door.”
“The others are coming too?” Mary said, looking stunned at Joe.
“Yeah… uh… I didn’t know about them until this morning,” Joe said.
Mary stood and hugged Gabriel before he left. “Thank you,” she said.
“For what?” Gabriel asked still trapped in her embrace.
“For saving us from the end.”
Mary turned her head to Gabriel’s left ear during her hug. She whispered, “You could have told me the whole truth.”
Gabriel pulled away smiling at her. “See you both in the morning.”
PRESENT – 7:32 A.M.
Somewhere in the southern Indian Ocean
1,680 Days Prior to Impact
THE AIR GREW COLD as the boat continued on its journey to the most southern depths of the Indian Ocean. While it was the middle of summer in the Southern Hemisphere, their approach was not far from Antarctica. They were traveling to the edge of the world.
As eight new strangers finished their breakfast, their fate shared a common bond. Still unsure of what others knew for certain, all eight sat in quiet reflection in the dining room. Gabriel had spent the past night with each telling them their own story about what had and will happen.
Even Joe and Mary with their contentious discussions last night ate in silence. The passengers devoured the eggs and bacon. No one had eaten since yesterday’s breakfast. While everyone was finishing, Gabriel walked into the dining room.
“Good morning, everyone. Today is the day. We’ll be arriving soon. If you would come with me to the top deck, we can see our island coming in view.”
The passengers filed out of the dining room passing Gabriel. Joe and Mary were last in line.
“Good morning, Mary, how are you feeling? You look pale.”
“I’ve been better. Between not sleeping and being seasick, I’m okay.” Mary staggered by him holding the back of Joe's shoulders.
“Up the stairs and through the door,” Gabriel said instructing everyone ahead.
At the top of the stairs, Heinrich pushed open the door. The rush of cold wind cascaded down the steps to the rest of his new friends.
One-by-one, they made their way through the door and onto the boat’s observation deck. Gabriel followed last passing everyone as he came through the door.
“Come, over here… you’ll get a great view,” Gabriel said leading everyone around the deck to the port side.
As they swayed across the bow of the ship, the wind smacked them in the face with its Antarctic furor. Cold and howling, the wind blew until Gabriel led them behind a Plexiglas wall on the deck meant to block the wind.
“There she is… our island straight ahead.”
Gabriel pointed toward the front of the boat. A small island appeared through the low-hanging clouds on the horizon.
The island was devoid of any trees or greenery. Calm, gray water reflecting the overcast sky surrounded a flat outcropping of sand and rocks. An uninviting sight lay ahead.
Several small buildings emerged as the boat sailed closer to the island. The most noticeable features were five, large rockets positioned across the island pointed upward.
“That one, on the far left… that is the one you will take.”
“What about the other rockets?” Gary asked, standing beside the two sisters huddled together in a state of shock about what was happening.
“They’re for the other teams arriving throughout next week.”
“Others, so there’s more than just us?” Heather asked as she hugged her sister Joanie tighter. The sisters shivered in the icy wind.
“Oh, yes. One of these takes off every few days. Each takes eight to ten people at a time.”
“So, this has been the launch location?” Joe asked.
“Yes. We’re so remote down here at the bottom of the world; we’ve been launching since the ’70s.”
Once the boat was secure against the dock, Gabriel led everyone to the back. A crewmember placed a platform across the gap to the dock to allow the passengers to disembark.
The weathered wood of the dock creaked under their feet as everyone walked to shore. Even seagulls dared not venture this far south. It was eerily quiet.
Decades of rockets blasting off from the island had caused no birds to make their habitat here. The gray sky mirrored the eerie silence as they walked to the nearby buildings.
“These rockets are amazing in their design. We can blast them off from Earth, and that module on top ejects from the rocket.”
Everyone lifted their head to the sky as Gabriel spoke.
“The module with the crew inside continues to Mars, while we pilot the rocket back to land on its platform. We reuse the rockets. And, this technology has saved a tremendous amount of time and money for the Foundation.”
“Have you seen them take off, before?” Gary asked being the first one of the group to step on shore. With his flight engineering background, Gary was full of questions about how they functioned.
“Yes, I have seen these in action dozens of times. Just as I have been recruiting and working with you, I have done the same with others. And, I will continue doing so afterward.”
Gabriel walked ahead of everyone as they followed inside the first building. Gabriel opened the door. Several staff members in dark-blue lab suits greeted the anxious passengers.
“Everyone, these people will help prepare you over the next few days until you leave on Sunday. We have one person assigned to each of you, and they will tend to your needs,” Gabriel said.
Among the group of staff members, a woman stepped up onto a platform so everyone could see her.
“Good morning. My name is Amy. I will be your pilot on Sunday. Assisting me are my two crew members, Alison and Antwan.” Her co-pilots waved hello to the group.
“I know you all are both excited and scared, but trust me. You’re in good hands. This will be my twentieth flight to Salvation.”
Twentieth flight… oh my, this is crazy. Joe thought to himself, squeezing Mary’s hand.
“After you’re fitted into your flight suits, you will join me over there at our simulator. And, that’s where we will show you what to expect inside the ship as we take off to Salvation.” Amy pointed behind her to a mock-up of the passenger module like the one affixed to the top of each rocket.
“Okay, now, your assigned staff member will find you and begin the next process. They’ll be happy to answer your questions. And, we look forward to seeing you again this afternoon.” Amy waved to everyone while step
ping off the platform.
The once talkative group from yesterday morning, now stood in shocked silence; the moment too surreal.
Two staff members held up a flight suit to show as an example to the new passengers. A lightweight, gray fabric made up the suit. Within the fabric were thin, red and black lines spiraling across from head-to-toe.
A staff member spoke. “Good morning, my name is Huang Chin, and we will help you get fitted for your flight suits with these machines.”
Huang stood beside a seven-foot tall cylindrical booth with clear windows. He demonstrated what was about to happen.
“Each of you will step inside and hold your arms straight above your head like this. For thirty seconds, lasers will scan and measure your body. You then will step out.”
Huang walked to a machine beside the measuring booth. “Over here in this machine, we inject a polymer through dozens of jet nozzles. Similar to a 3D printer, the machine creates your bio-suit which will be an exact fit to your body.”
Mary gazed around the inside of the building. Her nerves still had not calmed as a swarm of butterflies churned in her stomach.
“We insert a shape-memory alloy made from nickel-titanium. This forms the crisscross lines you see here. They act as smart zippers within the suits tightening you up across your entire body. This creates pressure.”
The science amazed Gary. “So, we won’t be wearing those big astronaut suits?” he asked.
“No. In fact, the pressure of the smart zippers replicates the atmospheric pressure you experience here on Earth.”
A thick Austrian accent echoed over the crowd as Heinrich asked, “We stand in there, naked?”
Over the group's nervous laughter, Huang answered. “When we start this, we’ll have curtains set-up. You must take off your clothes before stepping inside so we can get exact measurements.”
Mary squeezed Joe's hand, always a signal to him she was nervous. Joe whispered in Mary’s ear, “I love you.” Her grip loosened.
Over the next several minutes, each of the eight entered behind the curtain one at a time. Slipping off their clothes, they stepped into the glass, cylindrical measuring device.
For Mary’s turn, she pulled Joe behind the curtain with her. “It’s okay, Sweetie. I’m right here.” This seemed to reassure her as she took off her clothes and gave them to him.
Mary stepped inside the machine. The cold, metal floor sent a shock through her naked body.
“Okay, now raise your arms and stand as still as possible,” the technician said.
“Do I breathe, while I’m in here?”
“Yes, just breathe normally, but close your eyes,” the technician said.
A checkered, red beam of light appeared on her feet. The laser grid inched its way up her ankles and her thighs. It produced no heat or sensation on her body as it continued up her torso, ending at the tips of her out-stretched fingers above her head.
“Okay, we’re good. You can step out now,” the technician said to her relief.
No sooner than Mary stepped out of the measurement chamber, Joe helped her put back on her clothes. After Joe had given Mary back her shoes, the technician said to Joe, “Okay, you’re next.”
With a shy gulp, Joe slipped out of his clothes and sat them on the floor beside Mary. Joe entered the measurement chamber. The metal plate under his bare feet jolted the nerve-endings through his legs. Joe followed the same instructions lifting his arms above his head closing his eyes. The laser grid appeared inched its way up his body.
I can’t believe this is happening… I wonder how tight this will be?
“Okay, that’s it,” the technician said. Joe stepped out of the chamber to put back on his clothes.
Joe had never felt more naked in his life…
Launch Site, 12:45 p.m.
THE EIGHT PASSENGERS finished their lunch sandwiches prepared by the staff. It was time for the next demonstration.
“If I could have everyone’s attention over here,” Amy said as she waved her arms. She led them to the mock-up module on the opposite side of the building.
“Please go on inside… I want to show you guys how you’ll be living for the next three weeks.”
The sisters, Joanie and Heather, went inside first followed by the engineer, Gary. The food nutritionist Chantal was next. Joe and Mary walked ahead of the bio-medical engineer, Lin Wu, and the decathlete, Heinrich.
“The module you’re in is a replica of what you saw on top of the rockets when you walked into the building this morning. Basically, this is where you will spend your time during our flight.” Amy guided everyone through the module.
“You’ll wear your suits at all times.”
“How do we go to the bathroom?” Chantal asked.
Amy took them to the toilet area inside the module. She demonstrated the steps needed.
“Press this button to open the door. Inside, you slip over your waist this belt and press this button where the belt connects to the wall. This activates and loosens the smart zippers in your suit. You pull this tab on the side to open the bottom half of your suit.”
Everyone watched as Amy gave instructions.
“Do your business there, close the lid and press this button above the toilet. Pull the bottom back up into place and slip the belt again around your waist, press this second button to tighten the smart zippers.”
“Can we try it before we actually need to use it?” Chantal asked.
“Trust me. You’ll get the hang of it. There will be plenty of time tomorrow to test it in your suits.”
Amy led the group back to the entrance of the module. Eight chairs sat around the cylindrical module with the seat-backs against the wall. Each faced into the center of the module.
“These chairs around, here,” Amy said pointing around the perimeter, “these will be both your seats and your sleeping quarters.”
Amy sat in the chair explaining how to fasten the restraints and to work the seat. She showed them the buttons to press, causing the seat to recline flat forming a bed.
Another button operated a clear, flexible glass, which rose on either side. The glass rounded upward and met above the center of the seat.
“In the full bed position, the seat transforms into a hyperbaric chamber. You will be in a 100%, pure-oxygen environment. The atmospheric pressure will be one-half what it is at sea level on Earth.”
“Do you understand any of this?” Joanie whispered in Heather's ear.
“No, but, I'm like going to do what Gary does.”
“This pressure serves two purposes. First, you will sleep well inside the chamber. Second, it minimizes your muscle and bone loss from the three weeks in a zero-gravity environment.”
“Will we be flying through this thing like I’ve seen in the movies?” Heinrich asked as he sat in one of the seats.
Amy replied, “Yes, and no. Once we’re out of Earth’s gravitational pull, you’ll sense weightlessness. But, our module rotates as we travel to Salvation.”
Heinrich rubbed his hands across the fabric of the seat.
“This rotation creates a centrifugal force which will give you some sensation of gravity. It won’t be the same as here on Earth. But, you’ll feel like half the weight you do now.”
Gary held his stomach and said with a nervous laugh, “Half of my current weight? Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”
A similar nervous laugh from the group followed.
“What about eating?” Heinrich asked as his chiseled muscular features demanded a daily, large amount of protein.
“We have nutrient-rich foods and drinks on the ship. I will not lie to you, though, it could taste better. But, it serves its purpose,” Amy said, walking over to show how to heat the food onboard.
“The food is pre-packaged in vacuum-sealed bags.” Amy held a clear, square bag with a brown square piece of food inside into the air.
Rubberized tubing hung from a wall panel with many knobs and controls on it. “What you d
o is take this tube, and press it into the bag on this end. Then, we use controls on this panel to electrically heat the contents inside.”
“It takes four minutes, and it’s done. The cooking automatically stops, and you pull out the tube. Once that’s out of the way, open the bag and enjoy.” Amy passed around the bag of food and a small plastic fork.
Joe sampled the fiesta chicken meal. As he tried the food, he said, “Not too bad.”
Mary took the bag and attempted to eat it. “I’ll eat that when I have to,” she said, passing the bag of food to her right to Chantal.
Amy and her flight crew spent the rest of the time on Friday and Saturday going over the living quarters inside the module. She outlined the module’s safety procedures during takeoff, the flight, and landing.
To the surprise of everyone, no medical testing occurred. As part of the ongoing monitoring of each passenger, the Eden Foundation already had everyone’s medical records assuring safe travel for all.
With the training the passengers received, there were no jokes. Everyone remained serious in their crash-course preparation. They are leaving in two days.
For Joe, his excitement grew. The weight the secret had created had vanished.
For Mary, her nerves grew tense with the uncertainty of what was to come. However, unlike Joe, her burden remained.
For both Mary and Joseph, their adventure was only about to begin…
27-Launch
PRESENT - Launch Site, 9:11 a.m.
1,678 Days Prior to Impact
NO ONE HAD SLEPT overnight. The anticipation of blasting off into space for a three-week long journey to Mars had made it impossible.
Morning came early to the group of eight passengers. They were preparing to leave home… to leave Earth, in only a few short hours.
The building, which they had spent the past two days, was full of pre-flight checks. The flight crew reviewed their flight-prep plans. Technicians performed their final inspections of the rocket and modules.
As the eight passengers assembled in the meeting area of the building, this was the first time each had seen everyone in their flight suits. The compression from the fabric created a flattering, form-figure for each person.
