The president spoke up before the major had a chance to respond. “I wish I were going with you. This has been one of the most exhilarating experiences in my life. I am sure the government could never do this, as we would have argued continuously over just about anything related to the spacecraft. I am hoping you reach your destination soon. By the time you reach it, all of us on Earth will be long gone. I have no idea how much longer we can live with all the disasters happening, but as long as I am alive, we will try to keep going. Who knows, maybe we will build more ships and get more people off the Earth? We will be watching with great pride when the takeoff is done successfully. As long as we can have radio or satellite communications, please let us know how you are doing among the stars.”
“Thank you, sir,” Tom said. “I want to shake each of your hands. You are all heroes, and the people on the ship will always remember you, whether we clone you or not. May we collect your samples now?”
The men agreed to do so, and the samples were collected and brought onto the ship for safekeeping. Afterwards, Tom shook each of the soldier’s hands again and saluted them all. Then he turned to the president and hugged him.
He said, “I wish you the best, President Stevens. May you fare well with these disasters and Mr. Ivanov.”
Tom returned to the Imagine. He anticipated that he could give the signal to launch between forty-eight and seventy-two hours.
Chapter 53 – Once in a Life Cycle Opportunity
Tom Burns, the Imagine, Rocky Mountains, CO
At the commander’s post on the bridge, Tom turned on the view screen.
“May I have everyone’s attention, please. The next forty-eight hours will be hectic. In forty-eight to seventy-two hours, we are going to launch. All hands-on deck, please. You must go to your assigned station. All those involved with our the Warfare Center Weapons Division should report for duty at those stations. This is just a precaution. You have forty-four hours to put on your assigned spacesuit. During the next forty-four hours, please make sure that everything is put away or bolted in place. During the takeoff, there is a possibility you may black out or experience feeling lightheaded. We may also experience weightlessness, which is why everything needs to be bolted down. It is expected that you must remain in place for about twelve to thirty minutes. During takeoff do not attempt to get up and move around. You will not be able to control your movements. Once it is safe to do so, the officers on board will give an all-clear and provide you with further instruction.
“My understanding is that leaving the ship at this point will be difficult now. Please do not leave the ship from now on in any circumstances or you may be left behind. Now please get to work and do what must be done before we launch.”
Over the next two days, the ship became a bustle of activity. Tom instructed the officers to inspect departments every four hours until the launch. If anything was wrong or out of place, it was to be reported immediately so that the appropriate personnel could fix it.
Tom was glad to see Sam and Jose meeting with the launch team to go over calculations again for the trajectory of the lift-off into orbit. Sally told Tom that she was on her way with Sophie, Janet and Sarah and other medical personnel to secure all the supplies.
Tom visited Dr. Sato’s quarters. Dr. Sato was giving orders as to how to secure everything in the medical labs for the launch. She was very meticulous about safety and her work.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly.
After the two long, hard days of securing all the medical personnel supplies and making critical preparations, Tom ate breakfast with Sophie, Janet, Sarah, Sally and Dr. Sato in the cafeteria. Sophie suddenly started getting upset. She began to look sick and disoriented. Her mom could see it happening.
“What is wrong, Sophie?”
Sophie looked like she was about to lose it and started to pull at her hair.
“How can we possibly do this? We are all going to die. I want to go home and live in our house again. I’m getting out of here, Mom. Come with me, please. Dad is going to get us all killed, and you know it, too.”
Sarah was staring at her but waited for her to finish. All the people in the cafeteria were now watching and waiting to see what she would do.
Dr. Sato did not want to make a scene and make things worse. She approached Sophie.
“Sophie, take a deep breath, please. Then we can talk about it. I am sorry you feel this way.”
“Shut up. I don’t need a big breath of air. Why can’t you do what I want for a change? Mom, I thought I could get through this, but I just can’t. Please let me leave before it is too late. I don’t want to die.”
Sarah tried to put her arms around her daughter, but Sophie pushed her away.
“Don’t you dare touch me now.”
Dr. Sato said, “Do you want me to call security? We can’t do this all day and be ready for launch.”
Sarah was about to respond, but Sally cut her off. “Sophie, I can certainly understand how you feel because I have some of those feelings. I don’t want to die in a ball of flames either. I am anxious, just as you are. Probably all the people on the ship are anxious too. But look at the world, Sophie. We could be dead in a year if we stay here. We really have no choice. Earthquakes. Volcanoes. Hurricanes. Floods. Disasters are killing a lot of people. Some of those people would have given anything to board this ship and try to live. We are lucky to be right here. You have a loving mom and dad and two wonderful brothers, one of whom I like a lot. My parents are also on board, helping me feel safe. Everyone here trusts the officers and scientists to do the right thing. Your dad would not launch if he felt we could not do so. You need to calm down and trust the experts on this ship. Please, Sophie, let us help you get through this.”
Sophie seemed to calm down a little.
Janet gave her some water. “Look at me, Sophie. I have already lost my mom, and soon I will lose my dad. My dad made a huge sacrifice to let me go on this trip. He knew if I stayed behind, I would die soon and perhaps in a lot of pain. I know I have some friends here including your parents and I trust them one hundred per cent to do the right thing and to take care of me. They are always going to look out for our safety. We have to take this trip one day at a time. Each day we wake up, there will be new experiences and wonders that humans have never seen before. I feel blessed to be on this ship to be able to participate in all the things we will do and see.”
After listening to Sally and Janet, Sophie calmed down and seemed to be feeling better. “I am sorry for the trouble I just caused and the anxiety I may have given some of you. I hope you will forgive me.”
Everyone said yes, and there were hugs all around.
Then Sophie went to her mom and give her a big hug and said, “Sorry, Mom, I apologize for my actions.”
“Your apology is accepted. We will get through this hard part together.” Then Sarah turned to Sally and Janet. “Thanks for helping. Sometimes it is difficult for a mother to talk to her daughter. I can see why Sam and your friends really like you two.”
Tom was glad it had all worked out.