… all the systems are normal! (Chapter two)

… all the systems are normal!

(Chapter two)

     On the day of departure, the sun was just visible from behind the horizon. There were already a lot of people at the starting point. Engineers, doctors, and ordinary workers were fussing like children. For an observer who does not know what is happening here, this picture would seem to be the embodiment of chaos. Ram and his colleagues were already approaching the “Celestia” ship. Even from afar, he was impressive with his greatness. The first rays of the morning sun reflected off his sharp wings as if he were the source of light.

     Engineers check the latest data from the engines, and medics check the health of each crew member. There is no need for spacesuits, since the interior of the ship is designed in such a way that at the start the pilots are subjected to the same load as the pilots of Formula 1. During free flight in open space, the overload is proportional to a family trip outside the city.

     The crew settles into their seats and Captain Ram Brandon takes his place on the control bridge. "Celestia" began to vibrate lightly from the powerful waves of the engines. Barely a minute passed and the ship was already moving up, the wind was raging around it, and the noise below was similar to that made by an electric transformer, but three times louder. The virtual screens of the cockpit display the stability of all systems. Alice's aerobatic hand rapidly guides the ship upwards.

     In an instant, the "Celestia" leaves the Earth's atmosphere, and the team enters the cosmic silence, devoid of the hustle and bustle of humans. The windows of the ship reveal the endless stars of space, and the earth remains far behind. The captain is standing on the bridge, where the panoramic windows reveal the vast landscape of space in front of him. The crew, keeping calm and excited, prepares for the unique challenge that awaits them.

• OK, everyone come over, let's go over the plans for the next few days - Ram started - Alice, what's the technical condition of the "Celestia"?
• Engines work stably, all systems are normal! No anomalies.
• Alice, do you remember those pulse waves that were detected during the last scan? Can it affect energy recovery? - Bob was worried, because he was the worst of all in the technical part of the tests.
• Yes, Bob, I already factored that into the calculations. I will set certain engine parameters to minimize deviations.
• I completed the analysis of the chemical composition of the Astralis atmosphere. We can expect standard parameters. No threats - Zlata added from herself.
• What about the astronomical plan? - Dave shouted from his cabin. He was always late for tests and meetings.
• Already transferred to your screens... - reassured Zlata.
• Dave, have you prepared for possible contacts? - Ram interrupted her.
• Yes, I have encrypted messages prepared in various ways. But I am not sure about them, because all these records were transferred to SCSA. Old samples.
• Society, there is a sense of tension.
• Eva, you are right. If anyone has any wishes or misunderstandings, this is the moment to express them, agreed Ram.
• I want to thank Alice for her excellent training skills. This is extremely important for our safe departure - Bob did not miss his chance to court.
• Thank you. I'm doing my best to make sure we all get home safe.
• Let's make this flight the best of our lives - shouted Dave.

     A bunch of heroes for one of the billions of planets smoothly deepened into the unknown space-time infinity. The engines work flawlessly, creating a spectacular vortex of light. These are no longer the old rockets that burned everything under them at the start and immediately lost 80% of their fuel.

     During the flight, Ram insisted on periodically activating the astral sensors and energy devices to prepare himself for the changes in sensations and experiences that Astralis could present. It was the first time for everyone to go into outer space, so there was no limit to surprise and admiration. It's time for the first hyper jump. "Celestia" was at a safe distance to engage the full power of the engines and accelerate to the speed of light. It will not be possible to run at such a constant speed, because according to calculations, the engines overheat, and the hull begins to deform. Because of this, their voyage is divided into three jumps. Having set the coordinates, the team could be distracted and gather in the central part of the shuttle to plan the conquest of the universe.

     Spaces capes contribute to conversations about how everyone perceives the beauty of another world. The team was guided by Earth time, so it was evening, and the mission seemed distant in this peaceful corner of space. They gathered on the deck of the Celestia, where the soft light of the neon lights illuminated their faces.

• Alice, did you ever dream of piloting a spaceship billions of kilometers from home when you were a child? - Ram asked.
• I actually decided to become a pilot when I went to the Kyoto Air Show with my dad for the first time. I think I was 15 years old then. My dad also wanted to travel among the clouds, but his poor health did not allow him to climb into the sky at the helm. My dream grew with me.
• Zlata, have you thought about what if you did not become a physicist? Maybe you were interested in some other profession? - Bob picked up this topic.
• For a long time I dreamed of becoming a TV presenter. For some reason, my parents did not notice that I was more interested in physics, so they imposed their opinion - answered Eva, smiling.
• "It's amazing to think how far we are from Earth," Dave remarked, keeping his eyes on the landscape.
• That's true. Every time I look out the window, I get goosebumps - replied Zlata.