Читать книгу Idealogy 4109. When knowledge changed humanity - Илья Кушниренко - Страница 3

The Flight Control Center was located away from hotels, restaurants, amusement parks, surrounded by water channels with a patterned bottom. The FCC building resembled an antique palace with massive doors and high towers standing nearby. All this beauty was covered with a golden dome. Inside the building there was a modern, innovative room, equipped with comfortable workstations with monitors and ultra-high-definition screens, which had huge computing power. Sitting at their computers, a team led by Rich Rudiger conducted pre-launch checks.

Rich and his team were dressed in a classic style. The emblem of the «Babylon» space launching complex was flaunted on white shirts on the left side. A headset was attached to the neck of each employee. The actions of Rich Rudiger and his team were watched by the political elite from the developed countries. There were experts and scientists in the field of cosmology, astronomy, theoretical physics as well as popular celebrities, Internet and TV celebrities. They were drinking, talking and following the action with interest.

In the center of the hall there were huge screens which were divided into several windows. There was a countdown to the start up above. In one of the windows, the FCC employees observed the launch pad and orbital launcher. The «New World» shuttle with its massive fuel tank and solid fuel boosters were mounted on the orbital launcher.

In the upper windows of the screen, the FCC team observed the flight deck. In it, the shuttle crew was fastened to their seats and dressed in light tight-fitting gray spacesuits with red stripes. Everyone was in a good mood, astronauts communicated with each other and with the FCC. Terry Taylor took the crew commander’s seat and Igor Vladimirovich sat next to him in the co-pilot’s chair. Specialist chairs were occupied by brother and sister Zhou, Anita Lewis, Jasse Adesenya and Anastasia Gradetskaya.

RICH RUDIGER

– Terry, five minutes stand-by, switch to power from the on-board systems. Do you copy?

Terry, hearing Rich's voice, smiled even more.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Roger that, I’m switching to power from on-board systems.

Terry and Igor performed step-by-step operations on the dashboard, consisting of numerous screens, buttons and control devices, to switch the shuttle system to the on-board power supply.

TERRY TAYLOR

– FCC, the shuttle moved to the on-board power supply.

RICH RUDIGER

– «New World», roger that.

Milena Ti-Molis, who monitored the health of the astronauts in terms of instrumentation, asked Rich to approach her. He immediately approached his employee. She showed him the rapid heartbeat of Anastasia Gradetskaya. Rich switched the communication channel to a dedicated line.

RICH RUDIGER

– Terry, come in.

Terry and Igor checked control systems, navigation, guidance and a whole range of instruments of the orbital ship. They also checked their on-board computer and worked out the sequence of their actions at startup.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Come in.

RICH RUDIGER

– Anastasia has a fast heartbeat, a pulse of up to two hundred beats per minute, try to calm her. Terry was quite surprised.

Terry was very surprised.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Roger that.

Igor noticed Terry.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Did something happen?

TERRY TAYLOR

– Rich said Anastasia had a fast heartbeat.

Terry and Igor cast their eyes on Anastasia. She was sitting silently and was thinking about something. They tried to understand the cause of her concern.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– I’m nervous too, like the others.

TERRY TAYLOR

– We were asked to calm her down.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– She looks calm, I don’t know where they got all these indications from. Now let's figure it out.

Anastasia was sitting silently fastened to her chair. She examined the shuttle, her team and didn’t show nervousness.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Nastya!

Anastasia noticed Igor.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Yes.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– You all okay?

Anastasia was thrilled and greatly impressed by her presence in the shuttle. She thought about the upcoming mission, what awaits them and how it would all end. Whether they meet extraterrestrial civilization, whether the launch of the shuttle take place without technical problems and how the spatial displacement will take place. Imagination and negative thoughts came up with all possible plot twists.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Yes, it’s alright.

Confusion and fear raged in her soul.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– You're a linguist?

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Yes, why?

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Do you know elven or Klingon?

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Why are you asking such questions?

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Terry and I argued how many languages do you know?

Terry, smiling, looked at Igor, then at Anastasia. The conversation between Igor and Anastasia attracted the attention of the rest of the crew.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– And what did you bet on?

TERRY TAYLOR

– Yes, remind me what did we bet on?

Igor hesitated a bit and was lost in thought.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– In case of my victory, Terry at the end of our mission takes us all to the Asian restaurant «Red Dragon». It’s located in «Babylon». By the way, they serve excellent noodles with teriyaki sauce as well as seafood in ginger marinade.

Laughing, Igor looked at Terry. The captain was clearly surprised to learn that in case of loss, he takes everyone to the Asian restaurant. The rest of the crew looked at each other and smiled.

TERRY TAYLOR

– And if I win, Igor buys a good pair of sneakers for everyone.

Igor made a surprised face.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Really?

TERRY TAYLOR

– A bet is a bet.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Your disputes are strange. Well, all right, in general, I know 12 languages, including Elven, Krypton, Klingon, and even studied the language of Heptapods.

Having heard Anastasia’s reply, Igor and Terry both said at the same time.

TERRY TAYLOR

– You are buying sneakers.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– You are buying noodles.

Igor easily hit Terry on the arm. The response to the light blow was Terry's smile.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– You are weird.

Anastasia and all the crew members laughed. Nastya's nervous tension began to subside.

RICH RUDIGER

– Terry, three minutes before the start. Take it easy, you're not on a TV show. You already have a crazy number of views that has exceeded four billion.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Rich, we talked with the team and decided to arrange a contest for the audience. Our gift will be a couple of samples brought from another planet. To participate in the contest, you must subscribe to our social and virtual accounts. All the details of the contest are on our pages, we will draw prizes and gifts upon arrival.

The team drew attention to Terry. With all his looks and actions, he showed that the situation is under control.

RICH RUDIGER

– Great, then tell me how it all ended and who won the piece of stone from another planet. No matter how painful it is to admit, your and Igor’s methods of stabilizing nervous tension do work, the overall crew performance is within the acceptable range.

The FCC team along with its leader completed the final stages of the prelaunch preparation.

TERRY TAYLOR

– How long do we have to sit here? Launch us, I’m longing to explore new planets. We have checked and double-checked everything ten times already.

Igor raised his thumb up and nodded his head in support of the words spoken by Terry. There was silence on the air, the ship's commander was waiting for a response from Rich.

Rich Rudiger went to his workplace, where the whole hall and staff of his team were visible as well as the main screens with windows. Behind him stood a large delegation overseeing his work and the actions of his staff. He took a deep breath and spoke in an undertone.

RICH RUDIGER

– May the fun begin! Cybersecurity and security!

Rich was looking in the direction of Eric Newman and Peter Kushnirenko, who were responsible for internal and external security as well as for the work of all computer systems.

ERIC NEWMAN

– The internal network is clean, no cyber-attacks were detected, computing power is at its maximum, I give permission to the start.

PETER KUSHNIRENKO

– Security gives permission to start.

RICH RUDIGER

– The Communications Service?

Sheila Lopez and Chase Silverman were responsible for the communication between the FCC and the «New World».

SHEILA LOPEZ

– Permission to the start.

RICH RUDIGER

– Health?

MILENA TI-MOLIS

– Astronaut performance is normal, I give permission to start.

RICH RUDIGER

– Report on the readiness and serviceability of the «New World» shuttle.

Paul Emerson and Renat Belyaev followed the indicators and sensors of the shuttle. Paul looked at Renat. Renat raised his thumb up and with a nod of his head let Paul know about the uninterrupted operation of all shuttle systems.

PAUL EMERSON

– I confirm the readiness and serviceability of the «New World» and give permission to start.

RICH RUDIGER

– The trajectory?

Vin Disheb and Mary Milbront were responsible for the trajectory at the start of the shuttle.

WINES DISHES

– Trajectory is perfect, permission to start.

RICH RUDIGER

– Launch control?

Evan Rochester and Anton Chistikov were ready to start engine starting operations on Rich's command.

EVAN ROCHESTER

– Launch control gives permission to start.

RICH RUDIGER

– Communication with the shuttle?

TERRY TAYLOR

– Confirm connection.

RICH RUDIGER

– Terry, FCC is ready to start engines, one minute to start.

Terry addressed to his crew.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Roger that. The entire crew, lower the extravehicular visor assembly.

Excited team members alternately lowered the extravehicular visor assembly.

RICH RUDIGER

– Start the final 30 second countdown. Start launch operations of accelerators.

Using their touch screens, Evan Rochester and Anton Chistikov performed the engines starting procedure and fuel supply to the combustion chamber of solid boosters. Terry and Igor at the same time were ready to start the auxiliary engines of the shuttle.

EVAN ROCHESTER

– 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – start!

After the countdown, Anton and his colleague pressed the buttons with the word «ignition» on their touch monitors and were holding them until they saw the word «engine started», painted in green. Terry pressed the red button on his monitor with the words «ignition» and was holding it until the word «engine started» appeared on it, also painted green.

EVAN ROCHESTER

– Starting solid and support engines confirmed.

ANTON CHISTIKOV

– The ignition confirmed.

RICH RUDIGER

– Launch control, roger that.

There was a roar at the launch pad, and giant flames burst from the solid boosters, attached to the shuttle. For the shuttle not to explode at the start, the flame jets went into the flame outlet channel and were also cooled by water. The giant puffs of smoke and steam rose into the air.

ANTON CHISTIKOV

– Engines are running, power goes to maximum.

Vibration was felt inside the shuttle and a powerful roar was heard from the flames bursting out of the engines. The faces of the astronauts and tyconauts were focused and tense.

RICH RUDIGER

– Remove the launch support, carry out the launch!

On his touch screen Anton Chistikov gave the command to the launch support and the opening of the locks that held the «New World» shuttle. Freed from the launch support, the shuttle began to soar up and gain altitude, followed by a huge, long tail of flames.

EVAN ROCHESTER

– There is a blastoff!

Terry Taylor

– Let the conquest of interstellar space begin!

Rich, wealthy and famous people, surrounded by social circuits, watched the launch of the shuttle from the roofs of their luxurious penthouses with pools, drinking elite alcohol and enjoying delicious food from the best chefs in the world. Less well-off people with families were on viewing platforms, on the balconies of their rooms, in restaurants, cafes and shopping centers. On the streets of the space launching complex thousands of guests watched the live broadcast of the launch.

Music, car, and costume festivals were organized for a large amount of people in the desert with the participation of famous DJs and popular singers. They were watching the launch from afar on huge installed screens.

All kinds of media and social networks monitored shuttle launch and ascend to orbit.

RICH RUDIGER

– Confirm stable work of the engines and systems!

PAUL EMERSON

– The shuttle and its systems are working stable.

RICH RUDIGER

– Terry, report on the health of the systems and indicators!

TERRY TAYLOR

– All systems operate in the green zone, indicators within normal limits.

The shuttle was rapidly gaining altitude and speed. After 25 seconds, it passed the mark of ten thousand meters and continued to soar upward. The crew members were sitting with restless faces. Shaking and overload were giving them an unpleasant sensation.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– FCC, turning on a rolling control.

RICH RUDIGER

– Roger that, Vin, watch the trajectory and the rolling.

VIN DISHEB

– Roger that, watching.

Soaring higher and higher, the team observed a dark blue stratosphere in the frontal windows of the shuttle. 2 minutes after the start, at an altitude of 45 kilometers, the automation separated the solid boosters from the external tank. The FCC monitored the process on the screens.

RICH RUDIGER

– Terry, observing the decoupling of the acceleration device.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Roger that, FCC, we are ascending the intermediate orbit.

RICH RUDIGER

– Roger that.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Igor, disable the auxiliary engines.

Igor Vladimirovich did sequential operations to turn off auxiliary engines.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Auxiliary engines disabled.

Shortly before entering the intermediate orbit, a dull sound was heard. Automation separated the external fuel tank from the shuttle. The shaking and noise stopped abruptly. The shuttle team felt weightless and watched the black outer space and the blue and white ball below through the portholes.

RICH RUDIGER

– Terry, your trajectory is normal. Continue to enter the orbit of the International Orbiting Satellite.

TERRY TAYLOR

– FCC, roger that.

Terry and Igor began to reduce the roll of the aircraft and put it into the orbit of the International Orbiting Satellite. At the same time, the planet Earth and the outer space surrounding it appeared in the frontal porthole.

TERRY TAYLOR

– FCC, come in! This is the «New World» shuttle. Telemetry is normal, all systems are working properly. We are in orbit, we will approach the International Orbiting Satellite in 3 hours and begin our space journey.

After Terry’s words at the FCC, the rejoicing began. Rich and his team were congratulated on the successful launch of the shuttle. On the roofs of penthouses, in restaurants, cafes, on observation decks and on the streets of the space launching complex, people rejoiced at a successful launch. «Babylon» was lit up with bright multi-colored flashes of fireworks. This event was covered by numerous television journalists and online bloggers. In the desert, where festivals were held, multi-colored flashes of fireworks also thundered and mass fun continued.

RICH RUDIGER

– Great job, «New World»! You can relax a bit before docking with the orbiting satellite. The next connection is in two and a half hours.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Roger that.

Terry turned off the link with Rich and FCC. Turning around, he saw how his team was already having a good time in zero gravity. Jace Adesenya was holding a camera in his hands, keeping his blog. He was talking about the shuttle, his mission and was interviewing his colleagues. Anastasia Gradetskaya was examining planet Earth with its rich color palette through the upper portholes. Igor Vladimirovich and Anita Lewis were showing a variety of tricks in zero gravity on the Adesenya’s camera. Siyu and Qunfei were taking photographs for the personal archive and also were keeping their personal video blogs, too. Terry unfastened, removed his visor and flew up to Anastasia.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Hi, how are you feeling?

Terry smiled at the girl and she smiled back.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– It seems normal, only a little nauseous.

TERRY TAYLOR

– This is a normal condition, you will get used to it and you won’t notice it.

Terry turned his gaze to the porthole.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Oh look, we are flying over the Himalayas.

Anastasia drew her attention to Terry, who was pointing to the giant mountain range of the Himalayas.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Oh, wow, from above they seem so tiny, like sharp pebbles.

Holding his camera with a stabilizer in his hands, Jase flew up to them.

JASE ADESENYA

– I want to introduce our commander Terry Taylor.

Terry smiled and waved at the camera.

JASE ADESENYA

– And next to him is our psychologist and linguist Anastasia Gradeckaya.

Anastasia smiled sweetly and also waved her hand at the camera.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Jase, look at the porthole, we are flying over the Himalayas.

Jase cautiously flew up to the porthole and pointed the camera lens at the mountain range.

JASE ADESENYA

– Now from the side of the shuttle I am observing a mountain system called the Himalayas with a length of 2330 kilometers and a width of 1335 kilometers, with a total area of more than one million kilometers. There are 10 eight-thousanders – peaks more than 8000 meters above sea level, of which I have conquered all 10. The five highest peaks are Cho-oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga, and the largest peak on planet Earth reaches a height of 8848 meters. This is Mount Chomolungma, or Everest, which means «the Divine Mother of vital energy».

The team continued to relax and enjoy all the charms of weightlessness in the cockpit. A bag with the inscription FilPC was mounted near the aft control panel and controls.

Igor Vladimirovich flew up to the bag and pulled out a bulky frameless all-in-one PC. By pressing the side button, he turned it on. The computer began to load its operating system. After a few seconds, a desktop appeared on the screen with the icons «music», «video», «games» and shortcuts with office applications. At the bottom of the screen appeared a funny fluffy yellowish animal resembling a meerkat. He was wearing a stylish tight-fitting red suit. Igor Vladimirovich turned the monitor towards the amusing crew members.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Friends, welcome our intellectual assistant FilPC.

FilPC smiled and waved a paw to the astronauts.

CREW

– Hello, FilPC.

FilPC

– Hello, «New World» shuttle crew.

ANITA LEWIS

– What a cute animal!

FilPC was expressing a nice smile and was sending the animated hearts.

ANITA LEWIS

– Is this for me? Hearts. You're so cool!

She flew up to the monitor and kissed the place where FilPC was standing. The animal circled and playfully fell into an unconscious state, which made the whole shuttle laugh.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Astronauts! May I have your attention?

Terry drew attention to all crew members, even FilPC.

TERRY TAYLOR

– We have another hour and a half of free time. If someone is hungry, there is a kitchen on the second level, but I advise you not to get too full because spatial movement awaits us ahead. On the first level you will find your rooms. You know the numbers of your rooms, your personal items are also there. At 20–45 sharp I am waiting for everyone in the cockpit in your seats. That’s all, enjoy your flight.

SHUTTLE «NEW WORLD». 20-45

Equipped in their light spacesuits, members of the shuttle team gathered in the cockpit at the time set by the captain. When everyone played with FilPC for long enough, it was turned off and hidden in its case. Terry and Igor corrected the shuttle trajectory and the rest of the team was watching their actions.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– FCC, I see International Orbital Satellite.

Terry looked to the left side of the front porthole and watched the approaching of IOS.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Here it is, my baby.

IOS – International Orbital Satellite, was visible in the portholes on the left side. The International Space Station, which once flew in orbit, served as its basis. There were numerous branches with modules and giant solar panels attached to them, coming out of the station. A space collider flew in its orbit near the International Orbital Satellite. It was connected to the IOS by numerous wires.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– How many days did you spend on IOS, while you were building it and collider?

TERRY TAYLOR

– More than 4 years.

I don’t even know how I didn’t lose my mind from such a long stay in orbit.

Terry and Igor smiled at each other.

TERRY TAYLOR

– What’s the distance to the collider?

Zhou Siyu was sitting in the flight specialist’s chair at the aft control panel, display, and shuttle controls.

ZHOU SIYU

– 5000 meters.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Closure?

ZHOU SIYU

– 11,8 meters per second.

TERRY TAYLOR

– FCC, turning on manual control.

RICH RUDIGER

– The shuttle, roger that.

Terry and Igor took up their shunting levers attached to their chairs.

TERRY TAYLOR

– FCC, turning off the autopilot.

RICH RUDIGER

– «New World», roger that.

Terry clicked on the glowing green indicators with the words «Autopilot», the indicators turned off.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Reducing the closure speed up to 5 meters per second.

On his dashboard Igor Vladimirovich did the necessary operations of turning on the propulsion system for maneuvering and orientation.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Maneuvering and orientation engines are launched.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Roger that.

Terry pressed lightly the maneuvering and orientation levers. Frontal and auxiliary engines released jets of gas, thereby slowing the shuttle.

RICH RUDIGER

– Terry, perfect movement. Continue to slow down further and move towards IOS.

TERRY TAYLOR

– FCC, roger that.

ZHOU SIYU

– 3500 meters to IOS, closure speed is 5 meters per second.

The shuttle team was getting closer to the IOS with every second. They examined residential modules and huge solar panels attached around the station.

ZHOU SIYU

– 1500 meters.

Terry moved the lever along the axes, gradually reducing speed and leveling the ship so that its head was at the entrance of the collider.

ZHOU SIYU

– 500 meters.

Terry focused on his dashboard, showing a 360-degree view. Igor was holding his hands near his shunting levers and was ready at any second to take control and command in case of emergency situation.

ZHOU SIYU

– 250 meters!

TERRY TAYLOR

– Parking carefully, without hitting anything.

The commander of the ship pulled the lever along the axes once in a while and waited time. Equipment for spatial movement appeared in the frontal panoramic window of the shuttle, and crew members were watching its movement along the window. Terry looked at his working monitors and waited for the head of the shuttle to coincide with the center of the collider. After waiting for the registering, the astronaut on his dashboard turned on automatic trajectory support and autopilot.

Terry and Igor were holding hands near shunting levers and were watching devices. Having waited for a few seconds and making sure in trajectory sustainability, they looked at each other and smiled. Igor raised his thumb up and with a nod of his head paid tribute to his captain for a well-done maneuver.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Good job, captain.

TERRY TAYLOR

– FCC, we are on the spot, our trajectory is stable. Ready to start spatial movement.

The MCC applauded Terry and his team for the clear and masterful execution of the maneuver.

RICH RUDIGER

– Great job, «New light»! I’m paying for the parking.

Employees working in the FCC and the IOS were calm and restrained. Everyone worked on the task assigned and tried to fulfill it with maximum efficiency.

RICH RUDIGER

– Terry, you have 25 minutes to move. Check the shuttle, crew and report on readiness. Tell the crew that if someone wants to chat with their relatives, then we are ready to provide broadcasting and communication.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Rich, roger that.

Terry unfastened his belt and looked with equanimous eyes at each of the members of his team.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Astronauts, you have 20 minutes before we begin the preparation for spatial movement. If you want to chat with your relatives, you can do this in your personal cabins. FCC and IOS will provide broadcasting and communication. Watch the time and avoid delays. That's all I wanted to say.

Having listened to the captain, brother and sister Zhou went down to their cabins through the transition between the levels. Anita Lewis was helping Jase Adesenya to keep his blog. He continued talking about his space journey. Anastasia Gradetskaya remained in the cockpit. She was looking out of the window and was watching the stunningly beautiful blue ball. Being the first time in outer space, she could not see enough of the Earth with its rich palette of colors and shades. She occasionally turned her gaze to the huge and massive International Orbital Station.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Terry, can you do the shuttle test yourself?

TERRY TAYLOR

– Yes, of course, I know this shuttle perfectly well.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Well, if you need me – I’m communicating with my family in my cabin.

TERRY TAYLOR

– No worries, my friend, the situation is under my control.

Igor smiled, turned around easily and flew out of the cockpit in the direction of the transition between levels. Having flown the second level, he flew at speed to the first level of the space shuttle and moved towards his cabin. On the left of the door, there was a hand recognition scanner, a door unlocking and a button to automatically open the door. The cabin automatically recognized its owner and opened the door for him. Igor flew into his miniature room and the light immediately was turned on.

The room had a semi-double bed with clips for sleeping in zero gravity, above the bed there were numerous closed shelves and lockers with personal belongings. Near the berth there was a desk with a built-in touch screen and a work surface. The lockers with personal items were over the table. The cabin had a personal shower, a toilet as well as special equipment for washing clothes and air conditioning.

Igor took his personal on-board tablet, went into the application to communicate with his family, and waited for a connection with them. On the screen appeared his 17-year-old daughter Julia, 14-year-old son Daniel and his wife, Marina Tkachenko – a pleasant overweight brunette with touching face. They were in the in the meeting room of FCC. The room was modestly furnished with space-themed paintings on the walls. The Tkachenkos were sitting on the couch and were glad to see their hero.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Hello, my dear.

Julia and Daniel greeted their dad. Marina was sitting modestly and decently next to the children, and also greeted her beloved husband.

DANIEL

– Dad, don't forget to bring me a souvenir from another planet.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– I won’t forget, of course.

JULIA

– We love you and we are waiting for you, our hero.

Igor was touched by daughter’s words.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Thank you, dear. I love you, too. Pass the tablet to mum.

They handed the tablet to Marina.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– How are you?

MARINA TKACHENKO

– I’m worried, of course. I'm the astronaut’s wife.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– My dear, 30 days – and «Roscosmos» will send me on a well deserved retirement. And I will be with you.

MARINA TKACHENKO

– I know that. I’ll wait for you, Igor, as I have always been waiting for you. I fell in love with your longing for stars and space. I understand that for you this trip is the most important thing in your career. Having entered your name in the story, you can retire calmly, with a sense of accomplishment, and be with us.

Igor was inspired by his wife’s words.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Thank you for your support, my love.

MARINA TKACHENKO

– Have a successful journey. I love you.

Marina turned the tablet, and Julia and Daniel hit the camera. The family said goodbye loudly and cheerfully to their father.

Terry was sitting in his place and was diagnosing the operation of the shuttle systems. Anastasia saw the lonely captain and flew up to him. The man drew his attention to the girl.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Do you think we will find the planet suitable for human life?

Terry frowned.

TERRY TAYLOR

– If they are sending us there, it means that it exists. We only need to find it from those three planets that circle around the star «Alpha Centauri S».

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– As a linguist, I would like to meet intelligent beings on these planets and possibly come into contact with them. To look at their world, how they communicate and interact with each other and what their life is like.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Well, this is a good desire. The main thing is that they should be peaceful creatures and don’t gobble us up or dismember us for the experiments.

Terry grinned, Anastasia frowned at him. The captain continued to diagnose the operation of the shuttle systems. The girl carefully watched his actions.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Sorry, you are busy, and I'm interrupting you with my questions.

Terry looked at Anastasia and smiled.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Yeah, a little. Though you can sit next to me at Igor’s place.

Anastasia was very surprised.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– No, please! I’m not sitting at Igor’s place. I had enough of his screams during the preparation for our journey.

Terry laughed heartily.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Yea-a-a-ah! Igor is a serious man.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Now I’ll tell you how I first met him. I came all dressed up. I was wearing a pantsuit, did the styling in a beauty salon, light makeup, put on my favorite shoes from Jimmy Choo. After all, I was invited to «Roscosmos» and I wanted to make an impression. They met me and escorted to the office. The door opened, and in the office I saw a bunch of ragged men. Everyone's eyes were wild, all faces were red, rumpled, shirts worn out, ties loosened and the ashtrays were full of cigarette butts.

Terry looked at Anastasia in surprise.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Then I realized: they were clearly discussing my nominee. Having noticed me, they calmed down, straightened their, so to speak, shirts and ties. Baranov Sergey Antonovich, the head of «Roscosmos», started introducing me and telling them who I was and that I was one of many candidates for the position of linguist and psychologist. The management wanted to have two Russian cosmonauts on board of the shuttle, as this would increase the prestige of our country. After a short meeting Sergei Antonovich led me to introduce Igor Vladimirovich. Then Igor came up to me and looked at me with an appraising look.

Anastasia Gradeckaya frowned and put on deep voice.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Hi, my name is Igor Vladimirovich. I’m your mentor and will prepare you for the flight in orbit. From your personal files, I know that you are a professor of psychology and linguistics at Moscow State Technological University named after N.E. Bauman. Perhaps, these skills will be useful to you on the Earth, but not in space. So don’t expect pity from me. Neither I’m going to see your tears during the training! If you don’t like it, the four doors on the first floor are always open.

Terry turned to Anastasia.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Did he really say so? Don’t expect pity from me and don’t pour tears?

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Yes! Can you imagine? And then it started: eight months of hell, torment, cries and tears.

Terry laughed.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– He is a physical education coach – I'm in tears. Survival courses – I'm in tears. Fire training courses – I'm in tears. He is at the controls of an airplane – I am unconscious, but without tears.

Anastasia and Terry laughed.

TERRY TAYLOR

– I didn't know these stories.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– In general, it sucks. But I’m not what they think of me: they press me and I push harder in response.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Wow.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– But then, eight months later, after passing the tests, he came up to me with grades and congratulated me on being a member of the «New World» shuttle team. I had competed with 10 applicants from different countries, and even men were among them. But they chose me, a simple teacher from the university, because my indicators were better than others.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Since they chose you, it means that you are not so simple.

Terry confused Anastasia with his gaze and words.

ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

– Igor Vladimirovich is a great fellow! I am very grateful to him for my training and for being here now.

Igor Vladimirovich flew up to Terry and Anastasia. The girl stood up, giving way to the second pilot Igor. Her mentor put his hand on her shoulder and thereby stopped his colleague.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Sit, sit. What about diagnostics?

TERRY TAYLOR

– I checked 8 out of 12 nodes, so there is work.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Will you manage it yourself?

TERRY TAYLOR

– Yes, of course.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– Moreover, you have a great assistant, she is the future of the Russian space.

Anastasia with her head held high, looked at Igor, as she liked his words about her.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– If you need me, I’m in the cabin.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Good.

Igor went on the first level again.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Well, you see, Nastya, he isn’t so scary.

She appreciated Terry's sarcasm. They continued the conversation and performed diagnostics of the orbital nodes. 20 minutes passed, and the team gathered again in the cockpit. Everyone took his or her place. Terry and Igor discussed further actions and possible contingencies. Igor nodded his head, and the captain opened a channel of communication with the FCC.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Rich, are you receiving me?

Rich was walking around the FCC with a tuna sandwich washing it down with tea. He was going around his colleagues, asking them about their personal life. Having bitten off a good piece, he enjoyed it with pleasure. Hearing Terry's voice in the headset, Rich spat out the chewed leftovers in the first ballot box before he could swallow them.

RICH RUDIGER

– I’m receiving you, Terry.

TERRY TAYLOR

– The shuttle and the crew is ready to start spatial move.

RICH RUDIGER

– Roger that.

Walking to his workplace, Rich ate in a hurry the rest of the sandwich and drank some tea. He put the mug on the table and turned on the speakerphone.

RICH RUDIGER

– FCC team! I’m announcing a three-minute preparation for the start of spatial displacement.

In a separate room of the FCC, where the high society and guest stars were located, after the announcement of a three-minute readiness, the eyes of all gathered guests turned to the huge central screen of the FCC. Television and Internet broadcasts started gaining viewers massively.

Rich's colleagues set aside their personal affairs as well as fast food and drinks. They began to prepare for the next phase of the «New World» mission. The excitement and tension in the FCC had been growing with every second. Rich switched the communication channel to the International Orbiting Satellite.

RICH RUDIGER

– IOS, this is FCC, come in!

Indian astronaut Sadhir Bin Osman, Russian astronaut Ruslan Nikolayevich, British astronaut Andrew Scott and Charlie Holond from the United States of America sat in one of the IOS residential modules at the monitors and computers. They were getting ready to launch equipment for spatial movement.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– Rich, this is IOS, I’m receiving you.

RICH RUDIGER

– Charlie, the «New World» shuttle is ready for spatial displacement. I give permission to run the collider.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– Rich, roger that, starting.

Charlie Holland began to lead his colleagues, preparing IOS for the launch of the collider. Ruslan Nikolaevich and Sudhir Bin Osman activated huge solar panels and aligned them in the direction of the Sun. Andrew Scott and Charlie Holland were watching the indicators and the data arriving on computers.

SUDHIR BIN OSMAN

– Energy is at the maximum, we are ready to run the collider.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– Great.

On his touchpad, Charlie clicked on the button «Launch». Terry, Igor and their comrades were watching as the collider turned on and began to rotate. The lower part was rotating to the left side, the upper part was rotating to the right side.

ANDREW SCOTT

– Indications are ok.

Charlie gradually added energy to the collider.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– Sudhir, launch electromagnets and enter the Peter Pachus’s formula for the spatial displacement.

SUDHIR BIN OSMAN

– In the process.

Sudhir activated electromagnets, maximized their values and introduced the spatial displacement formula into the program on a touch-screen monitor. The upper and lower parts of the collider began to move faster, which was making the collider glow slightly with a violet-blue color.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– Andrew, what are the indicators?

ANDREW SCOTT

– The indicators are normal. The purification of dark energy from impurities has begun. The reaction is currently stable.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– Ruslan, bring energy to the maximum.

On his touch-screen monitor Ruslan raised the level of energy, supplied to the collider to ten thousand gigaelectron-volts. A minute later, a dark substance began to grow from the edge of the structure to the center. Another minute passed, and the dark substance merged in the center and took a stable etheric form.

RUSLAN NIKOLAEVICH

– Pure dark energy received.

ANDREW SCOTT

– The reaction is stable, we are holding it.

Applause was heard at the FCC. Billions of viewers watched the launch of the collider and the creation of pure dark energy. Charlie Holland introduced the coordinates of the solar system «Alpha Centauri S» on his 3D model of the Universe. With the help of shunting engines the collider made an adjustment. Shuttle pilots also made a small adjustment to the trajectory.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– FCC, this is IOS. Coordinates entered. I’m waiting for a command to start spatial movement.

RICH RUDIGER

– IOS, roger that. The data received and verified. Hold on.

Rich turned to the VIP box side and looked for Peter Pachus. Their eyes met and Peter Pachus nodded his head.

RICH RUDIGER

– IOS, this is FCC. Permission granted.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– FCC, roger that.

Charlie said a prayer and pressed the «Shift» button on his touch screen. The shuttle team was watching while the viscous substance froze. A glow appeared from the center, it gradually grew, became brighter and moved to the edges. After some time, the crew of the shuttle could observe the distorted projection of the yellow star «Alpha Centauri S» and one of the exoplanets, as well as the outer space surrounding them. The objects were extended in width, length and connected in the center.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– That's crazy! Rich, do you see it?

RICH RUDIGER

– Yes.

Billions of people, watching the creation of a tunnel for spatial movement, were stunned by what they saw.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– Indicators?

ANDREW SCOTT

– Normal.

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– FCC, this is IOS. The spatial tunnel is stable, you can launch the shuttle. Wish the team a great journey from us.

RICH RUDIGER

– Be sure, I will. IOS, great job!

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– Thank you.

Rich switched the communication channel from IOS to the shuttle.

RICH RUDIGER

– Terry, come in.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Receiving you, Rich.

RICH RUDIGER

– The spatial tunnel is open, MCC and MOS give the permission for entry.

The crew was observing with excitement the formation of the spatial tunnel in front of them.

TERRY TAYLOR

– Yes, I’ve already understood that it is open. Got you, FCC, we are starting the entrance.

Terry pushed forward the thrust levers of the main engines of the shuttle and the ship slowly moved towards the spatial tunnel. His actions were watched by workers and guests of the FCC, astronauts of the International Space Agency, guests of the «Babylon» space launching complex and billions of people around the globe. The captain looked at the distance to the entrance. It was slowly contracting and stepped over a mark of 100 meters.

TERRY TAYLOR

– The team is ready to shift!

Astronauts tried to hide their nervousness, but confusion and fear of the unknown were visible on their faces.

IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

– God bless us all!

TERRY TAYLOR

– FCC, we’ll meet in 30 days.

RICH RUDIGER

– Have a good journey and God bless you!

Terry pulled the levers forward and the shuttle speeded off. Entering the tunnel, the shuttle instantly disappeared from screens and monitors. The world was briefly shocked by what was happening. Seconds later people, who were watching the broadcast around the world, celebrated a new step in the conquest of interstellar space. An enchanting, festive mood reigned in the FCC. FCC employees, high society, investors, guest stars lit cigars and opened champagne. Astronauts and Charlie Holland's team congratulated each other at IOS. Rich switched the communication channel to IOS.

RICH RUDIGER

– IOS, come in!

CHARLIE HOLLAND

– IOS receiving.

RICH RUDIGER

– Disconnect the collider, prepare it for the return of the shuttle.

Passing through the spatial tunnel, Terry and his team watched as the head and cockpit of the ship stretched into the distance. The captain glanced at his hands, holding the steering wheel and traction levers – they also extended in length, like his whole body. He felt a wild and violent heaviness throughout the whole organism and thought about telling Igor Vladimirovich about this, but his consciousness fell into darkness, as did the consciousness of the whole crew.