Dr. Elijah Jackson watched as the final heat shield was added to the sleek, dark grey side of the Velocity, the newest research vessel of the Federated Earth Space Management Authority. The FESMA is an alliance of nations with the purpose of colonizing other planets. The crew was due to embark onto the Velocity the next day. Almost all of the tests had been completed, resulting in a skeleton crew working on last minute checks. The ship was sleaker than those of the past, giving a sense of the modernity to the 50 meter long craft. Things were finally starting to come together on his most important project, Elijah thought. Captain Bodhi Stevens wore a smile on his face as he walked up to Elijah, carrying a comtab with the latest results of the test progress. He was accompanied by First Lieutenant Aly Long, a soldier with vast experience and also persistent positivity.

  Dr. Elijah Jackson watched as the final heat shield was added to the sleek, dark grey side of the Vivaldi, the newest research vessel of the Federated Earth Space Management Authority. The FESMA is an alliance of nations with the purpose of colonizing other planets. The crew was due to embark onto the Vivaldi the next day. Almost all of the tests had been completed, resulting in a skeleton crew working on last minute checks. The ship was sleeker than those of the past, giving a sense of the modernity to the 50 meter long craft. Things were finally starting to come together on his most important project, Elijah thought. Captain Bodhi Stevens wore a smile on his face as he walked up to Elijah, carrying a comtab with the latest results of the test progress. He was accompanied by First Lieutenant Aly Long, a soldier with vast experience and also persistent positivity.

  "Good afternoon, Elijah. The progress looks great! Ambassador Zevoh should be happy with your leadership on this. There is almost nothing left on our checklist." said Bodhi. He moved his finger on the comtab and it displayed only a few unchecked items on a long list of things to do.

  "Good afternoon, Elijah. The progress looks great! Ambassador Zevoh should be happy with your leadership on this. There is almost nothing left on our checklist." said Bodhi. He moved his finger on the comtab and it displayed only a few unchecked items on a long list of things to do.

  "A girl can hope." said Aly. "Where is Riel?" she asked Elijah.

  "A girl can hope." said Aly. "Where is Riel?" she asked Elijah.

  "Lieutenant Riel is doing a security check on the Velocity."

  "Lieutenant Riel is doing a security check on the Vivaldi."

  "No one requested that." said Bodhi, with a shrug. "Desmond. Always taking the initiative. Good for him. He seemed a little stir crazy, waiting for us to go."

  "No one requested that." said Bodhi, with a shrug. "Desmond. Always taking the initiative. Good for him. He seemed a little stir crazy, waiting for us to go."

  "Status, please."

  "Status, please."

  "Ready, Captain. I have my research, star charts, and other equipment on the Velocity."

  "Ready, Captain. I have my research, star charts, and other equipment on the Vivaldi."

  Bodhi nodded. He looked at the group of the FESMA mission control staff. "Status -- All Ready." They nodded at him and started scurrying out of the shuttle bay to the mission control room. The crew of thirteen boarded the ship and the door closed. They took their seats inside and mission control announced the launch countdown. The launch was fairly unceremonious, as they had sent out many ships before and the big event, the warp jump to Testudas, would not happen for about a month. This mission was different from the others as they had to fly to the sun to initiate the new warp drive. The new technology was yet to be tested with a real ship holding passengers. Their goal is to start their survey for their first colonization after arriving on the other side of the warp jump to Testudas. It is Earth-like in many ways. It was chosen because it would give them a good head start on making the planet suitable for human life. The Velocity moves along at blurring speeds to exit the solar system. The crew gets settled in for the first part of their mission

  Bodhi nodded. He looked at the group of the FESMA mission control staff. "Status -- All Ready." They nodded at him and started scurrying out of the shuttle bay to the mission control room. The crew of thirteen boarded the ship and the door closed. They took their seats inside and mission control announced the launch countdown. The launch was fairly unceremonious, as they had sent out many ships before and the big event, the warp jump to Testudas, would not happen for about a month. This mission was different from the others as they had to fly to the sun to initiate the new warp drive. The new technology was yet to be tested with a real ship holding passengers. Their goal is to start their survey for their first colonization after arriving on the other side of the warp jump to Testudas. It is Earth-like in many ways. It was chosen because it would give them a good head start on making the planet suitable for human life. The Vivaldi moves along at blurring speeds to exit the solar system. The crew gets settled in for the first part of their mission

  The Velocity was travelling a speedy two-hundred-thousand kilometers per hour. Twenty-five days had passed since they started their mission, with a couple days remaining until the warp jump to Testudas. Bodhi, Aly, and Desmond were in the Officer's Hall, talking about the current events.

  The Vivaldi was travelling a speedy two-hundred-thousand kilometers per hour. Twenty-five days had passed since they started their mission, with a couple days remaining until the warp jump to Testudas. Bodhi, Aly, and Desmond were in the Officer's Hall, talking about the current events.

  "It's nice to be so close to jump." said Aly.

  "It's nice to be so close to jump." said Aly.

  Riel looked at Bodhi, who in turn looked back at him. Bodhi said, "Of course, I agree. Desmond, go check on her, please."

  Riel looked at Bodhi, who in turn looked back at him. Bodhi said, "Of course, I agree. Desmond, go check on her, please."

  Riel walked out of the Officer's Hall to look for Rose. The ship was not that large, which resulted in a quick recovery. He found Rose in the engine room, he walked upon her. Rose was standing in front of a panel connected to the engine, bent down, apparently looking at something on the device. She read the only words on the object: Kubi. She wasn't sure what it was. Then again, she wasn't sure about a lot of things but her curious mind kept her active.

  Riel walked out of the Officer's Hall to look for Rose. Bodhi looked back to Aly and shrugged.