Velocity - Chapter 1

  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 Terran Representative Organization. The TRO 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.

  "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.

  Elijah nodded, "The heat shields are almost done. The only thing left for us is a good night's sleep."

  "That's easier said that done," said Aly. "I am too excited for this project to really start." She rolled her feet between the ball of her heels and her toes, in apparent excitement. As second in command, and part of the security team, she was itching to go start the exploring Testudas.

  "I've been working really hard on our little mission over here!" Elijah said, laughing. "As, we all have, of course. Don't expect to have to use your weapon too much, Lieutenant. This is just going to be a research mission. We don't expect any fauna on 44 Testudas Cc. Or any flora that would require... your tools, for that matter."

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

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

  "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."

  "It seems like he's not the only one. Joshua was up there earlier, too. He's a great worker, obviously, but he has been working extra hard. I think he's looking for a pay rise to save for your new house." said Elijah to Aly.

  Aly nodded, "We're both working on that. It's not cheap, is it? At least our honeymoon is set." She smiled. "I hope Testudas has some nice beaches." Bodhi and Elijah laughed.

  "Well, I hope you're packed. I know I am." said Elijah. Bodhi and Aly smiled as they walked away.

  Bodhi and Aly stumbled upon Second Lieutenant Desmond Riel in the hall. Riel was looking down at the floor in contemplation as they came up to him.

  "Riel!" said Bodhi, grabbing him by surprise.

  "Hello, Captain." replied Riel. "Is something wrong?"

  "No. How was your security check?"

  "oh. Umm, nothing out of the ordinary."

  "Get a good night's sleep, Lieutenant."

  "Of course." Riel said, dryly.

  The next morning, the crew arrived at the docking bay. Eleven people were lined up, facing the ship. There was a group of TRO mission control staff awaiting the departure, all dressed up in white lab coats. Bodhi and Elijah stood in front of the crew. They walked up to the start of the line to the first crew member to confirm that they were ready.

  "First Lieutenant Aly Long. Status, please." said Bodhi, with the head researcher following behind.

  "Ready. My weapon was serviced. My gear is onboard. Security clearances set up. The armory is stocked."

  "Second Lieutenant Desmond Riel. Status, please."

  "Ready, sir. My weapon was serviced. My gear is onboard. Final walkthrough complete."

  "Joshua Long. Status, please."

  "Ready. My tools and equipment are onboard. Final engine tests were passing complete."

  "Anissa Nazari. Status, please."

  "Ready, Captain. My lab equipment is onboard. I have biological samples onboard."

  "Pete Williamson. Status, please."

  "We're ready. My language archives are uploaded to our systems."

  "Ryuji Shimizu. Status, onegaishimasu."

  "Hai. Ready. My tools are on the ship. My robots is onboard. My equipment is onboard."

  "Ai Wu. Status, please."

  "Ready, Captain. My consultation room is set up and my medicine is onboard. As are my books."

  "Kamala Brimble. Status, please."

  "Good to go. My medicine and supplies are in the medical bay. Our medical literature is uploaded to the system. The bay has everything that I requested. Thank you."

  "April June. Status, please."

  "Ready, Bodhi. All I needed was a computer and something to write on." Captain Bodhi gave her a side glance. "I mean, Captain Stevens." She smiled.

  "Hans Schreiber. Status, please."

  "Ready, sir. The systems have been uploaded mit sie data from our archives. Research reference material ist available to us now."

  "Rose Camisa. Status, please."

  "Ready to go. All my junk is on board."

  Bodhi looked at her. "All of it?" He said in an accusatory manner.

  "Well not that thing that you told me not to bring." Rose said. Bodhi stared at her for a long five seconds to see if he can see any deception. He turned to Elijah.

  "Status, please."

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

  Bodhi nodded. He looked at the group of the TRO 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 several days. This mission was different from the others as they had to leave the solar system to initiate the new warp drive. Mission control scientists agreed that the warp jump should occur away from large gravitational sources like planets and stars. 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