And just like that the stars straighten in front of us.
Our Starcraft shakes, an effect of the Photon Phlaps™️ as we outjump from Translight at Waypoint Victor Tango IVO the SCR 1845-6357 star system.
“MECO completed on schedule,” she says from her flight coach at the NAV. “I hit this one right on the nose.”
“Deploy spoilers,” I say. “I need to open the sensor array.”
The deep-sounding drone whine of the Translight Motor powering down is omnipresent, surrounding us and vibrating our flesh and bones, not in a pleasant way nor in an unpleasant way—just a way.
The aroma of cooked high-end hot dogs and lightly-toasted buns floods the COMM deck, a side effect from the Translight jump.
I immediately think of a grain mustard provincial and stuff, and am desirous of dog and bun without the sin of ketchup (or catsup).
“Can I plot a jump or what?” she says. She’s pleased.
“Indeed,” is all I can muster, my voice stale, my breath heavy from the overcooked fish I had yesterday.
From my vantage and through the flight deck’s wide clear canopy, the ruddy light of the star system’s ultra cool red dwarf splashes a deep red hue over the interior of the COMM deck.
A puzzled look from her. “You feel okay?”
I exhale with a certain sigh. “I’m fine. Let’s get on with this.”
“Okay,” she says. “I’m curious, though. What lead you to becoming a interstellar gas specialist?”
“Ready to run the simulation,” I say.
“Begin,” she says.
I ease back on my flight coach as the A.I. begins probing. “Interest in gas runs in my family, if you must know. We have a long history there.”
She nods.
We’ve only done two missions together. This one just involves routine simulation of a bifurcated void interaction near the red dwarf’s outer atmosphere layer. But no matter.
“There are certain gas emissions that shape our reality,” I say. “Or at least what we perceive is reality.”
She smiles. “Your simulation is online.”
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