Callisto 2.0 by Susan English (e novels to read online .txt) 📕

Marta and her crew, more than happy to comply, had already completed the fabrication using the 3D printers, and bots were in the process of fitting the drives. The test was scheduled for Tuesday, November nineteenth, which would give the bots plenty of time to complete the job.

◆◆◆

On the morning of the test, Diana met the engineering team, Hadley, and me in the engineering lab, and Marta initiated the process via her computer console. The first step was disconnecting the hub corridor from the dock module, after sealing off the module and corridor (and triple-checking with Annie to make sure no crew member was in the corridor or the module). We couldn’t see what was happening from engineering, but we felt a slight tremor when the corridor and module decoupled. Then, she typed in the commands which would send the module to a location about five hundred kilometers from the Moon.

It wasn’t the first time I marveled at how amazing it was to have not one, but six space-faring vessels, each with its own propulsion system. Yes, Diana definitely liked to think big. Feeling a wave of fondness for this beautiful woman wash over me, I glanced over at her as we waited for the module to reach its launch position. I was shocked to see her expression—brows knitted together, jaw tightly clenched, the color draining from her face—as if the results of this experiment were of life-and-death importance.

Seeing her this way felt out of character, she was always so calm and self-possessed. But then again, it made sense she would be nervous. The module was huge, and the scale of what we were doing was incredible. I, for one, was feeling a little shaky.

“The module is in position,” said Marta, looking at Diana.

Diana’s expression quickly changed. Now this was the Diana we all knew, poised and self-assured, our fearless leader. “Go ahead, Marta.”

Marta entered a few more commands into her console. “It’s done,” she said.

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We had programmed the drive to transport the module to the Alpha Centauri system, a mere 4.37 light-years away. A very conservative distance, to be sure, but Diana’s reasoning was if something happened and the module was unable to return, we would have an outpost that could serve humanity in the future. With conventional propulsion, a ship could theoretically reach the system in about a hundred years. The team had programmed the module to shut down after one week, to conserve energy and be ready for the arrival of any future generations. If it returned as planned, we would simply cancel the shutdown and reconnect the module. Now all we could do was wait. If all went well, the module would return in three hours.

“Marvelous work, everyone,” said Diana. “No matter what the outcome of this experiment is, I’m so proud of all of you, and it is such an honor to be surrounded by so many brilliant minds and exceptional human beings.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Diana,” said Andrea. We all nodded in agreement.

Diana gave us a luminous smile. “We have three hours. I’ll be in my office, but let’s meet here again for the return.” She headed out the door.

I followed Diana into the hallway. “Diana, wait,” I called as the door shut behind us.

She turned to face me. “Are you okay?”

“Thank you, Callisto, for your concern,” she said with a heavy sigh. “I have a lot on my mind lately.”

“Anything you want to talk about?” Must be the problems with the Foundation.

What in the Universe could be going on?

“Perhaps another time.” She brightened. “Right now, I’d rather think about this experiment with the module.”

I studied her face. Both she and Izumi had a habit of changing the subject when it didn’t suit them. When were they going to trust us the way we trusted them?

“Where are you heading, Calli?”

“I think I’ll spend the time in the park.” I gestured toward the entrance to the ops park across the hallway. “Care to join me?”

“No, thank you. I have some work to do in my office.”

“Okay. See you in a couple of hours.”

I spent the time sitting in the park. There was so much to think about: the warp drive, the mysterious problems with the Foundation, Naomi’s imminent absence, Pavani’s enchanting eyes, but I couldn’t concentrate on any of it. Instead, I sat quietly, observing as my thoughts flit from topic to topic, like bees going from flower to flower, but for some reason my mind didn’t attach itself to any one idea. I was aware of my body, my steady breathing, my heartbeat. I had never felt so present or so calm.

Several hours later I made my way back to the engineering lab, light-hearted and relaxed. Maybe this was what Tanya was talking about, with her meditation. Perhaps I would join them one Sunday after all.

When I entered the lab, everyone else was there waiting. I stole a peek at Diana. She seemed eager and relaxed. Maybe she had spent her time meditating as well. At the 220

three-hour mark, we were all staring at the main computer display, waiting for the data feed to show that the dock module was once again in our local space.

And then there it was! Long-range sensors indicated that the module had returned, appearing as if by magic. Tears stung my eyes as first Hadley, then Andrea, and even Marta gave me a hug. This was huge! We would need to confirm that the module had made the journey without any damage—that would be the focus of the engineering team for the next several days—but the fact the module had made it back was a major triumph.

“This calls for a celebration!” said Diana. “We’ll break out the champagne balls at the next social. I’m so thrilled!” And she looked it, too. Any trace of apprehension had disappeared from her face. “If you will all excuse me, I want to tell Izumi the big news!”

I watched as she hurried out the door. Everything was fine, everything was going perfectly. As for any issues, I was sure Diana and Izumi could handle them, and if not, I knew the entire crew of Shambhala would support them in any way possible, ready to help in whatever way we could.

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