The First Ones There by Steven Wolff

Author:Steven Wolff [Wolff, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Browncoat Press
Published: 2017-12-24T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Blast off

The ship rumbles to life with a roar, shaking violently like a thousand off-balance washing machines. Everyone is gripping the arm rests as the G-force pulls them deeper into their seats as Mission Control talks to them.

“Everything continues to proceed nominally. Propulsion looks good. You are about to transition through max Q.”

Howard answers back, “Roger that, Mission Control… transitioning through maximum aerodynamic pressure. Cabin pressure integrity holding steady…”

Josh punches the number pad and pulls the steering column. “Adjusting inertial pitch…”

“Copy that Serenity, everything still looking nominal. Prepare for main engine cut off and separation.”

Chantal and April both have their eyes closed as the rest of the crew stare straight ahead at the windows of the ship. The colors change from sky blue, to a blinding white, and then to black – as they suddenly feel weightlessness on their bodies.

Everyone looks around the cabin and then at each other, smiling because of the sensation of floating even though they are strapped to their seats by seatbelts. Mission Control comes back over the headsets, “Main engine has cut off… separation complete. Second stage engine start successful!”

“Telemetry at 75 kilometers and climbing,” Josh says over the headset. “Leaving insertion orbit – starting the phasing angle.”

Howard radios back, “Firing rockets for a second burn… speed approaching 25 thousand kilometers an hour and accelerating.”

Mission Control responds, “Roger Serenity, primary mission still going well – initiate bielliptic transfer.”

“Copy that,” Josh answers. “Approaching matching-velocity of 27, 600 kilometers per hour with the International Space Station.”

“Serenity – you are now in a good orbit with the ISS.”

Howard radios back to Earth, “Beginning second stage power down.”

“Secondary engines are now off.” Josh answers.

April chimes in, “Leak checks are complete. No leaks to report. All systems are performing nominally.”

“Roger that, begin secondary separation.”

Mission Control radios back, “Secondary separation successful. Initiate the rendezvous radar system.”

Josh flips the switch, but nothing happens. He flips it again and gets the same results.

“Automated docking systems are offline.” Josh says with a little panic in his voice.

“No worries,” Howard says calmly, “Standby for manual control maneuvers.”

“Okay, standing by...” Josh says holding both hands tightly on the steering column.

April points out the front window of the ship, “Look, there it is!”

Every person looks up and stares at the beauty of the ISS as its solar panels reflect the blue and white colors of Earth.

“That thing is huge!” Tank says in awe.

Edward responds, “For your information, it’s roughly the size of a football field, from goal post to goal post.”

“It looks like a floating city!” Chantal says.

Josh adds, “It almost looks like a tie-fighter to me.”

Howard comments back, “Of course you would see that. Everything is either Star Wars or Star Trek to you.”

“Tell me that doesn’t look like a giant tie-fighter.”

“Yes… at a certain angle it does.”

“Told ya!”

Chantal looks out the window at the earth rotating quickly, “Mon dieu, it is… breath-taking!”

Mission Control interrupts, “Serenity, manual control has been initiated. It’s all you now.”

Josh smiles a huge grin and looks at Howard who smiles back, “You got this Josh, bring us in… nice and slowly.

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