Once the first vessel was fitted with the newly functional engines, the second took half the time. The third then took even less than that. His crew was getting to know each other very well, and that was speeding up productivity. The first few ships were already half way or even near completion when the engineers stumbled into issues with the engines. This is where Eric came in and while he worked hard to make sure the engines were tip top, the rest of the vessels were fully constructed. Drummond didn't expect Saunders to be so hands on, but he was on site everyday working with engineers. Eric was determined to keep his word and as long as the rest of the ship was ready to go, it would be air worthy within a few months as promised. It was coming along nicely and Eric occasionally took the time to look back and adore the sheer size of the massive space craft.
"Damn," he muttered to himself, "This is a big bitch."
"It's almost twice the size of our biggest aircraft carrier," one of the techs working near him mentioned, "They're going to take a handful of us along, just in case something breaks. They're looking for volunteers to go and even stay on Mars."
"Are you going?" Eric asked the man.
"I'm not sure," the tech replied, "I'm nervous about starting life on a planet that doesn't look very hospitable."
"Once these engines are done, I'm going up there with the human transport." Eric told him, "I'm going to try to make as many trips as I can to make sure as much supplies and materials get there to improve our chances of success."
"I don't even know how we intend to breathe up there," The tech wondered.
"Great minds are working on that issue," Eric reminded him, "Let's just stick to our problem and get these beasts into the sky. This ship needs to be finished on time or it's my ass on the line. This ship is going to be carrying the most sensitive cargo of them all, which is why it's the biggest."
"What is that?" the tech asked.
"Mankind," Eric answered, "Our last chance to survive this disaster. So let's get back to work so we can make our deadlines."
"Yes, Doctor Saunders." The tech replied as he went back to work.
There was nothing more said between the tech as they all furiously went back to work on what was mankind's last hope. Eric had gone back to his own obsessions until someone came into the massive hanger and called for him on a loudspeaker.
"Dr. Saunders." The man loudly called out.
"What is it?" he called back.
"Your daughter is here." he replied.
Eric removed himself from his work and the massive ship he was working on for something either than sleep and food for the first time in several months. As he walked out of the construction zone, he peeled off his work equipment, his jumpsuit and quickly changed into something more casual, like jeans and a white t-shirt. He cleaned up his face and brushed his teeth in the bathroom before finally strolling beyond the secured zone and into the lobby which was open to the public. When he saw his oldest child out there, he had to pause for a moment. He couldn't believe how mature she looked for her age. She had only been in college a few years but she looked so beautiful. He on the other had looked totally different, with worker's hands and a larg4e beard, Eric looked like he just finished several straight months on an oil rig.
"Hey kiddo!" Eric said, as he put on a smile for her, "It's great to see you!"
"Dad," the young woman replied, gesturing to the officers in the room, "Why did these feds pull me off campus?"
"Because I asked them to," Eric answered, "I'm really sorry Jessica, but I needed to speak with you."
"They work for you?" she asked him.
"They work for the project," Eric said to her, "And I'm one of the heads of this particular project."
"Is this where you've been?" she asked him, "We actually thought you were dead for a while."
"And I'm sorry about that," Eric said, "Sometimes when I find the right project, I lose myself in it and this one has a very tight deadline."
"What are you working on?" Jessica asked him.
"I'd like to tell you, but I can't out here." Eric said, gesturing to the doors, "We need to find somewhere more secure to discuss this."
Jessica seemed a little startled by the request but since it was her father, she followed him into the more secure part of the facility. Rather than take her into any room where she could see what they were working on, he led her into a small room with a couch and no windows.
"This is a little creepy." Jessica said as she sat down.
"Look, what I am about to tell you is highly classified." Eric said as he grabbed a small chair and sat across from her, "In about six months, the President is going to address Congress and the nation about it, but I've been authorized to tell you today. If you can keep it to yourself for that long, we can discuss your new living arrangements."
"My new living arrangements?" Jessica repeated, "What are you talking about?"
"To put it bluntly, I'm moving away." Eric replied, which was pretty much true considering the circumstances, "The people in charge of this project have allowed me the right to invite a few people to come with me and share in the adventure."
"What adventure?" Jessica asked, "What are you talking about?"
Eric paused for a moment and scratched his scruff. "Do you remember what I said to you when I was making that first light-core engine in the garage?"
"You said that the engine would be the future of space travel," Jessica answered, as if it was yesterday.
"And I made a promise to you that day," Eric said, hoping she would remember that too. "Do you remember what it was?"
"That if you ever went into space," Jessica recalled, "That you would let me fly with you into the stars..."
"And that's why you're here," Eric said as he stood up and offered his hand to her, "I'm here to keep that promise."
She took his hand and he led her through the secure check points and into the massive hanger where the spacecraft was being constructed.
"Oh my gawd!" Jessica said as she looked at the ship, "Are those your engines!"
"Yes," Eric said, beaming with pride, "Mere months from now, this ship is going to be in space, transporting a precious cargo to another planet."
His daughter looked back at him. "Where is it going?"
Eric smiled, "Mars."
"I can't believe it!" Jessica said as she was so proud of her father, "Your engines are going to take people to Mars?"
"Yes," Eric confirmed, "Our first off world colony. I'll be leaving with this ship and I was wondering if you wanted to fly to the stars with me."
"You're going to Mars?" Jessica said, as she could hardly believe it.
"I am," Eric said, "And so can you if you'd like to keep me company."
"What about mom?" Jessica asked.
"She'll be fine here." Eric lied. "You know how much she hates to fly."
"Why are you telling me now?" Jessica asked.
"All passengers are being taken for testing right now," Eric informed her, "By the time the president makes his announcement, all the colonists will be selected and all ready to lift off. A lot of people will not be happy about the lack of transparency but this is the way it has to be to avoid issues."
"How many people are going with us?" Jessica asked, as she continued to look at the massive craft in awe.
"This thing can hold as many as Twenty-five thousand in a pinch," Eric replied, "But we're going to settle for a comfortable twenty. The rest of the space will be used for extra rations and other stuff we might need to take along."
"What is it called?" his child asked, curious about its title.
"A lot of techs wanted to call it Enterprise," Eric replied, "But I chose a name that was very fitting for it: The Elpis."
Jessica looked back at him, "Why did you call it that?"
"Elpis is from Greek Mythology," Eric told her, "She was the last spirit to remain in the jar after Pandora unleashed the evils that were in it. She is to the Greeks the very personification of hope."
"I like it," Jessica said as she looked back at the ship, unaware that its name was fitting as it going to be the last ship to leave Earth, possibly before it would be destroyed by a massive asteroid; mankind's last hope riding on the shoulders of Elpis.
"So, are you in?" Eric asked her.
Jessica leaned over and hugged her father. "I'll drop out of school tomorrow."
"That's my girl," Eric said as he squeezed her tight, "This might not be a cake walk, but I can assure you this... the voyage won't be boring."
"I'll bring my I-pad just in case." She replied.
"Good idea." Eric said, "And don't forget your charge cord."