The morning of the NASA meeting arrived faster than Elanor anticipated. He woke up with a sense of purpose thrumming in his veins, a mix of nerves and excitement propelling him out of bed. This was the day—the day they would present their research to NASA's top astrophysicists and officially kick off what could be the most significant project of their careers. The stakes had never been higher, and the weight of it sat on his shoulders like a heavy, but welcome, burden.
Elanor arrived at the lab early, the chill of the autumn morning lingering in the air as he walked through the quiet campus. The lab, in contrast, was already buzzing with activity. Margaret was by the whiteboard, fine-tuning some last-minute equations, while David was hunched over his computer, reviewing the simulations they planned to present.
"Morning," Elanor greeted, setting his bag down and immediately booting up his own workstation. He glanced at the screen as the system loaded, his mind already racing through their presentation points.
Margaret didn't look up from the whiteboard. "I hope you're ready, because this meeting could change the entire trajectory of our work. Everything depends on how we handle this today."
"No pressure, right?" David muttered, though his tone held more excitement than anxiety.
Elanor smiled, feeling the same nervous energy that had gripped the entire team. "We've got this. Our data is solid, and NASA's interested for a reason. We just need to stay focused and present everything clearly."
Margaret finally turned to face them, her sharp gaze scanning the room. "Exactly. This isn't the time for doubt. We've prepared for this, and now we need to show them that we're ready to lead this project."
David nodded, though Elanor could see the tension in his shoulders. They were all feeling it—the immense pressure of what was about to happen. But there was also a palpable sense of anticipation, the knowledge that they were on the verge of something groundbreaking. This was what they had been working toward for months, if not years, and now it was time to see if their work could withstand the scrutiny of the world's leading space agency.
The meeting was set to be virtual, hosted through NASA's secure network. Their team would be joining from various locations, including scientists from the James Webb Space Telescope team, NASA's Astrophysics Division, and even a few researchers from CERN who had been looped in for their expertise on dark matter.
Elanor's stomach churned with nerves, but he forced himself to stay calm. He had done presentations before—countless ones, in fact—but this was different. This wasn't just another academic conference. This was NASA. The weight of that hit him again as he sat down at his desk, glancing at the clock. Fifteen minutes to go.
Margaret walked over, holding a cup of coffee that she handed to Elanor. "Here. You'll need it," she said with a faint smile.
He took it gratefully. "Thanks. How are you feeling?"
Margaret leaned against the edge of the desk, her expression thoughtful. "Confident. Nervous, but confident. We've done the work, Elanor. This isn't about luck—this is about making sure they see what we already know."
Elanor nodded, appreciating her calmness. Margaret had always been the rock of their team, unflinching in the face of pressure. Her steadiness helped ground him now, as they prepared to step into the biggest meeting of their professional lives.
Ten minutes later, they were all seated in front of their screens, the video conferencing software open and ready to connect them with NASA. The waiting room felt like an eternity, the clock ticking down in slow motion. Elanor could hear David muttering to himself as he checked the data files for the tenth time, ensuring that everything was ready for their presentation.
Then, with a soft chime, the screen lit up, and NASA's logo appeared, followed by a grid of faces—their collaborators, advisors, and a few of NASA's top astrophysicists. The team from the James Webb Space Telescope was there, as well as senior scientists from the Astrophysics Division, and several prominent researchers whose names Elanor recognized instantly.
"Good morning," came the voice of Dr. Sylvia Cortez, NASA's lead astrophysicist for the project. She was an imposing figure in the world of astrophysics, renowned for her work on galaxy formation and the cosmic web. Her dark hair was tied back, and her sharp eyes looked directly into the camera as she spoke. "We've been looking forward to this meeting. Let's get started."
Elanor's heart pounded in his chest, but he kept his voice steady as he introduced their team. "Good morning, Dr. Cortez, and thank you to everyone for joining us today. We're excited to present our findings and discuss the potential for collaboration on this project."
He launched into the presentation, taking the lead as they outlined their discovery step by step. Margaret and David chimed in at key points, explaining the data in detail, while Elanor guided the narrative. They presented the ALMA observations, the cold gas simulations, and their theory of how dark matter was interacting with baryonic matter to accelerate star formation in certain galaxies.
The screen flickered with simulations of galaxies, their rotational curves highlighting the deviations caused by dark matter's influence. Elanor explained how their data showed a feedback loop between dark matter and cold gas regions, something that had never been seen before.
As the presentation went on, Elanor felt the tension in the room ease slightly. The NASA scientists listened intently, nodding at key moments, occasionally jotting down notes. They asked questions—good, probing questions—but none of them seemed skeptical. Instead, their inquiries suggested they were already thinking ahead, considering the implications of the data.
Dr. Cortez spoke up after one of the simulations. "The interaction you're suggesting between dark matter and baryonic matter—if proven—could fundamentally change our understanding of galaxy formation. You're proposing a mechanism that hasn't been considered before, one that suggests dark matter is playing a much more active role than we thought."
"That's correct," Margaret replied, her voice steady. "We've always assumed that dark matter was simply providing a gravitational framework for galaxies to form within. But our data suggests it's more than that—dark matter is directly influencing star formation by creating conditions that accelerate the process in certain regions."
Another scientist, Dr. Farouk Hasan from the James Webb Space Telescope team, leaned forward in his chair. "Your proposal to use the James Webb to confirm these interactions is sound. We've been looking at similar high-density regions in distant galaxies, and your findings could align with some of our preliminary observations. If your theory holds, we'll need to rethink how we approach dark matter in all of our models."
Elanor felt a rush of excitement at Dr. Hasan's words. If the James Webb data aligned with their findings, it would be the final piece of the puzzle, the confirmation they needed to fully support their theory.
Dr. Cortez nodded thoughtfully. "We're on board with this collaboration. The next step will be to narrow down the list of target galaxies for observation. We want to focus on galaxies that will give us the clearest view of these interactions, particularly those with high concentrations of cold gas."
David, who had been waiting for this moment, chimed in. "We've already started narrowing down the list. Based on our simulations, we've identified several galaxies that show the strongest signs of dark matter interaction with cold gas regions. We'll provide you with our list, but we're also open to suggestions from the James Webb team."
Dr. Cortez glanced at her colleagues, nodding. "Good. Let's start with your list, and we'll cross-reference it with our own data. We're on a tight timeline, but I believe we can move quickly on this. The sooner we get the observations, the sooner we can start analyzing the results."
The rest of the meeting moved quickly. They discussed logistics, the timeline for the observations, and how the data would be shared and analyzed. The collaboration was official now, and the excitement was clear on both sides. This was no longer just an academic exercise—this was real. NASA had taken their work seriously, and now they were moving forward together.
As the meeting drew to a close, Dr. Cortez addressed them one last time. "I want to commend your team for the work you've done so far. You've brought something new to the table, and we're eager to see where this goes. I'll be in touch later this week with next steps, but for now, congratulations. You've earned this."
With that, the screen flickered, and the meeting ended.
Elanor sat back in his chair, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The room was quiet for a moment as the reality of what had just happened sank in.
Margaret was the first to speak, a small, satisfied smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Well
, I think that went better than expected."
David let out a long breath, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head in disbelief. "NASA, James Webb, full collaboration—this is unreal. We're really doing this."
Elanor nodded, still processing the enormity of what they had just accomplished. They had done it. NASA was fully on board, and they were about to lead one of the most groundbreaking astrophysics projects in recent memory. The implications of what they had proposed—the possibility of dark matter playing an active role in galaxy formation—were staggering. And now, with the James Webb Space Telescope at their disposal, they had the opportunity to prove it.
Margaret stood up and stretched, her usual calm demeanor betraying a hint of satisfaction. "I'm going to finalize our target list tonight. We need to get that to Dr. Cortez and her team as soon as possible."
Elanor nodded, his mind already turning to the next steps. They needed to be meticulous in their selection of galaxies. The James Webb telescope had incredible precision, but their observation time would be limited. Every second of data had to count.
"Let's meet tomorrow morning to go over the list," Elanor suggested. "We should be ready to defend our choices when NASA starts asking questions. They'll have their own priorities, but we need to make sure the galaxies we've identified are the best candidates for confirming the dark matter interactions."
David pushed back from his desk, finally letting himself relax. "I'll cross-check everything again tonight. But we're in good shape. The simulations are solid, and the ALMA data backs it all up."
Margaret nodded in agreement, already gathering her notes. "Good. Let's not lose momentum. We've got NASA's attention, but now we need to prove we can deliver."
As Margaret and David began wrapping up for the day, Elanor stayed at his desk for a moment longer, letting the adrenaline of the meeting subside. He glanced at the simulation still running on his monitor, the swirling galaxies and cold gas clouds forming intricate patterns. The scope of the project was daunting, but for the first time in a long time, he felt ready. They were standing on the edge of something monumental, and Elanor knew that this discovery could reshape everything they thought they knew about the universe.
Later that evening, Elanor found himself driving back through the city, the events of the day still playing out in his mind. He could hardly believe how far they had come—just a few months ago, this had been a wild theory, something they weren't sure would even pan out. And now, NASA had placed their trust in them, handing over time on the most advanced telescope in existence.
He pulled up outside his apartment building, the familiar sight of the city streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. But instead of heading inside, Elanor found himself reaching for his phone. He opened his messages and scrolled to the most recent conversation with Raya.
Elanor: I need to see you. Can I come over?
He hit send before he could second-guess himself. A moment later, his phone buzzed with her reply.
Raya: Of course. I'm home. Come by anytime.
Elanor smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. It had been a long day—a milestone day, really—and there was no one he wanted to share it with more than Raya.
Twenty minutes later, Elanor was knocking on Raya's door, his mind still buzzing with the day's events. When she opened the door, her face lit up with a warm smile that instantly eased the tension in his shoulders.
"Hey," she greeted, stepping aside to let him in. "I wasn't expecting to see you tonight."
Elanor stepped inside, his gaze taking in the cozy familiarity of her apartment. "I needed to clear my head. It's been... a big day."
Raya raised an eyebrow, closing the door behind him. "A big day with NASA, I take it?"
Elanor chuckled softly. "Yeah. They've officially brought us on to collaborate. We're going to be leading the dark matter project, using the James Webb Space Telescope."
Raya's eyes widened in amazement. "That's incredible, Elanor! I knew you'd do it, but still... NASA. That's huge."
Elanor nodded, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the back of the couch. "It's surreal. I mean, we're talking about the kind of discovery that could completely reshape how we understand the universe. And now we're in charge of proving it."
Raya moved closer, her expression softening. "And you will. I've seen how hard you've worked for this—you're ready for it."
Elanor smiled, grateful for her
reassurance. He felt the weight of the day lift slightly as he looked at her, realizing just how much he appreciated having someone like Raya in his life—a steady presence in the midst of all the chaos.
"Thanks," Elanor said quietly, his voice full of sincerity. "It's just... overwhelming. This project is everything I've worked toward, and now it's real. It's happening, and I want to make sure we don't screw it up."
Raya reached out, gently taking his hand. "You won't. You've got this, Elanor. You've always been the kind of person who dives headfirst into the unknown, and you always find your way. This is no different. You're ready for whatever comes next."
Elanor squeezed her hand, the warmth of her words sinking in. He felt a sense of calm settle over him, knowing that no matter what happened with the project, he had her support. "It helps knowing you believe that," he admitted with a small smile.
Raya smiled back, her eyes full of warmth. "Always."
She led him over to the couch, and they sat down together, the quiet of her apartment wrapping around them like a blanket. Orion, as usual, made his way over to investigate, hopping onto the back of the couch and rubbing his head against Elanor's shoulder.
Elanor chuckled softly, reaching up to scratch behind Orion's ears. "I think he remembers me."
Raya laughed. "Of course he does. You're practically family now."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the weight of the day slowly ebbing away. Elanor found himself thinking about how far they had both come—not just in their professional lives, but in their personal connection as well. After everything that had happened between them, it felt like they were finally in a place of peace, where they could just be themselves, without all the complications and missed opportunities of the past.
Eventually, Raya broke the silence, her voice soft but curious. "So... what happens next? Now that NASA's on board, I mean."
Elanor leaned back, resting his arm along the back of the couch. "Well, we have a lot of work to do. We're refining our list of target galaxies, working out the logistics of the observations with the James Webb team. Once we get the data, we'll start analyzing it in-depth, looking for the same dark matter interactions we've seen in our simulations. If we can confirm that dark matter is actively influencing star formation, it'll change everything about how we understand galaxy formation."
Raya's brow furrowed slightly, her photographer's mind clearly trying to grasp the complexities of the science. "So, it's not just about dark matter holding galaxies together? It's actually... shaping them?"
Elanor nodded, appreciating how quickly she grasped the core of the idea. "Exactly. We've always thought dark matter was just a gravitational scaffolding—something that pulled galaxies together and kept them from flying apart. But our data suggests that it's doing more than that. It's interacting with cold gas clouds in these galaxies, creating the right conditions for stars to form faster than they otherwise would."
Raya's eyes widened. "That's... kind of mind-blowing."
"It is," Elanor agreed, the excitement returning to his voice. "If we're right, dark matter is one of the key drivers of galaxy evolution. It's not just passive—it's an active part of how galaxies form and grow."
Raya smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I still don't understand all the science behind it, but I do understand that you're about to make one of the biggest discoveries in astrophysics. That's pretty amazing."
Elanor felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. "I couldn't have gotten here without you," he said softly. "You've been my anchor through all of this, Raya. When everything else felt like it was spinning out of control, you helped me stay grounded."
Raya looked up at him, her eyes shining with affection. "I'm glad I could be that for you, Elanor. But you've done the hard work. You're the one pushing the boundaries of what we know about the universe."
They sat there for a while longer, the weight of the day slowly fading as they talked about lighter things—Raya's latest photography projects, their favorite spots in the city, and even future plans they might explore together. The pressure of the NASA project still loomed, but in this moment, Elanor allowed himself to relax. There was still time to prepare, still time to ensure that everything would go smoothly.
And for now, he was content just to be here with Raya.
The next morning, Elanor returned to the lab feeling more focused than ever. The team had a full day ahead of them, refining their target list and preparing for the upcoming observations. They had a few days before their next meeting with NASA, but every hour counted now.
David was already at his desk when Elanor arrived, his face lit up by the glow of his computer screen. "I've narrowed down the target galaxies," he said without looking up. "I've run simulations on about thirty candidates, and I think we can get it down to ten or twelve that show the strongest signs of dark matter interactions."
Elanor moved over to David's desk, scanning the list. "That's a good start. We need to prioritize galaxies that are relatively nearby but still dense enough to show clear interactions. NASA's going to want something definitive."
Margaret entered the lab just then, holding two cups of coffee and looking as determined as ever. "I've been going over the math again," she said, handing one of the cups to Elanor. "We need to be extra careful about the galaxies we choose. We only have a limited window with James Webb, and if we waste time on targets that don't give us solid data, we'll lose credibility."
Elanor nodded, taking a sip of the coffee. "Agreed. Let's go through the list and make sure we're all on the same page before we send it to NASA. We'll need to back up each choice with solid reasoning."
The team spent the next several hours poring over the data, cross-referencing simulations with real-world observations from ALMA and the European Southern Observatory. Each galaxy had to be vetted thoroughly, its potential to reveal new insights weighed carefully against the practical constraints of time and telescope resources.
As the day wore on, Elanor could feel the pressure building again. The stakes were high, but the team was focused, working like a well-oiled machine. Margaret was relentless in her pursuit of precision, scrutinizing every detail, while David ran new simulations to account for any variables they might have missed.
By late afternoon, they had their list. Twelve galaxies, each one selected for its unique characteristics and its potential to reveal the hidden interactions between dark matter and baryonic matter.
Elanor leaned back in his chair, exhaustion setting in but satisfaction coursing through him. "This is it," he said, looking at Margaret and David. "This is what we're going to present to NASA. These are the galaxies that will either prove or disprove our theory."
Margaret nodded, her expression steely but triumphant. "Then let's make sure we're ready. We've come this far—now it's time to show the world what we've found."