The second week of training was underway, and NASA's training facility hummed with activity as Elanor and Raya arrived early on Monday morning. After the challenges of their first week—the grueling physical conditioning, the awkward fumbling in Zero-G simulations, and the seemingly endless briefings—Elanor had expected things to ease up. But as he and Raya sat in the briefing room, they were quickly disillusioned of that notion.
Dr. Hernandez, their no-nonsense trainer, stood at the front of the room with a list of the week's objectives displayed on the screen behind her. The schedule was even more intense than the first week, packed with new skills they would need for life on the ISS, including basic engineering tasks, zero-gravity maneuvering, and emergency protocol drills.
"Alright, everyone," Dr. Hernandez began, her voice carrying a weight of authority that demanded full attention. "You've gotten a taste of what it takes to survive in a zero-gravity environment, but last week was just the start. This week, we're diving deeper. By the end of this training, you should be able to complete basic tasks in Zero-G, handle unexpected situations, and respond effectively to emergency protocols. Understood?"
Elanor exchanged a quick look with Raya, whose expression was a mix of determination and apprehension. They both nodded in unison.
"Understood," they replied.
Dr. Hernandez nodded approvingly and launched into the day's agenda. First on the list was a set of Zero-G maneuvering exercises in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, a familiar setup but with new levels of difficulty. They would have to perform basic maintenance tasks similar to what astronauts carried out on the ISS, all while learning to handle tools and navigate the simulated zero-gravity environment.
As they suited up, Raya fidgeted with the straps on her suit, casting nervous glances around the room. Elanor noticed her unease and offered a reassuring smile.
"You're going to be fine," he said softly. "Just take it slow, like Dr. Hernandez said."
Raya laughed, though it sounded slightly strained. "Easy for you to say. You're the scientist who grew up dreaming about this. I'm the photographer who spent last week bouncing off the walls like a pinball."
Elanor chuckled. "Hey, I spent plenty of time flailing around too. But look at it this way—you're not just here as a guest. You're here as part of the experience. It's not about getting it perfect; it's about learning."
Raya smiled at him, her eyes softening. "Thanks, Elanor. I needed that."
Once they were fully suited up, they entered the Neutral Buoyancy Lab. The massive pool loomed ahead, with a structure suspended in the water designed to replicate parts of the ISS's external modules. This time, they would practice attaching equipment to a panel and securing loose components—tasks that required both precision and calm under pressure.
Elanor entered the pool first, lowering himself in carefully, feeling the familiar sensation of buoyancy as he began to float. He steadied himself, gripping the handrail attached to the side of the simulated ISS module. Raya followed, a bit shakily, but with a determined look on her face.
"Alright, your task is to secure this panel with the bolts provided," Dr. Hernandez's voice crackled through the helmet's communicator. "Remember, small movements. You don't need big motions to get around. Stay focused."
Elanor nodded, adjusting himself and reaching for the bolt gun attached to his suit. He steadied himself, aiming carefully before positioning the first bolt into the pre-marked slot on the panel. It was a slow process, his movements deliberate as he fought against the gentle pull of the water.
Raya, however, had a harder time. She gripped the handrail too tightly, overcompensating for the buoyancy, and when she reached out to grab a tool, she accidentally let go of the handrail and drifted backward, her body spinning slightly.
"Oh, not again," she muttered, trying to steady herself as she flailed one arm out to catch the rail.
"Take it slow, Raya," Elanor said, watching her carefully. "Small adjustments. Think of it as… moving in slow motion."
Raya gave him a mock glare, but she took his advice, slowly reaching out to grasp the handrail again. This time, she steadied herself and managed to grab the tool, her movements becoming more controlled. After a few tries, she began to attach the panel with greater ease.
"Okay, this isn't as bad as last time," she said, a bit breathless but clearly relieved.
"See? You're getting the hang of it," Elanor encouraged.
Dr. Hernandez's voice crackled in their helmets again. "Good job, Elanor and Raya. Once you secure that panel, we'll move on to tool management in Zero-G. Remember, everything you let go of can and will float away."
As they moved through the tasks, Elanor found himself falling into a rhythm, the nervousness giving way to focus. He was in his element, tackling the challenges with a steady hand and a calm mind. But what surprised him was how Raya was adapting. Though clumsy at first, she was improving with every task, her initial hesitation giving way to a determined concentration that impressed even Dr. Hernandez.
By the end of the day, they were both exhausted but satisfied. They returned to the changing area, peeling off their suits and helmets, feeling the weight of gravity settle back on their bodies.
"That was… actually kind of amazing," Raya admitted as she ran a towel over her damp hair. "I mean, I still bumped into everything, but… I'm starting to understand why people do this."
Elanor smiled, drying off his own face. "It's incredible, isn't it? The closest we'll get to space without actually leaving Earth."
Raya looked thoughtful, her eyes distant. "It makes me wonder… what's it going to be like on the ISS? If this is just the training, how much more intense will the real thing be?"
Elanor didn't have an answer for her. He could only imagine what it would feel like to be weightless, to look out the window and see Earth below. But the thought filled him with excitement rather than fear.
The next day, they began training in emergency protocols. Dr. Hernandez explained that these were non-negotiable; even though Elanor and Raya were only visitors, they had to know how to respond to emergencies onboard the ISS. There were numerous hazards in space—fires, depressurization, even collisions with micrometeoroids—and every astronaut needed to be prepared.
"Today, we'll be practicing a depressurization drill," Dr. Hernandez announced, leading them to a sealed training module that mimicked the inside of the ISS. "In the unlikely event of a breach in the station's hull, you'll have only seconds to respond. Panic is your enemy. Stay calm, follow protocol, and make sure you're aware of your surroundings."
Raya's eyes widened as she took in the seriousness of Dr. Hernandez's tone. "A breach? That… that sounds terrifying."
Dr. Hernandez gave a curt nod. "It is. But that's why we're training. If you know what to do, you increase your chances of survival."
They entered the module, where the drill began with a simulated alarm blaring through the speakers. Red lights flashed, and the air pressure indicator on the wall dropped rapidly. Elanor immediately sprang into action, his training taking over. He reached for an emergency oxygen mask and helped Raya secure hers, his movements quick and practiced.
Raya fumbled with the mask, her hands shaking slightly as she tried to follow the procedure. She managed to put it on but looked over at Elanor, her eyes wide with anxiety.
"Are we doing this right?" she whispered, her voice muffled by the mask.
"Yes," he replied, nodding to reassure her. "Just stay calm. We follow the steps."
The drill continued, with Elanor and Raya moving through the protocol as if they were on the ISS. By the end of it, they had gone through three different types of simulated emergencies, each more intense than the last. When the final alarm stopped, they both removed their masks, breathing heavily.
"Good work," Dr. Hernandez said, her expression approving. "It's not easy to stay calm in a situation like that, but you both handled it well."
Raya let out a relieved laugh, wiping sweat from her forehead. "I don't think I'll ever complain about a fire drill again."
Elanor chuckled, patting her shoulder. "You did great. This is exactly why we're here—to be ready for anything."
As the week wore on, they spent more time on Zero-G training, honing their skills with tools and navigation. Raya was visibly improving, her movements becoming more controlled, her confidence growing with each passing day. She still struggled at times—getting turned around or accidentally bumping into Elanor—but her determination was evident.
One evening, after a particularly grueling day of training, they found themselves sitting on a bench outside the facility, watching the sunset. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, and the air was cool and refreshing after the stuffiness of the training rooms.
"I had no idea being in space was this hard," Raya admitted, her voice filled with awe and respect. "I mean, I always knew astronauts were tough, but… this is on another level."
Elanor nodded, gazing up at the sky. "It's a different kind of challenge. But that's part of what makes it so rewarding. You're not just learning how to handle the equipment—you're learning how to handle yourself in extreme situations."
Raya glanced over at him, her eyes softening. "I don't know how you do it, Elanor. You make it look so easy."
Elanor smiled, shaking his head. "Trust me, I'm just as new to this as you are. I've studied space my whole life, but living it… that's different."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, both lost in their thoughts. The enormity of what they were preparing for weighed on them, but so did the excitement. They were one step closer to the ISS, to seeing Earth from a perspective that few people ever experienced.
By the end of the second week, they had fallen into a rhythm with the training, learning to navigate the challenges with more confidence and skill. Their muscles ached, their minds were exhausted, but they were growing—both as individuals and as a team. The anticipation of the ISS trip was no longer just an abstract idea; it was becoming a reality.
On Friday evening, after a long day of drills, Elanor and Raya returned to her apartment. The week had been intense, and all they wanted was to unwind. Raya made a quick dinner, and they ate in comfortable silence, both too tired to talk much. When they finished, they collapsed onto the couch, the weight of the week settling over them like a blanket.
Raya let out a long sigh, leaning her head back. "I don't think I've ever been this tired."
Elanor laughed softly, his own exhaustion mirrored in her eyes. "Same here. But we made it. Two weeks down, two to go."
Raya smiled, her eyes closing as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "I couldn't have done this without you, you know."
Elanor wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. "You did most of it on your own. I was just here to remind you not to give up."
They sat there in silence, the fatigue finally catching up to them as they drifted off to sleep. The road to the ISS was still long, but together, they knew they could face whatever came next.