From elders i always heard that your life changes in big moments, death, suffering, pain. Moments that inpact your soul so deep that you must grow, if you don't, you suffer. But my world change when i actually meet her.
"The year is 2524. Life has advanced so much that every day feels like a glimpse into the future. Robots make your coffee, help you cross the street, and self-driving cars are everywhere. Technology is a wonder to behold—but hardly anyone cares about exploring space anymore. Doesn't that make you angry?" he burst out, his voice rising with fury.
His friend's face tightened with discomfort as he set his coffee cup down on the table. "Chill, bro. I know you've got that passion, but… chill."
"Why can't people see the beauty of this world?" he snapped, slamming his fist on the table. The impact made the cups rattle.
"I mean, you're right to an extent, but think of the risks and—hey, you got a message," his friend said, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
He froze, staring at the envelope in his hand, his heart pounding. "It's from the university," he whispered, feeling a cold sweat trickle down his back. His legs trembled so hard you could almost hear them shaking. "I'm afraid to open it. What if I fail?"
His friend, trying to calm him down, asked casually, "Tell me, what's the diameter of Uranus' closest moon?"
"Miranda has a diameter of 471 kilometers," he replied automatically. His friend watched him, smiling with relief.
"I get what you're trying to do," he said with a faint smile, "but I'm still scared..."
He walked down the university's empty white hallway, his footsteps echoing softly. Despite his best efforts to appear confident, a knot of tension twisted in his stomach. As he turned a corner, his eyes caught a familiar figure standing by the door to the principal's office.
"You got the message too?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity as she waved him over.
"Yeah i do" he replied, a nervous chuckle escaping.
"Why would the principal want to see us in person? He could've just sent our marks like usual." she asks
"What if he's planning to expel us. if we failed miserably and he's looking forward to kicking us out?" he's voice is echoing as he trembles
Before she could reply, the principal's voice boomed from the open door. "oh you are here, my ears still works it seem. Come in"
They exchanged a quick glance, then stepped into the office.
The principal was a tall, imposing figure, his graying beard adding to his air of authority. He leaned back in his chair, attempting a smile as he rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "So, how's your day going, young scholars? Should i give you a little juice or something to serve yourselves" he says trying to drop the intensity
But the tension in the room was palpable as they remained silent, their eyes fixed on him. His smile faltered, and he cleared his throat. "Well, let's get to the point then. I called you here today because… your marks are perfect. Both of you scored a hundred."
The words hung in the air for a moment. The girl's face lit up with a mix of disbelief and excitement. She practically leaped from her chair. Meanwhile, the young man sank back into his seat, relief flooding through him like a wave. As they realized they weren't alone, both quickly composed themselves, stealing a glance at the principal.
"Don't worry," the principal chuckled, "I'd react the same way if I were in your shoes. In all my years of teaching, only five students have ever achieved a perfect score. And you two… you're the first in a decade. That's why I have a... life changing proposal."
Their interest piqued, they leaned in slightly.
The principal's tone shifted, growing serious. "NASA has taken notice of your achievements. They want to meet you both. Are you interested?"
Her eyes widened in amazement. "NASA?" she whispered, as if the very name was sacred. She turned to him, seeking his reaction.
He nodded slowly, still processing the information. "That's… incredible."
"Excellent," the principal said, his voice firm. "Now, come in," he called, and the door opened to reveal a man in a sleek suit, his presence commanding the room.
"It's an honor to meet two perfect scorers," the man said, stepping forward with an air of confidence. "I'm a lead researcher and officer in mechanical engineering at NASA. Yet I'm known for being the chief scientist behind Project Ark."
The title alone seemed to carry weight, and they hung on his every word.
"It's an honor, sir," she said, her voice steady, though excitement danced in her eyes. "But what exactly is Project Ark? I've never heard of it, and I keep up with all the latest news."
A faint smile played on the man's lips. "That's because Project Ark has been under wraps for years. We've kept it a secret because… well, it's groundbreaking. The Ark will be the largest, fastest, and most advanced spaceship ever built. We're talking about achieving speeds of up to 5% of the speed of light."
The room seemed to pulse with energy as they absorbed the magnitude of what he was saying.
"That's… that's unbelievable," he murmured, his mind racing with possibilities. "It's porpuse?"
The man's expression grew serious. "The Ark's mission is to reach Alpha Centauri and establish a human colony there."
Her face brightened with wonder. "That's… amazing."
"Indeed," the man said, his voice deep with conviction. "But we need a crew of 100 people to make this mission a reality. Your perfect scores have caught our attention for a reason. We believe you're exactly what we need. So, will you accept?"
Silence fell over the room, the weight of the question pressing down on them.
"You want us… to join the mission?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. The enormity of what he was asking seemed almost too much to comprehend.
The man nodded. "Take some time to think it over. You have 10 days to give us your final answer. After that, I'll be returning to NASA it's depend on you if i go empty handed or not. The project needs me."
With that, he stood, shaking hands with the principal before turning to leave.
They watched him go, the door closing behind him with a soft click, leaving them alone with their thoughts—and a decision that would change their lives forever.
Night had fallen on the campus, and the city lights shimmered in the distance, casting a bright blue hue over the skyline. He decided to take the longer route back, away from the glow, to a quiet spot where the building blocked out the city lights, leaving only the stars visible above the mountains. He stood there, alone, staring up at the vast, twinkling sky, lost in thought.
You're up here alone?" Her voice broke through the silence, light and teasing.
He turned to see her approaching, a small smile playing on her lips. "I was…" he admitted, his voice trailing off as he looked back at the stars. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything. The opportunity to go up there, to see that new world… but…" His words faltered, and he bit his lip, struggling to express the weight of what he was feeling.
"She moved closer, her playful tone giving way to a more somber one. "We'll never come back," she said softly, the sadness in her voice mirroring his unspoken fears. "Once we board that spaceship, we'll never see this view again. No more mountains, no more city lights… and no more of the people we love."
He nodded slowly, the reality of her words sinking in. "Yeah… it's a lot to take in."
She sighed, trying to lighten the mood. "So, tell me… why did you want to join the astronaut academy in the first place?"
He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I'm not really sure," he confessed. "Maybe it's the idea of getting closer to what i love… and closer to my passion, in a way."
She smiled at his response, her own excitement bubbling to the surface. "For me, it's all about the adventure," she said, her eyes lighting up. "I want to live among the stars, dance in the endless dark sky… explore worlds that no one has ever set foot on. It's like conquering the universe with our own hands, seeing how life can thrive in places we've only dreamed about." she sit down on the floor and she sighs as she relaxs
He looked at her, speechless for a moment, struck by the passion in her voice. "I guess… I feel the same way," he admitted, his tone softer now, more thoughtful. "Fine. I'll do it. We'll reach that new world…"
Before he could finish, she reached out and gently placed her hand on his. "Together, right?" she said, her voice full of warmth and resolve
He met her gaze and nodded, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. They sat down side by side, leaning back to gaze at the stars above. The night was quiet, and for a while, neither of them spoke. The vastness of the sky seemed to stretch out forever, filled with possibilities and the promise of a future far beyond anything they'd ever known.
The atmosphere in the dimly lit conference room was thick with anticipation. The head of the project stood at the front, his expression serious as he surveyed the faces around the table. "We've gathered all of them, slowly but surely," he began, his voice steady, yet the gravity of his words was unmistakable.
"The construction is progressing well, better than we could have hoped for under the circumstances," the head of mechanical engineering chimed in, his tone filled with cautious optimism. "At this rate, the Ark will be ready for launch in ten years. But," he hesitated, glancing around the room, "that's highly unusual. Normally, we'd need three phases—at least—to bring a project of this scale to completion."
The room buzzed with murmurs of agreement, but the project director silenced them with a wave of his hand. "Your concerns are valid, but we don't have the luxury of time," he said, his voice measured, but carrying the weight of authority. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he delivered the next piece of news. "We must bring this project to the finish line quickly. We can't afford to build more Arks; the resources just aren't there. That's why we're going to skip phases one and two. We're jumping directly to phase three."
A shocked silence fell over the room, broken only by the soft hum of the room's ventilation system. The mechanical engineer was the first to find his voice, his protest barely contained. "But sir, sending one hundred people into space without proper testing? Theory isn't enough to ensure their safety. We need—"
He was cut off by the sharp voice of a businessman at the far end of the table, his tone laced with impatience. "I've invested heavily in this project—both my money and my hope for the future. If it takes ten years, then so be it. But I want that ship launched before my body is laid to rest."
The engineer opened his mouth to respond, but the project director silenced him with a glance. Clearly disagree with the businessman "We understand your position, and we're grateful for your financial support," the director said, choosing his words carefully. "But as for your other request… it's highly controversial."
The businessman's eyes glinted with a mixture of pride and something darker. "Project 'Neogi' will be conducted aboard the Ark," he stated, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of excitement that sent a chill through the room. "I'm eager to see the results."
10 years after to the launch day
The air was thick with anticipation as one hundred people from every corner of the Earth gathered at the launch site, the culmination of years of preparation finally coming to a head. The roar of distant rocket engines hummed in the background.
"You believe that this day has come?!" His voice isn't stable, you can hear his heartbeat from a mile away "it's hard to believe it" grab his suit and trying to breathe
"Can you believe this day has actually come?" His voice wavered, betraying the storm of emotions brewing inside him. The sound of his heartbeat seemed to echo in his ears, a rapid drumming that refused to settle. He tugged at the collar of his suit, struggling to draw a full breath. trying to reach his shoulder
Beside him, she noticed his trembling hands and tried to offer comfort. "It'll be alright," she said, her voice steady, though her own nerves were frayed. "We've passed every test with flying colors, and everyone here is a friend. We're ready."
"I know, I know…" His voice trailed off as his gaze drifted to the ground, where thoughts of home weighed heavily on him. "But what about my mum? Who's going to be there for her when she needs me? And my brother… I won't see him graduate from university." The sorrow in his heart was palpable, a deep ache that seemed to pull him down.
She could feel the weight of his words, and a flicker of doubt crossed her mind as well. But she couldn't afford to dwell on it. "So much regrets and we don't even reach the Ark yet" she said, a touch of impatience in her voice. "I have things I'll miss too—people, moments—but…" Her voice grew louder, more determined. "My dreams are up there, waiting for me. Don't you feel the same?"
He looked up at her, her words slowly sinking in. Her eyes, usually so playful, were now ablaze with a fierce determination. "I'll be by your side, no matter what," she continued, her hand outstretched towards him. "Together, we'll conquer the stars."
For a moment, the sorrow receded, replaced by the spark of something stronger. He took her hand, feeling the steadiness of her grip, and nodded. "Together," he echoed, the word giving him the strength he needed.
They stepped into the rocket, their hands still clasped. The cabin was a stark contrast to the vast emptiness they were about to face. Inside, everything felt both incredibly advanced and unnervingly fragile. The rocket ascended into the sky, its trajectory taking them past the moon and towards their new home: the Ark.
The Ark, a colossal spaceship, loomed in the darkness of space, a marvel of human engineering. It was more than just a vessel—it was a lifeline, a floating city that would carry them to Alpha Centauri. As they approached, the sheer scale of the ship became apparent, its metallic hull reflecting the distant light of the sun. Inside, it was equipped with everything they would need: laboratories, living quarters, recreation areas, even a dedicated network to keep them connected—though with who, they didn't yet know.
One by one, the crew members arrived, finding their places and completing their final checks. The atmosphere in the Ark was electric with tension, every breath filled with the weight of what lay ahead. The countdown began, a deep, resonant voice marking the seconds.
Each number seemed to stretch time, the sound of the machinery around them growing louder, drowning out even the frantic beat of their hearts. Behind them, Earth slowly receded—a fading blue dot that they knew they would never see again. In front of them stretched an endless ocean of darkness, an unknown void waiting to be explored.
As the final seconds ticked away, their hands found each other once more, a small gesture of solidarity in the face of the vast unknown. The Ark shuddered as its engines roared to life, the vibrations coursing through their bodies. The ground beneath them seemed to fall away, replaced by the weightless expanse of space.
And then, with a jolt that sent a thrill through the entire crew, the Ark began to move. The journey to Alpha Centauri had begun. They looked at each other, their expressions a mixture of fear, excitement, and something unspoken—an understanding that they were now part of something much larger than themselves.
The stars, once distant and unreachable, now seemed just within their grasp. Together, hand in hand, they embarked on a journey that would redefine humanity's place in the cosmos.
1 year after the launch of the Ark, inside the spaceship
The sterile, dimly lit room was filled with the sounds of labored breathing and quiet urgency. He knelt beside her, his face etched with concern, doing his best to remain calm. "Easy there, try to breathe. It's going to be fine," he whispered, his voice soft but steady, as he wiped the sweat from her brow.
She was covered in perspiration, her body trembling from the strain, and her breaths came in ragged gasps. Her eyes fluttered, half-closed, as she fought through the pain. "D-did... did I do it?" she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with exhaustion.
A wave of relief washed over him as he squeezed her hand gently, leaning in close. "Yeah, you did. You did perfect. It's over now," he murmured, his forehead resting against hers, their breath mingling in the close space. The bond between them felt stronger than ever in that moment, forged by the trials of their new life.
The doctor, clad in the white and silver uniform of the Ark's medical team, stepped forward, his tone formal yet warm. "By the protocol of the Ark, here and now I present to you 0006, the sixth child born aboard the Ark—and your child," he announced, holding the tiny, swaddled infant with a reverence that belied the clinical environment.
She lifted her head weakly, her eyes—still clouded with fatigue—lighting up as they fell upon the small bundle. "Look how small he is," she breathed, her voice filled with awe and an overwhelming sense of love. The exhaustion seemed to melt away, replaced by a quiet joy that shone from her eyes.
As the doctor gently placed the newborn in her arms, she hesitated, her gaze lingering on the baby's delicate features. "I know it's not allowed, but…" she began, her voice dropping to a humble plea, "could I give him a name?"
The doctor paused, his expression softening as he looked at the new mother. In the strict confines of the Ark, names were a relic of the old world, replaced by numbers. But he understood the depth of her request, the human need to hold onto something familiar and comforting in this new, uncharted life. "As long as you don't use it outside your room, it's fine," he conceded with a nod.
A radiant smile broke across her face, transforming her weariness into something almost ethereal. She gazed down at the tiny face nestled against her, so full of potential and promise, and whispered, "Then your name will be ■■■."