A/N: Have a listen to the song above to set the mood!!! This is an exciting chapter!!!

****

Laura Thompson's POV

Date: May 23rd, 2024

Time: 1:00 AM CDT

Location: Starbase, Boca Chica, TX

****

"Bacon and eggs? Really, Mark?"

"What's so bad about bacon and eggs?"

"I've been told to eat smooth foods before launch so it's not as bad coming back up when you vomit."

"That's a great picture, Vivi. Thanks to that, I've now lost my appetite."

"She's not wrong, you know. Back when the Shuttles were making regular flights..."

My Crewmates' chatter is merely a distant drone at this point as I absentmindedly pick away at the bowl of applesauce and yogurt in front of me, lost in thoughts passing me by so fast, I can barely comprehend them.

I've been like this ever since we'd left Houston and arrived at Starbase in Boca Chica.

Just... out of it.

Whether from the reality of it all, how close we are to beginning the very thing we've trained endlessly for...

Or from the lingering recollection of the showdown with my Parents...

It's hard to tell.

I mentally scoff at myself, frowning.

Now isn't the time to be dwelling on things you can't solve, Laura.

"Snap out of it," I mutter aloud to myself, shaking my head as if to clear it, downing a spoonful of the food in front of me.

"You okay, Lau? You seem awfully quiet over there," The all too enthusiastic young engineer at the end of the table asks aloud between bites of his meal he'd claimed he'd lost appetite for mere moments ago.

His question perks me up a bit as I purposely right my posture, sitting up straighter and passing him a small smile that I can only hope looks reassuring.

"I'm just fine, Marko. But how about toning it down a tad so we don't all have headaches by the time we get to the pad?"

Vivian just huffs a chuckle, taking a sip of her orange juice, passing me an amused glance.

It's a relief to see the younger two seeming so at ease as the clock ticks closer and closer to T-0.

I, on the other hand, can't stop my knee from bouncing erratically, no matter how much I will it to hold still.

It all just seems so... surreal.

"Alright, we've got our weather briefing ready to go in a few minutes - I've also been told the medical staff are waiting for us in the suit up room," A familiar tone sounds from the entrance of the rather small room we'd been led to previously, in the same building where we'd slept last night.

"I'm hoping your suit up room is better than where I slept last night," Alan grumbles in feigned annoyance, though his tone seems to carry an honest edge to it.

His comment earns a frown from me, a look that I quickly share with Elon, who just shrugs.

"It all works. That's what matters."

It's true - the accommodations at Starbase are certainly nothing to write home about.

After all, everything is constantly undergoing changes and construction.

The work never seems to stop.

But today, it's all hands on deck for the launch - heck, Jim Bridenstine and a few other government officials even flew from the White House and KSC to witness what is soon to be history.

"So let's finish up in here and get going then," I urge, glancing at the watch on my wrist. "If we head to suit up in five minutes or so, we'll be on schedule."

Mark and Vivian simply nod while the older man huffs in reply, downing the last of his orange juice and setting the cup down with a rather obnoxious clatter.

Something isn't right about him.

Wordlessly, I twist once more in my seat, sharing a confused and concerned glance with my Partner at the Veteran Astronaut's unusual behavior.

Let's just hope all goes well in the eight minutes or so that it takes to get situated in Earth's orbit.

Elon just shrugs, stepping deeper into the room and coming to a halt behind where I sit, a hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder.

"Today, we'll make history, regardless of the outcome," He starts, the attention of the three others around the table falling onto him almost instantly. "Whether we succeed or not, that won't matter. This day will be cemented in history as the first manned Mission to Mars - it's just a matter of whatever fate has in store for us."

I watch as the younger engineer's face falls slightly, a somber look adorning his features.

"But, regardless of the outcome, it has been an honor to work alongside you all and I thank you for making the decision, though it seemed ridiculous at the time, all that while ago back at HQ."

We all share a light chuckle at the ever so vivid memory of signing our lives away, back in Hawthorne.

Alan doesn't even bother to make any sort of remark.

"Alright," Mark breathes, clearing his plate and neatly placing it aside, clambering to his feet. "Let's go suit up and make history, folks!"

With the redhead in the lead, Vivian and Alan follow behind, a soft, "Nice speech, Commander," falling from my friend's lips as she passes us by as the door closes behind the group with a soft thud.

It's just the two of us now.

Alone for what may be the last time, or the last time in quite awhile.

Wordlessly, I leave where I'd been sitting behind, coming face to face with the man I've spent countless, tiring and memorable hours beside.

My Partner.

My boyfriend.

My best friend.

My love.

Who is simply standing there, clad in his Flightsuit, his patches appearing to have been put on with extra care, staring at me.

With so many emotions being conveyed through his gaze all at once, it's almost impossible to decipher.

"We're really doing this," Elon breathes with a huff of disbelief, running a hand through his hair, quickly turning away from me before reeling around once more. "We're really doing this!"

Now it's my turn to just stand there, the edges of my lips twisting upwards into a genuine grin, a swell of my Partner's contagious optimism beginning to arise.

"We are. Everything you've worked so hard for - it's finally happening."

At this, the man in front of me frowns, his figure stepping closer to me.

"It hasn't been just me. Without you, without the Team, without everyone else at SpaceX..."

He trails off, an awestruck thin-lipped smile growing on his features.

"This would've never happened."

Our faces are merely inches apart now, our breaths mingling like they've done a thousand times before...

I close my eyes in anticipation, but it never comes.

Instead replaced by a humored chuckle.

"Really?" I breathe in frustration, elbowing him on my way past, coming to a halt at the entrance of the room, passing a disapproving glare his way.

I silently watch with a decreasingly hardened stare as he approaches me yet again, that oh so familiar smirk tugging at his lips.

"On orbit," Elon murmurs in promise, his words merely a whisper in my ear as we stride out of the small room, heading the same direction the rest of our Crew had gone minutes ago.

Our synced, booted footsteps echo against the white tiled floor, our shoulders nearly brushing as we round the corner, the whitewashed suit up room in sight.

"We're going to be late because of you and that little stunt of yours."

"Nah. We'll be right on time."

"That'll go down in history, too, then."

"What will?"

"Elon Musk being on time for once."

My Partner just shakes his head in reply, the slightest of laughs escaping him.

****

"Everything feels okay? Nothing out of place?" The young woman clad in an all black, clean jumpsuit questions from my side, her hair tied neatly up and out of the way, an iPad in hand.

Shifting slightly in my seat that is identical to the one I'll be sitting in once we're in the cockpit of Starship, I wordlessly give the suit-tech a thumbs up, to which she returns, a grin on her features.

In the laid back position I'm in, I can barely see my Crewmates, the only sound keeping me company is the hushed chatter from the techs, accompanied by the odd click of the camera shutter.

I figured Press People would be around, but I honestly didn't figure they'd have access to the suit up room...

"There'll be more outside, Thompson," Alan's distinct tone sounds from across the way, the loudness of it surprising me slightly.

"Good to know," I grumble to no one in particular, watching out of my peripheral vision as the techs continue their work, making sure everyone's ready to go.

And with the lead technician making her final round to us all, giving us a thumbs up to signal all is well, a black gloved hand is extended down towards me, helping me to my feet.

It's an odd feeling - having just had the suit enveloping me filled with everything the life support system will feed once we're aboard, now empty.

Oxygen, Comms, suit data...

All being fed to Control through one simple connector.

"The local news outlet would like a team photo," The woman who'd given the go ahead explains in a rather hushed tone, my gaze so busy focusing on my other teammates making their ways to their feet, I barely hear her voice.

Until she softly taps me on the shoulder, gaining my attention.

"Hm?"

"A team photo? There's time in the schedule. We're ahead by a few."

Nodding in acknowledgement, the suit up techs help us towards the largest whitewashed wall.

"A photo? Seriously?" I hear Mark grumble aloud as we all group up, standing shoulder to shoulder.

With Elon in the middle, and I at his side, our Crewmates quickly join us, Vivian instinctively drifting closer to my side, our young engineer following behind her.

Alan is alone on the opposite side, standing rather smugly next to my Partner, a look of such inexpression on his features, it sends a wave of familiarity dancing down my spine.

Everything about this moment seems so vaguely familiar...

Shrugging away my thoughts with a sigh, I turn my attention to the camera, allowing the rush of excitement and adrenaline to take over.

We're making history today.

Regardless of the outcome.

****

Transport to the Pad had been very much so different than what I've always observed with strictly NASA launches.

There were no massive crowds awaiting our arrival from the suit up room, only a handful of media outlets and Vivian and Mark's parents and extended families.

Three sparkling white Tesla Model X's sat waiting patiently for our arrival, their doors wide open as if they were wings, ready to take us to our sleeping silver dragon.

And now, we're there.

Here.

Being mindful of the visor of my helmet folded back on top of my head, I accept the hand of the technician, clambering out of the backseat with some difficulty.

"You got your boarding pass ready, ma'am?" He inquires with a slight grin, a teasing in his tone as I stare at him quizzically, my mind not fully comprehending the humor behind his question.

"Oh!" I chuckle in sudden realization as my Partner is helped out of the vehicle behind me, his presence evident at my side moments later. "Good one!"

The tech just laughs.

I, however, stand rooted to the spot, craning my neck to view the massive vessel standing tall in front of us.

It's still dark outside, no thanks to the ridiculous time of day our launch window is at, and the only thing illuminating our spacecraft are the Moon and the stars.

And Starship looks absolutely phenomenal, it's steel glistening beneath the stars.

A sleeping silver dragon...

"I don't even know what to say right now," I breathe, too awestruck at the feat of engineering, time and effort, looming in front of me.

"Me neither," Comes the reply, barely audible through my helmet.

"We better get going. The rest of the Crew will be here shortly and we've got to get you guys settled in before they get here," The tech who'd driven us over explains with a knowing grin, wordlessly guiding us towards the elevator.

And what an elevator ride it is, the ground rushing away through the simple metal grate flooring.

Again, everything is still simple at Starbase.

Until we make it back successfully, then things will change.

Merely looking at the Model X on the Pad growing smaller and smaller as the elevator climbs is enough to give anyone a sudden sense of vertigo.

Though I hold it back, blinking a few times and refocusing my gaze on the horizon line, the glimmering waves of the Gulf of Mexico setting my senses straight.

The ride up comes to a halt with a rather obnoxious bang, but it's usual - yesterday when we'd all been abord to stow away our standard sized personal crate of belongings and do one last gear check before takeoff, it had frightened me half to death.

But today, it's usual.

"Did anyone bring a Sharpie?" I muse aloud, as our rubber booted footsteps echo against the metal grated floor of the launch tower, nearing our home for the next year and a half, our vessel that will take us farther than any human has ever gone.

At NASA, it's always been a tradition to leave a signature or a Mission sticker somewhere on the walls of the white room, the clean room that has access to any space-faring vessel's hatch.

And SpaceX can't go breaking that.

Not today.

"Sure thing, ma'am!" The other, seemingly younger technician bubbles from beside me, keeping pace with my rather slow yet eager strides.

Our walk down the open-air arm towards Starship begins, the cool Texas morning breeze dancing over my cheeks, the white room brightly lit at the end of the tunnel.

And it dawns on me for a moment.

That right here, right now...

Is the last time I'll feel a natural wind on my skin for almost two years.

A momentary pang of sorrowed realization ripples through me at that thought, but I continue on, savoring the feeling and forcing it to memory.

I've been training for this... wanting this moment for years now... and it's finally here.

Sighing heavily, I step down from the grated metal surface onto a much smoother, enclosed room, smelling heavily of cleaning supplies and nature.

An odd combination, really.

But as the tech who'd been by my side the whole way up passes me an opened Sharpie, the familiar stench of the permanent marker joins the aroma.

"Thanks," I murmur, turning to face the way I'd come from moments ago, watching my Partner and the technician accompanying him make their way towards us. "You better sign this first, Commander!"

"If you insist," Elon chuckles, nearing my side as I pass the marker into his grasp.

And as a simple yet intelligent looking signature is scribbled upon the massive white canvas, a mere speck of black on a clean slate - a sign of all that's to come - a grin tugs at the edges of my lips.

Twitching upwards into a genuine smile as my Partner passes the marker back to me, my own gloved hand grasping the writing utensil and hastily signing the wall.

Right beneath his.

"Now let's get this show on the road."

****

"T minus thirty minutes," The rather tinny sounding voice of the Flight Director sounds through my earpiece, interrupting my previous train of thought.

A comfortable silence has been hovering in the cockpit for quite awhile now, ever since the main access arm had retracted.

At first, after everyone had gotten aboard, some light chatter had instinctively filled the atmosphere.

Mark had rather shamelessly ran through a list of the few belongings we'd all decided to stick in the standard sized bin, dedicated to Crew entertainment.

"We remembered the Wii, right? And the remotes? There's a TV stowed in the cargo bay, yeah?"

Vivian had just shushed him, her fingers dancing away at the iPad strapped to her thigh, going through her own checklist, apart from the standard launch procedure list we're all gradually making our ways through.

A list that now, is growing closer and closer to completion.

"Y'know, I really hope that they packed us some of those dehydrated peach rings. Those things are real good. I betcha they'd be even better with a view of space from this window right here," Our young engineer jabbers away rather abruptly, a wavering in his tone that he'd desperately trying to hold back, very much so evident.

"Zip it, Myers."

That's Alan - the fourth time he's told Mark to shut up.

"I'm sorry, Gramps! I have a tendency to babble when I'm nervous!"

"So you are nervous?" The Veteran drawls from where he's seated behind Elon and I, a chuckle escaping him as I inwardly grumble, rolling my eyes.

This conversation has been going on the minute we all got strapped in and the techs sealed us in for good.

"Yes, I'm nervous! Who the hell wouldn't be nervous when you're strapped to what is essentially a giant bomb!"

"A bomb that you helped design and know every in and out of."

"Just because I know how it works doesn't make it any better!" Mark exclaims, clearly exasperated and stressed all at the same time. "In fact, I-"

"That's enough," The man at my side finally speaks, his tone a comfort after he's been silent for quite some time. "Let's just focus on what needs to get done."

"Starship SpaceX, you are go to close visors and rotate your seats into launch configuration. Propellant load will begin shortly," The Flight Director's tone rattles once more in my ear piece, my gaze falling to the screen on my thigh, the checklist displayed there matching.

"It's almost go-time," I barely hear Vivian murmur from my other side, my gloved, shaky hands fumbling against the visor atop of my helmet.

Though after a brief struggle, I manage to get the visor down in it's proper place, the audible click a tell-tale sign that it is indeed locked.

"Starship, everything remains go for launch. Stand by for propellant load confirmation."

A sudden trembling shakes the seat beneath me, almost as if the once sleeping silver dragon is beginning to wake from it's dormant slumber.

The world is still bathed in an inky darkness outside the large window in front of me, only now, it's occasionally being pierced by the odd roaming search light, illuminating the massive rocket we're currently sitting atop of.

I wonder if Mom and Dad are watching...

A part of me hopes that they are - inwardly proud of all that I've been working so hard for these past few years.

But the better part of me says otherwise, a sorrow that I quickly shake away rising within me.

No more dwelling on them. They made their decisions and I made mine.

"Prop load complete," I confirm over the built-in mic of my helmet with an attempt at a nod, confirming the read out on my iPad match with the larger screen above.

"T minus ten minutes and holding. Confirming that displays are configured for launch?"

"Roger. Displays are configured. Standing by for go/no go decision," Our communications specialist replies, a certainty and pride ringing in her tone that earns a grin from me.

And for a moment, the world goes silent and still.

With fuel full and the comms quiet, it's almost as if the entire launch sequence has come to a grinding halt.

But no, that certainly isn't the case - the readouts in front of me say otherwise.

Our vessel is only beginning to come to life, patiently awaiting the signal that will finally allow it to begin it's work to get it where it belongs.

Space.

"Starship, SpaceX, we are go for launch. Stand by for terminal count."

A sudden jolt of excitement choruses through my entire being, almost as if I, myself, am beginning to wake up, the reality of the moment I've been waiting for my entire life merely nine minutes away.

And as the clock slowly winds down, closer and closer to T-0, the checklist in front of me gradually being crossed off as the chatter from Control continues, calling out all the important milestones, the time has finally come.

"T minus thirty seconds," A new voice sounds, in my ear, though it barely resonates with me, my attention fixed solely on the screens in front of me.

"Stage one tanks pressing for flight."

"T minus fifteen seconds."

It all sounds like one constant background noise, though my brain still registers it as normal.

This is exactly what we've been through over and over again.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five..."

Our sleeping dragon is go longer asleep.

Instead, it begins to rattle, almost as if it's bound to this Earth in some unbreakable bond, soon to be broken in a sheer feat of strength.

"Four, three, two, one, zero..."

I swear I feel my entire body tense in anticipation, the rumbling and shaking becoming so violent now, it's almost impossible to keep a clear eye on the screens.

"Ignition, Liftoff! Godspeed MR-2!!"

Barely able to comprehend everything that happens all at once, I instantly find myself pushed back into my seat, the acceleration pulling a slightly strained huff from my lips.

The world is blurring past us through the window, rising sun becoming increasingly more evident the closer towards the heavens we get.

T plus one minute... Max Q should be right about...

"Max Q," The callout sounds in my earpiece, a swell of satisfaction growing within me.

With everything continuing to appear nominal, the ride towards our first destination continues, the shaking and shuttering unrelenting.

The clock continues to tick upwards, as all of the necessary events pass us by with ease.

"Standby for MECO."

Hands gripping the arm rests in anticipation, a much harder jolt rumbles through the entire vehicle, my body abruptly being thrown forward against the restraints keeping me in, only to be slammed back into my seat with such force, no amount of training could've prepared anyone for.

"Geez!" Mark's surprised tone sounds, a mere gleeful chuckle from Alan accompanying it.

"Stage separation and SES-1 confirmed."

Almost there...

With time continuing to blur by, Starship continues to glide through the vastness of space, the engines continuing to push us towards our parking orbit where we'll await the fuel tanker.

After that, it's one final exit burn and then, the Mission truly begins.

"SECO."

The engine cuts off.

The jolting stops.

No more noise.

No more movement.

We're weightless.

I allow my hands that were previously gripping the armrests beside me to relax, and as I do so, my arms simply hang there, suspended.

"Starship, SpaceX, nominal ECLSS activation. Standby for re-filling tanker."

"This..." I murmur aloud, a smile finding its way to my face.

In a swift movement of sheer disbelief, laced with a new found excitement, I slowly move my hand towards the bottom of my helmet, effortlessly unclasping it and sliding it back.

The sound of my Crewmates around me doing the same reaches my ears as the grin on my features grows even larger.

"This is amazing..." I breathe, glancing over at the man beside me, who's expression mirrors mine.

"Vehicle stabilized. All personnel are free to move about the cabin," The robotically monotone voice of Starship's inner systems announces, sending yet another wave of excitement through me.

Unclasping the harness fastened around my shoulders and waist, I push myself away from my seat, practically floating into the empty space in front of us.

The sound of the people behind me following my actions reach me, though the sound is quickly muted as I gasp in surprise.

The large window in front of us had been angled into the darkness of space...

But now...

Now, the Earth is there.

In all her majesty, simply rolling by us, silently.

And then it dawns on me.

This stunning, fragile oasis, this island that has been given to us, and that has protected all life from the harshness of space, is where we just came from.

It's the only currently sustainable place for human life.

And we might not ever see her again.

A sudden pang of sadness washes over me as that thought crosses my mind, though I shake it away.

The feeling of a familiar hand on my shoulder suddenly resonates with me as I turn to face the person who it belongs to.

Elon is next to me, a look of absolute disbelief and awe written all over his features.

Glancing to the opposite side of me, Mark and Vivian also have their gazes transfixed on our small blue orb, hanging in the void of space beneath us, their expressions similar.

"I never thought I'd be here..." The man beside me murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. "But yet here we are..."

I smile, turning to face him once more.

"We're in orbit, that's for sure," I agree, my smile not wavering as yet another surge of emotions crash over me.

Too overcome with unexplainable emotion, I wrap Elon in an attempt of an embrace, tears threatening to form.

Surprised, he instantly hugs me back, murmuring something incomprehensible before he breaks away.

"Well, we're in our Parking Orbit," He states with a smile, gaining our other Crewmates' attention. "Let's get on with Orbital Refilling Prep!"

"You got it, Boss!" Mark exclaims while the woman beside him just nods, with Alan also nodding silently, his own gaze wandering over the Earth rolling by beside us.

"Be sure to grab your personal computers from the EVA suits!" I yell after the younger pair as they disappear down the main access tunnel that runs through the center of the entire ship. "And store your IVA's properly!"

"Yes Mom!" Vivi hollers back at me, a humor in her tone as the sounds of their movement fades away.

"I'll make sure they're on it," The Veteran grumbles with a huff, floating after the duo and disappearing after them.

"Do I really sound like a Mother?" I muse aloud with a chuckle as I'm pulled closer to the other person with me, our bodies suddenly pressed together once again.

"In a way," The man in front of me teases, his brown eyes glistening with a joy I've never seen before. "It's a good thing. They need someone to keep them both in check."

"So who's gonna keep us in check? Hm?" I hum, my gaze wandering from his eyes to his lips and then back again.

At this, he smirks.

"Only ourselves, I guess."

He begins to do the same.

"How difficult would it be for you to kiss me right now?" I whisper, my voice carrying a hint of playfulness. "Especially considering you did promise me back at Starbase."

"I'm sure we can make it work," He breathes, suddenly inches away from my face, his breath tickling my cheek.

"Well, it's not like we've got anything to-"

Rather abruptly, I'm cut off as our lips meet, beginning their usual dance.

Though this time, there's a sense of accomplishment, a sense of relief, at the fact that we've managed to make it this far.

The most difficult part of the journey, Physics wise, is over.

We managed to escape the Earth's deep gravity-well.

And now we're floating.

Just the two of us.

With only the Earth passing by beside us to keep us company in what soon will be replaced with the vast void of deep space...

And in six months, Earth will be replaced by the Red Planet.

A planet that may very well soon be humanity's second home.

****

Author's Note:

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who's stuck with this story for as long as they have. You guys are all absolutely amazing and I appreciate each and every one of you who have stuck around, even with my super inconsistent updates.

I posted this awhile back on my message board, but I figured I'd post it here for those who may have missed it. (In the future, however, please refer to my conversations board on here if you're seeking any updates on this book! They'll likely be posted there! And if not, please leave me a reminder! Or shoot me a PM!)

Updates for this book going forward will continue to be intermittent. Between life, school and work, I barely have time to write anymore. However, my schooling will be complete by April, so hopefully more time will free up then and I can become a bit more regular again when it comes to updates here.

In the meantime though, be sure to check out my many space themed Spotify playlists! You can find them if you just search "Kaila Falcon" in your Spotify search bar and scroll down to the profiles section, you'll see a profile picture with my name on it with a rainy background! You'll also likely find my ambience podcast as well, which you're always more than welcome to check out! (I do have a Mars themed one on there that I think I'll be using quite a bit going forward!)

But thank you all again, from the bottom of my heart, for sticking with me through this mess of a story. I honestly cannot believe it has managed to become what it is today.

Keep being awesome and stay safe in our crazy world!

~ Kaila