Laura Thompson's POV (Present Year: 2022)

"There's no way!" I squeal to myself, running a rather giddy hand through my hair as the emotions I'd shoved aside for so long come rushing in, their power extremely overwhelming.

My mind races and my heart pounds.

I've gotta tell Vivi! Tell someone!

With excited, shaking hands, I fish my phone from my pocket, unlocking it and peering at the screen.

Time: 11:15 PM.

Text Notification: 1

From: Vivian

Message: 'Want a lift?'

With a sigh, I slowly bring myself back down to Earth, my gaze shifting from the device in my hands to the door that had just been open minutes ago.

I can't just tell her... She probably wouldn't even believe me.

Before I do anything, I'll have to find time to talk to Elon...

And who knows, maybe I'm just overreacting...

Much calmer now, I send off a reply to my friend, trying to sound as cheery as possible.

'Yeah! That'd be great!'

'I'll be there in less than 5.'

I nod to myself, switching off the lights around the small space and cleaning up a bit before heading towards the front door.

"Peace out," I murmur aloud, a small smile tugging at my lips as I step out into the rather humid hallway, locking the door behind me.

This is it.

My last little bit of proof that I'd ever been here.

Behind a singular locked door.

"Hopefully rent's cheaper on Mars." I laugh beneath my breath, adjusting the straps of the backpack around my shoulders before I head downstairs.

As I make my way through the small lobby and out into the dimly lit parking lot, a smile creeps it's way onto my face.

I literally beat up two guys out here this afternoon and saved Elon Musk's face from being smashed in.

I can't help but chuckle.

Good times.

Still giggling to myself, I wave as Vivian's 2008 Honda Civic rolls to a stop in front of me, her brakes piercing the silent evening air, her headlights seeming awfully dim.

I mentally scold myself.

You're comparing a Civic to a Roadster? Really?

"Hop on in the back, Lori!" She cheers, a huge grin plastered to her face as I shake myself from my thoughts

"Sure thing!" I reply, looking past my friend and into the passenger seat, my grin widening. "Hey, Marko!"

Mark just shakes his head and laughs.

"You're still gonna use that one?"

I slide into the backseat, tossing my bag in beside me.

"I've already told you!" I beam, closing the door behind me as I settle into the vehicle. "You're stuck with it the whole way to Mars and back!"

"Isn't that lovely." He groans as we leave the parking lot behind, a sudden rush of excitement rushing though me.

"So?" Vivi begins, eyeing me in the rearview. "What positions are you guys thinking about taking up?"

Hm.

"Honestly, I've been so excited, I forgot that we'll have to train in specialties." I chuckle, my gaze wandering over the various lights of passing vehicles and buildings.

No, I've been distracted by my ever annoying emotions!

"I'm in the same spot with Lau." The young man up front nods in agreeance. "Though, I'll likely end up somewhere where there's mechanics involved."

"What about you, Vivi?"

"Oh, probably Communications and Medical." She replies as she makes the turn down the last street to our destination.

"Medical?" Mark muses aloud, "Why would you want to do that?"

At this, the driver laughs, her gaze meeting mine in the rearview.

"Because someone's gotta do it. And knowing Lori, she would probably pass out before she could actually tend to an injury."

"Hey!" I protest with a light laugh, "That's not entirely true!"

"Says the one who can barely look at anyone's blood before passing out completely."

"Well..." I stammer, looking for some sort of rebuttal. "Blood is gross, okay!"

The three of us erupt into yet another fit of laughter.

"Fair enough." Vivian sighs, stopping at a red light before turning to face me slightly. "I'm sure you'd make an excellent pilot, with your background knowledge of that sorta stuff."

I go rigid, a sudden fear washing over me.

Sure, I had my pilot's license for awhile... Flew some small, single engine Cessnas with my Dad back in the day... But other than that...

"Y...Yeah, sure..." I murmur as we leave the red light behind, making the turn into the now empty parking lot of SpaceX HQ.

I've never even considered flying any type of spaceship.

I mean, to be an Astronaut is one thing...

To be the lead pilot on board is another...

Relax, Laura! Starship is going to be flown by AI most of the time! The pilot is just for backup!

Yeah, in case the mission goes to hell.

"Where should I park?" The voice of Vivian breaks me from my thoughts, startling me slightly.

"Around back, I guess." Comes the reply.

As we round the backside of the building, my gaze wanders over the empty parking space where Elon's Roadster had been, just a matter of hours ago.

Crazy how time works.

"Uh, guys?" The driver muses aloud, pointing to a set of extremely bright headlights at the opposite end of the parking lot. "We're not alone."

The atmosphere within the entire vehicle changes almost instantly.

From excited and curious to wary and worried.

"Just put the car in park and shut it off." I urge, still vainly squinting at the beams of light, trying to make out what or who is over there.

I've already beat up two people today. What's another one?

"Alright. That's done. What now?"

"I guess we'll go see who it is."

Swiftly, I grab my backpack, sling it over my shoulder and step outside into the slightly chilly late night air.

My gaze doesn't leave the headlights.

I can hear Mark and Vivian clambering out of the Civic after me, the sound of their footfalls heading towards my side rather assuring.

"Any idea who it could be?" Mark mutters from beside me, his tone carrying a heavy trace of worry.

"No clue." I reply, my thoughts scrambling.

Elon just told us to meet back here... He didn't really give us anything else to go on...

"Let's just go see who it is." Vivian declares, her mind made up as she begins to walk towards the beams of light, the sound of her own vehicle being locked following along.

"Wait. What?"

Mark and exchange confused glances before dashing after the woman who is now almost at the unknown vehicle.

"Hello?" Vivian's voice calls out as she nears the beams of light.

No response.

As I near my friend's side, I begin to make out the rough shape of another rather sleek looking vehicle.

Electric, by the sounds of it.

The three of us back together again, we near the side of the vehicle.

Oddly enough, it's a black Tesla Model X, complete with blacked out windows and everyhing.

Sorta looks like a futuristic FBI car or something...

"I need to see your SpaceX ID as well as another piece of government issued ID, please." A sudden voice orders loudly as my gaze scans the vehicle's side we're now practically beside.

No open windows on this side...

Confused and curious, I begin to dig out my ID as Vivian and Mark follow along, their expressions mirroring mine.

"Now, one at a time, please make your way to the driver's side window." The voice booms once more.

"I'll go first." I nod towards my friends as I step towards the front of the vehicle.

Surely this is taking up valuable time...

At the driver's side window now, I let out a sigh of relief.

It's just a SpaceX security employee.

I smile, passing the man both of my pieces of ID.

"I'm assuming you're a shuttle of some type?" I question as he returns my smile with a nod.

"You're good to go. The door beside you there is unlocked."

Feeling much more at ease and once again excited, I climb into the backseat of the vehicle, waiting for my other two Crew members.

"Thank you."

That's Vivian.

"Thanks."

And that's Mark.

All three of us and our backpacks are squeezed into the rather small rear seating area, ready to go.

E must be waiting for us wherever this shuttle drops us off.

Without a word, the driver puts the vehicle in gear and speeds off, leaving the SpaceX HQ behind.

"Where do you think we're going?" Vivi whispers beside me, her tone curious.

I'm wondering the same thing.

My head is abuzz with possibilities.

I know we're catching a plane...

However, it doesn't take me long to come to a conclusion

"I think we're literally just going farther down the way." I explain, my mind mapping out the area behind HQ. "We back onto a runway, right? I almost guarantee you we're headed to the beginning of that runway."

"Makes sense."

It doesn't take long for my assumption to become fact.

The first thing I spot as the driver begins to slow is the incredibly streamlined looking jet sitting on the tarmac, illuminated by it's running lights.

"Geez..." I hear Mark mutter from beside Vivian. "Awfully fancy."

I have to agree with the younger man.

The plane in front of us looks incredibly posh.

And, off to the left of the staircase stand a small group of people, their figures outlined as silhouettes.

Four in total by the looks of it.

That must be the flight crew...

A small spark of worry suddenly ignites within me as the driver brings the car we're sitting in to a complete stop before putting it in park.

"Alright, ya'll," He grins, turning in his seat to face us. "Be safe out there. Ya'll are a fine batch of young folks."

"We will, sir. Thanks for the lift!" I distantly hear my friend reply as we grab our luggage and make our way onto the tarmac, heading towards the jet.

However, my attention is focused elsewhere than everything going on around me.

I'm focused on my growing knot of worry.

Where is he?

What if he never actually made it back to HQ?

What if-

"Ah! The rest of this fine Crew! Right on time!" A familiar masculine voice cheers from the group of silhouettes, my concerned thoughts instantly shattering.

Swiftly, my gaze rakes over the group, searching for the face with that heartwarming, excited and inspiring smile.

There.

My now less wild gaze falls on Elon, who somehow appears to have zero trace of any previous panic or worry he had before he dashed out of the door of my apartment.

In fact, he looks as if he even had time to... do his hair?

"Hello? Earth to Lori?" A distant voice drags me back to the present.

It's Vivian.

"Hm?" I muse aloud, turning to my friend beside me.

"I asked you if you're okay? You completely zoned out for a good twenty seconds there." She explains, concern laced in her tone.

"I'm great." I chuckle as we near the flight Crew as well as the man I'd been very obviously staring at. "Just can't believe this is happening, that's all."

"You can say that again." She echos.

Our footsteps as well as the sound of hushed chatter fills the late night air.

Everything just feels so unreal...

"I'm glad to see everyone looks ready for a three and a half hour flight!" Musk greets with a grin, shaking each of our hands.

Though he lingers a tad bit longer by me.

Our gazes quickly meet, and within them, we share a smile.

"Well then, let's not waste time and get going!"

I can't help but smile.

It's almost like being around him gives me something contagious.

His optimism, his creativity, his excitement towards the future...

He's just purely contagious.

I simply stand there, rooted to my spot as I allow my thoughts to drift as I examine the outside of the aircraft both Mark and Vivian are making their way up the stairs of.

"Are you just gonna stand here all night?" A sudden voice whispers from beside me, a little too close for comfort.

I quickly turn, coming face-to-face with Elon.

"Don't plan on it." I counter, shaking myself out of my daze as I make my way towards the staircase.

The man behind me just chuckles.

"What?" I ask, stopping mid-stride to turn and face him.

"I didn't say anything." He smirks rather playfully.

Turning once more with a huff, I continue on my way up the staircase and into the aircraft's cabin, once more stopping dead in my tracks.

I'm not sure what I was originally expecting the interior of such a sleek looking aircraft to look like, but this sure wasn't it.

The interior is even more posh than the outside.

White leather looking seats, accompanied by what appear to be white marble counter tops and tabletops...

"Holy crap..." I murmur, forcing myself to move deeper into the lavishly furnished space.

This can't be the company's jet...

This has to be an external party's...

Still in shock, I plop myself down in a seat beside Vivian and across from Mark, shoving my backpack under the table between us.

"Things just went to a whole 'nother level of fancy." She sighs from beside me, her own expression matching my own.

"Mhm."

I watch through wide eyes as Elon climbs aboard, and moments later, the staircase we had just came up is closed.

The cabin is sealed.

Musk makes his way over to our small trio as the aircraft comes to life beneath us with a slight rumble.

"Welcome aboard." He grins, sliding into the seat next to Mark.

The younger man's expression changes slightly.

Almost from happiness to... distaste?

That could be a problem later on...

I mentally make a note.

'Mark and Elon may not get along. Could cause issues.'

"Lori, look!" The woman beside me exclaims, nudging me.

I follow her own gaze.

She's looking out the window at the ever shrinking lights of Hawthorne now below us.

"I didn't even realize we left ground." I laugh lightly, clasping my hands behind my head and laying back slightly. "Amazing."

As a fresh silence fills the cabin's atmosphere, my head begins to fall ever so slightly, my eye lids beginning to become heavy.

"So?"

That's Elon's voice... What could he possibly want to talk about now? I'm exhausted!

"We need to determine who will flesh out what roles during the Mission before we reach JSC."

He's still jabbering? Can't he tell I'm half asleep?

Almost as if he had managed to read my mind somehow, a light kick in my shins startles me from my groggy state.

"Hm? Yeah? Sorry." I mutter, giving the man across from me a slight death glare.

He just returns it with yet another one of his frequent smirks.

That son of a-

"Funny you mention that!" The younger man at the table pipes up, leaning forward in his seat. "We were actually talking about that on the way over. Weren't we, Vi?"

Vivian nods from beside me.

"And what were your thoughts?"

Aw man, not this again...

"I'm thinking I'll likely be a good fit in any type of mechanical role." Mark states, a rather arrogant tone to his voice.

Oh boy...

"I can work anywhere, really." My friend chimes in, enthusiastic. "Anything from communications to medical works for me!"

Elon turns to me, curiosity written on every one of his features.

"And you, Ms. Thompson?"

I fold my hands in my lap, a sudden nervousness coming over me.

"I... I'm not sure."

"Aw! Come on, Lori! I thought we'd been over this! You'd make a great pilot!" Vivian bubbles.

'Would you shut up!' I want to yell at her, my head screaming at me to just fade away into the background.

However, that's not an option now.

"Do you have your pilot's license?" Elon inquires, his expression even more curious than before if that's even possible.

"I did, yeah."

"Why'd you let it expire?"

I shrug, really wanting this conversation to just end already.

"When I started working full time, I just didn't have time to fly anymore..." I sigh, memories being dragged to the forefront of my mind.

The man across from me simply nods, his expression once again practically unreadable.

"What about you?" I muse aloud, realizing that he hadn't mentioned anything about his own possible position. "What are you thinking?"

At this, Elon sighs, running a rather tired and stressed hand through his hair, messing it up again.

So much for his hair being done nicely.

It looks cuter all messed up, though.

I stop myself, realizing the thought that just crossed by headspace.

I let my emotions in and this is what happens, apparently.

"NASA requires that at least two Crew members are expertly trained in flight procedures. So, in a sense, we will need two pilots." He stops, casting his gaze toward the younger pair at the opposite end of the table. "And, by the sounds of our group here, I'm the only one left to fulfill that second role. Piloting it is then."

My brain instantly runs wild, my newfound emotions also joining in.

I'll get to work side by side with him!

Maybe we'll-

Nope. I am not going down that train of thought right now...

"That's great." I smile wearily, fighting against a sudden blush rising to my cheeks. "So, we have all our bases covered now?"

Elon nods, getting up from where he'd been sitting the entire time.

"Try and get some rest everyone. There'll be a time change when we land in Houston, so be prepared for that. Other than that, feel free to spend this time as you'd like."

As he passes by me, heading towards the other rows of vacant seating behind us, our eyes meet briefly.

Then, as soon as he had been there, he's gone.

I'll go join him... Maybe I can urge him to get some sleep himself.

"I'm gonna head to the back where it's a bit darker." I murmur, nodding to both my Crew members as I grab my bag from beneath the table and make my way back towards where the CEO had disappeared to seconds ago.

The first thing I see as I approach Elon is his now ruffled hair, sticking out among the empty rows of seats like a sore thumb.

As I stop in front of the row he's sitting in, I can't help but sigh heavily.

Already, he's got his laptop sprawled onto his lap and is typing away, so caught up in the screen in front of him that he doesn't even notice my presence.

Gosh, this man needs to learn to take a break!

I slide into the seat next to him, gently shutting the screen to his laptop halfway as he turns to face me, annoyance on his features.

"I'm trying to work, Lori." He states as if it's the most obvious thing in the world; which it is.

I shake my head, smiling slightly.

"Take a break. Just sit back and relax. Take your own advice for once."

"You know I can't do that."

"You can, you just choose not to."

I hear the man beside me huff in annoyance as the sound of a laptop being placed aside fills my ears before a silence falls over us.

"There. Now what?"

I nearly laugh aloud.

"Now we can just talk. Or we can sleep. Either one works."

"Now that I think about it, sleep sounds like a fantastic idea." Elon murmurs from beside me as he crosses his arms and tries to get comfortable.

I watch through my peripheral vision as slowly but surely, he drifts off into a light, well deserved slumber.

"Good." I mumble, shifting in my own seat as I try and get comfortable. "Because I had no idea what we were gonna talk about anyways."

Next stop: Houston, Texas.