Why We Go
- Barra Hart
- Oct 4, 2023
- 10 min read
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_aug082112_0330et_s_ibiso.mp4
…
“Hey, Ebi.
“I miss you. I miss you every day. It’s been 3 weeks since we exited the Oort Cloud, 8 since I last saw your face. We did a long jump a few days ago to see how far we could push the gravity engine. We undershot the NE output to the warp bubble and came dangerously close to being fucked. Lesson learned. I’m fine. We’re all fine, a little shaken up still, but settling in for the long cruise.
“The science takes up most of our time, lots of uncharted ground to cover. Updates come in slow, but i-web bandwidth’s improved since we deployed the swarm.Still need to pre-download all the interesting stuff, but things should pick up by next week – shouldn’t even take that long for this to reach you. I’ve been catching up on our favorite show in my spare time.It isn’t the same without you.
“I hope you’re doing okay over there. I hope the project’s coming along fine. I couldn’t be more proud of you if I tried…” A sigh. “… Anyway, we’re supposed to keep these short. Give Simba a pat for me. Love you forever.”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_aug152112_0933et_s_ebi.mp4
…
“Hey, Papa…
“It’s so good to hear from you. Mr. Amadi told me everything was fine but… well, you know me. I’m okay. I’m more than okay! This project… it’s everything I hoped, and we’ve made so much progress! This could be the next fusion core on the market. I can’t wait to show it to you. I’m glad you’re finally getting some internet, and no spoiler but… episode 12… is going to melt… your… brain.
“Also… Ummm… Well… There’s… someone… He’s nice. I met him in another thing I’m doing on the side. Particle Physics Department. I think I might actually be more excited about this one. It’s all still theory but… hear me out… teleportation… as in real teleportation! We’re calling it the Matter Engine, and it’s… we’ve still got a lot to figure out.
“Okay. Keep it short. Sorry, I’m just… I miss you too, Papa... so much! Simba misses you. He’s even more annoying now that you’re gone. I could never keep him in line the way you could. I know it’s a long trip and…” A sigh. “… Just be safe. Please be safe. I love you more.”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_aug222112_0333et_s_ibiso.mp4
…
“Hey, Ebi…
“I’m happy to hear about the project. Better fusion and actual teleportation?… Yeah, we could definitely use those. And I know you’ll figure it out. You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met.
“And a boy!… Hmmm…Tell me more. Must be quite a guy if he got your attention.
“We’re still cruising. Haven’t had a dull day yet.The stuff we’ve seen alone…Media should be up on the site by now, but I took some personal shots, just for you. They’re attached. Still, it’s nothing compared to seeing it yourself. I had this dream last night. You were here, with me on the bridge. I couldn’t hear what you were saying but I think you were calling out the stars.
“I think the isolation might already be starting to get to us. Next long jump’s tomorrow. Now that we’ve determined the engine’s limits, we can plan our route a little better. The sats are fully operational… finally. This should reach you before dinner time. See you soon. I love you.”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_aug232112_1109et_s_ebi.mp4
…
“Hi, Papa!
“Soooo… his name’s Jin. He’s an exchange student from the New Orient. He runs a lot, plays the sax, can work field equations for a whole planet, volunteers at the Care Center, classic romantic, we went out twice this week and… Okay, how much detail are we talking here? Awaiting confirmation.”
A chuckle.
“We tested the core yesterday. 82% efficiency. That’s something. We… undershot the output…” A second chuckle. “… Didn’t nearly die though. The UEC read our proposal. We’re waiting for feedback. I’m…terrified… but excited too. We’ve been working so hard on this.
“I took a walk to Central Park… after the test. Jin was busy on Project Number 2. I found our tree, sat there, thought about you.
“Mr. Amadi’s probably sick of me by now. Anyway… See you next week! Good luck. I love you too.”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_aug292112_0609et_s_ibiso.mp4
…
“Hey, Ebi.
“Do I want all the full details?… Hmmm… I dunno… do I?” A smirk, then a chuckle. “… Just as long as he’s good to you. I’m really happy you’ve found someone. And congrats on the consideration! Can’t say I’m surprised, though. You, my dear, dear girl, are a genius! They’d be lucky to partner with you!
“Bit of drama on Wednesday. Dauda… you remember Dauda… Well, he had a little too much during our ‘evening’ get-together. Crossed a line with Gideon’s wife, Lila, then proceeded to be a dick about it and got a bloody nose. That sobered him up. Nur… don’t recall if I ever mentioned him and Dauda are engaged… It was just before Launch Day… Anyway, he just stood in the corridor, poor guy, face in his hands. The Captain called us to the common room again after a bit. We set some new boundaries, and had a group meditation. It helped. Dauda literally couldn’t stop apologizing once the booze had cleared out of him.Engine checks for two weeks solo. That’s his penance.
“The last long jump took us right into the Helix Nebula. It is way cooler up close… 650 years cooler. We’ve been cruising through it all week. Enjoy the pictures. See you soon. Love you.”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_aug302112_1100et_s_ebi.mp4
…
“Hey, Papa.
“… Okay, basically, the dates are great, the sex is great, he’s great.We’re on recess now, both projects. The last core test was seamless. 93%. We’re so close! UEC sent some people over to check it out. They loved it. They’ll be in touch. I don’t even know why I was so worried.
“Simba got sick. Stomach bug. He hasn’t been moving around much. You can tell it’s pissing him off. But he’ll be fine in a couple of days. Shit, I forgot to mention this last time… I love your pictures, Papa! That panorama when you were passing by the blue protostar?… Take a look…” The pad shifts. The camera switches. A piece of the cosmos in crisp display across the walls of a bedroom, stars and galaxies twinkling. The camera switches again. “… I uploaded it last night. It’s perfect! See you next week. I love you so so much!”
A kiss.
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_sep62112_1100et_s_ebi.mp4
…
“Hey, Papa.
“Umm… I… Mr. Amadi says everything’s fine, that it’s just a glitch they anticipated… though I don’t remember them ever mentioning it. I just…” Welling eyes. Then a chuckle. “… Oh, you’re probably watching this having a laugh. Little Ebi, always worrying. I try not to because I know it reminds you of… Mom…” A sigh, with a tear braving escape. “… Urgh! One missed week and I’m already a mess. I didn’t sleep much last night. I just hope you’re okay. I think your messages have been getting me through a lot more than I realized. I’m a big girl, but this big girl still needs her Dad…
“… Hope you’re okay. I’m sure you are. Stay safe. I love you.”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_sep122112_0420et_s_ibiso.mp4
…
“Hey, Ebi.
“Yeah, it was a bug in one of the sat clusters. Oh baby, I’m so sorry! We’re fine. We’re great! It’s been a really productive week. Took as many pictures as I could before we exited the Nebula. Our next long jump’s in a few minutes actually…
“Don’t you ever worry about worrying about me, Ebi. I love that you worry. Just… don’t torture yourself either. This mission’s a first but it’s also been a long time coming, and we’ve taken every precaution we can. Better minds than mine… minds like yours… have been working for years to make sure your Daddy’s okay. And I’m a big boy too…” A sigh. “… Oh, I hate seeing you cry. You know that. I’m sorry, baby. We’ve patched up the bug. We’re good now. Tell me about your week. I want to hear everything. And I love you too. So much.”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_sep132112_1100et_s_ebi.mp4
…
“Hey, Papa…”
She buries her face in her hands with a groan, then raises it again, giggling.
“… I’m so embarrassed right now… It’s… been an awesome week. We did it, Papa! The core is fully operational. UEC picked up the prototype today for integration tests. We got the patent registered on Thursday, then open-sourced it.
“They probably sent you a clip of our little get-together at HQ. ‘The Families’. It was… awkward… because I’m awkward.Great food, though. Jin came with me, then we went to his place, talked about quantum fields for about 5 minutes and then… well… It’s been an awesome week.
“I really didn’t want you to see me like that, Papa. I meditated, after. It helped… Seeing your message helped more…” A sigh, and a smile.“… You really had me worried for a second there. Be safe, Papa. And keep the photos coming.I love you.”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_sep192112_0900et_s_ibiso.mp4
…
“Hey, Ebi.
“I am so, so, so proud of you! Congratulations on the patent! And yes, they did send us a clip… and yes I saw you, being very awkward. Glad you had fun though. Sorry again for the scare.
“We’re about a week away from Blue-Beri, and are currently on a rock in an asteroid field with the craziest Deuterium levels I have ever seen. We suspected one of the Hunters had stumbled on it on the scouting missions. This confirms it. Still waiting on Base to approve the walk outside.We’ll mark out a few spots and move on, leave the rest to the companies. Our backlog’s clear so there haven’t been that many briefings. This stop is the most interesting thing that’s happened since the glitch.
“You and Jin seem to be doing okay. Thought about finally getting back in the game myself once I’m home. We’ll see.
“Okay, we have got to talk about episode 12… What?… Like… What?! What?!!! How do you even… See, now we have to watch Season 3, don’t we? See this is why I…”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_sep202112_1100et_s_ebi.mp4
…
“Hey, Papa.
“Yes! Yes!!! I cannot wait till Season 3 is out! It’s like… Why the fuck would they do that to us? Who does that?!…” Laughter. “… Anyway, we hit a dead end with the matter engine, something off about the math, something about the bulk we just don’t know enough to account for. The molecules in the sim just vanished. Poof. No idea where they went. But we’re staying optimistic. We’ve got another team at KAIST – that’s Jin’s alma mater – working on a few possibilities.We’ll crack this. I know we will.
“And yes, Jin and I are doing great. Lots of dates, lots of work, we’re…”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_sep262112_1100et_s_ibiso.mp4
…
“Hey, Ebi.
“Thought I’d try to match your time. Let’s see who breaks the streak first. We’re here… well… in the system. We passed its ‘Oort Cloud’ yesterday. The comets are a little bigger than home. Also… we saw them… the Others… one of their ships. Just whizzed past us, pretty thing. We pinged our Hunter for a data dump. It got a look at it too. Not sure where they were headed. They really don’t say ‘Hi’ much.
“We are, currently, entering the Second Belt. We thought our last stop was crazy. Gaia Consolidated is gonna have a field day here. I got my first shot of Blue Beri. It’s still a… Pale Blue Dot…at this distance. Our final jump is in T-minus 1 hour. That’ll bring us within 42,000 miles, for the money view. I’m not gonna lie… I am nervous as hell. This is all so new, and…They… are only giving us so many pointers.
“… To think we had all this figured out in the 19-fucking-40s…” He looks off, shaking his head. “… Anyway… very nervous… But excited too…” A chuckle. “… See you soon. Love you.”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_sep272112_1100et_s_ebi.mp4
…
“Hey, Papa.
“Oh, you are so on! Cast waves have been a-buzz since you guys arrived, and they put a clip of the ship on the site.Apparently they were headed here. A fleet was sent out of Oru-1 to welcome them. I doubt there’ll be much talking. They should be at the Periphery by now.
“Thanks for the pic. And it’s been an… alright week. Still no headway with the Matter Engine…but… UEC tested our core in this new plane model from Nosoni. 25% more ion thrust than their current lineup. Looks like I’ll be dropping out soon.
“… Kidding. I fucking love this place.
“I had my matrix upgraded yesterday… finally. It’s… useful. Still tickles behind my right ear though. The sensory architecture’s new. Not sure when I’ll get used to literally seeing things and hearing voices but… It’s useful.
“I bumped into Nur’s little sister, Mahsa. She owns a pastry shop down the street I’d never been to. I had no idea she worked that close to our place. I tried one of her… they’re called Qurabiyas… and now I’ve got 3 boxes of them in the fridge.
“Thought you might find that funny. Good luck with the landing. I’ll be watching. I love you too.”
***
use@analyst:~/missions/asantewa_iv/messages/crew/ibiso$ play vm_oct12112_1121et_s_ibiso.mp4
…
“Hey, baby.
“Looks like you win. 21 minutes late. Though in my defense, I was kind of in the middle of something. Hope you enjoyed the show, and the…” A grunt, with rolled eyes. “… interviews. Finally get real-time relay and the first thing I have to deal with is fucking bloggers. But hey, we survived the landing…” A long exhalation. “… That was close. Sorry. Again. I promise we had it completely under control for the last 15 seconds.”
A weak laugh.
“… It’s beautiful here… innocent. You should be getting live coverage right now, and this should reach you about 4 seconds after I hit SEND. We’re cataloging the wildlife. Lots of social species, but no apexes. We bagged this one right on time. And the air is great!
“I’ll give you a call once we’re done.Just thought I’d close off with one final video. See you soon!”
***
“Hey…”
“Papa!” said Ebi, eyes welling up.
“How’s my feed?” said Ibi.
“It’s perfect!”
“Great! Great. Where are you?”
“In the park,” said Ebi, holding the phone further out. Behind her, a purple dusk waned nocturnal. “Stars are almost out.”
“Check this…”
He switched cameras, and turned his pad skywards. New constellations. New moons. A crimson nebula visible in the West.
“It’s…”
“I know, right?” said Ibi, as his face reappeared.
“It’s so good to talk to you again, Papa.”
“It’s good to talk to you.”
“How’s the crew?”
“Oh, everyone’s just chilling. After my message, we took a rover out to the sweet spot, planted a Foundation Seed. Then we headed back in and set up for tomorrow’s party. I take it they already have the Lounge decorated?”
“Yep.”
“Mmm. Oh! We got our first visitors…” The camera switched again, facing the colossal, stingray-shaped vessel. Its floodlights illuminated the surrounding plains, and a flock of plump, violet-feathered organisms huddled together on its roof. “… They perched about 10 minutes after we landed, and they will not leave. You might have already spotted them in the footage… I like them. They’re cute, and quiet. Most of the wildlife is further North. Still a lot to sift through before we know all the ones not to hang out with. Very few insects, though. Odd. And they seem to like their own company. Haven’t even seen one myself yet.”
She giggled.
“… What?”
“You seem so… I haven’t seen you this… okay… in a while.”
“Ebi…”
“I know, I know, it’s just… It’s good, you know?”
“It is. And I can’t wait to bring you here.”
“I can’t wait to come. I mean how about that sky?”
“Yep,” said Ibi, tilting the pad towards the stars again, looking up himself, and drawing a thoughtful breath. “… This is why.”
“Why what?”
“Why we do it. There are always risks… but we do it. We venture out into the unknown for a chance at something more, even with everything we have… for the hell of it… for those coming after…”
She smiled, as truth echoed in her own heart. Base had already green-lit the Asantewa V Mission, and elected its crew. Papa and his crew would be here a while, setting up the village around the Foundation Seed, working out an equilibrium with the biosphere, making a new home, humanity’s 4th terrestrial settlement, and 6th cosmic settlement. Then they’d head back, passing the torch to Crew V, and the crew after, and the crew after that, and soon, the first wave of colonists.
“That’s why we do it,” said Ibi. “That’s why we go.”
***
© 2023 Barra Hart. All rights reserved.
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