MFS - 1 (Patreon)

I've rewritten chapter one and succeeding chapters will be human created.

Metamorphosis from the Stars (Stellaris Book 1)

by Raine Monday

Chapter One

The coffee in the Mission Control break room was cold, but at least it was terrible. I sipped it, wincing at the harsh taste, and looked out the immense floor to ceiling windows that ran along one side.

High above, the Stellaris was a faint plasma streak in the sky obscured by wispy cirrus clouds.  It had passed the entry interface and should be performing Terminal, Area, Energy Management (TAEM), maneuvers to align itself for landing.

 I knew the trajectory and systems aboard the Stellaris like the back of my hand. After all, I had personally installed many of the systems almost five years ago. Every inch of the spacecraft's Polytetrafluoroethylene-wrapped niobium-titanium wire had been meticulously installed, checked, verified, and rechecked. The wiring was designed to be double, sometimes triple redundant in the ship's systems. 

But still I worried. What if the Thermal Protection System (TPS), which I knew had been acquired at sub-standard rates, failed and exposed the inner capsule? The scenario played out vividly in my mind: the extreme heat overwhelming the ablative shield tiles, the crackling of the protective layers, and the heat penetrating the spacecraft, leading to structural failure as temperature and velocity collided catastrophically. 

Sometimes I wish I wasn’t assigned to this mission as the systems engineer. I knew all the factors that would work *correctly* but I also knew in how many ways disaster was avoided when one factor failed.

And the precious cargo inside lost, killed, or worse. 

Today that precious cargo included my wife, Dr. Emily Anderson. I knew she’d be safely ensconced in her custom-made launch and re-entry seat. She’d be worried but excited, happy to be home again. Happy to see me?

I swallowed a lump in my throat. Would she be happy to see me?

We’d lost Eric just before the trip. His tiny hand so limp and gray as it hung from the crib.

“We’re risking our lives with this,” someone said near me.

I blinked and saw Hank Thompson pouring himself a cup. 

“Yeah,” I said.

“We’re gonna get your girl home safely, you just wait and see.”

I sighed, forcing down the last remnants of the vile coffee. “Yeah, I know, boss.”

“Aside from a bit of unexpected oscillation, the Stellaris is performing perfectly. You’re a credit to your trade.”

“Don’t say that.” I said, crossing my arms. “Flight still isn’t over.”

“Emily is going to be fine, John.” He patted me on the shoulder. “Unclench your sphincter and let’s head out to the tarmac.”

“Okay, boss.”

Together we emptied our cups, and made our way out to the waiting e-scooter. Mission Control buzzed with activity as staff members hurriedly prepared for the homecoming ceremony. Chairs were aligned, balloons inflated, and microphones tested. Families would greet Emily and the crew, and we would board the scooters to head inside for the ceremony. Hank would lead the way, welcoming the crew home, before they were escorted to the waiting medical personnel for their final medical check-ups.

I folded myself as best as I could into the e-scooter’s back seat, facing the opposite direction from the driver. The hum of the motor kicked in, and we pulled away from Mission control, leaving the hustle and bustle behind.

“Beautiful day!” Hank said, beside me. He wore his signature sunglasses, the crags and valleys of his face upturned to the sun. He always appeared perpetually sunburned, even when he’d sat at a computer for 15 hours a day.

“A perfect day,” I said.

“Look, son, there’s something I need to tell you about Emily.”

I frowned, worry clenching my gut. I knew something was going on. Emily had been avoiding our video chats, insisting on voice-only conversations. She attributed it to exhaustion, not wanting me to see her in such a state, but her voice had been laced with worry. 

“Tell me,” I said.

He nodded, but just then his radio crackled and he put it up to his ear. He put a hand on the driver’s shoulder, and we stopped so he could look up at the descending craft.

“No, ten degrees!” he said. “That’s twelve!”

Someone on the other line said something, and Thompson covered his eyes, looking up at the Stellaris.

“There, perfect.”

I had no idea how he could provide information based on a tiny blip miles away up in the atmosphere, but that was Hank. He’d been on 12 missions himself, and would have been on this one except he’d had some minor surgery that precluded his presence onboard. As mission commander, he was in charge of every inch of the ship and was an expert-level pilot and navigator. Most of the piloting was done by computer, but it did require a bit of adjustment by the onboard pilot, Michelle Rodriguez.

We got back into the e-scooter and made our way to the landing zone.

Whatever Hank had been about to tell me, apparently forgotten.

Some time later, The Stellaris gracefully touched down onto the landing strip, its engines gradually fading into silence. Anticipation filled the air as the spacecraft came to a rest, symbolizing the triumphant completion of a remarkable journey. The ground crew swiftly surrounded the spacecraft, ensuring its stability and safety. A palpable mix of relief and pride infused the atmosphere.

Hank and I disembarked from the e-scooter, joining the eager crowd that had gathered to welcome the returning crew. The spaceport buzzed with activity as staff members hurriedly prepared for the grand homecoming celebration. Families stood anxiously, their gazes fixed on the spaceship, eagerly awaiting the sight of their loved ones emerging.

As the hatch of the Stellaris swung open, a wave of applause erupted. One by one, the crew members emerged, their faces radiating a combination of exhaustion and triumph. Tears of joy welled up in the eyes of family members, and heartfelt embraces were exchanged.

Yet, amidst the elation, I couldn't spot Emily. Each crew member stepped off the spacecraft, but she was nowhere to be seen. My heart raced with a mixture of excitement and concern. Where was she?

Then, I witnessed a figure being lifted up by someone inside the spacecraft. It was Koko, our cherished companion, placed gently onto the ramp. Following closely behind was another crew member, wearing a helmet with the sun screen up. Was that Emily?

In response to my unspoken question, she waved in my direction, her movements filled with familiarity. As she descended the ramp, hand-in-hand with Koko, something seemed amiss. Was she shorter? My eyes narrowed, attempting to discern any peculiarities. She walked with a slight stoop, mirroring Koko's gait, her shoulder rounded. I reasoned that it might be a result of spending extended periods with the chimpanzee. Yet, why hadn't she removed her helmet?

The crew ascended the stairs to the platform, elevated above the audience. Hank took the podium.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s been a crazy three years and two hundred and forty-two days, hasn’t it?”

The crowd applauded.

“The crew of the Stellaris made voyage to the Europa, stayed a year, and made the long trip back all without a major incident. While not ever mission objective was met, and there were a few wrinkles along the way —“ suddenly eyes turned to Emily who shrugged. 

Why did she shrug.

“The International Space Agency considers the Stellaris mission to be an overwhelming success.” He said the last words to the erupted applause from the crowd. Koko leaped up, hooting and cackling, giving everyone a treat with his wide smiled.

“I couldn’t have said it better myself, Koko.” Thompson put his hand up.

“Ladies and Gentleman it is my distinct honor to welcome the crew of the Stellaris back home.”

He held up his hands to the applause of all. Why hadn’t she taken off her helmet? What was wrong with her face? I noticed the murmurs of a few people beside and around me.

“I present these golden oak leaves to each member of the flight team. Starting with Dr. Li Wei, mission Geologist!” Dr. Wei stepped up as Hank hung a medal around her neck. “Dr. Wei was instrumental in assisting with the cryobot and the study of Europa’s planetary geology.

“Dr. Marcus Chen!” Marcus stepped up, holding a rubik’s cube. It, or some other type of puzzle, was never far from his fingers. “Marcus was the exobiologist onboard and after the survey of the subglacial environment, Marcus has had seventeen new named species collected!”

Everyone chuckled a bit as Hank hung his oak cluster around Marcus’s neck.

“Next is Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka!” Dr. Wei tugged Hiroshi’s sleeve as he didn’t understand English. “Dr. Tanaka was the materials scientist and provided valuable insight during the hydrobot exploration.” He hung the oak cluster around Tanaka’s neck.

“Next is Lieutenant Carlos Hernandez!” 

Everyone applauded as each member of the crew stepped up for their award. People were getting a bit impatient as the ceremony stretched on.

“Next in line is  Dr. Emily Anderson!” Everyone applauded politely, but I could hear the general consensus. Why had she not taken her helmet off?

“Emily suffered a bit of an injury during the last phase of the journey that has affected her eyesight. That’s why she’s chosen to keep her helmet on during the ceremony.

Emily gave the audience a wave, as Hank hung the oak leaf around her neck. “Emily will be receiving treatment in our medical facilities at the conclusion of this event.”

Emily stepped back in line with the rest of the crew.

“And last, but certainly not least, Koko!”

Koko jumped up and down, hooting and screeching. Emily took his hand and escorted him in front of Hank. “Koko provided valuable assistance to the team, along with important data as the ‘guinea pig’ of the excursion. We are happy to say, Koko is healthy and will also be taken into the medical facility to receive further treatment.”

Koko tried to bite his oak leaf, but Emily gently took it away from him, and picked the chimp up into her arms.

“That’s it everyone!” Hank said. “Until next time, safe journey’s to the stars, or wherever your next port of call might be!”

The audience erupted in applause as Hank and the crew left the stage. I followed, feeling a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. There were unanswered questions that demanded clarification.