[This is part 3. Read part 1 here and part 2 here.]
"Of course they had to take the front seat". Franka couldn't help but getting annoyed at almost anything Halis did.
For one reason or another, she had found herself cramped in the aft-right seat of the small shuttle that barely held the three of them. Farley supplied a pre-flight list of materials, that he was now going over, loudly calling out every single item. "Can't be sure of what we'll find, so better plan for everything!" he said with a big grin. Franka thought he was being optimistic. Sure, we could see some friendly humanoids. We could also find a crazy bunch of hive-mind insectoids that would just consider us nourishment for their offspring. To Franka, Farley looked like he was going to do a university science project with some wishful thinking sprinkled on top. She on other hand, felt like she was walking into a dark underground cave that could contain beings that haven't stirred in centuries. The thought gave her a shiver. Halis made sure to bring her back to reality.
"Farley, you're just about done there?'' they said, not even turning around from their pilot's seat.
"Just about", he said. "Just loading up a blood synthesizer and we're good to go."
Halis made an audible sigh and continued with their pre-flight check. Franka initially wondered why since that should be automated, but then just attributed it to Halis' neurotic nature, which was solely based on the last couple of hours that encompassed their entire relationship. Franka didn't need to worry about bringing anything aside from her toolkit. Wondering how useful that would be was just one of the many questions going through her mind. What kind of propulsion would they use? How would they approach chemistry? How did they manage to build such a humongous ship? It defied all logic. If there is one thing that humans have learned when first reaching for the stars is that bigger is not always better. Bigger ships require more maintenance, fuel. A small problem can go unnoticed for longer and lead to catastrophic failure before it's found. Bigger ships are harder to secure and easier to board. The biggest ships have always been colony ships and those were either travelling on secure routes or would be escorted by a fleet of smaller ships.
Farley plopped down in the seat next to her. ''You're all good?'' he asked with a smile. Franka couldn't deny that it felt like Farley was under the impression this was a school trip and not possible first fucking contact.
"As good as can be, I guess'' was all Franka could muster.
''Everyone strapped in?" Halis said a little too loudly, a little too overtly. She didn't wait for an answer. The sublight engines kicked in and Franka was gently pressed into her seat. With a steady increase in speed and a flip and breaking burn halfway through, they should reach the ship in about six hours.
''Yes,'' Franka said, a bit pedantic.
Minutes had passed since the initial launch.
''What, yes?'' Halis responded.
"I'm all strapped in,'' Franka responded as she unbuckled herself and walked off towards the rear of the shuttle to get back to prepping for the mission, comfortable under .8g.
Though Franka couldn't see, she could feel Halis' eyes burning in her back, though she didn't respond any further. Franka hoped she did, but then caught herself.
''Don't get stuck in her silly games. You are going to see a big fucking spaceship, keep your head in the game.''
''So what do you guys expect?''
The cheerful naivete of Colin's remark caught Franka by surprise and she almost sighed in relief. It was only then she noticed the tension that Halis had made her build-up. She silently thanked Colin for volunteering for this mission, though she doubts he knew what he's getting himself into. Franka wanted to respond, but Halis beat her to it.
''Just be ready for anything Colin. We can't let up on this mission.''
Halis turned around in their chair, perhaps unintentionally looking like a supervillain.
''In a very real sense, this has never been done before. The protocols we've been given, that you all have read when you signed your contract, will be our guiding light in this matter.''
Franka eyed Colin and he looked back. It took all they had not to burst into laughter. It didn't pass by Halis though.
''Is this a joke to you?''
Franka felt her back straightening up, suddenly it felt like she was back in school.
''We are about to make first contact! Do you even understand what that means? The first humans to contact an alien race. A life that developed completely independent of ours, and ...
''...unless you believe in the theory of panspermia then-''
''Shut it! I wasn't finished'' Halis continued. ''We are the first representatives of humanity. Perhaps we are the first other intelligent beings they meet. Perhaps they are hostile. Perhaps they think we are hostile, just because we are approaching them and that is not part of their culture. The fact of the matter is that we do not know. So stop messing around, get your head on straight, and focus. The example we set today will reverberate throughout history.''
Franka and Colin shared another look after Halis had turned back around. No laughing this time. Colin silently opened a laptop computer and Franka went back to her bench, tinkering.
It was a bit over five hours later that anyone spoke again. The now unemotional voice of Halis broke through the silence.
''We're almost there. Start getting your suits on.''
Franka had to hand it to Halis, they were an excellent pilot. For many pilots, the turn and brake manoeuvre is a difficult one to master and often induces vomiting on the rest of the crew. Franka didn't even notice it this time. She must have somehow managed to do it without fully cutting the engines. And Franka knew that was not easy.
''Need help Botelli?''
''Eeh... I think I'm good...''
''How long since your last EVA?''
''I mostly work internally, so it's been a while.''
''What you're saying is that you let the grunts do the dangerous work?''
''I would not put it like that. It's a good learning experience.'' Franka knew that was bullshit. EVAs just sucked. Sure, the first one was fun. The first dozen or so is fun, amazing, terrifying. After that, they become routine. And routine means boring. So you send someone who can't say no.
''Right. Let me check your suit then.''
''Don't tell me you are genuinely concerned for my safety Fajumi?''
''You dying on a mission I am leading is too much paperwork for me to even start thinking about. Checking your suit is more efficient.''
Franka was honestly wondering whether Halis had actually managed to make a joke. Or perhaps she was just serious. Like she always was.
''Colin, you good?''
''Yes, ma'am!''
Franka could have sworn he wanted to salute but luckily for him, his hand got lost on the way up.
''Jesus Colin, how old are you? When the spiders come, you're gonna get fucked first.''
About 10 minutes later, all had their suits on, helmets in hand, standing by the airlock. Waiting. Waiting for the autopilot to bring us close enough to the alien ship for the tethers that we were going to be using to reach. Frank tried the word as if she'd never spoken it before.
''Alien,'' she whispered.
''Did you say anything Botelli?''
''No,'' Franka said. She turend to Halis.
''All good. Let's go find some space spiders,'' she said as she put on her helmet. She could swear that Colin was looking funny at her but at that moment, her mind was not caring for any of that much more. After many tenuous minutes, the airlock finally cycled open. Franka had stood on the precipice of an airlock before many times. She had been docked next to much bigger ships on numerous occasions. But words, almost, escaped as she stepped towards the open door to space.
''Holy fuck, that thing is fucking gigantic.''
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