chapter three

       TODAY WAS THE day. After weeks upon weeks. They were launching ship three. Two had left just after Becca had begun her work. The mind drives gave off to much radiation, and the blood serum would only combine in space. So they were launching it. The blood would be given to the colonists and then the mind drives would be put in. Liana was going up with Becca to take the blood serum out. Becca had apparently asked for her. 

       Liana and Becca would only be up there for a few hours. Then they'd go back down and three would take off for Alpha. The ship was set to take off in an hour, and Liana was prepping. Chris sat in front of her. 

"You'll have to tell me what it's like when you come back down," He said. 

"Weightlessness. It's calming, actually. Not being held down by gravity and able to move in ways that are almost completely impossible on earth," Liana said. 

       She tied up her hair. She was wearing her usual outfit, and she didn't plan on changing. She'd have to get in the space suit, however, but that didn't matter just then. 

"I'd love to go into space," Chris said. 

"Takes lot of training. But very worth it," Liana said. 

       She opened the door to leave the room, and Chris followed behind her. He walked with her to the ship, which the colonists had already boarded. Becca was making some last minute adjustments. Liana stood by her side. 

"Ready?" Liana asked. 

"Yes," Becca said. 

       They walked towards the ship, boarding. The door closed behind them, making it dark before the lights flickered to life. The two headed onto the bridge where everyone was gathered. It was all the colonists, and the crew. Most of it at least. They still had work to do. Liana stood by a blonde, a few years younger than her. She was apart of Mission Team Alpha. A biologist, as Liana remembered. She'd only met the crew about twice. 

"Have you ever been to space?" She asked. 

"No. Mostly just zero-g chambers, but we need the real thing this time," Liana answered. 

"I think it'd be kind of cool to spacewalk," She said. 

"It's really fun," Liana said. "I'm Liana."

"Josephine," The girl said. 

"Pretty name," Liana said. 

"Preparing for takeoff," The pilot said. "Everyone hold on to something."

       The ship began moving, flying upward. It was a rough ride, shaking back and forth just enough to make you sick. The ship lurched, sending everyone into a wall. Liana held Josephine to the wall as it lurched again. The girl looked at her gratefully. Then they were in space. It felt weightless, but only because the gravity rings hadn't started moving yet. Everyone floated up a little before they did, sending everyone to the ground. 

       Becca headed off towards the airlock and Liana went after her. Josephine followed, too. 

"Is it okay if I just watch?" She asked. 

"Knock yourself out," Liana said. 

       She quickly stripped, getting into  her suit. She could tell the others were watching her, looking at all the scars and tattoos covering her body. When she was ready, she stood in the airlock with the serum in her arms. She slowed her breathing and waited for the doors to open. Liana wondered why Becca had wanted her. She'd only ever used to zero-g chamber, and she was sure that was nothing like the real thing. 

       Then the doors opened and she was pulled forcefully outside. The breathe left her lungs and she almost let go of the serum, but she didn't. She held onto it tightly. A moment or so and it'd be done. She waited, watching it change so quickly. It was almost like magic. When it was done, Becca's voice rang in her ear. 

"You hear me, Spacewalker?" She asked. 

"Loud and clear," Liana said. 

"Is it done yet?" Becca asked. 

"Yeah, I think so," Liana answered. 

"Alright, we're gonna pull you in," Becca said. 

"Ready," Liana said. 

       The rope attached to her suit began tugging and pulled her forward, back toward the airlock. Once she was inside, the doors closed and she was thrust back into gravity. The airlock doors opened and Becca came in, along with Liana's team. She took the serum and backed up, letting Liana get out of the heavy suit. 

       Once she was out, she took in a deep breathe before she dressed again. 

"That looked like so much fun," Josephine said once she left the airlock. 

"It was. If we were still on the ground, I'd take you in the zero-g chamber," Liana said. 

"Now I wish I wasn't leaving," Josephine said. 

       Liana gave a small laugh, walking alongside the younger girl back to the bridge. Eventually all the colonists would be injected with the serum and have their mind drives put in. 

"Liana, will you help me with everyone?" Becca asked. 

"Yeah sure," Liana left Josephine and headed off with Becca. 

"I want to test the blood first. Would you be willing?" Becca asked. 

"You want to test the serum on me?" Liana asked. 

"Yes, I do," Becca said. 

"I mean, I'm honoured. Sure, why not. Be the first... something," Liana agreed. 

       They entered the lab, where hundreds of embryos sat. They'd also be injected with the serum, but that would be all at once. Liana sat down, and watched Becca gather things. A tourniquet  and a syringe. Becca then filled the syringe with the serum and tied the tourniquet around her arm. Without warning, she stuck the needle in her arm, and pushed down. Liana hardly winced, used to much worse. The syringe emptied into her veins, and Becca took it out. 

"Give it a few seconds and we'll check your blood," Becca said. 

       The colonists had made their way to the lab, standing and waiting for their turn. Becca prepared more syringes, and then grabbed an empty one. She stuck it in Liana's other arm, and drew blood out. It was a shiny black colour. Becca smiled at Liana. 

"Now we can inoculate everyone else," Becca said. 

"Yay, can I go?" Liana asked. 

       Becca jokingly rolled her eyes and nodded. Liana stood and left, giving Josephine a small smile as she did. Another hour or so and she'd leave. No matter how much fun space was, Earth was so much better.