[ACT 1]
✦ ✦ ✦
IT WAS EIGHT o’clock in the morning on December 26. Billowing white smoke still hung over the launchpad, but the screen had already switched to a telescopic view of the unmanned rocket.
“T-plus 128, 129. Solid rocket booster burn complete.” Kinoshita’s words reverberated through the control room.
Already one hundred kilometers away, the rocket flickered and burned on the screen like a tiny torch. Two objects separated from the torch, trailing thin wisps of smoke.
“We have solid rocket booster separation.”
Director Nasuda made a slight nod.
From here on out, it was up to the main booster. Everything was riding on Motoko Mihara’s new fuel. If the fuel didn’t burn exactly as planned, the thin duralumin casing enclosing the combustion chamber would be ripped to shreds.
“Come on,” Director Nasuda muttered under his breath. The knuckles of his clenched fists were bright white.
Yukari stared intently at the image on the screen.
The LS-5A mounted with Yukari’s capsule, Tampopo, stood on the adjacent launchpad undergoing final preparations for launch. If all went well with Pathfinder, the test rocket, it would be Yukari’s turn tomorrow.
Since liftoff, 310 seconds had elapsed.
“Main booster burn complete. We have second-stage separation. Kick motor ignition successful. All systems nominal.”
The crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief that gave way to a smattering of applause.
“Don’t count our chickens yet,” grumbled Director Nasuda. “Save the applause until we hear from Christmas Island.”
A rocket’s success depended on a series of steps. A successful main booster burn was a milestone, but the mission couldn’t be classified a success until the unmanned capsule reached orbit.
Eleven minutes later, a call came in from the tracking station on Christmas Island, over 4,800 kilometers away. Kinoshita listened to their report, then returned the phone to its cradle. “Christmas Island has acquired Pathfinder,” he said, his voice calm. “Orbital inclination eight degrees, altitude 210 kilometers, speed 7.7 kilometers per second.” A smile split his face.
Pent-up joy erupted in rapturous shouts and applause. The controllers hefted Motoko and Mukai into the air.
Director Nasuda beamed triumphantly and thrust out a sweaty palm toward Yukari. “Congratulations. You’re up next.”
Reluctantly Yukari took his hand. “Thanks,” she said. Her palm was sweaty too.
✦ ✦ ✦
[ACT 2]
✦ ✦ ✦
ALTHOUGH YUKARI WAS done training, her last day was packed with press conferences, health tests, and meetings to review the flight plan. It all went by in a blur.
Yukari’s mind felt numb, as though it were floating outside her body and watching everything from afar. She remained calm and collected through it all, more so than even she would have expected. It reminded her of the night before her high school entrance exams. She had prepared as best she could; now all that was left to do was to wait and see what hand fate dealt her.
“I thought I’d be more nervous,” said Yukari.
She turned off the lights and drew back the curtains. The shadowy outline of the training facility and the command center framed a silvery path that led toward the ocean. The launchpad loomed in the distance. Spotlights illuminated the maintenance tower from all sides, limning it in white. The lights of an elevator flickered as it rose and fell through the iron skeleton of the tower.
“I may be the only one getting any sleep tonight.” Yukari sighed.
✦ ✦ ✦
In a room beneath the launchpad, Satsuki was giving Mukai an IV drip. He hadn’t slept in three days.
“Isn’t there a shot that will make me feel like I just woke up from a nice, long nap?” asked Mukai.
“Afraid not.”
Mukai stared up at Satsuki from a folding cot. “What’s in that thing anyway?”
“Solita-t No. 3 with a vitamin B and C chaser.”
“I don’t need vitamins, I need something to wake me up.”
“I have just the thing, but you’re not going to get any from me,” said Satsuki in a tone that brooked no argument. “What you need is rest, and that’s not something I can give you. Vitamins are the best I can do.”
“I just have to make it until morning. It all comes down to today.”
“The best thing you can do right now is sleep. The IV will take two hours anyway. Now get some shut-eye!”
✦ ✦ ✦
[ACT 3]
✦ ✦ ✦
SATSUKI GAVE YUKARI a wake-up call at three o’clock in the morning. Outside it was still dark.
Yukari and Matsuri went to the cafeteria together for a breakfast of coconut milk, eggs, and toast. Then it was off to the clinic, where Satsuki took their temperatures, blood pressures, heart rates, and urine samples. Satsuki noted the readings in her medical log and ushered the girls to the director’s office.
Director Nasuda greeted them with bloodshot eyes—he hadn’t been to bed either—and looked over the medical log. Satisfied, he stood and strode over to Yukari and Matsuri.
“Yukari, you are officially the commander of the Solomon Space Association’s first manned mission.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Matsuri, you are our official backup. You will provide ground support from the control room.”
“Hoi.”
Director Nasuda looked from one girl to the other. “We’re counting on you.”