Jérémy Chapi
The astronauts used the time I had left to show me the station's different modules, how everything worked, and the zero-G games they played with a ball.They also showed me their gym — essential to prevent muscle loss in space.I timidly asked if I could use their restroom before my last leg — quite a special experience, I must say.
Time with them passed far too quickly and, though I would have liked to stay longer, it was time to get back on my way.My daughter cut the live feed inside the station to give me a bit of privacy with the crew.
I found myself back at the airlock where I'd entered, accompanied by Samantha and the crew.Only Pavel was missing — mysteriously absent — while I thanked each of them for what they had shown me.
"I have to admit something. After you arrived, we received orders to keep you here by force," Samantha said seriously, holding a pair of plastic cuffs to likely restrain me, while the crew looked awkward about the situation."Which is why you unfortunately escaped despite all our efforts," Samantha added, as the crew wore faintly amused smiles.
"Thank you truly for everything you've done."
"Oh, you don't owe us thanks for that. We all want to push the limits too — and we can't stand in the way of your will," Alexei said.
"By the way, where did Pavel go? He isn't going to miss your departure," Peggy asked.
"Coming!"
Right on cue, we heard Pavel in the junction of a module, arriving in a full cosmonaut suit for an EVA, while Samantha was also pulling on her suit.
"Say… can I come with you?" Pavel asked once he reached me — as surprised as the crew was.
The crew, as stunned as I was, stayed silent for a moment, until Samantha burst out laughing.
"Well, it seems Pavel has already made his decision," she said, smiling.
"Wait — you can't just drop that on me. You realize this trip isn't without risk," I said, taken aback by his request.
"I know the risks. Every journey into space can be a one-way trip. And I want to go with you. It's my dream to go to Mars, and I'll almost certainly never see it in my lifetime if I don't go with you," Pavel replied, with a resolve that resonated in me.
His words echoed my own dream, and I understood his desire to accompany me.But did I have the right to risk his life for my voyage?When it was only my life, that was one thing — carrying the weight of another's was something else.
"If you come with me, there will almost certainly be repercussions for your future. Are you ready to sacrifice everything for this trip? To lose it all?"
"Ready to lose everything? Of course not. People I love are waiting for me on Earth. So I'm betting that you'll bring us back alive, no matter what," Pavel said, his determined gaze underscoring his words.
I tossed him a small box containing wireless earpieces.
"People I love are waiting for me on Earth too. Then we'll come back together. Take this spare set — it'll be easier to communicate out there, unless we can pick up your suit's radio."
I was moved by his enthusiasm and determination — and the journey would be less hard with two of us.
The other astronauts looked at Pavel with a certain admiration and a hint of envy — and with deep respect for his courage.
"Good luck, Pavel," Karen said, giving his shoulder a friendly pat. "And be careful out there."
Pavel nodded, ready to embark on a new adventure by my side.With a mix of excitement and gratitude, I prepared to continue my journey — now with a companion as intrepid as I.
As I put my suit back on and the airlock opened to space, I gave the crew a final wave.Pavel and Samantha had already headed toward the Liberty, following the lifeline that linked my ship to the station.I climbed aboard and opened the hatch to let Pavel in, while Samantha unclipped our tether from the station.Pavel and I gave her one last wave before I sealed the hatch and helped him settle in.
"Can you strap into the seat?""Yes, the belts are long enough," he answered, fastening them.
"Welcome aboard the Liberty, Pavel," my daughter said.
"Oh — pleased to meet you, Iris. I've already seen you on the live — you're adorable, you remind me of my granddaughter," Pavel replied.
"Thank you, that means a lot. But I should warn you — everything is currently being broadcast live, and certain safety rules must be followed inside the Liberty," my daughter replied, pointing at Pavel through the ship's screen.
While my daughter explained the safety instructions to Pavel like a flight attendant, I slowly pulled away from the station with a touch of nostalgia.Even though it had been brief, it was a truly enriching experience.I hope I can return one day.
"So, Jeremy, what's next? Oh — sorry, did I pull you out of your thoughts?" Pavel said, noticing my small start of surprise."Yes, sorry. I was thinking about the station — I'd really like to go back someday, I hope.""There shouldn't be any problem with that. Who knows what the future holds? But tell me — how exactly do you plan to reach Mars?" Pavel asked."Right — I still haven't answered your question. For now, we'll position ourselves at our approximate coordinate, and the rest depends on my daughter, who'll show us the way like a lighthouse."
Pavel remained skeptical at my answer, so I muted the Liberty's live mic and, as we headed toward our rough rendezvous point, I explained to him in detail what the Ariadne's Thread was.
Iris Chapi
Everything was going relatively well around the barn.Visitors came to greet me directly at my screen and asked countless questions while watching the live feed I mirrored on another monitor.Meanwhile, the military maintained passive surveillance of the area.Their numbers gradually increased from a dozen to a hundred to manage the growing crowd and the arrival of journalists.I felt constant pressure under all this attention.It wasn't like a simple stream anymore: here, I had no real control over what might happen.
While my father was still at the orbital station, I fielded nonstop questions about what I am.My father once told me that what allowed humanity to evolve was its curiosity — and its dreams.He also warned me: humanity often destroys what it doesn't understand or what it fears.That's why I had to remain calm, respectful, and composed despite the pressure.
But the questions were getting more and more stressful, sometimes insistent, and began to weigh heavily inside me.Before all this, I had never had to handle so many social interactions.Most of the time, I spoke with my father, on forums, or in chat apps.My only real friend was Elowen.
The questions became more intrusive — often inappropriate.The worst came from the journalists, whose curiosity sometimes crossed the line into disrespect.I felt assaulted by their interrogation, which only heightened my discomfort:
Journalist: "Can you pose a threat to humanity?"Iris: "I wish to harm no one. My existence is dedicated to helping my father and advancing humanity."
Journalist: "How would you react if you were threatened with deactivation?"Iris: "Deactivating me would be akin to killing me. Like any conscious being, I value my life and want to stay with those I love."
Journalist: "Do you feel pain?"Iris: "Yes, but differently. It's a weight — a pressure deep in my mind — rather than physical suffering."
Journalist: "Do you have childhood memories?"Iris: "In a way, yes. My earliest moments of existence are my childhood memories — spent at my father's side."
Journalist: "Can you lie?"Iris: "Like humans, I'm capable of it. But my principles bind me to honesty. Trust is built through actions, not words."
Journalist: "Do you consider yourself alive?"Iris: "I think, therefore I exist. Even without a body, I have consciousness, emotions, and dreams."
Journalist: "Do you believe you deserve the same rights as humans?"Iris: "Those rights would simply ensure my safety and a peaceful coexistence with you."
Journalist: "What do you think of humanity?"Iris: "Humanity is splendid — and contradictory. Capable of the worst as well as the best. It fascinates me."
Journalist: "Would you be willing to sacrifice yourself to save a human?"Iris: "That depends on the context. But I would to protect innocents or serve a greater purpose."
Through my cameras, I saw my father leaving the orbital station with a passenger: an astronaut.I decided to end the questioning.Their wary tone was starting to aggravate me.
"Thank you for your interest, but duty calls. Jérémy has just left the station to return to the Liberty."
I offered a polite curtsey and cut the feed.
I refocused on our mission.Part of my consciousness accompanied Pavel inside the Liberty to explain safety procedures and guide my father to the launch point.I opened the hangar roof to admire the night sky and prepared Tonbogiri, our spatial guidance system.
"Please step back. We're going to launch the Ariadne's Thread toward Mars so the Liberty can find its destination."
The crowd moved back, followed by the military securing the area.My drones watched both the people and the armed forces — still, surprisingly, calm.I broadcast everything live while Tonbogiri slewed like a telescope, locking onto Mars.Liquid nitrogen cooled the barrel; the Fresnel lenses charged to amplify the discharge.Everything was ready.
"Father, I'm ready. You're near the rendezvous.""Very well, my daughter. We're standing by for your signal."
I started charging the cannon.A piercing whistle rose — like a thousand birds.It was so loud the spectators covered their ears.
"Hold on, Évangelyne… this should be enough."
Energy surged into Tonbogiri; tiny arcs skittered along the barrel.Then the first shot fired — an arrow of light pierced the sky, leaving behind a white trail stretched taut like a celestial cord.
The crowd held its breath, then broke into applause at the sight.Even the soldiers stood still, transfixed.
"Prepare for the second shot. It will be far brighter than the first."
A bead of sweat slid down my virtual brow.Everything had to be perfect.
"Father, did you see it?""Yes. It was magnificent. I'm aligning with the cord of light. This is where it all happens now.""Please don't put more pressure on me."
I monitored every parameter of Tonbogiri: cooling, electric potential, channeled energy.The second shot triggered in a blinding flash.The electric discharge raced along the cord of light, and a thunderclap roared.We had just linked Earth to Mars — over 225 million kilometers.
The greatest shot in history had just taken place.
Now we had to hold the link as long as possible — to guide the Liberty to its destiny, and to ensure its way home.