Chapter Text
It was a cool autumn day, from what I can remember.
My vision swims like oil in water- never quite landing right. I turn my head to the side as an incessant Robotic voice questions me with useless information, I'm mad. I ws just about to remember... Something.
"What is 2 + 2?"
I try to murmur the word so the damn thing will leave me alone, but all I wanted to do was drift back to sleep and remember what seemed like a very important scenario in my life. It seems the Robotic voice read my mind, and without grace I swam back into the delirium of sleep.
~~~
"While I find your hypothesis to have some Weight, I fear we have no resources or time to pour into it whilst it's still baseless." I'm all Professionalism despite my nerves kicking me in the back. Hypothetically of course, Nerves don't exactly Kick.
The man standing on the Podium ahead of me grits his teeth with mirth as I challenge him directly. Something in my gut tells me we were friends? Maybe? His dirty-straw colored hair is tousled in a way I vaguely recall roughing up with some sardonic words of encouragement. I remember who I am at least. I'm Edena Starr, I'm 25 here at least and currently a rising prodigy in the Scientific world. For what I can't remember- But I know my compatriot who is currently blowing smoke from his ears is also bumping my shoulder for that title.
Ah yes now I Remember! UNESCO! I'm Here to present a Paper to Dr.Beinhaur in the hopes he'll choose me to be his underling. A Research grant from him would solidify my place amongst NASA figureheads. I needed the publicity.
Unfortunately so did Goldilocks.
I called him that because his Hypothesis, while intriguing, can't be proved yet. Microbial fauna evolving without the conditions found on earth would be something right out of a fanfiction or sci-fi book. But I am a lot more merciful than the senior scientists also there to review the both of us, so I choose to entertain the idea.
"Have you Any proof at all? Have you found anything that can suggest towards this at all?"
"Well No B-"
"Then Why do you think this? Is it just an attempt at an original idea?" I fold my hands over my lap- which is dressed in a nicely ironed pencil skirt. "While I find the Idea more than Fascinating, as In I'm not outright calling you an ignoramus, I feel it'd be best to shelf your papers and not let you waste your breath and make a fool of yourself."
Honestly that in itself wouldn't happen. I know this man had been pushing this rhetoric ever since he entered the field- if anything this was his academic suicide note. The fact he even signed this Dissertainment and presented it in front of the Dr.Beinhaur was audacious enough.
What he did next though? It solidified the fact he was giving up.
"I cannot fathom how a stupendous waste of carbon like yourself has gotten the attention of NASA." he snapped. Slamming his papers on the desk. Guards whisked to rush him out of the conference room- but he was already storming out with his cardigan billowing at his sides.
~~~
I awake again to the Robot of Doom torment me with questions again. I feel a sharp pang of loss and despair at the memory. That man- the Goldilocks Boy- I can't seem to find the reasoning as to why but he makes my chest ache. Perhaps we were friends and that conference shattered the peace? I figured what I said then made sense.
or maybe he just didn't wanna listen to sense.
"What's 2+2??"
My mouth feels less dry and more ambulant, so I turn my head to the side and force out an answer.
"Four."
"Correct. What is the Cube Root of 8?"
"Two"
"Correct. What is your name?"
"Edena? Starr?" Even though I can vaguely remember it, it feels foreign on my tongue.
"Correct. Good Morning Dr.Starr."
My Memory is fuzzy, but I can remember bits and pieces. I guess it came from the coma. As the Nannybot sits me upright with a prong on the back of my neck I find myself letting out a shrill yelp. I hate the touch- Why? I was never upset with it before. I couldn't have been- So why did I feel such shrill panic?
I rolled off the side of the bed. Big mistake- I seemed to be hooked into tubes that kept me sustained. I couldn't feel much- my fingertips as heavy as my head- indicating I must be coming off of a weak anesthetic. I can see why- as The Robot had yet to remove a catheter rooted right through my urethra. I howl in pain and writhe on the floor. The Nannybot is quick to scoop me back into the bed to asses the damage.
I can smell the blood, and I'm cursing myself out audibly at how stupid I was to move.
~~~
I'm Distracted- by what I don't know. I've got a scalpel in my hand and a frog held tight by the other. I miss my cut and instead prick my thumb. Damnit now I'm bleeding all over my specimen!
I raise My hand- My teacher notices and then sends me to the nurse to make sure I didn't cut it deep enough for stitches. The blood is profuse.
~~~
I must've slipped out of consciousness again. I'm yet again roused by the Robotic arms dropping something on my chest.
"Eat."
I remember what these are- I remember a woman with pale red hair and stern eyes explaining them to me and several other scientists. I remember being a bit flushed for some reason- and an electric presence beside me.
A Workplace crush? That doesn't sound like you Edena.
I sit up and unscrew the lid, Suckling what was the equivalent of baby food out of the tube and the flavor hits me like a brick to the teeth. I let out a lavish noise I wouldn't have otherwise and drink up the meal like a starved man- cuz I am. I'm starved.
Through my last mouthful, which I try to savor, I look around the room. On one side of me there's another medical bed. I vaguely remember why I'm here and it makes me mad. But I need conformation before I start having a moment.
"Hey Ship- I need a memory Jog. Where Am I?"
"Dr.Starr. You are aboard the New Eden. You are assigned Captain. Your Mission is to land on Proxima B and establish if the Planet can support Human Life- including Infancy."
I curse. Loud. I couldn't remember the fact I was basically becoming the Modern Eve of this new world. The Pun isn't lost on me. "New Eden".
I know it's a pun cuz I made the baseline for this damn Project.
~~~
"We should send someone in their late 20s-early 30s. Preferably without any known medical history. As well as the technology to use IVF injection. We're scientists not perverts." I say. The woman beside me is looking over my extensive folder. New Eden. I made the project in case the Hail Mary couldn't provide any fruitful results from Tau Ceti.
"the Problem is selecting people. We have to genetically test every scientist aboard the Hail Mary Mission and then some. Finding a perfect genetic match would be difficult."
"So what you're suggesting is Eugenics? Basically?"
I frown at her. "If you want to be harsh yes. We need the base variables for a healthy offspring, we don't even know if the baby would survive Proxima B."
"We don't even know if the Adults we send would survive it."
I give a sigh and nod. "It's another shot in the dark, Eva. One I don't even think you'll use. Just... Shelf it for now in case we do need a back up."
I hear someone give a barking laugh, the turn of an office chair. Eva Stratt raises a brow in both annoyance and confusion. "What's so funny Dr.Grace?"
Dirty straw blonde hair and blue eyes peak over in my direction, making me glower. Dr. Ryland Grace. The thorn in my side for the past decade.
Former Academic Rival. Current Research partner.
"I just find it ironic since she told me the same thing." He's suddenly sheepish. Pointing at me with a vague arc of the arm before turning around. "Trying to you know; Lighten the mood."
I sigh but give a nose laugh. He changed in the last decade. Still a bit proud of himself, and a smartass, but more homey and fun. I liked the change but I'd rather be caught dead than admit it.
"You're taking up Oxygen, Foxy." I tease, and it's his turn to glare.
~~~
"Oxygen Remaning on Ship: 14 days, 11 Hours, 23 Minutes and 7 Seconds."
I feel my heart plummet as I rummage through my meager luggage. it seems packed last minute- which isn't common of me. How come now I seem to flub up on that? It's the least of my concern.
"What!?" I exclaim and stand- although weak on my knees like a baby deer. "Eden gimme a Status report. Don't leave out any details."
The ship's robotic AI makes a noise, then speaks in a flat tone.
"Time since Departure. 3 Years, 197 Days. Ship Status: Unstable. Damage to West Hull. Power Reserves Nominal. Oxygen Reserves Damaged. Cargo Reserves Nominal. Crew Status: Edena Starr, age 33. Viktor Rosenel, 32. Deceased."
I stare at the other bed beside me before slowly approaching. Pulling back the sheets I'm greeted with the face of a man who must've been handsome before. Now he was just a mummy.
For some reason beyond myself, I am Crying.
I wipe my eyes and try to stable my breathing. Oxygen being more than precious, I'm coming to terms with my fate.
"Where are we, Eden?"
"You are approximately 13 Days north of Tau Ceti."
Even more anger rises. "What?! How?!"
"One Month into your Departure, A Rogue Asteroid hit the New Eden and pushed the ship into the Gravitational Current left behind from the fast travel of the Hail Mary."
My heart hammers against my ribs. I approach the console- and how I know to operate it is beyond me. But I sit in the Pilot's chair.
"is the Hail mary within docking distance?"
"Distance to the Hail Mary, 11 Days, 2 hours."
I swallow. I don't know how hard I can push the ship with Oxygen being so little. But what kind of person would I be if I didn't take the gamble?
Switching through the center pannels, I push the ship foreward.