Nobody wanted to die. So, they listened.

Thanks to the joint effort of Blessing, Donald and himself, as well as the subsequent silence of Mr. Gambetti, the world leaders finally agreed on one thing: they would rather give space travel another chance than collectively blink out of existence.

There was no time to waste. The next day was basically ‘proof day.’

Proof that the space shuttles and rocket were intact; proof that both were needed; proof that Gambetti Space and Aeronautics were up to the task.

Logan found that last one presumptuous. It took a full year to get the innovation off the ground after a decade of dedicated build; a time length that could have easily been shortened had the UN deemed it fit of urgency. The vehicle was fit for use. They should not have to prove anything.

It was not like the world had a better option anyway.

"We're our best chance right now," Logan had grumbled on the plane ride back to Delaware, where the proof testing took place.

It was true. Except for the Gambetti family losing face as well as millions of dollars, nobody faced any risk. Except for gradual mass extinction, of course. But then again the "powers that be" did not seem all that threatened.

NASAA certainly did not have any plans. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in America became defunct in 2024 following the devastating nationwide coverage of Space Explorer malfunction, making it the final space travel for the national astronomy organization.

Their acclaimed '1 in 100,000 chance' of an accident materialized as a public disaster when the Space Explorer ended in an explosion and engine parts raining from the sky, killing all on board. In addition, twelve civilians died from collisions with parts of their exploded vehicles.

Mere hours later, another of their space shuttles on Mars reportedly imploded into itself because a crew member deliberately messed with a seal of one of the space shuttle's joints. The press chalked it up to space madness but NASAA lost credibility after that.

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GSA was the world's only shot right now. One of their space shuttles— the GG-140 —was orbiting around Mars already.

It was as inhabitable as it was four billion years ago— owing to too little oxygen and a high rate of toxic gases in the air —but the Red Planet remained the most promising alternative sphere in space. Mars was not the destination of the Inter-Galactic GG-20 though.

"Update?" Borja asked him now, through the hustle and bustle of the Gambetti Space Launch Complex 20 —also known as the GSLC-20.

"The Inter-Galactic GG-20 and the Inter-Galactic GG-20 are in perfect shape for launch." Logan went on to dictate the technical conditions of each in detail, right after cringing at the first part of his monologue.

Inter-Galactic GG-20 was the name of both the space rockets and the space shuttles. Confusing, but it was not hard to guess whose idea it was.

‘Rocket’ could mean several things. While it commonly described a type of engine, a rocket could also mean a vehicle that used that specific engine. People usually thought of a long thin vehicle that was responsible for carrying things into space whenever they heard the word.

Rockets burned fuel, which turned into gas. That gas was then pushed out of the back of the vehicle, causing it to move forwards, or upwards, depending on how the rocket was placed.

Space shuttles were different. Although most had their own way of getting off the ground, a rocket-like engine was used in order to launch the space shuttle into the air.

'Rocket boosters' were attached to the shuttles and burned for a few minutes to help lift the shuttle upwards, then they fell from the vehicle and dropped into the ocean. The actual rocket would never go into orbit.

The GSA's official launch pad was the GSLC-20. It had a broad, flat surface built of reinforced concrete that served as the rocket's and launch equipment's basis. This launch pad was situated on the ground surrounded by support infrastructure like fuel storage tanks, launch control buildings, and communications equipment. The rocket was now mounted on a launch stand.

After the launch, the pad would be inspected for any necessary repairs or maintenance before the next launch. If the planet was not gone by that time, that is.

Borja nodded in understanding.

Even though non-passengers were a good distance away from the launch pad he could hear them —dignitaries, reporters, and world leaders alike. Logan focused on his superior. Borja was gazing far off into the distance. "We're ready to go."

She made no move. Her eyes were unfocused, her face pensive and when she faced him, it was like she was looking through him.

"Ma'am?" he said again.

"We will. As soon as our final passenger gets here."

Logan frowned. Final passenger?