May 1987, Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Everything from there on went smoothly and according to schedule. It was a genuine pleasure working with Pointer.
Well, those first days at least.
Pointer: Hissabeth, did you go to that ley lines lecture yesterday?
Pointer: I couldn't make it. I've been reviewing this data for the last 10 hours.
Pointer: The model is a mess. Something's off. I can't isolate the issue. It could be the system compiler, or the incantation. Or, maybe we missed some characters when we transcoded it.
Hissabeth: Hmm? Oh, the lecture? Yeah, Windsong mentioned it when we met her at the canteen a few days ago. Hold on.
The chair swivels halfway, and Hissabeth stands, stretching before setting her bread aside.
A snake holding a data card slithers up to Pointer's feet.
Hissabeth: This is Hélène. She woke up just a while ago. Hélène, meet Pointer.
Hissabeth: We couldn't all attend the lecture, but I asked someone to take Hélène there to observe. Here are the notes.
Pointer: I still haven't stopped being amazed by your siblings' telepathic connection.
Pointer: I wonder if there is an arcane skill that might approximate the same effect. Imagine how much faster we'd be able to share information with it.
Hissabeth: It's got its advantages, if you're willing to accept eight different voices oscillating between a party and a brawl every day in your mind.
Hissabeth shrugs and scoops up the little snake.
It shoots up her sleeve, vanishing into her blue hair to rejoin her siblings.
Hissabeth: Hope you don't mind. She's been a bit shy ever since we were little.
Pointer: That won't be a problem. I'll get it back to you in a few days. I just want to check if the study of ley lines can help with our aeroshell's force analysis.
Hissabeth: Is that all? You could've left a message. No need to go out of your way.
Pointer: Well, and I needed someone to unload a bit on. It's been months since I submitted our resupply application, and there doesn't appear to be any progress.
Pointer: This slow starvation for all of us is a waste of effort. They should just cut the cord and scrap all these projects they feel "show no value in the short term."
Hissabeth: Look at the silver lining. We're sure to get our new offices.
Pointer: Office space, the one thing we have in abundance here.
She waves her arms in irritation before slipping back into her usual tone.
Pointer: sigh Anyway, how are things on your side? I'm free for the moment.
Hissabeth: I'm progressing just fine. Take a look.
She steps closer to the desk. Hissabeth shifts some space and lays out the blueprints.
Pointer: Excellent. Feel free to let me know if you require any help.
Pointer: You know, for all the time we've worked together, there are still many questions left unanswered between us. I'm curious: why did you choose this project?
The tenor of their conversation has changed since their first meeting. This isn't a test. It's genuine concern.
Time has built enough trust between them to ask.
Pointer: There are many other teams pursuing the "combination of arcanum and science." I think one of them is presently working on cleaning incantations and plant-related rituals.
Pointer: Why choose Plesetsk? Is it that you feel your expertise in material science will be of most benefit here? Or do you have a particular interest in the aerospace industry?
Pointer: Don't mistake my intentions. I'm happy you chose to join our little team. You've performed exceptionally well so far.
Hissabeth: If I had to put a finger on it, I'd say it was curiosity. I really want to know where those Golden Records will end up.
She rolls up the blueprint before settling into a relaxed posture.
Hissabeth: Remember what I told you about my parents? They were studying information technology at Laplace before the first "Storm" struck.
Hissabeth's mind has always jumped around, but now Pointer can keep up. She knows to wait for the point to come back around.
Hissabeth: I can't wrap my head around that stuff. My whole life has been a constant stream of information. You wouldn't believe how distracting it is to have eight voices in your brain, bothering you night and day.
Hissabeth: Still, all nine of us enjoyed reading. Whenever we found a particularly compelling article, we'd divide it up and each focus on a different part.
Hissabeth: We'd always have a huge brainstorm after we finished. It was a lot of fun actually. sigh I miss those times.
Hissabeth: I still remember the day that meteor fell to Earth.
Radio: "Our latest reports are that Voyager 1 has officially traveled the furthest through our solar system of any man-made spacecraft ..."
Radio: "Surpassing Pioneer 10 by a distance of approximately 69.419 astronomical units ..."
Hissabeth: I don't remember where I was or what I was doing, but I remember the broadcast was talking about the Voyager 1.
Hissabeth: And that all nine of us were staring at the twinkling dot on the screen.
Little Hissabeth: If the moon is almost 400,000 kilometers away from us, how much further away was this little rock from Earth when it started on its journey?
Little Hissabeth: Unbelievable ...
Невероятно？
"Unbelievable"?
Hissabeth: We never knew the stars above our heads could actually fall into our world.
Hissabeth: What was happening up there? For all our brainstorms, we never reached the solid conclusion.
Hissabeth: Where will Voyager 1 go? Who, if anyone, will find its Golden Records? When will the stars stop shining?
Hissabeth: Are there researchers out there just like us living on another planet, looking for the same answers?
Hissabeth: One little meteor brought us so many questions, and we could never leave a stone unturned.
Pointer: I see. That's why you joined this project, despite its lack of immediate contributions to society.
Hissabeth: Nonsense! Our work is critical to the future of aerospace engineering. We've got plenty of contributions to offer.
This time, she's the one holding up a hand, waiting for a high five.
Pointer: Was that an attempt to cheer me up? There's no need. I'm not easily discouraged.
Palm to palm, their hands meet for just a moment.
Pointer: Hmm. You've warmed up a bit.
Hissabeth: Yeah, thanks to the 24/7 heating, and because I keep all of us well fed.
Hissabeth: Speaking of, I'm headed to town to find a restaurant. Care to join me?
Hissabeth: There's some decent food in Plesetsk now, thanks to the new policies. Do you want anything in particular?
Pointer: Your call.
Back then, we never thought to ask why our supply application had been put on ice for so long.
May 1987, Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Hissabeth: They're terminating the project?!
The noise startles the snakes. One by one, they poke their heads out to join the shock.
Too bad the moment's already passed. Pointer doesn't even have time to snap a picture.
Laplace Researcher: I understand, ma'am, but you should know that our top priority after each "Storm" is to restore the Foundation and the LSCC to full function as soon as possible.
Laplace Researcher: With our current shortages of resources and manpower, that means cutting all non-essential projects.
Hissabeth: Non-essential? Then what is it that counts as "essential"? Who decided on our priority?!
Before the snakes can hiss again in protest, Pointer reaches out and grabs Hissabeth.
Pointer: Calm down, Hissabeth. I understand that Mr. Ludwig did his best to keep as many projects running in Plesetsk as he could. We couldn't have stayed here this long if it weren't for him.
Pointer: But he's only a branch leader. He doesn't get to make the top-level decisions.
Hissabeth: They act as if all of their essential and valuable consumer technology just popped up out of nowhere!
Hissabeth: To think that aerospace engineering has less to contribute than their other projects?! S**t! They wouldn't even have vegetable packets in their instant noodles without us!
Laplace Researcher: I'm sorry, but our decision is final.
Laplace Researcher: Please allow me to finish. As you can imagine, I have several other meetings lined up after this.
Pointer: Sure. Please continue.
Laplace Researcher: Madam Lucy has expressed that she is not in favor of this decision. To that end, she asked me to deliver a "lifeline" for your work here.
Laplace Researcher: As you know, our knowledge about the "Storm" remains extremely limited. Madam Lucy believes we could better manage our circumstances if we could observe it in greater detail, particularly its extent.
Laplace Researcher: She's seeking volunteers from Plesetsk for a project, one that aims to send a monitor into space in order to collect data as the "Storm" arrives.
Hissabeth & Pointer: ...!
Two completely different reactions.
Hissabeth: What about the other projects? Where will the researchers be assigned if their projects have all been terminated?
Pointer shoots her another look, trying to signal her. But Hissabeth either doesn't notice or doesn't care.
Laplace Researcher: Most will be reassigned to other teams. I'm afraid there isn't much manpower to spare on our work here.
Laplace Researcher: That's the deal. If you want to stay on this project, then this mission must become your full focus. On the bright side, you'll have full access to all the resources left in Plesetsk.
He makes a quick glance down the hallway to check no one else is around, then steps closer and lowers his voice.
Laplace Researcher: I believe you two to be the most talented researchers in Plesetsk, and I know you want to achieve something with your work here.
Laplace Researcher: Still, I think I should caution you against accepting this task. Sure, if you pull this off, you'd become a legend throughout our organization, but there's only so much value in fame and admiration.
Hissabeth: And what would happen if we were to fail?
Laplace Researcher: I'm afraid your best hope would be instant death, and it may be much worse than that. No one knows for certain what the "Storm" can do, after all.
Laplace Researcher: I'm not sure this is worth your lives.
Noticing another researcher approaching from the far end of the hall with luggage in hand, he steps back, readopting his cool professional tone.
Laplace Researcher: Alright, that's all. I just need you to confirm that you've been informed. You'll have 24 hours to respond to our request.
After receiving the official documents, Pointer and Hissabeth return to their office.
They say nothing for a long time. The weight of the decision before them deserves their silent consideration. Finishing her deliberations, Pointer clears the air.
Pointer: Hissabeth, I know you're a big supporter of Madam Lucy, but I'm sure you agree this mission is a statistical death sentence.
Pointer: If you're struggling for a way to say no, I'll ...
Her words don't seem to have any purchase on her fellow researcher. Hissabeth looks up at her with a puzzled expression.
Hissabeth: Sorry, what? Never mind. I've got good news.
Hissabeth: I just talked to Windsong. She's got a solution to one of our major issues.
Hissabeth waves a hand as she answers, continuing her work.
Pointer: Wait. Don't tell me you want to volunteer?
Hissabeth: Why shouldn't we? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Pointer: But have you even considered the risk we'd be taking? Like the liaison said.
Hissabeth: We'll have all the equipment we need, with a project that's progressing smoothly, working towards an achievable goal for the common good.
Hissabeth: It is almost like the universe is within our grasp. All we must do is make our teleport disk work.
Pointer: It's not that simple. We'd still need an astronaut capable of launching the monitor. Who could we find that would be capable of acclimatizing to a zero-gravity environment under high heat and pressure in such a short time?
Hissabeth: That's the good news! Windsong already found us an ideal candidate—an acrobat.
Hissabeth finishes her task and holds out the sheet to Pointer: a follow-up work schedule.
Hissabeth: Here, I made a list of issues we'll need to tackle. Of course, that's only assuming you'll accept Madam Lucy's mission too.
Hissabeth: I remember we talked about space exploration when I first arrived in Plesetsk. You said you wanted to know what's going on up there, too.
Hissabeth: So tell me, what price are you willing to pay for that answer?
???: Breathe. Let the air find its balance within.
???: Remember what Mr. Kozlov said: "You must never be afraid of falling." I just have to imagine myself floating in space.
???: That's right. I will not fall from the wire again.
The circus barker's introduction booms above the blinding lights, followed by a wave of cheers and applause.
Circus Barker: Ladies and gentlemen, introducing our fabulous wire dancer, the youngest acrobat of the Utrennyaya Circus—
Circus Barker: Kiperina!
