Chapter 11 Part II

"I'm absolutely with you, until the end," Alice replied.

She had nothing to lose and she had joined the Agency solely and exclusively for that reason, stopping at the Moon had never been her goal;

<<I think I can't back out>> added Orlando, the only one who had a comfortable life before deciding to become an astronaut and yet deep in his heart he felt he had to go;

<< If he comes I'll have to be there too, without me it's a real disaster, who would keep him at bay? >> added Lucia laughing.

<< I certainly won't be the one to divide the group >> Chiara concluded despite knowing that beyond Jupiter she was risking her life.

The only one to remain silent was Sofia, she was not an aspiring astronaut so her fate was sealed, she would have remained on Earth hoping that Leonardo would return safe and sound but if those were his true intentions then they would have to rediscuss the terms of their relation.

If he wanted to embark on a suicide mission he was free to do so but he had no intention of despairing for him and yet he loved him madly, he knew he was the man of his life so how to reconcile the two things?

She had to succeed because she wouldn't find another Leonardo, no one could make her feel the emotions and sensations she felt when they were together.

<< What do you think Sofy? What will you do if we really leave for Jupiter and beyond? >> Lucia asked her, seeing her in enormous difficulty;

<< I don't know, maybe I'll board the Magellan clandestinely >> she replied, laughing heartily before becoming serious;

<< Jokes aside, I will do the only thing possible: I will come here every evening of every single day, I will look up at the sky and wait for your return, I am not an astronaut so I cannot go into space with you >> he added with the sad look;

<<I'm sorry for how I behaved this afternoon, was rude to leave your office like that so apologize>> Leonardo told her;

<< You don't have to worry, anyone would have reacted that way to such news. Having seen your parents' farewell message must have devastated you body and soul, it must have been a terrible blow >> Sofia replied.

When the couples separated Leonardo went to his girlfriend's apartment where he spent the rest of the night and the following morning they both went to work as usual but he still couldn't explain why his parents had abandoned him spontaneously in the name of something that perhaps they didn't know. existed.

Until then he had attributed their disappearance to an external cause such as a malfunction of Pandora therefore he partially justified them since it was an uncontrollable event but now he knew the truth and it hurt him, worse than spreading salt on an open wound.

He couldn't think of anything else, at times he would have preferred that they hadn't told him because he was so crazy about it, however deep down he knew how important it was to know the truth, he had been looking for it for all those years and now he had grasped it but he was point in the soul, where it hurt the most.

Now he didn't have time to think about it, he had to return his mind to Earth and study as much as possible because the theory course was over.

The two months of training inside Atlante were looming and since it was a fundamental part of the course he had to gather all his physical and mental energies and concentrate them on that objective.

It was an individual job so he couldn't count on the help of his friends and if he ran into trouble he would be alone against the whole world.

The theory course came to an end and it was immediately time to begin the two months of training in the Atlas which had been further redesigned and enhanced thanks to new latest generation quantum hardware.

On the first day of the simulation they were very nervous and the colonel general announced that they would have at least twelve hours of lessons a day, seven days a week, testing all the operations described previously.

<< Today we will have to give our best >> Chiara thought as she entered her shell.

The most nervous of the five was undoubtedly Leonardo who, ever since he had seen his parents' farewell message, had not been able to study even a line of the theory manuals and even his performance in bed with Sofia was suffering as a result.

He tried in every way to forget the news but everything in the Astronautical Headquarters reminded him of them and he didn't know what to do, he thought he had put them behind him but he was wrong.

<< Good morning everyone, today we will begin the two months in Atlante and I want to tell you straight away that I expect maximum commitment from each of you so I don't want to see you distracted.

Today we will simulate a journey into deep space, starting from Mars you will cross the asteroid belt located between the red planet and Jupiter, I prefer to start with something light before getting too carried away as we will have plenty of time to do more complex simulations. Now let's not waste time talking and start Atlante >> explained Astolfi.

The shells closed, absorbing the boys inside who wore their respective viewers which connected remotely with their neural networks, this was a very important aspect because it gave the cadet or astronaut a sense of further similarity with the reality that he would find once on a mission.

Helping Astolfi in the simulations was Andrea, Sofia's assistant, given that the latter had been assigned by Lucrezia to analyze the data contained in the quantum memory of the probe belonging to Leonardo's parents' last mission.

When the officer gave the go-ahead, he activated the simulation and the cadets' avatars found themselves inside their respective Magellans, having left Mars they were heading towards Jupiter and had to cross the infamous asteroid belt, an impervious area in which spacecraft often they ran into collisions with small rocks.

<< As you may have noticed, you are in a very delicate area, today's exercise requires you to face this situation alone, your objective is to overcome the asteroid belt unscathed, arriving safely at the Jovian station where they are waiting for you.

Pilot the Magellan with caution, in this phase you will be able to make use of Pandora, however I advise you to use it as little as possible, no matter how good the AI is, it must not replace the astronaut's abilities, Pandora is there to help you and not to replace you >> explained the 'teacher.

Precisely at that moment the virtual spacecraft began to enter the long tail of asteroids made up of more or less large rocky masses.

The greatest dangers came from the smaller corpuscles that often impacted spacecraft such as the Magellan.

The boys' avatars took command of the aircraft and began to cross the first asteroid field and each of them faced the situation in their own way, for example Lucia was very excited while Orlando was tense as a violin string.

Leonardo tried to clear his mind by concentrating on what to do but it wasn't easy, the space inevitably made him think of that hasty farewell given to him by his parents and an increasingly stronger anger began to rise inside him however the distraction was fatal to him in fact without realizing it he crashed into a small asteroid damaging Magellan.

He was forced to engage the autopilot and wear the extra vehicular suit to go outside the spacecraft to check if the aircraft had suffered any significant damage but as soon as he was ready he was unable to open the exit hatch.

At first he thought it was blocked then he remembered that he hadn't studied that part of the theory so he panicked, the procedure required him to estimate the damage to the spacecraft before continuing with the journey.

<<Pandora open the hatch>> he ordered and the AI complied;

<<You should know how to do it yourself, don't rely too much on Pandora>> the teacher continued, controlling the progress of the simulation from the outside.

In that situation Leonardo had to demonstrate that he had acquired a whole series of skills that ranged from knowing the systems of the suit and the spacecraft to knowing how to open and close the hatch of the Magellan up to the safety procedures after the opening of the hatch. The problem was that he hadn't studied them so he decided to improvise even though he knew he was taking a big risk.

He exited the Magellano and headed outside to do a check, everything seemed in order when a space rock the size of a basketball hit him squarely on the stomach, being distracted he hadn't seen it coming and in addition to damaging his suit it caused a severe bruise to the stomach.

Luckily for him, the vital parameters that Astolfi checked on the tablet outside continued to be normal so he let him do it even though the officer was increasingly worried about him.

He noticed that he wasn't able to deal with the simulation properly so he wondered whether to let him continue or block him.

He opted for the first choice but Leonardo struggled to carry out the most basic actions, in fact he was barely able to re-enter the Magellan, he made a mistake several times in taking off his suit and when he finally succeeded he realized that the spacecraft was about to impact against a gigantic asteroid, as big as fifty football fields.

For some reason Pandora had taken a wrong turn and was now in serious trouble, she appealed to her eidetic memory looking for a solution to that disaster by remembering what the emergency procedure was but perhaps it was too late to implement it.

<< I can't lose heart, I have to do it >> he thought, grabbing the control joystick;

<<Pandora 4567 calculates whether it is still possible to implement the emergency maneuver n° of manual on safe navigation in deep space>> he ordered;

<< I'm sorry but I warned you so from now on no AI >> Astolfi resumed, deactivating Pandora on his workstation.

Leonardo understood that he had ended up in a trap, if he could not use artificial intelligence he would certainly have crashed on the asteroid and consequently he would not have reached Mars and failed the mission therefore he did the only thing possible or declared the expedition canceled therefore the simulation was deactivated, the shell went off and the egg opened, releasing it shortly after.

<<Why did he do it?>> Astolfi asked him;

<< I had no chance of avoiding that big asteroid, not without Pandora. What did he expect? My death? >> he replied abruptly, leaving the classroom, slamming the door behind him.

Andrea was speechless, never had a cadet done such a thing, furthermore the colonel general was known for being intransigent with those who dared to disrespect him so he foresaw trouble ahead.

<<I'll be right back, continue supervising the others and make sure they don't use Pandora>> the officer told her, getting up from his desk.

When he was out of the classroom he looked for Leonardo and had no trouble finding him, he was sitting on one of the benches in the corridor while the spring sun burned his face, his head was bowed and was about to explode as well as an unbearable pain in his stomach, son of the impact had with the rock during the simulation.

Astolfi sat next to him, rested his head against the wall and waited for his young interlocutor to raise his head before starting to speak.

Leonardo looked at him without saying a word but his eyes showed all his dismay at his behavior just before.

<< You remind me of your father, maybe you don't know it but we did the training course together.

He was so sanguine, allergic to any type of rule, he went against the teachers and risked failing several times >> he revealed, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Leonardo woke up as if waking up from a nightmare but he didn't want to talk about his father.

<<Forget about my parents, they abandoned me preferring space to their only son and that's why died, for it's as if never existed>> he replied;

<< See son, I want you to know something. When your father got into trouble during training and it happened often, do you know who always helped him? Your mother, that woman was a saint, I'm serious.

Once that madman sent General Alberto Maria Collovi to hell, the survival teacher who was a really tough guy.

When we found out about the winter test, your father told him that he didn't intend to freeze his bottom on the top of Etna.

It was a laughable scene but in the end he had to go otherwise he would have been expelled and in revenge Collovi made his team's life a real hell while he was much kinder to the others.

If it hadn't been for your mother he would have failed, it was she who encouraged him not to give up, she told him that if he had done so Collovi would have won and their love was born there >> added the general;

<<What does it have to do with the fact that they abandoned me?>> replied Leonardo;

<<When he was on the top of Etna about to give up everything but your mother told him that being an astronaut not only a dream, aspiration also great responsibility, commitment one took in front nation and all humanity.< p>

The discoveries made once they went into space would transform Earth into a better place for their children to live.

They didn't choose the adventure instead of you, they went ahead because they knew that such a sensational revelation would change humanity radically and their only son would benefit from it >> explained Astolfi.

Only at that moment did Leonardo begin to change his perspective, perhaps he had misjudged his parents, perhaps they had not abandoned him lightly, they hoped to transform the Earth and the solar system into a better place for him.

<< I know you miss them but the first to miss them is me, when you were born I was on the Moon then your father made a live video so I wouldn't miss your baptism. It was truly unusual for the time but that's how he was made, tenacious and stubborn like few others but he knew exactly what he wanted and how to get there.

In you I see so much of him except the eyes, those are your mother's, there's no doubt about it >> Astolfi added, managing to make him smile;

<< Thank you sir, I didn't know these details of their lives >> replied Leonardo;

<< Don't thank me but I have to ask you to never make a scene like that again, I can guarantee you that your father would have kicked your ass, if you want to become an astronaut you will have to fight, suffer, fall and know how to get back up.

The lesson is over for today, go to the hospital and get treatment for that nasty blow to your stomach, it must not have been pleasant >> Astolfi dismissed him, giving him a pat on the cheek.

Leonardo got up from the bench and left the Headquarters and went to the hospital where he had his stomach examined.

Luckily it wasn't anything serious, a couple of painkillers would have put things right.

While he was making the visit, he thought about what Astolfi had told him, then he mulled over his parents' farewell video and for the first time he didn't feel angry when he heard those words again in his mind.

Now they sounded much sweeter, melodious, acceptable and understandable to him, deep in his soul he felt the last wall that he had erected between himself and the memory of his parents fall over the years, he was finally ready to move forward.

He was forced to spend the rest of the day in hospital carrying out tests since a large hematoma had formed on his abdomen and the doctors did not want to take any risks.

The following morning he was discharged and as soon as he left the hospital he showed up in the classroom for the lesson with Atlante. When his classmates saw him they ran towards him, checking his condition. Not seeing him in the courtroom at the end of their respective simulations, they asked the general for explanations but Astolfi limited himself to saying that he had met with an accident.

<< Don't worry, I'm fine, I took a big hit on the abdomen but I can deal with it, you don't have to worry about me >> he replied to them and in doing so he looked at the colonel general giving him a small nod of agreement with his head, thanking him for giving him the right charge.

They were very busy weeks as the cadets spent many hours in the Atlas sacrificing their respective private lives. Furthermore, Leonardo had to recover the part of theory not previously studied, further reducing the time to dedicate to Sofia who in turn was overworked due to the information recovered in the probe's quantum memory as well as advancing the deciphering of Pandora's "consciousness".

Spring became increasingly hotter, summer was now imminent and Palermo saw a growing influx of tourists coming to the city to admire its natural wonders such as the crystalline sea.

The boys had recently finished the simulation part in the Atlas and, given the excellent performance they had demonstrated, they earned a day off before starting the four months of practical training which would be followed by the final exams.

They decided to spend it at the seaside without leaving Sicily and Sofia joined them despite still being busy with work.

She was aware that the time available to her with Leonardo was now running out given her boyfriend's probable promotion to astronaut.

Once he left for space, who knows if and when he would see him again, so every minute spent with him was a golden nugget to be jealously guarded in the treasure chest of his heart.

Leonardo led her to those same rocks where, a year earlier, she was about to fall into temptation with Aurora who in the meantime had passed the test of Aquarius and together with the other members of her team was in Africa on Kilimanjaro.

<<So this is where you committed your crime>> Sofia told him, laughing.

The sun's rays highlighted her thin body and exuberant shapes while her red bikini gave her the right grace.

<< There was no crime, just a few stupid kisses but nothing significant. I decided to stay with you and I don't regret my choice >> Leonardo replied looking at Orlando in the distance acting stupid in the water.

<< There's no point in beating around the bush, sooner or later we'll have to address the topic so it's better to do it straight away. What do you plan to do with our relationship? >> he asked him point blank.

<< You're welcome? >> he replied confused;

<< From tomorrow you will be busy with the practical part of the training course then you will have exams and finally you will go into space so we will no longer have time to be together so I want you to tell me what your real intentions are.

Going to Jupiter and beyond takes years, it is useless to pretend not to know therefore I demand to know if you want to embark on a suicide mission or if you want to return to Earth safe and sound >> Sofia explained, looking him straight in the eyes.

Leonardo couldn't believe it, he had just resolved the problem of his parents' abandonment and immediately another problem arose, perhaps even bigger but unlike the first he knew exactly how to handle it.

<< My plan is to go beyond Jupiter, find what my parents discovered and come back here to you >> he explained, caressing her face;

<< You're crazy if you think you can succeed where everyone else has failed, I don't want to die young and of a broken heart knowing that the man of my life has embarked on a suicide mission, at this point I prefer separation >> Sofia replied but Leonardo he remained unperturbed;

<<I will go beyond Jupiter and return because a strong reason pushes me to want see Earth again>> he told her;

<<What would it be?>> he asked him;

<<You're silly>> he explained to her;

<< Tell me you love me >> Sofia urged him;

<< I will love you forever. I chose you and I wouldn't change you for anything in the world >> he replied in a calm and decisive tone;

<< If you put it that way then we can go back to being a couple >> Sofia concluded, wiping her tears with her arm;

<< Now let's think about having fun, enough with the sadness. Your face is too beautiful to be streaked with tears, they don't suit you >> concluded Leonardo, grabbing her and throwing her into the sea, diving in as well.

When they emerged they hugged and kissed making love in the middle of the water, covered by the rocks no one would go to disturb them and it was a unique emotion for both of them.

That evening they were all guests in Sofia's apartment and as usual the dinner was delicious.

<< You must be strong, Astolfi will not give you any discounts in the practical part, four really tough months await you >> began the hostess, serving an exquisite Sicilian cassata.

It was a traditional cake made with sweetened sheep's ricotta, sponge cake, royal pastry and candied fruit accompanied by an excellent Moscato di Pantelleria which highlighted the flavors of the dessert's ingredients.

<< You can rest assured because we are ready for anything, nothing and no one will stop us >> Orlando replied grabbing a slice of cake;

<<We are a moving train>> Alice concluded.

At dawn the following day they showed up at Palermo airport from where they took an eVTOL that took them to the island of Lampedusa where Astolfi was waiting for them to begin the four months of practical training.

Once they got off the plane, they got into golf carts and headed to the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory ("NBL"), a training facility for astronauts within which there was a neutral buoyancy pool managed by the Space Agency. located at the "Training Facility" in Lampedusa.

The main facility of the NBL was a large indoor swimming pool where astronauts could perform simulated EVA tasks in preparation for future missions.

The trainees wore suits designed to provide neutral buoyancy by simulating the microgravity they would experience during spaceflight.

The diving pool was 350 meters long, 267 meters wide, 50 meters deep and contained 70 million liters of water. Inside, there were large-scale models of the space station's modules and payloads. .

The "Training Facility" was a building that externally had the shape of a gigantic glass and steel whale while internally it was very well lit as sunlight easily entered through the windows.

<< Very well guys, I welcome you to the NBL where we will carry out the four months of practical training in EVA activities before you take the final exams, it is useless to repeat what you will have to do because we have already talked about it during the presentation of the course however I want give you some other information that might be useful to you.

During training exercises neutral buoyancy diving is used to simulate the weightlessness you will encounter during space travel and to achieve this effect astronauts or pieces of equipment are lowered into the pool using that huge overhead crane.

Once attached to the crane you will be lowered into the water by support divers so you experience minimal buoyancy force and minimal rotational moment around your center of mass.

The suits you'll wear in the NBL are similar to the EMUs used on orbiting space stations and ground outposts on the Moon and Mars.

Obviously there are training challenges you will have to face because one disadvantage of neutral buoyancy diving as a microgravity simulation is the significant amount of resistance created by the water which makes it harder to move an object but easier to keep it stationary.

This effect is the opposite of what is experienced in space where it is easy to set an object in motion but it is very difficult to keep it still, in fact the dragging effects are reduced to a minimum by carrying out activities in water.

Another downside to the neutral buoyancy simulation is that inside the suits you will not be weightless so when divers tilt the suits you will be pressed against any downward facing internal surface.

It can be uncomfortable in some orientations such as "head-down", therefore precise sizing of the suit is essential.

Having said that, go get ready and let's start immediately >> Astolfi explained.

<< I don't like this at all, it seems worse than parabolic flight, do you remember that? >> Orlando said while getting dressed;

<< Don't tell me, the first time I got on the T-38 I was scared out of my mind, it was a horrible experience >> Leonardo replied;

<<In the end we made it, we'll do great this time too>> Lucia cut short and couldn't wait to get started.

Once ready they went to the loading point where the crane picked them up, lifting them into the air and placing them in the pool, being joined by the support divers who placed them in the water.

Following standard procedure they asked them if everything was okay and if they felt comfortable and they also wanted to make sure they were okay as the five cadets were in the pool for the first time in their lives.

They were connected to Astolfi via a particular audio link capable of working both in and out of the water.

<< Get familiar with the pool, it's your first time so I'll give you a few more seconds to acclimatise and then we'll start with the exercise >> the general announced.

<< This is crazy cool >> exclaimed Orlando observing the "mockups" of the Pigafetta and the modules of the orbiting space stations inside the swimming pool;

<< Don't be an idiot as usual >> Lucia rebuked him, moving slowly.

<< Let's go guys, today you will have to practice operating on the pressurized modules by pretending to assemble and disassemble them as if you were in orbit. Let's begin! >> explained Astolfi as he started the exercise.

The boys set off at full speed, approaching the modules positioned at the bottom of the pool but soon realized that the exercise would be much more complicated than expected. It was very simple to keep an object such as a screwdriver used to disassemble some pieces still, however they had a lot of difficulty in moving and were forced to make an additional effort, consuming a large amount of energy.

<< I didn't think it was so complicated >> Lucia began;

<< Let's not be discouraged >> added a combative Chiara.

<< Come on guys, we had to adapt to much worse situations such as microgravity, here at least we have our feet on the ground >> Leonardo urged them while Alice handed him some tools to unscrew a piece from one of the "mockups";

<<You keep it simple, you have no idea how much I struggled to adapt microgravity and if I'm honest here seems worse>> Orlando replied.

They were able to communicate because the suits were equipped with a device capable of making people talk to each other even if they were at the bottom of the sea.

Initially, the device was supplied to the divers of the armed forces, however the Agency managed to integrate it into the training suits.

The boys found it increasingly difficult to move inside the pool, their every movement or gesture was hindered by the presence of the water so after a few hours Orlando and Alice felt like vomiting so much that the first one had to stop.

<< Are you okay? Can you breathe? >> asked the colonel general approaching him while the remaining cadets continued the exercise;

<< Everything's fine, now let me get back into the pool, I can't abandon my companions >> Orlando replied, puffing out his chest;

<< Take a few more minutes then we will decide what to do >> Astolfi replied.

Alice and Lucia were struggling with screwing a tool onto the back of a "mockup" but the screws didn't want to go into place as it was very easy to keep them still but turning them was proving to be a very difficult task.

<<We don't have much time>> said Alice;

<< I know but it's not okay, damn it >> her friend replied.

They were not the only ones to have big problems, Leonardo and Chiara encountered many difficulties in carrying out their operations and the former was forced to get out of the pool for a few minutes otherwise his suit would have filled with vomit.

The simulation lasted the whole day at the end of which the boys were destroyed both in spirit and in mind, they had dangerously underestimated the difficulty of the exercise which was proving to be much more demanding than expected.

<<This time I don't know if we'll make it>> said Orlando on the eVTOL that was taking them back to Palermo late in the evening;

<< Again with this story, that's enough. We'll do it, we haven't gotten this far for nothing, we have what it takes and we'll prove it >> Lucia replied but the other members of the team didn't share her enthusiasm.

Leonardo did not expect so many difficulties, he knew he would have to work hard but not to that extent, the only thing that made him happy was being able to spend a few hours with Sofia with whom he had reached an agreement according to which once the work was finished they would be together every night, with or without sex.

When they landed at Palermo airport he immediately headed to his apartment where he was waiting anxiously and was very happy because he had finished deciphering the data contained in the probe's quantum memory.

<<What conclusions have you reached?>> Leonardo asked her hoping there was more information about his parents but he was about to receive a bitter disappointment;

<< There could be a celestial body beyond Pluto with a mass ten times Jupiter's however the data are very conflicting so the probability that they are correct is one in a billion therefore extremely low >> Sofia replied reading a deep disappointment on his face;

<<But it's not impossible, right?>> he asked her;

<< One in a billion is an extremely low possibility, if I were you I wouldn't have high expectations >> Sofia underlined, irritating him quite a bit, however Leonardo understood the reasons that pushed her to be so cautious;

<< I know you hope to find something, it's what your parents sacrificed their lives for and you don't want them to have done it in vain but we have to be realistic because we are men and women of science >> continued Sofia;

<< I know but no matter how hard I try I can't forget them, it's as if I have a great weight on my shoulders, do you know what I mean? I have the impression of constantly having to prove that I am up to them and this is frankly wearing me down, I want them to be proud of me so beyond Pluto there must be something, anything >> he explained to her, putting his face in his hands.

For a moment Sofia remained paralyzed, completely still, since they had known each other it was the first time she had seen him cry.

Never had he shown himself so weak and fragile to her, he was opening up to her completely and on the one hand it pleased her because it meant having a great complicity as a couple on the other it scared her as she felt obliged to do the same with him.

She took his head in her hands, resting it on hers and then burst into tears.

<< Since you were honest with me, I will also be honest with you. I don't want you to leave! >> exclaimed the girl with all the courage she was capable of;

<< It's not right to ask you and I know your answer but I had to tell you, I can't continue to carry this weight in my heart, it's destroying me from the inside.

I don't want you to end up like your parents, I want to build a family with you, living together all those happy moments that only a family can savor but if you leave for space it will be impossible to do so >> added Sofia.

This time it was Leonardo's turn to dry her tears, he couldn't please her because he felt that his destiny was among the stars and yet he didn't want to give up on her.

He breathed deeply, wiped his tears with the sleeve of his uniform and collected his thoughts in his head before saying something to her.

<< We've already talked about it but do you know what I'll tell you? To show you my eternal love and to make you understand how serious I am in wanting to return... >> Leonardo began to say, kneeling in front of her, making her tremble with emotion;

<< ... I ask you to become my wife >> he concluded, making her almost faint with emotion.

He hadn't planned it in fact he didn't have a ring to put on her finger but his intuition told him it was the right thing to do.

<< I don't know what to say >> Sofia stammered, quickly removing the tears from her eyes;

<<A yes would be enough for me>> Leonardo replied;

<< How are we going to organize it? You have the training and I'm very busy, in short... >> she replied still in a state of confusion;

<< If you say yes we will go to the altar when I have obtained my astronaut diploma and you have finished scanning Pandora, the Agency can survive a few days without us.

Between the end of the training and the first flight to the Earth space station there are seven/eight free days so it would be perfect but one thing is missing >> he explained to her;

<<What? >> she asked;

<< Your answer to my question: do you want to marry me, yes or no? >> he asked her again, this time with more determination.

Sofia waited a moment before answering, she had already decided however she wanted to create that atmosphere of suspense and make him scared a little.

<< Say something otherwise I'll have a heart attack >> said Leonardo;

<< Of course I want to marry you, silly, my answer to your marriage proposal is yes >> he replied laughing, lighting up Leonardo's face;

<<You made me the happiest man in solar system>> he retorted, grabbing her by the hips and taking her into the bedroom.

The following day they both gave the good news to their friends who were quite surprised but also happy.

<< Congratulations friend, I knew that sooner or later you would have framed her >> Orlando told him on the eVTOL that took them to Lampedusa;

<< I thank you and I take this opportunity to ask you and Alice to be my wedding witnesses >> Leonardo replied;

<< You can count on it, it will be a great honor >> replied the friend;

<< Heartfelt congratulations, I'm happy for you. Let's hope that someone else decides to take the big step >> Lucia said looking at her boyfriend who pretended nothing happened;

<< Congratulations from me too, I very willingly accept the role of best man at the wedding. It will be a privilege >> said Alice;

<< Happy birthday >> added Chiara, hugging him warmly;

<< Obviously you are all invited >> concluded Leonardo.

enthusiasm was shown by Lucrezia and Andrea who couldn't wait to participate in that tear-jerking ceremony.

<<Have you already chosen the witnesses?>> Andrea asked her after having congratulated her;

<<Actually, yes, I have them here in front of me>> Sofia replied;

<<Are you really saying this? If you're lying I'll fire straight away>> Lucrezia threatened her;

<< I'm serious, you are my best friends so I want you two as wedding witnesses >> Sofia replied.

All three began to cry profusely with emotion and Sofia's office began to transform into a sort of swimming pool.

<<Okay but let's calm down>> said Sofia taking the tissues to dry her tears;

<<Now we'll get to it>> Lucrezia replied, grabbing one.

Meanwhile Leonardo and his friends were busy with the second day of exercises in the swimming pool and, like the previous one, they failed to successfully complete the tasks assigned to them by the colonel general.

On a couple of occasions they were rescued by rescue divers otherwise they would not have been able to get out of the pool on their own.

<<Okay guys, what's wrong? Why are you so stuck? You've passed many other tests why aren't performing as well should?>> the officer asked them in a stern tone, watching them panting by the pool;

<<We don't know sir, perhaps it's the pressure of being considered golden generation, all this attention affects our performance>> Lucia replied in a faint voice;

<< Do you think you will work in total tranquility in space? The pressure you are experiencing now is a trifle compared to what you will face up there where every decision you make can make the difference between surviving and dying.

You will have to think and decide in a fraction of a second but you won't have rescue divers to help you, am I clear?

If you don't feel like it, you'd better leave now but if you want to continue tomorrow morning I want to see you here at dawn and this time the divers won't intervene.

If you don't show up it will mean that you have thrown in the towel >> Astolfi replied with unusual harshness even for a tough guy like him.

The boys took off their overalls and cleaned themselves up after which they went to the Agency's museum located in Lampedusa, not for tourism but to be inspired by those who had preceded them whose effigies were kept there as an everlasting memory of their greatness.

They took two golf cars and once they arrived at the museum they immediately headed to the room dedicated to the great astronauts of the past, staring one after the other at the holographic portraits of the men and women who had written the history of the Agency and of humanity with their courage and their dedication to the cause.

<< Here is the portrait of Andrea Scalini, the first Italian to have set foot on the Moon. Growing up in a very poor family of shrimp fishermen, he walked 20 km to school every day. I would never have done it >> said Orlando, pointing to the hologram of a man in his fifties, bald and with a large mustache placed under an aquiline nose.

He had an expression of absolute pride, typical of someone who is aware that he deserves to be there.

<< Here is Grazia Overti, the first woman in history to set foot on Mars, one of my childhood heroines.

Married to Manuela d'Arcalingi, she was discriminated against just because she was different but she kept going, breaking down that glass ceiling erected by the social conventions of the time

I have always considered her unattainable >> Chiara replied.

Alice approached her furtively from behind, squeezing her right hand in her left, giving her a small kiss on the neck.

The place of honor in the room belonged to the parents of Leonardo, the first man and woman to have gone beyond Mars, to have inhabited the Jovian space station, to have circumnavigated Saturn and to have landed on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.

Their faces smiled happily next to each other, their respective holograms seemed so real that it seemed they were present there, however it was just an illusion and Leonardo knew very well that he was alone against destiny, against Astolfi and the rest of the world.

<<You won't be outdone, they knew that you would choose the same path as them and happy about it, were born to do this job, just have believe in it>> Lucia said putting a hand on Leonardo's shoulder causing a few tears to fall from his eyes;

<< I don't think I can do it, they are in the center of the room, the goals they have achieved are so significant that they would make anyone look bad >> Leonardo replied, overcome by discouragement;

<< You won't have to do it alone, in fact none of us are, as long as we are there for each other we won't have to fear failing.

We can't give up right now so tomorrow morning we will go to the swimming pool, we will pass Astolfi's exams and we will travel into space >> said Lucia;

<< I'm coming with you >> Orlando replied, hugging her;

<<If we let you go alone would end up making a big mess, need us so we'll be along for the ride>> Alice added, dragging Chiara behind her.

At that point only Leonardo was missing and he continued to remain still like a pillar of salt, petrified in front of the effigies of his parents.

<< Don't you want to go and look for them? Maybe they are still alive and have found that mysterious mass beyond Pluto >> Lucia urged him;

<<We need a leader>> Alice added;

<<You are the leader of our group, without you we can't do it>> said Orlando;

<< If we split up we will fail >> Chiara cut short.

At that point Leonardo turned, caressed the hologram of his parents for the last time and never before had he felt hands clasping his but at the same time pushing him towards his friends like the wind does with an autumn leaf.

<<Without me you would get killed>> he told them, joining the group.

From the next morning and for the following four months they showed up at the NBL as punctual as Swiss watches, undergoing extreme psychological and physical pressure from Astolfi who was not willing to give them any discounts, he decided that from then on they would have to give their all if they wanted obtain the qualified astronaut diploma.

<< Stop being too paternalistic, the moment of the carrot is over while that of the stick has arrived >> thought the officer.

He knew he had some potentially great astronauts in his hands but if he wanted them to succeed he had to bring out the best in each of them and so he tried to do.

In the following weeks there was a real tug of war between the parties, on the one hand the boys did not retreat an inch, they resisted all the scolding they received and managed to overcome even the most difficult tests, on the other Astolfi did the impossible to put them in difficulty.

They remained in the NBL for up to 13 hours a day carrying out all the exercises that the colonel general had described when presenting the course.

The general went so far as to remove the support of the divers because, according to him, they conveyed to the boys a sense of excessive relaxation because, seeing them, they knew they could be saved if they had any difficulties.

<< Enough with these comforts, we're serious here >> he repeated continuously but neither Leonardo nor the others were intimidated by his bold attitude;

<<He can do whatever he wants, I'm not moving from here>> said Orlando, carrying out operations in the depressurized modules;

<<Scream all you want, old bastard, we'll take what's ours>> Lucia repeated in turn, busy in those days trying out cargo movements.

While they were at it, the summer ended very quickly without them having had the chance to enjoy it to the full.

By the time they finished training they were so tired they could barely get on the eVTOL to go back to their quarters at Astronautical Headquarters where they ate dinner and went to bed.

Their day was marked by that rhythm and as the weeks went by they fell into a sort of addiction, they had only been doing that for so long that their mind couldn't conceive of the existence of anything outside of the routine.

It was a life made of sacrifices but they were no longer simple cadets but men and women on a mission with a very specific purpose, to go to the stars and truly become that golden generation that everyone was talking about.

Without realizing it, their bodies and minds got used to working in the pool much faster than they had done with the parabolic flight, in fact the amount of errors they committed within the NBL drastically decreased to zero.

One day Astolfi, after having tried everything to put them in difficulty, told them that this would be the practical exam, he had decided to bring it forward at the request of the Agency so the slightest mistake would cause them to fail.

Obviously he was bluffing and yet the boys did not lose their temper and completed their tasks flawlessly.

<<Hey old man, are we promoted? Can I book a table at "Atlantide" to celebrate?>> Orlando asked in a provocative tone.

Astolfi didn't answer but in his heart he was happy to see them perform to their full potential, perhaps he had removed the last obstacles that prevented the boys from showing their skill.

The ease, naturalness and simplicity with which Leonardo carried out his tasks and led the group reminded him of his father of whom he had been not only a classmate but also a great friend in his private life.

He often told Leonardo that his parents were superior to him and he would never be able to reach them but the boy no longer paid attention to that type of provocation, he understood that he didn't have to be like them but rather he had to find his own path and take it, see where he would have brought it and only at the end draw conclusions.

<< You will never be like your father so resign yourself, he would have already finished. You'll never find them because you don't have what it takes so forget it >> Astolfi said to provoke him;

<< How much does this old man talk? >> Orlando asked one day making everyone laugh;

<< Say whatever you like, I'm not interested, I know what I have to do, I certainly don't have to prove it to him >> replied Leonardo who from time to time would have liked to jump out of the pool to punch him in the throat and make him shut up but so he would play his game so he would just shrug and move on.

Meanwhile, even at the fifth level there was a lot of excitement as the various tests on the EM Drive showed convincing results but above all Andrea and Sofia were increasingly closer to decoding Pandora's "consciousness".

This made them very agitated and the second was busy preparing for the wedding which Leonardo could not attend due to training.

Lucrezia immediately understood the situation and therefore freed her from the most burdensome commitments by asking her to limit herself to carrying out the deciphering of Pandora's code.

<< That's the only thing I ask you, do you think you can do it? >> he asked her;

<< Absolutely yes but I would like you to transfer the tasks to Andrea. In recent months she has proven herself equal to the situation and one day she could replace me as the new director of the Pandora Lab >> Sofia replied smiling.

She was so happy about her marriage that she began to see her work in a different light; before then it had been her only reason for living, but now it appeared to her as an impediment to her personal happiness.

On the one hand, she cared a lot because she had promised Leonardo's mother to preserve her work on Pandora but after so many years she was starting to want new adventures and she didn't care if they were dangerous.

An idea as risky as it was crazy and dangerous began to flash in his mind but would he have the courage to put it into practice when the moment came?

Only time could answer that question.

One of her favorite activities was sending wedding invitations via holographic telegrams in which she and Leonardo, happy and smiling next to each other, invited the recipients to participate in the religious ceremony that would be held on December 24, 2071 in the Primatial Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Holy Virgin Mary of the Assumption of Palermo.

She would have liked to get married in her hometown but she didn't know when Leonardo would have to leave for the first space mission and, not wanting to risk seeing him leave halfway through the wedding, she chose Palermo, making sure she wouldn't have to witness a similar scene.

He had been dreaming of that day since he was three years old, imagining it a billion times, he had been preparing it all his life so even the smallest and most insignificant detail had to be perfect so seeing Leonardo flee halfway through the wedding lunch would have been a disappointment that he would not have digested, since there the choice of Palermo.

Sofia decided everything instead Leonardo limited himself to making her the proposal after which they recorded the invitation message and at that point he disappeared, not because he wasn't interested but he had to think about training so he didn't want any other distractions considering Astolfi's aggressive behavior.

Marriage was more than enough reason to throw himself headlong into the NBL so much so as to be the first to enter and the last to leave, Leonardo only thought about the simulations and at the beginning the colonel general was happy about it but when he received the invitation to the marriage began to wonder if there was something else behind his full involvement in the exercises so one autumn evening he stopped him in the "Training Facility" to have a chat face to face.

<<Stay a moment, we need to talk. To return Palermo you will take another eVTOL>> he told him, taking it away from the rest of the team;

<< Guys, go ahead, I'll see you at the Headquarters >> Leonardo replied, accepting the officer's invitation to talk face to face.

<< First of all I want to congratulate you and the team for the enormous progress you have made in recent weeks, I know I was hard but it was necessary, I hope you understand >> Astolfi began once we were alone looking him straight in the eyes but Leonardo immediately understood that the real reason for that conversation was another.

<< Don't worry sir, you're just doing your job, it's up to us to continuously improve and take what we want >> he replied;

<< Speaking of which, I received the invitation to your wedding and I congratulate you. It will be a big step forward >> said Astolfi;

<< I hope there will be, sir >> Leonardo replied;

<< I can't miss my best friend's son's wedding but in this regard I think the time has come to tell you something about your parents.

Before they left for the last mission they came to my house where we spent the evening together and at a certain point your father looked me straight in the eyes telling me the following words, I remember them as if it were yesterday.

"One day my son will come here to become an astronaut, if you are to be his instructor you will have to be as tough as possible and not give him any concessions, not even the smallest. Promise me."

I was surprised but I couldn't help myself so I replied "Okay, I will".

At the time I didn't understand the reason for such a request but now, years later, I've arrived at it >> the general revealed to him.

At first Leonardo didn't respond, in the past such a story would have hurt him by sowing doubts in his soul but not now, he had learned to live with the ghost of his parents so he simply nodded.

<< I understand sir but I have embarked on my path, I don't know where it will take me but I hope to achieve the objectives I have set for myself however I don't have to prove anything to anyone except my companions, that's all >> Leonardo limited himself to saying;

<< I understand it and yours is a noble feeling, however I wonder if the story of the marriage hasn't destabilized you, I see how much effort you put into every exercise and that's what you have to do but you should loosen your grip for a moment >> Astolfi advised him;

<< Are you basically saying that I would be scared of getting married? >> asked Leonardo;

<< We all are, son. When it was my turn I was very scared, I can assure you. I was terrified of it however in the end I capitulated and now here I am >> he added showing him his finger surrounded by the golden wedding ring that sparkled under the lights of the "Training Facility";

<< Maybe I have a little but I know for sure that Sofia is the woman of my life, I admit that I have wavered in the past but I can't wait any longer, when the training is completed the Agency won't take long before sending me into space so it's now or never>> replied the boy.

Astolfi was surprised by the great maturity he was showing despite his young age, perhaps he had underestimated him by letting himself be deceived by that face still fresh with life which instead hid a mature man.

<< You're right, the Agency will send you into space as soon as possible so let me give you some advice as a friend and if you allow me as a father: enjoy every single moment on this beautiful planet.

Appreciate every second you will spend with your future wife and your closest friends because when you are in deep space you won't have the time>> the general whispered in his ear, hugging him warmly.

Astolfi saw Leonardo as the son he didn't have, for many years he had wanted at least one, however fate had not been kind to him.

The boy was very surprised by that gesture, he didn't expect it and yet an invisible force suggested he reciprocate so he stretched out his arms, squeezing them around the back of the man who was giving him the famous "little speech" typical of parents.

<< I'm happy to have had this chat >> said Leonardo when the hug ended;

<<Now go, your friends are waiting for you at the entrance>> replied Astolfi.

Leonardo ran to the exit and as soon as he opened the door he found Orlando, Lucia, Alice and Chiara waiting for him and it filled him with happiness.

<<What did he tell you?>> Orlando asked him as they all headed together to the airport to take the eVTOL towards Palermo;

<<He advised me to enjoy it>> he replied smiling and happy, leaving them stunned;

<<I think he's right, we would do well to follow his suggestion>> said Alice;

<< These moments won't come back so let's enjoy them >> concluded Chiara.