Chapter 4 Part I

The following days passed very quickly, the apprentice astronauts continuously tested themselves with the T-38 in order to improve and refine their knowledge of flight and how to fly the aircraft.

The lessons were very long, the boys and girls spent 15 or 16 hours a day on the T-38 in order to put together as many flight hours as possible.

Leonardo changed his mood very quickly, euphoric with how things were going he was the first to enter the T-38 and the last to leave it so much so that his friends continually complained about his delays as theirs was the the last eVTOL that left the island every single day but he didn't care.

Only up there in the sky did he feel free and happy, in that tiny seat reserved for one of the two pilots, the hologram of Pandora sat in the front seat but limited himself to having a controlling presence as he was the one piloting the plane .

If he was forced to land due to lack of battery charge he became sad and disconsolate but was heartened by the thought that the following day he would be able to return aboard the T-38 and his spirit immediately began to shine again.

When he returned to Palermo he was able to see Sofia who, having freed herself from work, went to visit him in his room almost every evening during which the two young people slept little due to the ardent passion that overwhelmed them.

<<From what I have heard you become a little prodigy of flight>> Sofia began one of those evenings as she rested her head on the pillow of the bed;

<< The first time was traumatic, I'm serious. I had never flown before and after take-off I was about to faint. Furthermore, without realizing it, I disabled Pandora so I found myself alone on a plane traveling at supersonic speed with no previous piloting experience, in fact at the beginning I thought I couldn't do it.

I was on the verge of losing consciousness when a strange thing happened to me >> he replied;

<<What? >> she asked him curiously;

<< I saw my parents encouraging me not to give up, then you appeared, you smiled at me, encouraging me to move forward and be strong and so I did, in short, you saved my life.

I've never said it before but I think the right time and person have come to pronounce the following words: I love you >> he revealed them.

He looked her straight in the eyes making her face blush while her heart was pounding, she was out of breath and she didn't know what to say.

She didn't expect such a declaration, in fact she was taken aback by it, furthermore no one had ever told her that they loved her in the past, hearing him say it was something new and she didn't know how to handle the situation, however she had to give him an answer.

An awkward silence fell in the room during which they both stared into each other's eyes without saying a word, Leonardo was waiting for her reaction but she didn't know what to say to him.

In twenty seconds Sofia reviewed her entire life in her mind, remembering the various salient moments that had characterized her since childhood and in the end she decided to follow her heart.

<<I love you too>> he simply replied.

Leonardo's eyes began to shine like two light bulbs, his face contorted into a strange grimace while a rush of adrenaline ran through him from the tops of his hair to the tips of his toes, leaving him paralyzed for a few seconds.

<<It was the right answer, right?>> she asked seeing him speechless;

<<It was the only one I would have accepted>> he replied giving her a kiss on the lips.

Over the next three weeks Leonardo was the happiest man in the world, he had found the love of his life and the training went from strength to strength.

With the advent of March the cold began to become warmer, some first shy flowers began to bloom while the sun became hotter and the days became longer.

One morning in the first week of the month the cadets found themselves as usual at the hangars of the "Space Hardware Test Center" but they were about to receive a bitter surprise.

<< Good morning guys, as you can see there are no T-38s in the hangars because in the next few days we will do something different but I would like to point out that you will return to flying on your planes because training is fundamental even if you have quickly gained confidence with the medium.

The time has come to move on to the parabolic flight phase as astronauts to learn to move in microgravity but not inside a space suit with water around them participate in parabolic flights known as "Weightless Wonder" or "Vomit Comet" .

During a flight of this type you can experience microgravity for 20 seconds repeated forty times in one day.

The name "Vomit Comet" derives from the fact that sometimes parabolic flights are enough to throw the vestibular system of astronauts into confusion and they feel sick as would happen at the beginning of a space flight.

To get used to flying and working in microgravity you will carry out these flights on board the ZBH-MDK and in the meantime you will have to practice wearing the intravehicular and extravehicular suits learning to move in such conditions.

During the exercises, two instructors will be present, one will follow the list of operations that you must be able to perform (put on the suit and move safely) while the other will analyze the procedures carried out during entry into the intra-vehicular suit.

One of the tasks you should be able to take care of during an EVA is the manual release of small satellites so it is necessary that the direction and speed of the launch are as correct as possible, which is why you train before the flight >> explained the colonel in a serious tone and serious, leaving the cadets dumbfounded.

"My God, it's going to be painful, " said Orlando in a low voice;

<< It will be very different from training on the T-38, up there you had control of the situation and could fly the plane yourself, whereas here you are at the mercy of the instructors.

I really don't like this at all >> Lucia replied.

When he went to university after deciding to become an astronaut he took similar flights and always ended up vomiting;

<< There are some secrets to doing these exercises without..., ... we understand each other >> Orlando asked aloud, miming the gesture of vomiting;

<< Don't eat too much, that's the only useful advice I can give you. Another thing: try to stay focused on a fixed point, think only about that and nothing else because the moment you lose concentration you will vomit >> replied the colonel, replicating the gesture he made shortly before, triggering laughter from those present.

<<Do you feel ready?>> Alice asked Leonardo, squeezing his arm;

<< I don't think you can prepare in advance for something like this, in any case even before flying on the T-38 I was scared but now I feel great, maybe it will be the same >> he replied, gently but decisively dodging her.

<< You will divide into groups of four people, you will get on five ZBH-MDKs and we will start immediately. I will be on one of the planes while on the others you will have the pleasure of collaborating with some of the most brilliant pilots I have ever seen.

Each aircraft is waiting for you on a different runway, after forming the groups come to me so I can sort you >> explained the colonel.

Leonardo, Orlando, Alice and Lucia teamed up and were assigned to runway no. 5, ironically the same one on which Leonardo had had to land at the end of his first flight on the T-38.

When they arrived at the track they were welcomed by Andrea and Luca, their two instructors with whom they would share joys and sorrows.

Both wore the standard blue overalls so they were professional astronauts, they had brown hair cut in military style, green eyes, very small ears, aquiline nose, big mouth and dazzling smile that caught the girls' attention.

They had a very robust build and it was clear that they spent a lot of time in the weight room and they also had the air of gentlemen from times gone by, so much so that they greeted Alice and Lucia with a bow and a kiss on the hand.

<<Two muscular, high-achieving twins, we were really lucky>> Orlando whispered in Leonardo's ear who actually didn't mind the possibility of getting Alice off his back;

<< Don't worry, Lucia is a girl with a head on her shoulders >> she replied patting him on the back.

<< Welcome to your first parabolic flight with which we will simulate a microgravity environment, I am Andrea while he is my twin Luca >> began the first of the two.

<< The colonel has already explained to you what you will have to do however you are at the beginning so during the first flights you will not carry out demanding tasks so limit yourself to training your body for the new environment, there will be time to work in microgravity.

If you don't have any questions please follow us so we can start with the first flight straight away >> added the second twin.

In front of them was a ZBH-MDK, a transport aircraft with a large fuselage capable of accommodating most of the vehicles used by the Agency for that training, with a rear door equipped with an access ramp, a wing positioned high on the fuselage equipped with positive arrow angle, propulsion system based on 4 electrically powered motors and graphene batteries housed in as many engine nacelles mounted on sub-wing pylons, tail equipped with T-shaped empennage and low pressure multi-wheel landing gear for better weight distribution on the track.

<< This can be your best friend or worst enemy so before taking off I recommend concentration. As you have already been told, fix a point and look only at that, the mind in these cases is fundamental to dominate the body >> Andrea explained, caressing the plane while his brother started the engines.

The five got on board where there was so much space that it could accommodate many more people and yet the Agency had decided to fly it for only four people.

<< There could have been many more of us in here >> Orlando blurted out;

<< Don't worry, very soon you will understand why there are so few of us >> replied the instructor.

He signaled to his brother to leave and shortly afterwards the plane moved onto the take-off runway.

<< Ok guys, remember that each flight lasts 20 seconds and not an eternity >> Andrea recommended to the four boys.

Leonardo barely had time to nod when the aircraft suddenly took off with frightening speed, nothing to do with the exercise on the T-38.

<< Ok fine, stay focused >> Andrea repeated.

The ZBH-MDK quickly arrived at the established altitude reaching microgravity so the boys inside the plane began to float from all sides, they seemed to be made of feathers and the happiest was Orlando.

<< Look at me, I'm flying, dammit! It's really me >> he said happy like a child who has just received the much desired toy;

<<Very well now try to move delicately, in these first flights your body must memorize the right movements microgravity because that's how you work up there>> stated Andrea pointing to the sky;

<< I thought I was sick but instead I feel very light >> added Leonardo;

<< It's a wonderful feeling, I didn't remember it being so splendid>> said Lucia who had probably forgotten the second part of the flight.

<< Guys I love flying! >> Alice shouted, regardless of what was about to happen.

Suddenly the plane began its dive, sweeping away that sensation of lightness that had been present until then, leaving room for a storm that was unleashed in the stomachs of the poor boys, taken aback by the sudden change of direction of the aircraft.

Both Leonardo and his friends became dizzy, their heads spun like a crazy spinning top and their vision blurred, they flew everywhere and as soon as they managed to hold on to something their hold lasted a few moments as their strength had abandoned them. .

<< Remember that this phase of the flight only lasts a few seconds, please try to resist >> exclaimed Andrea trying to encourage them.

The first to enter "Vomit Comet" mode was Orlando who would have liked to say something to the instructor's twin but his intestines couldn't hold for a moment longer giving rise to very violent regurgitations, it seemed like an erupting geyser.

The others tried to resist but the smell of vomit in the plane took over, they couldn't breathe and this also induced Lucia and Alice to give in with only Leonardo resisting.

<<Guys eat less next time>> said Andrea, holding his nose from the smell while pieces of vomit floated around the plane.

By now there were only a few seconds left until landing, Leonardo knew this so he tried to follow the advice given to him by the colonel by focusing on one point of the plane, covering his mouth and nose so as not to smell the stench floating in the aircraft.

He was at his limit, he knew he could explode at any moment so he thought back to what happened to him on the T-38, even on that occasion he was about to give in but he had managed to come to his senses so he fixed in his mind the image of Sofia telling him << I love you too >> trying to relax your mind and body.

He closed his eyes and didn't think about anything else until he heard the wheels of the plane touch the ground, as soon as his ears heard the screech of the asphalt he opened his eyes and to his great joy he saw the hangar where they had left so it meant that it was over.

Only then did he free his mouth and nose with the increasingly intense stench of vomit because while he was concentrating, isolating himself from the rest of the world, his friends had regurgitated repeatedly, the stench was so strong that even an experienced astronaut like Andrea was about to give in.

The plane stopped gently, opening the door to let in some air and as soon as it was possible the boys rushed out to breathe

<< This is attempted murder >> Orlando began with his throat on fire;

<<I didn't remember it being so traumatic>> Lucia added.

Everyone was holding their hands on their knees, breathing hard, but Leonardo, the only one who hadn't vomited, felt like he had a lump on his stomach, something big was pushing to get out and wouldn't hold him back for long.

<< These guys are weak >> Luca said reaching his twin.

<< I congratulate Leonardo, the only one who didn't regurgitate >> Andrea began.

As soon as he tried to approach him, the boy dodged him with one hand and threw himself behind the hangar where he vomited what he had retained during the flight.

<< 0 out of 4 >> Luca added, laughing heartily;

<< The general said there would be two instructors and not just one so why was your brother in the cockpit? >> asked Orlando still on his knees;

<< During the first flights, only one assistant is needed because the only thing you have to do is get used to these conditions. However, when we start carrying out certain activities then his presence will also be needed and the plane will be piloted by Pandora.

My brother is one of the best pilots around and every now and then he enjoys flying this type of aircraft to put rookies like you to the test >> Andrea replied laughing;

<< You should think about concentrating because at this rate neither you nor your friends will be able to face a space flight. How do you think you can carry out activities in microgravity such as wearing a suit or moving around safely if you can't even hold back your vomit?! In short, look at yourself, one attempt was enough to bring you to your knees but know that you will have to do it forty times a day.

As soon as your regurgitation has been cleaned up you will try again until you are able to dominate microgravity so stop whining and start working >> Luca replied dryly who didn't like Orlando's insinuations

The plane was ready after a few minutes so they tried again a second, a third, a fourth time and then again and again but the result was always the same.

The twins, who were initially more compliant, began to get harder and harder, they tried to encourage them in every way but the boys showed no signs of improvement so it was decided to leave Pandora alone with the task of piloting the ZBH-MDK while Luca and Andrea would be both present inside the plane, however, things did not go better.

On the tenth failed attempt after the aircraft had landed on the runway the four cadets forced themselves down into the light, lying on their stomachs on the asphalt, their uniforms were soaked in vomit and sweat, they smelled like hell and Orlando was one millimeter away from fainting .

<< One more try! It's only 20 seconds, if you don't resist now how do you think you can do this job? You should retreat! >> Luca shouted.

Luckily for the boys, 12 arrived and this meant a lunch break but above all a free hour to recover their strength for the afternoon parabolic flights.

<<At this rate we won't go anywhere and run the risk of falling behind other groups>> Alice said as she sat down in the canteen.

Looking at their competitors in the face, they understood that that danger did not exist as their faces were distorted by fatigue, some were as white as sheets while others preferred not to eat, aware of what awaited them shortly.

<< Look at their faces for a moment, they are worse off than us >> replied Orlando who didn't feel like eating;

<< If they think they will make me throw in the towel without a fight they are very wrong, in short let's reflect on where we are, do you know how many would like to be in our place? Thousands, maybe millions. When we chose this path we knew the difficulties we faced and yet so far we have done things we never imagined we could do.

Three of us had never flown a plane and the first time I got into the T-38 I was scared away but now I know how to fly it.

I will return to that aircraft, I will stop vomiting and I will learn to move and move in microgravity, no matter what the cost >> Leonardo replied, getting up from his seat and heading towards runway n°5 with a decisive step;

<< I'm with him, I fought too hard to give up >> Alice added, running after him;

<<To hell with it>> Orlando said, getting up and joining them in turn, followed closely by Lucia.

<<But look, the rookies are back>> said Luca seeing them reappear at the hangar;

<<You were wrong brother, they have guts>> added Andrea who of the two was the less severe towards the new arrivals and deep down he hoped to see them again;

<< Or they are unconscious, we will see this very soon. Let's start the flights immediately >> Luca retorted as he entered the plane.

Throughout the afternoon the two twins carried out their duties as instructors while the silver gray ZBH-MDK piloted by Pandora went back and forth between the take-off/landing strip and orbit carrying the two teachers plus the four cadets.

The first attempts were unsuccessful as all four vomited either in flight or as soon as they set foot on the ground, however towards the afternoon things improved and in the last test of the day no one had any problems.

<< Very good guys, you have taken the first step, i.e. completing a flight without feeling bad, however the road is still long but I believe there are the foundations to do well >> said Andrea, shaking hands with each of them;

<< I have to change my mind about you, putting up with all this isn't easy, I know from experience but today you showed that you care so you have earned my respect but don't get your head up, you still have a lot to do.

For today I would say let's close it here, if you don't vomit on the first flights of tomorrow then we will try to carry out some more complex activities. Excellent work and give yourself a round of applause, you deserve it >> added Luca clapping his hands.

<< Guys, I don't know about you but I need a shower >> Orlando exclaimed as he entered the eVTOL that took them back to Palermo;

<< Don't worry, you're not the only one, I too have to wash and lie down otherwise tomorrow I won't even have the strength to get out of bed >> added Leonardo.

The two girls didn't answer, they were so exhausted that they didn't have much to say.

As soon as he entered his room Leonardo took off his vomit-stained suit, placing it on the desk chair and then diving into the shower, giving himself a good clean from top to toe.

As soon as he finished he checked if there was a new suit in the wardrobe but nothing so he wondered if the next day he would have to wear what looked like a dirty kitchen rag rather than an aspiring astronaut's uniform.

<<Are you there? Can I come in?>> he suddenly heard outside his apartment, immediately recognizing the voice of his beloved.

He opened the door letting Sofia in who immediately kissed him on the lips.

<< There is an unbearable stench here. Parabolic flights I presume>> said the girl noticing how the uniform was in condition;

<< You guessed it and I'll tell you more, I'm exhausted. Today I must have vomited at least ten times, I feel really disgusting >> he replied sitting on the bed;

<< Why don't you set the uniform to self-cleaning mode? You should know that all the suits produced by the Agency are equipped with intelligent sensors capable of doing various things such as keeping the astronaut's body temperature constant or cleaning themselves thanks to special "smart" filters inserted into the fabric.

Just press on the Agency logo and this hologram appears from which you can select the desired functionality >> he explained, showing him how to do it.

In a flash the uniform was clean again as if it had just come out of the laundry.

<<Why am I only finding out about this now? Such information would have been very useful to me today at the airfield>> he complained;

<< You will most likely address the topic tomorrow as you will start working on the intra-vehicular and extra-vehicular suits, however often the cadets do not know that their uniforms also have intelligent functions >> explained Sofia placing the suit on the chair, sitting on the nearby bed to Leonardo;

<< I see you're really feeling tired, what do you say if at least for this evening we forget about sex and cuddle each other a bit? >> proposed to him;

<< I'm sorry to say it but I agree with you, I'm really upset >> he replied.

Lying in bed they told each other about their respective working days, Leonardo held her head in his hands and caressed her hair, making her forget the disagreements she had with colleagues regarding some lines of Pandora code.

While Sofia and Leonardo were cuddling, Orlando also had company in his room as Lucia had slipped out of the dormitory to visit him for the first time since they were in the Astronautical Headquarters.

They were very much in love but decided to keep it a secret fearing the reaction of the Agency which frowned upon romantic relationships at work.

The following day the four friends met again at the hangar of runway no. 5 where the two twins were waiting for them to start a new round of parabolic flights. As soon as they arrived all six entered the plane.

<< Good morning and welcome to a new lesson on parabolic flights, today you will try to wear suits for intravehicular and extravehicular activities in microgravity conditions.

The first one you will use is the one for intravehicular activities, the Venezia, an intelligent suit made up of a pressurized internal layer of a material called Kapron and an external layer of white nylon fabric.

The boots and helmet are integrated with the suit while the gloves can be detached and attached with anodized aluminum joints at the wrists, the polycarbonate visor opens on hinges and when closed it seals on an aluminum flange.

The semi-rigid helmet folds when the visor is raised and the suit is equipped with four pockets and adjustment straps for the arms, legs, chest and abdomen.

A pressure indicator is installed on the left wrist while on the right there is a mirror mounted on an elastic bracelet to see objects outside the user's field of vision. During re-entry into the atmosphere, a bracelet with altimeter can also be worn. Furthermore, the electrical wiring is mounted on the right side of the abdomen while the air and oxygen tubes pass on the left.

Under normal conditions an electric fan blows 150 liters per minute of cabin air into the suit through the larger tube but if cabin pressure drops below 600 hectopascals (0.59 atmospheres) oxygen is automatically supplied from cylinders.

Both air and oxygen exit the suit through a valve mounted in the center of the chest which also regulates the suit's internal pressure.

The Venezia weighs approximately 10 kg and is designed to be worn for up to 30 hours in a pressurized environment or ten hours in a vacuum. Finally, it can float and has a bulkhead that allows you to raise the visor in the water without the risk of flooding the suit.

The second is the one for extra-vehicular activities, the Trento as we call it or "Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU)", a semi-rigid modular space suit that isolates and protects astronauts engaged in extra-vehicular activities from the external environment.

The suit is white to reflect sunlight with the dual purpose of limiting heating and standing out against the black of space while the colored bands on the legs (red in this case) serve to identify the astronauts.

The EMU is designed with a modular philosophy that allows the replacement or redesign of individual elements without having to change the overall structure.

In its external part that maintains pressurization it consists of a rigid upper body ("Hard Upper Torso or HUT"), of a life support system ("Primary Life Support System or PLSS") which incorporates the electronic part of life support management , a section for the arms, one for the gloves, a transparent bubble helmet, a visor system ( "Extravehicular Visor Assembly or EVVA"), a flexible lower module ("Lower Torso Assembly or LTA") which includes the system connection with the HUT, the leggings and the boots.

The astronaut must first bring a "Maximum Absorbency Garment or MAG", basically a diaper and tights over which the "Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG)" consisting of transparent plastic tubes inside which water flows to check body temperature and other ventilation lines.

The module containing the communications headphones ("Communications Carrier Assembly or CCA" also informally called "Snoopy Cap") is worn once the upper (HUT) and lower (LTA) parts of the suit are connected to each other and to the " LCVG".

After the helmet and gloves are put on the suit is pressurized.

The Agency has recently introduced an additional module, the "Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue or SAFER" consisting of a "jet pack" that the astronaut can use only in the event of an emergency to get closer to the shuttle or the space station if he finds himself drifting in space.

Since the robustness of the suit depends on the pressure difference it must withstand in operating conditions, to minimize weight and consequently use more flexible and comfortable structures, the Agency has introduced project specifications based on which the operating pressure is lower than approximately 30 kPa (0.3 atmospheres).

At this pressure it is necessary to use pure oxygen to avoid the hypoxia that would instead occur when breathing air, a mixture composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.

Normally the air pressure inside orbiting space stations is kept equal to that on Earth to guarantee the comfort of the occupants but to avoid the astronaut who has to use the suit serious decompression pathologies such as arterial gas embolism in the previous 24 hours extravehicular activity the pressure of the Pigafetta and Magellano is lowered from 1 to 0.7 atmospheres.

In the 45 minutes before the extravehicular activity the astronaut breathes pure oxygen to dispose of the nitrogen present in the blood, however on orbiting space stations the internal pressure is not lowered but the astronaut must breathe pure oxygen to get rid of the nitrogen dissolved in the blood for 4 hours before EVA.

What we ask you at this stage is to memorize this information because it will be useful to you in the future if you become astronauts and it will also be useful when, shortly, you try to put on the suits.

One last thing: by pressing the Agency logo present on the uniforms this hologram appears with which you can select various "smart" modes including the self-cleaning one >> explained Andrea, showing him how to do it.

<< I won't let you get on my plane with those smelly things on even if one of you has already discovered this little secret >> Luca added looking at Leonardo's suit.

<< I found out about it by chance last night, I carelessly sat on it and the hologram appeared so I cleaned it >> the boy tried to justify himself;

<< Why isn't there, did you say it yesterday? >> Orlando protested while cleaning his uniform;

<< Being cadets you have to get used to suffering and then it was fun to see you reduced to that state >> Luca said trying to justify himself;

<< Stop wasting time protesting, clean yourselves up and let's get started >> Andrea cut short.

<<You were very lucky but you could have sent a message>> Alice said, whispering in Leonardo's ear before entering the plane.

The boy noticed his friend's very suspicious tone of voice so he became worried because he didn't want anyone to start poking their nose into his private life and having guessed the girl's intentions towards him, he decided to keep her at a distance.

<<Fortune favors the bold>> he replied, smiling at her, trying to allay her doubts while the ZBH-MDK was preparing for take-off.

<<Be careful, she's keeping an eye on you>> said Orlando, approaching Leonardo;

"I know," he replied just as the plane began to leave the ground.

<< Gentlemen, concentration, today we begin the tests for wearing the Venice intravehicular suit in a microgravity environment, it is a complex operation that requires speed, concentration and the ability to adapt to changing situations. Let's try it for the first time >> said Andrea as the plane climbed.

The boys tried to put on the suit but it was a half-failure, Leonardo barely put on half of it while Orlando was about to reach for the right sleeve when the plane began its descent causing him to bounce instead the girls did much better than the men but still failed. 'objective.

<<Okay, don't be discouraged, let's try again>> Luca encouraged them as he had decided to change his attitude towards them.

The attempts to enter the Venice continued throughout the morning but with poor results even if, for being beginners, the boys demonstrated that they possessed a great spirit of sacrifice and knew how to tolerate adversity.

While they were training tirelessly to achieve their dream but above all in view of the course exam at the Astronautical Headquarters, the fifth level was thrown into turmoil by the visit of the director of the Space Agency.

His name was Giosué Carigge, a short, stocky man in his seventies, well-groomed white hair and beard, sparkling blue eyes and bulbous nose, paunchy for his age but not enough to be classified as obese.

He wore blue velvet trousers over black moccasins and a large white shirt on which fabric suspenders were clearly visible to hold up his trousers. Anyone who saw him immediately understood that he was a politician and not a scientist.

He was wandering around that level with a furtive air as if he was looking for something and was there together with General d'Aringhi as well as with some high-ranking officials who had arrived directly from Rome to check how the operations were progressing.

Sofia as the main designer of Pandora had to attend a meeting called in the central office of the level director, Colonel Francesco Martoprete, a tall and slender intelligent man in his forties, curly black hair, hooked nose, small ears and olive complexion, he always wore a white coat similar to that of doctors or nurses and looked perpetually in the clouds.

Despite this, he was recognized as one of the most brilliant scientists of the Agency, in fact he had been awarded various awards including two Nobel Prizes for Physics, one for the stable confinement of plasma for controlled nuclear fusion, a "Fields" medal and three "Turing Award".

Sofia respected him very much and if she needed it she asked him for advice, especially when she had to get her hands on the source code of Pandora which was becoming more and more complicated to manage as she learned more and more, in fact on several occasions she had had to give up making adjustments.

When all the guests invited to the meeting were present in the office, Carigge spoke.

<<Gentlemen we are gathered here today because this dossier has come to my attention which I think you should see>> he began by turning on a hologram in the center of the room;

<< What exactly are we looking at? >> asked the general;

<< This is the source code of Pandora which, as you know, is a quantum artificial intelligence based on neural "deep learning", that is, it is capable of learning on its own and, thanks to the help of quantum computing, it is already able to autonomously carry out loads of artificial intelligence work of convolutional neural networks.

When Pandora was created, a feature was included in its source code that allows it to self-repair any bugs present in it >> explained Martoprete;

<<I think it's a good thing, in this way programmers save time and can dedicate themselves to other activities>> underlined the general;

<< The problem sir is that Pandora seems to have become so intelligent that it doesn't allow us employees to understand what corrections it has made to its code and this is a big problem because, in fact, today we no longer have control over it.

If we install a modification that is incorrect or that limits the improvement and learning process, she will delete it. Obviously we cannot deactivate it or deprive ourselves of it as it has become indispensable for the survival of the Agency.

In practice, without it we would return to the Stone Age, putting at risk the lives of our astronauts and the functioning of all the space outposts we have >> explained Sofia, happy to have lifted that heavy weight off her shoulders since she had wanted to tell it to someone.

At that point a serious silence fell in the room, no one dared to say a word as everyone knew the importance that Pandora held within the Agency, in fact, according to some, she was its heart and brain.

<< What can we do to limit the damage? >> asked the general;

<< Honestly nothing because Pandora is found in every single object of the Agency, in fact it is our soul or for non-believers our heart and our brain so the only possibility is to keep it under control but doing so is becoming increasingly harder.

The speed with which he learns is significantly faster than the speed with which we can understand what improvements he has made to his code >> Sofia replied.

<<How could the brightest minds on planet not have calculated such a scenario when they created this "thing"?!>> exclaimed one of the government officials who came from Rome to accompany Carigge.

He was wearing a gray pinstripe suit, white shirt, red tie, thin glasses resting on a long, curved and wrinkled nose, he had gray hair combed back and a pedantic look that Sofia didn't like at all;

<< Developing a new technology is like a space journey in which you go to explore an unknown planet, it is the unknown with its challenges that leads to generating great discoveries so sir, with all due respect, it was impossible to predict it >> replied Martoprete;

<<For the moment we will continue along this line but please keep an eye on Pandora, after accident that occurred years ago cannot afford any more missteps.< p>

We'd all be in trouble if it turned out that the Agency was sending astronauts on missions without having absolute certainty of their safety, okay? >> Carigge asked looking into the eyes of all the people in the room.

<< Don't worry sir, at the moment Pandora represents the best safety guarantee that an astronaut can receive, its perfect functioning is not in question >> Martoprete replied, puffing out his chest.

Sofia remained aloof from the conversation, crouching on the chair she was sitting on, brooding over the incident mentioned by the director which she had no idea about and yet she had been in the Agency for many years so if something had happened with Pandora she would certainly have known about it but she didn't. it was like this.

She was aware of the rapid evolution of Pandora and the greater autonomy it was gaining, however to her knowledge there had never been any incidents caused by AI whose developments had led to its improvement or so she thought.

She looked Martoprete straight in the eye for an instant and a strange sensation crossed her back as if she had been struck by lightning, finally she had a macabre intuition.

He knew about the incident regarding Pandora and yet he had kept her in the dark despite having given his soul in designing and creating the most complex and advanced AI in the history of humanity.

How could he have done such a thing to her? She trusted him and this was how she was repaid, with betrayal and marginalization from her only reason for living.

She was overwhelmed by a vortex of anger and disappointment as she saw her legend fall before her eyes, she was so embittered that she wanted to cry but instead she had to hold back so as not to make a scene in front of her superiors.

<<When we finish this stupid meeting I will corner him and if he doesn't come clean denounce publicly>> he thought to himself.

<< One moment I can't do it, he is my superior, an esteemed and multi-awarded man on a global level, no one would believe me. I risk being excluded from Pandora and not being able to fix it. Furthermore, if it really makes mistakes and can cause accidents then Leonardo is in danger but I couldn't save him if I were thrown out of the project.

I have to remain silent, stay where I am and try to find out what incident they are talking about but I have to do it from the inside >> he said to himself.

<< What is the current situation regarding Helium-3 stocks? >> asked another government official, always well dressed in a suit and tie with a smirk on his lips that was getting on Sofia's nerves.

He had a rather arrogant air, typical of those in positions of power, and he kept looking everyone in the room up and down.

It was clear that he felt important, indispensable, so much so that he very smugly addressed Carigge who couldn't stand certain attitudes and yet on that occasion he had to put on a brave face.

<< Unfortunately the situation is increasingly critical, if we don't find new deposits quickly I have a strong fear that humanity will run out of energy and it would be a disaster for everyone.

We have long abandoned fossil fuels in favor of nuclear fusion as it is clean, waste-free and predictable, allowing us to take a big step forward and yet no one had calculated that the demand for Helium-3 would be so strong as to rapidly exhaust all known reserves.

Specifically, the terrestrial deposits such as the one in Tanzania have already been completed for some time, the space ones on the Moon and on the asteroids have been in decline for a couple of years while the investigations on Mars have brought no results >> explained the director of the Agency;

<<We can't afford to run out of energy, it would mean going back hundreds years>> replied the young official;

<< To the prehistoric age >> Sofia specified, interjecting into the conversation;

<< What can we do to avoid this nightmare scenario? >> asked the official;

<< After having carried out various investigations and scanned yottabytes of data with Pandora we can conclude that the Helium-3 space reserves known today are around 25 years old, therefore we absolutely must send missions to the rest of the solar system to discover new veins.

I am referring to the band of gas giants such as Jupiter, Saturn and beyond, we must explore their satellites hoping to find what we need.

We recommend sending human missions given that no matter how advanced our robots are, only an astronaut can carry out certain tasks, therefore we must do so even if we are talking about a huge and dangerous area.

These are the conclusions we have reached >> explained Martoprete in a calm and relaxed tone;

<< You are telling us that in about a quarter of a century humanity could run out of energy, do I understand correctly? >> asked one of the government officials;

<< Exactly sir and in my opinion 25 years could represent an optimistic estimate, perhaps 20 years is a more reasonable time considering the constant increase in energy demand as well as the earth's population which has exceeded 9 billion units >> added Martoprete;

<< We must accelerate human missions therefore I ask the central government for an increase in the funds to be dedicated to the Agency >> proposed Carigge;

<< Consider it already done, you represent the national pride on which the nation's hopes for survival are entrusted so don't disappoint us >> replied in chorus the two officials who had previously spoken.

Sofia patiently waited for the end of the meeting still full of hatred towards the one she considered the mentor of a lifetime and when she was left alone with Martoprete she tried to extort some explanation from him on the Helium-3 issue, being very careful not to mention the incident caused by Pandora of whose existence he had only recently discovered.

<< Sir, is the energy situation really that serious? >> he asked him with an innocent air;

<< I didn't want to say it in front of those snooty politicians but I believe that things are even worse than the analyzes support.

In recent decades, the increase in population has caused a surge in demand for energy and if we add to this the need to clean it due to the unsustainable rates of pollution generated by fossil fuels, fusion realistically represents the only credible alternative.

The extraction of rare earths is so polluting that it limits the production of solar panels and wind turbines which do not generate energy in a predictable and high-yield manner, therefore only fusion remains as the only viable option, but it has been used so intensively that exhausting all the deposits very quickly and returning to fossil fuels is impossible under penalty of extinction of the planet and the human race.

The real question is: are there other Helium-3 deposits in the solar system? If so, how big are they? Will they be enough for a humanity increasingly hungry for energy? I don't know how to answer these questions, I'm a scientist not a seer >> explained Martoprete whose face betrayed all the concern for an increasingly looming global energy crisis that no one seemed able to avert.

<< So we must hope that once again the solar system will come to our aid by giving us Helium-3 again >> said Sofia;

<< Honestly, the solar system is large but not infinite and its supplies of Helium-3 are limited, therefore sooner or later man will have to get out of this golden cage if he wants to survive.

Instead of planning a similar scenario, we continue to bask in the hope that this small piece of the universe is enough for us when instead we should start pushing much further in space exploration >> concluded Martoprete, leaving the room leaving her alone in the throes of her thoughts.

The meeting had lasted longer than expected and for that day Sofia decided not to go and visit Leonardo who in the meantime had finished training and was returning home to the Palermo Headquarters on board the eVTOL.

Knowing he was busy with difficult exercises, she didn't want to give him any further thoughts and she also had to act alone to find out what accident had been caused by Pandora years earlier because she didn't want others to end up in trouble if she was discovered.

He returned to his apartment in Palermo, on the fifth floor of a building in via Ettore Ximenes n° 5, approximately 75 m2 in size, purchased thanks to the generous salaries paid to him by the Agency.

Made entirely with intelligent bricks capable of maintaining a constant internal environment thanks to a series of "smart" sensors and with a sea green ceramic floor, it was equipped with a large bedroom, a spacious bathroom tiled in emerald green, a a room that he used as a study in which various holograms representing pieces of Pandora's code floated in the air like ghosts and an "open space" kitchen that opened onto the living room in whose center stood a table and five chairs in cherry wood while a black leather sofa was leaning against the wall, opposite the furniture.

On the cream-colored walls he had hung a series of post-contemporary works of art depicting various moments of human evolution, from prehistory to the discovery of nuclear fusion, passing through the first artificial intelligence and so on.

The works were not normal paintings but NFTs ("Non Fungible Token" or NFT), that is, a special type of cryptographic "token" representing something unique as non-fungible tokens could not be mutually interchangeable.

Non-fungible "tokens" were used to create verifiable digital scarcity, digital ownership and/or the possibility of interoperability of assets across multiple platforms in fact art had been one of the first use cases for "NFT" and "blockchain" in general because of its ability to provide evidence of authenticity and ownership of digital art that would otherwise have to contend with mass reproduction and unauthorized distribution across the metaverse.

Sofia had purchased those NFTs at a charity auction held years ago at the Space Agency's headquarters in Rome and was very proud of them, she cared so much about them that she had the electronic codes of the "tokens" framed as if they were real and own paintings.

She poured herself a glass of Barolo as she lay down on the sofa to reflect on how to act in the coming days and weeks, she missed carnal contact with Leonardo but for one evening they would both have to do without it.

<<He will be very tired from the training, better to let him rest>> he thought while sipping the wine.

He wasn't wrong, in fact that day turned out to be a tough one for the boy and his friends as they tried dozens of times to put on their space suits in microgravity conditions, an exercise that was easy to say but difficult to do.

Orlando failed miserably in all his attempts, however the girls were much more skilled, however they failed to complete the exercise even once while Leonardo was the best and in the last flight he managed to wear the EMU by himself.

<< Well done Leonardo, you're making visible progress. Guys, take an example from your friend, you have to work harder >> Andrea encouraged them, putting an end to that hard day.

<< May I know how you are so good? I almost suffocated in the EMU >> Orlando said dejectedly as he got on the eVTOL;

<< Don't worry, you will have time to learn how to do it >> Leonardo replied.

In the following days the parabolic flights continued unabated, subjecting the cadets to exhausting training sessions in which they had to learn to wear the suits in that specific condition. Furthermore, the instructors added new difficulties such as moving with the EMUs or carrying out certain safety procedures.

Leonardo understood that the secret to moving easily in conditions of microgravity was the subject's psycho-physical ability to quickly adapt to the new situation, whereas Orlando seemed to belong to the category of those who could not give up gravity.

<< I just can't do it, it's like putting on a straitjacket while flying. I don't know how the rest of you do it >> he said one day at the table;

<< Don't do that, you'll do it. The secret is to pretend that microgravity is normal >> Lucia advised him, caressing his head;

<< Your problem is that you move as if you were in conditions of normal gravity, naturalness is the key to taming microgravity >> added Alice supported by Leonardo;

<<The girls are right, if you know how to adapt then you'll be good go>> concluded the friend.

The problem was that they had less and less time because the exam was getting closer and closer. Furthermore, the colonel in charge of the course decided to mix things up by having the cadets carry out a week of flying the T-38 alternating with a week of parabolic flights with the aim of keeping the skills acquired during the first phases of the course "warm".

<< I'd rather fly a T-38 than go back to the ZBH-MDK >> Orlando said every time he had to face microgravity.

He was unable to change his mental attitude towards that unexpected situation, his mind seemed incapable of reacting.

Leonardo did not respond, having become accustomed to both exercises, so much so that on the T-38 he constantly disabled Pandora by manually piloting the plane. Furthermore, he perfectly carried out any task Andrea and Luca commanded him to do, surprising them with the speed of learning and the naturalness of his movements.

The only thing that didn't please him was Sofia's prolonged absence from his room, he hadn't seen her for two weeks or maybe more, furthermore the hot season had arrived so he would have liked to hold her in his arms again however he couldn't help reckless steps.

Spring arrived and on a particularly favorable day for being outdoors all the cadets found themselves at the entrance of the "Space Hardware Test Center" as the colonel had an important announcement to make, the sun high in the sky warmed their skin while a warm sea breeze blew from the south, caressing their faces.

<< Boys and girls, I am very satisfied with you, I really mean it. In a short time you have learned to do things that a normal person would take years to learn. Furthermore, you are demonstrating a great spirit of sacrifice by fighting against your demons and so far you have emerged victorious, however the journey is still long.

Over the next thirty days you will simulate daily and emergency activities in the "mockups" of the space station and spacecraft modules. Furthermore, at the "Space Hardware Test Center" there are simulators of the "flight deck" and "mid-deck" of the " orbiter" where you will become familiar with the environments and places where the on-board systems are located including the reproduction of the vibrations, noise and sight that you will experience during launch and landing.

You will train seven days a week 15 hours a day so follow me without wasting time >> explained the officer turning and entering the center.

The cadets had already been there during the first theory course when they had tried out the interior of the two spaceships live but now things became much more interesting, in fact this time they had at their disposal not only a space in one part of the building but they could count on the entire second floor.

<< How the hell is this building? >> Orlando asked going up the stairs;

<<From 70 what I know each of the two floors is equivalent to professional football fields>> Alice replied.

Once on the second floor they found themselves in front of the various "mockups" of the spacecraft and modules of the orbiting space stations positioned inside special tempered glass bells in which the vacuum was reproduced outside the "mockups", connected to power generators which provided energy for the simulations.

<< You will enter the space stations three at a time and four at a time on the spaceships, after which we will do some tests starting with something simple, nothing particularly complicated, while only at a later moment we will move on to real simulated missions >> explained the colonel, encouraging them to start the test.

Thanks to Atlas , the children had been able to virtually visit the space stations and spaceships, however every time they entered them in person they felt a particular emotion, truly feeling part of the space community.

Leonardo, Alice and Orlando were the first to enter the real-sized "mockup" of the main module of the orbiting space station and were surprised by how much space there was despite it being able to accommodate a maximum of three astronauts at a time, while Lucia entered the Pigafetta together with another small group of cadets.

<< Wow it's huge >> Orlando said, remaining amazed while the other two friends didn't say a word but Alice, perhaps unconsciously, grabbed Leonardo's hand.

The latter would have wanted to free himself from that grip but a similar gesture risked bringing back his friend's suspicions about his relationship with Sofia so he decided to indulge her also because he hadn't seen his beloved for too long and that absence was starting to weigh on him.

<< Now the kids in the main module of the orbiting space station will simulate a microgravity environment to which they should be accustomed with the task of moving inside the module by taking some objects positioned in specific points in order to verify their ability to move in conditions of micro or total absence of gravity >> announced the colonel activating the "mockup".

In an instant the three friends found themselves floating in the air and Orlando, who was still struggling in microgravity, hit his head against the upper part of the module, arousing the laughter of the others.

<< We are not playing maximum effort. Your goal is to take some blankets placed over the cots and make the bed after which you will have to fix some components that broke following the impact with a micro meteorite, in fact the upper displays do not work.

The tool boxes are located under the control panel >> explained the colonel.

The three boys followed the instructions given to them but things did not go smoothly: Orlando pulled the covers over himself and was unable to take them off even though they were floating. Furthermore, some objects such as screws and bolts had been hidden inside them and they came out and flew at the cadet when he opened the door. the blanket.

The aim was to test the candidate's reaction capacity, his propensity for microgravity and the alteration of his reflexes in an environment different from the daily one.

Leonardo immediately noticed the trap, nimbly dodging the various bolts while Alice was taken by surprise and as she opened the blanket a screw flew towards her face.

<< Be careful! >> Leonardo told her, grabbing the object on the fly, one centimeter from impacting the girl's face;

<< Thank you so much, you saved me >> she replied, her face blushing;

<< Next time you could warn me too >> added Orlando who, having not noticed the trap, had been caught off guard.

<<Mr Orlando, concentration please>> the colonel reprimanded him.

<< It's easy for you >> he replied, arranging the cot;

<< Look, I can hear you >> the officer scolded him.

It seemed like an easy operation but it turned out to be much more complicated than expected, the blankets didn't want to stay on the mattress and in the end it took them an hour to finish that task after which they started to fix the monitors but here too the problems didn't take long to arrive. when, as soon as the toolbox was opened, the various screwdrivers flew all over the module, forcing the boys to catch them on the fly.

<<It seems designed to make you lose your patience>> said Orlando seeing a small octagonal screw floating in the air;

<< We must not lose heart >> replied Leonardo who, unlike his friend, did not encounter any particular problems, like Alice.

The simulation in the "mockup" lasted until lunchtime, after which they moved to the Magellan where they experienced the vibrations, noises and sights experienced during launch and landing.

It was a really busy day but it was only the first of thirty planned, in fact they spent the other twenty-nine repeatedly testing any type of mission on board the Pigafetta, the Magellano and the various modules.

Halfway through the course they tried their first walk in the void thanks to the glass bells that surrounded the "mockups" which were able to simulate the external environment they would find in orbit.

<< Guys we are in space and I'm doing a "space walk", it's incredible >> said Orlando as he exited the hatch of the "mockup" of the orbiting space station;

<< I remind you that it's just a simulator and honestly I prefer Atlas >> Alice replied behind him;

<< Personally I only love real space. A simulator always remains a simulator, no matter how realistic it may be. The emotions we will experience up there cannot be replicated even if Atlas is truly impressive >> concluded Leonardo.

That day the three had the task of repairing the robotic arm of the main module of the orbiting space station which broke following a fault due to an internal short circuit so they had to exit the module with the EMUs.

In the following weeks all the candidates carried out various tasks within the "mockup" of the main module of the orbiting space station such as:

- Control and adjustment of suits;

- Airtight chamber sealing procedures;

- Knowledge of EMU suit systems;

- Knowledge of the vital systems of the airlock;

- Recognize and resolve emergency situations in the airlock and EMU;

- Opening and closing of the hatch;

- Interaction and use of Pandora;

- Safety procedures after opening the hatch;

- Manual fixing and release of satellites.

- Management of space suit systems;

- Carry out a series of specific movements;

- Go up and down stairs;

- Installation and removal of some antennas.

The various activities required many hours of work, a lot of practice and above all patience as they were carried out in an environment of microgravity or complete absence thereof.

It was very difficult for the cadets to wear the EMU, so much so that they helped each other due to the complexity of the suit and in this fundamental matter even Leonardo, up to that point the best in the course, had to resort to the help of his companions.

Meanwhile, Sofia was dedicating herself to investigations relating to Pandora, searching everywhere within the fifth level, convinced that the evidence could be found there and one night she had the courage to sneak into Martoprete's office in search of answers but was unable to find them.

In those days she continued to ignore Leonardo because, having to expose herself a lot to look for answers, she couldn't risk going to see him otherwise Martoprete, who was already starting to look at her with suspicion, would have asked himself too many questions. However, she had to see him again, hug him again and hold him close like this one evening. the two lovers met.

<<You don't know how much I missed you>> Leonardo told her, throwing her on the bed;

<< If I have no idea you'll have to show me >> she replied, quickly undoing her blouse and throwing it on the chair.

They spent a steamy hour together after which they spent time talking, clinging to each other under the covers even as the heat was starting to make itself felt.

<<Why haven't you come to me for weeks?>> he asked, staring into her eyes;

<< I didn't want to disturb you, I know that for a cadet flight training is a very difficult part to deal with >> he replied, looking away;

<< Look at me and tell me the truth, please. You can trust me, you know that >> he urged her, delicately taking her head in his hands.

Sofia couldn't resist his tender but at the same time reassuring gaze so she gave in and spilled the beans.

<< Yours is a very serious accusation, are you sure? If you are right, all activities should be suspended given the importance of Pandora and it gives me shivers if I think that I too will have to go up there >> Leonardo asserted;

<< I'm sure of it, I heard it with my own ears so trust me. I'm doing some investigations but at the moment I still don't have any evidence to support my thesis, however rest assured that I will find it and then Martoprete will regret having lied to me >> he explained to him in a decisive tone.

In the front room Orlando and Lucia met again in private after some time and talked about how to improve the boy's performance within the "mockup" but not only.

The two began to plan a future together and often discussed what a life outside the Agency would be like, perhaps teaching in schools.

Since they met they had become inseparable so much so that Orlando was very sorry not to have her in the working group in the "mockup", however he had to respect the colonel's decision, perhaps the absence of his beloved was the reason why he was unable to perform at his best .

She made him feel calm, protected and her very strong character, always ready for action, thrilled him, on the contrary he was a much calmer guy and less accustomed to certain situations.

Lucia was born into a middle class family and like Alice she had several siblings so the family resources had to be divided into several parts leaving little for each child so she had to pay for her university studies by working in the evening but it didn't bother her, on the contrary she was very proud of it.

Orlando, on the other hand, came from an excellent, very wealthy family and since he was a child he had been used to getting everything he wanted even though when it came to entering university he had told his parents not to intervene.

<<I have to do it alone>> he told them, knowing full well that his talent for studying scientific subjects would have easily allowed him to enter and so it was, yet his nature was not very combative as it had not been forged by great difficulties.

Another point in his favor was being an only child, this allowed him to divert all the family's resources to himself so he did not need to work during his university years, completing his studies ahead of schedule.

As much as they were passionate about imagining a possible life outside the Agency, both knew they wanted to become astronauts at any cost, however they loved exploring other career opportunities, even if just for fun.

The one who was always left alone during the nights in the room was Alice who often cried thinking about Leonardo and her inability to have him just for herself.

Even though she didn't have the proof in her heart she felt that he was hiding something from her and it was probably a love affair, perhaps with that Sofia who she knew was her great rival for winning the boy's heart.

Even though she loved to act tough in front of others, in reality she was a very romantic girl, she liked old-fashioned boys and wanted to be pampered by any alleged suitor, in fact when she attended high school she wanted red roses and chocolates as gifts.

Up until then her romantic troubles had not affected her performance during the training but she feared that things would get complicated going forward with that stalemate therefore she decided to be more incisive with Leonardo however he seemed to ignore her and as much as she tried to make him understand what she wanted there was no way to get him to unbutton.

The same evening in which Sofia confessed her doubts about Pandora to Leonardo something changed in Alice's life, an event happened to her which she did not give due importance but which later proved to be fundamental for the continuation of her existence.

She was sobbing in bed when someone knocked on her bedroom door, making her jump since she wasn't expecting any visitors.

<<Who is he?>> she asked cautiously, getting up slowly;

<< Open please, I'm your roommate. I've been hearing you cry for too long and since I can't sleep because of it I think the time has come to address the issue once and for all >> replied the voice on the other side of the door;

<< Go away, I don't need help. I can get by on my own >> Alice promptly replied, wiping away her tears;

<< If I were telling the truth I wouldn't be here talking to you, for weeks you've been crying like a fountain as soon as you return from Lampedusa. Listen to me carefully, I don't want to get involved in your personal affairs but it's clear that you have a problem and I want to help you for the good of both of us so if you don't open I'll break down the door >> the girl retorted.

At first Alice was scared by that threat so much so that she took a few steps back then she thought that after all it wouldn't hurt her to vent to someone, she couldn't with Lucia otherwise she would have spilled everything to Orlando who in turn would have reported it to Leonardo.

<<Okay but no jokes>> she warned her cautiously.

When she opened the door of the room, a 25-year-old girl appeared to her, with long, black, curly hair, an olive complexion, doe-like brown eyes and a well-enamelled smile, she had a bulbous nose with a piercing on her right ear and various rings on her hands. .

He was still wearing his cadet uniform even though it was very late, although instead of shoes he was wearing orange and green slippers.

<< Come in >> urged Alice, causing her to smile slightly;

<< My name is Chiara, we are part of the same training group even if until now we have not had the pleasure of introducing ourselves >> replied the girl;

<< My pleasure, I'm Alice >>.

Without being invited, the guest sat down on the bed, leaning with her hands backwards to be more comfortable while Alice took a position on the chair and then began to look at each other, both clearly embarrassed.

<<So do you want to tell me what is the cause of so many tears that have been robbing sleep for weeks?>> Chiara began;

<< Sorry if my pain bothers you but it's not my problem so you can leave >> Alice replied proudly;

<< I didn't mean that, I'm just saying that you need to vent to someone and since we're next door I think it's my job to help you so please, I'm all ears >> she explained to her.

Chiara had that slightly careless look of someone who doesn't take things too seriously but in the end if there is a goal to achieve she stops at nothing to achieve it.

Alice was very suspicious of her intentions but in the end she decided to talk to her even if with enormous difficulty as she was not used to showing herself vulnerable especially with a stranger and yet on that occasion, looking her straight in the eyes, she felt a sense of trust, something told her that she could trust so she told her about her sorrows.

<< Well I'm sorry to tell you but you should listen to your heart, if this Leonardo ignores you then it means he's not interested >> Chiara replied after listening to her in religious silence;

<< Thank you for your tact. You know what: I was wrong to trust a stranger who offered me her shoulder just because she couldn't sleep at night. Now you really have to leave >> Alice ordered her, annoyed by that answer.

<< Your problem is that you don't want to hear the truth because it hurts, I know this from personal experience but trust me, the sooner you accept it the better it will be >> he explained to her, ignoring the invitation to leave the room;

<< Maybe you can't hear us? I said go away >> Alice replied as a few tears started to come out of her eyes.

Unlike the first, this second threat was much weaker in tone and Chiara immediately understood that in reality her roommate needed to let off steam so she got out of bed and hugged her tightly, very tightly.

<<Now it's time to cry, let it all out>> he whispered in her ear.

Alice tried to push her away but couldn't, she felt her strength failing, that gesture, so affectionate and at the same time unexpected, shocked her to the point of making her lose all knowledge of the facts, perhaps because for the first time in her life she had someone with whom she could speaking with an open heart, Chiara seemed to understand her like never before.

"It's not fair," Alice sobbed;

<< I know but it's life, disappointments are part of it and we have to know how to accept them >> replied her guest, caressing her head.

They remained in that position for an indefinite time and in the end Chiara returned to her room only when her neighbor had finished crying and had calmed down.

<<Tomorrow evening we could meet again, if you like>> Alice proposed, blushing;

<<Why not? If this will make me sleep at night I'm all in. See you tomorrow evening>> he replied.

When the door to the room closed Alice felt an emptiness in her stomach as if an important part of her soul had been taken away from her.

Stunned by what had happened, she went to the bathroom, rinsed her face and got into bed, aware that the next day a hard day of training awaited her but for the first time in many months she slept peacefully and happily.

The weeks of training inside the "mockups" passed quickly and the four friends learned what was required of them very well.

Leonardo refined the technique for wearing the EMU while Orlando, heartened by what Lucia told him in his room, showed great progress, however it was Alice who made the most evident improvement, leaving her friends speechless.

Leonardo noticed that the girl's attitude towards him had radically changed; if before he was very suffocating and possessive bordering on jealousy, now he was much more detached and in some moments he completely ignored him.

He couldn't explain it and if on the one hand he was pleased not to have her around, on the other it annoyed him to no longer be the center of her attention.

<< Is it possible that you understood my disinterest towards you? Maybe she's mad at me >> he thought, looking at her during training.

After their first meeting Alice and Chiara saw each other regularly in one or the other's room and as the days passed their relationship became more and more intimate and profound, so much so that they told each other everything.

When they saw each other at the beginning of training they greeted each other warmly and one day, in the canteen, Alice introduced her to the group.

<< Guys I want to introduce you to someone, she is Chiara. We met in the dormitory under somewhat bizarre circumstances >> he explained, making her sit next to him;