In Ascension

by Martin MacInnes

‘OK. So when? What’s the timeframe?’ ‘As soon as possible. Realistically two, three years. From an engineering perspective, little has changed – the intention was always to prepare a long-range mission, the first of the Proscenium generation. We’d been working towards a mission to Datura, but now we need to go further. The new thrust design can get us there.’ ‘To where the transmission was sent from?’ ‘Yes. The near edge of the Oort cloud. That’s where we’re aiming for. And Leigh?’ ‘Yes?’ ‘I took you out here because of the work you’re doing. The further we go here, the more critical food is. You’re talking about a self-sustaining, high-nutrition, high-yield crop. You’ve convinced us. This could make or break the mission. You’re promising a stress-reliever, immunity booster, an emotional salve. We have to get this right. So I’m telling you you have full clearance, that from now on you’ll be privy to top-level meetings. You’re essential. We need you, Leigh, if we’re going to do this.’