It took thirty minutes just to get to the top of the flower like bulb of the landing pit. Flake was in dark orange Jupiter 2 engineering corps armored outfit. It contrasted against the Robinson's outfits making it seem like it were a actual uniform rather than a spacesuit that was tailored to his figure. The engineering emblem was on the left side of his chest right above the orange coat pocket. He was set beside the walkway that lead directly toward the Jupiter 2. John came to a stop one step away from him.
"And who might you be?" John asked.
"Your residential chief of engineering," Flake said. "Someone has to make sure the ship is running in tip top shape during your ten year trip. Don't want anything nasty growing up there."
"I don't recall you being in the debriefing," Don said.
"I wasn't meant to be at the debriefing," Flake said.
"Really?" Don asked, skeptically.
"You are going to be asleep for ten years," Flake said. "And we are hardly going to have any kind of interaction during the trip. We are hardly going to talk during the construction of the hypergate. We're going to be very busy little bees."
"That makes no sense but I'll accept that," Don said, as the door to the Jupiter 2 opened.
The long, wide platform came down from the opened doorway.
"After you," Flake gestured toward the ship.
John was the first to walk forward to the doors.
Flake kept his innocent smile on watching the Robinsons stroll on past him.
He looked over once the final Robinson had past him and dropped his happy persona with a concerned expression taking over. Flake's shoulders visibly relaxed. He looked over with pity toward the party. Regret fell down into the man. Then it occurred to him that he had some time to use after the lift off. He could be alive and well lying his ass off in space in ten years making sure the ship was running smoothly. A whistle drew his attention. Don was standing by the primary doors of the shell around the Jupiter 2. He followed after the family down the catwalk. He gazed around with cautious eyes. When he looked down, he saw the countless rounded shapes that were the size of ants from above. He leaned off the railing then caught up with them.
"Come on," Don called. "Come here, boy."
"I'm not a dog, West!" Flake replied, irritably.
"You were kind of lingering there," Don replied, with a raised eyebrow.
"Like everyone else, I have a healthy fear of heights," Flake said. "and I never seen the workfloor from above."
"I thought you had," Don said, lowering his eyebrow.
"Because the fake floor was always up," Flake replied.
Flake was the last one to make it aboard the ship. He looked around in awe at the advancement. He didn't work on the bridge as often during the construction for the past several years. Flake spared a final glance at the catwalk. He could walk out at any time and into the hands of the authorities revealing his part. Ruining the image that Robbie had in store for him. Ruining the image that he had around his family. A ruined career couldn't be brought back. The primary shell door closed before his eyes making it seem that he was into the void. Flake walked in completely to the ship then pressed on the side buttons. The two doors closed before Flake's eyes. It felt like he had walked into his purgatory. Don whistled drawing Flake's attention.
"We're not out in space yet, Mr. . ." Don said.
"Flake," Robert said, turning toward Don. "You may call me Flake."
"Alright, Mr Flake," Don came over to the navigational like machinery at the center of the room putting in. "Though I like to hear your rank."
"Later," Flake said. "I will check on the B-9. Safest place to be during lift off." Flake walked toward the doors that then opened before him.
The door closed behind Flake then Don shook his head in bemusement.
"It's going to be a long ride for him," Don said.
"You going to man the ship for eight hours," John said as the door to his pod opened. "How does that feel?"
"Tense," Don said.
"Didn't you fly the Jupiter 2 in simulations?" John asked.
"Simulations, Professor," Don said. "I could get stuck in a minimeterological storm, crash into a asteroid, or a engine might just blow up because of sabotage." He had a tense look in his eyes. "Virtual is entirely different from reality." he came over to the front console then fiddle with the seat. The seat slid further toward the console.
"John, John," Maureen called. John came to Maureen's side. "Will is scared."
"It's going to be alright, Will," John said.
"What if I go in and never wake up?" Will asked. "The last person who came in here never came out."
"Will," John said, kneeling down to Will then placed a hand on his shoulder. "I will do everything in my power to make sure you do wake up."
"Promise?" Will asked.
"I promise," John said, then looked over toward Penny. "And you, too."
"I am not afraid," Penny said, folding her arms.
"It's alright to be afraid," Judy agreed, coming to her pod. "Because it keeps you on your toes."
"See?" John said, looking toward Will and Penny. "Whatever happens to you, it won't stick."
Will clasped his father into a hug.
"I love you, dad," Will said.
"I love you, too," John said, with a smile. It was John who ended the hug then put Will in to the pod. He came over to Penny. "How are you so brave?"
"Because I know I am going to live," Penny said, John placed a hand on her shoulder then squeezed it.
"I am so proud of you," John said, then moved his way toward Judy who was in front of her pod. "Maybe you might have a romance of your own by the time that hyper gate is built. Aliens might be open to having interspecies relationship. Maybe you might be happier than you were today. Maybe you might have more friends than you did before on Earth. I want to believe things will be better for you."
"I don't know about that," Judy said. "I prefer the company of humans. Dad, my life is good."
"Theoretically, aliens could look just like us," John said. "consider that."
Judy rubbed her shoulder.
"I will," Judy said, then John moved on to his wife.
"You sure that you want to be away from your friends and other family?" John asked, uncertain.
"I was certain the day I married you," Maureen said, with a smile. "wherever you go, I follow."
"How can I be the luckiest man to have a wife like you?" John asked, shaking his head in amazement with affectionate eyes toward her. John grabbed hold of Maureen's hand then kissed her. Maureen squeezed his hand. It was with much reluctance that Maureen had to let go of his hand with a well aged smile. John gently grazed the side of Maureen's face. Their hands had difficulty letting go. She stepped into the pod then pressed on the panel with her eyes not breaking off from John. John made his way toward his pod that was set beside Maureen. "See you in a few?"
"I'll see you in a few," Don said, looking toward the professor with a smile and a thumbs up. "Stasis modes are being activated. Stasis modes are being activated." He turned his attention on the console as the doors closed on the Robinsons. "Good night, Robinsons."
The Robinsons fell asleep as devices covered their heads and the shield became covered in fog.
"This is the Jupiter 2," Don said. "We are ready to lift off."
"Roger that," came Alpha Control.
The doors to the landing pit opened up. The Jupiter 2 inside the shell flew out of it sideways with the flames breaking behind it. It twirled making odd decorative shapes. From around the globe, the sight of the Jupiter's elaborate dance decorated the screens. The sounds of cheering echoed through the streets and bars from massive cities. Don broke through the final layer of the atmosphere breaking out into space. He grinned, feeling relieved. Don checked the internal systems for any unexpected problems. What he saw on the screen was music to his ears.
"I made it," Don replied. "This is Major West, I've made it without a hitch." he pressed on a soft blue button. "Shell is being tossed aside."
The unusual shell fell apart to reveal the large familiar saucer like shape. The back engines flew out into space. Several space vehicles retrieved the scrap metal taking it over to the lunar colonies. The navigational machinery set in the course and the holographic screen popped up behind him. Don got up then came over to the navigation station. He inputted the destination of Alpha Prime. He could see a outlined path leading to the planet from the solar system. He made his way back to the console and placed a headset on his head overhearing cheering.
"Good job, Jupiter 2," Came Alpha Control. "Keep it up. We'll be waiting to hear your status report."
"Roger that," Don said. "Good luck back there. Jupiter 2 out." He took off the head set then placed it onto the counter. "Eight hours of travel . . ." he looked on toward the path ahead. Don wore a hopeful look on his face as Flake came into the depowering rocket compartment. He was in his protectionary space suit. The heavy weights of the boots kept him tethered to the floor. The camera panned over to Don looking off toward space where a distant gray car like object floated with a figure inside. "This going to be some kind of fun."