Many Mini-Adventures

Chance for Success

Zero gravity was fun! How long has she not known this? Erin did several twirls in the air and swam like a mermaid amongst the other crew. This was supposed to be training for a future expedition, but she didn't want to think of that. They had time. They would have to do this same thing for at least 30 more sessions.

"Hey, just because we're not part of the pilot crew, doesn't mean our part isn't important." Jake said with his arms folded. He tried so hard to look serious as he was just floating there. Erin came close and spun him upside down.

Erin smiled as she turned swerved upside down as well. "Okay, Mr. Grumpy Pants. You don't want to have fun. I understand."

"Fun? We're supposed to escape for our lives soon. This planet is doomed to explode in a few years. Where is your head right now?"

Erin pointed at her cheeks. "Right where it needs to be. You know that I know all of this, Jake. Aren't you tired of telling me?"

"Not until it sinks in how serious this all is."

"Well, we're upside down in a training vault. Charles and Lana haven't yelled at us. We're allowed a little enjoyment, right?"

Jake closed his eyes and pressed the bridge of his nose. She knew that look. That's the 'I'm this close to losing it' look. The 'You are a real pain, you know that?' look. The...okay, she didn't want to think of other ways of phrasing it. Point is that he wasn't in a playful mood.

Charles and Lana floated a bit further away. They both had their arms and legs extended as if they were floating on top of water.

Charles nodded over to Jake. "Look, Lana. He's frustrated again. Wanna bet Erin's at it again?"

Lana sighed. "I want to bet that we couldn't have picked more polar opposite recruits."

Charles laughed. "True, but they are the best darn engineers this side of the galaxy."

Erin swam over to the two elder members. "I heard someone praising us. Were you praising us?"

Lana looked at Charles and he shrugged. She tapped Erin's shoulder. "Erin, just because you heard some talking doesn't mean you have to acknowledge it."

Charles grinned. "What she's saying is, mind your business. You need to be acclimated to zero gravity. Not listening to us chatter."

Erin frowned. "Rude. I was just coming to check on you two."

Lana smiled. "We're fine. Just enjoy yourself for now. The next few sessions won't be this lax."

Erin cupped her hands like a megaphone to her mouth and looked towards Jake. "Yeah, you heard that, Jake? Chill!"

Lana placed her hand on Erin's shoulder once more. "No, you chill. He needs some space."

Erin looked back at Lana and raised an eyebrow. "He never said anything to me."

Lana grinned. It seemed like a sympathetic grin as if Erin was a child who didn't quite see the big picture. "He doesn't have to. His body language speaks for itself."

Erin looked at Jake and back at Lana. "But he's one of my best friends. Can't I go try to cheer him up?"

"Don't. He'll come to us when he's calmed down."

Erin folded her arms and sighed. Lana was at least a decade older than her, so it wasn't far-fetched that her superior would have more insight in reading others. Erin knew she didn't have the patience to truly understand the depths of emotions others gave off. She simply wanted others to enjoy themselves in the little time they had left. "I'm sorry. Do you think I'm a little too positive?"

Charles floated nearby. "Girl, no such thing. You just need to know the time and place of when to use it."

Erin looked at Charles. "Would you train me to figure out when?"

Charles grinned. "No, that's not my job. But do know that Lana and I think you and Jake are great. Not just as engineers but as genuine good people. You two joined after both leaving lucrative jobs. You believe in Astral's Mission for space travel and planetary terraforming even though half the world thinks it has little success. To be honest, I don't know how you stay so cheerful."

Erin looked out the porthole of the training vessel. She could see the rest of the Astral team working tirelessly back and forth. She felt the frantic energy just by their fervent writing and button presses. She knew the ins and outs of a spaceship, but this team was an entirely different matter. How much hope did the team truly have for finding a new planet?

"She stays cheerful," Jake said, swimming closer, "because it's just how she wants her life to be. No matter how bad it gets, she frames each situation into a positive light. It's what I both like and hate about her."

Charles turned towards Jake. "As blunt as ever, I see."

Erin blushed. "Yeah, and that's what I like and hate about him too."

Lana twirled about a bit. "As cute as this is, can we all just have some fun?"

Jake frowned. "But-"

"But nothing, Jake. I know you fear about our future. You're serious about your commitment to our fellow man. Yet, that laser focus will burn you out." Lana turned to Erin. "As for you, your positivity and cheerfulness are a precious thing. Just don't forget what we're fighting for here. We're all here to bring hope to the world."

Charles leaned back with arms tucked under his head. "What she means is, we need a balance for the job to save humanity. You can understand that, right?"

Lana shot Charles a glare. "I don't need an interpreter."

Charles laughed. "I just don't want you to give all the advice. Leave some for me."

Jake and Erin smiled and nodded. The two of them understood. They both had their good qualities which the crew as a whole needed. Though countless articles of Earth's demise scrolled through his mind, Jake decided to hold onto the hope Erin brought to light. And as they both twirled within their vessel, Erin held a firm grasp to never forget the very real battle ahead.

The future will be hard and grueling, but no matter what happens, this mission will be a great triumph for them all. 

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Author's Note: This one took longer than I would like but hope you enjoy it!

Please vote and comment if you like what you've read.

Until next Thursday, have a great week!