Tales from the Former Universe

9. Progress Complications

Lepille carefully showed Hwillfyrd, whose hands were shaking, how to untangle the silk. She smiled kindly, just like his father taught him, making this moment special with their family's traditions. When the knot was tied, Hwillfyrd felt stronger and ready to be seen by others. He was now sure of himself because of the wisdom passed down through his family for years.

"You are ready," Lepille said, holding both Hwillfyrd's shoulders. "Success, this outcome will be. Objectives can change, but goals shouldn't."

"Thank you," Hwillfyrd said kindly, and let go of Lepille's hands off his shoulders, leaving for the pitch.

In the proto-space elevator, Lobertari's gaze extends beyond the confines of Earth's atmosphere, venturing into the boundless depths of the galaxy. As Lobertari journeys away from her home, the universe puts on a dazzling show. Distant stars glimmer like tiny lights in the immense darkness, hinting at the universe's endless size. Supernovaes paint the void with breathtaking bursts of light. Fiery meteorites streak across the blackness, leaving fleeting trails. In this cosmic ballet of creation and destruction, Lobertari feels deeply evoked by the powerful forces at play.

It was her fifth session in the spaceport, already, Lobertari was allocated some tasks at Lapangkasa

Task #1: Gravity Diagnostics

She entered the forecast chamber, conducting diagnostics alongside a colleague before delivering the findings to Bantargara. The diagnostics ran smoothly, enabling a thorough scan of the weather. Yet, amidst the seriousness of the conditions, she had doubts regarding the accuracy of the forecast. Adding a few adjustments, she ran another diagnostic, revealing the true severity.

Lobertari relayed the suggestion, but it failed to gain traction to most, deemed impractical. All adjustments were reverted to standard settings to mitigate costs and avert potential risks.

Task #2: Space Farm

It was the one and only space farm Indonesia had and it was the size of a common apartment in Jayapatih. Lobertari smelled and experienced greenery and freshness of naturality. It was wondrous herself, for her to inquire some notes of her own on her tablet—she sincerely wished the farm was bigger someday, giving it more attention than other unnecessary facilities like that large space bedroom.

Task #3: Space Cluttering

According to protocol, every 1.5 days demanded the astronauts to cleanse the exteriors of Lapangkasa. Lobertari, having received certification and pledging allegiance to the spaceport, actively engaged in this cleaning. She approached the task with a maternal instinct, tending to Lapangkasa's every nook and cranny. Despite the interruptions and the time-consuming nature of the helmet's analysis for potential debris in the void of space, she persisted.

The most challenging aspect of the cleaning was undoubtedly the solar panels; any blemish on their surface could drastically diminish the energy storage and it's quaity. Lobertari faced rigorous trials, often stumbling during the solar panel cleanliness assessments. She likened the delicate process to polishing the highest window of a skyscraper, mindful of the fragility exacerbated by cosmic winds.

Unofficial Task: Investigate Space Rock found

Just three days prior, a scientist with sharp eyes found a tiny space rock. Lobertari really wanted to help, so she worked with her friends to study it closely. Lobertari was very talented. Before even using the scanners, she wanted to look at the rock from a distance without her helmet to use her amazing eyesight.

The scanners told the scientists that the rock had a lot of magnetism. But Lobertari saw something more. By watching it carefully, she figured out that the rock moved strangely because it was magnetic. This made her think it came from space – maybe it got lost from a faraway alien planet and ended up on our moon.