The Stellar Odyssey - A PAW Patrol Fanfic

🪐 5 - A Promise in the Stars 🪐

The air is thick with tension as Ryder and the PAW Patrol arrive at the launch site, a sprawling complex near Foggy Bottom. Floodlights cut through the darkening sky, illuminating the enormous rocket waiting silently on the platform, its silver exterior shimmering under the lights. The pups' paws feel heavy as they walk forward, absorbing the surreal weight of the moment. The distant hum of machinery, the clipped voices of technicians, and the faint smell of fuel wrap around them, pressing the reality of their mission into every breath.

A line of humans in official suits approaches, their faces solemn but welcoming. The lead figure, Commander Jason Reeve, steps forward. He's tall, with a hardened, no-nonsense look that speaks to years of experience. His salt-and-pepper hair is cut close, and his presence radiates authority and calm.

"Welcome, PAW Patrol. I'm Commander Jason Reeve, mission head and pilot for this long journey. This is Dr. Angela Brooks, our lead astronomer," he gestures to a young woman at his side, her eyes sharp and filled with an excited curiosity that contrasts with the others' more somber expressions. "Dr. Adam Sinclair, our geophysicist," Reeve says, indicating a man with a solid, athletic build and a warm smile. "And Dr. Mark Evans, our medical expert," he concludes, nodding toward a shorter, serious-looking man with round glasses and a face that hints at a lifetime of late nights and hard work. Each of the pups, especially Chase, Everest and Rocky give their respectful nods, taking in the team they'll be trusting with their lives.

Reeve's face softens slightly as he glances down at the three chosen ones. "I know this isn't the type of mission you're used to, but your reputation for bravery and loyalty precedes you. This won't be easy, but if we work together, we just might save everyone back home."

A few yards away, Dr. Brooks kneels to greet Everest, a bright smile breaking through her professional demeanor. "Everest, right?" she asks. "I read that you're an expert climber. We could use that resilience where we're headed."

Everest dips her head shyly. "Yeah, I guess I know my way around rough terrain. Just never thought it'd be in space."

Dr. Sinclair chuckles warmly. "Well, think of it like climbing, just with no gravity. We'll be learning together on this trip, all of us. If something goes wrong, it won't matter what your specialty is, you'll need to know how to survive."

Commander Reeve turns and gestures for them to follow him into a large building adjacent to the launch site. Inside, the air is cooler, smelling faintly of sterile metal and fuel. There are rows of gleaming equipment and a massive model of the rocket at the room's center. Reeve stops in front of a smaller object covered by a protective screen: seven egg-shaped pods made of a sleek, dark material.

"These," he says, tapping the surface of one with his knuckle, "are the sleeping capsules. For the journey, we'll be in suspended animation for certain intervals, allowing our bodies to rest without aging. It's an advanced, carefully regulated state. Our metabolic rates will drop, and vital processes like cellular repair will continue while we sleep. Essentially, it's as close as we can get to pausing time. This is essential for us to survive the long stretches we'll be traveling without aging faster than those back on Earth."

Chase, intrigued, tilts his head. "So we'll just... sleep for years?"

Reeve nods. "Well, Chase. It's similar to hibernation in some animals, but far more controlled and technologically enhanced. You'll age very little during these periods, which is critical for the success of a mission that could stretch to months, maybe even years? When we need to be active, we'll be brought back from stasis, alert and ready to handle the challenges ahead. We will first use them on the 8 first months of our way to Mars, preparing ourselves for the last month to enter the wormhole"