veil of the unknown

Chapter 3: The Invitation

Days passed, but the idea of Kepler-186f stayed with Soren. He thought about it constantly—during school, at work, even in the quiet moments before sleep. His mind would drift, imagining what it would feel like to step onto an alien world, to see landscapes that no human had ever seen before. The thrill was undeniable, yet every time he imagined himself going, he was met with the same doubts. Why would they pick him? What did he have to offer?

Then, one morning, something changed. He was eating breakfast when a notification pinged on his tablet. With a glance, he saw the message's subject line: Invitation to Preliminary Assessments for Luxembourg's Space Colonization Program. His heart stopped, and for a moment, he just stared at the screen, barely processing the words.

"Soren?" his mom asked, noticing his stunned expression. "What's wrong?"

He looked up, barely able to contain his excitement and nervousness. "I... I got an invitation. For the preliminary assessments."

The room fell silent. His mother put her coffee cup down, her expression a mixture of surprise and worry. His father's eyes lit up, a rare moment of pride and excitement flashing across his usually calm demeanor.

"Well, look at that," his father said, clapping him on the shoulder with a grin. "They see something in you, son. They wouldn't have sent that if they didn't think you had a shot."

Soren's mom looked less certain. She folded her hands, her brows knitting together. "Are you sure about this, Soren? This... this isn't a small thing. It's a whole other world we're talking about."

Soren nodded, though his heart was pounding. "I know, Mom. But... I don't know. It feels like something I should at least try. I don't know if they'll even pick me, but... just the idea of it..."

His father squeezed his shoulder, offering a warm smile. "Listen to your gut, Soren. It's led you well so far. Just show up and give it your best. If it's meant to be, it'll happen."

Soren took a deep breath, letting his father's words sink in. Part of him felt reassured, but the doubts still lingered. Could he really do this? Could he handle the unknown, the challenges, the weight of being chosen?

Later that day, he met up with his friends to share the news. Markus was practically bouncing with excitement, a huge grin spreading across his face. "No way! You're actually going to go for it?"

Soren shrugged, trying to keep his tone casual. "I mean, it's just the preliminary assessment. They probably invited a lot of people. But... yeah, I guess I'll try."

Leni, always the practical one, raised an eyebrow. "You realize this could actually happen, right? Like, you could get chosen and end up... on another planet."

Soren laughed, though the thought sent a thrill of both fear and excitement through him. "I know, it's... it's insane. But I don't know. I feel like I'd regret it if I didn't at least try."

Markus slapped him on the back, his excitement infectious. "That's the spirit! I knew you had it in you. And hey, if they pick you, you'll be a part of history. Imagine the stories you'll have."

Leni sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. "Just don't get yourself killed out there, alright?"

Soren laughed, feeling his friends' encouragement bolster his confidence. For the first time, the doubts didn't feel as heavy. He could almost imagine it now—standing in a new world, breathing in the alien air, seeing things no human had ever seen.

The days leading up to the assessment were a whirlwind of preparation and nervous anticipation. Soren read every article, every report he could find about the program, trying to absorb as much information as possible. He wanted to be ready for anything, though he knew there was no way to predict what they would ask or expect.

Finally, the day of the assessment arrived. He made his way to the government facility where it was being held, feeling a strange mixture of excitement and dread. The building was sterile and imposing, a stark reminder of the seriousness of what he was about to undertake.

As he entered, he saw other candidates milling about—young people from all over Luxembourg, each with a look of quiet determination. Some seemed relaxed, chatting with each other as they waited. Others, like him, looked tense, their faces set in concentration.

Soren took a seat in the waiting area, his heart pounding as he glanced around. He couldn't help but wonder what these other candidates were thinking, if they were feeling the same blend of excitement and fear. Were they as uncertain as he was, or did they already see themselves as pioneers of this new world?

After a few minutes, an instructor stepped into the room, calling out names and guiding each candidate to their respective assessment stations. When it was Soren's turn, he stood, his palms sweaty as he followed the instructor down a narrow hallway and into a room filled with equipment.

The assessments were grueling. He was tested on his endurance, forced to run and lift weights until his muscles burned. He was made to perform agility drills, jumping, dodging, and navigating obstacles with speed and precision. By the end of the physical tests, he was drenched in sweat, his legs trembling from exhaustion.

Then came the psychological assessments. They sat him down in a room with a monitor and asked him questions, testing his reactions to hypothetical situations, assessing his problem-solving skills and his ability to stay calm under pressure. He felt his mind strain as he answered, the weight of each question pressing down on him.

When it was finally over, he was drained, both physically and mentally. He left the building in a daze, unsure of how he'd performed, uncertain if he'd done enough. The doubts returned, creeping in as he replayed each moment, wondering if he'd made the right choices.

That evening, he sat down with his father, the exhaustion evident in his face. His dad listened quietly as Soren recounted the day, nodding along as Soren spoke.

"You know, Soren," his father said, his voice calm and reassuring. "They're not looking for perfection. They're looking for people who don't give up, people who keep going, even when things get tough."

Soren nodded, feeling a weight lift slightly. His father's words, as simple as they were, gave him a sense of peace. Maybe he didn't need to be perfect. Maybe just showing up, just trying, was enough.

As he lay in bed that night, the exhaustion began to fade, replaced by a quiet determination. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew one thing: he was ready to face it, whatever it might be.