Chapter 74: Multitude

For the first time in perhaps a year, Andreï had gathered the entire crew in the main hangar for a speech addressed to everyone: ordinarily, he preferred to meet with the sailors one by one or in small groups, which allowed for individual feedback.

From a railing just outside the map room, he towered above everyone.

- “A year ago we took the Drift 6 in the hope of finding where, centuries ago, Garen Antor-today known under the name Aleph-had been exiled. We hoped through this voyage to discover the cause of his transformation and the possibility of regaining control of the HS and the fleet. I have faith in the calculations of our sailor Sweet Sun. However, I know that if no one mentions it, we are nearing the fateful date. And like you, I look out through the observation bays. I have noticed, as you have, that there are no more stars, or almost none. I know you are worried. Yet the possible absence of a star at our arrival will not signify the end of the journey nor the failure of our mission. Indeed, Garen Antor’s exile lasted at least one year-he was to continue until he reached proximity to a system. That is a path we too shall take. This second voyage, if we must undertake it, will be a true mental ordeal, for we shall not know whether it will last a few minutes, a few months, or a few years. But we must do it. It is our mission. On the other side of the abyss, the fleet of the Resistance is counting on us. Now, let us turn our eyes to the countdown to the end of Drift.”

The large screens displayed the dance of a few isolated stars, sliding behind the ship, giving way to others, ever fewer, as if the final destination lay in some place devoid of matter.

Andreï went back over the possibilities of failure. He had faith in his Xeno friend and his mathematical infallibility. Certainly, the voyage they were following was centuries old, but he had managed to adapt it to the movements of the stars during that time.

Another screen showed in very large numbers the countdown to arrival. The initial twelve months had turned into

0 months, 0 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes, 19 seconds

and were ticking down.

The crew held their breath when it reached 0 seconds, and yet the Drift did not stop. Pallas, Geneva, and others had come up to the Captain’s side to see the screens better.