12

The Asterion is under constant thrust the whole way to Europa, its acceleration steadily declining from Luna's gravity of 0.16g to the slightly lesser gravity of Europa. This creates a downward pressure, forming an artificial gravity. The thrust is limited by the output of the engine but even more by the comfort of the crew. Rheita Petavius is one of the reasons the ship isn't going faster. Having lived on Luna her whole life, going at a higher acceleration closer to Earth's gravity would steadily crush her.

"And lift!" she cries to the dozen assembled colonists that could fit in the cluttered hangar of the ship, yourself included. With bags of rations and tools as make-shift weights, the colonists are led through a series of exercises to keep their strength up. Without Earth's gravity pressing down on them, their muscles are prone to weakening.

Rheita's auburn ringlets burst out above a yellow headband that matches her long Luna-cut exercise clothes. "Your body isn't going to be enough to raise a sweat anymore," she tells you all. "You've got to use the weights."

Next

After all the exercises, you and Rheita wait to use the shower (there are very few on the ship).

"You should run a class too, Voshinu," says Rheita. "I'd definitely attend if you did."

We could play domeball.

I could teach astronomy.

I've got better things to do than teach classes.

Next

You brush off Rheita's suggestion. There's so much to prepare for living on the moon, running classes is the least of your concerns.

"Oh, like you're so busy," says Rheita. She takes in your expression. "You can be more than a figurehead you know?"

Over the long months aboard, the conversation continues. Rheita tries to draw you into actively engaging with the other colonists, while you pull back and sink yourself into the preparations.

Next

On one of the few surfaces of the Asterion not bound up with stored goods or bursting with temperature-controlled plant life, a large screen is projected. Sungura Kikwete stands in front of it, manipulating boxes on the screen with experienced gestures. Their head is immaculately shaved and they wear intricately patterned arcologist robes of their own design.

"It is good to have a plan," says Sungura, still looking at the screen. "We can make our mistakes here before we start building anything. Taking a systematic approach is how arcologists work."

On the screen, a diagram of the Asterion and all its rooms is placed amidst the endless white space of the ice. Sungura swishes into place plans of all the rooms-to-be, along with open squares, tunnel streets and access corridors.

"Of course, you should not worry about all the small things, the ducts and cable lines, the sewerage and so on," says Sungura.

I leave Sungura and their Habitus team to do most of the fine-detail planning.

I get stuck in with the small-scale planning despite it not being my specialty.

I spend time observing Sungura so I have an understanding of the process.

Next

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