Beneath the Ice

Naomi shielded her eyes from the sun, squinting up into the sky to catch the fleeting glint of light that signified the space shuttle passing overhead as it launched into space. She pursed her lips, a determined set to her jaw as she followed it until it could no longer be seen by the naked eye.

She knew that shuttle was taking a crew to the space station, where they would begin training for their long journey to Mars. That crew were specialists being sent in to pad the population of the Mars colony that had been placed several years before.

Naomi had always loved Mars, but she wanted to be part of something bigger. That was why she was here, as an applicant to a special program that would train a wide group of people, from graduating high school students to tenured scientists, for the first colonial expedition to Europa.

The ships that were being designed even now were supposed to not only transport them, but dig through the ice to reach the liquid ocean below. From there, it would act as the living quarters. Twelve ships would go over the course of four years.

The idea was to take oxygen from the water for their air. The separated hydrogen would be used for energy. Water was abundant, and the probe that had been sent earlier in the year, once it had tunneled through and reached the liquid water, had sent back news that it was drinkable. They could grow plants in a ship designed for hydroponics. Eventually they could build other habitats.

Naomi wanted to be a part of that project. But first she had to pass the tests. She dropped her hand and turned toward the space center that sprawled out in front of her, squaring her shoulders. She would make it. She had to.