“Pre-test checklist complete.”

Dan leaned back, staring at nothing in particular. He thought about the successes, the failures, the accidents, what his brother had sacrificed so Dan could be here. Many were complaining about the price. Few understood the cost.

He turned and looked at Maneet. She looked back at him.

“Time to call it in.” He said. Maneet pressed the talk button.

“Central, this is Daedalus. We are go for warp” she intoned, trying to sound slightly bored and not as excited as she really was.

“If this works” Dan said to her, “everything will change. Let’s hit it.”