Katharine Trig leaned against the observation railing, watching the bustling activity on the lunar landing pad below. Three Orion-class shiny ships dominated the scene, ready to depart for Dysnomia.
"Hard to believe it's been thirty-one years," a voice said.
Katharine turned to find ninety-five-year-old Admiral Mark Hamov. The years had added much more silver to his hair, but his eyes remained sharp.
"Sometimes it feels like yesterday," she replied. "Other times it feels like another life entirely."
"For humanity, it was another life entirely," Hamov said, gesturing toward the ships. "Those vessels incorporate technology we couldn't have dreamed of when you first set out."
Katharine nodded. The ships below represented the culmination of a quarter-century of human ingenuity applied to alien discoveries. Their hulls contained materials stronger than anything Earth science had previously developed. Not yet on the level of aliens, but relatively close. Their engines operated on principles that had rewritten physics textbooks across the globe. Even their life support systems incorporated components reverse-engineered from Ton'Ta designs.
„Artificial gravity is still giving them trouble?" she asked.
"On the Hyperion, yes," Hamov confirmed. "Chief Engineer Officer Marc Overmars insists they'll have it stabilized before launch, but Captain Douglas McAdam is pushing back. Says they can't afford any more delays."
Katharine smiled. "Some things never change. Captains and engineers are still fighting the same battles."
The observation deck vibrated slightly as a cargo shuttle lifted off, heading toward the Prometheus, the flagship of the new expedition.
"Do you ever wish you were going back?" Hamov asked.
Katharine considered the question. When they returned twenty-five years ago, the Magellan expedition had been celebrated as heroes. The alien gunships they'd brought back, along with thousands of artifacts and data storage devices, had triggered the most significant technological revolution in human history. The Moon Alien Research Institute – MARI – had become the center of a new scientific renaissance.
"Part of me does," she admitted. "But I've had my adventure. This is their time now."
Below them, a team of technicians in pressure suits worked on the Prometheus's outer hull, installing what appeared to be sensor equipment derived from Ton'Ta designs.
"We've come so far," she said. "When Antonia first told me we might be able to transport those gunboats back to Earth, it seemed impossible. Now look at us, building ships that incorporate their technology, preparing to fly back to Dysnomia with crews trained to operate alien vessels."
Hamov nodded. "The political situation was touch-and-go for a while. But once we demonstrated what technology could do for energy production, medicine, materials science ... even the hardliners came around."
Katharine remembered those tense early days after their return. China and Russia had demanded immediate access to the alien technology, threatening diplomatic crises that could have spiraled into conflict. But Hamov and the UN Secretary-General played it masterfully, ensuring that non-military applications were shared globally while keeping the most sensitive capabilities under WSO control.
"You managed to unify humanity more than I thought possible," she said.
"The alien card," Hamov replied with a small smile. "Nothing brings people together like the realization we're not alone in the universe, and that someone else out there developed technology far beyond our own."
A holographic display activated near them, showing the three Orion-class ships – Prometheus, Helios, and Hyperion – alongside schematics of their internal systems. Each vessel was substantially larger than Magellan had been, with dedicated research facilities and engineering.
"Tom Hartmann tells me they've decoded almost 80% of the alien database now. Well, decoded … still not understood," Katharine said.
"Georgina Kerr and Andrea Martin have been leading that effort. They've become the world's foremost experts in Ton'Ta language patterns. The color-light-coding breakthrough was key. Once they understood how the aliens used color and light to organize information, translation efficiency improved dramatically."
Katharine remembered the alien books they'd found, with their complex, swirling patterns that had initially seemed impenetrable. Now, those same patterns are being taught in university linguistics programs around the world.
"And the alien remains?"
"Still teaching us new things about their biology," Hamov said. "That cellular structure is more efficient and adaptable than anything we've seen. Medical applications alone have extended human lifespans by nearly a decade."
The observation deck's door hissed behind them, and Sarah, Katharine's daughter, joined them at the railing. At fifty-five, she had her mother's determined expression but her father's thoughtful eyes.
"They've just announced the final crew assignments," Sarah said, handing Katharine a tablet with the crew manifest displayed. "Admiral Elena Reyes will command the expedition, with Commander Sanjay Khan as permanent Dysnomia Base Commander once they arrive."
Katharine scrolled through the names. "I see they've pulled in specialists from all over. Dr. Xavier Okafor for scientific lead, good choice. And Colonel Martin Hannikainen for security."
"Four hundred and forty-two personnel in total," Sarah confirmed. "Plus, the crew of cargo ships and an additional three hundred personnel on the cargo vessels."
"An army compared to your expedition," Hamov noted.
Katharine nodded. Thirty-one years ago, they'd gone to Dysnomia with just the crew of Magellan, not knowing what they'd find. This new expedition had the benefit of their discoveries, the alien base layout, the fleet of ships, and the technological documentation they'd brought back.
"They're better prepared than we were," Katharine said. "But they'll still find surprises. We barely scratched the surface of what's there."
Sarah's tablet chimed with an incoming message. "The pre-launch briefing is starting in fifteen minutes. Admiral Reyes asked if you'd attend, Mom."
Katharine nodded. "I wouldn't miss it."
As they walked toward the briefing room, they passed a viewport overlooking Earth. The planet looked different now, even from orbit. The energy crisis that had plagued the early 21st century was long solved, thanks to Ton'Ta's power generation technology. Many of the largest cities now feature architecture influenced by alien designs, constructed of materials that could self-repair and adapt to environmental conditions.
"Sometimes I wonder what the Ton'Ta would think," Katharine said, pausing to look at Earth. "Seeing how we've adapted their technology."
"From what you've told me about Thon'ts Glant'hz and his recordings, I think he'd be pleased," Sarah replied. "He left all that for someone to find, after all."
The briefing room was already filled with expedition personnel when they arrived. Katharine recognized Admiral Elena Reyes at the front, a decorated tactical leader known for her calm decision-making under pressure. Beside her stood the three ship captains: Ron Vukov, Amara Schulte, and Douglas McAdam.
As Katharine took her seat, she watched the officers and specialists interacting. There was Dr. Xavier Okafor, reviewing notes with his science team. Colonel Martin Hannikainen, the security chief, was engaged in a discussion that appeared to be both friendly and intense with his personnel.
Admiral Reyes noticed Katharine and nodded respectfully before turning to address the assembled crew.
"Today marks the beginning of humanity's return to Dysnomia," she began. "Thirty-one years ago, Admiral Katharine Trig, then Captain Katharine Trig, and the crew of Magellan made a discovery that changed our civilization forever. They found evidence of alien life and a fully functional base, preserved alien remains, instructional materials, and a fleet of ships that have revolutionized our understanding of physics, engineering, and biology."
The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at Katharine. She nodded acknowledgment but kept her eyes on Elena.
"Our mission builds on their discovery," Elena continued. "We will establish a permanent research base on Dysnomia. We will explore the alien facility more thoroughly than was possible during the first expedition. And yes, we will attempt to bring back additional alien vessels for study on Earth."
A murmur ran through the room.
"The ships you'll be traveling on represent the best of human engineering based on Ton'Ta technology. The journey to Dysnomia should take approximately four months, a fraction of the time it took the original expedition."
Elena gestured to a holographic display showing Dysnomia and the alien base in detail. "Thanks to Admiral Trig's team, we have extensive documentation of the base layout, the fleet configuration, and even some understanding of how to activate the alien vessels. But make no mistake, there will be challenges we cannot anticipate. The Ton'Ta were centuries beyond us technologically. Their systems operate on principles we're still struggling to fully comprehend."
Katharine looked at the faces around her. They reminded her of her crew before their journey, though these men and women had the advantage of knowing what awaited them.
"Admiral Trig agreed to address us before we conclude," Elena said. "Admiral, would you like to say a few words?"
Katharine stood and moved to the front of the room. She looked out at the assembled crew, humanity's best and brightest, preparing to continue the journey her team had begun.
"When we first entered the alien base on Dysnomia, we had no idea what we'd find," she began.
She gestured to the ships visible through the viewport. "You're going back with advantages we couldn't have imagined, vessels incorporating Ton'Ta technology, detailed maps and documentation, even some understanding of their language and engineering principles. But the most important qualities you'll need are the same ones that got us through. Curiosity, adaptability, and respect for the unknown."
Katharine paused, looking at the eager faces before her. "The Ton'Ta left their legacy for someone to find. For whatever reason, we were that someone. How we use what they left behind will define humanity's future among the stars. Make it count."
As she returned to her seat, Katharine felt a profound sense of transition. Her expedition had opened the door to a new era for humanity. Now, these men and women would step through that door and continue the journey.
***
The next day, Katharine stood with Sarah and Hamov on the observation deck as the three Orion-class ships exited their berths. Their hulls gleamed in the unfiltered sunlight as they moved into formation, preparing for the long journey to Dysnomia.
"They'll be there in four months," Hamov said. "Remarkable, considering it took you more than three years."
Katharine nodded. "And who knows what they'll accomplish once they arrive."
As the ships disappeared, she thought about Thon'ts Glant'hz, the alien commander whose recordings they'd found. He had prepared everything for some unknown future explorer to discover. He couldn't have known it would be humans, or what they would do with his legacy.
"Safe journey," she whispered to the departing ships.