Niomi's messages home
[!0.987]2020-05-27

Niomi's messages home: Day Twenty.

We woke up Winston today. He'll have time to shake off the effects of hibernation before we reach the station.

It takes time for the metabolism to get up to speed. For the first few hours, it's like coming off of a sugar crash.

It's funny. After all the time he spent unconscious, the first thing he wants is a good night's sleep.

Color by George Peterson

Station approach
[!0.987]2020-05-29

Eight o'clock. I really should get up.

Good morning. I've been standing the midnight watch while you were in hibernation. I'm going to catch some sleep before we begin our final approach to the station.

On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with staying in bed a bit longer.

Color by George Peterson

Station approach
[!0.987]2020-06-01

Okay, I really need to get out of bed. Without waking Flo.

Some things are so much easier in low gravity.

Color by George Peterson

At 1/20 of Earth's gravity, Florence weighs just over 2 kg. Normally, her weight is about 41 kg.

Station approach
[!0.987]2020-06-03

Look who's finally up.

Good morning.

We'll dock in a few hours. You going to be okay until then?

I'll be okay. I'd disappoint way too many people if I stepped out of an airlock this close to the station.

They're all locked anyway.

Thanks. Never hurts to have a barrier between oneself and one's stupidity.

Color by George Peterson

Station approach
[!0.987]2020-06-05

It's not stupidity. You have a phobia. I once worked with a guy who had a phobia about spiders.

When a spider landed on him, his flailing nearly broke my nose.

I'm fine as long as I've got something substantial under my feet.

Must be tough.

It's not that bad. Many people believe it's still possible to have a productive life without ever leaving the planet.

Color by George Peterson

Station approach
[!0.987]2020-06-08

Are you okay talking about this?

Sure. Not talking about a problem doesn't make it go away. Also, I still have a ton of sedatives in my system.

Technology has moved faster than our evolution. It's not surprising some brains have problems with how we live now.

I get overly anxious in small spaces when there's vacuum all around me. Now if Homo habilis had evolved traveling in space, I'm sure that trait would have been weeded out by now.

Color by George Peterson

Station approach
[!0.987]2020-06-10

Nervous about introducing Florence to your parents?

Things would be easier if she were human.

But if Florence were human, she wouldn't be who she is and I like who she is.

So yes, I'm a bit worried. Among the traits, parents look for in a prospective daughter-in-law, fur, fangs and a tail are conspicuously absent.

Color by George Peterson

Station approach
[!0.987]2020-06-12

My parents are also a little bit out there. Here's part of the message they sent back after seeing Florence.

Do you follow a religion? If not, what do you base your moral code on?

Her head's too small. See? Even with the higher forehead, there's not enough volume. How is she functioning?

I'm about to introduce my parents to a talking wolf and I'm worried she's the one who's going to find them too weird.

Color by George Peterson

Station approach
[!0.987]2020-06-15

Your mom has a mustache.

My mom is a transhumanist. She believes humanity must adapt itself if it wants to stay competitive.

My dad believes we need to figure out what we want to be before we go racing off. Neanderthals out to improve the species would hardly have decided that skinny cro-magnons were the way to go.

I'm with your dad on this one. Modifying the human race is like speeding down a freeway. If we miss an exit, it might not be so easy to turn around and come back.

Color by George Peterson

Station approach
[!0.987]2020-06-17

Captain to the bridge.

Duty calls.

Isn't Sam the captain?

The ship rejected him.

Rejected as in wouldn't accept or rejected as involving an airlock?

The former, though I would not be displeased if someone were to arrange the latter.

Color by George Peterson