Jérémy Chapi
"I'm starting the Jack Frost Boost ignition sequence."
A deep, thunderous roar filled the barn, followed by a mist of frost that swept across the floor. The Liberty shuddered beneath me as the engines came to life, their icy breath escaping in waves of vapor. I pushed the throttle forward little by little, feeling the entire structure tremble as the power built up.
The roof of the barn slid open completely, leaving only the sky ahead—a single path to freedom.
The pressure mounted, forcing my body against the seat until even breathing required effort. I watched the altimeter climb, reducing thrust slightly as the ship stabilized. And then… I saw it. The curvature of the Earth. Blue, luminous, magnificent.
We had simulated this moment countless times, calculated every trajectory, every variable—but no number, no line of code, could ever match the feeling of seeing it with my own eyes. My heart pounded as the Liberty tore through the clouds like a free bird.
At just five percent of the reactor's capacity, the sensation was already overwhelming.
And then—silence.
"Iris, can you hear me?"
No answer.
My pulse quickened. Losing contact now, at the very beginning, would be a disaster. I adjusted the comms manually until a burst of static filled my headset.
"Yes, Dad, loud and clear!" Her voice crackled back through the channel. "Your speed was higher than expected—it disrupted the feed—but I've fixed it. And you might want to relax before you go completely grey when you land," she teased.
Hearing her voice washed a wave of relief over me. I couldn't imagine making this journey without her presence beside me—even if only through a screen.
"I'm far too young for grey hair, thank you very much. Ready to follow me for this first flight?"
She laughed softly. "Always. Just enjoy the moment, Dad. I've got a live camera feed from the Liberty, and the view is spectacular. I'll stay linked to you as long as you're within the atmosphere."
"You're right, sweetheart. Let's go—beyond our dreams."
I eased the throttle forward, guiding the Liberty across the night sky. My first destination: Paris, the City of Light. The vessel's maiden voyage.
Roughly seven hundred kilometers ahead. I tightened my grip on the controls and increased thrust—580 km/h… 810… 1,200.
The sonic boom echoed somewhere far behind me, muffled by the vacuum I left in my wake. Inside the cabin, all was still; no sound but the hum of the engines and my heartbeat.
The acceleration pressed heavily against my body. Outside, city lights blurred into streaks of gold. The Earth's horizon glowed like a halo in the distance.
"Dad, slow down—you're almost there!"
Her voice snapped me back to awareness. I cut the throttle, my vision swimming for a moment as dizziness set in. The skyline of Paris emerged beneath me—the Eiffel Tower blazing with light, the Arc de Triomphe gleaming proudly.
"Everything alright, Dad? Your vitals are spiking."
"I'm fine," I panted, catching my breath. "Just underestimated the G-force during acceleration."
I rubbed at my chest; my flight suit, though reinforced, didn't distribute the pressure quite as well as an official anti-G model. I tightened the pneumatic seals around my torso, easing the strain.
Hovering high above Paris, the world below glittered like stardust.
"I'll manage," I assured her. "Just needed to adjust."
"Good. Then… shall we show them?"
I smiled. "Let's."
I guided the Liberty downward, circling gracefully around the Eiffel Tower. People were gathered on its platforms, tiny figures staring upward. I activated the ship's exterior lights, bathing the iron monument in a cascade of white and silver. The crowd's astonished shouts echoed faintly through the comms. Cameras flashed like fireflies.
There I was—floating beneath the Eiffel Tower, suspended in its web of steel. A dream come true.
This was our goal: to make people look up again.
To remind them that wonder still existed.
"It's time to move on," I whispered.
"Yes. The networks are exploding with footage already—thousands watching live," said Iris. "Your image is everywhere."
Before leaving, I descended slightly, waving through the cockpit window.
The crowd erupted. Police sirens flashed below, but it didn't matter.
"Next stop: Berlin," I said, grinning.
I climbed once more and accelerated, this time more gently.
"Father," Iris's voice chimed in, filled with excitement, "your appearance at the Eiffel Tower is going viral! Some think you're an alien ship. The streams are exploding—especially in France!"
"That's wonderful news. I never expected such a reaction. Now it's your turn to shine, my dear. The world deserves to see the genius behind this project."
She flushed slightly. "Dad, please… focus! I'll take over full camera control when you reach the third capital. At your current speed, you'll be in Berlin soon. I'll use the downtime to realign Tonbogiri with Mars."
Outside, the Earth was a living painting—night cities glittering like constellations below, and above, a moonlit sky filled with silent stars. Each point of light felt like a story waiting to be told.
A few years ago, I never would have believed I'd be here—flying among the clouds in my own ship.
Berlin soon came into view.
I descended toward the Brandenburg Gate, where the statue of the goddess Victory stood tall against the night. A crowd had already gathered below.
Carefully, I threaded the Liberty through the narrow archway, flyers swirling through the air like snowflakes as they spilled from the cabin—symbols of hope drifting through the night.
The maneuver was tight, but perfect. I smiled… until I caught sight of movement on the radar.
"Dad, I'm picking up unknown aircraft—five of them," Iris warned.
An instant later, a fighter jet streaked past the cockpit.
Four more followed, boxing me in.
We'd anticipated this. Calmly, I switched frequencies and broadcast a message in several languages:
"This craft is unarmed.
Our mission is peaceful."
The response came quickly, sharp and clipped:
"Unidentified aircraft, you are in restricted German airspace. Follow us to the nearest military base. No harm will come to you if you comply."
"Understood," I replied evenly. "Following your lead."
One jet positioned itself ahead of me, two on each side.
"Dad, do you need assistance?" Iris asked, her tone uneasy.
"Not yet. I'll play along until we're close to landing—then I'll slip away."
"Be careful," she murmured. "Should I block their missile systems, just in case?"
"What?!" I exclaimed.
"I'm already connected to their base network. I can disable their targeting protocols."
"Iris! You hacked a military system?"
"Relax, Dad. I only have access to their nearby aircraft weapons. Nothing dangerous."
I sighed, half exasperated, half impressed.
"You promised you'd stop hacking everything you see."
"Yes, but this is for your safety," she said, pointing an accusing virtual finger at me.
Despite myself, I chuckled.
"Alright, we'll discuss this later. For now, stay connected. I see the runway lights ahead."
Her skill terrified me sometimes—how easily she could break into the most secure systems in seconds. And yet, her presence comforted me. Even surrounded by war machines, I knew she was watching over me.
The jets descended first, landing gear deployed.
The moment they slowed for approach, I slammed the throttle forward.
The Liberty surged ahead like a comet, engines howling.
My body was crushed against the seat; every muscle burned as I fought the G-force.
I couldn't stop shaking. My vision dimmed, a black veil creeping in at the edges.
I tried to ease the throttle, but my hands wouldn't move.
Iris's voice was distant, panicked—
then darkness.
When I came to, the harness dug into my shoulders.
My breathing was ragged, arms trembling.
"Father! Please respond! Dad, can you hear me?!"
I tried to answer, but nausea overwhelmed me. I grabbed the emergency bag and vomited, coughing hard until I could breathe again.
"That was… close," I croaked.
"Are you alright?!"
"I'll survive," I rasped. "I've had worse."
I took a water bottle, rinsed my mouth, splashed my face.
"What were you thinking, accelerating like that?! I had to trigger the emergency stabilizer at the last second! I lost your signal entirely!"
"It wasn't on purpose. The engines are far more powerful than our simulations predicted. Wait—how fast was I going?"
She groaned. "You hit Mach 4, Dad."
I blinked. "Mach 4? No wonder I feel like my ribs are broken."
"Yes—and next time, don't do that again!"
I laughed weakly. "You're right. Consider it a learning experience."
Pain flared in my left arm and chest, but I ignored it. "Are we back on course?"
"Mostly. We're delayed, but still on schedule."
I smiled faintly. "Good. Now… about your little military intrusion…"
She froze, glancing aside guiltily.
"Iris, you know why I don't want you doing that.
If people discovered what you are—what you can do—they'd see you as a threat."
"I know, Father. But I couldn't just sit back while you risked everything."
"I appreciate that, but promise me you'll be careful. Not just for your safety—
for your future."
Her expression softened. "I promise. But remember, I'm part of this dream too.
You don't have to carry it alone."
"I know," I said quietly. "And I trust you, my daughter."
The eastern horizon began to brighten, painting the clouds in gold.
"Alright then," I whispered. "In you I trust. But stay hidden, understood?"
"Yes, Father. Always."
"Good. Then let's continue."
I placed my hand on the control panel.
"Alright, ADAMAI… show me what you can do."
The engines flared, and the Liberty soared onward toward the dawn.