“Remember, you’ve been training for this.” My instructor pats me on the shoulder, then motions towards the cockpit. “She’s all yours. Just make sure you don’t do anything stupid, and everything will be fine.”

“Sure thing.” I climb into the pilot’s seat, thinking back over the countless lessons I sat through so I could get to this moment. I looked out the window in front of me and see nothing but space. Millions of lightyears away, a shooting star flies between two galaxies

“Ready for takeoff?” I smile at my instructor through my helmet. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Sealing the airtight cockpit and stepping back into the main ship, my instructor gives the signal to the operator to release the tethers. I start up my engine, and slowly pull away from the dock. It’s go time.