As Okulous-10 approaches the exoplanet Wasp-12b, the crew faces emotional setbacks while dealing with power and navigation challenges. The crew hopes to be the first humans to explore an exoplanet. As they continue their search for the missing Sibylline Foley, Allison Mishings becomes overstressed. Sahra Tofleson requests approval for an expanded farming operation, forcing Alexandra Boldt to update Okulous10’s power systems with limited resources. The rest of the crew adjusts to their new shifts and roles as they approach the planet-consuming star Wasp-12.
E5R Log 106: Research
Old research suggested Wasp-12b absorbs most of the light from Wasp-12. We hope to be the first, and last, to see it, so far as we know. We are 34 days from entering Wasp-12’s orbit.
E5R Log 107: Increments
Current time reading is E5R1206:0045:0002. Our original reading prior to our nav systems returning was E5R1205:1346:xxxx. Has something to do with the E5R site, which we are still unable to reach. Still have not received any signals from Earth. Serinath assumes that we are on our own, at least for now.
E5R Log 108: Thinning
Allison Mishings has spread herself too thin. With her leading the investigations into Foley’s disappearance, Dirk Schmidt has become overwhelmed with medical duties. Okulous-10 isn’t that big of a ship. We should have found her by now.
E5R Log 109: Expansion
Sahra Tofleson proposed a new design for the Farming pods. Would require expansion, but addresses our growth and capacity issues. Aditya Serinath, 2nd Officer Hanna Tzuljan, and 3rd Officer Noah Aquino will review Tofleson’s proposal. It would take away some of my engineering storage but may be necessary for sustainable nutrition. Hard to think we're here for the remainder of our lives.
E5R Log 110: Brightest
Finally categorized all spare parts available, also part of effort for Tofleson to see if engineering storage space can be given up. I can potentially justify giving up two storage bays. Tofleson seems so calm, with Foley missing and all the crew trying to find their place. I asked her how she maintains her calm. She said something that will remain with me forever: “We need to be the brightest suns in this darkness.”
E5R Log 111: Accusations
Mishings found Caroline Scott alone in storage corridors behind Farming pods. Mishings said Scott was standing over holes in the floor where panels were removed. Scott claims she found the panels missing while she was helping Tofleson plan for Farming pod expansion. I don’t know if we will ever know who to believe.
E5R Log 112: Thinning2
Falling behind on repairs with continuous crews around the clock over three shifts. With the pending expansion of Tofleson's farm, maintenance will increase. I will need to increase the capacity of our water pumps, piping and lighting. I may need to work additional shifts. Mishings isn’t the only one spread too thin.
E5R Log 113: Roles
Serinath told Mishings to stop looking for Foley. Serinath encouraged us all to follow our roles, that there is a right way to do things aboard the ship. I think that comment hit some of the crew the wrong way.
E5R Log 114: Tech
Cucco finalized the approach strategy for Wasp-12b, currently projected to be on the far side of Wasp-12. Once we enter orbit, we will identify possible landing sites with drone pod HONEYBEE. We also have tech available to possible conduct a manned mission, though this is still up for debate. More to come.
E5R Log 115: Absorption
Objective of Wasp-12b observation is to study its atmospheric light absorption. Understanding this could improve our solar energy efficiency. Okulous-10 was designed, it seems, to always be within a star's capacity to provide solar power. We're currently absorbing above our storage capacity, unable to utilize what we can’t store.
E5R Log 116: Design
I need to design a means for storing excess solar energy. With no materials to manufacture batteries, I may need to develop new materials. Perhaps our observations of Wasp-12b will teach us something new. Some way to store power for later.
E5R Log 117: 1.1
According to our database, Wasp-12b’s orbital period is roughly 1 Earth day. Will be a dangerous approach.
E5R Log 118: Home
Crew is happy to spend Thanksgiving together. Even with Foley missing, this was the first sense of peace we’ve had in weeks, strange as that may sound. We’re far from home, and OKULOUS is our new family. Since waking, we've encountered several setbacks to the mission, but today, we're happy. And thankful. To be alive.
E5R Log 119: History
Hamad Nasser, our Systems Administration Manager, will take on additional responsibilities as Historian, documenting our findings and research. We will send separate reports for anyone back on Earth who may be listening.
E5R Log 120: Approval
Serinath, 2nd Officer Hanna Tzuljan, and 3rd Officer Noah Aquino approved Tolfeson’s plan for expansion of the farming pods. Hoping that a broader variety of food in the long-term will improve morale. Tofleson seems to think we can grow anything after the farming expansion.
E5R Log 121: Quantity
Current crew count is 23, with the early loss of Anders and Foley disappearing. Still no update there. 1st shift has 8 crew, 2nd has 7, 3rd has 7. 2nd and 3rd shifts are stretched. Mishings can’t seem to say no, as she’s been asked to help outside of 1st shift. Her productivity is suffering.
E5R Log 122: Odnarelecca
I checked our communications, wondering if we’ve been receiving comms from Earth but they haven’t been coming through. I noticed the time stamps are not the same, even though I schedule out comms for the same time every day. Each comm is sent one minute later than the previous day. I’m going to try to hack into the E5R server to confirm our signals are getting out. Something doesn’t seem right.
E5R Log 123: Probes
Cucco thinks we could land a probe on Wasp-12b. There are significant complications with this given Wasp-12b’s speed and proximity to Wasp-12. Speed is a problem yet to be solved out here.
E5R Log 124: Flow
Need to finish calibrating sensors on primary utility systems. This will allow me to gather correct flow information to design water and electrical loads for Tofleson’s new farm expansion.
E5R Log 125: Checks
Our medical staff, Schmidt and Mishings, will conduct their routine check-ups on all crew. Some 2nd and 3rd shift crews are struggling with the sleeping adjustments, though Schmidt believes this will get better with time.
E5R Log 126: Perspective
I was unable to see any signal data from the x71 server. From OKULOUS’ perspective, our server shows that every signal is sent to x71 at the same time. I may not be able to learn much more here. Need to focus on what’s next for energy storage and building out new farming pods.
E5R Log 127: Dental
Sofia Evanchuk will conduct first dental hygiene visits with the crew. I can’t imagine getting a cavity out here.
E5R Log 128: Psychic
Merneith “Mickey” Hanas is going over personnel files again, trying to follow up with any oddities in Foley’s interactions prior to disappearing. Still no sign of her, no additional depletion of food or water supplies.
E5R Log 129: Wasp-12
Can't see Wasp-12b yet. Only Wasp-12.
E5R Log 130: Zero
Still no sign of Wasp-12b. We believe it may be on the far side of Wasp-12.
E5R Log 131: Us
Crew check-ups complete. Physically, everyone is healthy. Mentally, that’s another story. Like a star consuming its own planet, I feel like the darkness out here is consuming us.
E5R Log 132: Thermals
Haven’t seen Wasp-12b yet. Cucco believes we should have by now. Will attempt thermal scans.
E5R Log 133: First
Shifts are mixing, given all staff looking out for Wasp-12b. Everyone wants to be the first human to see an exoplanet in the flesh. Still no sign. Most of our sensor reading intervals are off.
E5R Log 134: Presence
With only 133 days of data, it’s difficult to correct the interval readings. Still wonder why no data is available prior to our waking cycles. Heat readings not showing any presence of an exoplanet around Wasp-12. Very strange. Is there new research we aren’t aware of?
E5R Log 135: Five
Wasp-12 burns bright before us as we approach orbit - 5 days out. Wasp-12b not present in any readings. Extremely concerning.
E5R Log 136: 4
Even if Wasp-12b absorbs 100% of the light from its parent star, our sensors would have picked it up by now, or we’d see the darker spot in space. I wonder if we’re looking in the wrong place. Maybe the orbit is different. Cucco unsure.
E5R Log 137: 3.0000
Crew very worried about the apparent absence of Wasp-12b. We desperately need support. COMMAND, please respond.
E5R Log 138: 4^0.5
Still no signals received from Earth Site E5R. Is anyone listening?
E5R Log 139: -1
Here on mission day 139, we suffer the first failure of one of our objectives: being unable to see and study the first exoplanet in human history, Wasp-12b.
E5R Log 140: Darkness
We’ve officially entered Wasp-12’s orbit, 1,300 light years from Earth. Wasp-12b, which should be here, is nowhere in sight. Database indicates it should be here. COMMAND, please respond. Anyone. Where is Wasp-12b?