[Scene 4B]

Harper Aiken

Taylor deserves to sit in the Commander’s seat. Heath may know the book backwards and forwards, but he’s far too smug about it. His seatmates might kill him long before they reach Bery. You’ve seen the years of work Taylor has invested and have come to appreciate that dedication; C.J. should be giving Taylor a break. 

The thing is, this is a full dress rehearsal of every mission system prior to launch. Phoenix One could fly, if systems aren’t shut down at the end of the countdown. Everyone in the control room and the support stations around the world are practicing today. Everyone has simulated the post-launch procedures repeatedly for months, from the moment of ignition until the moment the Phoenix One Commander steps onto the surface of Bery. The primary crew - Heath, Cranmoor, and Enfield, have been working together for a year for this flight. The backup crew - Orkney, Edwards, and Hewitt, have been working just as hard and just as long, prepared to step in as needed. All of these astronauts are ready to fly.  

All it would take is the two astronauts in Mission Control agreeing to not stop the launch procedure. Phoenix One could fly today.  

GM NOTE: If the two astronauts in Mission Control agree, they can override a decision by C.J. stopping the launch.  