Chapter 3 Launch Day

The day of the launch finally arrived, and the team gathered at the spacecraft, their excitement and nervousness palpable. Jax and Sophia stood at the foot of the ramp, looking up at the ship that would take them on their historic journey.

"All right, team," Jax said, his voice loud and clear. "Let's do this!"

The team cheered as they boarded the ship, their footsteps echoing through the cavernous cargo bay. Sophia paused at the entrance, looking back at Jax with a serious expression.

"Captain, may I have a word?" she asked, her voice low.

Jax nodded, following her to a quiet corner of the bay. "What is it, Doc?"

Sophia's eyes locked onto his, her gaze intense. "I know we've been over this, but I need to ask again: are you sure you're ready for this?"

Jax's expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Sophia, I was born ready."

Sophia's face relaxed, a small smile playing on her lips. "I know you were, Captain. But I also know that you're not just a captain – you're a man with a past. And I need to know that you're prepared to face whatever comes our way."

Jax's gaze drifted away, his eyes clouding over. Sophia's words struck a chord deep within him, a chord that resonated with the scars of his past. But he pushed aside the memories, his eyes snapping back into focus.

"I'm ready, Sophia," he said, his voice firm. "Let's do this."

With that, they boarded the ship, the ramp closing behind them with a hiss. The engines roared to life, and the spacecraft lifted off into the sky, leaving Earth behind.