The Baikonur Explosion and Its Aftermath

An accidental explosion kills the primary and backup science specialists, forcing Stratt to draft Grace.

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The Explosion

A Catastrophic Accident The Research Center Destroyed A massive explosion rocks the Baikonur Cosmodrome, destroying the research center. The blast vaporizes the building and kills everyone inside, including the mission's science specialists, Martin DuBois and Annie Shapiro. The cause is a catastrophic human error: a milligram of Astrophage was mistakenly given to them instead of a nanogram, leading to an uncontrolled energy release. The Investigation Stratt and the team quickly realize the accident was an unforeseen consequence of working with Astrophage on such a large scale. The procedures for handling the microbe are still immature. The loss of two of the most brilliant minds is a devastating blow to the mission. The Immediate Crisis With only nine days until launch, Stratt must find a replacement. The only qualified candidate who is also coma-resistant is Ryland Grace. He is terrified, but Stratt has no choice. She decides to force him onto the mission, setting the stage for the ethical conflict.

Grace's Imprisonment

The Unwilling Astronaut A Cell in Baikonur Grace is held in a cell at the Baikonur facility. Stratt visits him to explain his fate. She reveals that he has been the tertiary science specialist all along, and that he will be drugged and placed on the Soyuz. He will be in a coma for the journey, and his memory will be wiped to ensure he follows the mission. The Moral Argument Stratt gives a history lesson about famine and war, arguing that the apocalypse will be far worse than any individual's suffering. She admits she is not proud of her methods, but she sees no alternative. Grace is horrified, but he is powerless. The Forced Launch Grace is injected with a sedative and loaded onto the Soyuz. He wakes up at Tau Ceti with no memory of his resistance. Stratt's plan works, but it leaves a permanent scar on Grace's psyche. He later remembers everything and grapples with the fact that he was a coward who had to be forced into heroism.

Nine days before launch

Days after the explosion