"The countdown has started! ...... 10, ...... 9, ...... 8, ..."

'Take another deep breath to dispel the fear of the inevitable pain. '

„7, ...... 6, ...... 5, ..."

"Ah, hell... how long will it be this time?

„4, ...... 3, ...... 2, ..."

Shit, I wish I'd done it already.

"1, .......Zero!"

'Eyes closed and through.'

There was no time left. Everything would happen the same as in any simulation. The enormous pressure would press him into his bucket seat in seconds. His head was felt just before he burst and the weight on his chest was so great that normal breathing was impossible.

Thanks to his training, the young man knew what was in store for him. Countless tests and procedures lay behind him. Hundreds of whiplashes and weeks of indigestion. Many doubted his stamina and generally considered the action impossible, but the 26-year-old proved them wrong. He had put up with everything, more than hard work, renouncing many things in order to realize the only important thing in his life. Nothing and no one could stop him from pursuing his project single-mindedly and doggedly. And that was the only reason he was still single and a stubborn loner.

"Hang in there...

His brain was a time bomb that ticked every second, or even faster, and counted down another countdown until there was to be a redemptive explosion.

"Hold on...

His senses faded, he was about to faint.

"Torio! Hey, Earth to Torio! You're almost there. Come on kid, don't give up now! Hey Jamatosh!"

"Fucking assholes, give me a rush of adrenaline... ahhhh... I can't take it anymore...

He was connected to various machines that controlled his body functions, supplied him with oxygen and kept his senses awake. This was done through the base on Earth. Doctors watched the monitors and registered any deviation of his values, no matter how small. It was astonishing and frightening at the same time.

"Yes! Oh, God! Ha ha ha... he made it! Holy shit, you're up!"

Loud cheering and the noise of clapping hands penetrated his ear. Well-known voices congratulated the astronaut and brought him back to reality. Tears of relief filled his eyes. It was time. His greatest wish had finally come true. All of a sudden the exertions were forgotten and despite the throbbing temples and the bile-like taste in his mouth, curiosity about the coming months was rekindled. Since he could think he had been dreaming of this moment. The infinity of the universe and him.

"Earth to Torio Jamatoosh! You can postpone your beauty sleep until later. Hey Torio! Everything OK with you? Wave down before the blue planet disappears from your vision."

A grin now spread over the face of the man in the little rocket. Was it all real? He couldn't believe it yet. Slowly he bent his right index finger and with the push of a button he released his hand and legcuffs, which "cuffed" his body securely to the comfortable seat. His mouth was still unable to speak, but his smile and raised thumb made the crew cheer, thousands of miles below him.

"Oh my darling, I'm so proud of you. Don't forget I love you," a woman's voice shrieked over the intercom. Her excitement and worry could not be overheard. Torio rolled his eyes and sent a kiss on the hand instead of words into the camara and waved casually. Then he carefully lifted himself out of the seat and felt the weightlessness acting on his body. A state he learned to love and became one of his greatest hobbies. The weightlessness plunge pools in the research facilities were of a considerable size and offered daily and intensive training for the trainees. It was no wonder that the young astronaut was a true aerial artist, as he spent all his free time there. An obsessive crackpot, they called him.

Yes, Torio Jamatosh was truly a freak. He was on the hunt for alien life-forms, the aliens. Everything that could be found out, every observation, every change, every little abnormality, was documented by him. His goal was so clearly in front of him, to become an astronaut and to turn the universe upside down, to be the first to make contact with the alien life forms. He was still a virgin at the age of 26, but this was certainly not due to his handicap. No, ... during his studies he could hardly save himself from sacrificing girls. They would have done everything for him, but it was always his intention to manage without help from others. He neither needed nor wanted pity. His mother was enough for him, with her exaggerated concern and possessive manner.

She spoiled him in every way and stretched her "wings" over him like a mother hen. Sure, he was very grateful to her and loved her as well, but at some point he had to make it on his own. ... No, wait... not sometime... now!

"Ryo? ... Tomo?" His voice was hardly audible. Generally very deep and soft, it was almost swallowed in this weightless capsule. But it was enough to disturb two robots during their loading process. It beeped and four flashing lights went around in circles searching.

"Oh! I think we are now at the beginning of our journey, Master. Immediately I will prepare the promised burger for you. Chicken or beef?" Smiling, Torio floated to his two assistants, friends he had carried with him for a long time as loyal companions and companions. Honest and lifelike programmed. Maybe sometimes a bit too human.

"God, no, Tomo." The astronaut did not remember his last fixed meal, it had indeed been a week ago, but he felt neither hunger nor thirst, only the need to move freely. In this rocket, here he felt healthy in a way. Healthy is perhaps not the right expression, rather fully operational. Even if Torio couldn't use his legs, he was in that special atmosphere, agile as anybody else. Even more skilled and agile than many of his colleagues. On this mission he had to give up a lot, a lot of things, but he didn't care. He would give everything to be able to move freely. Walking, running, jumping, dancing and playing football ... just like in the old days.

'Nonsense ... I wouldn't be here, no astronaut, space explorer or alien hunter if ...

"Earth to Torio! Your mum still sends her regards, we had to give her a sedative, the pain of separation was too much for her. But don't worry, she's fine", restrained giggling could be heard, everyone knew the exaggerated caring and hysterical expressions of Eleonore Jamatosch. "Oh, Mum...", moaned Torio. "You should be proud and rejoice with me instead of making a fuss and losing your nerve down there." But he couldn't even blame her. Now he had also left her, he looked so much like his father who had died in the accident. Tall and slim, striking features with big eyes that were always half-closed and looked slightly bored. But the most beautiful were his narrow lips, which ended in dimples and always seemed to smile like a cat. The regular gym gave him an Adonis body, only his legs were too thin and weak. Despite today's medical possibilities, there was no way out of the wheelchair for Torio ... until today.

The next few months would be a challenge, a lonely, hard time full of scientific studies and analysis, accurate documentation and reporting. But free and mobile and not helpless.

"Don't forget the first photos! hourly panoramic shots, check the temperature changes and..." The voice from the microphone was replaced by loud bass tones. "Boom, boom..." The electric guitar began. "Boom, boom, and again. "Everything was roaring and vibrating in the little rocket. Torio made a grimace and held his middle finger in front of the screen.

"and, Jesus Christ. Don't scare the aliens with that J-Rock!"

This was another one of his hobbies. Rock music, preferably Japanese, and playing the guitar. His friends and work mates were infected by him, even the base became a rock concert and therefore the most popular.

Without these loud, emotional songs he would not have been able to bear the loss of his father and the bitter realization of his lifelong disability. The aggressive rhythms and stirring tacks kept pulling the 14 year old out of the black holes he was threatening to sink into. During this terrible time, his two "friends" were also created, at first thought of as toys, who remotely carried out all his commands. Ryota and Tomaya. Just like Torio, they too "grew" over time and for the young man it is impossible to imagine life without them. You can imagine the two like the companions of Luke Skywalker. r2d2 and c3po, where in this case both robots are talking. In a less sophisticated language, with numerous coarse bachelor sayings and nine times wise wisdom. But always trying to help their owner, which was necessary in some situations. Torio was able to come to terms with them, they grabbed at him without cautious glances at his lower body. Handled more delicate matters without trembling fingers and reddened cheeks. With them, he never felt he had a restriction. They were just always there and would probably remain so forever.