"Don't worry, boss," Willard said, "There's an extremophile down there with your name on it."

Connelly gave an unsure smile and returned her eyes to the view above, which was in fact, below. "Please, God, let this work."

"On my mark," Harris said to Choi, who was seated at the next console over. He turned his head to the crew, his smile growing. "Launch."

Choi pushed a single button at her console and a dull thunk reverberated from somewhere else on the ship. Connelly stared up at the clear ceiling. She realized she was holding her breath when her chest began to burn. She let the air out and sucked in another breath. Then something she had never dreamed could be possible floated into view.

The fifty foot, triple diamond shape of TES eased away from the Surveyor, drifting slowly toward Europa. It looked like a black spinning jewel, like some fantastical magical gem. She imagined that entire nations would have fought and died for TES, and now they were sending her away. Connelly felt a wave of sadness sweep through her, but it was quickly replaced by excitement when a burst of blue flame shot out of TES's exterior.

Connelly gripped the table's edge and opened her mouth. Before she could speak, she clenched her jaw tight, having almost made a fool of herself. The blue flames originated from directional jets installed by the GEC. She had forgotten they were there, but quickly remembered what they were. Without them, TES would fall to Europa and crash on impact, destroying her life's work.

TES continued away from the ship, blue jets erupting every now and then, adjusting its course. Occasionally, Connelly would hear Harris or Choi speak some rapid words and work their consoles in a hurry, but her attention was firmly fixed on TES. Connelly broke into a wide smile as TES, which was now the size of a quarter began to open her panels.

She looks like a blooming flower.

The panels opened until they lay out flat, like a defunct radiation symbol. Blue flames burst several times, sending TES into a slight spin as she continued toward the surface. It was soon the size of a dime and in less than a minute, looked like a black speck hovering over the white surface of the moon. Connelly looked away when she could no longer see TES.

"How are we doing?" she asked.

Harris ignored her question and glanced at Choi. "Stabilize."

"On it."

"How are we?"

"A little hot."

"Got it…Altitude."

"Ten."

Ten feet?

"Engage clamps."

"Done."

"Initiate feed."

"Feed is…activated."

"Well done."

Harris and Choi simultaneously leaned back in their chairs, looking very relaxed. Harris glanced up and saw Connelly standing behind him. "Did you say something?"

"Are we? Did you?"