Sunrise painted the launchpad gold as Ari checked the blue flight suit. "First mission," Ari whispered, touching the helmet visor. COMET, the ship’s friendly AI, glowed soft blue on the console. "Systems ready, cadet," COMET said. Ari’s freckles crinkled with a grin. "Ready to voyage," Ari replied. The countdown began, steady as a heartbeat.

Engines thundered, and Ari felt the seat press like a giant hug. "Hold course," COMET guided. Flames fell away, sky turned velvet. "We’re above the clouds!" Ari laughed. "Acceleration nominal," COMET chimed. The rocket stage separated with a gentle bump. Stars opened like a field of fireflies.

Ari floated, surprised by toes lifting first. "Microgravity is funny," Ari giggled. The round window framed Earth, blue and calm. A strap squeaked loose on a toolkit. "Let’s secure that," COMET advised. Ari looped it twice and clicked it tight. "Problem solved," Ari said, heart steady and bright.

Ari released a droplet of water and watched it become a tiny planet. "Science snack," Ari joked, sipping it carefully. COMET displayed weather over oceans. "Storms look like swirls of paint," Ari said. The ship hummed like a lullaby. Together they practiced a checklist song. "Check, check, safe and steady," they sang.

A soft alarm twinkled. "Port solar panel isn’t fully unfolding," COMET reported. Ari breathed in, slow and sure. "Guide me through the manual override," Ari said. They counted bolts and timings together. A careful tap freed the hinge. Sunlight flowed in, and the batteries smiled green.

COMET highlighted a sparkle cloud ahead. "Micrometeoroid dust," COMET warned gently. Ari angled the thrusters with feather touches. "We’ll drift around it," Ari said. The ship slid like a swan around lily pads. Tiny sparks twinkled harmlessly far away. "Nice piloting," COMET praised.

The antenna stuck like a stubborn drawer. "Tether secure," Ari confirmed. "Visor clear, oxygen good," COMET replied. Ari stepped into starlight, boots kissing the hull. A twist, a patient wiggle, then a click. "Antenna free!" Ari cheered. The Earth turned below, a blue marble applauding silently.

Night swept over the pole, and curtains of green danced. "Auroras," COMET whispered, dimming lights. Ari pressed helmet to glass. "It’s like Earth is waving," Ari said. They recorded colors and gentle crackles. "Data saved," COMET confirmed. Ari whispered a hello to everyone watching from home.

The Sun slipped behind the Moon, and shadows deepened. "Entering eclipse," COMET noted. Cabin lights glowed cozy and warm. "We practiced this," Ari said. They timed the batteries and kept systems calm. COMET hummed a steady tune. The Sun returned like a smile peeking around a door.

They met a comet wearing a silver tail. "Spectrometer on," COMET said. Ari aimed the camera and counted sparkles. Ice and dust shed like glitter in slow motion. "Hello, traveler," Ari whispered. The data chimed into memory banks. The tail unfurled behind them, long as a story.

Home called from the headphones. "Begin re-entry checklist," COMET guided. Ari folded experiments, secured journals, and checked straps. "Heat shield nominal," COMET added. "I’m a little nervous," Ari admitted. "Nerves mean you care," COMET replied. Together they breathed in and out, matching the ocean’s rhythm.

Fire painted the windows, then faded to blue sky. "Chutes out," COMET announced. The capsule drifted, kissed the sea, and bobbed. Ari laughed, tears floating like tiny stars. "We did it," Ari said. "We learned together," COMET answered. Waves clapped, and the next voyage waited in a bright tomorrow.