Master Chief Petty Officer Kazuhira Okasaki stood with his hands behind his back as the admiral initiated lift off. He was watching out of his office window, a decent space, holding all that was needed for him to run the Engineering division. Kaz walked over to the command station in the far corner of his office, across the room from his desk. Half a dozen monitors adorned the wall, all flashing information and readouts. 400 Engineers stood by, awaiting orders. His personal assistant, Petty Officer Third Class Monica Lowish sat at the station, ready to relay orders to all units. 

"Initiate Monitoring Procedures, man assigned stations. The launch must be a smooth one." Kaz said, pacing the office. The woman nodded, going to work on the station, typing commands and speaking over the intercom. "Make sure the engines are operating at a safe capacity, as well as the reactor." He added, walking to his desk and sitting down. He had three monitors set up, all controlled with a keyboard of his own design that allowed him to manipulate every aspect he wanted. He pulled up the cryogenic vault on a security camera and scrolled through the views until he found lane 07-B. He saw Akio's pod and the boy was safely in it, comfortably asleep. He wouldn't be surprised if the child hated him when he awoke. When ever that was. "All units report smooth functions across all systems so far, Chief." Lowish stated, in a formal tone. "Thank you Monica, please alert me if any serious developments occur." Kaz replied, rising from his desk and exiting the room.

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"But why do we have to leave Mom!?" Akio demanded for the 12th time as they approached the ark. Kaz sighed, putting on his traditional black military cap, the rank of Master Chief adorned on it. "She's sick, Akio. They can't take anyone sick on the flight." His eyes were watery, he was an emotional boy. "Then why are we even going on this stupid flight? And why are you dressing like that?" Kaz didn't know how to make him understand, he was good with people, but no amount of charisma could make your child understand why he was abandoning the only family and home he had ever known. "Because we must, Akio, we have no choice. Now relax, we only have a few more hours before we get there." Akio huffed angrily and crossed his arms, looking out the window of the plane that was transporting them.

Kaz glanced at him sadly and leaned back, closing his eyes. 

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Kaz walked the halls of the ark, watching his men and others hurry about with their duties. All information was being relayed on his PDA and trough an earpiece. Monica would let him know if something needed his attention. Finally, he felt the Ark rock slightly as they lifted off into the sky. Hundreds of thousands of people on this ship, to take humanity to a new future. One that wouldn't drive them to extinction. Only those who would remain, on Mars and Earth. And Kaz knew.


[center][i]There's no turning back now.[/i][/center]