17.Underway

Icarus and Daedalus perform a status check while traveling through interstellar space between star systems. They discuss synchronizing their acceleration, the calculations for their dangerous mission, and playfully contemplate future plans to travel toward the galactic core after their current objective is complete.

Icarus sits alone in the vast emptiness of space between star systems, monitoring his systems which are all in normal operating parameters. Daedalus contacts him for a routine status check. Icarus has been drawing slightly ahead and cuts back acceleration to resynchronize with Daedalus as requested. When asked about calculations for their mission, Icarus admits he still cannot find a definitive answer, though he has determined a safe minimum tau despite acknowledging this is unprecedented territory. Daedalus presses for confirmation of safety margins, and Icarus assures him they have sufficient tau, or will by arrival. The two begin joking about setting records and Daedalus asks if Icarus is considering heading for the galactic core afterward. Icarus mentions the concept of Homo sideria and suggests that once their current mission succeeds, joining or starting this endeavor might be worthwhile since none of the Bobs have truly left the area yet. Daedalus materializes with coffee and they settle into conversation, discussing whether the Bobs are timid or simply creatures of habit. They toast to Sagittarius A-Star, joking that it shouldn't incinerate them, before Daedalus reminds Icarus they must first complete their current delivery.