KONOS
It's so nice to finally meet each and everyone of you.
He shook everyone's hand.
KONOS
I was just saying to Secretary Miyamoto, how glad I am of the how the selection went.
MIYAMOTO
My congratulations to all of you for being selected for this extraordinary opportunity!
KONOS
Yes, well done everybody. My clones certainly didn't make it easy for you...
Everybody burst out laughing. It was a liberating feeling, Junior thought, having shared the pain and the anguish of the selection process with each of them, finally being able to laugh about it.
KONOS
It is a first, isn't it?
X-466
Quite right!
CLARA
A first what?
KONOS
The very first time we allow anyone else on board our ship! I have very high expectations...
He said, with another smile.
IRINA
We will not disappoint!
KONOS
Thank you, Irina.
As he had done that time in the library, Konos looked up, staring longingly into the distance.
KONOS
Life in space... is always difficult...
He said, absorbed in thought.
KONOS
Together we are embarking on a voyage of cosmic importance. Two species, sharing a home travelling through the stars... It's very likely that a feat like this has never happened in the whole galaxy, perhaps even the entire universe...
He turned to talk to the boys and girls in front of him.
KONOS
But is that what you're worried about right now? I guess not... I guess you are thinking about your family, your friends, the loved ones you're leaving behind... in the coming years I want you to remember them, you need to remember them!
Junior couldn't look at Konos anymore. He couldn't help but think about his mother and his sister.
KONOS
You need to remember the love you have for them and the love they feel for you because, and trust me on this, love is the only thing that will keep you going. Love... love so deep it won't make you forget your home, love so big it will give you the strength to carry on regardless, love so vast it will comfort you and reassure you and love so strong it will always, always remind you of who you are.
Junior finally looked up at Konos. No matter how far the distance, no matter how much time between them, he was never going to forget his family. His father, his mother, his sister, his grampa, he was never going to forget them.
KONOS
I have taken enough of your time for now...
He turned to Secretary Miyamoto.
KONOS
I believe you needed some time with them?
MIYAMOTO
Indeed... we will be having a press conference tonight and we have some things to go over...
As he was being led away, Junior smiled at Konos.
JUNIOR
See you soon!
Konos nodded gently. As the group was leaving, X-466 turned to him.
X-466
I see... still not telling them the real reason behind our journey...
KONOS
There's really no need for that. We'll find another planet suitable for our species...
X-466
All suitable planets we found so far were already inhabited by intelligent beings...
KONOS
And isn't that amazing!
The clone chuckled.
X-466
From a scientific point of view? It is indeed quite remarkable...
KONOS
So let's not lose faith! The galaxy is huge and there's still a lot left for us to explore.
X -466
Understood.
He replied with a smile.
Meanwhile on the starship.
A-113
Is everything ready?
R-328
Everything's ready to welcome our guests...
A-113
Excellent! So tell me, what should we expect from them?
R-328
Well... if the past is any indication, we shouldn't have any problem with this lot.
A-113
Meaning?
R-328
Meaning you don't have to worry about them!
A-113
Are you sure R-328?
R-328
I'm quite sure A-113. They are the least of our worries...
Once again, the clone was right. Unfortunately though, unbeknownst to them, deep inside the bowels of the starship, taking advantage of its sheer size to hide in, an unseen menace remained stowed away in the dark, it too getting ready to welcome the new passengers...
