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BUTTERFLY LOVE IN SPACE-7

CHAPTER 14

When Daniella started to work she was twenty two and a half years old, while Daniel had already two years of experience, and he was about two years older than she. They worked at the same research institution, only two different departments, according to their professions. Daniel himself had recommended the project for investigation, which had been accepted and he was promoted as a research leader. His project about the prevention of forest fires had a great prospect for success, and tremendous financial value for Canada’s future. Daniella has been put into a team for the research of plants growing in space, and production of medicals from those plants. She had to work more in the laboratory, not like Daniel in the cubical. The project was very interesting for every scientist, especially for the young ones, who were very enthusiastic. Daniella was one of those, no question about it. She was so happy, liked to go to work, wanted to stay at work as long as necessary, and at home talked with Daniel about every experiment. When she spoke on the phone with her mom, one only needed to listen to her to hear how she spoke with enthusiasm. Her director Dr Stefan Raymond noticed her enthusiasm and he was glad that they had selected her as a young scientist on the team.

While the two of them were walking down Sussex Drive they stopped in front of a jeweler store with very nice rings and earrings. While Daniella was watching Daniel suggested her:

-Let us go in!

–OK, she said, and they entered. After they were saluted by a girl, Daniel asked:

-Kindly, show us all the rings, which she did with pleasure. Then he asked Daniella:

-Which of these rings would you prefer?

She looked at him, surprised, and showed him one. Then Daniel asked the girl:

-I’d like you to take our measurements and order it.

Daniella didn’t believe it, but smiled and hugged him. When they went out he said to her:

-Darling, I want to marry you. –When? She asked. –For your next birthday, if you agree?

Arriving home, Daniella immediately phoned her mom. They both were very happy, and Erika asked her: -When have you planned for it? –For my birthday, she said.

–That means in May, answered mama Erika.

Soon news spread between families and friends, and they all started to get ready for the wedding.

Daniella’s birthday was May 25th, and Daniel’s on October 1st. They used to celebrate their birthdays together on a weekend between, but this special party they decided exactly to be on her birthday, which happened to be on Saturday of that year. Daniel and Daniella invited their friends from their institutes, while both parents invited their own friends. The wedding was arranged at the Orthodox Church St. Stephan. On the day of her wedding Daniella would be exactly twenty three years of age. Daniel wanted her to be double-happy.

When the wedding day arrived, invited guests were at the church, while parents were two days before that at the newlywed's home, helping them to get everything ready. At the wedding ceremony beside the priest a city representative also attended. Everything went through as officially as it should be, and after that they all went to the restaurant, just across the street to have a festive dinner. Daniella had accepted both family names Janssen–Edwards. Their parents showed an extreme amount of satisfaction and happiness, since they considered both newlyweds honest and serious. Invited guests had a great time, and they all congratulated the newlyweds, wishing them all the best. When the party was over, guests went to homes, some of them even after midnight. Daniella and Daniel with their parents went to their apartment, where they went on a honeymoon trip, and the next day parents went back to their homes in Toronto. Daniel even didn’t want to tell their parents where they would go, but a day later he phoned them from Yellowknife. He, himself, was always fond of the Canadian North, so he wanted to have a great time with his wife and show her the Northern beauties.

Yellowknife, Diamond of the North, is a place of beautiful contrasts. Located on the northside of Great Slave Lake, modern high-rise towers overlook the rustic heritage buildings. The brilliance of summer’s midnight sun gives way to dazzling winter displays of the aurora borealis with spectral rainbow colors. Yellowknife is a capital at the edge of the wilderness, rich in history, culture, adventure and prosperity. Yellowknife has a population between 20,000 and 25,000 of many southern and northern cultures. It is a modern city that still acts like a small town and this gives the city its unique flavor. Yellowknife celebrates National Aboriginal Day (June 21st).

There is easy access to fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping, golfing and nature viewing. The city also features many parks and playgrounds. In the city is the famous Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center, the museum of Northern life and art. This museum is also a home of delicious restaurants, with specialties of bison meat.

Yellowknife welcomes over 50.000 visitors a year, and close to 35,000 of them travel to the North of the Arctic Circle. Most of them want to experience some of the last untouched wilderness on the planet, world class of fishing and hunting, the Midnight Sun and Aurora Borealis, and Canadian unique culture. Indians, North Canadians, are friendly people, eager to meet others, and recommend their best spots for enjoyment. Some visitors, about 8,000 a year, prefer to visit in the winter. Daniel and Daniella used WestJet flights from Ottawa, through Calgary and Edmonton. Regardless of how anybody arrives, everybody is very welcomed to beautiful Yellowknife. For those who are coming by car, the 60th Parallel Visitor Information Center is open from May 15 to September 15, where everyone is welcomed and offered maps, instructions and free coffee.

Thanks to the constant sunlight, during SubArctic summer, many Yellowknifers find they can get two days packed into one. So, visitors also in summer have twice as much time to enjoy, and their memories will last forever. It seems that nowhere are there so many lakes and rivers close, so there’s no better way to reach deep Northern serenity than here. You are never far from a lake in Yellowknife, so it’s always and everywhere picnic time. Yellowknife’s midnight sun makes it one of the best places in Canada to work on a suntan. As summer turns to fall, Yellowknife’s surrounding shrubbery explodes with cranberries, ripe for the picking. But, where there are berries, there are bears.

The North Western Territories have thousands of lakes, but the most impressive thing is that all parks around lakes are so well arranged for tourists and trails through forests so well marked and protected that everyone enjoys their visits and their stay. Yellowknifers go to the country as soon as the first warm days come. Many of them even start swimming in lakes before all ice melts.

Cameron Falls is about 45 minutes drive north from Yellowknife, by the Ingraham Trail and about 30 minutes walk from parking to the best picnic spot, overlooking beautiful waterfalls at Cameron River. Around the waterfalls the air feels so fresh that everyone breathes with full lungs. Cameron falls are 17-meter high - particularly stunning after the year’s first snowfall. Similar to this is Prelude lake. The Ingraham Trail begins in Yellowknife and extends 70 km to Tibbitt Lake. It runs through Yellowknife cottage country. Prelude Lake Territorial Park is the largest campground along the Ingraham Trail. The lake has a small sandy beach, a boat launch, and docking facilities. A panoramic view from the top is unforgettable. Yellowknife City had made spectator’s platforms deep in the forest, specially designed for tourists who come to see the boreal.

Long Lakeis located just across the airport and has a sandy beach, very close to the city. It is a very popular recreational area with many water activities, including swimming, boating, water skiing, wind sailing and jet skiing.

Practically in the city of Yellowknife there are Frame Lake; Range Lake; Jackfish Lake; Niven Lake and Kam Lake. The biggest lake, of course, is Great Slave Lake, the tenth largest in the world by area, and second largest in Canada (28,438 km²), one of the deepest lakes in North America. In the lake there are hundreds of rocky islands and cliffs where eagles and hawks nest.

The Northwest Territories are vast open landscapes with scenic boreal forests, breathtaking waterfalls, mountains, plains and valleys. The natural beauty of territorial parks, picnic areas, campgrounds and traditional villages are all extraordinary. All parks are well maintained and wildlife opportunities are magnificent. NWT parks and campgrounds are owned and operated by the Government of the Northwest Territories, open from May 15th to September 15th and done perfectly.

After crossing the 60th Parallel (Alberta–Northwest Territories border), on the way to Yellowknife there are many lakes, waterfalls and parks. Wrigley Community has most Denepeople, who live in log homes and carry on their traditional hunting, fishing and trapping. Rae-Edzo place (pop. 1600), is the largest Dene community, an old hunting and trading spot.

North of the Arctic Circle, where there are 24-hours of daylight for six weeks during summer is Inuvik, where Canada had the large-scale exploration of oil in the Beaufort Sea. Inuvik is a modern Arctic community (pop. 4,000) in the Mackenzie Delta. Being 220 km north of the Arctic Circle, Inuvik experiences the true Midnight Sun from May 24 to July 24. The Sun does not set for 57 days. This was a time when Daniel and Daniella happened to be there, so they enjoyed that natural and unique phenomenon. This is contrasted by about 30 days in winter (December 5 to January 5) when the sun does not rise above the horizon, but still provides four hours of twilight. Tuktoyaktuk is one of few places in the world where there are ice hills, a unique experience on the flat Arctic tundra. The Mackenzie River stretches 2896 kilometers through the Northwest Territories, flowing from the western reaches of Great Slave Lake to the Delta at Inuvik and to the Arctic Ocean.

Old Town is where Yellowknife’s gold-mining started. It is home to many long-time residents, as well as the Aboriginal settlement of N’Dilo. This is the city’s waterfront, a place to buy art and enjoy the sunshine. Old Town is the cultural heart of Yellowknife. The Gallery of the Midnight Sun is the NWT largest gallery and gift shop which offers fine arts and crafts from across the North, including Inuit sculpture. Just Furs sells the North’s best selection of furs and jeweler. Particularly nice is the building of the Legislative Assembly, designed in the shape of a snowflake to resemble a snow-house. At the Great Slave Lake there are about 20 multi-colored floating houses, in which people live year-round, in order not to pay taxes. Just a few kilometers from Yellowknife by the Ingraham Trail there was a gold mine, which has been closed. Diamonds are what makes the city famous the world over, and gives it the title of Diamond Capital of North America. There are now three diamond mines (Ekati, Diavik and Snap Lake) in operation (up to 300 km north from the city), as well as diamond cutting and polishing plants in downtown Yellowknife. Canada is now the third largest producer of diamonds worldwide. Yellowknife may have been built on gold, but its fortunes are now tied to a different type of rock – Diamond.

Daniel and Daniella spent two weeks in Yellowknife and surrounding places, on their honeymoon enjoying nature and each other very much. They made many pictures and Daniel also wrote notes, which he had shown to their friends at the NRC. All of them, and their parents enjoyed pictures, and they all agreed that Canadian North is phenomenal and worth seeing. Daniella was especially impressed with the North and it became clear to her why Daniel had loved it so much. While summarizing their impressions she said:

-Next time we have our vacation, we will definitely go to investigate Canadian natural beauties.

When they met Daniella’s parents, her father Dennis asked about their intention of building them a house. Daniel said:

-We have seen some locations and found one on the hill which has a view toboth rivers (Rideau and Ottawa), where they join. The terrain is a bit hilly, so I think that a house needs to be on two different levels.–No problems with that, replied Dennis, adding: -We can make it such that the garage is at the lowest level, and the living area at the ground level. Those types of houses can look very nice. Now, since you are in Ottawa, when you have time, find and buy a lot, and the rest of the business will be mine. You know, when you buy a lot it will be registered to your two names as a property, and we will make a house, that will be our responsibility. –We agree, said Daniel.

By the end of a year Daniel and Daniella bought a lot and informed Dennis and Erika, as well as Una and Michael. They all agreed to start building a house by the springtime. When the spring arrived Dennis brought his team of coworkers, who inspected a lot, took measurements and gave the first task to the geometers to do their plans. When that was done then the design plan was made by the architect and statistician, while Dennis ordered materials to be delivered to the site. As his workers were always paid on time they started without delay, and building went fast.

In about three months a house was done. Some details were left to Daniel and Daniella to do it as they wanted personally. That was the basement and some paintings. They told parents that they themselves wanted to do it for their own experience and their satisfaction. When they looked for the first time from the top balcony, down to rivers, they loved the view so much, and they felt so happy. Dennis had even built solar collectors at the roof on both sides.

CHAPTER 15

It's the year 2038, Daniel’s fourth year in the National Research Council, and Daniella’s second. They are married for about a year, and they have made a new house. They are young, love each other, they both love their jobs, and they have good friends. Summer is sufficiently hot, but they do not go swimming into the Ottawa Rivers. They consider it polluted and don’t want to risk it. On weekends they drive to lakes, which are much more clear and safer. At the same time they enjoy fishing. In the evening they grill the fish, and enjoy its smell. So, one evening they were sitting in front of the motel at Cedar Lake, near Brent, in the Algonquin Provincial Park, with a group of people, roasting a fish and listening to music. Full moon shines through tree branches, and a breeze was blowing making small waves on the illuminated water. A few of them are singing, making the evening unforgettable. Daniel was sitting in the chair with his right arm hanging on Daniella's shoulder, and watching the clear sky. He was absorbed in thoughts about their future which was recently noted to Daniella.

Her manager, lady, Dr Louise Stahowsky mentioned to Daniella:

-Daniella, as you see our experiments are going well, so it seems to me that we will need to do experiments in space, at the International Space Station (ISS). So, be ready to expect that you might even go there. But, to be ready you would need to know Russian, among other things. As you know here in the NRC we have the possibility of learning any language. I know that you speak English, French and even a bit of Polish (as a Slavic Language). Therefore, it won’t be difficult for you to learn Russian. Speak to your husband, so you can start it together.

When they came home Daniella told Daniel what her manager told her, and asked him what he thinks about taking Russian lessons. Daniel answered her:

-Generally I have nothing against it. I think it is obvious, it is always good to know one more language, and we never know what the future could bring us, so I accept it and we’ll go.

Thenext day Daniella had informed her manager that they both accept her suggestion, and they are ready to start. The Russian language was not difficult for them, since Daniel’s origin has roots from Serbia and he already knows that language, and Daniella knows a bit of Polish through her mother, and both of those languages are Slavic, which Russian is too. They started and they were both very good students and had good success.

Both of them also concluded that they need to study for the Masters and PhD degrees, in order to remain in the business of fundamental research. So, they had decided to start at Carleton University, in their own branch. There were possibilities to work, periodically attend lectures and consultations, and study Russian language at their institution. Their decision was based on the fact that they could do that before children came. Both of their parents asked them:

-Do you kids think that you can do all that while working?

-Yes, we do, as some other people do, why couldn’t we!

They started learning the language almost immediately, and the Masters degree started at the beginning with a school year. As far as the research subjects were concerned, each of them had their investigation, so their experimental results will be ready as soon as it will be necessary. Preparation for exams they did mainly by reading at home, in the evenings and on weekends. It took them up to two years to finish and get diplomas, first for Masters, and the second two years for the PhD. Meanwhile, they have completed the Russian language, too.By the year 2042nd they were married for four years, completed Masters and PhDs, had a house and were very well recognized at work, with some scientific papers published in scientific journals. Daniel was 29 and Daniella 27 years old. They have started to plan for their first child.

When Daniella mentioned, during the lunch, their intention to her manager Stahowsky, she said that she would like to speak with her about some interesting ideas. They agreed to meet at the office after lunch.

Dr Stahowsky first praised Daniella, telling:

-Daniella, we are impressed with your work and seriousness. We know that your husband isalso a good coworker, so since we have cooperation with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) we have planned to send a couple to the International Space Station (ISS) for the fertilization, and we think that you two as a couple, are an ideal sample for that. I’d like you to think about this, speak with your husband, and we will give you more information about it. Let me know when you are ready to sit and speak.

This surprised Daniella and she didn’t say anything. She went out silently. When she met Daniel on the way home, she told him what her manager told her. Daniel, like she, in the beginning, didn’t have anything to say. At home both of them were silent, thinking about it, but haven’t exchanged information. They didn’t even want to phone their parents before they got more information. The next day Daniella went to her manager, telling her:

-We need to sit with you, and those involved, to tell us more about it, otherwise we are not able to sleep. Then Dr Stahowsky said:I will arrange with Dr Raymond and Dr Anastasia Christopher (Head of Medical Research at CSA) and let you know. Your husband needs to be present as well. We will arrange that with his manager. Daniella phoned Daniel about it, although that unexpected news kept them anxious.

When they were invited, first Dr Anastasia Christopher was introduced to Daniella and Daniel. Afterwards she started to talk about common project that the CSA and NRC had in plan:

-I believe that you are informed that we already had experiments regarding human fertilization under non-gravity conditions. Those were successful, but we need to go further on. Our plan is now to send a couple together to the International Space Station (ISS) where they will conduct natural fertilization, and she will remain there the whole time until the baby will be born. The ISS is now much bigger, very comfortable, equipped with all necessary facilities like any modern hospital, where astronauts live more or less like on the Earth. We have found you two are an ideal couple who can run that experiment. I will be with you all the time. That will be one of the greatest human experiments, so far, and you will be famous in history with your child, definitely, no doubt. Accepting this, you would need to pass all sorts of training, as a preparation for life without gravity, but you will be under the best control, and hide from any news. In addition, I can suggest that you not even inform your relatives and friends, just to keep this secret.

Then others participated in discussion, mainly to relax Daniella and Daniel, and they wanted them to discuss it as well. They gave them a few days to sleep over and think it over before answering yes or no.The meeting had finished on a good note.

When Daniel met his department director Dr Edward Cook, Daniel just said to him: -Good morning, and continued silently. Dr Cook was informed about the CSA plan, but didn’t want to show that to Daniel. Cook's question: -How are you Daniel? Daniel shortly answered: -I am OK, Thank you. For two days after the meeting Daniel and Daniella didn’t discuss the subject much. They both were silent and worried. Daniel didn’t mind for himself, going to space to sojourn there for a month or so, but he was worried for Daniella, who has to pass through all the experiments and live in space for up to a year. Who knows what could happen, especially when the baby comes. There were a thousand things that were passing through his head. But, fortunately, as the time was passing both of them were in a better mood. When Daniella’s manager Dr Stahowsky noticed a smile on Daniella’s face she asked her:

-Are you in better spirits now? Yes, answered Daniella.

–I can tell you that we were both worried very much. It’s not easy to accept it, but at the same time it’s not easy to refuse it. That’s a great dilemma.

-Well, when you are ready let us know, we’ll organize a meeting at which more experts will instruct you about preparation and the whole project details.

About ten days passed, while they followed some news, read internet information and books, and got ready to give a positive reply. Both Daniella and Daniel each informed their managers about their readiness for further discussion.

When the meeting was organized, managers and department directors were present, together with Dr Anastasia Christopher and former astronaut Chris Hadfield from the Canadian Space Agency. The meeting was secret, held at the Space Agency, and kept as a-top secret news.

The first astronaut spoke, giving information about the ISS, how large and comfortable it was, how it is equipped, and what was possible to do there. Then he said:

-TheInternational Space Station rotates every 92 minutes around the Earth, seeing the sun rise and sun set 15.6 times in 24 hours. The ISS flies by the speed of 28,000 km/h. We, as the Canadian Space Agency, cooperate with NASA, with Russians, with Europeans, Japanese and Chinese. At all times astronauts from all these countries are present there. They are experts in different fields, but everyoneis ready to undertake command of the station under any circumstances. We are in non-stop contact with Star City in Moscow, with Cape Canaveral and Mission Control in Huston, as well as other centers. Special emissions go from Kazakhstan, as well as most of the supply, while astronauts mainly return to Cape Canaveral. Life and work at the ISS is comfortable and very interesting. We, who were there, liked it very much. Since this journey is unusual you have to pass through some preparation, such as flying by the military jets, learning to fly under no-gravity, etc. Believe me, it will be interesting and fun. I wish you every happiness and success. Good luck.

Dr Anastasia Christopher told a bit more about necessary inspection before flight, at the Multilateral Space Medicine Board (MSMB), as well as about quarantine in order to be protected from catching infections on Earth, which will make the person sick and less productive in space.If one catches a cold in space, without gravity sinuses don’t clear and the immune system doesn’t fight back as effectively. If one of the astronauts catches influence, it’s pretty much guaranteed that the rest of the crew will be infected too. Allpassengers are quarantined in Baikonur, Kazakhstan by Roscosmos.The quarantine is as psychological as much as it is medical.

Daniella and Daniel had to start exercises and no-gravity walking. In the beginning it was fun, unusual and interesting, so they enjoyed it. As the procedure continued their instructors were satisfied, writing their notes for everything. It was November, in Canada and already winter time with snow in Ottawa. The leaves from trees already fell off, and cold winds were blowing. Daniella asked Daniel:

-What kind of weather do we expectin space?

He laughed, answering her that it is the same all the time.

When they were ready, both of them were released from their institutions, without any explanation to the staff, and they were sent to Moscow, for further activities. Even though they were predominantly concentrated on the exercises for space, they were looking forward to seeing Moscow, knowing that it must look wonderful. Daniel mentioned to Daniella that his grandfather told him about Moscow many times, since he was there eight times and had seen great galeries and the Metro, for which he was telling the world the best.

It will be continued

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