I've been re-visiting Project Hail Mary and all I can think of is what was going through the heads of the scientists during the final few days up to the launch?
Firstly, they would have had to grapple with the explosion. It wasn't just DuBois and Shapiro. There were 14 other scientists there. 14 of their colleges lost. They are days away from launch and have just lost so many. And they lost probably their most important astronauts. Yes, the others required but it's the science officers who are the ones expected to find the solution and save Earth. And they are both gone. There is no time.
Then they hear that there is a new option. Dr Grace. That news would cause mixed emotions for everyone. They now have a chance. But at the same time, its Grace. The human core of this project. Stratt can't be emotional, can't be overly supportive of their work but Grace can and is. He's their guy.
Imagine Dr Lamai and her crew of doctors, being told to go to their medical center. Being told that Grace has agreed but since he hasn't trained for the initial take off, they all agreed he would be induced into a coma early to make the transition to space easier. They arrive at the medical bay, expecting to see Grace there. Ready to give him their thanks for what he's doing. Instead, they find Grace already unconscious. They find armed guards around him. No one says anything but they all see the handcuffs securing him to the bed. They do a quick medical checkup. There is not much they can do to prevent any possible problems. If he has wisdom teeth or his appendix, there is no time to fix that. But they do their best. They all try to ignore the nasty bruising on his back in the shape of handprints, the dirt and blood under his fingernails. The clear signs of a fight.
Carl stands over them at all times but, they all notice, he won't look any of them in the eye. And as they induce the coma, they are all horribly aware that this is not right. That a willing participant doesn't need to be tied down. Doesn't need to be beaten. But they do what they are told, send a now comatose Grace on his way.
Later the remaining scientists gather to watch the launch. They see Yao and Ilyukhina getting ready to walk into the shuttle. They both look drawn. Haunted. Not the heroes they are. And the space beside them that should have held a third person is like a gaping wound. Because they know what is happening. But no one can stop it.
The shuttle launches, the mission begins. The remaining scientists who stayed to see this to the end watch as the Hail Mary moves further and further from Earth until she is gone. And the whispers start. One of Lamai's team talks, asks questions and it spreads like wildfire.
Dr Lokken, who everyone knew hated Grace, is the loudest voice. She wants to know the truth. Wants justice for the man who she may hate but who she respects more and who didn't deserve this.
Stratt is arrested. Its performative, they all know it. She is the scapegoat for the world. The fall guy to justify abhorrent behaviours. But in the minds of many, there is only one crime she is guilty of.
Lokken fights to get her convicted of murder. Because that's what it was. It doesn't stick but it doesn't really matter. Stratt is sentenced to life without parole. Lokken and the rest of team try to find comfort in it.
They gave the Earth a chance. They can absolve themselves of Yao and Ilyukhina's deaths. They were willing. And the life of one man is trivial compared to the world. But in the cold nights of waiting, to see if the Beetles ever return, they all have to grapple with the knowledge that Earth turned on one of their best. And they were all complicit in murder.
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