Three candidates, Vance, Rhea, and Tumi, are preparing for their final solo flight simulation at the Space Academy.

Vance says: "I’ve spent fifty hours in the flight lab master-mapping every thruster malfunction. Whether I pass this flight check is entirely down to my own precise control inputs and quick reactions."

Rhea says: "I am terrified. The flight evaluator assigned to my pod is notoriously strict, and I didn't get to wear my lucky flight boots today, so whether I pass is completely out of my hands."

Tumi says: "I will only refuse to participate in the high-stress simulator run if both of you refuse first, otherwise I’m not going to stand up to the flight directors alone."