CULTURE
The Intergalactic
Space Chronicle
Belgium to Mars - Welcome to the Space Orient Express
By M.B. Alexander
Is a four-year journey on a space train hurtling through the darkness of space to Mars worth it? One thing is for sure, you really do need to love trains to buy a ticket. This journey is no ordinary “whisk away” on a space shuttle, every detail of this train is a perfect replica of the original Orient Express. Only the view has changed to an endless dark abyss.
But if you can look past the unchanging scenery, there are plenty of tech additions to this “old” replica that will keep you very busy. So much so that you may even forget to get off the train. Imagine the awkwardness of arriving back on Earth after eight years of traveling in space to nowhere.
That's why we strongly urge people to set an extreme form of alarm. Such as a task robot that will disconnect you from virtual devices and long-distance Earth Avatars upon arrival. Also, make sure to set the auto-timer of the “do not disturb” sign-off around the estimated arrival time to Mars.
On the brighter side, yes, you can have breakfast in the morning on the orient express and in the afternoon, due to the upgraded outer-net connection to Earth, turn on your Earthbound Android Avatar and go about your daily business on Earth. By dinner time simply disconnect and join everyone for supper in a luxurious dining cabin.
Just don't forget to use an auto-muscle activator so you don't suffer from any muscle atrophy. Perhaps some slimming cream would also do you well, to balance the lack of movement. No one wants to turn into a space blob on their way to Mars.
Virtual Reality is also a perfectly viable option on this journey. If you get bored on the train, just log into a nice beach simulation with some pretty fish head waiters. Or dive off some waterfalls into some jello lagoons.
If you get sick of the humans, androids, hybrids, or other sentient beings (formally known as aliens), each room has its own food replicator, so you don't even have to leave the room.
In conclusion, should you go for “All aboard the Space Orient Express”? Why not? What do you have to lose? Maybe you’ll age a bit, but that's nothing a good skin replacement, nanoparticle facelift, or organ upgrade, can't take care of.