Ad Terram in Luna [Chapter3] - a space story by SE
Posted 05-02-2012 at 02:44 PM by Samuel Edwards
"Ad Terram in Luna”
"To Land On the Moon"
"To Land On the Moon"
“The Exploits of Three Men, and the Moon"
[Chapter3]
Monday
It was 2:00 in the morning when my alarm clock went off. I rose from my bed and picked up the phone to inform Dick and Rich and explained that the mission was off. “Well that blows! We stayed up late last night for this?” Dick said. “Yeah, I know; but at least the engine exploded now instead of while we were launching.”
“Yeah true, but what happens now? Clarkson funded this mission personally and no doubt holds us responsible.”
“I’m not sure; the engineer said that the mission was off until further notice. Let’s head over to the VAB a see----“
The power failed in our building. All of the sudden, the power started surging; when the power finally came back on I called Dick again and told him to meet me at the VAB at 4:00AM. Suddenly, there was a knock at my door. I opened the door to see Kelly Clarkson standing there. She was still dressed in her robe and had scruffy hair. “Come in” I said, “What brings you here, Kelly?”
“I suppose you heard about the mission?”
“Yes, I got a call about it last night when we got back from the simulator. So, what do you need here?”
“Well… I came to tell you that my father wants to see you. He doesn’t seem happy at all. I wouldn’t be happy if the mission I funded literally blew up in my face either.”
I was shocked in horror to hear her say those words. “Okay, tell him I will be there around 4:00” I said. “Will do, George” Kelly whispered while walking down the hall. I remembered thinking that I was about to be attached to a Solid Rocket Booster and sent to orbit without a suit and reentry shielding; the equivalent of being sent down a certain creek without a paddle. The thought went through my mind until I finally got in my car. I was going to stop at the cafeteria for breakfast, but decided against it. When I finally got to the VAB, I looked at what once was a DGIV. The craft was blown into two parts, pieces all around the building. A mangled piece of metal lying on the second side of the VAB was the cockpit. “Good Morning Dick.” I muttered, “What does Mr. Clarkson want?”
“Well, I’m guessing he wants us here so he can yell…” Dick was interrupted by Clarkson. “What I called you fools here for is to find out what the heck you did wrong!”
“Wrong, sir? What did we do wrong? We didn’t do anything wrong, sir.” I said in a firm sarcastic voice.
“A multi-billion dollar DeltaGliderIV is laying in pieces all over the field, and you ask me what you did wrong? What kind of astronauts are you!?
“A sir…?”
“WHAT”
“You aren’t… you aren’t going to strap me to an SRB are you?” I whined
“Now why the hell would I do that? How did you even pass your training with your brain in the shape it is in now?” He roared, “Just go away until I call you again; you Filthy underclasses.” Clarkson walked off and got in his truck and drove away.
“Well, that went better than I thought it would.” I said to Dick. “What was that about being attached to an SRB? Did you have a bad night?”
“Yes, I did. Come on, I’ll give you a rider to the cafeteria.” I retorted. “Sorry, I would but I have to get back to my room.”
We said goodbye and went our separate ways. Driving down the road, I glanced at the clock; it read 5:00AM. “Darn, they’ve stopped serving hamburgers. Can things get worse?” I thought to myself. Finally reaching the parking lot, I noticed a small piece of metal in the space beside me. “Hmm, that’s strange. The fragments of the DGIV should not have come out this far.” I said aloud.
*ring* went a bell notifying that I had entered.
The sound of 1950’s music played quietly over the speakers in the back room. Around the corner were a few rows of booths and tables. The Walls were of a distinct red color and the floors were a bright blue color. I walked in line and made myself ready to order breakfast. “Next in line please.” said Frank, who happened to be the owner of the place. “Ah yes, I’d like the BLT sandwich and a hash brown on the side, Frank.”
“Good choice, George. Go take a seat and I will have your food ready for you in a jiffy.” said Frank. I sat down at the table nearest to the fire exit.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see someone staring me down. I turned to look and saw Kelly sitting at the table across from me. “Do you want to come sit with me, George?” She said with a smile. “There is no reason to sit alone.” I moved to her table and sat on the opposite side of her. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice you.”
“Well, it’s not like you can really recognize someone with engine oil on their face. So, how’s it been so far?”
“Well, it’s not a good day to be George Dawson. Your father is blaming me and Dick Mills for the explosion last night,”
“That sounds like my father all right. He doesn’t mean it, I’m sure…” Kelly was interrupted as the power in the cafeteria surged. “That has been happening all day. Funny though, this is the first day this has happened since we moved to Wideawake.” Frank joined in, “Yeah, it has been happening since last night. Around the time the DGIV exploded, in fact. I got a call from a friend in the city saying that the same thing has been happening over there at the harbor. By the way, Kelly, your meal was burned. Unfortunately I don’t have any more Canadian bacon; I’m sorry.”
“That’s too bad” Kelly sighed, “I’ll have to order something…”
I interrupted, “Frank, how big is the BLT I ordered?” “It’s about seven inches wide and rather thick.” Frank said. “Add another hash brown to the order please.”
“Aye, alright that will be an additional $2.00, George.”
I handed frank the money and he left to get back into the kitchen. “You didn’t have to do that, George” said Kelly. “No, I didn’t. You can’t get a refund here. I didn’t want you to have to pay twice; besides, you worked hard today and the day hasn’t even started yet.” I said with a smile. A silence fell upon the room as we waited for our breakfast to arrive.
[Sorry for the late entry, Scav. I was kinda busy]
Total Comments 4
Comments
-
They have that creek in Florida, too?
What's he going to do about that evidence, I wonder? It sounds important.Posted 05-02-2012 at 04:41 PM by Scav 
-
Well, in Florida yes, but also in Wideawake where the story is taking place.
Posted 05-02-2012 at 07:49 PM by Samuel Edwards 
-
I know.
That was more of a personal observation, anyway (at least about the creek).
I do like how your dialogue flows between character, though -- it's very much like a real conversation.
Posted 05-02-2012 at 11:08 PM by Scav
-
Ha ha! Thanks.
Posted 05-03-2012 at 12:41 PM by Samuel Edwards
