Eclipse

I remember when it was the day, the day where history is to be written, the day where wishes and dreams would become reality, the day when the first man walked on the Moon. I entered the loading bridge with NASA logos proudly emblazoned on my spacesuit. As I walked on the rigged steel platform I saw a crowd of people applauding for every step I took, taking me closer to the substantial Apollo 11 rocket.

The nervous thoughts raced and paced inside my anxious mind, wondering about my future and death, and whether the pearl white rocket standing before me would be the cause of my demise. I gait over to the central seat as I hear my astronaut’s boots clang against each other. I put on my astronaut helmet and flick a bunch of random switches that prepare me for takeoff.

A voice then entered the spacecraft through the radio, “This is Houston, confirm readiness for takeoff countdown” a male voice said formally “Roger Houston, ready for takeoff”. I had responded with a shaky voice. “Copy that, countdown for takeoff will now initiate” Houston answered.

 “5” I breathed in remembering all the training that I had done, “4” that I, out of thousands of others was picked to be an icon to many, “3”. The solicitous thoughts raced back into my mind as if it were the finish line, the erratic thoughts were now screaming in my head overcoming any optimism. “2”, I tried to control my fears, only focusing on the mission to the Moon and the limitless sky in front of me. “1”, it was time, the time where history is to be written, that I would be the first of mankind to step on the Moon. “0”, I heard the engines roar and a grand explosion, causing smoke and fire that engulfed the launch pad. I felt the enormous force hit me as the main rocket booster kicked in, and I whispered to myself with excited relief, “liftoff”. The Apollo 11 rocket shot vertically into the azure atmosphere towards it ultimate destination, the Moon.

Before I knew it I was in the endless void of space with only the stars and the sun to guide my way, as radio transmissions could not reach me here in the pitch-black cosmos. The rocket’s computer set to autopilot as the rocket turned gradually, then the moon appeared. It’s colossal, round pale figure staring at me with its silver eyes and despite its craters and imperfections it was so beautiful.

I floated in zero gravity to the back of the Apollo 11 rocket and gazed out of a viewing window and I noticed a little speck. I tried to rub it off the window but realized that it was in space and it struck me, that large pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I shut one eye, and used my thumb to blot out my view of the tiny planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant, I felt very, very small.

It took me three long days to reach my destination; I survived on repulsive space food, which was a viscous paste of varied foods and I spent the tedious, lonesome days checking the rocket systems and thinking about Earth.

The Moon was now so close I could touch its chalky dust that was scattered across the Moon’s surface. I took over the autopilot and gripped the leathery controls as a cold sweat broke on my fore head. I knew that it was up to me, and if I made one wrong move the mission would be a complete failure and I would be stranded on the moon with no hope of rescue.

I throttled back causing the engines to gradually slow and extend the landing gear, my hands gripping the controls viciously. I was too apprehensive to notice that I had already landed on the desolate sphere, safe and sound.

I breathed out shakily as all the tension washed over me and escaped. I clambered out of my chair excited yet reluctant to see what waits outside the comfort of my rocket.