Space, It's Crazy

Year 0, Day 00:

“Welcome, Cpt. Christopher Smith. Are you ready for departure to Paradise?”

“Affirmative. Take-off is to commence shortly, Commander Lloyd Turner. Are the infantry specialist, mission specialist, and flight engineer prepared?”

“Affirmative.”

“Then commence the Mission to Paradise.”

Year 0, Day 95:

Paradise. That’s what everyone is so frantically trying to search for, even if they refuse to show it. As the captain in charge it’s my duty ensure complete success for this mission. When Earth slowly started to lose its once seemingly endless resources that we so selfishly took for granted for so many years, and wither into a dead planet, mankind had one plan left – to look for a new one. Building L5 took a rocky start because most of the public and private investors were in denial of the whole thing and the people wanted their money to be put towards “a better use and not some science-fantasy home” – how can a group of people be so ignorant and blind is beyond my comprehension. But push came to shove and the cruel reality had to be realized; Earth was dying. Once L5 was created the resources back on Earth was already far too low to sustain both homes – L5 wasn’t as self-sufficient as we planned it to be, but what do you expect when you rush a project such as the L5 just so the people can stop screaming bloody murder. With the last few decades left before Earth’s resource become too scarce for any more interstellar travel, and before all hope is lost, we, the Aquarius One, were given the mission to look for a new star system, a new planet, a new home – Paradise. It took mankind nearly over a couple of centuries since the first man landed on the moon to finally be able to build high-efficient starships from the money we’ve accumulated. It’s no enterprise, but Jesus was it a milestone for the science community to be able to build starships like this one – something only seen on TV and in movies.

Now a crew of 5 men given the responsibility to look for a planet for the entire human race, it’s an unfathomable weight on one’s shoulders really. The question now is: How long will it take? Can we do it? Sitting here on the Aquarius One I can feel that responsibility weigh on me. Sometimes it’s unbearable – sometimes I want to just turn around and accept fate. Species aren’t meant to last forever. So why are we trying? But it’s a mission, we need to do it. For all of mankind… I suppose.

Year 1, Day 205:

“It sure is something, eh?” Our infantry specialist Luis Lenn was staring out the window, gazing upon the millions of stars far off in the distant.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” It always amazes me how large the universe is. Even though we’re able to travel to different star systems now we’re still traveling an insignificant fraction of the universe’s total size.

“City of stars.”

“City of what?”

“City of stars, it’s like a city of stars because they shine so luminously like the lights of cities back when Earth still seemed to have everlasting life. You think we can recreate that? L5 had lights too, but it’s was nothing like the ones that were on Earth.” Luis Lenn always enjoyed daydreaming about days of our ancestors.

“I believe we can, Lenn. I know it has been over some months, but we’ll find our new home where we can recreate it all without destroying the planet with our advanced technology. Just wait a little longer and we can have our own city of stars – heck, we’ll name it ‘City of Stars’.”

Year 2, Day 203:

“How’s everything looking so far, Wolf?”

“Everything seems to be in order. It’s been over five-hundred days, but we expected looking for Gliese 667 Cc, or Paradise, to be a long mission. It’s approximately 23.6 light-years away from Earth for crying out loud! Why? How are you holding up, Smith?” Brandon Wolf is our mission specialist. He was looking over the data we’ve collected and crossed out paths that were useless which we’d send back to prevent future explorers from wasting their time with.

“A bit anxious, But I’m keeping my composure up. And I know it’ll take some time, but it’s for all of mankind. Where’s Azar?” Tobi Azar was our flight engineer and, in my opinion, he’s the most important member of this crew because if something goes wrong with the engines he’s the one that could take one look and come up with a solution.

“I think he’s checking the engines to see if everything is in shape. Go now and you’ll probably catch him. Also, don’t worry – I’m a little anxious as well. Tired too. This mission takes a toll on me because it’s the first time humans are travelling to another planet outside our solar system and we have to find this one planet with life on it. Can you believe that?” He was right. Who are we to go this far to survive? God must be laughing at us now, watching as we try to survive past our due date.

“Thanks, I’ll check now.” I don’t know what to think anymore really. I finally arrive at the engine room where I see Azar checking off a list as he inspects the engines displayed on the computer monitor.

“Why hello there, Smith. How’s it going?”

“I’m a little anxious. Wanted to see how the ship was doing.”

“Well everything seems to be okay. Nothing to worry about. Just doing a routine check- well what do we have here.”

“What is it? Is something wrong? Are we in danger? What’s the problem?”

“Calm down, it just seems like a small space rock hit one of the engines and is lodged in pretty deep. Nothing to worry about, a little tug from the drag and it should come off with no damage. Doesn’t seem to have done any real damage to begin with, probably why the computer didn’t pick it up. That’s why you have me around to inspect. You should go to the lounge chamber and relax.” Tobi Azar was always the calmest and most level headed guy out of the crew. Nothing bothered him.

“You’re right. I’ll come by around again. Report anything new.”

I entered the lounge chamber and found Brandon Turner hooked, resting up against the wall.

“Come to unwind, Captain?” His eyes still closed.

“Yeah. Azar said he found something lodged in one of the engines, but rest assured that all was fine.” Since we left the solar system I’ve always feared that something might happen to us that could leave us stranded in space far beyond any help.

“Hmm. We need to talk about Luis Lenn. He’s been acting strange lately. I think the mission is getting to him which is bad as it is because he’s the infantry specialist and we need him if we’re ever to enter a planet.” This time he opened his eyes and was staring right at me with a serious look.

“What’s strange about him?” Lenn always seemed like the happy one in our crew, what could be eating him up?

“Well for one he’s slowly resisting conversations with anyone else, I don’t know about you.” Now that he mentions it, he has been talking less. “Also, he has this little notebook that he’s been writing in and whenever someone tries to see, or even ask, what he’s writing he throws a fit – this activity is recent. I think we need to -” Without any warning the starship gave a big shook.

“Computer, report!”

There has been an incident where one of the main engines had an explosion. Both main engines have shut down. Additional damages are emerging due to the debris from the explosion.

“Computer, I want you to keep running a complete scan of the engines and report anything new! Now!”

Understood. Running a complete scan. Any new updates will be reported.

Year 2, Day 205:

It’s been two days since the incident. We have no engine to push us anywhere safe. We can’t call back home for help because it’ll take over a year to just get the message to them. Besides, I doubt, with the amount of time Earth has left, that they’d send any help. If anything they’ll probably just send more people to look for Paradise. “The reason why I, Christopher Smith, have gathered you today is to talk about the situation at hand. We’re stranded. In the middle of space. With a possibility of no help from Earth.”

“Well who the fuck are we to try to live this long?!” Luis Lenn broke out.

“Luis, please. Shouting is not going to help our situation.”

“Well what is?! We are stranded in space! In space. In. Space. In!! Space!!” Luis was beginning to get on my nerves.

“Oh really? I didn’t know, thanks captain! Thanks for reporting! Now let’s all just sit and shout at each other because that’s exactly the way to fix this problem!” I’ve never been so boiling hot in my entire life. Out of all times, why did he choose now to break?

“Captain is right. We need to think of something fast or else we’re just sitting ducks waiting to die.” Wolf stood up – I couldn’t believe how much better he was handling the situation. And here I am acting like a child – me, a captain.

“And what’s your proposal, hmmm? Let’s hear it pal.”

“I don’t know really. But that’s why I said WE should think of something.”

“Azar, are you sure there’s nothing we can do to fix the engines? Are you positive that we have no way of repairing it?” Turner looked at Azar for an answer we can go off of.

“Well one of the main engine took some heavy damage and affected all the other ones surrounding it. Judging by the looks of it, we need some heavy machinery and equipment to fix it. None that we have. If we tried going anywhere with haste with the remaining engines, the force would rip the damaged main engine right off with that giant hole it has. The ship is already in terrible condition - adding to it will only bring us closer to our death.”

“That’s it man. We’re screwed. We’re done. We’re dead! Why did they think this would work?! Earth is dead! L5 is dead! Now we’re dead!” I never seen Lenn this badly shaken. It was only last year that he was fantasizing about the city of stars. Now this.

“Calm down Lenn! We’ll think of something.” I couldn’t think of anything.

Year 2, Day 247:

It’s been a month since the meeting and not much was done to really get us going anywhere. Brandon Wolf went ahead and sent a signal after the meeting was over to let HQ know about our situation, but he knew they wouldn’t be much help. Luis Lenn was too hazardous for the crew psychologically and had to be thrown in “solitary”. It was really a room where the rest of the crew rigged it to open from the outside only, but you still feel bad for the guy – he was just saying what we were all afraid to admit. I don’t know what to do with the crew. What can I do in this situation? What would you do? All engines are shut. Food is limited – water could be recycled from urination, but we can’t live off that forever. We have enough oxygen to keep us alive for the next 2 decades and more, but will we make it that long?

I’m pretty sure the rest are slowly coming into the realization of the whole thing. We’re doomed. Nothing we can do but wait.

Year 2, Day 267:

“How was I supposed to know it would rip apart of the main engines?”

“You’re the flight engineer! You’re supposed to know these kind of things!”

“Would both of you just shut the hell up! Jeez man, you guys are acting like babies you know?”

“Ooohh. Look what we have here. The Commander has just solved our trouble. Let’s just shut up. That’s all we needed to do! Just shut up!”

“You know, for a guy with the last name Wolf you’re acting like a real bitch. Brandon Bitch. Has a ring to it too.”

“You know, Lloyd Turner kind of sounds like a male stripper name. I wonder if that’s how you got where you are now. I never liked you as the Commander because you just seemed to repeat what the Captain would say. Never taking your own actions. Guess that’s why you stayed at your rank for the past few years.”

“I couldn’t calculate the true size of the space rock! It’s like trying to guess the size of an iceberg from just the surfacing part only! The computer wasn’t giving me any proper readings as well!”

“Well then what the fuck is your purpose on this ship if you couldn’t tell the size of a fucking piece of rock?!”

I just sat there on the Captain’s seat with my face in my hands.

Year 2, Day 274:

I can’t take it anymore. Waiting for death to arrive is too much. You never have to think about it when you’re alive and well, but when you’re in a situation like this - it’s unbearable. The whole crew, except for Lenn of course, was in the kitchen, but not a single word was said. We were all defeated by this point. We couldn’t even argue with each other anymore because it was tiring.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Sector C needs attention! Sector C needs attention! Beep! Beep! Beep!

“Lenn is still alive?” Wolf was the first to speak up

Beep! Beep! Beep! Sector C needs attention! Sector C needs attention! Beep! Beep! Beep!

“We built him an automatic feeder that gave him little portions with some parts we if were to arrive at Paradise, remember?” Azar didn’t even bother looking up. He kept staring at his shoe or something on the ground – I didn’t know, I was too busy staring at the air in front of me.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Sector C needs attention! Sector C needs attention! Beep! Beep! Beep!

“I’ll check what’s wrong with the guy,” Turner left while the rest of us stayed completely still, almost as if nothing happened. How long until death? This is too much.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Sector C needs attention! Sector C needs attention! Beep! Beep! Beep!

Year 2, Day 278:

“Have you seen Turner?” Azar came up to me as I was staring out the window.

“Not really. Last time I saw him was when he went to check on Lenn. Other than that I thought he went about his business.” I didn’t really care much.

“Well, it’s just that Wolf hasn’t seen him either. You think something happened to him while he went to check?”

“Like what? I mean, if you’re really concerned, go check yourself. I’m sure he’s fine.” I could care less.

“Yeah. Sure. I guess. I’ll go check.” Then fucking go already!

Year 1, Day 281:

I can’t take it. I don’t know how long it’s been since we’ve been stranded. HQ hasn’t responded back. Turner and Azar? No idea. Heck, I haven’t seen Wolf in a while. I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. Space. Space is nothing like the pictures. Black, just blackness with white dots everywhere. Why the hell are people so fascinated by something so simple?

Beep! Beep! Beep! Sector C needs attention! Sector C needs attention! Beep! Beep! Beep!

Beep this, beep that, beep there! Is that all that godforsaken computer knows what to say! “Computer! Shut the hell up!”

Sector C needs attention! Sector C needs attention! Beep! Beep! Beep! Sector C needs attention!

“I got the message already!”

Beep! Beep! Beep! Sector C needs attention! Sector C needs attention! Beep! Beep! Beep!

Year 2, Day 282:

Lenn seemed to have escaped. For how long? No clue. I was too busy wallowing in despair I don’t know what’s going on anymore, and the ship isn’t big enough to get lost too! As for Turner and Azar, well their suits were on the ground – a bit blood stained too. Lenn is up to something. I haven’t seen Wolf’s clothes, nor have I seen him in a bit. Shit, what the hell is going on anymore? Why me? “You know! I didn’t choose to be a shitty captain! I didn’t choose to have the entire man-fucking-kind on my shoulders for some crap that should have been done already! Why did you send me to fight God? Why us? I’m just a man! I’m just a man! I’m just… a man. Why can’t you people see that? What did I do to deserve this?” I can’t. These walls are sucking my life out. I’m slowly losing it. I’ve officially given up, but no. That’s not enough for space. It wants my entire mind to give up. Crack. Shatter. Space madness. I can’t… think... anymore…

...

“Smith! Smith! Open the door!” Oh hey, look, it’s Mr. Wolf. “Open the door! It’s Lenn!” Why is Mr. Wolf so scared? “I don’t know how, but he’s been taking us out slowly, one by one!” Look at him, so scared. It’s almost pathetic. “I read his journal! Aside from the normal crap, if you read deeper in you find something disturbing. He kept repeating ‘All the Space and No Planet makes Luis a Lost boy.’” Where have I heard that before? “Smith! Open the damn door! Smith! He’s coming! He’s completely lost it! We got to band together! Come on man!” Just huff and puff and blow this door away Mr. Wolf. That’ll do it, huff and puff and blow me away. “Smith! Jesus Christ, Smith! Can’t you see the situation? Open the door!” Why’s he yelling at me? Can’t he see I have my own problems too? Mr. Wolf is pretty selfish. “Please! I’m begging you open the door! I can’t open it myself because I dropped my card getting away, please!” He’s hurting my feelings now. I don’t like Mr. Wolf anymore. He’s mean. You’re a mean one, Mr. Wolf. “SMITH!” Oh, now wait. That’s the Grinch, silly me. Hey, Mr. Wolf left. Where’d he go now? Bummer, now I’m by myself. Hey look, a new guy.

“Open the door, Captain. We need your orders, Captain, We need to have a meeting, Captain. We’ve been stranded for a while now, what are your orders, Captain?” Captain? Like Captain Space Crunch? I like that cereal, it tickles my tongue. “I bet the ship hasn’t been maintenanced in a while, Captain. This ship may not last long, Captain. The oxygen tanks need to be regulated or else we might die, Captain. Now that wouldn’t be very good now, Captain.” Ha-ha, he speaks funny.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Ship’s oxygen tank needs to be regulated! Ship’s oxygen tank needs to be regulated! Beep! Beep! Beep!

That’s a very loud sound. It hurts my head. I don’t like it! “Captain Smith, you’re not doing a good job.” Hey look, the door opened. See Mr. Wolf, it wasn’t hard. Captain Space Crunch’s trusty scallywag got it to open. “You’ve been a bad Captain, Captain. You should have known we were all dead from the start. But you were in denial. Guess there’s no helping it. I’ve come to relieve you; I’ve come to cleanse you. I’ve come to take you to… the City of Stars.” Ha-ha, he’s a funny one.

Year 3, Day 206 (Back on Earth):

“Reports came in, General. We just received a distress call from them dating a year back. Aquarius One was a complete failure. We suspect the crew to have died already.”

“As the first attempt, this was to be expected. Send in the Aquarius Two, continue prepping the Aquarius Three, and scratch off the Aquarius One. Continue on with the Mission to Paradise.”

“Understood.”