The Dark Side

Chapter 11

~~~~~Joe's POV~~~~~

We sat in a small sound proof room.

"So what is it?" James asked.

"We put the automatic door close and take off, because there was a chase back on that mission to the moon, when many astronauts didn't return. Many made it to the shuttles, but some didn't close the doors , or take off in time." explained the president lighting another cigar.

"What do you mean... chase?" James asked.

"Aliens... They chased us off our moon, because we used one of their people as a test subject." the president said puffing out smoke. "The project was to help their eye sight towards the light, but instead the alien's head blew up. and their leader got mad because... it was his brother."

"And so they fought back thinking your were making some kind of weapon on them?" I guessed.

"Exactly!" He confirmed.

"What about not being able to control the ship?" James asked.

The president sat up in his chair.

"That's because the commander before Joe crashed his crew into Venus on purpose, and so now only NASA has control of the ship. That's why we call it mission control." He said.

"So my sister is on the moon, by herself, with angry aliens... Who's fault was it again?" Griff said looking at James.

James put his head down, and buried his face in his arms.

"We are gonna go back, right?" I asked.

"For the plants? Of course... But it's been three months since you guys have been gone. Your friend might be running out of air, if she hadn't found out that the moon now has it's own atmosphere by now." Said the president.

"She might suffercate in her suit like you did James." I said

"Wait! Wait! Wait! Three months? Moon's atmosphere? And aliens? That's bull!" Said James.

"No it's true. ever since those plants popped up the aliens have been eating them like crazy. The thick watery inside that you saw. That's air. And when they bite into those the air gets out and makes and atmosphere."

"Since when?" I said, crossing my arms.

"A few years ago.That's why time goes by fast on the moon. You'd be thinking that it has been an hour and you have no clue how many days it's been." The president informed. "So yes you will be going back, but only one of you will. Since the ship needs to be refueled, which will take a week."

I immediately stood from my chair. "I will go."

"I'm coming too, that's my sister up there!" Said Griff.

"Sir, I know how you feel about your sis, but unlike you, Commander Joe has years of training and your just a citizen." Said the president.

"What about Christa McAuliffe? She was a citizen." Griff snapped.

"Yes, but sir, that was eighty seven years ago, and it didn't end well. I don't know much about her, but I bet she had more training then you." said the president. "So tomorrow, Commander Joe, you will be launched back to the moon first thing in the morning In the alternative shuttle."

I stood strait and saluted him. "Yes Sir."

The president stood and saluted me back. "Dismissed."

We all got up and and headed out of the room.

"Commander..."

I turned around. "Yes sir?" I said.

"Don't forget those plants."

"I wont let you down sir." I said, and turned towards the door.

"Commander..." He said before I walked out.

"Yes sir?" I answered.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.

"Don't let her down." He said tossing it to me.

I opened the box and inside it was a beautiful ring with a golden band, and a big shining diamond. The one I had gotten her was just a golden band, and no diamond. Things were very expensive these days. The one I had for her was the best I could do.

"Thank you sir..." I said, then left.

~~~~~Mellon's POV~~~~~

Eventually I got hungry, and tried to convince Earth to let me go back to base to drink water, because if it exploded outside then I'd better drink it inside. But instead Earth got me to eat one of those plants. They didn't taste bad at all. They tasted like fruity steak, Warm, juicy, but sweet.

While I was eating I began to smell something bad.

"Did you fart?" I asked Earth.

He shook his head and kept eating. I rubbed my finger behind my ear and smelled it, the odor was terrible. I was the smell. It smelled like I hadn't showered in days.

"I need a bath." I said. "I'm gonna go home and wash up."

Earth ignored me and kept eating the plant.

"I'll take that as a yes." I said, then headed out of the cave.

It was still morning when I got out. The walk back took about thirty minutes. Once I got inside the base I got out a bucket full of water and a sponge, since we were only allowed to take sponge baths. Then I noticed the emergency shower. I was the only one there, and there is plenty of water... I turned on the shower and waited for it to get warm.

~~~~~Earth's POV~~~~~

My friend,Luyten., came into my home.

"Were's your human?" He asked.

"She was complaining that she needed to get cleaned, so I let her go home." I answered.

Luyten sat next to me and took one of my plants and bit into it.

"Wasn't there more humans, like two others?" he asked, with his mouth full.

"They left to their home world." I said finishing my food.

Luyten Spit out his food in shock. "They left without her?!"

I didn't seem surprised. "Well... yes."

"Humans never leave each other alone! They must have left her by accident, and they will be back for her." He said.

I began to get worried. I knew she couldn't stay forever, but I just needed her to understand that we don't want to be alone. Humans aren't so good at co-existing, neither are we. Everything was so peaceful back then. I just want it to be the way it was before. If her friends came back for her, I wouln't be able to tell her.

"Why did you bring her here anyway? You know it was the humans who killed your family. Now that she knows were we are, she could lead her friends here, and kill all the other families here till we are extinct!" Luyten yelled. "What have you done?"

I got up. "I just got us one step closer to peace." I said, then I left.