Fly Me to the Moon

Chapter 6

A month in of training, Joey got stronger physically with the help of Tony. As for him, Joey helped Tony raise his grades as much as possible. It was the week before the final exam before the chosen three would be announced. Many were paying attention to Jae and Stella who were top of the class. Joey was close to being top as well.

Tony was walking to the bunkers after eating less than usual so that he could go study sooner. As he walked past the auditorium, he started hearing some squeaking noises from a desk. He sneaked in silently, hiding behind a stack of desks. He then saw Stella and John entangled in an affair and just now wrapping up.

"So who's going to space?" Stella asked.

"You know just as well as I do, babe," John buttoned up his shirt as she fixed her dress, "the top three scores."

"We both know that the test means nothing," Stella said, "I was hidden in your closet when Director Sam told you to pick the most average Joe and simpleton for the mission to see how he does. And it's that idiot Tony. The only smarts that man has is how to work on the street and how to dodge the big house. Even then, he's a bozo. Have you read his criminal record? He's only doing this to pay off his debt. He's just being sent to space to die."

"Don't tell me something I already know, you naughty gal," John said with a wicked grin before they started back on their entanglement.

Tony was shaking; he was so angry. He stormed off to Director Samantha's office,slammed the door open, and then closed as he walked in.

"Ah, Mr. Reeves," Samantha stood up with a big smile, "what brings you here this fine evening? Are you on your way to study for the big test?"

"Fuck the sham of a test! I know why I'm here! If I had known from the get go that I was a test subject or some kind of guinea pig, I would never have agreed to any of this!" He exclaimed.

"You can always leave," Sam giggled, "you didn't sign anything that can hold you here. But once you exit that door, you are a fugitive of the law. Your choice. Only yours."

Tony stopped and thought for a moment. He walked out silently back to his and Joey's bunker.

"Man, you know a lot about music," Jae said.

"And you about space. Thanks for tutoring me this past month," Joey said, "I owe you one."

"Don't mention it," Jae said, "so how's Tony doing?"

"He's been studying extra hard lately," Joey said, "I need to check on him. He didn't eat much and that worries me."

"For you two only to be friends for a month, you've gotten pretty close," Jae said, "I would have assumed you were brothers."

Joey smiled and chuckled. He got up and threw his food away and went back to his bunker.

"Tony? What's going on?" Joey asked as he watched Tony throw his luggage in a bag.

"I'm leaving. Because all I am is a dunce here," Tony said.

"Don't say that, you're really intelligent in many ways-"

"I'm a damn fool! I don't belong here!" Tony snapped.

"What's gotten into you?!" Joey asked.

Tony told him all that happened on his way to their bunker.

"Oh my god...I see," Joey said and looked down, "it's your life, your choice. I won't stop you."

Tony picked up his black suitcase and walked out of the room. As he was walking down the hall, Tony overheard someone cursing in one of the labs. He turned to where it was coming from and it was Trisha's lab and her voice. He sat his suitcase down and walked into the lab.

"Damn it!" Trisha said as she couldn't get the rover she was working on to cut on.

"Oh I know what the problem is," Tony spoke up and took the rover from her and fixed it.

"I...am...Call...Lab...Space...Explorer," the rover said in an almost adolescent voice.

"How'd you know?!" Trisha got excited.

"I've been studying day and night reading the entire engineering text book," Tony said, "as well as all the others. A waste because I'm clocking out of this stupid space race because they were only sending me because I'm the dunce. It was nice meeting you though."

"What?! That's not a waste and you're not a dunce, honey," Trisha said with a hand on her hip, "I call that genius. You need to be on this mission because someone needs to know how to fix things when something goes wrong. If you stay, I can teach you more. This could be a promising and life long career that could benefit you and your family. After the mission I mean. Listen, you aren't the dunce. You're the engineer."

"Did you know the plan?" Tony asked.

"It was news to me until recently," Trisha told the truth, "but that shouldn't matter now. You've gotten so far on this mission. The only direction now is up or in jail. I know you are smart."

Tony walked out of the room.

"Is...he...coming...back?" The rover asked.

"Yeah, just grabbing my luggage before someone else does," Tony said as he walked back inside with his suitcase, "what's the rover's name by the way?"

"This is Call Lab Space-explorer," Trisha said, "he's going up to space and I will teach you how to take care of him and fix him when he needs it as well as other things that will be on the rocket to the moon."

For hours on end that night, the two studied engineering and Trisha taught him the mechanics.

"Look at the time," Trisha yawned as she looked at the clock that was at 2:22 am, "we will pick up on this tomorrow. Go back to your room. You need to get some rest."

Tony nodded and went back to his room. He entered and sat his suitcase back under his bed. The noises caused Joey to wake up halfway.

"Huh? Tony?" Joey yawned.

"Shhh go back to sleep, buddy," Tony said.

Joey fell back asleep.

For the next seven days, everyone studied hard for the approaching test. Finally, the day of the final exam came about. The remaining class gathered in the auditorium and took the exams.

"Alright, students," John began, "do your very best on the test. Your score will reflect on your eligibility to go to space. Good luck and you may begin."

Stella took her test in a fast manner as her face grew paler by the minute. Suddenly, she turned in her test and ran to the bathroom. Soon after, Jae turned in her test and went to her friend's side. Stella was puking.

"Are you okay," Jae wiped Stella's face with a cold rag.

"Yeah, just really nauseated," Stella said.

"Let's get you to a nurse," Jae said.

Stella and Jae went to the nurse's office where it was revealed what was wrong with Stella. Meanwhile, Joey finished his test. The last person to finish was Tony.

"Thank you, Tony," John said, "good luck on your score."

"I won't need it," Tony said as he walked out with confidence.