"Shuttle 935 ready for launch"
This was not the nine hundred and thirty fifth ship to be produced, but rather the nine hundred and fiftieth. Launch control never graced the first 25 shuttles with names, as they never made it into space. Whether it was a failed launch or a malfunction in the sky, all 25 never reached orbit. 4 of these 25 rained back down as pieces of shrapnel on towns and cities. As a result of this, much of the world's population was wary as they prepared to launch the nine hundred and fiftieth shuttle.
All launches were broadcast worldwide, as the jump in technology allowing the shuttles to travel at hyperspeed, was thought to be mankind's greatest achievement.
All watched. Some in fear, some in anger, some in excitement, but not a single person dared not to watch their screen as Planet Earth launched a box of metal, containing someone's sons or daughters, into the once vast unknowns of the galaxy.
YOU ARE READING
Who can hear you?
Science FictionThe year is 30247, 247 years since humankind developed the technology required to explore the galaxy, to travel at hyperspeed. Since then, most of the universe has been explored, and no intelligent or sentient life has been discovered. That was unti...
