History of the Future: A Science Fiction Anthology

Your Duty to Your Planet

Today was the sixth day. I had endured six days of misery, of heartache, of hopelessness. It was the the sixth day without Major Tom. My Tom.

It has long been suspected that we are not alone in this universe, that there other beings like us on other planets - specifically the planet Earth. King Ramtian, the ruler of Mars, decided to send a search mission to find out if these rumors were true. To find out if we really aren't alone in this universe. They asked for a volunteer, and Major Tom agreed to fly to Earth and explore it. All was going well until there was a malfunction and the space capsule door opened. We lost contact with him right as he floated away into empty space.

Once, I wanted to know if Earthen people really did exist. I would have accepted the mission in a heartbeat if my Tom hadn't. Now, I realize that the mission is foolish. Who cares if there are sentient creatures living on earth? They aren't worth losing Tom.

Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door. The door opened, and my young, sixteen-year-old brother Jothanin entered the room, followed by Commander Lyrr.

"I just came to say good-bye," he said. He came over and gave me a big hug. I froze.

"What do you mean?" I trembled.

"I'm going to Earth," he informed, enthusiastic. My heart lurched.

"No!" I screamed. "Haven't I lost enough already?"

"Your brother volunteered," the commander stated, unemotional.

"I need to go, Nia. It is my duty." My brother spoke to me calmly, like talking to a child. I couldn't stand it. Didn't he know that this mission was suicide?!

I tried to hold him back. I was weak, but I clutched him as firmly as I could. The commander came over and pried me away from Jothanin, and I fell to the ground weeping. He and Jothanin disappeared from the room. No!! My head pounded as I left my room in the space station. I ran down the hall and entered the control room, hoping to stop them. My head spun like a whirlwind, making me want to vomit. Overhead, a huge screen depicted Jothanin striding confidently toward the space capsule. He waved to the screen, and the people in the room cheered. Anger rose in my chest. How dare these people cheer him on to his death! I needed to stop him, I needed to save him. I made a dash toward the door that would lead me to where the capsule was. I knew this was not how a military pilot should act, but what else could I do? I felt someone grab me. I turned around and saw one of the officials restraining me.

"Stop!" I yelled, my voice thick with emotion. "Let me go!!" I struggled, but he held me tightly. I watched, helpless as my brother boarded the spaceship and prepared for take off.