It has been a week since training started and Danny has you gathered in the classroom where it all began. There is an impatient murmur about what is going to happen. He has what appears to be blueprints for something. You get the feeling that this might be the Constellation equivalent of the Gemini capsule. It wouldn't surprise you because everyone in the team needs actual space flight experience before going to the moon.
"I'm guessing you want to know what I have in my hand," He remarks. He starts to unravel the blueprints. You are right about it being the Constellation equivalent of the Gemini capsule.
"It's called the Kennedy capsule. It will test your skills as a pilot. Any questions before I delegate the crew?" It's odd how they named it after the president that ordered people to the moon but the capsules themselves aren't going to the moon.
"I have a question," Jay calls out. Everyone's heads turn towards him.
"How long will we be in orbit?"
"Depends on the mission goals," Danny responds. Everyone's heads turn back to Danny. It's like a tennis game.
"Any more questions?" You can't think of anything so you stay silent like the others. Danny gets to work writing the crew assignments. Five minutes later he has finished. You are not surprised that the first two are unmanned. What surprises you is the face you are on back up for the first manned mission and prime with Kelsey on the third. You are also with Jay on the eighth mission. It will be interesting.
"Congratulations Jay for being the guinea pig and Jess good luck," Kelsey remarks as Danny leaves. Jay lets out a vengeful laugh. Ten minutes later you are watching Jess and Jay work on the simulator. It is an interesting process.
"I knew I'd find you here," Neil remarks as he leans next to you.
"I remember doing something similar," He smilies. He is talking about the Gemini missions. They are something you will have to talk to Neil and your dad about.
"Oh we got the assignments for the Kennedy capsule," you decide to tell him. At least he knows what you will go through in some way. You feel like you should ask your dad what he went through with the Gemini mission. You know that he was the third person to ever do a spacewalk.
"What did you end up with?" Neil responds. You can tell he is hoping that you didn't get the eighth mission.
"Backup on three and prime on four and eight," you reply. You haven't taken your eyes off the simulator. You notice that Jay is trying to correct a mistake. It makes you giggle. Seven minutes later it's your turn with Pierre. You have the added pressure of Neil who has decided to watch.
"Startup sequence initiated," the controller announces. You get to work. A minute later you are thinking about the obstacle that is coming. A warning signal flashes. It's the master caution. You can feel the axis of the simulator change.
"Pierre make sure that the thrusters are shut off," you instruct. He does as you say. Nothing happens.
"Maybe we should fire one of the RCS thrusters to see if that will get us back on course," Pierre suggests. You nod. At least you are able to work together as a team, unlike Jess and Jay.
"Left or right?" You ask to confirm.
"Right because we are rolling to the left," Pierre responds. He gives you quick detail. You get the feeling they are trying to replicate the conditions of Gemini 8. You'll ask Neil when you are done. Pierre ignites one of the RCS thrusters. You then use it to roll the spacecraft back. It works. The screens go blank signalling the simulation has ended. You both disembark. You wonder where Jay went wrong. But you get the feeling you know the answer. Jay approaches you. Jess has stormed off.
YOU ARE READING
Constellations
Fanfiction"I am so sorry Neil" "It will be alright Lily," he responds. Lily Collins yearned to follow in her father Micheal Collins' footsteps but there was one problem. She was stuck serving coffee to people at NASA. One fateful day she ends up spilling cof...
