Constellations

The end of an era

It has been three days since the team left the moon and you are all working on the re-entry procedure. It is tense. 

"I'm starting the re-entry burn," Jay calls out. You can feel the command module change its cause as Jay imputes the maneuver into the joystick. Three minutes later you can feel the Gs pile on as the spacecraft hurtles through the atmosphere. Again you fall back on your fighter pilot skills. Three minutes later you can feel the Gs dissipate as the parachute opens. Another seven minutes later the capsule has landed. Another hour later the team is in the mobile quarantine unit aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. You are thinking about what you did for your dad. You are looking saddened now that the mission is over but at the same time, you are glad that you are back on Earth.

"Lilly, what's wrong?" Kelsey asks. You wish you could tell him how you are feeling but it is complicated for you.  

"Nothing," you respond. You don't want to talk about it yet. You feel the eyes of a curious navy man. He is the ship's doctor. You hope he has good news or he has come to give you a check-up.

"What is it doc?" Jay asks curiously.

"How are you feeling?" He is starting the process of making sure you were not contaminated by anything. Jay glances at you and Kelsey and you nod. At least you can communicate with each other without talking. 

"We are feeling good," Jay answers for the team. A day later you are free of the isolation chamber and you are wandering around the ship. You have forgotten how large the aircraft carriers are. You get lost in your thoughts

"Excuse me. Are you Commander Collins?" A young ensign asks. You snap out of your thoughts

"Yes. What can I do for you?"

"Two things The captain wants to see you and what was it like on the moon?" He asks. You can tell he will one day make a good astronaut. He gestures for you to follow him so you do.

"To answer your question it was amazingly big and the earth was this tiny speck in the distance," You answer his question. He is clearly speechless because you don't normally get silence in response to your answers. It would make for good practice for the other interviewers. 

"Why do you want to know?" You decide to probe.

"Because I was thinking of becoming an astronaut," He responds. Seven minutes later you've made it to the bridge of the USS Ronald Reagen. It is a hive of activity. The captain turns towards you as you are joined by Jay and Kelsey.

"Welcome home. I was asked to brief you on what to expect when we make landfall," you know his voice from somewhere. It is commander Lyn. At least he understands the delicacy of the situation. You all nod.

"Here goes. When we make landfall you will be taken from the ship and you will be flown to Washington to talk to the president. The next day you will be doing the first of many press junkets" You can tell he is giving you the simple version. You hope that it won't be as stressful as you think it will be.

"Do you know when we make landfall?" Kelsey asks. A good question.

"In five hours," Lyn responds. At least you will have some downtime. Lyn makes a hand gesture to dismiss you all. You head to your quarters. You are joined by the rest of the crew.

"So are you ready for the press?" Kelsey asks. Where is he getting the good questions from? You get the feeling that Kelsey will be doing most of the speaking for the group.

"No but we should be fine," Jay replies wistfully. Five hours later the ship has made landfall and the team has been whisked to the nearest air force base. You can see the line of paparazzi by the fence. You didn't appreciate what the mission meant until now. You all pile onto the awaiting Gulfstream.

"Well guys it has been fun," You remark even though the travel has only just started. Two hours later you are struggling against sleep. You are trying to stay awake in case you need to listen to anything important. Kelsey and Jay can tell you need some sleep.

"Lilly you can go to sleep. I will wake you up if there is anything you need to listen to," Kelsey remarks.

"And the same goes for you Jay," He adds. You are glad that you have a teammate like him. You drift off. Six hours later you are aroused from your sleep by Kelsey. You glance out of the window to see where you are. You are on final for one of the air force bases at Washington DC. You realise that it will be hectic when you land. Another hour later you have made it to the hotel and you are freshening up for the presidential visit. You are glad to be back on earth. Another ten minutes later you have finished and there is a knock on the door.

"Lilly are you ready?" It's Jay.

"Yes," You grab a notebook so you can write down some notes on the way to the white house. Hopefully, you won't need it. Ten tense minutes later you have arrived at the white house. The whole team is nervous. Another three minutes later you have made it past security and you are greeted by the president.

"Welcome back Commander Collins," He welcomes you officially.

"Thank you, Mr President," you respond. Kelsey gives you a positive glance. You now feel reassured.  A minute later he has finished welcoming the team back.

"What will you do now?" He asks. It is something you haven't thought about.

"I think we will remain in the astronaut corps until we reach Mars," Kelsey answers for the team. After thirty minutes of questions from the president, you have been released for the first Junket.

"Miss Collins how did it feel being the first woman on the moon?" here comes the press questions.

"It didn't feel any different from the other steps on the moon," you respond. After another hour of questions, you are finally back at the hotel. You are tired but something stops you from going to sleep. It's a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" You ask.

"Your dad," Micheal responds. You let him in. You are glad to see him.

"What are you doing here dad?" You are a little unsure if he is supposed to be here.

"Danny allowed me to say hello," He responds. You pull him into a bear hug. You are overcome with joy. A single tear runs down your cheek.