Mongoose Among Us...

PREPARE FOR LAUNCH

"And would you look at that folks!" Warren Mills, the announcer, said as we walked onto the platform. "The MONGOOSES ready for their flight!"

My hands started to sweat as people cheered our names and the cameras flashed. I couldn't believe it, me, a small-town girl with big dreams, was going to be one of the most famous astronauts of all time. I was nervous, but at the same time, excited.

"Sophia Stephan," the announcer called. Sophia stepped forward and took a bow while the audience cheered.

Moira Alejandro was the next person Warren called. After that, John David Brandon was called, then Madison Jess. John David had the loudest applause out of the first few crewmates. I assumed it was because he was the only guy going on the shuttle, but I overheard Madison in training saying that he slept around with a few of the news anchors to get the public to like him better.

"Sira Miane," Warren shouted. Sira walked forward and waved. Although she wasn't acting like it, she seemed the most nervous out of all of us. I found that kind of ironic since she was the most confident during training. Aubrey Hamil was called next, leaving me to be called last.

"Hannah Celestia." I took a step forward and waved to the audience. I heard cheers and applause and couldn't help widening my smile. All my life I had always stayed in the shadow, but I told myself that that was going to change today.

"These seven brave astronauts will be going on a three-year-journey to Saturn itself! Can you believe it?" Warren asked the audience. The only response they gave was more cheering.

"Now, before y'all board that ship, I have a question," Warren's face suddenly got serious and he cleared his throat, "On a scale of 1-10 how likely can I come with you?" Warren said as a teasing smile started to grow. For a second, I thought the question was serious. I guess this whole thing is just one big game to him.

"Alright, Alright, I know you have somewhere to be so I'll let you all be on your way," Warren said with a salute. I rolled my eyes as we started walking towards the launch bay.

I heard Sira whisper something under her breath, but I didn't bother asking her about it. The public believed that we were all best friends, but the truth is, none of us had met each other until training started a week ago, and we didn't bother talking to each other since we were so focused on the tasks at hand. I didn't feel like I had the right to call any of my crewmates friends, especially ask about a whispered insult directed towards a delusional announcer.

We walked into the entrance to the bay where people were running in every direction trying to prepare for the launch. The normally serene lobby had been overtaken with anxious workers. The chaotic atmosphere was completely different from what I was used to, but everyone seemed to calm down a little bit once they noticed us. They were doing their best to not make us nervous too, though it wasn't working. 

We took a left turn towards the disinfectant chambers where we would be fitted into our suits. 

"Are you nervous? I'm pretty nervous," I heard someone say on my right. I turned around and saw Moira staring at me. Moira had blonde hair and pale skin. She was a little bit shorter than me and had bright blue eyes.

"A little," I replied. That was an understatement.

"You know, the thing I was nervous about the most today was not being able to see my boy- I mean, um, my friend, for three years. Can you believe it? We're gonna be gone for THREE YEARS! I won't be able to see George for THREE WHOLE YEARS!" Moira exclaimed. She kept going on and on about whoever "George" was, but I started blocking her out. Honestly, with all the stress of today, I don't think I could handle trying to have a conversation with someone as talkative as her.

I heard a loud clank as the door in front of us opened, and saw our suits and the color-coordinating bands to go along with them. There were a few workers there to help us get dressed, but most of the room was covered in computers and other electronics. A few people started shouting directions on where to go, and I was led to the back corner of the room. My shoes made a clank when they hit the metal floor, but you couldn't hear it over the ruckus surrounding me.

"Hannah Celestia, Cyan, Female..." The man beside me muttered to himself. He looked about middle-aged and he was wearing a white lab coat. He punched a few things into his tablet and gestured towards my suit, "Okay put this on." I stopped short as the suit in front of me was deconstructed by a nearby machine.

The man noticed my surprise and said, "Don't worry, it's just taking apart the suit so it's easier to get on. Just step onto that platform over there and let the machine do its thing." I was already wearing the clothes Space Z had given us, but we were supposed to put on the suits so the public would "get the full effect". We didn't even need them, but I guess what the public thinks is more important than efficiency. Space Z had also given each of us a color to represent ourselves with. Mine was cyan, Madison's black, Sira's yellow, John David's lime, Sophia's purple, Moira's orange, and Aubrey's white.

I stepped onto the platform and the machine placed each piece of the suit on me. I could've done that myself.

"Once you're done just go through those doors, the hallway behind them will decontaminate you and then you'll board the ship," the man said without looking up from his tablet.

"So, I can go?" I asked hesitantly.

The man finally looked up at me and furrowed his eyebrows, "You're done, are you not?" I was a little taken aback by the comment, but grabbed my helmet and started walking towards the doors anyway. Usually, I wouldn't be so uptight, but a million things can go wrong right about now. Just one miscalculation can send us straight into the sun. I guessed the lab worker back there was feeling the same thing I am.

I walked through the doors into the hallway. A red X on the floor marked where I should stand. I put my helmet on and stood on it. I heard a hissing noise as the room started to fog up. Just as soon as it started, it stopped. A light bulb in front of me shown green, which was my go-ahead to board the ship.

Here we go, I thought to myself. I walked towards the doors on the other side of the hallway and pushed them open.