Casualties

15

14

13

12

11

10

9

8

All systems are a go.

7

6

5

4

3

Main engine sequence start.

2

1

And liftoff of the Aegis II rocket, carrying the first men to Triton!

Gregor blinked.

It had been a two years. Two whole years. And it was all coming to an end today. In exactly nine hours and 37 minutes. Sometimes, waiting is the hard part.

Gregor got up. He still had some prepping to do. First, there was briefing. "As you reach Charlie, you will need to enga- Gregor yawned. They went over this so many times that he could recite it in his sleep.

''"Today's the big day huh?" ''Gregor looked up at the tall figure in front of him.

"We'd better get it over with. Alic, don't screw us over today and I'll be happy."

"No promises."

Gregor grinned. It gave some spice to this otherwise serious day. The Union had decided that Triton was the place to go and here they were, less than a day from being the first humans to set foot there.

Growing up, Gregor had always wanted to be an astronaut. Now, he wasn't so sure anymore. The Union had blew so many missions that he couldn't even keep track of them.

"Alright suit up"

Gregor climbed into his suit like he'd done so hundreds of times in the past. Passing the suit examination, Gregor climbed into the capsule where Alic was already seated.

"This is it." Hatch is sealed. The capsule was silent. Standby for release Sometimes, waiting is the hard part. Release in 3...

2...

1... BANG

Gregor looked at Alic.

"That doesn't sound good."

All systems were functioning normally.

"Alright let's begin our descent."

Gregor took the controls and carefully guided the capsule like he'd down so many times in the simulator. Then he noticed it. A small crack running down the length of the glass in front of him.

"Uh. We have a problem down here."

"State issue please."

"There seems to be a structural failure here at the front."

"Is it minor?"

"Yes"

"Keep up descent and notify of new developments."

Gregor winced. The Union was always losing people this way. But he was trained at following orders. He would not object.

"Anything, Alic?"

"Nothing right now."

Then suddenly, all sorts of warnings started to light up.

"Heat Alarm, Electrical Warning, Radio Failure, shit shit shit"

It was too late now to do anything. The capsule was already on a descent course. Gregor knew he was doomed. The capsule was gonna break apart and he would get the life sucked out of him.

Sometimes, waiting is the hard part.

Axxerty (talk) 05:07, July 29, 2019 (UTC)