Space Pioneer

Devon tore out of the gymnasium; his heart was racing, and he could feel the tears burning in his eyes. He raced into the first open classroom he could find and hid himself behind the desk at the front of the room. “It’s not fair,” he thought. “With almost 50 million other kids in the country, they picked me.”

Devon could feel his legs and arms shake as he curled into a ball and pressed his face into his knees. “This has to be a dream,” he thought. “There is no way they could make him do this, they were asking him to leave his family and his friends.”

Devon was about as average as it came. He had graduated from high school just that spring with a B grade point average. He was all set to gain his freedom as an eighteen-year-old college student, then fate intervened.

When the worlds resources started running low, the governments of the world created the Space research and Engineering Core. Their job was to make it possible to inhabit other planets in the solar system. As part of the initiative, annually a child, age 12-18, is chosen to go to the moon and help with the project. To most kids that sounds awesome, but for Devon, it was a one-way trip. Devon was pretty sure that none of kids who had left ever returned. Which means, for the past ten years since the project began, kids were being forced to work as slaves. At least that's how Devon saw it.

"Devon are you in here?" A voice called from the door. Devon recognized the voice; it was his father.

"I'm over here," Devon said raising his hand over the desk so his dad could see it.

Devon's father walked around the desk and sat down so he was facing his son. "What are you doing hiding back here? Isn't this supposed to be exciting?"

Devon looked up at his father, "dad, you may be excited, but I'm not. I had big plans after high school. I was planning on going to college, becoming an architect, and designing huge buildings in the city. Now, I don't even know what my future holds."

Devon's father nodded his head in understanding. "I know this is scary son, but sometimes life is all about taking risks and stepping into the unknown. You have a chance to help improve our world. You have the chance to create a home for future generations. Does that not sound like a worthy cause?"

Devon rubbed his nose on his sleeve. "When you put it that way," Devon said pulling himself to his feet. "It actually sounds important."

His father wrapped his arm around Devon’s shoulders. "Believe me son," he said. "It is important. Now, let us get you home."

The next morning Devon found himself throwing up in the bathroom. His escort would be arriving in a matter of minutes, and the reality of what Devon was about to do was setting in. "This is it," he thought. "I'm never going to see my family or friends again. I am going to live the rest of my life floating around in space." A knock at the door made Devon jump.

"Devon," his mother called. “Your ride is here, and we already have your things in the car. Please come out of there, right now!"

"Okay," Devon called. "I'm coming!"

Devon looked at himself in the mirror. "I look terrible,” he thought. Turning he glanced at the bathroom window. It was a small window, but maybe he could fit through it. Just as he was about to open the window his mother knocked on the door again.

"Devon!" his mother called with obvious frustration. “You come out right this instant; we are tired of waiting."

Defeated, Devon opened the door coming face to face with his mother. She wrapped him in a big hug. "I am so proud of you," she said.

Devon marched towards the front door stopping to give hugs to friends and family that had come to support him. Everyone, except his parents, seemingly gave him that look like he was going to be sacrificed to some space monster. For all he knew, that is exactly what was going to happen. As he walked out the door, he caught a glimpse of his chauffeur. He was a giant; Devon was certain he was not human. As he approached the stone-faced giant, the man opened the door allowing Devon to enter. The car smelled new, the seats were black leather, and the doors were coated in chrome.

Devon waved his last goodbyes as the car pulled away from his home. The thought that he would probably never see his family again made sick.

"So where are we going?" Devon asked. He could see the man’s face in the rearview mirror, though is eyes were hidden behind sunglasses. The man seemed to pay no attention to Devon. "Do you have a name?" Once again, nothing. The man simply stared at the road.

"Well this is exciting," Devon thought to himself as the car began to pull onto the freeway. Devon stared out the window, gazing at the clouds that filled the sky. Before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep.

"Wake up." A gravelly voice called.

Devon jolted awake, "Where was he?" After a minute of panic, he realized the sedan was officially parked on what looked like an empty airport runway.

"We are here," the driver said.

Devon looked out the window of the car and gazed at the enormous rocket that he would soon be riding in. It was bigger than he had imagined it would be. The thought of climbing all the way to the top made his head spin.

The driver opened his door and Devon stepped out onto the concrete launch pad. He glanced around. No fences; nothing keeping him locked in. If he wanted to escape this would be his last chance. Then Devon remembered the giant bodyguard standing next to him. He would probably only make it five steps before the goliath would tackle him.

Devon jumped when his bodyguard grabbed his arm.

"This way," the man ordered.

As they moved toward the elevator that would take him to the top of the rocket, he could see a crowd of people holding cameras. In the center of the group stood a man in a pinstriped suit holding a microphone. He turned to see Devon and gave him a large smile.

"The man of the hour!" He shouted. "Do you know who I am, Devon?"

Devon nodded, "You are President Toollee,"

"That's right!" President Toollee said. "I wish to congratulate you on being chosen to be this year’s space pioneer. Big smile for the cameras!"

After a quick set of photos, that left Devon blind, he was then shuffled over to the elevator. At the doors of the elevator stood a man and a woman. Both wore white lab coats; Devon assumed they must be scientists. The woman was holding what appeared to be a space suit.

"Put this on please," the woman said. "This suit will protect you from the unfiltered radiation of the sun, and the vacuum of space."

Devon stepped into the outfit and the scientists quickly zipped him up.

"Now," the male scientist said. "Inside the rocket you will have a two-way radio system. That way we can hear you and you can hear us. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"Are their buttons I need to push?" Devon asked.

"Don't worry," the female scientist said. "Everything in the launch will run automatically. All you need to do is enjoy the ride."

Devon nodded. "And what if I throw up?"

The male scientist chuckled. "There will be bags hooked to your seat. Just make sure you seal the bag when you are done. Any other questions?"

Devon shook his head.

"Then right this way."

The elevator ride seemed to take an eternity. Devon could feel his legs growing weak as the ground became further and further away.

They came to a jolt as the elevator reached the top of the rocket. The doors slid open to reveal a boardwalk leading to the open cockpit.

"This is your stop," the male scientist said. "Just climb on in and fasten your seat belt. As soon as you say, you are ready, we will start the launch sequence."

Devon was frozen in place; he willed his body to move, but it would not respond.

"Would you like some help?" The female scientist asked.

All Devon could manage was a nod. Grabbing his arm, she led Devon across the catwalk to the rocket. Devon looked straight ahead; his stomach lurched with every step he took. He practically dove into the cockpit the minute he reached it. In a flash, he strapped himself into his seat and took one long deep breath.

"Are you ready?" The female scientist asked.

"Do I have a choice?" Devon responded.

The scientist simply chuckled, "you will be fine." With that, she closed the cockpit door and Devon was left alone.

"Alright Devon," a voice boomed from the ship’s speaker. Devon jumped. If he had not been strapped in, he would have fell out of his seat. "We are starting the launch sequence."

"Okay," Devon squeaked; his body began to shake as the rocket roared to life. He could feel his body being pushed against his seat as the sky began to approach him. Through the windows he could see clouds begin to race past. He felt dizzy. It seemed as though all the blood in his body was being pushed to his spine.

Suddenly a red warning light began flashing.

"What is that?" Devon called.

"Everything is under control," a voice said over the speaker. Just then a second light began flashing, then another and another. Devon's heart began to race.

"What is going on?" Devon asked.

"Just a few technical difficulties," the voice said. "Stay calm and we will get it sorted out."

The rocket began to shake violently. It felt to Devon like the air around him was getting hotter.

"This is it," Devon thought. "I am going to die."

Devon closed his eyes and braced himself for the inevitable explosion. Devon could hear the rocket start to explode; the heat began to intensify. Suddenly Devon opened his eyes and jolted his body forward.

Looking around, he found himself in his bedroom. His whole body was covered in sweat and his blankets were wrapped around him in a tangled mess.

"It was all a dream," Devon breathed a sigh of relief allowing himself to relax. Suddenly a loud knock sounded on his door.

"Devon," his mother called. "Are you awake? Today is the big day, and your ride is going to be here any minute."

"What big day?" Devon thought. Then he looked over at his duffle bag sitting packed to the brim with clothes. "Oh no," he thought. "I may have been dreaming, but I am still going to the moon."

"I am up!" Devon called to his mom. "Just getting dressed."

"Well, be quick please," his mother said. "You will want to eat breakfast before they get here."

"Okay," Devon called as he pulled on his pants and shirt.

Devon grabbed his bag and was about to exit the room; he paused as he grabbed the handle of the door.

"I can't," Devon whispered, "I'm not being sent away to die."

Devon turned and walked to the other side of his room. He slowly slid open his window, tossed his duffle bag out, and pulled himself up and out the window lowering himself onto the ground. He was now resting behind his mother’s favorite lilac bushes. Looking around, he found that the yard was empty. Once he was sure that the coast was clear, he sprinted for the road. He ran and never looked back. From that moment on, Devon left behind his old life, his family, and his friends.