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Dr. McCarty summoned the chief commanders at an
emergency meeting. Only four days had passed since
it was approved the mission to send a scout ship to
Taurus III. As always commander Pot asked me to
accompany him to the meeting. All being there
already, the scientist began to explain the reasons for
the meeting.
- As of 32 hours ago, the exploration ship for Taurus
III returned. The mission was a success, indeed as our
suspicions told us, the planet visited has developed a
kind of atmosphere compatible with the planet earth.
The solids deposits collected also show chemical
components similar to ours and fluid samples tell us
that there are exactly the same, having a hydrogen
atom, but it is possible under chemical treatment to
purify and make clean water. The atomic teleportation
was also a success, the animal species on the ship
came back healthy, but with a genetic alteration, not
harmful to life. We have created a vaccine to counter
this mutation. We have been working steady for hours
in our laboratories, but we are ready in the second
phase of this mission, now we need to send a man
into Taurus III. If all goes as calculated, this man
alone would make the round trip, sending a signal of
approval and then these three ships would mark a
course safe and direct. Otherwise, he could return.
Everyone in that room were silent for a few minutes,
until commander Pot asked one of the main flight
engineers.
-Would we have enough fuel reserves, oxygen and
water for the trip?
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- We think so. - Replied the engineer - after breaking
the ice brought back by the eight ships, we have
supplied our reserve tanks. If we stay here expecting
another destination before they have exhausted these
reserves would last about 124 months, if the mission
is approved and all goes well, we will make the trip
with 75 percent of that fuel.
- How much time is needed to make vaccines for
everyone? This time the commander was directing his
question to back to Dr. McCarty.
- We have been producing this vaccine since
yesterday- replied the doctor – we should have all we
need in three days.
- So we just need to choose the man who will go on
this mission? - Pot General asked the question and
looked at me - Colonel, choose one of your best pilots
and Proposed the mission to him.
- I will not risk the lives of any of my men
commander. – I did not think very much before
responding - I will go.
- That's crazy, Colonel, you are needed in this ship.
The Commander said.
- I can leave someone in charge. They will do a good
job, I'll go to the planet.
- Are you sure, Colonel? The tone of the voice of
General Pot was to try to convince to desist on the
idea.
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- I will or else you order another man to do it, but I
will not ask any of my soldiers to risk their lives. - I
said quite categorical in my overall response and he
nodded. Everyone at the table gave me a grateful
look. Dr. McCarty said the final words.
- You must be present today at 22:00 hours in the
hospital. You will have a thorough health check-up. If
all tests are positive, you will start at 6:00 pm
tomorrow. The ship that will make this trip with you
shall be everything you need. Do not worry, Colonel,
all is well.
*********
At the appointed time I went to the hospital of Apollo
918. A group of doctors were waiting for me. I felt
like a guinea pig for a few hours, they stripped me of
my uniform, they did everything possible and
impossible, had spent nearly four hours when they
finally let me rest.
I was alone in a quiet room, thinking about the
decision I had made. In bringing myself so much risk,
was madness. Then she came in, closed the door
behind her. That night she was more beautiful than
ever. Or at least I that she was. I noticed in her eyes
that she knew of my mission. She did not mention a
single word, there in front of the bed where I was,
slowly unbuttoned her doctor coat, dropped it to the
floor. My muscles all tensed, then came her boots and
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pants. A black silk lace panty adorned her beautiful
skin. Her hair loose, slid down her back like a spring
of fresh clean water. She still did not say a word. She
stopped in front of my bed, stripped what was left
covering her purest parts. Then crawled under my
sheets. She herself took off my patients robe. I got
lost in her flesh, caressed every inch of her skin. I
heard thousands of moans in those hours that was
beside me. I do not know how many kisses I left on
her lips. I cannot say she was mine. Because I was
hers. Because I was hers from the day she sutured my
wound, the one I blessed for giving me the chance to
meet her. She said goodbye when we finished, she
said whispering in my ear, I will wait for you and you
wait for me.
**********
An hour later I was ready at the starting hangar. The
ship that I would make this crazy trip with expected
me with the hatch opened. Waiting for me
commander Pot, Dr. McCarty and several engineers.
They welcomed me with affection and nostalgia. It
was the scientist who gave me this mission
instructions.
- Colonel, you will start at 6:00 am as we agreed. This
journey will take 32 hours exact. When you have
browsed for 13 hours, you will have to inject the drug
in the blue syringe on the right of your seat, do not
panic, it's just a sedative to pass through the black
hole asleep, atomic teleportation is something
uncomfortable and you are not going to like what you
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feel. The second part of the trip you will be asleep.
From here we will be monitoring you and checking
your vital signs and wake you up if necessary.
Your ship is scheduled to get at coordinates 15 ° 37
'54'' north latitude and 71 ° 23' 58'' south latitude. You
will like the landscape there. You will arrive come
just dawn on the west side of planet Taurus III. When
you have gone outside of the ship, apply to your
throat the orange syringe, a vaccine left in your seat.
Only after that should take deep breaths and enjoy the
atmosphere of this new planet. Did you understand?
- Understood. - It was all I said so they would not
notice the fear that came over me. I did not take more
time. Goodbyes have never been to my liking, shook
some hands and went to the hatch of my ship. Almost
activating and closing the hatch when Commander
Pot stopped me and entered, and spoke a few words
to me.
-Son, God bless you. – He brought his hand to his
forehead to say goodbye with a military salute.
**********
The ship went out the gate two minutes behind. Time
was moving on the stopwatch in front and Apollo 918
was lost from sight. All around me was silence and
eternity, I saw how tiny we are in relation to infinity.
I was there alone, between stars and planets
uninhabited. Navigating to an uncertain fate. If every
human being would have the chance to be like me
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now, maybe they would have avoided many
unnecessary wars. Now I realize how stupid we were.
We had been so uncivilized, so stupid how we
behaved. Much time lost in measuring the
development of nations compared with the capacity to
destroy our planet. We are millions, and yet today I
realize that we were nothing. A species that self-
destructed motivated by selfishness. Wanting to have
more than others, to say that we were stronger and
powerful. When we were just really weak. But it's too
late, only a few of us now, and we are afraid. We seek
a new destination to start over. Just wondering have
we learned the lesson? Would we destroy this new
planet? Are the few who remain behind will be
moved by greed, hatred, pain? Will God be moving
with us to this new planet with us? How to find the
answers, I think so, we'll start again and try to be
better, and that this new planet not plunder, or
perforate, not destroy its oceans, I think that we will
take care of this new beginning.
Finally I spotted the black hole that I was had to
cross. I looked to my right for the blue syringe. I
broke the plastic seal uncovered a long, thin needle. I
applied the relaxant on my arm. My head spun a few
minutes to make me sleep.
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