Free Lunar Colony by Patrick Kinney

get out of there!” He was panicking, unsure of what he’d just done. He shielded his eyes from the intensity of the light, but he could hear Salerno reply.
    “I can’t do that, Glen,” she called. “I’ve got to find out what’s on the other side! And besides, they’ve been expecting me for a long time now.”
    And as she said this, the orb collapsed in on itself and was gone, taking Salerno with it. Unable to believe his own eyes, Glen stood alone in the now-quiet empty chamber.
    “Mission Control requesting status update,” Slayton said. “I repeat, Mission Control requesting status update! Are you there, son?”
    “Yes,” Glen said, in a daze, “I’m here, Mr. Slayton.”

    “And Salerno? What’s her status?” the flight director asked.
    “I’ve lost her,” Glen said. “She’s gone.”
    Slayton was quiet for a moment, but at last, he sighed and said, “Son, you did a good job up there. I’m sorry to hear about Salerno, but I think it’s time for you to come home.”

Back Home
    Glen’s trip back to Earth was very somber. For so long he’d wanted nothing other than to go home, but now, he could only think about Salerno, wishing he could have done something to save her. As he began his reentry into the atmosphere, he imagined how much happier he’d be if his friend were returning to Earth with him.
    After touching down on the landing pad, Glen opened the hatch of his capsule and stepped out onto the gangplank leading to the elevator. As he rode down, he was surprised by what he saw below. Thousands of people had assembled, and they were all cheering for him.
    Where did all these people come from?
Glen wondered as he reached the ground. Passing through the crowd, Glen felt many pats on the back and saw signs saying things like WAY TO GO, GLEN and WELCOME BACK, HERO .
    Inside Mission Control, Rollins and Swanson stood and applauded as Slayton greeted Glen.
    Shaking hands, the flight director said, “Welcome home, son. We’re awfully proud of you.”
    “Great job,” said Rollins.
    “Good to have you back,” added Swanson.
    It was nice to be welcomed back by the people in Mission Control, but Glen really just wanted to see his dad, who was standing behind the others.
    He walked up to Glen and, knowing that his teenage son might otherwise be embarrassed, extended his hand. But Glen, who was finally realizing all that he’d been through, threw his arms around his dad, and for a long moment Slayton, Rollins, and Swanson looked on as father and son shared a tearful embrace. They were so moved by the scene that no one noticed the printer attached to the radio receiver spitting out a sheet of paper.
    “I’m so sorry, Dad,” Glen said. “I never should have left you.”
    “It’s okay, Glen. I’m just happy to have you back.”

    “Dad, you were right,” Glen said, still clutching his father. “The universe is so big. There’s so much out there to explore.”
    Mr. Johns smiled, his eyes still wet. “I’m glad you got to see some of it before it was too late.”
    Glen let go of his father and spoke to everyone in the room. “I just wish I could have brought Commander Salerno back with me. You wouldn’t believe what we discovered.”
    “She was a brilliant astronaut,” Slayton said, “and will be missed.” Everyone nodded in agreement, sorry that she was gone.
    But then Rollins noticed something — the paper that had just come out of the printer. “Hey, everyone, what do you think this means?” he said.
    “It’s Morse code,” Swanson said, looking at the paper. “I think I can make it out.”
    They all gathered around as Swanson decoded the message.
    Sorry for all the trouble, guys, but I made it. Glen, it’s more beautiful here than I’d ever imagined. Maybe you can visit me here someday—RS
    Everyone in the room stared at each other in astonishment. A grin crept across Glen’s face, and he thought,
She made it. She actually made it!
    “But what does this mean?”