The Beginning

Captain Alphonso Adams and Lieutenant Evalynn Gardinier were the two astronauts selected for this two-person exploratory mission. He was a seven year veteran of the United World Interplanetary Peace Commission program with a seventeen year prior military career within the Special Intelligence Division of the World Armed Forces. She was a trained mediator in the World Armed Forces for a seven year period. She spent another seven years on active duty with the World Interplanetary Space Program. Her special training in this program resulted in her being coupled with Captain Adams for this much desired adventure.

Both astronauts were well decorated and operated in a fearless, articulate, and professional manner. The program had chosen the very best for this mission. The two astronauts admired and respected each other. This union was designed to work effectively. They would be collecting data, samples, and evaluating work completed so far by the automated advance discovery team. The groundwork would be laid to provide the world with the intelligence needed to build the first outer space water reservoir. This was thought to be a much needed pro-active action due to the impending world water shortage. Based on earlier scientific research Zeaneth could possibly provide earth with a nearly unlimited amount of water needed for consumption by flora and fauna.

The base of operations was named Alpha Omega and was located on the newly discovered planet Zeaneth, it had been built with the help and involvement of most of the countries on Earth. It was a project that spoke of collaboration, commitment, and demonstrated that the entire world could come together and be of one accord.

The problem, as Captain Adams saw it was that the United States had not waited for the final world vote. Based on past history, the USA assumed that they would receive the majority of votes needed to lead the project. It was decided that the risk of a problem arising without the sanction of the UWIPC would be minimal. After all, this project was for the benefit of all mankind.

All systems were ready, the weather was perfect, and the window was open for lift-off. As expected, the lift-off was a work of precision and went well. As the ship leveled off, the two astronauts went to their assigned positions.

The captain waited until the lieutenant had finished taking all readings and recording the ships data. At this point Captain Adams began a tirade about the political aspect and possible repercussions of the mission.

"Eva," he said, "once again, the good old U.S. of A. is putting the cart before the horse. I tried to tell headquarters that a meeting of the minds must take place before this project was initiated, not after. When the commission finds out about this, they will look at it as an underhanded plot to take over leader ship of the world once again. I can't say that I would blame them. I still don't like this set-up.

This mission should have been delayed until all world votes were in. We are reverting back to that great white father syndrome. America assumed that we would receive the required votes. What if we do not receive the needed votes? We are well on our way to Alpha Omega, and we are two days away from the final voting process. I feel that this time we have really screwed up! This is such a big snafu it could be the catalyst to start a world war and you know we cannot afford that!"

Eva's face reflected much concern.

"You are correct sir. However, you know we took this action because we only had that one perfect window of opportunity to launch the ship. Had we not launched at that time, we would have lost the window of opportunity. At that point we would not have been able to launch for another two months. By that time, the project would have been so far in the red, it may have been scrapped. Then we would have lost the opportunity to be first."

"Eva! That's just it! Why in God's name must we always be first? The United World Interplanetary Peace Commission was set up for just that reason. They are to guide and set up world standards and we are to follow. It is not supposed to be the other way around. I was as excited as anyone else about proceeding with the mission. However, I realized that certain protocols and procedures must be followed in order to maintain world peace.

Things have been going so well. The UWIPC has done an unbelievable job. I fear that now we are bored with peace and we are setting ourselves up for some type of excitement. Now is not the time. We have come too far to go backwards. We now possess the ability to blow Earth right out of the galaxy. What will it take for the world to come together as one great nation, with the needs of mankind being the number one priority, rather than any nation being number one?

I know what is needed to run this world. It's really very simple, many times lately I wish I had stayed in the political arena when I had the chance. Perhaps, I could have prevented some of these problems. If we aren't careful, total destruction could occur."

Yesteryear

Captain Adams continued to think about this mission and his conversation with Lieutenant Gardinier. He leaned back in his seat. He looked out of the panoramic window of the beautiful silver spacecraft and admired the beautiful galaxy. As he observed the view, he thought about his life. He closed his eyes, and the beauty of the galaxy was replaced by the beauty of his wife, Rachael. They had been married for seventeen years and were blessed with three precious children. He continued to reminisce about the beginning.

He and Rachael had been friends since childhood. They had lived next door to each other since infancy. They attended the same elementary school, middle school, and high school. He loved Rachael like a sister ever since he could remember. The love changed during a football scrimmage on an autumn day. Rachael had always been active in sports. She played flag football with the best of the neighborhood team. During the game Rachael had the ball and was getting ready to pass, he blocked her view by throwing himself in front of her. Rachael lost her balance and fell over him, landing flat on her stomach. Alphonso heard the air escape from her when she hit the ground. Rachael let out a low moan. Alphonso crawled over to her saying,

"Rachael, are you ok?"

There was no response. The coach was running toward them. He yelled out.

"Don't touch her! Move back so she can get some air!"

By the time coach got to Rachael, she was opening her eyes. She spoke very softly, almost inaudibly.

"Gee, coach, I'm sorry I guess I lost it."

"No Rachael, you didn't lose it, you landed right on it. It's still your ball. Are you ok?"

"Yeah, coach I'm fine, I guess I tripped over a blade of grass."

Rachael spoke with a crooked little smile playing about her lips. So, Rachael hadn't lost it, but he had lost his heart right there. Letting out a sigh of relief, Alphonso realized that this girl was going to become his wife and the mother of his children.

The Revelation

The voyage was long and uneventful, each astronaut performed their necessary tasks and duties. Captain Adams made sure the ship stayed on course, recorded all events properly, kept the ships log in order and communicated with the base on a regular basis.

Lieutenant Gardinier handled all of the...