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One Last Legacy
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One Last Legacy |
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Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
The day started off roughly, which should have been the first sign of disaster. The launch kept being delayed. Yet, the astronauts on board kept urging the control center to continue. This was a very important mission for them. The space station was in bad shape. Computers kept malfunctioning on board the space station, and they had to get the scientists and other mission specialists off, and quickly. Their time with life support functions was running out. Leading the rescue mission was a young woman named Gabriella. She was fairly tall, with long dark hair flying everywhere. Her dark blue eyes had a sparkle in them that could bring up the spirits of anybody. She was a mission specialist from Oregon, which specialized in and designed the computer systems on board. Strapping themselves in, they began to watch the countdown. With her on this mission, was a young man named Andy and an older man named Tim. Tim had been on a few missions before, though none of them as important as this one. Looking into their eyes, she could tell the nervousness of her fellow crew. The ship began to shake as the booster rockets kicked in. Before they lifted off, they could feel a force almost suspending the heavy craft in the air. Then they were off. Up into the air they flew, past the birds and trees. Towards the roughest and most unforgiving environment known to man. The crew of Andromeda 1 made it to the space station without incident. Boarding the craft, they found the crew, nearly unconscious from their lack of oxygen. The computers had greatly malfunctioned. They needed medical attention, and fast. Gabriella directed them quickly, as the passengers were strapped into the ship, which they were already preparing for launch. As she was making one final sweep of the space station, the unthinkable happened. Gabriella had made her way into one of the bunker rooms, when a door malfunctioned, trapping her inside. At first, she stayed calm. The doors had jammed on her before. Checking the computer chip from the inside, she noticed nothing wrong with it. As she tried again to open the door, without success, panic welled up inside her. The people on board couldn't wait for her to be freed from the room. They needed medical attention now. Radioing to her crew, she told them what had happened. Andy was there almost instantly, trying to open the door from the other side. Yet, there was no luck for him either. The door was jammed shut, and there was absolutely no way to smash into it either. She realized then what she had to do. Mustering a smile for Andy, she told him to go without her. There was nothing else that they could do. The crew had to do what was best for the greatest number, which meant leaving her there. Andy refused. There was no way she was going to stay here. The oxygen tanks on their suits only lasted a few hours at best. It would take 12 hours at the very minimum to even think about getting another ship back up to get her. By that time, the oxygen in her tank would be gone. She would be gone. Using the gentle smile and the convincing shine in her eyes, she told him one last time to go. She had been born on earth, but loved the stars. "Andy," she said gently, "this is where my legacy lies. Everything happens for a purpose, though we don't always know what that is." With a tear in his eye, and a shaky voice, he said, "Even when you've been dim, Gabriella, you've always been the star of the night… shinning more brightly than the rest. I can't leave you here." "When I'm gone, I'll be brighter than you ever thought possible. Goodbye Andy, never forget me… I love you." With that said, she left, suspending a sheet over the door so he couldn't see her. He had to go. As she moved over to a window, she watched the space shuttle leave the docking bay and head back to Earth. She had never felt so alone. Yet, she thought about what she had told Andy. She had been born on earth, but her legacy lies with the stars. With that, she looked to the stars, and fell into an eternal sleep. Oh how beautiful the stars are, she thought, so beautiful… "Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other course, no other way... No day but today" ~Broadway Musical RENT~ *Cassandra Roseen* |
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| © Copyright 2000 Cassandra Roseen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Maverick Wolf Member
since 1999-11-13
Posts 94Scandia, MN |
The Wolf returns...Interesting write Cassie, especially considering the convo today. Good job of hiding yourself, however, it's obvious to me that you are there. Great write still. I told you I'd be back, and I am. Yesterday's history, tomorrow's a mystery, and today is a gift. That's why they call it the present. |
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Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
I wasn't trying to hide myself. It was our conversation that actually made me get up and write something. I wanted to expand it. Thanks for your reply, oh mysterious wolf. hehehe.. "Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other course, no other way... No day but today" ~Broadway Musical RENT~ *Cassandra Roseen* |
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Night_Myst Junior Member
since 2000-08-16
Posts 34River Falls, WI |
It's a very nice story you have there. It's sad that something like that could ever happen. Great story, I enjoyed reading it, even if it is so sad. Keep writing. |
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
To die for the greater cause...now there is something truly noble. Powerful write my friend, I love to read your stories...they always have a simple truth to them. Thank you for granting me the pleasure once more.  *Krista Knutson* I'm a slow dying flower In a frost-killing hour The sweet turning sour and untouchable... -Natalie Merchant |
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Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187St. Paul, MN |
Great piece of writing Cassie! Such a sad tale, but a noble sacrifice indeed. I'm glad to see more of your writing Abrahm Simons "I'm not sick, but I'm not well, and I'm so hot, cause I'm in Hell." - Harvey Danger |
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Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
Shanks guys. I appreciate the replies. "Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other course, no other way... No day but today" ~Broadway Musical RENT~ *Cassandra Roseen* |
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Midnight Dew Member
since 2001-01-07
Posts 50Forest Lake, MN |
Great piece Cassers! Sorry about not letting you know who I was at first. I loved this piece, thought it was a magnificent sacrifice all around. Good write! ~Caitlin Hull~ "The Holy Spirit makes up all our souls, and when it 'flexes' it makes us do great things." Like write! |
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