The Call to the Void

The space station loomed before me as I pulled into the parking complex, its modernistic architecture gleaming in the late afternoon sun. Inside the main building, the usual controlled chaos of scientists, engineers, and military personnel filled the corridors.

At the reception desk, I straightened my uniform. "I'm here to see Commander Alex."

The receptionist's eyes flickered with recognition. "Yes, he's expecting you – take the elevator with the others." She gestured toward the lift.

"Others?"

The elevator doors opened to reveal five individuals, each carrying themselves with the distinct bearing of trained operatives. The ascent felt longer than its five minutes, the air thick with unspoken questions.

Commander Alex's office door bore the insignia of Earth Space Command. After three sharp knocks, a gruff voice beckoned us inside. The commander's weathered face showed no emotion as we filed in.

"Musa, right on time."

Military instinct took over as I snapped to attention. "Musa Hartman, ready for duty, sir!"

One by one, the others followed:
"Hermann Von Freud, ready for duty!" - The German-Dutch veteran's voice carried natural authority.
"Miles, ready for duty!" - Sharp and precise.
"Celestia Rivière, ready for duty!" - Her Franco-Italian accent clear and confident.
"Ruby Rose, ready for duty!" - The youngest, but no less determined.
"Dennis Rhodes, ready for duty!" - Steady and assured.

A holographic display materialized in the center of the room, casting an ethereal blue glow across our faces. The dark side of the moon rotated slowly before us, its cratered surface hiding untold mysteries.

"This," Commander Alex's finger traced the lunar surface, "is where we've lost contact with multiple exploration teams. The dark side – where solar radiation never reaches, where our previous missions have... vanished."

Dennis stepped forward, his voice steady but questioning. "With respect, sir, why select us specifically?"

The commander's eyes hardened. "Because we're running out of options. Every team we've sent has disappeared without a trace. But this mission is larger than search and rescue – we need to determine if lunar colonization is viable."

I opened my mouth to speak, but Alex raised his hand. "Time is critical. Your supplies are loaded – enough for four months. After that..."

The floor beneath us suddenly split open. My stomach lurched as we plummeted through a series of automated chambers. By the time we emerged near the launch pad, we were fully suited in the latest generation of space gear.

"How the hell—?" Miles examined his suit in disbelief.

Hermann's voice cut through our confusion. "Questions later. We have a mission." His tone left no room for debate, and we found ourselves nodding in agreement.

The rocket stood before us, a towering monument to human ambition. As we boarded, I thought of Ashlyn, of our unborn child. The countdown began, each number echoing through the command channel.

"T-minus 10... 9... 8..."

I closed my eyes, feeling the vibrations build beneath us.

"3... 2... 1..."

The roar of the engines drowned out all thought as we broke free from Earth's embrace, hurtling toward the moon's dark mysteries.