I palmed the pills and dropped them behind my seat. Easy. I put my helmet on as the radio crackled.

“Commencing countdown.”

A deep rumbling from far below.

Ahead was a small azure triangle framed with technological nonsense. All the lights were green.

“Godspeed.”

Ten.

Nine.

A deep breath.

Eight.

Seven.

I closed my eyes.

Six.

Five.

Four.

I opened my eyes.

Three.

The lights flickered.

Two.

One.

Liftoff.

A heavy weight pressed against my chest and I closed my eyes again. Rumbling, shaking. I dozed off.

.
.
.

Radio crackling. Cheering. Someone shouting congratulations. Asking stupid questions. I gave stupid answers. Asked to wait.

.
.
.

“You are go for EVA .”

I unbuckled the webbing and checked the seals on my suit. I flipped a switch and waited. A dwindling hiss.

I pulled the lever and stepped through the door.

Peculiar floating. The stars were different somehow.

Radio off.

Blue ball below. There’s nothing I can do. She knows.

“Major, can you hear me? Your circuit’s dead! Tom!?“