Apollo Xviii

By John A. Lang

Its 2017: Earth needs to colonize the Moon due to the growing population. However, astronauts discover an ancient secret on the lunar surface that could threaten humanitys existence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 8, 2008
• ISBN: 9781462828432

John A. Lang

Born in 1963, Intermediate historian, John A. Lang, author of "The Epic of Will Lang Jr.", returns to his passion for history in his new book, "Of Cowards and Heroes". An in-depth look into the resistance movement during Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia during World War II. John has studied world history for the past ten years and decided to choose this subject for the contents of this book. Enjoy!

Book preview

Apollo XVIII

John A. Lang

Copyright © 2008 by John A. Lang.

Front Cover picture courtesy of NASA

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

CHAPTER ONE

The Return to the Moon

Earth year: 2017:

The towering colossus of Apollo XVIII silhouetted the launch pad of Cape Kennedy as the golden sunrise climaxed across the Eastern horizon.

As the golden sunbeams reflected off the choppy waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the distant noise of seagulls filled the air, signaling the beginning of a new day.

All systems were nearly prepared for this latest voyage to the lunar surface.

There were many doubts at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration regarding the launch of this latest expedition.

Funding from Washington DC was reduced after the achievement of Apollo XVII, and it seemed that the idea of returning to the Moon was only a dream.

Now through funding from the condominium mogul, Tex Ranger, the idea of establishing a colony on the Moon became a reality once again, provided that Tex Ranger would own all the condominiums built on the lunar surface.

With a cigar dangling from his mouth, Ranger proudly blustered with a Texan drawl, I want you boys to find me some prime real estate up there on the Moon where I can build my condominiums and I will make sure you will get the other half of the money I promised you.

It seemed like an underhanded proposition, but NASA accepted. With the population of the Earth quickly approaching twenty billion people, it became apparent that the Earth might not be able to sustain that many inhabitants, therefore, immigration to the lunar surface was the only alternative.

Additionally, with Earth’s resources running low, the situation demanded immediate action.

It was now 7 AM, and the final preparations and inspections were underway.

Various mechanics and technicians were making their final inspection of the Saturn Rockets that would propel Apollo XVIII from the Earth to the Moon.

Within the pod, electricians and other maintenance associates inspected and examined the instrumentation for any malfunctions. After the near-fatal catastrophe of Apollo XIII, no one was taking any chances. The engineers checked and double-checked everything.

Within the enormous complex of the Cape Kennedy Space Center, the medics examined the three astronauts that would make the expedition.

The Captain, Harold Sullivan, looked over as his associate astronauts, Lieutenant James Mayfair and Ensign Tyrone Krug and smiled as the physicians strapped on the astronauts’ life monitoring systems.

Lieutenant Mayfair was eager in becoming the first African-American on the Moon.

With a smirk on his face and with a simulated ferociousness, Captain Sullivan barked, I hope you are not ticklish, Ensign Krug, you might fail the physical.

Ensign Krug eyed Captain Sullivan and nervously replied, "Somewhat a little ticklish, Sir, but I will get over it, you can be rest assured Sir, that . . ."

Lieutenant Mayfair jokingly interrupted, Do not worry, Ensign Krug, the Captain is just pulling your leg, therefore, if you are going to be on this assignment, you are going to have to get use to the Captain’s eccentric sense of humor.

At that moment, the swinging doors burst wide open and a drove of reporters and photographers from various newspapers entered the laboratory.

With a ballpoint pen in his hand, one journalist asked, How do you men feel about returning to the surface of the Moon after forty-five years and what will you men be doing up there?

Suddenly, General Theodore Cromwell entered the room and the astronauts stood to attention.

General Cromwell turned to the press and angrily barked, There will be no statements to the Press from the astronauts at this time, I must now ask the press to depart.

Ready to jot down the possible first statement, one reporter activated his ballpoint pen and nosily replied, Just one inquiry, please General Cromwell?

The broad-shouldered General pounded his fist on the counter and angrily snapped, I said no questions and that is final, therefore, would you please depart the laboratory?

The media personnel tucked their pens and paper into their pockets, grumbled under their breath, and departed the laboratory.

General Cromwell saluted the astronauts and said, At ease, gentlemen. Here are the particulars concerning your mission, when you arrive at your destination on the lunar surface, you are to investigate the region for an appropriate location to construct a moon colony, with ample space for condominiums. There is some smooth terrain in the surrounding area of the Sea of Tranquility that appears appropriate, I want you to examine that locale first.

Captain Sullivan saluted the General and replied, The terrain near Sea of Tranquility, will do, General Cromwell, Sir.

Before departing the laboratory, General Cromwell supplemented, One final order, until you reach your destination on the Moon, this venture is top secret. You will not be permitted in making any broadcasts from outer space or from the surface of the Moon.

After concluding his orders, General Cromwell saluted and departed the laboratory.

After checking to see that the General was out of earshot, Lieutenant Mayfair shook his head in disbelief then positioned his hands on his hips, and said; I do not believe this, what do you presume is the big mystery that General Cromwell wants us to keep this mission top secret, Captain Sullivan?

Captain Sullivan shrugged his shoulders and said, I have no inkling, let us stop thinking about it and focus on our assignment, Lieutenant Mayfair.

Within minutes, the scientists accomplished their responsibilities of donning the astronauts with their spacesuits and helmets for their expedition to the Moon.

The three men departed the laboratory and marched down the long, well-lit hallway where Lieutenant Commander Julia Hoyt united with them, she would be the first woman on the Moon.

As Lieutenant Commander Hoyt walked down the long corridor with her fellow shipmates, her long brown hair bounced freely on her shoulders, she then turned to the other astronauts and asked, Ready to go, gentlemen?

Lieutenant Mayfair and Ensign Krug stood at attention and saluted then answered in unanimity, All ready and geared up to go, Sir!

As the foursome walked down the tiled corridor, Captain Sullivan eyed Lieutenant Commander Hoyt and felt somewhat uncomfortable having such a beautiful woman aboard; he feared a sexual harassment lawsuit.

The foursome entered the elevator, closed the door and the noisy hydraulics began their operation and hoisted the quartet up to the top where they departed and then entered the command module where the ground crew strapped in the astronauts and closed the hatch.

Moments later, the Mission Commander at Mission Control announced, Attention please, one minute to ignition, stand by to for the countdown, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five.

Suddenly, there was a vociferous roar, the mighty rocket boosters ignited with a flurry of fire as the countdown continued, four, three, two, and one!

Within seconds, the towering rocket ascended from the launch pad and propelled itself into the atmosphere, leaving a trail of white smoke in its wake.

As the rocket ascended, the massive throngs of people who came to watch the rocket launch from the bleachers, applauded and cheered loudly as the rocket sailed out of view.

After ascending several thousand feet, the distinctive stages of the rocket disassembled from the main assembly and descended Earthward; everything proceeded like clockwork.

The next segment of the operation involved the capsule to unite with the Service Module, it was a carefully timed operation, the rocket’s pitch, yaw,