ā A story about Clay Terranās second day at the space center ā
Clay Terran is fine ā¦ and not anxious at his first visit to the space center all on his own, not together with class. You would know, right? No one else could argue against that, even if you were shaking all over your body and having goosebumps at the thought of meeting Starbuck again, the young astronaut at the center aspiring to go into space soon.
Meeting him some years ago on that class trip had been mesmerizing, the way he talked about space and space travel so casually and the things you need to learn in order to be launched into space yourself. Never having known that absolutely anyone could become an astronaut if they tried hard and had some luck a whole world opened up and a distant dream suddenly became an actual life goal.
Now you were here all alone ā well, almost alone, aside from a certain friend holding your sweaty hand, trying to convince you not to bail, to walk through the door instead. And before mustering up courage to walk up to the ticket counter and get a permit into the world of space once more, the doors flung open and an elderly man, white beard, captain hat, marine blue jacket darted out on his electric scooter.
He came to a stop in front of you and swung an arm into the air, making a dramatic gesture.
āA glorious day to you, children! My name is the Great Yuri Cosmos, director at the center of the Cosmos Center, named after no one else but me!ā
Creating eye contact, he was silent for a moment before exclaiming:
āNever before have I met someone as starry-eyed as you! I can tell you are determined to explore everything space has to offer. For now, take these two free tickets so you can begin your journey today!ā
The word āthanksā stuck in your throat, the director continued, now looking into the distance: āNo need to thank me. Galactic Scooter, full speed ahead!ā
Never before had you been beaming as much as in that moment. Now shaking from excitement you finally start moving which quickly becomes running, towards the electronic doors that open just in time.
Where to go first? Of course to the newly opened space museum covering the upcoming mission that was supposed to send Starbuck into space in the coming weeks.
Up the space (center) elevator, and into the space lounge. Last time, you had stared for what seemed like an hour just at the holograms at the walls that replace windows here, marveling at the display of outer space with stars and distant planets, hands on the glass, sad that you couldnāt just step through and feel the gravels and rocks below your feet, the absence of strong gravity that keeps you grounded on Earth and pass by stars few had ever seen so clearly.
But now the holograms showed a weird landscape that seemed to be straight of a fairy tale book, with some odd creature swirling around. You were too embarrassed to show an interest in such a clearly childish thing to even take a closer look. After all, this is a space center, and you were here for the real thing. You left the picture books with stories of dragons at home, and wanted to show how much you were ready to be taken onboard a rocket.
Proudly marching through the door into the actual space museum, nose in the air, taking in the different sights, and above all, the rocket, you do not realize where you are going and bumped into someone. A young man with red ruffled hair covered by a peaked cap, carrying a forceful smile and watching you with friendly eyes. Itās Starbuck!
You first hang your head in shame, but he doesnāt wait a moment to speak up:
āHey, ā¦ itās alright! And I think I remember you from a school class visit here years ago. You bombarded me with question like no one else has ever done!ā
He puts a hand on your shoulder, and you look up to see him grinning from ear to ear, which felt weirdly encouraging, enough to make your heart race. Everyone around you could see your face lighting up. It was a wonderful sight.
āAnd now youāre all grown up, and came here on your own, with a friend?ā
Simply nodding in return, you clench your teeth, trying not to smile too widely or starting to barrage him with questions anew.
āWell, Iām happy to see youāre still as enthusiastic about space as ever! Today shall be your lucky day, have my cap as a gift to remember it!ā
He puts it on your head, leaving you bedazzled at what is happening.
āAnd now, follow me outside to the spaceport. Weāve got a photo to shoot there. Iāll call Yuri Cosmos and the ladies from the robotics lab as well.ā
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