I was one of the last soldiers inside when the door closed. My unit shouted nothing but unintelligible words full of nothing but fear. There was nothing I could do though. Either I stop and help them through the door as quick as I can or I could survive.

It wasn’t a choice made from fear or apathy, I really did care for my unit. However, if I died, that would be it, wouldn’t it? There would only be a few people left and, without someone to defend them, the entire project would be pointless.

But maybe it was fear? I looked back and saw my brother get crushed by the door as it shut with enough force to crush a block of steel. He was the best soldier I ever knew. He was much deserving of the leadership role I happened to achieve. And now he was gone. And maybe I should’ve just joined him?

But no! I can’t feel sad now! The project!

“You alright James?” one of the guards said to me while attempting to support me with his arm.

“You… Killed Kris…” I said while trying to catch my breath.

“I’m sorry James. You saw the hell out there yourself,” the guard said with a sigh, “They were so close to getting in. I know he was your brother, but this is the end for all of us.”

“I know,” I said apathetically, “At least it looked quick I suppose…”

“Hey, you two, we don’t have time to be stood around chatting. Get to the command centre before we lose the last of our ground!” a random captain shouted down from a partially collapsed catwalk.

“We were just taking a break, sir” the guard shouted.

“I know, but we don-“ the captain began to say before suddenly being shot, “Just… Get to the command… Centre…” the captain then tried to quickly limp back from the way he came.

Me and the guard quickly ran up a flight of stairs. Most floors had several steps missing and the walls looked like they were moments from collapse.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Okay, so this is… It, huh?” the guard said while panting, “The end?”

“Probably, I don’t care though… This has gone on for long enough and I just want it to end,” I said without a single ounce of emotion in my voice.

“The end…” the guard sighed.

Approaching the top floor, we found ourselves looking at a pair of sliding doors surrounded by two fellow soldiers.

“Finally, some more backup. I suppose it’s time we end this thing,” one of the soldiers said.

“So let’s see, you’re James Mason and you-“ one of the soldiers guarding attempted to say before a loud explosion caused the entire building to shake intensely, “Okay, you’re Sean. Look just go in before this whole thing fails.”

The room we entered was a sorry sight. It was fairly large, though only because the original walls seemed to have been destroyed. The room was filled with countless scientists and soldiers. Some of them looked so distant that they could be mistaken for androids. How were we still holding on?

However, the main focus of the room was the giant windows that overlooked humanity’s last hope: The last rocket on Earth. It was much taller than I thought it’d be as it towered over the launch centre. Not only that, but it clearly went a fair distance underground too.

The rocket was unpainted and looked rather dull. Except for the top which contained a symbol of the Earth with an orange rose inside. Wait, why an orange rose?

“He’s finally here!” one of the scientists shouted.

Oh right, I had the launch codes. After taking the slip of paper out of my pocket, I handed the code over to one of the scientists who stood next to a panel. The panel was simple: It contained a keypad and a large button. I assume the button was red at some point, but it looked quite faded now.

“Okay, launch is ready! Repeat, launch is ready!” a loud voice said over the intercom.

“10!”

“9!”

“8!”

“7!”

“6!”

“5!”

“4!”

“3!”

“2!”

“1! Launch is confirmed,” With the countdown over, the rocket now roared to life filling the silo with clouds of smoke.

As the rocket past us, we saw the brightest light we had seen in… A long time. It may have just been the light from the flames of the rocket, but it just felt. Hopeful. And warm, though that’s to be expected.

“Well… Looks like it’s finally over,” Sean sighed while looking longingly out of the command centre’s window, “We won.”

“Yep,” I replied, “I hope they make it.”

“We don’t really matter anymore, nothing we say or do will affect them now,” Sean said.

“And with that, it’s time for… Refreshments,” one of the guards in room said drearily with a fake smile, “Or, I’ll open the door and you can take your chances with whatever’s left.”

“I thank you all for fighting so bravely with us, may we all find peace in the beyond.”