“Once you’ve collected adequate samples, please return to the module,” said a voice inside the astronaut’s helmet. He had trained years for this moment, to experience something very few people have ever done in history, explore the Moon. After decades of absence when it came to humanity’s connection with the object, NASA had finally determined that another mission was worth the expenditure. They wished to analyze the molecular makeup of some of the material found in the craters, to determine if remnants of such impact events remained.
It was an honor to have been selected for the task. Oddly enough, NASA had chosen only a single individual for the venture, and fortunately, he was the man for the job. The astronaut carefully collected a few chunks found within one of the craters, and began his short trip back to the lunar module.
The texture of the surface was dust-like, finer than any sand he had examined. His movements were exaggerated and took three times as long to perform due to the low gravity. It was a very unique experience, one he wouldn’t soon forget.
As he reached the module, he took a look at Earth. It was so difficult to comprehend, but one thing was clear, the untold beauty it possessed. Everything seemed so far away, so miniscule, his worries and minute thoughts. All was dwarfed by the giant planet that he and his species called home.
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“Have you obtained the samples?” the same voice asked once more. “Yes, I’m entering the lunar module now,” the astronaut said as he turned towards the object that had taken him on his adventure. “Copy, once you’ve entered, let us-” before the radio contact could finish, they were cut off abruptly, followed by only static. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that? Over.” said the astronaut. No one responded.
He continued to attempt to contact his team back on Earth for several minutes, without much success. His suit began to feel heavy on him as worry set in. Unsure of what to do, he turned to look at Earth. The astronaut felt his chest clench, his throat tense, and his hands shake. He could faintly see explosions light up the atmosphere within the planet, as if little marks were being made by a pencil.
More dots than he could count appeared rapidly across several of the land masses that could be seen. The North American continent was in view, and from the astronaut’s knowledge of geography, several hotspots had been hit, though it was difficult to fully see. Washington D.C., New York City, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, even parts of Canada and Mexico were being targeted.
Nuclear war…it was the only explanation. There had been discussion of another Arms Race but…he thought such talk disregardable. With no contact left, there was nothing that could be done. He was forced to watch humanity destroy itself until the inevitable loss of breathable air occurred, leaving him to die in complete loneliness.