[ TT ] The Soviets were the first to land a man on the Moon . Today , with the US and USSR on the brink of nuclear war , Earth 's satellite is host to one base from each side .

*Union of Soviet Socialist Republic Forward Moon Base* 
 
 Moscow Time ( MSK ): 17:29 
 
 Current Population: 176 Cosmonauts 
 
 `` Marshal, we're getting unconfirmed reports that the Americans are mobilizing their humvees and science vessels,'' an officer said as he turned to face the Marshal sitting in the main chair. 
 
 The Marshal looked up from his terminal, disregarding the most recent report from Earth, `` Where to?'' 
 
 `` Current trajectories suggest Mare Tranquillitatis, their original landing zone. Looks like they've already got a few rovers there.'' 
 
 The Marshal shrugged, `` Keep tracking them, if they deviate their course, set us to high alert. The Americans are n't ones to go on the offensive up here.'' 
 
 `` Da, Marshal,'' the officer spun back around in his chair and adjusted a few of his tools as he settled in for a long night. 
 
 The Marshal, on the other hand, turned back to his terminal and began to read one of the worst reports he had received from Earth in years. Within minutes, he was shocked by a resounding beep coming from his comm terminal. 
 
 On the screen was one name, a name he had come to know, a name he had come to study, and a name he had come to respect. Frederick Hendricks of the United States was contacting him, on a Priority One channel. 
 
 The phone rang once. 
 
 Then twice. 
 
 And with an uneasy hand, the Marshal grabbed the red phone and picked it up, `` Privet.'' 
 
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 *United States of America Moon Base Alpha* 
 
 Houston Time ( CDT ): 09:29 
 
 Current Population: 154 Astronaunts 
 
 The officers on board Moon Base Alpha had been going about their daily routine, collecting moon samples, reading daily reports from the Cold War with Russia, and of course, spying on their friends across the way. To many the Russians, who were a mere 13 kilometers away, had become a sort of other world on another world. They were different, of course, part of the Red, but they also had a mission here. 
 
 And the Admiral in charge knew that. And he knew that no matter what, his mission was of most importance. 
 
 `` Admiral Hendricks to the bridge.'' 
 
 The PA system had become the voice of God to Hendricks and the calming voice that came with it became the only thing that reminded him of home. But, since being stationed here three years ago, the moon had started to become a home in itself. 
 
 Within a few moments Hendricks was on the bridge and grabbing a cup of coffee that was waiting for him, `` What's the news?'' 
 
 `` Sir,'' an officer spun around in his chair and frowned, `` It's not good.'' 
 
 Hendricks took a seat and looked at his screen. Within moments he knew the worst was about to come, `` Mobilize the entire base. Get them ready for transport.'' 
 
 `` Sir?'' 
 
 `` And get me a secured line to Marshal Antonovich.'' 
 
 The comm officer raised an eyebrow, `` Sir? That is ill-advised.'' 
 
 Hendricks looked up at the officer and nodded, `` Aye, it is. But it's necessary.'' 
 
 The comm officer nodded and began to secure a line to the Marshal of the USSR, within a few moments, Admiral Hendricks was holding a phone. 
 
 It rang once. 
 
 Then twice. 
 
 And then a deep voice echoed over the phone, `` Privet.'' 
 
 `` Marshal, I have a proposition for you.'' 
 
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 *Landing Zone Mare Tranquillitatis* 
 
 MSK: 18:57 
 
 CDT: 10:57 
 
 The landing zone had been split in two by the three hundred and thirty cosmonauts and astronauts surrounding the area. It was quiet, not the usual no-atmosphere quiet, but the Duel at Dawn quiet. Both sides waiting with guns ready. 
 
 Both sides waiting for the strike of the clock. 
 
 In the middle of the landing zone was Admiral Hendricks and Marshal Antonovich. The two of them stood there, at a stand still, staring over the other's forces. 
 
 Antonovich broke the silence, `` You're proposing treason.'' 
 
 `` I'm proposing a chance to survive.'' 
 
 `` Whose to trust your reports? They are not firing anything!'' 
 
 `` Our reports match up, they lead to the same conclusion.'' 
 
 There was a silence. 
 
 `` And if this is some American plot?'' 
 
 `` Would I let 154 Americans stand in front of you if it was.'' 
 
 `` I can not know for certain.'' 
 
 `` And neither can I, but neither of us wants to risk our men.'' 
 
 Antonovich stepped forward, `` You swear to me?'' 
 
 Hendricks nodded, `` I swear.'' 
 
 Antonovich stood silent for several moments as he turned to face Earth, it was home, and if they could go back, they could show the world what the moon can offer. `` Then we will do it. We will all go home tonight.'' 
 
 Hendricks smiled underneath his helmet, it was the first piece of good news he heard. Antonovich had the supplies, Hendricks had the fuel. They could make it. As the two went to shake hands, Antonovich stared at Earth and in the distance, on the small blue and green planet, he could see a puff of red and orange. 
 
 Hendricks turned in time to see the second one. 
 
 And then the third. 
 
 And the fourth. 
 
 The fifth. 
 
 Their hands fell at the sixth as they both turned to see the green and blue planet engulf itself in red and orange and black. The astronauts and cosmonauts fell to their knees, as the ash of the moon sprayed into their faces as if they could feel the ash of their loved ones on Earth. 
 
 The green and blue planet disappeared into darkness and despair, and Antonovich and Hendricks stood staring at a charred Earth. 
 
 `` We go home tonight,'' Antonovich said. 
 
 `` Aye, we go home tonight.'' 
 
 And the silence of the moon lingered over the three hundred and thirty survivors. 
 
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 **Possibly To Be Continued** 
 
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