[ WP ] An astronaut from Apollo 17 ( the final moon landing ) exits the ship to discover that due to a serious miscalculation , all of the previous Apollo missions never returned home .

CDR: `` Houston, we're going comms down in a few moments, dark side approaches Bob, over.'' 
 
 MCC: `` Roger, Challenger. We'll see you on the other side. Out.'' 
 
 Eugene `` Gene'' Cernan sighed. It was his third spaceflight, and having Robert Parker on the other end of comms always made him feel at ease. Bob was a member of the astronaut support crew down at Houston, and was invaluable to Gene's mental health. 
 
 *'' Gene, come have a look at this. `` * 
 
 Gene was knocked out of his reverie by Harrison `` Jack'' Schmitt, his Lunar Module Pilot. Ronald Evans was somewhere up in the heavens above them, piloting the Command Module. 
 
 *'' What is it Jack? `` * 
 
 *'' There it is, Camelot! Right on target. `` * 
 
 Jack was always so cool and collected. Even when landing on the Moon. *'' I see it Jack. `` * 
 
 *'' Absolutely incredible. Absolutely incredible. `` * 
 
 Gene smiled. Let him have his fun. As long as he landed in one piece though. Time to initiate. 
 
 *'' Alright Jack, let's do this. `` * Jack smiled in anticipation and nodded his head. 
 
 CDR: `` Houston, Challenger's coming around the rim. How do you copy?'' 
 
 MCC: `` Challenger, Houston. Read you loud and clear. Over.'' 
 
 CDR: `` Roger Houston. I got the South Massif. Camelot on target.'' 
 
 MCC: `` Roger that Challenger. You are go for contact, over.'' 
 
 CDR: `` I've got the triangle.'' 
 
 LMP: `` Contact.'' 
 
 CDR: `` Okay, Houston. The Challenger has landed!'' 
 
 MCC: `` Rounds on us when you boys get home Challenger. Nice work.'' 
 
 CDR: `` I'll hold you to that Bob. Update in 3, over.'' 
 
 MCC: `` Roger that Challenger. Over and out.'' 
 
 Alright. That was done. Now the fun part. 
 
 *'' Suit up Jack, EVA, we got science to be doing. `` * 
 
 *'' You got it Gene! `` * Jack could barely keep his excitement in. Was really endearing. What a man. 
 
 - 
 
 *'' Hoy, Jack, just stop. You owe yourself 30 seconds to look up over the South Massif and look at the Earth. `` * 
 
 `` You've seen one earth, you've seen them all.'' 
 
 Hmph. So much for his endearing attitude. The reality of the EVA had hit quickly. Time was moving and they did n't have a lot. 
 
 - 
 
 *'' Okay, let me give it a few whacks. Baloney. `` * The staff did n't want to go in as Gene tried to beat it in. *'' I do n't know how far we could drill, but we hit something solid with that one. `` * 
 
 *'' No, it was still going. `` * Jack's face was hard to see behind his gold sun visor, but his tone sounded persistent. 
 
 *'' Yes, but did you ever see a vibrator like that? `` * 
 
 *'' Gene, just get it done. `` * 
 
 Gene could n't help but chuckle to himself. Not the joke, but the fact that it was comical to him. After all, he stood on a desolate plain absent of color, with the crown jewel herself making the first Earthrise he'd had the privilege of seeing, and here he was laughing. Yet Gene'd never felt so small. 
 
 - 
 
 Gene made his way up the massif. In the gravity here the effort was n't so much as difficult as it was clumsy. Somehow he'd managed to trip on a rock and land face first in the gray soil. Hopefully Jack did n't notice. 
 
 *'' You still playing Gene? `` * Jack called out over the comms. Dammit. Oh well. 
 
 With a grunt, Gene pushed himself standing, simultaneously achieving the best pushup in history. 
 
 His smile was cut short though, when he caught sight of what lay on the other side of the massif. 
 
 *'' Uh... Jack? `` * 
 
 *'' What is it Gene? `` * 
 
 *'' You need to come and see this. `` * 
 
 *'' No joy, I'm behind the LM pulling a sample. `` * 
 
 *'' NOW Jack. Comm silent. `` * 
 
 *''... Alright. Heading your way. `` * 
 
 MCC: `` Everything alright Challenger?'' 
 
 No everything was not ok. Gene's blood had run cold and Bob's voice was n't comforting right now. Quite the opposite. 
 
 - 
 
 CDR: `` You've got some serious explaining to do Houston.'' 
 
 MCC: `` Repeat your last Challenger. You're breaking up.'' 
 
 CDR: `` The hell I am.'' 
 
 MCC: ``...'' 
 
 CDR: `` Houston I'm switching frequencies. When you're ready to talk, head over there. Out.'' 
 
 Gene was shaking. Strewn about in front of him, for miles, were remnants of American flags and complete landers. And bodies. Bodies in suits, laying where they last fell. And the plaque in front of him? Well, it read: `` HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON JULY 1969.'' 
 
 It was 1972. 
 
 *'' What am I looking at Gene...'' * Now Jack sounded shaky. With good reason. 
 
 *'' You're looking at a lie. `` * 
 
 - 
 
 MCC: `` Challenger, we'll speak to you now.'' 
 
 CDR: `` You better have answers.'' 
 
 MCC: `` We never could get you back Gene. There would never be enough fuel.'' 
 
 CDR: `` What? Why send us??'' 
 
 MCC: `` We know there's a bigger purpose. Damn Soviets need to be beat. Whatever the cost.'' 
 
 CDR: `` People are n't gon na like this.'' 
 
 MCC: `` What makes you think they know? You did n't.'' 
 
 CDR: `` I'm looking at Neil right now. Who the hell is on Earth?'' 
 
 MCC: `` Body double. Footage we showed was real. Splashdown was fake. People do n't need to know.'' 
 
 CDR: `` Why not just fake the footage? Why send us here to die?'' 
 
 MCC: `` It had to be believable. I'm sorry Gene. Why do you think we gave you those pills?'' 
 
 Suddenly Gene heard a gurgling sound. 
 
 Seems like Jack had found the pills. 
 
 CDR: `` God dammit Bob. This is so many levels of messed up.'' 
 
 MCC: `` I know. You're family will be well taken car-'' 
 
 CDR: `` DO N'T TALK ABOUT THEM.'' 
 
 MCC: `` We're going to cut communication now. It makes it easier. You served your country well.'' 
 
 CDR: `` For you or for me?'' 
 
 Gene spat, only forgetting he was on the moon and that was n't a great idea. 
 
 MCC: `` May God forgive us. Goodbye Gene.'' 
 
 MCC: ``...'' 
 
 - 
 
 *'' Guess it's just you and me buddy. `` * Gene sat next to the corpse of Neil Armstrong. 
 
 In front of him, the crown jewel herself made the last Earthrise he'd have the privilege of seeing. 
 
 Raising his arm, Gene lifted his middle finger. 
 
 **'' Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17. `` ** 
 
 - 
 
 Dedicated to the Crew of Apollo 17. Some excerpts taken from the transcript directly. 
 
 - 
 
 *''... I'm on the surface; and, as I take man's last step from the surface, back home for some time to come - but we believe not too long into the future - I'd like to just [ say ] what I believe history will record. That America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow. And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17. `` *
