The New Shepherd

I never have a clue as to what those guys are talking about. Maybe because I have only a passing grasp of Spanish, maybe because I am always distracted by their Benedictine robes, or maybe because a plurality of ideas washes itself away in a sort of impenetrable mysticism, no idea at all, which is perfect for the only thing that matters: action.

Still, some ghostly fragment of the idea can remain to gum up the works at the most inopportune moments. And as we determined earlier, Death is most certainly on the line here, so who's got it right? Who has the best idea, when it comes to dealing with ideas? Let's take up Mathew, Mark, the Beetle, and Jeff, introduce them to their ornery and impatient Happening, and see what this says.

There were, of course, four seats and four large windows in the small white room where the astronauts were to spend the next few days. In the center was a circular console with a ring in the center of that, and it lit up every time Alexa spoke. A few minutes before the live-stream cut out, Alexa informed everyone that she had stabilized the orbit and that the seat-belts could now be undone.

Mark, floated out of his chair, and all the tension of the assent exploded from him. "I'm flying, I'm fucking flying Jeff!" He shouted.

"That you are." Jeff confirmed

Mark kicked out of his seat and flew over to his brother, but as he drew near, he remembered himself and that the world was still watching.

"Sorry about the language folks!" he laughed as he embraced Jeff.

"Understandable" said Jeff, and turned towards Victor, "Pretty common reaction hey?"

The Beetle did not respond through the communications system, but instead simply raised a thumb. He remained in his seat, belts all done up, and folded his hands behind his helmet.

The boy on the other hand seemed simply dumbstruck. He had gone over to Victor's side of the capsule where he could see the earth floating beneath them; The boy's own window was then merely pointing out into the blackness of space.

"Weather satellites inform me that if you look out windows four and one, you should be able to get an unobstructed view of the Indian Subcontinent for the next few moments. The next time we'll be over this location we'll be in the middle of our escape burn so we'll all be strapped in. Enjoy!" Said Alexa.

Mark and his brother turned together to look at the sandy brown triangle then turning away below them.

"Hello there, Mr. Bezos!" The voice of Mission control buzzed into their helmets. "You can't imagine what things are like down here. Staff is going absolutely mad."

"Sounds like were all of one mind then." said Jeff.

"That we are! That we are. Well, I've just patched in to let you know we've double checked Alexa's math and everything looks good. You'll be in her hand's for the next couple days until you hit your lunar insertion."

"Thanks man." Jeff said casually.