Chapter 5• No job is too big

*Day 2 of Origenes Crisis*

(Still the same day as the previous chapter)

It was incredibly hard to grapple with my feelings at that moment.

Just the thought of being near one of those rockets was incredibly exciting, and frightening.

As embarrassed as I was that I'd let this telescope malfunction story pass me by, I mainly felt a deep concern for the rest of the pups.

In a way, it felt like a betrayal.

What would happen if someone needed me?

Well…. I guess they had their chance.

I, of course, responded to this in typical me fashion- Asking questions until I got lightheaded.

"Wait, don't astronauts have to train for months before going on a mission?"

"What's going to happen if I'm gone for too long?"

"Ryder, did you know about this beforehand?"

"Do they even have dog spacesuits anymore?"

"What rockets are even moon-ready nowadays?"

"How much does the telescope weigh?"

"Wait, does this mean I'm switching jobs?"

Ryder put his hand on my head to calm me down. "Rocky, he can't answer any of that until you give him your answer", he said.

Kingsley nodded and revealed that he was holding a manilla envelope that read "Classified" across its front.

"But yes, I was contacted first thing this morning and told that Mr. Kingsley would be coming down", Ryder continued.

"Yes", Kingsley added, "Past its prime or not, NASA still insists that everything we do remain as secretive as possible until it can be declassified without any harm or issue."

He paused, "I won't sugarcoat it Rocky; we are asking you to take a major risk here, but I need an answer. The sooner we can fly you out to the Cape for training, the better."

Then he hesitated, "There are uh….a lot of people breathing down my neck right now."

"But, wait-", I started, but Ryder stopped me.

"Mr. Kingsley, why don't you give us some time here. We'll have an answer within the hour", he said.

Kingsley sighed and nodded. "Fine, but you have my information. Let me know ASAP, I have a plane waiting."

Mr. Kingsley then got back into his taxi, and it drove out of sight. Then, it was just me and my beloved friend.

Now faced with the reality of leaving Earth behind, I was emotional to say the least.

"Go ahead Rocky, ask me", Ryder said.

"I…just…. It's so much to take in…. You really think I can do this?", I asked.

"Well, it's going to be hard, I won't lie. Of course, this is entirely up to you. Don't think you have to do this for me or any of the others", then he added, "I KNOW you can do this, Rocky."

I paused for a full minute; I think. But deep down, I knew the more I thought about it the worse it would become.

I thought about how Ryder had looked during the conversation with Kingsley, I knew what was going through his mind.

We were his entire world, and he told us so.

Giving your family your blessing to go do the most dangerous thing imaginable couldn't be easy for anyone.

It looked as though he could cry at any moment. But still, he was giving me a choice. It was as if he was silently begging me to say no but also screaming at me to say yes.

"I think…. I think…. I have to give it a try", I said. "I mean, I don't know how this is going to go. Training and all that. You all will still be here for me if I back out though, right? I've just felt so useless lately. And then… this opportunity just fell from the sky. I-I have to try."

Ryder nodded, took an incredibly deep breath, and then opened his arms.

I jumped into them, because in a way, I knew this was a goodbye. I couldn't stop my tears, but there were significantly less than my last episode. Just a few.

I was so distracted, I had forgotten that the other pups were inside likely watching this entire thing, and were probably the only ones on Earth who had more questions than me.

I wiped my tears away and Ryder did the same.

"I don't think astronauts are supposed to cry, are they?", I chuckled.

Ryder laughed, "I don't know, astronauts are just like everyone else. People cry when they reach limits- pups too. And…If you reach your limits, promise me you'll let us know, alright?"

I smiled, "I promise."

Ryder once again put his hand on my head and scratched behind my ears.

As if I needed any additional reasons to hate the thought of leaving.

"The others. I guess I'm gonna have to tell them", I sighed.

"Don't worry, you won't have to do it alone", Ryder smiled.

By this time, the rest of the pups couldn't contain their curiosity and came outside. Ryder ushered them all back in and sat them down.

I didn't have to say much; Ryder took the lead and ran everything by the others. He basically summarized that I was going to NASA HQ to train for an upcoming mission to the moon.

I mean….he made it sound incredibly simple.

It went about as well as you could expect. Their initial reaction was shock and disbelief, but the reality started to trickle in the more Ryder said.

Chase tried his best to look unaffected, but his face still showed genuine concern.

Zuma and Marshall did the same, but Ryder had told all of them that we wouldn't know any more details until I accepted.

Skye turned to me, "You sure you want to do this? I mean… I'm not saying you can't- you totally can. But, it just sounds…. really dangerous."

Rubble, who was visibly upset, chimed in, "Super really dangerous! Are you sure they check those rockets well, like for leaks and stuff?"

I smiled at their concern, "Well, I know the risks. Sort-of, I guess. Nothing is concrete yet, but I had done some research on my own out of innocent curiosity. The technology is sound, I'm sure."

I wasn't entirely telling the truth there. In all honesty, I didn't know how reliable the new tech was.

"Major props to you dude. That guy came all this way to see you!", Zuma said, "I don't think I could even consider doing anything like that."

"Well, it's definitely not going to be like the underwater training we do, that's for sure", I said with an uneasy laugh.

"Oh yeah, wait one sec!", Zuma said before darting to his pup-house.

I knew what Zuma was going to get.

Marshal then spoke, "Wow, just imagine going up in a rocket. All that fire, nothing supporting you, into the dark space. I've even seen those self-landing rocket booster things malfunction and blow up on the boat. Abort technology isn't exactly a-"

Chase nudged Marshall, a signal for 'that's enough talking.'

I laughed (even though I knew about everything he was saying, and it was all true), "Don't worry guys. I'm sure once training starts, I'll get the hang of everything until it's as familiar as the back of my paw", I spoke as though I knew what I was getting myself into.

They all looked just like I felt- nervous and completely caught off-guard. But they were trying their best.

Ryder looked at me- I knew it was probably time to go. The sooner I read what was in that classified folder, the better I could assess what was going to happen to me in the coming days.

This was the part I was dreading, the abruptness of my departure. No time to process, just pulling the plug.

"Well, I guess-", I didn't even get it out before I was once again in a dog-pile. Only this time, they were the one's crying. Hugging me goodbye. I felt myself about to lose it too, but this time I held it together.

Not now Rocky, I thought. Be strong. For them.

Zuma then handed me a notebook filled with his strategies for underwater EVA's (Extra-vehicular activities).

Although the diving suits we wear would be quite streamlined compared to a spacesuit, anything that could prepare me for being tethered to a vehicle in a weightless environment would help.

"You need it more than me, dude", he said, "I wish I could go with you. These notes are, well- very much written for someone who likes getting wet- so…"

"Thanks Zuma", I said, "I wish you all could go, but- maybe this is exactly what I need to beat my fears after all."

Ryder called Kingsley, who was likely camped out by the phone awaiting my word. When he returned to the lookout, he was accompanied by two other NASA vans.

The other pups spent the remaining time helping me pack everything I needed into my pup-house, which Ryder had told me I was permitted to bring. It hooked perfectly to the back of the larger of the NASA vans.

Although I would likely have the access to all of the pillows and treats that one could need, they still made a point to pack an excess. They wanted to make sure I had all the comforts of home with me.

Ryder wouldn't be coming with me. I knew the other pups couldn't.

For the first time since those cold days on the streets, I'd be on my own.

There was so much I wanted to say to them- all of them. But all I really had time for were hugs and assuring them that I'd call as soon as I got to the Cape.

Besides, in the back of my mind I was telling myself that if anything felt wrong, I would just hop on the first plane back to Adventure Bay and forget this ever happened.

Simple.

When the moment finally came, it was hard. No amount of preparation was going to change that- the action of the taxi pulling away from the lookout and watching my family wave goodbye.

I waved for as long as I could. Marshall tried to chase the van and stumbled- but he kept waving. Once we hit the turn, the only thing I could see was the lookout spire. I stared on as the evening lights of adventure bay passed us by, city hall, the beach, Katie's veterinarian office (where I had spent many days trying in vain to avoid her baths)- trying to take a mental snapshot of everything that was dear to me.

Kingsley was in the passenger seat; I was in the back, all I wanted to do was keep looking. But we drove further, and further, and the moment the tower disappeared from view, I was ready.

Kingsley handed me the folder and I opened it. As I read the documents and schematics, it became real. I was now officially a NASA "prospect."

I flipped through the pages.

Whether I actually got to call myself an astronaut- well, that remained to be seen.

***End of Chapter 5***