THe dark side of the moon part 3

We make our way to the moon

We patched the remote access codes of our control system to ground control so that they could recalculate our course to the moon. 

Our onboard computers could do it but they pretty much worked like the GPS systems of old back on earth - they calculated a route based on some inconsistent data and space maps. Though correct, the route could be long. 

Luckily it added only an hour to original planned arrival. We were now being flown from earth and very little input was required from us. We called it 'space cruising'

Jack was preoccupied and troubled by what happened. He had flown hundreds of missions, countless but he had not seen this before. Space rarely afforded you the chance to be wrong. 

Is it systematic or mechanical. Computer error or input error...no no this can't be.

Justin now totally relaxed takes a long look at Eve. He wants to say something but seems to get preoccupied in his thoughts...

'What Justin?' Eve says. ' don't ask me about my boyfriend because you know what the answer will be. And no I will not go on a date with you.'

"Well you are plain wrong. Remember the doctor you told me about when you had a leg problem.  I think you said he was a great physio...can you refer me to him?"

Eve laughed. 

"Oh come off it Justin. I know and you that the 'him' is a her. And you should just get to the point. If you want date just ask but don't pretend you have some problem that requires physiotherapy."

"Ok then can I have her number?" Justin made the play. 

"Certainly not!. I am not going to pump my physiotherapist to you. She's single but not desperate.' Eve put paid to that. 

The space craft entered the moon's orbit as per programme, or should that be as per reprogram. 

Jack's neurotic​ nature had meant for the last couple of hours he had been calculating fuel loads, Velocities and weights to sort of try and explain the issue they just had. 

Justin on the second orbit around the moon had already started the decent protocol, several burnouts to change the angle of the craft. The laser beacons had been located and the range finders were in use. 

Several lights in the general darkness of the moon began to appear. Several mining  outfits were in operation and they related in general to the big space nations and of course the largest and most powerful corporations on earth. The united states only intimated, as the first nation on the moon, that they continued to have a few research and military related based on the moon. It's interest in mining was in minority stakes in American companies on the moon. 

This was of course not true. Zeneca, the largest mining corporation on the moon was an American government outfit through and through. The mine and related installations spread over 12 square miles both below and above surface. Tunnels and interconnected chambers.

From the actually mines themselves, to the power generators, to the oxygen supply units, to the carbon scrubbers, you name it it was there. The designers had wanted it to be totally self sufficient come what may. 

The landing site was fast approaching. The lights, the platform and the communication mast, were the pieces of equipment which came into sight and additionally the huge fuel tanks right next to the landing platform. 

5,000 feet above the surface, Justin would do a very tricky but also risky maneuver; rotate the space and land it facing upward in the dock. 

Once rotated and slowed down, the four support legs would deploy to allow for upright landing. 

The landing was accompanied by a blast from the main booster rocket. Once landed safely, the supply capsule would disengage automatically and move through a dedicated tunnel system to one of three receiving warehouses.

The crew change passengers would be moved from the space ship from a self detaching capsule through a service chute, which would bring them to the landing and take off area. 

They would be assisted out of their suits as this whole area was pressurised and had an oxygen supply. 

The men would have a quick coffee, receive brief handovers from those who were leaving. 

To be continued..