Damage was noted and tallied. A signal began.
"Houston, lunar orbit remains stable. We'll be passing into the moon's shadow in three minutes."
"Roger, Eagle."
"What the ****?! Houston, do you copy?"
"What is it, Eagle? Say again, your signal is breaking up."
"We're picking up ***** from darkside. It's **** woman in a **** dress. Some **** of holog**m except it's mov*ng and th*** some *****."
"Your signal is getting tonal and static distortions, Eagle. Try again."
"It ***** like a distress ****con. Repeat. The Anomal* ** sending a dist*** beacon. It's ** my go**! It's ****"
"Eagle? Eagle, do you copy? Eagle has passed behind the moon. Waiting for re-establishment of contact upon emerging from lunar horizon."
There had been no Silver Millenium. No Earth Kingdom to split off and eventually go to war. Metal'la had erupted from the sun without sufficient energy to accomplish anything on her to do list and had lacked the goal of reclaiming her power by drawing on the ginzuishou since that was not available.
Things had taken a different turn.
"Houston, we have cleared the lunar horizon."
"Good to hear from you, Eagle. Status?"
"The Anomaly is a ship. Crew is in something like cryostasis. Image was of ice or crystal. We managed to record the song and will replay it."
"Eagle, did you say 'song'?"
"Houston, we'll play it but I think you might want to put a halt to Operation Moondust."
"Roger, Eagle. We're ready for your transmission."
While parts of the transmission and the events surrounding it were kept classified, the majority of it was released due to public pressure and international outcry.
The 'Lunar Song' was wordless but managed to convey some information. The image of the woman in the flowing gown, kneeling and hands clasped as if praying, quickly made the rounds and captured imaginations.
Again there were those who had objections to disturbing the Castle. Again they were trampled by everyone else.
In an effort to do some international damage control as well as keep some control over the situation, NASA announced that the next flight would go directly to the Anomaly and attempt to establish contact but it would have representitives from the major NATO allies as well.
The Russian mooncraft was already on the way to land when the rushed construction proved its undoing. When it went behind the lunar horizon, it never emerged on the other side.
The Chinese hadn't even had the Russian technological edge in rocketry but their own vessel lifted off months ahead of the NATO vessel. They would claim the Anomaly for China.
Except that again a ship went behind the lunar horizon and never emerged again.
It wasn't until the NATO ship cautiously entered lunar orbit that the reason was clear. The debris field indicated that the Russian ship had attempted to land on the Anomaly itself. Another debris field indicated the fate of the Chinese ship.
It was the West German who suggested sending one of the communication relays. Within two miles of the Anomaly, it abruptly came apart.
The plan became letting Orbitter orbit the moon but on a path that did not come close to the Anomaly. The Lander would set down just outside that two mile radius.
With an anxious world watching, the team of seven descended to the lunar surface.
(Posted Sat, 21 May 2005 01:50)
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