Doug Laird
(laird@pica.army.mil)
The sensation of forward motion was all that Sam felt as he went plunging across the space-time continuum leaving one life and rocketing toward his next destination. As the forward sensation ceased and Sam's vision cleared he still felt his senses gently muted. Usually by the time Sam's sight returned at the beginning of a leap all of his other senses had sharpened. All Sam saw was a large panel containing an unknown number of switches, buttons dials and readouts. They appeared somewhat curved until he realized he was wearing a helmet. And his sensations were muted because of the thickness of the spacesuit. Sam reached up and put his hands on his faceplate and saw he was wearing very thick gloves. "Eighteen, launch control. Flight surgeon reports an elevated pressure reading for Lt. Commander Brook. Do you copy?" said a voice over the headset. "Launch control, eighteen. We copy. Recycle your instruments. No problem in Enterprise. Light this stogie, we are A-OK and ready to go," said a voice apparently next to him. Cap com (Capsule communicator) continued, "Roger, eighteen. Countdown is continuing at T-18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8. Ignition sequence starts, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0. Lift-off. (Pause) The tower is clear!" Eighteen reported, "Roll over commencing. Maximum period of dynamic pressure is being experienced." "Garbled!" was reported from eighteen. "Launch control, eighteen. Say again," inquired the cap com. Eighteen replied "OH BOY!!!"
Sam Leap Over the Moon