“Then let’s go, guys!” Steve shouted, barely able to contain his excitement.

  The AI’s calm, monotone voice followed.

  “Before departure, return home and inform your families—or whoever you care about.”

  The three nodded and split up.

  Steve burst into his house and wrapped his father in a tight hug.

  “Dad… I’m finally going for my goal. Take care of yourself, okay?” he said, voice trembling despite the smile on his face.

  Tony returned to an empty home. He picked up a pillow, hugged it, and whispered to it like it was someone real. That was all he had.

  Neil had it the hardest. His wedding was just three weeks away. He called his fiancée, but she didn’t answer. So he texted her:

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “I’m leaving. But I’ll be back before the wedding. I promise.”

  At 4:37 p.m., they met at Zopio Hotdog and walked together toward the research center. Waiting inside were three spacesuits, lined up neatly near the entrance.

  “We are heading to the Moon, students,” the AI announced, sounding almost proud.

  They suited up and walked into the launch chamber where a small, silver spaceship waited—its first journey about to begin.

  Excitement mixed with fear inside all three of them.

  “Step onboard with only the left foot first,” the AI instructed. “It is the safety protocol.”

  Neil and Tony followed without hesitation. But Steve, ever curious, lifted his right foot instead.

  A laser beam shot past his ankle with the speed of sound, slicing the air dangerously close.

  Tony exploded. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU IDIOT?!”

  Neil sighed, but his tone stayed calm. “Steve… curiosity is fine. But not when your life depends on instructions.”

  The gate shut behind them, sealing them inside with the AI.

  Doctor Joseph’s voice echoed through the intercom:

  “Decimal–C9037O47, ready for launch?”

  “Yes! We are ready!” all three shouted in unison.

  “Alright then… 3… 2… 1… Decimal is clear to go!”

  The spaceship roared upward, and for the first time, they felt space itself—the weight, the silence, the strange pressure they had only imagined in stories.

  Inside the cabin, the AI said in a firm, teacher-like tone,

  “Time here runs two million times faster than on Earth. You must act quickly.”

  Neil immediately snapped, “You never told us that! You said only the Compost Hole changed time!”

  The AI paused.

  “Humans… science has already surpassed God.”