In my bedroom, I laid down and stared at the ceiling. A mystical galaxy painted to near realism. I had been seeing it since I was a child and it always channelled me into my thoughts. The same thoughts...

It was like I couldn't get around the Fermi paradox. Why couldn't there be others out there. Why does it have to be only us? I have always looked at humanity in this way: the purpose of life on Earth has a single reason; the only reason- to help increase entropy in the universe. We are pockets of order created to increase disorder.

If that's been the plan all along then there must be more of us! And by 'us' I mean living things. Humans create disorder much more than other animals, but evolution plays a key role here. In general, every living thing helps the universe reach its goal. However minuscule it might be on the grand scheme. It was just too surreal to believe that there was nobody else helping around. After all the experiment did succeed and we were fulfilling nature's goal.

Were they not remotely like us? Were they so different that we wouldn't consider them to be living things? Did it go that extreme out there? But provided the chances, there must be at least some like us. Intelligent beings in pursuit of knowledge. The single driving force of a civilisation is to grow and evolve. And if a race had managed to progress to the point of making a flourishing civilisation, they always feel the need to learn more.

But on the other hand, it's a comfort knowing that at last we are moving on with the Moon. It's been decades since it's gotten the proper care and interest. Now it would be another few decades till we get to the point where the Moon's resources would be at our complete disposal. But we are progressing.

The doorbell rung. I came back from the realm of my thoughts and back to reality. And a minute later, my buddies entered inside my room. The first thing I noticed was Blake's red hair gelled back in a regal manner and contrasting him, Danny's blonde curls. Both were dressed in casual wear and had fancy bags. "My dudes are so handsome," I said looking at them, sitting myself up on the bed, a friendly grin painted on my face

"Like you," Blake smiled and threw his bag on the far side of the bed.

The two were chatting and always together.

I fist bumped them.

Danny asked, chewing gum in his mouth, "So, which subject did you call us in for?"

"The subject doesn't matter, I study well when I'm around my best buddies."

"Couldn't agree more." Blake dropped to the ground and started fetching for his pen. He never carried a pencil box or pencil bag to keep his accessories for that matter.

"Let's discuss about today's physics class. The concepts were interesting but the math part bored me to death," I began and like that we picked up our discussions about the day and started with few of the numericals the teacher had assigned to us as homework. Most of the days we didn't bother doing it. But today felt like a good day for some practice.

"What the hell is wrong with this sum?!" Danny over-reacted by face palming and feigning a death.

After rubbing our noses for too long we finally gave up. "Mark that up for the next class. We need to show that to Miss Wallace." I circled the question.

"Sure thing," Danny said.

After some time, I felt like we could use a few chats so I briefed them about my encounter today.

"Julie is back from another state after nine years, and she's staying here permanently. I thought I would tell you two about it. I want her to be a part of our friend circle."

"Did you mark a day for the interview?"

Smooth as ever, Blake.

"The place is decided. I'd fix the date as soon as I can."

"Where are we going?" Danny asked, swiveling with his curls and scratching his cheek, his stubble thicker than the last time I properly noticed it. He usually clean-shaved.

I flashed a smile and made a wicked laugh, "To Mama likes it Spicy!"

__________

The live feed from the mission control aired on television and showed the astronauts making preparations for setting up their first night on the Moon.

From a different camera the moonscape was visible. Black and White. Stars could be seen, it being the far side of the moon. For communication, there was a satellite which redirected their signal in order for it to reach Earth.

The ashen valley was unchanging and static. A small meteor streaked through its non existent atmosphere and created a new crater less than a metre across. Mankind hoped to start moon tourism in the next decade or two. But preparations for the constructions were just taking place. This was the first of the many missions which would slowly build the outposts on our cold rocky neighbour.

I was excited.

Though I wouldn't be able to go.

It still cost a helluva lot.

"Where's Papa?" I asked Ma, as I sat down at the dinner table, Blake and Danny by my sides.

"He'll be late. When you unite two friends together, it's never early. Especially if they are meeting years later at an occasion like this." Ma smiled.

"When was the last time we saw him? Do you remember?"

Ma pondered over the thought for longer than I expected her to.

"I think, it was two years ago, when he came here without any notice. I don't remember exactly what he came here for. The man's full of surprises!" she chuckled to herself as she took a mouthful.

I looked at the two sitting by my sides. My two boys didn't hesitate when it came to food. They were practically monsters when it came to it. Nobody could guess this side of them when they beheld their perfect bodies. God knows what they do to maintain their physique with a diet like that! I mean I like food too... but, I am no competition to them.

But look at this! When it came to my mother's dishes, they ate elegantly, gracefully, adjectives hardly ever associated at other places.

Persona shifting bastards.

"You think we'd ever be hoppin' worlds?" Danny asked, after gulping, his Adam's apple making a visible climb, then retracing back to its original position.

"Personally, I think our next generation would be up for it. Things are just going so slow..."

"Wait a minute. Your next generation? You finally decided whom to marry? Ah, such wonderful news!" Ma clapped.

The two pieces of shits erupted in noisy laughter.

"Ugh, no Ma! I meant in general! Not my next generation! I still have time to find a partner."

"Oh come on, I was just teasing you." Ma chuckled.

"Yeah right."

"...the resupply mission would furnish our astronauts with materials to build outposts underground..."

From childhood, I have dreamt of space, of rockets and of a life beyond. At least I get to see the beginning of it. There are so many things that could go wrong, so I think it's wise to take time. But when humanity is on a ticking time bomb, is it really wisdom that's keeping us here? Why you might ask? Well, something is coming in fast. Tensions are rising. I can feel it. There are just too many variables to perfectly rule out that we are safe and sound; perfectly stable.

But no, we aren't.

Not in the slightest.

And we need the change to survive from the hands of extinction.

To save us... from ourselves.