First Stage: Moon

Four men are hurtling back toward Earth after becoming the first human beings to reach the Moon and return. Cramped inside their battered reentry capsule, they endure heat, pain, exhaustion, and the terrifying uncertainty of whether they will survive the final descent. Their joking banter about fame and glory barely conceals how close they are to breaking.

But this mission was never only about science or national prestige. As the astronauts prepare for the speeches and celebrations awaiting them, they discuss what their achievement might mean for a divided planet racing toward destruction. They hope their firsthand glimpse of another world—and the attention they are certain to receive—will give them a chance to challenge patriotism, militarism, and humanity’s destructive ambitions. Before they say a word in public, however, they agree on one simple rule: sleep, bathe, and think carefully. This thoughtful science-fiction story combines the physical ordeal of space travel with an intriguing question: can four reluctant heroes use a moment of worldwide attention to change the future?