Spaceman's luck

Ten thousand eyes watch the Lady Luna tremble on the launch pad as Gordon Holt straps into the capsule, his expression a blend of nerves and cold calculation. Unlike the heroes of yesterday, Holt isn’t chasing glory; he’s a businessman with a spreadsheet for every possible outcome, hoping the Moon will deliver the profit he’s been plotting. The crew’s final checks are routine, the countdown a familiar drumbeat, and the rocket ignites with a roar that drowns out the crowd’s breath.

As the spacecraft lifts off, Holt already envisions the inevitable snag that will turn his solitary mission into a worldwide spectacle. A minor malfunction could strand him on the lunar surface, sparking a media frenzy and a costly rescue effort that will flood the newsfeeds. He knows the script all too well—panic, petitions, and a flood of money—yet he remains oddly calm, convinced his careful planning will keep him a step ahead of the chaos.