Moonquest: A Journey To The Stars

"...and so you know, that's what happened. All I wanted was some funds, is that too much to ask for? Sure, the idea of going to the Moon is ridiculous, and I might get labelled as a heretic by the Church, but who cares, right?"

Monologuing in front of Simon was the very same being who came into his shop ages ago, now very itchy to return. "Umm, sir can I please go now? It's getting kinda late..." the cloaked child squeals in anxiety, voice cracking.

Taking no heed, Simon absentmindedly waves his hand, signalling her to leave the shop. Just as the child leaves the shop, she bumps into Lewis.

Shaking her head, she skillfully sidestepped her way out. Lewis, on the other hand, was more curious.

Curious about what her race was, for he had seen that her skin was greenish in hue, although by not much.

"Hey, how much did we collect today?" Ever the optimist, Lewis called out to Simon, still grimy from cleaning the sewers.

Sighing, Simon answers Lewis, despondent. "No luck today as well, I'm afraid. People here are way, way, waaaayyyy too superstitious. I mean, all I said was that 'I'll go to the Moon, it's not gonna be that bad', and they go 'blasphemy' and 'heretic', the best one being 'kill that swindler'. Pssshhh, who needs them anyways..."

Trailing off, Simon looked down, downcast. Seeing his friend sad, Lewis could not help but reveal to Simon what he had made.

"Hey, you might wanna come outside for a minute or two..."

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Walking down the streets alone, Duncan feels amazed at the sight of the town, revelry all around, a result of the Kingdom announcing that they had summoned their heroes.

Shaking his head in disappointment, he headed down the streets, across the alleyways, over bridges, and finally out of the city.

For a few kilons across was where Simon's Snippets lay.

As he reached closer, he could hear some voices being spread across. Sneaking ever so slowly, he made his way across into some trees. Peering through it, he saw something very unexpected.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

"Right, I've made a preliminary plan. Our rocket ship is based on a slightly modified version of what is known, in our world at least, as the Apollo Series rockets. This ship consists of four modular stages, each splitting as we reach the various edges of the atmosphere. Although I won't be able to make them now, I have a very calculated hunch that once I reach tier 5, I'll be able to manufacture them, provided I have the...*hah*... necessary machines needed to forge those parts, and quite frankly, I don't. I just wish I knew how..."

"Perhaps I could be of service..."

Jumping in shock, they were astounded to see a very burly elf emerging from the bushes behind the tree. Realising who he was, Simon stood, mouth agape.

"M-M-Mr. Duncan, what are you doing here? I thought you said my idea was ridiculous!"

Spreading his hands, Duncan's eyes wandered across the tiny gathering: strewn across were drawings of various rocket ships, rudimentary mathematical tools of every kind, and last but not least, a very basic model of what looks to be an...Apollo series rocket?

Taking a deep breath, he began pouring out what he wanted to say:

"You know, at first I thought your plan was ridiculous, stupid even. Everyone wants to reach for the stars, even me, but as we grew older, we realised, it was just a dream. Passion fading, everyone just stuck to their jobs, their occupations, doing nothing except sticking to the rigid old rules.

Even me...

But then, you came along. Despite being beaten, despite being ridiculed, despite being on the verge of losing everything, you still clung to your passion, your dream...

Your reason to live.

And this got me thinking, 'if he can do it, why can't I?' So I thought, let's do it, let's give him ome more chance, and see what he can do."

Looking around, Duncan spread his hands defeated, yet smiling. "And I've got to say, I am glad I'm not wrong. I may not know much about how to build a rocket ship, but I sure damn can help you build the shit needed to build one. So, can I join in?"