The Moon Shot Gang Story # 1- Moon Shot(Donald Harry Roberts) The Adventures Of The Moon Shot Gang
Simon, Gail, Weston and Freida


Moon Shot
Simon, Gail, Weston and Freida were four middle school kids who loved science fiction and dreamed of going to space. They had a secret club called the Moon Shot Gang, where they would meet every weekend in Simon's garage and work on their project: building a space shuttle out of an old Volkswagen van.

They had scavenged parts from junkyards, thrift stores, and online auctions, and used their creativity and ingenuity to transform the van into a makeshift spacecraft. Solar panels were installed, rocket boosters, navigation systems, and even a mini fridge. It was painted with stars and planets, and named it the Moonshot Express.

One night, when the moon was full and bright, the kids decided to test their invention. Sneaking out of their houses after their parents had gone to sleep, they met at Simon's garage. Simon climbed into the pilot’s chair to steer while the others rolled the van out of the garage onto the drive way. Once everyone was inside the space ship they put on their helmets, buckled their seatbelts, and co-pilot Gail turned on the ignition.
The van's engine roared into life, and the rocket boosters ignited. The van lifted off the ground, and soared into the sky. The Moon Shot Gang looked back out the window and saw all the lights in the neighbourhood come on and people running out into the street.
Simon said, “Well. I didn’t think of how much noise there would be.” But by then they were high in the sky, “:But Wow, we did it!" he exclaimed and he steered the van towards the moon.

"This is amazing!" Gail said, as she looked out the window and saw the Earth getting smaller.

"I can't believe we're actually going to the moon!" Weston said, as he checked the instruments and gauges.

"Me neither!" Freida said, as she took out her camera and snapped some pictures.

They flew for about an hour, until they reached the moon's orbit. They saw the craters, mountains, and valleys of the lunar surface, and looked for a suitable landing spot. They found a flat area near a large crater, and Simon gently lowered the van onto the ground.
They had landed on the moon.

The Moon Shot Gang cheered and high-fived each other, and then put on their spacesuits. They opened the van's door, and stepped out. Feeling the low gravity, the four kids jumped and bounced around. Simon planted their club's flag and Freida collected some rocks and dust samples. Gail took more pictures and Weston used the scanner looking for anything interesting.
Next the gang explored a nearby crater, and made some discoveries.

They found a cave, and decided to check it out. They entered the cave, and turned on their flashlights and immediately saw something that made them gasp. “A colony of aliens live in this cave.” Gail nearly shouted and made everyone’s earphones squeal.
“They looked like caterpillars, but with different colors and patterns.” Weston said in alarm.
They were crawling on the walls, ceiling, and floor, and making soft noises.

"Hello, we come in peace," Simon said, as he approached one of the aliens.

The alien looked at him, and tilted its head. It seemed curious, but not afraid. It touched Simon's hand with its antennae, and made a chirping sound.

"They're friendly!" Simon said, smiling.

The other kids followed his example, and greeted the aliens. The aliens responded with more chirps, and touched their hands, too. The Moon creatures seemed to like the kids, and the kids liked them.

The Gang spent some time with the aliens, and learned more about them. They found out that the aliens were called Flutters, and that they had come from a planet called Flutterwing, far away in the galaxy. They had crashed on the moon a long time ago, and had been waiting for their friends to rescue them. They had adapted to the moon's environment, and had built a cozy home in the cave.

The gang also found out that the Flutters were about to undergo a big change. They were going to transform into their adult forms, and fly away. They showed the kids some cocoons, where some of the Flutters were already inside. They said that soon, they would emerge as beautiful moths and butterflies, that resembled small dragons and they would fly back to Flutterwing, and reunite with their kind.

The kids were amazed by the Flutters' story, and felt happy for them. They were sad too because they knew they would have to say goodbye. With a vote the Moon Shots decided to stay with the Flutters, and witness their transformation.

It took a while but then they heard some cracking sounds. They looked at the cocoons, and saw them breaking open and saw the Flutters coming out. and gasped.
They were right. The Flutters had turned into moths and butterflies, that looked like small dragons. They
Gail said excitedly, “They’re all different. The wings are different shapes, sizes, and colors, They were beautiful. It like no two are exactly the same but they sparkled in the light.

The Flutters flapped their wings, and flew around the cave. They made joyful noises, and thanked the kids for their friendship.
“We will never forget you but we have to go now, and we wish you well.” Said a bright blue Butterdragon.

Then in a moment of excitement she invited the kids to join them, and fly with them to Flutterwing. “It’s a wonderful place, full of wonders and adventures. You are kind humans and would be welcomed by our people.”

The kids looked at each other excitedly. They had come this far and they had always wanted to go to space to see other planets. “There’s were more adventures to be had.” Weston cheered. “We have already met new friends, the Flutters and I am sure we will make more. I say we go to Flutterwing.” He went on.
The Moonshot gang voted again and made up their minds.

They agreed to go with the Flutters, and fly to Flutterwing. They ran back to the van, and grabbed their helmets, spacesuits, and some supplies. They said goodbye to the Luna Express, and thanked it for taking them to the moon. They followed the Flutters, and climbed on their backs. They held on tight, and felt the wind in their faces.

They flew out of the cave, and into the sky and from aloft saw the moon's surface, and the stars above. They saw the Earth, and waved farewell. Then out of the distant stars came a spaceship. A Fluttership that looked like a Flutter. They greeted them, and joined them. The Fluttership picked up the Moonshot Express which was much smaller. They left the moon, and headed for Flutterwing.

They were the Moon Shot Gang, and they were going to have adventures of their lives.

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