Tidal Locking

With reflexes that only the best trained men can muster, Army recoiled and once again pressed his nose to the glass in an effort to focus on what he thought he saw. But the black of space and the constant shadow of lunar night convinced him that he was more anxious about the mission than he would consciously admit to.

A short while later his silence was broken. "Wayfarer, this is Houston. We have you again. How was your nap?"

"Roger Houston. The chores are all done, but I sure missed you guys watching over me. What's next?"

"Stand by Wayfarer. We have a couple of good ones for you."

The orbit continued and the next blackout came all too soon. This time Army found himself glued to the window nervously spying in all directions over the lunar surface. Half way into blackout he saw two straight lines rising from the base of a mountain forming an apex. His heart pounded noticeably as he became aware that beads of sweat were building on his forehead. Oh my god!

The sensation that he was being watched was stronger this time too. He could almost hear someone knocking on his mind, and pouring through its content. The silence seemed stronger too and finally hearing Houston again soothed his growing trepidation albeit only until the next blackout neared.

The next time around the sphere, Army saw the apex again and this time he had a different angle. It was a pyramid! And behind that, another structure nearly as large! Army rubbed his eyes and looked again. It shrunk as he passed away into darkness. Then another light, but this one was a streak that began on the surface and protruded into space beyond. "I can't believe this," he said aloud.

In what seemed like an eternal period of time, Houston returned with another warm greeting. "Wayfarer, this is Houston. You're gonna have to stop all this circling stuff. The guys down here are getting dizzy. You copy Wayfarer?"

"Copy that," he responded. "I need a secure channel set up. SSS only."

"Roger Wayfare, that's an SSS channel ASAP."

"Roger Houston. I'll be waiting."

By the time they found General Stout, it was almost time to lose communication again. Stout was standing tall holding onto his immense pouch smoking a cigar that took his entire mouth to hold. He puffed violently as the headset was placed over his ears. "Ah, dis is General Stout, SSS. Go ahead son."

Army was beginning to panic. His years of reconnaissance had taught him to be cool under fire and focus even during emotional upheavals. The thought of dying wasn't nearly as fearful as the shock of failing. "Sir, I only got a few minutes so I'm gonna come right to the point. There's construction on the far side of the moon! I saw a bloomin' pyramid!"

Stout's eye went as large and as round as his cigar. He grabbed for his ear piece as though he was afraid it would fall off. "Now calm down son. Say that again, but this time calmer."

"Roger that. I say there is a pyramid on the backside of Luna. I'm sure of it. I also saw lights emanating from the surface. Do you copy?"

Stout moved as far away from the other people at the control center as possible. The room was noisy anyway, but he wasn't sure what he was about to say. "Copy that Son. Now this time around, I want you to get the camera ready. Take some good shots Army. I'll be waiting on the other end."

Army saw the timer he had already set up. "Copy that Sir.