“You see, in my time that hope had already failed. Humanity exploited the discoveries of their parents without making new discoveries for their children. So when the Kylarn arrived and performed their first quiet surveillance missions, they saw us as inferior. They spied on Earth for many decades, just to be sure, watching us grow weaker and softer. Sadly, we humans did as much damage to ourselves through lack of initiative as the Kylarn inflicted on us. The Kylarn spied on Earth for decades, watching us grow softer. Eventually, they decided that we were practically defenseless, and a single powerful blow would stun humanity into surrender.”
“Is that what happened?” Song-Ye asked, still stroking Newton.
Zota straightened. “My future is a bleak one, but what happens in my time will not necessarily happen in yours. I pray that it will not—” a flash of pain crossed his face, “—else my entire mission has failed.”
King was defiant. “I don’t plan to hand Earth over to a bunch of aliens. We saw what those … things did to the moonbase.”
Zota’s eyes flashed with a glint of approval. “In my future, humanity is already crushed, enslaved. On the Moon you saw the first Kylarn outpost that they established to prepare the way for their main invasion fleet. However, they first came to Earth much earlier. Not long from now—in your lifetimes—the first alien scout ships will arrive. They will survey Earth and make their assessment.”
Zota let out a long sigh, turning his gaze away. “In my time, no one paid attention anymore to space with all its mysteries—and dangers. We were distracted by stories and games.”
Dyl blinked in surprise. “But movies and books and games are what inspired my imagination—made me want to see what’s really out there.”
“Ah. Perhaps that is how it should be,” Zota said. “Our imaginations should inspire us to see and experience more, not distract us from the wonder of discovery. In my time, we convinced ourselves that there was nothing worth looking at beyond our own planet. Once Moonbase Magellan was destroyed, we gave up entirely. No wonder the Kylarn saw us as easy targets.
“So the alien scouts reported home, and the invasion fleet came. All that remained of Earth’s space program was one space station complex in orbit. Earth could not possibly stand against invaders. Our elected leaders were not visionaries, but professional showmen who knew how to win elections. The few scientists had been turned into administrators. When the Kylarn attacked, we tried to defend ourselves, but it didn’t last long. Caught sleeping, we lost not just the first battle, but the whole war.”
“Then someone’s got to do better than that,” JJ said. “But how did you get here, Commander Zota—to our present? If there really are no problem-solvers in your time, who invented the time-travel technology that brought you here?”
A rueful smile quirked his lips. “The Kylarn. I stole it.”
They stared at Zota in shock. King and Dyl chuckled.
“That’s certainly a solution,” Song-Ye remarked. “But not very encouraging.”
“I researched and studied our past in an attempt to learn why Earth was so easily defeated. For years I planned, and then I stole a time-travel device from the Kylarn. Would it not be ironic if their own time-travel technology became the key to their defeat?”
“I’m a big fan of irony,” Dyl said.
“Me too, sir,” King said.
“But what’s to stop them from using it against us?” Dyl asked.
“Nothing, I’m afraid. I escaped and came back here to find likely candidates, to start a movement with you and many others like you, to save the future. It’s a one-way trip for me. The technology does not allow travel within one’s own lifetime. Also, through my interactions with you, I have already changed my future and can never return. But my memories of that future hold only pain, since I lost everything I had there.”
Zota turned away, and JJ felt a deep sadness coming from him.
“Starting with you, with the Star Challengers, I want to prepare the human race to face the threat coming from the stars. To make others like you realize the importance of science and the space program. Soon, I hope to have a whole generation to work with.”
“What made you choose us?” Song-Ye asked. “The four of us in particular?”
“Not that we don’t think it’s awesome,” Dyl added hastily. “Because we definitely do.”
“You each have incredible potential,” Zota said. “I cannot explain my instinct, but you Star Challengers will make a great difference in the world. I know it, I can see it. And you will change the people around you. The future is your choice, each of you. I believe that what you learn and what you pass on to others will save the world someday.”
JJ gulped. That was a lot to expect from them. “What’s next, then?”
“You’ve only just started your mission,” Zota went on. “There is so much more for you to learn—from your schools, from me and from the future. I would like to give you an assignment. Now that you have had a glimpse of the future, choose three things that you believe you should know, and learn everything you can about those things for the next month. When you have done that, I invite you to continue what we began today. Will you return for another of my special simulations?”
“No problem,” Dyl said.
Zota raised an eyebrow. “Remember, you will all be in real danger. Are you brave enough to accept my challenge?”
“I’m in,” JJ said.
“Sure, why not?” Song-Ye said. “I’m just starting to get the hang of this teamwork thing.”
Dyl pretended to speak into a voice recorder. “Cadet’s log: four teenage humans with vast potential are about to embark on a great adventure.”
“Can’t break up the team,” King said. “And that’s what we are, no doubt about it—the Star Challengers.”
“Someone has to change the future,” JJ summarized. “It might as well be us. We’ll be back, Commander Zota. All of us.”
***
Don't Miss the Next Star Challengers Adventure
Space Station Crisis
Now that JJ Wren, her brother Dylan, and friends King and Song-Ye have seen Earth’s dark future—facing an invasion by the hideous alien Kylarn—they knew they have to prepare the human race. At the local Challenger Center, the mysterious Commander Zota sends JJ and her friends off an another mission, this time to the International Space Station Complex, where they meet Did friends, survivors from the disaster at Moonbase Magellan … as well as a mysterious girl, Mira, who claims to be from the past. Another Star Challenger with her own mentor, just like Commander Zota. Together, they have to discover and stop the continuing plans of the alien invaders.
And the Kylarn have set their sights on conquering, or destroying, the space station, so that Earth has no protection at all!
***
Praise for the Challenger Centers for Space Science Education
“Inspiring. Exploring. Learning. It’s our mission. That’s hard to beat!”
John Glenn,
Former Senator and Astronaut
“The mission of Challenger Center is to spark in our young people an interest—and a joy—in science. A spark that can change their lives-and help make American enterprise the envy of the world.”
Former President George H. W. Bush
“What Challenger Center has done with respect to educating America’s youth is truly commendable. I salute you.”
General Colin Powell,
Former Secretary of State
“Challenger Center is at the forefront of space science education for Elementary and middle school students … America’s leaders and Explorers of tomorrow.”
Michael L. Coats,
Director, NASA Johnson Space Center
“[Students] will see something and experience something that they perhaps read about, but could not truly appreciate until they came and experienced it.”
Frederick Gregory,
NASA Associate Administrator and Former Astronaut
***
<
br /> The Moonwalkers
Over the course of four years from l969 to 1972, six Apollo missions landed on the Moon, carrying twelve astronauts. Three more Apollo missions were planned after Apollo 17, but were canceled due to lack of public interest.
These twelve men are the only human beings to have walked on any celestial body other than Earth. So far.
Apollo 11 (July 16–24,1969)
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin
Apollo 12 (November 14–24, 1969)
Pete Conrad and Alan Bean
Apollo 14 (January 31–February 5, 1971)
Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell
Apollo 15 (July 26–August 7, 1971)
David Scott and James Irwin
Apollo 16 (April 16–27, 1972)
John Young and Charles Duke
Apollo 17 (December 7–19, 1972)
Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt
When the crew of Apollo 17 departed from the Moon in December 1972, they left behind what would be the last human footprints on lunar soil for more than forty years. A new program to return to the Moon, called the Constellation Program, was cancelled in 2010 due to insufficient funding and public support.
On the facing page are the autographs of all twelve astronauts who have walked on the Moon. Someday, with a new generation interested in space and science, humankind will return there.
Special thanks to Tracy Knauss
***
About The Challenger Centers
The Challenger Centers for Space Science Education was created to honor and remember the brave crew of the space shuttle Challenger. The shuttle was carrying seven crewmembers, including the first civilian teacher to go to space, when it exploded shortly after liftoff in 1986. The teacher, Christa McAuliff, was going to show students worldwide—from orbit—how valuable the space program really is.
In the wake of that tragedy, the Challenger Learning Centers were formed. The Challenger Centers use realistic simulated missions to inspire students with the exciting possibilities of space exploration, while also teaching them how to work as a team and how to expect success. Currently, a network of 50 Centers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea reaches more than 400,000 students and 40,000 educators each year. The goal is to foster a long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—in short, Commander Zota’s dream of creating a new generation of Star Challengers.
Students and teachers, to learn more about the Challenger Centers and to find a Center in your area, go to www.challenger.org. In addition to actual class field trips, the Challenger Centers offer online adventures and interactive learning experiences.
***
Challenger Centers
Here is a list of Challenger Learning Centers. For the most current list, visit www.challenger.org.
United States Challenger Learning Centers
Alabama
Challenger Learning Center at McWane Center—Birmingham
Alaska
Challenger Learning Center of Alaska—Kenai
Arizona
Challenger Space Center of Arizona—Peoria
California
Challenger Learning Center of the San Joaquin Valley—Atwater
Columbia Memorial Space Center B Challenger Learning Center—Downey
Challenger Learning Center at Chabot Space and Science Center—Oakland
Challenger Learning Center Discover Museum Science B Space Center—Sacramento
Nierman Challenger Learning Center—San Diego
Colorado
Challenger Learning Center of Colorado—Colorado Springs
Connecticut
Challenger Learning Center at The Discovery Museum—Bridgeport
Florida
Challenger Learning Center at Kirby Smith Middle School—Jacksonville
Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee—Tallahassee
Verizon Challenger Learning Center Museum of Science & Industry—Tampa
Georgia
Challenger Learning Center Coca-Cola Space Science Center—Columbus
Hawaii
Challenger Center Hawaii—Kapolei
Illinois
Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College—Normal
Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology—Woodstock
Indiana
Brownsburg Challenger Learning Center—Brownsburg
Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana—Hammond Challenger Learning Center of Indianapolis—Indianapolis
Kentucky
Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky—Hazard
Challenger Learning Center of Louisville, KY—Louisville Challenger Learning Center at Paducah—Paducah
Maine
Challenger Learning Center of Maine—Bangor
Maryland
Challenger Learning Center at Howard B. Owens Science Center—Lanham
Massachusetts
Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Challenger Learning Center—Framingham
Michigan
Challenger Learning Center Kalamazoo Valley Museum—Kalamazoo
Missouri
Challenger Learning Center Science City at Union Station—Kansas City
Challenger Learning Center—St. Louis
New Jersey
Buehler Challenger & Science Center—Paramus
New Mexico
Challenger Learning Center of New Mexico, Unser Discovery Campus—Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
New York
Challenger Learning Center of the Twin Tier Region, Inc. —Allegany
Challenger Learning Center of Manhattan—New York
The Challenger Learning Center of Greater Rochester—Rochester
Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Learning Center—Suffern
Ohio
Challenger Learning Center of Dayton—Dayton
Challenger Learning Center of Lucas County—Oregon
South Carolina
Challenger Learning Center—Columbia
Tennessee
Challenger Learning Center at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga—Chattanooga
Texas
Challenger Learning Center—Houston
Challenger Learning Center George Observatory—Needville
Challenger Learning Center of San Antonio—San Antonio Challenger Learning Center of the Rio Grande Valley—San Benito
Virginia
Math Science Innovation Center First Union Challenger Learning Center—Richmond
Washington
Challenger Learning Center Museum of Flight—Seattle
West Virginia
Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University—Wheeling
International Locations
Canada
Science Centre Challenger Learning Centre—Toronto Ontario
South Korea
Challenger Learning Center at SongAm Space Center—Gyeonggido
UK
National Space Centre Challenger Learning Centre—Leicester
For activities and ideas about what you can do to help prepare for the future, get involved at challenger.org!
***
About the Authors
REBECCA MOESTA is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling young adult author who has written for Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek, as well as the original trilogy “Crystal Doors,” co-authored with Kevin J. Anderson.
KEVIN J. ANDERSON is the #1 international bestselling author of more than 120 novels, best known for his Dune novels co-authored with Brian Herbert, his Star Wars or X-Files novels, or his Saga of Seven Suns series.
JUNE SCOBEE RODGERS is a tireless proponent of the space program, June is intent on fostering a new generation of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her husband Dick Scobee was the commander on the final flight of the space shuttle Challenger in January 1986. She serves as the Founding Chairman of the Board and as a Founding Director for C
hallenger Center for Space Science Education. Holding a PhD from Texas A&M University and a Master’s from Chapman College, both in Curriculum and Instruction, she has taught in every grade-level classroom from Kindergarten through college. June will oversee the creation of free lesson plans and other materials to support each Star Challengers novel, allowing this Entertaining series to be used as an engaging teaching tool inside the classroom.
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Learn More!
To Learn More About the
STAR CHALLENGERS
and the
CHALLENGER CENTERS
go to www.challenger.org.
***
Moonbase Crisis: Star Challengers Book 1 Page 16
