The three finally reached NASA’s research center—half nervous, half too excited to admit it.

  The moment they stepped inside, a robotic voice echoed through the hall:

  “State your qualifications.”

  Neil folded his arms and said,

  “Enough to enjoy my life.”

  Steve puffed out his chest.

  “A solid one.”

  Tony scratched his head.

  “What does that even mean?”

  Surprisingly, NASA still approved them.

  They were allowed inside, and instantly their faces changed. Everything Neil had shouted about on the call… was true. Giant screens showed that strange object moving toward Earth—faster, brighter, closer.

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  A scientist explained, “We have 28 days left. No more, not less.”

  The three were taken to the basement. What they saw there felt even weirder.

  A huge display showed millions of ants disappearing across the globe.

  Population counters blinked downward rapidly, like numbers being erased.

  Neil frowned.

  “Why are the ants disappearing?”

  The AI voice responded,

  “Ever since the object was detected, every species sensitive to cosmic disturbance is vanishing. Ants are the first.”

  The boys looked at each other—speechless.

  Neil asked,

  “If we have to go to another celestial body… why only the Moon?”

  The voice replied,

  “Because the Moon is the closest, fastest, and most stable place for human survival.”

  Tony raised his hand like he was still in school.

  “But everyone knows there’s no life on the Moon.”

  The AI paused and said one line that shook them:

  “Humans lie.”

  They froze.

  Steve whispered,

  “Guys… don’t forget our dream.”

  Neil cleared his throat.

  “So when are we going to the Moon?”

  The AI answered smoothly,

  “Today.”

  Before they could react, a metal door slid open. Inside the room were three white spacesuits hanging like they were waiting for them… and beside them, a small spaceship, nothing like the giant rockets they imagined.

  Neil pointed at it.

  “Wait—are we really going to the Moon in this tiny thing?”

  The AI replied,

  “Only until till the wormhole.”

  All three blinked at the same time.

  “The what?!”