Astronaut

When someone mentions heroism, the first thing that could come to mind might be the actions of a superhero like Superman or Spiderman. They have heroic features such as super strength and saving the world. Just the idea of being known by all for helping others is such a dream. In our world, superheroes like Superman don’t exist. The word heroism-in that context-is all but a single word in the English dictionary. Others might think of heroism as a firefighter saving the lives of innocent people from a burning building. Yes, that could be an example of heroism but simultaneously, is that what everyone thinks of when it comes to heroism?

Perhaps people think of the military. After all, mankind is risking their lives to help the rest of society live in a world free from disturbance. Who wouldn’t want to live in a world where everyone got along and there was little to no conflict? I know I would.

I think of heroism as something everyone dreams about. Little kids have dreams where they are superheroes flying around and saving the world from any kind of danger such as monsters or aliens. When those kids start to grow up, maybe they’ll dream about being a firefighter so they can save lives in the future.

Growing up, I never thought about these things. I never wanted to be a superhero or someone who saves lives. I wanted to be an astronaut. How can you save the world if you’re an astronaut? Maybe one day, very far into the future, my scientific research about aliens from a new world can save us all. I can almost see it happen.

My apartment started shaking almost as if it were sick and had the chills. Pictures fell off the walls and pencils rolled off my desk. I quickly turned the TV on to watch the news and see what was happening in our world. The panic in the news reporter’s voice sent a shiver down my spine as she explained that a UFO landed at Logan Airport and strange individuals wearing black suits began to walk in a single file line and abduct employees working on the runway. The power in my apartment cut and the TV went dead. Not even thirty seconds later, the TV glitched back on. A man in a black suit stood very still and illustrated an entire plan towards their invasion of Earth. My heart jumped at the thought that our world as we know it will soon come to an end.

I grabbed my research papers and ran out the door, not even bothering to lock it. Quickly, I made my way to the research center where my fellow colleagues were discussing a system in which we could get rid of these mysterious entities. I didn’t know what to do. This all seemed like an utter nightmare that at any time, I would wake up from. As my colleagues continued to talk, something in my brain clicked. I knew exactly what to do and nothing was going to stop me.

I slammed my hand against the table, indicating to the others I had an idea. They stood silently and listened to what I had to say. Once I concluded my plan, my fellow associates nodded in agreement. The plan immediately went into action. I packed everything I needed into our emergency rocket that would blast into space with the push of a button.

Space… I’ve never been there before. This would be the first time for me, and quite possibly the last. I give the signal that I am ready for take off and the rocket begins to fly. All I have to do is cut the communication that the strange individuals are talking through, and they are sure to leave our planet alone. I repeat the plan to myself many times so I can keep calm. I know the world is counting on me, but how can I do this. I can’t do this.

My communication screen turns on and I can see a large crowd of people chanting my name and encouraging me that I can save the world. Their encouragement gave me hope. I carefully climb out of the cockpit and onto the communication structure the entities built. This is what needs to be destroyed. I rip apart the wires holding the structure together. Bits and pieces fly away in a never ending swiftness. The deed has been done. The world is saved.

I just saved the world. I’m the hero. We all worked together in one way or another to achieve our goal. We are the heroes. Perhaps mankind as a whole is the true definition of heroism.