First on the Moon

** "First on the Moon" by Jeff Sutton is a science fiction tale set during a heated space race, where pilot Adam Crag finds himself at the center of a high-stakes mission to the moon. As Crag prepares for this monumental journey, he uncovers a web of sabotage and treachery within his own ranks; the story opens with Crag in his quarters awaiting order. Through interactions with Colonel Gotch, he learns that the two pilots before him died under suspicious circumstances. The narrative immerses the reader in a world of advanced spacecraft and perilous lunar landscapes, focusing on the Arzachel crater; the challenges of space travel intertwine with the imminent threat of betrayal, forcing Crag to fight against unseen adversaries to ensure his survival and the mission's triumph. **