The mission was already four months behind schedule, further delays inevitable. Still, enthusiasm among the project team remained high. A successful launch would ensure the mission would receive a full chapter in history books for a century.
Alonso’s role was small, a calibration of a stabilization gyroscope. His advanced degrees weren’t needed ; a graduate student could’ve performed the task as easily and reliably. Yet his position wouldn’t be identified on the project team, and if he exaggerated his role for the liftoff among his family nobody would correct him.
Yes, his job was boring. No, he didn’t care.
Friday Fictioneers is a weekly flash fiction challenge.
The Diligent Dilettante 
Eh a few lies never hurt – much! Good story.
It won’t sound so boring when he brings his “fish tale” talent to the spin. 😀
Great introspective story. Boring is relative. My best friend was an accountant (bean counter). I can’t imagine the days. 🙂
One of my sons started his professional life counting, as he says, a lot of widgets. Bored silly, he began looking around for ways to have more fun, and because of his initiative and consistency he found LOTS of fun, and doesn’t have to count widgets any more. Sometimes, it pays to be patient.
I agree, sometimes young people expect a chicken before the egg has been laid and hatched.
I think in many ways we are all small cogs in general. The trick is to demand more financial oil in our pockets.