The primary nozzle warning light is still on but I haven’t noticed anything different. I’m sure it will remain that way until the bulb burns out. After all these years, there’s no indication of how my end might occur, whether it might be quick and painless or prolonged and agonizing. To be honest, it doesn’t concern me. Maybe if I turned ISACC on he would say that’s a sign that I’m not thinking straight. I don’t think so. I think it’s just a case of being out amongst the stars and understanding how fragile life always was and always will be. The Great De-evolution proved that back on Earth. My time amongst the stars teaches me the same lesson.
There’s no telling what the future holds. Maybe the primary nozzle really is damaged and I’ve been lucky to make it this far. Or maybe one day a seal will corrode and the barrier between space and the Legacy’s controlled environment will instantly merge in a spectacular explosion. It could happen a year from now or twenty. Or, I might die of old age and the Legacy might continue on its mission without any living passengers.
Back on Earth, I would guess that Oregon and Washington are void of humans, as are the other thirty or forty states furthest away from mild weather. My parents, if they’re still alive, are senior citizens. I hope they were able to come to terms with the decisions I made. Everyone leaves home eventually, just not to the extent I did.
For the first time in ages, I tried to look out the rear viewport today. The last time I tried I had been between Saturn and Uranus. There, even with my telescope Earth had appeared as nothing more than a tiny dot. Today when I looked for it, it was too dim to see at all.
At the same time, I realized how long it’s been since thinking of Bob made me sad. For years now, anytime I’ve thought of him it’s been something that made me smile. The way he looked at me with such sweetness even though it was four o’clock in the morning and he was pressing his wet nose against my ear. The way he would reach out and hold my hand between his paws to ensure I didn’t stop rubbing him.
I don’t know when it happened but somewhere along the way I was able to forget about the loss and remember only the happiness. It took time but I’ve finally managed to appreciate what he meant rather than wishing he were still here. It took time, and a lot of space.
~FIN~
Did you love this short story? Check out his other Great De-evolution novels, or his Space Lore space opera trilogy.
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Table of Contents
About the Stories
A Simple Thing
About A Simple Thing
A Simple Thing
Note to Self
About Note To Self
Note To Self
Gravitational Pull
About Gravitational Pull
Gravitational Pull
Autoscopy
About Autoscopy
Autoscopy
Fog of War
About Fog of War
Fog of War
The Alien
About the Alien
The Alien
No Eye in Emily
About No Eye in Emily
No Eye in Emily
Void Mage
About Void Mage
Cargo Hold
Into the Eye
Demons
Enlightenment
Betrayal
Lost Souls and Other Anomalies
About Lost Souls and Other Anomalies
Lost Souls and Other Anomalies
Spacer
About Spacer
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Epilogue
Murphy’s Star
About Murphy’s Star
Dedication
Murphy’s Star
Interference
About Interference
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Stowaway
About Stowaway
Stowaway
In the Clutch
About In the Clutch
In the Clutch
Iron Lazarus
About Iron Lazarus
Iron Lazarus
Dreams in the Dust
About Dreams in the Dust
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Freedom?
About Freedom
Freedom?
Combat Support
About Combat Support
Combat Support
The Last Astronaut
About the Last Astronaut
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
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