This whole journey is a balancing act based on faith. We’re all just hoping that The Infinity will eventually be able to reach somewhere safe. And for what? To satisfy the great human spirit of exploration?
My life is a gambling chip thrown carelessly across the universe in the hope it’ll land somewhere my descendants can survive.
I represent the culmination of centuries of human achievement and exploration. But who cares if my name goes down in history, if no one remembers who I really am?
After forty minutes of circling the ship, I stop at the bathroom to have a shower. Then I check my inbox. I’ve been hoping that Molly will send me the latest novel from one of my favourite writers. Maybe today will be the day. An eBook arrived from Molly last week by another author I like, but it’s set in space, so I don’t really fancy it.
I used to read loads of science fiction, looking for characters like me, but it was all so wrong that it just made me feel more alone. Now I read a lot of romance novels. I like the simple ones, set on Earth. Stories that revolve around coffee-shop dates and walks in the countryside.
My fanfics are always set on Earth too. Museums and thunderstorms are so much more exciting than rocket ships and supernovas.
When I play Molly’s new message, she sounds excited, in a way I’ve never heard before.
From: NASA Earth Sent: 21/06/2065
To: The Infinity Received: 24/02/2067
Audio transcript: Romy, I have some big news for you today. We didn’t want to tell you until it was all confirmed, in case something went wrong and we got your hopes up for nothing, but … I’ve had permission from the team here at NASA to tell you that a new spacecraft has just been launched from Earth!
Ever since the tragic accident on board The Infinity, NASA has been building a second interstellar spacecraft to follow The Infinity to the new home of humanity on Earth II.
If we could have built and launched this ship any sooner, we would have. It’s a huge regret to everyone involved that you’ve been alone for as long as you have.
As propulsion technology has significantly developed since your ship left Earth nineteen years ago, The Eternity can travel at much faster speeds. The Eternity launched successfully three days ago, and after a gravity assist around Jupiter it is now travelling at over 0.72 light years, which is eight times faster than The Infinity.
Romy, by the time you get this message, The Eternity is calculated to be only one year away from The Infinity. Once in situ alongside your ship, the two ships will combine and continue together at the increased velocity of 0.72 light years. You will arrive on Earth II on 15/07/71 as opposed to the original estimate of 02/04/92 – a difference of over twenty years.
To be clear, The Eternity is a support for The Infinity. I don’t want you to feel like you’re being replaced. The spacecraft contains a significant gene bank for many species, elemental stocks for 3D technological printing, and a large supply of vacuum-packed food for use on-planet while agriculture is still being developed. However, your mission to establish a settlement on Earth II will still be orchestrated primarily using The Infinity’s equipment and operating systems.
I know this is a huge change, and it might take time for you to come to terms with the news. I hope eventually you will be as excited about The Eternity as we are. Take today to process the idea, and tomorrow I’ll send some exercises that will help you to work through your feelings in more detail. I want to make sure that you don’t let this affect the excellent emotional progress you’ve been making recently.
What? What?
A new what?
A second ship is coming. Fast. I’m not—
I’m not going to be alone any more? I’m going to have someone?
There’s another ship coming in a year! I only need to wait twelve months.
I break out into giggles, leaning back in my seat and smiling at the ceiling. I’m not going to be on my own any more.
And the ships will reach Earth II much more quickly! I’ve gained back years of my life – time that I thought was lost in transit. I’ll only be – I count it out on my fingers – twenty … well, nearly twenty-one when we arrive on Earth II. I was supposed to be in my forties!
I can’t believe it. I actually check to make sure I’m awake, because I’m sure I’ve had this dream before.
Another ship. It’s the best news I could ever have imagined.
Who are they going to send? Who’s coming?
I stare out of the helm window, straining my eyes against the infinite blackness, pressing my fingernails into my palms so hard they sting. I can’t see anything except the silver pinprick stars.
How long until I’ll be able to see The Eternity?
How long until it will be able to see me?
DAYS UNTIL THE ETERNITY ARRIVES:
365
The next day, when I listen to Molly’s latest message, I brace myself for news that The Eternity has crashed, or that it was all a joke and there’s not another ship at all; that it was some kind of test to see how I’d respond mentally.
I can’t quite make myself believe it. Another ship. After all this time!
From: NASA Earth Sent: 22/06/2065
To: The Infinity Received: 25/02/2067
Attachment: The-Eternity-Mission-Outline.pdf [1.3 GB]
Audio transcript: Hi Romy. I really hope you’re happy to hear about The Eternity, sweetie. The scientists here at NASA have been working tirelessly to ensure it’s a successful mission, and to get the ship launched as fast as possible.
I think that knowing you aren’t so isolated will help you to manage your anxiety. I know it’s a lot to take in right now, so I’d like you to write a list of emotions that you felt when you heard the news. Everything you are going through is completely valid: anger, joy, fear – it’s all normal and reasonable. If you want, send back a voice message telling me how you’re feeling.
I’ve attached a full document with details of the mission and The Eternity’s timeline, so when you’re ready, you can read up on everything about it.
I can’t stop smiling long enough to eat my breakfast – a packet of beige goo that supposedly resembles porridge.
Will they send another couple like my parents? Or have they decided to send someone alone, since that went so disastrously wrong last time? They probably can’t risk another pregnancy. One person is safer.
I let myself get caught up imagining they’re sending me a handsome young man, but that seems too fantastical. Whoever it is, at least I won’t be on my own any more. I’m not going to be on my own ever again!
I’m going to have to share my space with someone else. That’s going to be so strange. What if I hate it?
I feel restless, thoughts jumping back and forth until I can scarcely focus on anything but the new ship.
As a distraction, I decide to write a fic.