∞ 03 31 ∞
[the end comes much as it has the last two times. the ship is mere moments away from passing beyond the event horizon and into the depths of the black hole.
Commander Orion doesn't seem to mind. he's surrounding by nearly indistinct people, insubstantial phantoms whose voices can't be heard over the network. however, it appears that they are quite real. his conversation is relieved and happy, though there's a waver to his voice, a tremor in his hands.
perhaps he's as aware as the passengers are that this vision is only temporary]
No...no, I think it's been a good voyage so far. A few kinks, yes, but...it's been good.
We should reach our destination soon.
[another, different phantom approaches him, this one more solid than the others. the individual's back is to the Sphere, so his face can't be seen. but he's dressed differently, a long white coat loose on his shoulders.
it says something to the commander that causes him to go still]
...I'm afraid I don't understand. I've never heard of such--
[the phantom vigorously shakes it's head, arms spread beseechingly. whatever it's saying, it must be of great importance.
with that helmet on, it's impossible to discern his expression, but when the phantom finishes speaking - and with the black hole taking up the entirely of the bridge's screen, yawning wide and ready to swallow the ship - Orion finds his voice again, words barely above a stunned, awed whisper]
That...i-it explains everything. This loop, our memories, how it all always ends up the same way. And we never knew. No one knew! Only...only Dad did. And he--
[he presses a hand to his helmet, shoulders shaking] But then how are we supposed to stop it? If we can't remember, then how?! No one's on the ship...nothing besides illu...sions...
[Orion trails off. his hand slowly drops back down and hesitantly, something like shock making his motions stiff, he turns and looks up at his Sphere.
in essence, he looks straight at the passengers trapped on the Crucible]
...they're real. They're all real. They've been real this whole time.
I've got to--!
[desperate, he grabs his Sphere out of the air, yelling into the feed]
Someone has to remem
Commander Orion doesn't seem to mind. he's surrounding by nearly indistinct people, insubstantial phantoms whose voices can't be heard over the network. however, it appears that they are quite real. his conversation is relieved and happy, though there's a waver to his voice, a tremor in his hands.
perhaps he's as aware as the passengers are that this vision is only temporary]
No...no, I think it's been a good voyage so far. A few kinks, yes, but...it's been good.
We should reach our destination soon.
[another, different phantom approaches him, this one more solid than the others. the individual's back is to the Sphere, so his face can't be seen. but he's dressed differently, a long white coat loose on his shoulders.
it says something to the commander that causes him to go still]
...I'm afraid I don't understand. I've never heard of such--
[the phantom vigorously shakes it's head, arms spread beseechingly. whatever it's saying, it must be of great importance.
with that helmet on, it's impossible to discern his expression, but when the phantom finishes speaking - and with the black hole taking up the entirely of the bridge's screen, yawning wide and ready to swallow the ship - Orion finds his voice again, words barely above a stunned, awed whisper]
That...i-it explains everything. This loop, our memories, how it all always ends up the same way. And we never knew. No one knew! Only...only Dad did. And he--
[he presses a hand to his helmet, shoulders shaking] But then how are we supposed to stop it? If we can't remember, then how?! No one's on the ship...nothing besides illu...sions...
[Orion trails off. his hand slowly drops back down and hesitantly, something like shock making his motions stiff, he turns and looks up at his Sphere.
in essence, he looks straight at the passengers trapped on the Crucible]
...they're real. They're all real. They've been real this whole time.
I've got to--!
[desperate, he grabs his Sphere out of the air, yelling into the feed]
Someone has to remem