This is how it ends...
"Epilogue"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The rhythmic pulse of the superspace furnace, the gentle hum of life support systems, the subtle chirping of computers. Like the creaking of wood and the snapping of rigging on ancient sailing vessels, such were the sounds of a living ship. Ships were never completely silent, not while they lived, one of his Academy professors had told him. But despite the sounds, an eerie silence pervaded the ship, and with the lights on their lowest setting, the atmosphere was a bit unsettling.
You never really notice the sounds of a fully-crewed ship until the ship's empty, Gabriel thought as he stepped onto the dimly-lit bridge, his limbs heavy. He collapsed into the center seat, the cushioned synthleather sagging comfortably under him.
"I'm tired, Connie."
I'd imagine so, Captain, the ship said. Gabriel could hear a warm smile in her voice. It's been a long road.
"We did it, though, didn't we?"
Yes, Captain, we did.
"He got away, you know."
He did.
"I hate loose ends." Gabriel laughed weakly. "I'm tired," he repeated.
Good time to rest for a bit, sir.
"You have the bridge, Commander..."
On your word, Captain.
Gabriel's eyes closed, and he took one last breath. The nanojack shut down, the technoplasm stopped flowing, and Gabriel Frost - Tiosa Kal'haven, O'ho'uulho Third Traveller - was finally at peace...
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The future
"This, then, is the legend of the Challenger, that Frost-captain finally became one with the ship-woman he loved, and together..."
"Did they get him?"
"...together, they star-sailed, evil-fighting and innocent-protecting. And when the stars burn brightest, it is whisper-said that the Challenger waits only for a help-call to return."
"But did they get him?"
"Ah, young-little, that is a story-tale yet to be told..."
"Epilogue"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The rhythmic pulse of the superspace furnace, the gentle hum of life support systems, the subtle chirping of computers. Like the creaking of wood and the snapping of rigging on ancient sailing vessels, such were the sounds of a living ship. Ships were never completely silent, not while they lived, one of his Academy professors had told him. But despite the sounds, an eerie silence pervaded the ship, and with the lights on their lowest setting, the atmosphere was a bit unsettling.
You never really notice the sounds of a fully-crewed ship until the ship's empty, Gabriel thought as he stepped onto the dimly-lit bridge, his limbs heavy. He collapsed into the center seat, the cushioned synthleather sagging comfortably under him.
"I'm tired, Connie."
I'd imagine so, Captain, the ship said. Gabriel could hear a warm smile in her voice. It's been a long road.
"We did it, though, didn't we?"
Yes, Captain, we did.
"He got away, you know."
He did.
"I hate loose ends." Gabriel laughed weakly. "I'm tired," he repeated.
Good time to rest for a bit, sir.
"You have the bridge, Commander..."
On your word, Captain.
Gabriel's eyes closed, and he took one last breath. The nanojack shut down, the technoplasm stopped flowing, and Gabriel Frost - Tiosa Kal'haven, O'ho'uulho Third Traveller - was finally at peace...
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The future
"This, then, is the legend of the Challenger, that Frost-captain finally became one with the ship-woman he loved, and together..."
"Did they get him?"
"...together, they star-sailed, evil-fighting and innocent-protecting. And when the stars burn brightest, it is whisper-said that the Challenger waits only for a help-call to return."
"But did they get him?"
"Ah, young-little, that is a story-tale yet to be told..."
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