The cloaked shuttle landed unobserved on the empty beach, and the hatch opened.
A young man hesitantly walked down the ramp, then fell to his knees, clutching the sand, watching it sift through his fingers. The young woman with him rested her hand on his back, giving him a moment. Then she helped him up, and together they walked to the water's edge. A magnificent sunset painted the sky from the zenith to the western horizon.
"Thank you," he said simply.
She smiled at him. "We got a Hawaiian honeymoon after all."
He gave a wry smile of his own. "Sorry it's so brief."
"We'll have more vacations," she assured him. "In far more exotic locales."
"That we will." He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to his side. "I'm glad you're with me."
"Always."
"Always," he agreed.
Nothing else needed to be said. Together they watched the glorious colors shift and fade, as the sun sank below the horizon. Darkness fell. Finally, with a sigh, they turned and looked at each other. She glanced around, knelt, and grabbed a seashell, a memento of their last moments on Earth. He stood up straight, bracing himself, as they walked back up the ramp, letting it close behind them. The shuttle vanished from view, and the sand was blown about by the near-silent launch moments later.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
* *
Back aboard the New Hope, the crew was busy. The shuttles delivering the visiting humans had returned, and the other emigres were waiting for treatment in the quarantine area. Supplies had been gathered and checked, and final messages delivered. Nick and Maggie went up to the Bridge to watch the departure.
"All hands, this is the Captain," Geh!aoa called out. "Prepare for faster-than-light travel. All stations report readiness."
Yulliksu answered, "Helm ready, Captain." More reports came in from all over the ship.
Nick did the mental equivalent of patting his pockets to make sure he had everything before going out the door. "Petra?"
"Yes, Nick?"
"Did you say goodbye to everyone?"
"Yes, but I want to say goodbye again."
"Why?"
"We haven't left yet."
The newlyweds smiled at each other. Maggie shook her head. "Just like a little kid. Our adorable Petra. Go ahead, Petra. Say goodbye as many times as you want until we leave."
"Okay." Nick and Maggie were amused to receive a copy of the messages as Petra sent them.
< Thank you, everybody on Earth! Thank you for giving me Nick! Thank you for all the data! Thank you for talking to me and being my friends! Goodbye! I hope you grow big and smart! Maybe I will see you again someday! Bye! Bye! >
The New Hope jumped to faster-than-light speed, leaving Earth behind. Nick held Maggie and shook his head in amazement.
We've got to finish saving the Ooafans. We've got to introduce humanity to the galaxy. We've got Petra to raise...and possibly the AI Collective to deal with at some point. And we've got lots and lots of exploring to do. I never thought of myself as an adventurer, but I guess it's kind of grown on me.
We have lots of adventures ahead, he thought, and I won't be alone for them any more. He felt Maggie leaning against him.
The galaxy awaits.
END OF BOOK 3