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Authors: Matthew Costello, Rick Hautala
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decades,” the man went on, “we’ve been able to travel within our solar system using hybridrive. You all used Quarter Light Speed to get to your embarkation point on Pluto. As many of you know, QLS ships made the amazing discovery of the Star Road portal on Pluto. And thanks to the brave efforts and sacrifices of hundreds of adventurers, portions of the Star Road have been mapped and are now open for exploitation and exploration!”
How many portions? Ruth wondered.
Among fellow Seekers, it was understood: no one knows how big the Road is, how far it stretches, what secrets it holds.
“Using this amazing transportation system, we now have safe, dependable, and fast travel to many star and planetary systems that are hundreds, even thousands of light-years away from Earth.”
Then Ruth thought: I’m really doing this.
Leaving Earth.
Looking for those answers about the Road, humanity, and the universe itself.
“Although the origin and full extent of the Star Road remains—for now—unknown ... perhaps unknowable, we want you to relax and enjoy your trip in total comfort and safety. We are pleased to welcome you—”
The smiling man faded from the screen to be replaced by a twisting section of Star Road, unbelievably beautiful, shimmering. Music swelled.
“—to the Star Road!”
The screen dissolved into a thousand glittering pieces and vanished with an audible sizzle.
“Something, hmm?”
Ruth looked over at the Chippie seated in front of her, announcing her opinion to the small group.
Thinking: I have nothing in common with someone like her.
The man at the front of the cabin hadn’t even watched the vid.
“So ... who do you think made it?”
Is this girl an idiot?
As if anyone knows the answer to that question.
Still—-everyone wondered.
Ruth spoke up.
After all, this was something she believed.
“I don’t know. But they must have been ... must be beings of amazing intelligence and understanding”
Sinjira turned in her seat to look back. “‘Be’? You said ‘be,’ right? Like they’re still around ... ?”
The girl waved at the porthole, the vast flickering lights of space outside.
“You think they’re still out there somewhere?”
Ruth looked away.
“I don’t know,” she said. “No one does. But I have faith that they are. That they’re waiting.”
“Waiting? Waiting for what?”
“For us—humans—to prove that we’re worthy to meet them, to learn their secrets.”
“Really?”
Sinjira grinned at the idea.
I probably shouldn’t say anything.
Instead: “As soon as we leave behind all our evil, our violence, and when we prove that we, as a species, are ready.”
“How’s that working out for us ... as a species?” Another big grin. “I think ‘evil’ is doing just fine.”
Pointless, Ruth thought.
“We aren’t ‘done’ as a species. No one knows ... what’s ahead,” she said. Sinjira nodded, still smiling.
“I like that,” she said. “No one knows. That’s so ... so real.”
Sinjira turned away.
And Ruth turned to her porthole and stared at the wonders shifting by outside.
~ * ~
Annie sat quietly, appreciating the smooth, gliding ride of the SRV.
In front of her, stars tilted and swirled as if part of a jacked-up planetarium show. She could almost imagine the hissing, crackling sounds the stars made as they slid by so fast.
The quiet in the cockpit, sitting here with Jordan, took on a deep solemnity.
Like entering church, she thought. Not that she had been to church in a few decades.
But something about a Road trip made her—and obviously Jordan— quiet. Maybe she’d engage the Seeker in a conversation later ... if only to pass the time.
Her hands remained on the controls, making slight adjustments, but with the Road so straight here, stretching out
How many portions? Ruth wondered.
Among fellow Seekers, it was understood: no one knows how big the Road is, how far it stretches, what secrets it holds.
“Using this amazing transportation system, we now have safe, dependable, and fast travel to many star and planetary systems that are hundreds, even thousands of light-years away from Earth.”
Then Ruth thought: I’m really doing this.
Leaving Earth.
Looking for those answers about the Road, humanity, and the universe itself.
“Although the origin and full extent of the Star Road remains—for now—unknown ... perhaps unknowable, we want you to relax and enjoy your trip in total comfort and safety. We are pleased to welcome you—”
The smiling man faded from the screen to be replaced by a twisting section of Star Road, unbelievably beautiful, shimmering. Music swelled.
“—to the Star Road!”
The screen dissolved into a thousand glittering pieces and vanished with an audible sizzle.
“Something, hmm?”
Ruth looked over at the Chippie seated in front of her, announcing her opinion to the small group.
Thinking: I have nothing in common with someone like her.
The man at the front of the cabin hadn’t even watched the vid.
“So ... who do you think made it?”
Is this girl an idiot?
As if anyone knows the answer to that question.
Still—-everyone wondered.
Ruth spoke up.
After all, this was something she believed.
“I don’t know. But they must have been ... must be beings of amazing intelligence and understanding”
Sinjira turned in her seat to look back. “‘Be’? You said ‘be,’ right? Like they’re still around ... ?”
The girl waved at the porthole, the vast flickering lights of space outside.
“You think they’re still out there somewhere?”
Ruth looked away.
“I don’t know,” she said. “No one does. But I have faith that they are. That they’re waiting.”
“Waiting? Waiting for what?”
“For us—humans—to prove that we’re worthy to meet them, to learn their secrets.”
“Really?”
Sinjira grinned at the idea.
I probably shouldn’t say anything.
Instead: “As soon as we leave behind all our evil, our violence, and when we prove that we, as a species, are ready.”
“How’s that working out for us ... as a species?” Another big grin. “I think ‘evil’ is doing just fine.”
Pointless, Ruth thought.
“We aren’t ‘done’ as a species. No one knows ... what’s ahead,” she said. Sinjira nodded, still smiling.
“I like that,” she said. “No one knows. That’s so ... so real.”
Sinjira turned away.
And Ruth turned to her porthole and stared at the wonders shifting by outside.
~ * ~
Annie sat quietly, appreciating the smooth, gliding ride of the SRV.
In front of her, stars tilted and swirled as if part of a jacked-up planetarium show. She could almost imagine the hissing, crackling sounds the stars made as they slid by so fast.
The quiet in the cockpit, sitting here with Jordan, took on a deep solemnity.
Like entering church, she thought. Not that she had been to church in a few decades.
But something about a Road trip made her—and obviously Jordan— quiet. Maybe she’d engage the Seeker in a conversation later ... if only to pass the time.
Her hands remained on the controls, making slight adjustments, but with the Road so straight here, stretching out
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