TRL 7

¹The traveler finds herself launched into the air. ²An error in the vessel’s systems, perhaps, or some unfortunate collision, but the ship cannot handle it, using its dying effort to keep the traveler safe, as it crashes into the grass below in a fiery explosion. ³The traveler watches as flames consume the vessel, trillions of transistors breaking as the ship disintegrates, its infinite complexity vanishing, swallowed by the life of the fire, reduced to a hunk of metal and plastic and glass. ⁴And in this moment, the traveler almost cannot believe her eyes, as it all happened so fast. ⁵But she is at ease, because although now she can never leave, she already knew that, for home is millions of eons away, lost to time, which she knew would eventually claim her vessel, too. ⁶The traveler notices a tattered structure, overgrown and crumbling, that she recognizes as human from its rugged square angles and intricate pillars, too complex to be created by wind and water. ⁷And after looking closer, she sees faded words, an engraving at the top of the structure, and to her surprise, she even recognizes some of the chiseled symbols. ⁸And although the meaning is unintelligible, she smiles, because even here, so many eons away, she sees a reflection of home. ⁹Still descending slowly, she makes out the text, which reads T–v- K_–-d– S–-j. ¹⁰And when the traveler touches the surface, she falls to her knees, bringing her face almost to the soft grass. ¹¹And she speaks, out loud, the words ringing out into the open clearing in front. ¹²“Dear universe, in all your glory, let me speak to you, please. ¹³I don’t know where you brought me, but if I am alone, let me be at peace, and if they await me, let them await me with love. ¹⁴And I know I can never go back home, but I’m grateful I had it, and I am grateful for my journey, too, the beauty and the grace of it all. ¹⁵And although I have seen so much of you, I fear I have only caught a glimpse of your truth, for you are too grand, dear universe. ¹⁶So hold me close, my creator and my grave, as I ask you, dearly, to bring me fortune and to bring me health in this world. ¹⁷Because just as I am part of you, you are part of me, too, so above all else, keep me strong, and let me be humble in your vastness.”