I AM HERE BUT NOT- AN ASTRONAUT IN LIMBO
I AM HERE BUT NOT- AN ASTRONAUT IN LIMBO
Message sent: ey4587/ quat67/ sid57. Ship: Raven of planet Qtr.
The following is the voice recording of Styx-Noo who has unexpectedly remained in space. We are unable to retrieve him because of the unclassified orb he was sent to recon and its hold on him. Thus far, we have resisted the temptation to cut his lifeline and proceed with our journey to planet 457B, nicknamed Nevermore.
“…I am here but not”
I am entrapped in a spacesuit that is obviously archaic and not of my time. Panic in space can be a killer, so after a few deep breaths I settled down to analyze what had suddenly occurred. Moments before I had been making repairs to the spaceship that was transporting 20 of us to planet 457B also known as Nevermore. While busy with the repair, I noticed a golden translucent 2-meter sphere within an arm’s reach hovering over my shoulder. There were no markings, seams or protrusions. I reached out to touch it and was suddenly transported to a region of space that was starless and an approaching object about 100 meters away. As I was drawn to the object, I could see an ominous stone protrusion from the darkness. Some kind of ruins atop a stone encased in small roots and vines that resembled a human skull. I was drawn in and softly landed on a small patch of stones, amazed that there was some gravitational force pulling me to the floor of the ruins. Turning left and right I noticed two decaying stone walls apparently left from an old stone building. Beneath my feet, I was standing on old and well-worn stones. I had no fear of falling even though everything around me was black and devoid of stars. The light source where I stood was not discernable.
Upon completing my review of the surroundings, my attention was drawn to the suit’s internal gages and the helmet’s visor display. I understood the numbers, but all the words are in an archaic form not seen since ey3000. The flashing red lights in the display were probably a warning about something. At present I am talking into the suit with the hopes that what I am saying will get transmitted back to the Raven, our ship’s communications officer. If you can hear this record, please continue your efforts to retrieve me. I am not certain of how much breathing time is left. I am without a clue about the where, when how or who. Time seems frozen. The walls have begun……...
Captains Report:
Ship: Raven of Planet QTR. Message sent: ey4587/ quat102/sid 338
The lifeline of Styx-Noo remained taught along with the ability to send and receive communications. The above communication was received after a long wait (sid780). However, attempts to contact him via the hard-wire lifeline have been fruitless. Reluctantly we will need to cut the line at sid800 and proceed with our mission to planet 457B. We will follow-up with you upon arrival at Nevermore.
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* Short Story “I AM HERE BUT NOT- AN ASTRONAUT IN LIMBO” by guest contributor Kemil Pilotte
This photo is a small work of art I created upon getting a small plastic astronaut figure. I re-painted it and then set about creating the environment for him. The diorama of sorts was created with foam, paint, 3D pen, some moss, a toy astronaut and a lot of patience. I hope you enjoy the work.