The Universe Forever

The Universe Forever

by Gabriel Magno

What a wondrous sight of Earth through this window of the space station as I squirm into my suit in preparation to repair a damaged solar panel. My heart races with excitement, not with fear while I get ready to exit into endless space. The checklist is done, the oxygen flows into my helmet as I set the proper radio channel to receive instructions from the on board commander.

Floating as a free balloon and tethered safely to the station and to the oxygen supply, I found the damaged panel. Staring often at the earth, I must now concentrate and do my duty. Communicating with the mission commander, I relay that all repairs are done. I take one last glance over my shoulder to see the earth in all its beauty as I wait for the doors to open so I may enter.

As I wait, I feel a sudden tug and watch in disbelief as a tiny meteor cut my tethered line. I’m now floating free and can’t grab on to any part of the station. The emergency tanks attached to my suit now feed me oxygen as I panic as never before. Drifting further into the vast unknown, the station slowly fades away.

I watch the air gauge needle dip, heading for the red section, so I slow down my breathing. As the mission knows of my plight, I know there is no rescue. Because I was tethered and only assigned to go out and do a repair, I wear no jet pack to propel me back to the station, and am too far away for an astronaut to don his jet pack and rescue me.

What’s the use in putting up a fight, as I feel the lowering flow of oxygen. I know it’s a matter of time before I loose consciousness, so I make a final communication. "Tell my wife and kids I love them, over and out". The commander answers with an apology for the situation I’m in.

As I float, I know my minutes are numbered as my last thoughts play out. I think of all the good things in my life. My wife, my kids, my contribution to science, and my opportunity to do what very few men in their lives will do. As I float in the endless universe, I look back at the earth. My last thought is that if the earth was completely destroyed, I will still be part of the universe forever...