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When Rocky first made the unwavering decision to accept the placement as the second engineer on the crew, he knew this moment would happen. Both of them did. And as much as both of them tried to prepare, neither could have imagined how hard it would truly be.
The ship was constructed and ready for departure, waiting outside the uppermost level on the space elevator. Supplies for the trip were packed, the tanks were filled with astrophage fuel, and technicians on board were making the final modifications to the cameras, display signals, and science equipment. Everything was in working order.
The crew of 23 were split into two groups, a group of 11, and a group of 12. The group of 11 consisted of the three commanders, and eight other personnel. They were already on the ship, putting away their personal luggage, and readying their respective stations and living quarters.
The remaining 12 were still on the planet outside the base of the space elevator, saying final goodbyes to their loved ones.
Adrian fights back the urge to drag Rocky away from this place, back to their home in Deitros and forget it all. He fights the urge to grab his love’s hands, and beg and plead for him to stay. But that isn’t an option now. Adrian understands the weight of this mission, and the importance of this project. Worked on by thousands and thousands of people over the course of nearly ten years. This was their best chance at saving the world, and every piece of this mission is just as important as the last. Especially the engineers. Especially Rocky.
“I miss you already,” says Adrian, drawing swirls in the dirt beneath his feet. It is all he can do to keep from collapsing into sobs. “I wish I was intelligent enough to come with you.”
“You are perfectly intelligent enough,” Rocky says, and he knows it to be true. Although not a scientist, nor a mathematician, Adrian was gifted with his hands. With his smooth fingers, he could create nothing short of beauty, both in the form of a sculpture, or music. Adrian was incredibly talented, one of the best artists in Deitros, but alas, an artist wasn’t deemed necessary on the ship.
“At the very least, I am glad that Mickey will be alongside you.”
Mickey, the other engineer on the ship, was one of Rocky’s oldest, and most treasured friends. To their luck, both of them were asked to join the mission, and neither of them hesitated to accept.
“I know, I am too,” Rocky says.
It’s hard for either of them to come up with any words. That they will miss each other? They know that already. That they love each other? They say it every day.
“Are you mad that I am leaving?” Rocky asks for what feels like the millionth time.
Adrian tilts his carapace, and takes one of Rockys hands into two of his. “I could never, and would never be mad with you for saving the world.”
Rocky brushes off the comment. “I am not ‘saving the world’. I am just doing my part.”
“Stop that,” Adrian says. “You always downplay your accomplishments, as if what you are doing is no big deal.”
Rocky shifts. Even from his love, he was never one to take a compliment with pride.
“Be proud of yourself for doing this. Because I am proud of you. And so is Ciara, Wyatt, Nolan, Valerie, everyone we know and love.” Adrian squeezed Rocky’s hand a bit tighter, and a flit of warmth filled the engineer. The aforementioned eridians were their housemates, and extremely good friends; essentially family at that point. They said their own goodbyes a little while ago, wanting to give Rocky’s final moments on Erid to Adrian, and Adrian alone.
The two of them are silent for several long moments, enjoying each other’s presence for the final time in the next several years. They both were often teased for being “glued together on their hands”. They were always together. It was always Adrian and Rocky, never just Adrian, or just Rocky. The moments they spent apart were rare and reluctant. It had never been more than a few days. Now, it would be fifteen years, at the very least.
Adrian runs his smooth hands up and down Rocky’s rougher arms. Taking in every bump, every ridge across Rocky’s skin, committing every part of his mate to memory. As if Adrian could ever possibly forget even the most minute detail.
He knew there was a chance that this might be the last time he ever held his love, he ever spoke to Rocky. Even though every possible error and kink was thought to be worked out for the ship, it was all built in such a hurry that no one could be certain it would work perfect.
The mission was a risk beyond imaginable. No one in eridian history had ever gone beyond their planets orbit, never mind to another star system . There was absolutely no guarantee that the crew would survive.
It takes every bit of strength to not let Adrian announce his worries. He knows how anxious his love can be, and he doesn’t want to worry Rocky even more with those thoughts. He has to be brave; for himself, but more for Rocky.
“I love you more than any words could possibly say. I love you more than the sun loves our planet. I love you more than the ♩♫♫♩ love the waters, and the ♫♫♩♩♩ loves the sky. And don’t you ever forget that, not for one second,” Adrian confesses as if he was proclaiming his love just like he had when they first become mates; bonded for life.
Rocky begins to tremble and shudder with cries. He holds on to Adrian for dear life, and Adrian holds him back. “I love you too-“ Rocky tries to say, but the words don’t come out right because of the sobs.
“I know you do.”
It’s physically painful for the both of them to understand the weight of the situation. To finally comprehend that this is no longer just something to worry about in the future. This was the here and now. And it wasn’t forever.
“I have to go…” Rocky says, tracing over Adrians much smoother carapace. “But I will be back. You know that, right? I will be back with the solution, and everything will be okay.”
“Promise?” Adrian asks, although he knows that Rocky can’t agree to it. He can’t be certain that he won’t die up there. That was the sacrifice Rocky was willing to make. Because Rocky was just too good .
“I swear on everything in the universe. I will come back. I promise. ”
There is one last embrace. One last tight squeeze. One last wish that somehow, time could be stopped, and this moment could extend into eternity. But that doesn’t happen. Time moves forward, and they let go of each other.
“Goodbye, mate Adrian.”
“Goodbye, mate Rocky.”
The final 12 crew mates all take up their positions outside the base of the elevator. The gathered crowd gets one last look at their heroes. Adrian gets one last look at his love. And then, they head inside.
After approximately five days, the 12 crew mates reach the top of the space elevator at the geosynchronous orbit.
Eleven days after that, the ship sets course for Tau Ceti, fires up its engines, and takes off. Unbeknownst to everyone, it would never see Erid again.
…
Forty six years later, a lone eridian continues to mourn his love. Lost to the stars themselves. Gone forever.
A much smaller ship from a much smaller planet, with two lifeforms aboard, begins to make its way to Erid. And the promise remains unbroken.