10.000ly away
26 Oct 2022Sagacious Panda
They were more than ten thousand light years away from SOL. It was late based on the time schedule they agreed. They were about to land on a lonely rock, secure the ship and get some rest. Next day they were going to chase some ghosts.After landing Pan watched Bella taking SRV for a spin, testing her scanners and every fidget they stuffed in it one by one from the canopy. After 20 minutes he clicked the button and spoke. His voice was tired, and he realized his throat was dry.
“Bell, that should do it, bring her in and let’s call it a night”
SRV moved slowly on the hilltop 700 meters away from the ship. A few seconds later she stopped, blinked her lights and Bella answered “I’m calling this one Hilma for the record”
Her voice was lively. Doesn’t this woman ever get tired? Pan thought.
“Hilma? That’s new. Let me guess, another lover of yours?”
“Boss, come on.” Bell turned the SRV toward the ship and approached slowly.
She stopped when she came close enough to see Pan.
“Hilma af Klint! Still nothing?” Bell asked playfully
Pan had no idea, but realized that he ought to know
“Educate me Bell, I am a vagrant ignorant”
“No, you just don’t know about the most important artist in history”
“The most important, Bell? You sure?” Pan decided to play along. Maybe she doesn’t get tired but sure as hell she can be bored.
“She lived more than a millennium ago. Some still believe that her art was…. well, unearthly. In any case, seriously Pan, do some research, you’ll like her” She started the boarding protocol right after.
Pan also switched off several modules, checked his console and left the cockpit.
A couple of minutes later she was sitting in their small living area with a more serious look on her face.
When Pan entered, she smiled at him when Pan said “So, will our Hilma perform well tomorrow?”
“Yes, Pan, she will. And you know what…”
“What?”
“It will be very meaningful. Imagine she lived even before the 20th century and was capable of painting about the universe. Now, she will be visiting places that they didn’t even know existed back then.” She had tears accumulating around her eyes.
Pan sat next to her and held her shoulders
“Hey, Bell. You know every artist dreams about being remembered. You are not only remembering but honoring an artist. You, Miss Bell, are making the dream come true”
“You see” She said with teary puppy eyes “You can be nice when you want”
“I can?” Pan asked and said while standing up “I am not sure”
He reached to the control panel and “ICE, can you treat us with a proper dinner today. We are celebrating”
ICE “Ribeye steaks will be ready in 10”
Bell pointed a finger to Pan and “We have STEAKS???”
“You don’t have to answer that ICE” Pan said, enjoying this more than he should
“And why we are eating grub, mush and pash the whole time?” Bell asked
“Well, I was waiting for an occasion for steaks” Pan lied
“Occasion??? Pan you are telling me that you waited ten-fuckin-thousand light years to put steaks on the table?” Bell looked annoyed now, she walked closer with a smirk on her face “Boss, I demand what other organics we have on board which I can consume for nourishment, is that how I should have asked?”
One hour later they had their steaks and left for their bunks to have some shut eye.
In his dream Pan thought about a woman 10.000ly and 1600years away. Some emperors who ruled over millions of people can get forgotten and lost in time. It is remarkable to have your name uttered and remembered after so much time and space.
He slept with a heavy heart.
Tomorrow they were going to land on the Alpha Site.