The Last Corner of the Universe

C. M. F.

Description

The Last Corner of the Universe is formed by three stories set in outer space in a futuristic era, where Earth has become just another star soaring in the cosmic distance. It reveals an endless pursuit of humanity across the spatial abyss that encompasses everything: millions of celestial bodies and possibilities floating chaotically in the vast emptiness, realities where the past, present, and future are indistinct, or immense presences transcending all logic and understanding. It also addresses subjects such as eternity, the complete lack of existence and the inconceivable horrors hiding in every nook.
What is awaiting for you in the last corner of the universe?

Sujets

• Science Fiction
• Universe
• Earth
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Palibrio
• Date de parution: 12 avril 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781506549941
• Langue: English

Extrait

THE LAST CORNER OF THE UNIVERSE
C. M. F.

Copyright © 2023 por C. M. F.
Número de Control de la Biblioteca del Congreso de EE. UU.:2023905811
ISBN:
Tapa Dura
978-1-5065-4996-5

Tapa Blanda
978-1-5065-4995-8

Libro Electrónico
978-1-5065-4994-1
 
Todos los derechos reservados. Ninguna parte de este libro puede ser reproducida o transmitida de cualquier forma o por cualquier medio, electrónico o mecánico, incluyendo fotocopia, grabación, o por cualquier sistema de almacenamiento y recuperación, sin permiso escrito del propietario del copyright.
 
Esta es una obra de ficción. Los nombres, personajes, lugares e incidentes son producto de la imaginación del autor o son usados de manera ficticia, y cualquier parecido con personas reales, vivas o muertas, acontecimientos, o lugares es pura coincidencia.
 
 
 
Fecha de revisión: 30/03/2023
 
 
 
 
Palibrio
1663 Liberty Drive
Suite 200
Bloomington, IN 47403
849612
CONTENTS
The Last Corner Of The Universe
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
Light
Red Town Space Colony
I
II
III
Finale

INDEX
THE LAST CORNER OF THE UNIVERSE
LIGHT
RED TOWN SPACE COLONY
THE LAST CORNER OF THE UNIVERSE
I
I still remember the day I heard about this stellar trip for the first time: a journey through the furthest corners of the universe that could become humanity’s biggest discovery. The odyssey would last more than thirty years; fifteen years to get there, fifteen more to make it back. However, it still wasn’t clear if there would be a safe return. The place we were heading to was something unheard of, an anomaly of the cosmos itself. Telescopes and other machines perceived it in an inexplicable way; somehow the scientists weren’t able to figure it out. It was similar to a wormhole. If you headed to that site, space would start compressing. The light that traveled or crossed this exact point would also move in a different way, not yet explained. It was millions of light years away from Earth, but because of that particular phenomenon, it was possible to reach it at an impressive speed. A robot spaceship was sent to investigate in advance, but all it found was what seemed to be deep, black mist. The sensors captured immense, strange energy, but not a single trace of gravity force.
After numerous tests and experiments, the scientists managed to push the spaceship into the stellar mist. However, as soon as it sank into it, all contact was lost, just as if it had been destroyed. Then, a few minutes later, the spaceship reappeared amid the darkness, since it was programmed to return to the last place the signal was registered. The spacecraft was in perfect condition and communication was fully restored. They tried to repeat the experiment multiple times, but the result was always the same. Afterward, when the spaceship was requested to return to Earth, it came back with the same incomprehensible speed. After examining it meticulously, the operators didn’t find anything unusual. What could that phenomenon mean? Evidently, infinite possibilities. Hence, our historic journey was planned.
The requirements to take part in this project were relatively simple: previous knowledge and significant studies, great health and less than fifty years of age. Luckily, I met the criteria. After multiple interviews, the best candidates were summoned to take diverse psychological tests; after all, life on a stellar cruise would be hard to endure. In the end, a total of eighty-five people were selected. According to the scientists, it was important to create a big team; first, to make sure the environment was friendly enough to withstand thirty years of lonely space travel. Also, it was necessary to bring as many witnesses as possible, since the stellar mist made every recording device useless. In such circumstances, human memory is the best and most reliable source of information.
Honestly, I was tired of my monotonous, ordinary life. I am a divorced man. I have a married daughter that lives far away from my city, so we barely see each other. I also have an older son, but he is way too busy to visit me. My friendships are scarce and far from special. My day consists of teaching science at a prestigious university. My job guarantees a good income, but what’s the point, anyway? Is that all my life is worth? The same, boring, dull routines, until everything ends without a single new path. That is why I decided to pursue what only a few will be able to witness: the hidden, unimaginable corners of the universe.
Everyone on the ship was granted a private room; it had no windows, only a screen full of apps. The spacecraft features over a hundred rooms, a big hall with vast glass walls that allows you to contemplate the incommensurable cosmos, a sophisticated gym, a pitch to practice sports, a movie theater, four cafeterias with different menus and, the most important area: a hibernation cabin. There, you can program a machine to make you sleep up to three years in a row. A powerful, intelligent computer controls every single installation, and plenty of simple robots are responsible for the cleaning and the general maintenance.
Three scientists are in charge of the ship, but I can’t remember their names; they do not speak much to the rest of the crew. The only one I recall is known as Professor Cyborg, because he has a mechanical eye that immediately catches your attention. There were also another thirty-one professionals working on the spacecraft, from a total of one hundred sixteen passengers on board.
The beginning was somewhat stressful. One month before takeoff, we were part of a course to learn about the machines and the way of life inside the spacecraft; for instance, we were taught how to operate the hibernation cabins. After a few tests, it turned out to be quite simple: you lay inside a white capsule, put on some kind of patches on specific body parts. Afterward, the machine will examine you to determine if your health conditions are optimal. Since you must wait one month between every session, the computer will ask you how long you wish to remain sleeping. You can choose between a period of three or two years. Once you reply, the capsule will close and soon you will find yourself in deep, long slumber. Some people say it’s similar to a time-travel experience. At the very end, you’ll wake up feeling a bit weak, so you must head to one of the cafeterias to request the vending machines for the specific nourishment required after the process. One of the perks of hibernation is that it reduces aging significantly. That’s why the majority of passengers plan to sleep for most of the trip.
We departed from Earth on a cloudy, windy morning. We boarded a space station and the next day we were transported to the huge cruise that would become our temporary home; maybe our last one. The first months on the ship were calm, even boring. I felt like staying at a fancy, stellar hotel. The food was relatively fine, and you could watch the amazing celestial bodies behind the glass walls. I went to the movie theater once, but spent most of my time reading. In my eyes, literature is way superior to any film or computer. And I’m lucky enough to have a huge collection of books on my cyber-device. Not even a thousand years in space would be enough to read them all.
Roaming along the cruise, I became friends with a man who had a robotic hand: an Anatomy professor. He was fascinated by the journey and felt anxious to reach our destination. He told me how much he dreamed about space travel, and what he expected to find at the very end of our trip.
–Can you imagine our arrival? The beauty awaiting behind that mist? We’ll experience something never seen before. It could be humanity’s first contact with intelligent, extraterrestrial beings. I really hope the scientists in charge allow us to interact with them and learn more about their environment. It’s mind blowing, I just can’t wait.
–But aren’t you worried about the scientists’ primal warning? They are not sure if we’ll even make it back alive.
The professor was silent for a moment, but his enthusiastic tone didn’t change as he replied.
–No, I don’t think so. Of course, the risk is real, but plenty of tests have been done. Every single spaceship returned to Earth intact. Nothing happened to the computers, nor to the engines.
–I guess you’re right on that. Still, I can’t help but think about the universe’s incommensurability. Anything could exist in the vastness of space, even an ancient entity or a living planet; something far beyond our understanding.
Somehow, those words simply flooded through my lips, without even crossing my mind. The professor seemed reluctant.
–Well, it’s true. The universe could breed anything at all. But I’m sure our scientists are aware of the possibilities. They wouldn’t plan such a big mission without anticipating any deadly consequences. I know, the risk is unavoidable, especially in such an important quest. However, everything is under control. I can tell we’ll return to Earth safe and sound, full of fantastic stories to share.
We didn’t speak much after that. Two days later, he went to the hibernation cabin, and I lost track of him. I decided to do the same, even though I kept questioning myself. Wasn’t it haunting to acknowledge I would be lost in slumber for two whole years, completely disconnected from reality? It sounded like a nightmare to me, but everyone else said it was just a long, comforting nap, traveling to the future,