Star Rider

Alcon's Journal #25 - The Last Sunset

DSF@d827872cd09b3964c2b94f05a1150235

The Samoan Islands, a serene haven known for witnessing Earth's last sunset...

Ami and I sat together on the beach, mesmerized by the sun's gentle descent into the ocean on our final day before embarking on our journey to the Kuiper Belt.

During our two months on Earth, we visited Oregon State, my former home and a place of solace after my father's passing. We roamed through sprawling forests of majestic redwoods, immersing ourselves in childlike wonder as we gazed up at patches of starlit sunlight filtering through the dense canopy.

Ami leaned against a tree, her gaze fixed on the sky. "Alcon," she asked, "you've told me that the universe is always expanding and stars are constantly dying. But these ancient redwoods must have witnessed a sky adorned with even more stars over 2,000 years ago, right?"

"I'm not certain," I replied, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead and drawing her nearer. These redwoods had stood tall for over 2,000 years, spanning the entire breadth of human civilization, from the age of primitive tools to the age of space exploration. They had silently witnessed the shifting constellations and the potential fading of stars from millennia past. Yet, in the vast tapestry of the universe's 13.8-billion-year history, their existence was but a fleeting moment. "I was contemplating how their lifespan compares to ours." I continued.

"Perhaps their perception of time is much slower. Maybe centuries ago, the tree on the right asked the tree on the left for its name, and the left tree only responded today," Ami playfully mused. "They live at a leisurely pace, enduring for thousands of years, while we race through life, bound by the limitations of our own mortality."

"Ha! Perhaps it's all part of Mr.No.7th's plan," I chuckled.

"Maybe, it's to ensure we don't venture too far and stumble upon extraterrestrial beings," Ami joined in the laughter.

During our flight from Oregon to Kyushu Island, Ami drifted into a peaceful slumber in my embrace. I held her gently, gazing out the window at the vast expanse of the Earth orbital ring structure stretching across the sky. Soon, we would be parting ways once again. It made me wonder, if not for our shared profession, would our paths have ever crossed?

A soft vibration from my smart wearable caught my attention, prompting me to glance at my wrist and access the message list. It was a notification from DSF command center:

"To all DSF deep space exploration pilots, as the current asteroid belt exploration plan has reached full capacity, there are no additional assignments available in the asteroid belt at this time. For those on vacation, the following options are offered: A. Unpaid leave until further arrangements are made; B. Apply for a Kuiper Belt certification and embark on a journey to the Kuiper Belt. You have 120 hours to make your decision. If no choice is indicated, option A will be assumed."

I was surprised to see this, and Ami stirred and mumbled, "What's wrong, Alcon?"

Before I could respond, Ami motioned for me to show her the message on my wrist screen. I turned my wrist, allowing her to read the notification. Her eyes widened as she absorbed the information. She quickly accessed her own tablets and began reading through several messages. In addition to the notification we both received, there was another message titled, "Congratulations! You have been granted KU-2 exploration authorization based on your outstanding flight records."

It became apparent that DSF had recently authorized a significant number of individuals for the Kuiper Belt exploration, expanding the opportunity for more personnel to be involved. Ami and I felt a mix of frustration and uncertainty upon reading the message. It meant that we would either face a period of temporary unemployment while staying on Earth or accept the Kuiper Belt exploration mission, which would entail a round trip lasting approximately three years and result in a minimum three-year separation for us...

Ami set her terminal aside and leaned against my chest, her sadness palpable. I gently hold her arm, trying to offer comfort. After a while, she looked up at me and said, "Let's go to the Kuiper Belt."

"Why?" I asked, taken aback by Ami's unexpected suggestion. I had been contemplating finding a local job, avoiding the long voyages and uncertainties of deep space missions.

"Alcon, remember our dream? When we retire, we talked about finding a peaceful place by the sea, building a cozy house, and pursuing our passions - your painting and my writing," Ami reminded me, her eyes filled with determination.

I nodded, recalling our conversations about that idyllic future. Her imaginative storytelling skills and my newfound love for painting had given us hope for a simple and fulfilling life.

Ami continued, gripping my wrist and bracelet firmly, "We can still go on two Kuiper Belt explorations, which will take around 7 to 8 years. After that, we can return to our home planet and live the life we've always dreamed of."

Her words painted a picture of a future I yearned for. However, the thought of the dangers and uncertainties that awaited us on those missions sent a shiver down my spine. In the vast expanse of time and space, any misstep could have grave consequences.

As the plane touched down in Kagoshima city on Kyushu Island, I was still grappling with the overwhelming news and Ami's unwavering determination. Ami held my hand and guided me to a local restaurant, ordering food in fluent Japanese. As we sat facing each other, she reached out and gently touched my hand and bracelet, her voice filled with conviction.

"Alcon, remember when we first met? We didn't even know what our future held. Now, we have a clear path, a definite future. Going to the Kuiper Belt will allow us to make our dreams come true sooner," she said.

Her words resonated with me, but the thought of being separated for 3 or 4 years at a time was difficult to fathom. Still, Ami continued, her voice soothing and hopeful, "And when we're both on missions in the Kuiper Belt, it won't matter where our home planet is. Knowing that you're out there will bring me peace. In a way, we'll always be together. And when the Uranus supply station is established, we can reunite there."

Restless thoughts swirled within me, searching for alternative paths to fulfill our desires. As the deadline loomed closer, Ami pulled out our tablets, holding me close and whispering, "Alcon, take me to the Kuiper Belt..."

After making our decision, everything suddenly felt brighter. Despite the impending separation, our shared future felt within reach, and I realized the importance of cherishing our vacation time together. We embraced a sense of adventure, singing and enjoying drinks under the night sky, riding the high-speed hyperloop capsule system to Tokyo, even challenging our social anxieties to face the crowds. We laughed and ran along the sandy beaches of Shikoku Island, and explored the vibrant world beneath the waves, mesmerized by colorful coral reefs. As our vacation neared its end, we found ourselves on the serene shores of the Samoa Islands. In this remote island country, we slowed down and embraced each other, spending peaceful moments snuggled on the beach, witnessing the beauty of sunrise and sunset.

This place held the Earth's final sunset, and after the sunset, we will soon embark on our journey to the frigid edge of the solar system...

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Note: The Samoa Islands have adjusted their official time zone and are no longer the last place on Earth to see the sunset. However, due to historical reasons, people still refer to it as the "last place on Earth to see the sunset".