The foreign feeling of the metal beneath my hand was odd. It was so smooth, like glass, but so strong. Strong enough to keep the vast vacuum of space out there and us in here. I stared out at the stars in wonder and sorrow. It was so bittersweet. I always knew my place was among the stars, but I never thought it would be like this. I never thought it would be without some remembrance of my family. Some promise to see them again.
I'm standing alone in the bridge. It's my turn to watch for threats, but all I can think about is my family and how much I miss them. It's funny though. I never missed them like this in the Garrison. I could have called or written anytime but I didn't. I wish I had. If I could talk to them one more time, I would thank my mother. I would tell her I loved her and that she had given me everything I never knew I needed.
They say we'll go back one day. When this war with Zarkon is over. That one day, I'll see them all again. But they're lying. Wars are messy. They last lifetimes and he's been building this empire for ten thousand years. He will not fall to us so easily. He will fight to the bitter end. Until either we are wiped out or he is dead. I'm not sure we'll win this war.
As I sit on the bridge gazing out at the stars, thoughts fill my head. I think of all the dreams I'll never fulfill and all the things lost forever. I'll never smell fresh cut grass again. Or see the crescent moon in my sister's garden. It's all the little things really. Like the feeling of freshly washed cotton, and the taste of chile peppers.
"Lance." Keith's voice startles me out of my trance.
"Hey, Mullet-Head." I answered casually. I glanced at his reaction. He seemed confused. He must of come in while I was lost in thought.
"Your shift is over. You can go if you want to." He said.
"Sure. I'll see ya later." I left Kogane to his own devices. I guess I'll just have to adjust. And maybe one day will come sooner than I feared.