Together In Space

Static Signal

A/n ya boy is finally doing this again. It's been like forever. Also the italic part is italic because it's like a little flashback. Anyway let's move it people. Onwards!

PART I

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"Incoming request to Huygens Titan Probe directed from Houston, Texas... Huygens, do you read me..."
"Huygens, do you read me, over..."
"Cop shift to three, Huygens, do you read me... meteor inbound to northeast Walsh Crater, redirect position to STAT-Zero four, coordinates -12 latitude, 14 longitude; Houston to Huygens Titan Probe, do you read me... "
"Huygens, do you read me, over..."
"Huygens, over..."

Houston had detected strange movement off of Titan that the Huygens probe should have caught on its radar. Huygens had not been receiving commands and had not completed actions in three days. The probe seemed to have shut down. The problem occurred four years and five days after landing on Titan, Saturn's largest moon. Fortunately, the problem had been solved in four days with the Huygens team and engineers from NASA's JPL in Pasadena.
The Huygens Probe can only send information when Cassini is in view. The years of Cassini's scheduled orbit had been perfectly planned in order for a 45 minute patch where the probe sends data. This had been consistent. But now, due to the new close orbit as part of Cassini's grand finale, the Huygens probe rarely can send data over. As of now, the new closer orbit within Cassini's last weeks will end the cycle of data being sent. Cassini will no longer be in view of the Huygens Titan Probe.

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"Huygens, over..."

I could hear the faint words as part of the last thing I will hear from Houston. The static signal, the breaks between audio messages has been happening for five days. And tomorrow, I will hear my last command. Next week, I will send my last photograph.
And next month, it will be the last time I see Cassini.

In all honesty, it seems like only mere weeks ago when we left Earth for our inspiring voyage to Saturn and its moons. And now, seven years later, here we are, studying, analyzing, and growing apart.
The last few days for me have been rather sad. I've realized I haven't gotten a message from Cassini. He usually sends me a "Good morning buddy!" each sol. But I guess he's busy.
I've sent him a few messages but I've heard no response. We aren't like we used to be. Maybe Cassini doesn't have time for me.
Stop it Huygens, he's just busy. It's been a hasty last few days of work.
But I can't stop thinking about how we used to float happily among the stars, cracking jokes, talking, and just being friends. I mean yes, we're older now, but does that mean we can't be fun anymore? I recently sent him a picture of his name I engraved into a rock shaped like a heart. He sent me back a picture of Saturn eclipsing the Sun. He's doing such hard work and I am busy writing names into rocks. My mission was too brief for real success. Not like I would know what success even is. I'll have to ask Cassini.
All his work compared to mine is so amazing. And then there is the rocky surface of Titan which looks like a cheap rip off of Mars. Cass even asked if I stole a picture from Curiosity. He didn't even apologize.
I haven't moved in three going on four days. I really don't want to do anything. I've been ignoring commands. I've been ignoring them so much I practically can't hear them. instead, I just reminisce of the good ol' days. I miss Cassini. There must be at least five hundred rocks with his name on them strewn about Titan.
"Message to Huygens Titan Probe..."
Oh, fun. Excuse me while I tune out and grab the five hundred and first rock.
"Hey buddy, it's been a while..."
I hear a faint yet familiar voice through my audio monitor. Where have I heard that voice before?
Then I realize. I drop the rock before I can engrave, "C"
It's Cassini.