Finding Time

Chapter 20 - Nova Universe 6

Nova's stomach lurched. All the history. So many people and herself, leading up to this moment. To think she had dedicated her own life so that people would have a new life in return, but that she would have to leave behind the past to enter this new universe.

The gravity shook on the ship. It rattled. Parts casually began to break off the machines. The robots looked less animated, more lifeless. As if the life was being sucked out of them. As if they understood that the end was near, and that this was their final goodbye.

Draco was no longer the corpse, but the machine. Where did the lines between consciousness and machine began? Would it be worth it then, to jump into a brand new universe?

"So now I guess you understand who I am."

Nova nodded at the machine.

"Yeah" she said solemnly. "It was a good story. That you told."

"It was the only way I could have it make sense to you. Why I did this."

"To find out what's ahead."

"When you activate the machine, there will be no one else but you there" said the machine. "On a planet alone, beginning humanity over again. In time you will have more, but you would have to be patient."

Have to be patient. For how long she wondered. What would it be like to stare onto empty desolate land for years, waiting for any other soul to show up? To think she had gone years without Sayem, decades without Draco, only to find herself on a science mission alone without a anyone to touch her? Then again, how would she be able to give back to those that she loved if she did not?

"I think I get it now" she said. "That the universe wants to exist."

"People have made this decision long ago, and will continue to make it again. Life is something to be celebrated. So, will you go Nova? I've entrusted you to make this decision, and I know irregardless that I will be happy with you however you chose."

What a freaking lie. She walked over and pushed the red button. A swirling mass of light appeared in front of her, dragging parts of the spaceship in. Her body could feel the magnetic energy. Oh god, she was really going to do this wasn't she? Was this really safe? Had the machine made this passage passable? She held onto the crypt, not ready to let go yet. Gravity bended, as if ready to drop her into the massive swirling vortex.

"Nova. I want you to remember something."

"Yes?"

"I love you."

She smiled.

"I love you too" she said.

Then she let go.

The mass encroached her vision. She was sucked through a tunnel of light. Stars spewed around along her path. She saw hot masses turn into distinct stars, and those stars dissipate into the black. Then the tunnel turned. Those stars reappeared. Blinding her vision. She could no longer look. The light was too bright and all encompassing.

She passed out.

...

She woke up. Sun filtered through the window.

"Good morning Nova."

A screen appeared on the wall, telling the temperature.

How the heck did she get here? Was this all a trick? Was she really dead? She had to be dead. She pinched her shoulder.

"No. Still alive" she said.

The situation dawned on her with alarm. She was alone. Really alone! If she cried, no one would come. If she got sick, she had only her robotic house for company.