Together In Space

Space rock

A/n this is the turning point of the story. The height. The crux. Pay close attention and read slowly! You only read it for the first time once.

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Huygens's pov:

It's been 2 weeks since I received the data string. Everything is same old, same old. But I just noticed this shooting star-like object coming closer. I don't know what it is, but I'm scared. It could kill me- wipe out Titan. Sure, I'm alone, but I fear death. I am too afraid to die.

I busy myself by picking out and renaming stars and moons, naming rocks and engraving their names onto them, like rock Matty and rock Cleo and rock Theodora. Nothing very interesting.

I haven't been thinking about Cassini. But when I do think of him, it's a pleasant reminiscence... with a touch of sadness. But barely any more anger, if not none. Im not uncontrollably saddened. But, even night before powering down, I do look up at Saturn and its massive rings, and I know Cassini is there... now and forever.

The rock is coming closer. It's- it's triangular shaped? I am so confused. Suddenly I hear a loud whooshing and KABOOM- this thing flies at full speed onto the dusty, rocky ground of Titan. A bang, a crash. I wince and look away, my eyes squeeze shut.

I open my eyes, still turned around. I am not dead! But I do want to investigate the space rock. I turn around- a massively wide crater is behind me. I am a little taken aback- but not necessarily worried. All of a sudden, a triangular thing walks up, out of the crater, and dusts itself off.

"Oh, hello! I'm Juno. Interesting way to meet, huh?" He says, sticking his hand out.

I look at it with a intense look of fear and disgust.

"Ah, well, nobody ever really got too far with silence. So, who are you?" He says, taking his hand back and tightening a loose joint screw.

I can't speak. Then I stop and think.
Oh my god, another spacecraft! Like me! Holy actual shit!

I am just shocked. I dont' really know exactly WHAT he is, but he says his name is Juno... I'm still at a loss for words.

"Okay then... I get it. I kinda crash landed here. What a way to introduce myself, but... what can ya do?" He grins.

There's silence for a moment.

"I, uh, didn't get your name there."

"I didn't give it to you." I say in a deeper, meaner voice. Cassini has to die, but this fool gets to live??

"Whoa there now. What's got you angry?" He asks.

"Well, for starters, you just imbecilely intruded here, without warning, and you just except me to be all happy about your arrival?" I respond. I am not in a happy mood right now.

"Well, sorry, but I didn't expect to be thrown by an asteroid!" He snaps.

"Get out."

He looks around, nervously.

"I, uh, can't. Everything's broken." He sighs and looks at his broken parts, obviously embarrassed at his current state.

I suddenly feel saddened. His purpose had swiftly ended. he didn't even have control over it, or warning. To be stripped of your one true reason forever, well, that's just deeply upsetting and depressing.

I roll over to him, looking up. I put my arm out, and look up at Juno.

"Hi, Juno. I'm Huygens."

Juno smiles widely. "Nice to meet you, Huygens, buddy."

My heart stings when he says, "buddy." It reminded me of Cassini. I guess he saw my expression.

"Everything okay?" He asks.

"Can you um.. maybe.. not... use... buddy?" I ask him.

"Sure things, Huy. Any reason why?"

I don't respond.

"Personal?"

I nod.

"That's okay."

I smile.

"We can catch up tomorrow, on everything? He asks nicely.

"Sure, that sounds great. I would love to know more about you."

"So it's settled then. Tomorrow."

"See ya tomorrow!" I smile as I retreat into my rock-house.

"See ya tomorrow, Huy."