We Are Legion (We Are Bob)

Book 3: Chapter 17: Underway

Book 3: Chapter 17: Underway

Icarus

January 2232

Interstellar space

The phrase middle of nowhere took on an entirely new meaning when you were between star systems. I sat in the middle of a sphere of empty space, with nothing more than the occasional lonely hydrogen atom for literally light-years. The Orion-Cygnus arm of the Milky Way stretched across the sky, annotated by overlays showing distances, readings, and the location of local tourist attractions. Sixty trillion miles to next gas station. I snorted at the thought.

“Status check.”

I looked up at the call from Dae. Right on time, as usual. Well, why not? I didn’t begrudge him his tics, and he didn’t tease me about my wraparound planetarium view.

I returned to my library and opened up my calculation page before responding. “Everything’s in the green.”

“Your tau is a little low.”

I glanced at the status board. “I was drawing slightly ahead of you. I had to cut back my acceleration just a tad.”

“I would have preferred if you’d extended your curve instead, Ick. We need to be synchronized.”

“Understood. Still lots of time to adjust.”

There was a moment of silence. “I was going to laugh at you, Ick. But the more I think of it... Really, what’s holding us here?”

“Homo sideria, baby. Maybe it’s time to join up.”

Daedalus popped in, holding a coffee. “Or start it up. Even Mario hasn’t really left the area. I don’t think anyone qualifies yet.”

I waved up a patio chair for Dae, his favorite seating device, and popped up a coffee for myself. “You think we’re timid as a group?”

“No, maybe just creatures of habit. And comfort zone.”

I nodded slowly, letting a grin form. “So, you up for it?”

“Hell, why not?”

I raised my cup in salute. “To Sagittarius A-Star. May it not fry us to twigs.”

Dae made a sweeping motion with his hand. “Just have to make this delivery first.”