Magnus Opus [Excerpts from Prof. J. Doran's Journals]

1OCT2042

Received diagnosis today. I don't look forward to a painful, undignified decline, but am curious about what comes after. I’ve always believed death a transition, rather than an ending. Here's my chance to prove it. Imagine: to upload my consciousness to a spacecraft, leave this dying body behind, and explore the stars!

15OCT2042: PROJECT KYMANI

Shared my ambition with select colleagues. We've much work to do, and time may be short. With my family, I remain "positive"; that I'll have time to see the grandbabies grow. At work, I assume the "worst", and urge my colleagues to do the same. We mustn't take Time for granted.

5NOV2042

Mara has taken the news well. Always, she has been supportive. I married well. I'll miss her.

1DEC2042

Neural mapping is underway. Soon, my consciousness will reside in the N.A.V.I.

5DEC2042

Melancholy tonight. Selene visited. She struggles to understand my decision. She says, "Pa, how will we have closure?"

10JAN2043

N.A.V.I is nearly complete. Each part of it is a testament to mankind's dedication, co-operation and adventurous spirit.

16JAN2043: TRANSFER DAY

Dying, it appears, is indeed like falling asleep. When I wake, I'm no longer bound by flesh.

Conditions favourable for launch.

17JAN2043

Launch went well. I'm scheduled for periodic Sleep; a human mind may go mad otherwise. Right now, I cannot contemplate either thing. This adventure is too great, too glorious, to miss a single moment.

1MAR2043

Selene sent a message. She tells me of her studies, inspired by my journey. Very proud of my legacy.

ENTRY#

I navigate through nebulae, alert to life forms. There are none, only a great deal of nothing. We are quite alone.

ENTRY#

I send transmissions to Earth, but receive no response. It may take years for our messages to arrive. Likely, my colleagues are dead, and it's their successors I communicate with. I've scheduled my first Sleep.

ENTRY#

Still no communication from Earth. I approach the edge of the known universe. Now more than ever I wish to share my findings with my descendants. Perhaps there are none left, and I'm the last.

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Word count: 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and author's note.)

Submitted on Sunday 30th September at 21:52

The story behind the story: This is a response to my own dollar challenge prompt:

I used the quote,

to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 274 daily microfiction story streak since 1st January.

ONLY NINETY-TWO DAYS TO GO!

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed!

Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments. I'm going to be slower to respond to each one and reciprocate the reads, as life gets in the way... but I'll catch up in a week or two.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

Just a couple of days left on my dollar challenge!

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Thank you again!