The Longest Journey

As heists go, this one took quite some time - twenty five years to be exact - twenty five long years of planning and executing, but it was so worthwhile in the end.

In the early days, as a dirt poor, highly introverted, child of five, I was constantly told by my betters that I would never amount to anything. "Totally useless" and "Not a cat in hell's chance" were some of the kinder comments made about me and my abilities, or presumed lack thereof.

"Won't come to a hill of beans in a million years of trying, if you ask me." was the personal, highly opinionated, measured judgement of even my own father.

In my ragged, hand-me-down clothes, I sometimes used to gaze up at the night sky and dream of one day exploring the universe. I didn't have the slightest idea how I was ever going to make that ridiculous dream come true. But, I never gave up dreaming.

Eventually, at ten years old, I made a start on the longest journey, from a school textbook to the steps of the spacecraft Voyager.

"....5,4,3,2,1. We have lift-off. To infinity and beyond, gentlemen!"

"Oh, dear Lord, what a heist!"