Amongst the Stars

Man has always possessed an unbridled desire for exploration, whether it is in search of new resources, to chart the boundaries and limitations of human existence, or to unlock the secrets of the universe. One astronaut, a 21st century explorer, will receive an answer humanity has long been asking in its manifest destiny of space, but will it be astronomically more than he bargained for?

The year is 2057 and Mission Specialist Thomas Jacobson is one of three crew members aboard the Meridian space shuttle en route to an Earth-size planet capable of sustaining life roughly 100 light-years away. Accompanying him on this endeavor are Commander James L. Holt and Pilot Roy Davis. The Meridian is fully equipped with a testing laboratory, plant and insect specimen, and enough provisions to last the crew a lifetime. The only problem is Commander Holt and Pilot Davis are already dead.

Thomas Jacobson was raised on a small farm in Middle America. He was a quiet and respectful young man who overcompensated for physical shortcomings by delving into his studies. Jacobson’s favorite school subjects were anything that pertained to science and mathematics. He was especially enamored with astronomy and the study of planets and their planetary systems. A voracious reader he consumed everything from quantum physics to the theories of parallel universes comprising the multiverse. When the sun dipped below the horizon, he would often lie on the cool, crisp grass and gaze at the infinite number of stars and planets that illuminated the night sky. The sheer vastness of space always left him in awe and wonder. He knew one day he would be up there amongst the stars. Eventually Jacobson was rewarded for his efforts in the form of a $20,000 college scholarship. This was just a launching pad to his professional career which led to a PhD and culminated with a position in the United States Space Program. Now 36, that young boy finally achieved his dream of space exploration; a dream that unexpectedly became an unforgiving nightmare. Jacobson is all alone, aimlessly drifting amongst the sea of stars, wishing to be back on Earth.

A small black notebook full of frantically scribbled journal entries details fates of Holt, Davis, and the Meridian:

“Day 1853: Disaster!! Meridian’s mainframe computer recounts meteorites striking the ship. The communications system was fried and the hypersleep pods have been destroyed. I have a few cuts and bruises, but relatively unscathed. It’s a miracle! It is with great sadness that I report that Commander Holt has passed away. Davis has been severely injured. He’s been in and out of consciousness, and I’ve treated his wounds to the best of my abilities. I fear there is internal bleeding. If Davis passes the Meridian will have no pilot and no means of returning home. God help us!”

“Day 1854: Davis appears to have stabilized, but he’s not out of the woods yet. Despite the tragedy and bleak outlook, he still maintains a sense of humor. We laugh uncomfortably because it’s much easier to cry than laugh.”

“Day 1856: He’s very weak and blanche. All he wants to do is sleep. I wake him only to give him some water and a few mL of a protein and carbohydrate paste.”

“Day 1858: Davis is gone. What do I do??”

“Day 1862: Can’t just wallow in despair. Refuse to throw in the towel. This is a math problem. I can solve the equation. I can get this ship home…think.”

“Day 1876: I’ve tried rewiring the circuit boards of the communications system, but nothing seems to work. Why couldn’t I have trained to be a pilot? Keep laughing. I’ve got to keep laughing.”

“Day 1902: The views in space really are breathtaking. Today I saw a nebula and stared at it for what seemed like hours. Truly out of this world.”

“Day 2104: I’ve heard some strange sounds on the ship the past couple of days. I’ve searched every square foot and can never locate the source.”

“Day 2322: The silence in space is deafening. I can hear my own thoughts reverberating in my head.”

“Day 2456: I think I had a birthday recently. I can’t remember how old I am. If only I had a nice big piece of birthday cake in front of me. I know what I would wish for when blowing out the candles. I’d wish I were home...”

Jacobson shuts his eyes and reminisces about being back home. He recalls the aromatic fragrance of the spring blooms, the warmth of the rays of sunlight dancing on his face, and the sounds of the wind rustling through the trees. He does not want to open his eyes and return to his grim reality. Reluctantly he cracks them open, and to his utter astonishment he is no longer trapped inside a tin can over a million miles away from home. He is dressed in civilian clothes and standing in the field in front of his childhood home. Jacobson stands there motionless trying to rationalize what had just occurred. “Maybe I dozed off and I’m in the middle of a wonderful dream,” he thought. He takes his right hand and forcefully pinches his left forearm. Not only was the pinch quite painful, but it also left a deep red abrasion on his arm. As a man of science Jacobson still questions the authenticity of this mirage. He requires further proof to validate his whereabouts. Out of nowhere he hears a woman’s voice call out “Tommy!” It is coming from the house behind him and sounds as though this person knows him. It is a familiar and comforting voice that grows louder as she steps onto the porch. Jacobson’s arms drop by his sides and he stumbles slowly in the woman’s direction. His gait hastens until it is a practically a full-on sprint. He wraps his arms around the woman with so much enthusiasm that he nearly tackles her. Jacobson embraces her as tears stream down his face. “I’ve missed you so much, mom” he says in a trembling voice. “I’ve missed you too, sweetheart” she emotionally responds. The two walk inside the house, an arm draped around one another.

Jacobson’s mom informs him that she just finished preparing lunch, her famous fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob. It is his favorite homecooked meal, and much needed comfort food. He excuses himself to the bathroom to freshen up and wash away the now dried tears from his cheeks. As a man of science and is baffled how any of this is remotely possible. “Did the ship enter a worm hole?” “Did I crossover into a parallel universe?” “Am I dead?” All these hypotheses swim through his head. He composes himself and walks to the kitchen table where a heaping serving has already been plated for him. He seats himself and almost bites into the chicken before remembering to say grace. The food is even better than he remembers. Jacobson unapologetically retrieves a second helping. After the meal, the two catch up on each other’s lives, in addition to the town gossip he has missed out on. Jacobson is apprehensive about revealing the reality of his space mission, or at least how he remembers it. He is beginning to question reality. After some careful thought he decides it is best not to divulge this traumatic experience until he has a better understanding of what is happening. He suggests that they drive into town so they can stroll around and checkout the local shops, a distraction from his daunting questions. Jacobson reacquaints himself with the town, and they decide to end their date with some ice cream at the parlor. While finishing his ice cream, Jacobson notices a shadowy figure staring at him from outside the establishment. He does not want to alarm his mother, so he discreetly catches glimpses of the unknown individual to familiarize himself with his surroundings.

As the two leave the parlor he inspects the situation to ensure they are not ambushed or assaulted, but he is unable to locate the shadowy figure. His main priority is to keep his mom safe. It is now dark and the streetlamps are slowly turning on. As the two start walking towards the parking lot where the car is parked, Jacobson pleads with his mother to walk faster. They round a corner that has yet to be lit and standing approximately 100 feet ahead of them is dark silhouette facing their direction. Jacobson is startled and can feel his heart beating through his chest. He clenches his mother’s hand and abruptly changes direction. She is confused and questions, “Tommy, is everything okay? Where are we going?” Jacobson - slightly panicked – informs her that there was a suspicious looking individual there and it was best to take another route. They round another corner and there is the figure again, just gazing at them from the shadows. Jacobson now scared assertively tells the individual to leave them alone and to stop following them. They briskly walk in a different direction, Jacobson now squeezing his mother’s hand. She cries out to him, “Tommy! What’s wrong? You’re scaring me!” The streets are eerily empty, and the shops are now desolate with their lights off. “Where is everyone?” Jacobson proclaims. The streetlamps begin turning off one by one. Who is this person or thing stalking them? He wonders if it is an extraterrestrial or some alien lifeform coming for them. Perhaps the same lifeform that teleported him from the spaceship. His thoughts are swimming, “What does it want to do to us?” “Is it going to hurt us?” “Please leave my mother alone.” His fear is palpable. He is now standing in front of his mother to protect her should a physical altercation ensue. He puts up his fists in a defensive stance and scans the darkness blindly for the shadowy figure. It slowly emerges from the black void and stands in front of a petrified Jacobson. “What do you want from me?” he quietly utters with a shaken voice. Without warning the streetlamp turns on and reveals the stranger’s face. Jacobson is frozen with fear as he sees a ghastly, dead eyed, gaping mouth version of his own face staring back at him. He belts out a bloodcurdling scream. He is now back on the Meridian staring out the window into the vast emptiness of space. Jacobson now sporting a deep red abrasion on his left forearm.

Mission Specialist Thomas Jacobson, the only surviving crew member of the Meridian; once passionate about parallel universes, space exploration, and unlocking the mysteries of the universe. He will now spend the remainder of his life alone in space, staring into the unknown. Loneliness is the catalyst to space travel; destination, madness.