February 4th,
2037
1400
Dear Space
Diary
Pluto is now
half a day behind me. Given I think this ship is still accelerating, I’ve no
idea how far that actually is, but it’s a lot. There’s still not any sign that
the ship is slowing down or beginning to turn. All I can do is look out the
window and watch the planets disappear into the night.
I am no
longer in the solar system.
NASA aren’t
answering the phone. I’m still trying, of course, but there has been no answer
at… one moment. Something’s coming through.
__
SHIP HAS NOT
STOPPED ACCELERATING. UNABLE TO TURN OFF FTL ENGINE. ATTEMPTING TO REINITIALISE
REAL TIME COMMUNICATION. ETA 1700. STAND BY.
__
<END
TRANSMISSION>
I hate being
right. Nothing to do but wait for three hours I guess. Too worried to think
properly, but should try and distract myself.
1453
Six letter
word for “No Hope. “
I think that’s enough crosswords for now.
1623
I spy with
my little eye, something beginning with O.
Oblivion. Correct.
Ok, you know
what? Stop this. NASA will think of something. They’re just not talking to me
because they haven’t thought of it yet. Keep calm.
1624
Oh my God,
I’m going to die.
1655
NASA have
fixed the communication systems. That’s the good news.
The ship is
out of control. Literally. Due to an error, the ftl drive didn’t actually stop
accelerating once it reached the desired speed. For the past two weeks it has
slowly been getting faster and faster, and nobody bothered to check the
speedometer.
To make
things more fun, they can’t actually turn the engine off. The ship itself is
going to pass completely out of their range in about four hours, so the clock
is ticking.
There is a fail-safe.
They can detonate the ship. I don’t consider that an acceptable suggestion, NASA.
I am on the whole quite keen on not exploding.
1910
They are
working on another solution where they turn the ship at full speed, which will
eventually swing it around into an orbit that will let them pilot the ship back
to Earth. Fantastic!
2020
That will
take 400 years. Back to square one.
2045
Not long
left NASA. What’s the plan?
2055
NASA. Help
me.
2103
<INCOMING
TRANSMISSION>
__
OUT OF TIME.
NO SOLUTION FOUND. VERRY SOOO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-
<TRANSMISSION ABORTED>
<TRANSMISSION ABORTED>
2121
I’m alone.
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