All of the final preparations were complete. The last of the ships systems engaged and it was on course to incept the comet that would end all life on earth as we know it. The ships pilot volunteered for this one way mission to save the world.  No family, no ties to anyone or anything. The pilot checks the ships systems one more time just to be sure. All systems are green and ready for impact. So the pilot moves to the observation deck and stares out into the infinite darkness sprinkled with tiny sparkles of light and the planet sided comet that was growing ever larger in the distance. The pilot sits quietly, ready to accept the fate they have chosen. It wont be long now.
Dark thoughts start to creep into the pilots mind. “You don’t have to do this, you could let it all end.” The pilot shakes it off. The world is at stake. Everything and everyone they have ever known would be gone, Obliterated by the oncoming doom. Suddenly the pilot starts to get flashbacks of all the bad things in their life. The pilot remember their childhood and the pain of school, the merciless nature of children. The pilot remember relationships that ended badly, relationships where they were abused, left only with a broken heart. The pilot thinks about the destruction of the world, the greed of humanity, the destruction of our world is already well underway. “Why should I stop it. The earth holds nothing for me now.”
The pilot runs to the navigation room and starts to plan an alternative trajectory. But now another voice speaks. “Think of the innocent, the people who love each other, the people who start charities, those people are beautiful souls and deserve life.”
The pilot starts to remember a childhood friend, the fun they had together. The pilot remembers a first kiss, the nervousness was spread throughout their body, the electricity and excitement of another humans embrace. The pilot now remembers lying in a lover arms and staring into their eyes as they both drift into a calm and love filled sleep. The pilot remembers the first signs of spring and the feeling of a gentle summers breeze on their face. The pilot remembers their first pet and the first day they met, the joy and love of their relationship.
The pilot now sits into the navigation chair. The pilot straps in. A voice speaks in the cockpit, “ten minutes to impact”. The pilot glances to the now planet sized comet raging towards them. Then turns back to the monitor.
It reads, “Are you sure you want to change trajectory?”
4 comments
I noticed that the story is about the pilot’s memories – some bad, some good – but just memories. Hopelessness. I say stay on course and save the world. BTW, did you do the graphic, too?
i always imagine myself in these drastic situation where i heroically sacrifice myself to save everyone and i would do it – partly for the people i care about and partly because i actually want to die.
god it’s so corny but it would be so much easier that way.
The pilot who would let the world end would be my hero. This world is too evil of a place to continue. Yes there are some good people out there….these good people would go on to continue the cycle of suffering and inflicting misery on others. Billions of animals will continue to be tortured (factory farms, eating each other, agonizing medical experiments). More horribly disabled people will be born. Pollution and overpopulation and wars and droughts. A true hero would not let this world continue.
Thats rather a primitive thought don’t you think? i used to think like that a few years ago when i was about 13 or 14. A decision is usually depending on the majority, but the minority always holds an importance that must not be ignored. “This world is rotten”. But good people are all that keeps it from collapsing. Or maybe its the patience of greed filled murderous people waiting for the right moment to strike. Why not let it flow? Why end it all for your own satisfaction?