Seven-Year Mission

By Ross Clement

The expedition was in a slingshot around Jupiter when Earth fell silent. Automated systems told Earth the news, but not one bit was received in reply.

Commander Harper Davis addressed Science Officer James Bennett. “You’ve tried all frequencies?”

“Every last one. Even if mission control is down, we should still be able to pick up something. Radio, television. What about navigation? Can we do it alone?”

“We can’t vary the mission, but we can return, and land. That leaves just one unknown.”

The two astronauts sat in heavy silence for a minute.

“What it is we’ll find when we get back.”