coverednearly the whole earth, had departed leaving him alone with the dead ofages.
Hot and feverish he glided over the dry bed of the lake. Finally in thelowest depression on earth he found, in a little hollow of rock, a merecupful of water. Like a thirst-maddened animal he sucked it up in greatgulps, then licked the rock dry. IT WAS THE LAST DROP!
Omega rose, his face calm and resigned. With a smile of gratitude helooked up at the sky. The water was bitter, but he was thankful he hadbeen given the final cup.
Then he went to the airship and shot up into the blue and on around theworld in a voyage of farewell. In a few hours he was back. Reverently heset the airship down on its landing place. He was through with it now.Its usefulness was gone, its great, pulsing motors forever silent, soonto be covered with the dust of ages, he would leave it a monument tomankind. For a little while he wandered among the treasures of the ship.Sacred as they were they still mocked him with their impotency to staythe hand of death. But he loved them all. Thalma had loved them and theyhad been Alpha's playmates, and their marvelous powers had been his hopeand inspiration. With loving caresses and a full heart he bade good byeto these treasures of his fathers, soon to become the keepsakes ofdeath.
At last having completed the rounds he let himself out into the stillair. Resolutely he set his face toward home.
The hot noonday sun, beating fiercely down on the dead world, enteredthe cottage and fell in a flood of glory about the couch where Omega,the last man, lay between his loved ones. His great eyes were set andstaring, but on his features rested a smile of peace--the seal of life'slast dream.
"The rest is silence."
THE END
Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from _Amazing Stories_ January 1963 and was first published in _Amazing Stories_ January 1933. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without note. Significant typesetting amendments have been made based on the original 1933 publication, courtesy of www.booksfromthecrypt.com.
Omega, the Man Page 9
