by William Wood
Yesterday they attended the funeral for his best friend, Jax. It had been a beautiful sunny day. The hills adjacent military academy cemetery were green and peaceful. There was a full honor guard, their pristine uniforms sparked in the sun. All of the senior military leaders were there, and many senators. Calvin wore his service uniform, Astra in a long dark dress.
It was hard seeing Jax’s parents. Calvin tried to apologize for their loss, but they wouldn’t hear it. They hugged him and told him they were glad he wasn’t alone when he died.
Maybe, Calvin hoped, it gave them a sense of closure about it. Calvin was asked to give a short speech. After he said there were no words that could adequately describe how wonderful his friend was, he spoke for thirty minutes.
That evening, on the balcony, Calvin tried to make sense of everything that happened. Did Jax die for nothing? New Arlandia was safe, but the government wasn’t going to relax the rules on space travel. They did promise a complete review, but that process could take years.
He turned and looked back at the house. The deck was covered with guests, eating, drinking and laughing. His parents had insisted on having the party. His mother said it would make him feel better, besides, it was too late to call it off.
A band played soft music in the corner, and a bonfire was blazing in the middle of the deck.
The party was a combination welcome home, promotion and wedding reception. Astra was surrounded by people anxious to meet her. She looked very happy.
Calvin looked down. His black and red service dress was no longer empty. He had a medal now, and a new rank; Lieutenant Commander.
The universe was changed forever. The most powerful space radar on the planet was able to connect to a string of sensors left behind by the Sorenia as it made its way home. They registered a small black spot in the center of the galaxy, and it was slowly spreading.
The Void, as Calvin called it, was a terrible reminder of the price they paid to save New Arlandia. The center of the galaxy was gone, and even now stars continued to twinkle out, supernovas of immense destructive power, exploding one after the other. The best scientific minds determined the rate of the Void’s expansion was slowing. That was supposed to be a consoling thought, but it really wasn’t. How many people had died as a result of the superweapon? People just like him that were hiding, and waiting for the wonderful day they could come out and live normal lives again. But no, their existence was ended. Calvin didn’t want to think about it. At least they destroyed the Goremog and the No’Rath, right?
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
William F. F. Wood is the author of the Ruins of Arlandia, an exciting science fiction series set in the aftermath of a galactic war. He has worked for the United States Air Force for twenty-eight years. He has an AA from the University of Maryland, and received top honors from McKendree University in English. William was raised in Sandpoint Idaho, and currently lives in Illinois with his wife and two daughters.
