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 Beyond the Edge  (19 ratings)by Robert Anderson Page 5 of 5 She slowed at last and we could actually see the TE galaxy, much as we had anticipated, very very old, quite small by our space standards, and only a few simple (hydrogen and helium only) stars left - glowing red in their dying glory. In fifteen billion years, most of the matter had been lost, burnt up or drifted away - maybe swallowed by some equally ancient black hole. "Okay, where to now?" asked Tony. I came in, "That's easy. Let's find the furthest star and check that for any planets or big stuff left around it." At quarter light speed, we cruised the outer limits of TE, our screens glowing only on the bottom half with radiation from the areas we had left, but quite blank on the upper part. We all saw it together, a tiny dead spot of a planet, still held in orbit around its long dead star - nothing to locate it, but its inherent gravity and a tiny amount of reflected light from the vast background. We let Lisa take us in for a feather light landing on the star side of the little rock, but fine dust rose to coat the gossamer Bubble. Not that the old sun gave any light but there was a faint glow from the ancient galaxy and the vast universe behind it. Lisa thumped Tony when he commented about women drivers and that, "Without suits, we won't be able to get out to wipe that windscreen - but I'll use the loading arm to scoop a few soil samples - just to keep the boffins happy." Again in manual mode, we enjoyed an earth type meal (not stew) and talked quietly until with the slow rotation of the planet, the dim light faded and three, very tired people fell into our first natural sleep - for quite some time. Two hours before dawn, Tony activated the screens and they were blank. Lying back on the couches, we could see nothing, even the transparent shield. Tony spoke first, "There is plenty of radiation going out from the universe behind us, but in front - what?" Lisa said we were the first people to genuinely look at nothing! My brain could not comprehend it, but I said, "I think we are looking at Eternity - what ever that is?" We turn the sensors off and drank hot coffee as dim light touched the low hills. Finally it found the Bubble and its clear dome turned golden with the dust layer. Nothing was said, but there, clearly written in the gold, for us to read, were two words: I AM The soft light increased, the letters faded and Tony asked Bubbles to take us home. Over to your Department, Fr. Chris. Sincerely, Tom A. P.S. - (to the Reader) It is obvious that "Beyond The Edge" should be classified as Science Fiction, but the story includes a whole bag full of other concepts from science to theology. While argument rages between the creation, evolution and science camps as to "why and how IT all happened etc." I have no problems with any of the propositions, seeing many strong links across all the theories. For me, God is behind the total creation and directing its evolution. Human problems certainly arise when fundamentalist ideas are heavily pushed - from whatever religious source, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu etc, etc, - and I include some Scientists, together with those who advocate that ‘reality' stops with all things physical - that there is no extra ‘spiritual dimension' in our existence. It seems to me to be very blinkered thinking to advocate any of these particular barrows as the only, absolute ‘truth' - when there are always hundreds of obvious natural, examples pointing towards an overall, larger view. Narrow theories always seem to raise more questions (and arguments) than to offer complete answers. Having casually rubbished the stance of so many (presumably) well meaning people, I will have to also receive some scrutiny! With a technical and design background, I know that to succeed with any of our puny creations, one can only use physical facts and principles that work . There is no magic, ‘smoke and mirrors' do not come into the design process or our creative thinking - everything has to be in good physical order. We now understand that the creation of the Universe followed a similar good order. As a practising Christian, I also know, quite simply, that prayer works! They are answered. From that point, I have had to take a fairly long (and I hope, logical) jump! Unless our prayers (thoughts) are free to range, uninhibited and immediate over the breadth of the universe, (and heaven), and beyond - God cannot instantantly receive them! They cannot be restricted, as all else seems to be, to the slow speed of light! If there could be any alternative situation it must be even stranger - that that this microscopic Earth really is at the centre of everything (and Heaven must be very close by). Sorry, but we know that is not true because this planet does not appear to be at the centre of anything. But just suppose it was all the latter case - then who looks after the rest of the vast, cosmic ‘real estate''? The only real liberty I have taken in "Beyond The Edge" is one, common to much S.F., set in the future, which says that changes can be achieved, but offer no explanation of the method to be employed. This is a classic situation calculated to set many designers into a state of mental overdrive! Who knows what might eventuate in the future? So, without wishing to offend anyone, I have tried to paint a simple, lighthearted tale on the biggest canvas we now know, just a little about - floating somewhere in eternity, this fascinating, tiny Universe. Bob Anderson. - February 2000
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