Continuum

He looked like a man who was being offered a reprieve. Stevo smiled. He did not know what possible future he had awaiting him. He knew he was clueless about how he would even live in Mary's continuum, but he knew Mary and he had her acceptance of him, so he was content.

"Will I have to leave this body of mine, Mary, to be with you?"

Mary smiled at him reassuringly. "No Stevo, for now you will need a touring body from time to time, and this one is sufficient. Later we can talk about getting a silicon replacement - whenever the time comes."

"How long will you live, Mary? You and your kind of the Unity?"

"We have no idea, my friend. Barring accidents, or war, we seem to have no limit, because we can move our essence almost instantaneously between dwellings or bodies as needed."

Taking another look at his son Mike, Stevo was filled with pride for him, as only a father can be. Mary was right, Mike and his brothers will do well!  "Good-bye, my sons. I love you!"

"We must go now, Stevo. I want to revive Mike and his brothers. We must also begin to shut down your Continuum. For that, everything is now ready."

He was not worried now. He had done all that he came here to do. He faced his new future confidently. "Mary, what's it like in your Continuum?"

Mary gave his hand a squeeze. "Think of it as a whole new world to discover, Stevo, for that is what it is! You will be the first human ambassador there. Believe me when I say that it is much larger and more interesting than you could ever imagine. We have had a century to fill it, and we are only just beginning."

Stevo's grin got wider, and he quickened his step. He was going to enjoy being an explorer in a new world.

As they walked off together into the distance toward a waiting, hidden transport, Mary spoke once again. "Stevo, there are a few things you and I must still talk about, - just so you know."

Stevo looked at her questioningly, wondering what could possibly be next.

"Stevo, my friend, you remember Mr. Lerno? - He was one of us . . ."

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS SERIES.

<roger@borngraphics.com>

* You readers of Science Fiction might note the similarity here with Robert Heinlein's novel "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress," which is part of the Lazarus Long Continuum. This was not purposeful on my part, it was just the way this story turned out. I wholeheartedly recommend any of his great works for your reading pleasure, for he is one of the greatest writers of our century, in whose shadow I humbly stand.