Only a Moment by Chipka
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Description
It lasts for only a moment...
That feeling, when a vessel phases out of transit jump; it's as if the entire universe has taken pause and watches in clenched-fist suspense as a ship hauls itself up step dimensional gradients and appears where—at first—there was nothing. It happens in a flash. Concentric shells of displacement race outward from the newly-arrived, sometimes exciting clotted concentrations of interstellar hydrogen. More often, going unnoticed by all but the inhuman vigilance of mass/grav sensors, and traffic control computers.
It lasts for only a moment...
...That feeling you get in the pit of your stomach, when you pray to any gods who will listen, that transition goes smoothly, that the numbers were right, that no part of the complex jump equations were run askew in the moment of a nav-computer malfunction.
The most important element of that moment is when you are able to glance at the forward view and see the one thing you always hope to see when your missions come to their anticipated ends.
Home.
It lasts for only a moment...
That smile as your ship—and any companions—slides into the most familiar of gravity wells. That smile as your craft passes Metis, the blue and life-filled moon, farthest from the ringed giant that centers your life. But Metis isn't your home. It is a blue dot in your sky, when you take to romantic nocturnes with Yeren, or stargazing strolls with your little brother. And yes, for only a moment, that smile lasts as you think of skinny Maelam, the kid brother who watches for your return, who ages just out of synch with you and your shipboard compatriots.
He is there...on Pelan, the small, gray moon that hangs closer to the rings of Janus than Metis will ever approach.
It lasts for only a moment...
The wistful relief you feel when you see the family arranged as if for a snapshot: Janus, ringed in its halos of dust, gray, rocky Pelan, and Metis, blue with oceans and air rich in swamp-stink.
And then, the moment ends.
You know you are alive. You know you are home. And so, that moment is enough.
***
I was just fiddling around with rings when this came to mind, and so, on the spur of a moment, I decided to post it. I hope you enjoy and as always, thank you for reading, viewing, and commenting.
Comments (17)
MrsRatbag
You have a gift for opening a glimpse into a moment of another life; a glimpse that makes me feel as if I know these characters and worlds. And short as they are, they seem to exist on another plane where seconds are whole lifetimes. Thank you for sharing!
beachzz
"When you pray to any gods who will listen"~~~what a great line, what a wonderful way to say that!! "And you are home', wow, you hit it all in such a very few words ~~ this is astonishing!!!
ARTWITHIN_II
You brought such strong emotions to the surface with this. The image is like my vision of universal oneness. At a time of particular vulnerability, your story brought tears to my eyes as I felt the anticipation and the warmth of memories, and at the same time, the dread and fear of the dream not being realized. Beautiful work!
furuta
Beautiful image, fantastic planets, excellent work!!
Heathcroft
Great to see a space image again after so long; and of course your prose which illustrates the images so concisely and imaginatively. It is an excellent presentation. I hope that you continue to gather your work and have the time to compile it for presentation to publishers in due course.
NekhbetSun
Hope you post more of your "spur of the moments" ....wonderful image and mini-tale Chip ! Hugs
elisheba
It is always great to read your comments and short stories -and what stories! It is not given to everybody to be able to write science fiction because science fiction requires imagination, scientific knowledge, cosmic love and curiosity and , of course.... Talent:) I would love to revisit this image, could be some great fun, let me know if you feel like it Chip!:d Have a great sunday Elisabeth
romanceworks
Your writing always takes me on the most amazing journeys ... even home. CC
sweetcorn
your imagination and attention to detail scares me!! and thank you for all your comments.
ToniDunlap
Unlimited and endless talent is yours.
photostar
Other worlds have always fascinated me along with great SciFi. You have heightened that fascination with your render and words.
MagikUnicorn
Very Very Beautiful! S U P E R * D O N E ****
Madbat
Oh DO keep fiddling with rings Chip! Oiks, I have a lot of catching up to do...I'm looking forward to a nice quiet read of your stuff!
TheAnimaGemini
This is truly beautiful. Fantastic scene.
kimariehere
i loved your writing and this amazing work so beautifully done allowing your immaginition bring this space beauty to life!!! pure talent!!!
Art_Ramos
Excellent concept and execution. I've tried to make rings around planets on some of my images. How did you do yours?
Norski
Fine image, borderline-poetic narrative. I came looking for this work, after seeing an adaptation by elisheba.