THE UNTOUCHED EARTH

Though no joke in the explorer’s word,
When he spoke, the emperor laughed,
“My empire spans from sea to sea!
These palace beams from distant trees,
There’s no land where my hand has not been,
So, why would I have need for thee?”
 
“I’ll wager,” said the pioneer,
“That you make me your chief courtier,
Should I find a portion of the land,
That is untouched by human hand.”
“But should you fail,” the ruler said,
“I will relieve you of your head!”
 
So, they agreed, explorer left,
And the emperor laughed at his expense.
 
But the man returned within the hour,
And in his hands, a silver platter,
Upon the plate, a square of mud,
Topped with grassy plants and such.
 
“It cannot be! I do not think,
Your ship spans lands within a blink,
Nor boots cross states within a step,
Where did you find this untouched patch?”
 
“In your garden, sire,” explorer said,
Turning the clump upon its head.

The emperor gave a smile of mirth,
Then laid hand upon the untouched earth.

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SYMMETRY

Jason woke up early. Across the stars, many millions of miles away, Jason woke up early.

Jason brushed his teeth. Across the stars, many millions of miles away, Jason brushed his teeth.

Jason drove to work. Across the stars, millions of miles away, Jason drove to work.

Jason sat down at his computer. Across the stars, Jason sat down at his computer.

Jason noticed a blip in the observatory’s feed. Jason noticed a blip in the observatory’s feed.

Jason interpolated the data. Jason interpolated the data.

Jason recovered a sound. Jason recovered another sound, then another and another. Jason put the sounds together. The sound was faint and grainy but certainly a tune. Jason recognised the tune, a radio jingle from three years ago. A song from Earth coming from the stars.

Across the stars, many millions of miles away, Jason recognised the jingle too.

Jason reported his findings. Jason continued his research. Jason chaired a global council on the discovery. Jason advised governments. Jason oversaw probe launches. Jason watched every probe fail, always halfway to the target star.

Jason volunteered for the first manned flight. Jason was launched into space. Jason flew across the stars.

Jason detected an incoming anomaly, on course to collide with him. Jason altered his trajectory. The anomaly altered its trajectory in the same direction. Jason moved the other way. The anomaly moved to copy him. Jason couldn’t avoid collision. The anomaly wouldn’t avoid collision. Jason couldn’t slow his craft. The anomaly didn’t slow down.

Jason braced for impact. Jason braced for impact.

ANAX