New Horizons

 Planet certiorari

Station 3459

E-14 entered the station, her shoulders drooped and sweat covering her temple. She slugged to the bar. Her eyebrows were slightly creased and her face contorted in a frown. She was tired of this. The star was going to explode any time now. Four years ago, when she became Galactic Soldier, she vowed to protect her planet, Raenyara, her people. Back then, their task was to find another planet for the people. The radiation hit the Raenyara much before they anticipated, and as expected, the chaos unsure. Few people survived, and she was amongst them. Her people were now refugees. With alliances falling apart, no other planet wanted to take a risk by offering shelter to them. And those who did refuse to abide by the galactic law, treating the refugees worse than servants. The poor people had to accept it, otherwise, the would-be dead. The rich didn't escape from that fate. Slowly, their reserve of the currency came to an abrupt end. Only ultra-rich were living with their dignity intact, that too on the space stations. E-14 vowed to find her people home. It was hard since their star was the only star that still existed. 
E-14 walked to the counter. 

"Can I get Cranella Juice, please? No rest."
The server nodded and started making her order. 
"You seem tired. "
E-14 smiled. "What gives?"
The server pointed out the sweat on her temple. "It's rare to see a Rae sweat. What happened?"
E-14 averted her eyes. "Well, I have to fulfil my vow."
Server raised his eyebrows. "A vow? Wich vow?"
She folded her arms. "To find a planet for my people." 
Server sighed, resigned. "You know that is a dead-end, right? We are the last ones remaining. Who knows if you are even going to survive tonight."
E-14 shook her head. "The radiation reached our planet faster than we anticipated. Perhaps this will take the time as well?"
The server handed her the drink and leaned on the counter. "We would be safer, as our station is the farthest. But no planet would survive this. A Rae like you should understand."
E-14 clenched her fists. "Are you saying that I shouldn't be determined enough to save my people?"
Server scoffed. "Of course not. Determination is beautiful and essential. It is the very reason why Raes survived, and humans didn't. Our ancestors had determination. They didn't resign."
E-14 nodded. "That is true. But it seems you have."
The server gulped. "I have learnt my lesson that determination won't keep me alive. Keeping my head down will."
She fidgeted and looked at her drink. "But will it be worth it? We know that we are going to die someday. Today, more than ever. Don't you want to try enough so that no one can say you didn't try?"
Server shrugged. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. But is embracing the end badly? It is after all the beginning, in a way."
E-14 nodded. "I agree. But determination isn't that bad either. We have reached the epitome of perfection. If we had given up every time a bump came into our road, we wouldn't be here."
Server nodded. "Both are required, mam. Perhaps by determination, we have reached the threshold universe wanted us to reach. The universe will be proud of us. Proud of you, especially. For not giving up, even when you could."
E-14 nodded and sipped her drink. She looked at the window as the star was about to explode. The last star was going to disappear, and the universe would die. But determination and acceptance will hold impossible thresholds for the next universe to achieve. In a few minutes, the star exploded, and everything went black. 

Authored by:- Madhurima Datar