“Orbital decay at 98%. Time remaining for possible correction: 00:04:52”

The computerized and almost soothing female voice spoke over the intercom and reverberated throughout the cold, dark cabin. It had taken a long time to get here, moving faster and farther than any human had ever moved before. It had taken such a very long time and in the end it seemed as futile an exercise as bulls-eyeing the edge of a playing card with a bullet at a hundred yards out; not impossible, but requiring such incredible precision as to seem beyond human means.

“Orbital decay at 99%. Time remaining for possible correction: 00:01:52”

He had known this was a one way trip when he signed on though, they all had known. And yet it had to be done. Maybe they would find him here, some years down the line, crash landed on an alien world; a pioneer… The thought gave him pause as he transmitted the last of his data across the void towards the distant star he had once called home.

“Orbital decay at 100%. No possible correction.”