Jordan LaMonica was often stung by the majestic brutality of the universe. In its every corner was wonder enough to induce rapture, and danger such as would stop the heart cold. It was both chaos and order on the grandest scale.

The mysteries of a single hydrogen atom could occupy the whole of one’s attention for a lifetime. To contemplate a microbe, star, nebula, ecosystem… would seem impossible, yet people thought about them every day.

He supposed God must have a good handle on the whole thing, then wondered if that made the universe boring for Him.

Individual hydrogen atoms were all Jordan expected to encounter on the other side of the airlock door. Admittedly, there was more than that, but it wasn’t as romantic to think of charged particles, gas, dust, and micrometeoroids.

He had barely finished ringing the seals, was just syncing his wristpad with the suit, when the inner door opened.

“Mister LaMonica,” said Captain Ramirez, negligently displaying a blaster, “I’m so very disappointed in you.”