As the telecoms of condolence came through on the screen behind him, he sat staring at the mail pod.

Grateful for the heartfelt sincerities with which he knew they were sent, but each one received meant one more person who never really knew her. Not like they should have. Not like he did.

In an inhuman world of extreme communication, it was the personal touch she lived for.
Resigned to the fact he would never again feel that touch for himself, he could still keep that touch alive for others.

He knew it would be tough, and he couldn’t ignore the danger, but he felt the resolve within him. The future had taken away his spending his life with her, but the risk of giving his life for Jessica was still one he was still willing to take.