Lucy and the captain’s daughter, Clarice had become the best of friends. The only playmates for each other for four years.

Until that fateful day that the Exodus docked with one of the few Arcology ships in the fleet. There had been an accident. The airlock safety sensor had been defective, allowing the outside airlock to be opened while Clarice was still inside, venting her into space.

No suits were available, she died within a few minutes. It had mentally destroyed the captain, he hadn’t spoken since. Lucy faired better, she was at least communicative.

Maris, the head mechanic, replaced the sensor the next morning.

Clarice wasn’t the first person to die on humanities exodus to the stars, nor was she the last.