MORE THAN AN ECHO (Sequel to Second Coming)
Twenty-Five Cycles Later

The control center is dim with only a few lights blinking across the instrument panel. However no light is needed as the bright scene outside of the viewing portal allows the small area to be illuminated. The two pilots on duty at their stations stare out at the scene. They are in silent reverence as they take in the view. This is their first time to behold this sight.

The male pilot breaks away from the view long enough to check the chronometer display. “It is time to begin.” He rises from his seat moving to the back section of their vessel. He stops after a few steps, turns and ask, “Are you coming? I will require your assistance.”

Dreamily she responds “It is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen!” The female pilot rises to join him.

“Yes, I too am delighted with the view, but it is time to perform our final mission duties.” He has reached the first suspension chamber and begins entering the code which will initiate the reactivation process. They had decided some cycles ago, whom they would awaken first.

She moves to the second chamber and begins the process there. Within less than an hour all units have been activated. The two pilots move into the galley section to prepare the nutrients that their awakening crew members will require.

The sound of an opening seal causes them both to return to the first chamber. The chamber’s occupant is breathing but has not yet opened her eyes. The female pilot turns to the male “Perhaps I was wrong. I believe she is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen.” His expression acknowledges his agreement.

They have removed the tubes and wires and are helping the awakened one to stand. The crew member speaks, “I feel like I’m falling. I’m dizzy. My vision is still blurry.”

The female pilot responds “The sensation will pass in a few moments, we wish to show you something. It is important.” The awakening crew member allows herself to be led forward.

They stop. The two pilots stand on either side of her. Her hands are guided forward to grip a support. She looks down and recognizes a flight seat. She is in the pilot section of the vessel. Her vision is improving and her eyes scan the surrounding control station’s equipment. Yes, her memories are returning as well. She is almost fully awake now.

Her gaze stops at the chronometer display. She shakes her head confused. “No, those numbers can’t be right.” She starts to turn to the female pilot, but as she turns, her sight passes over the viewing portal. She stops to stare at the scene and takes a sharp gasp for air. “How?” She looks at the female pilot.

The face is unknown, and yet she feels she should know her. She examines the pilot’s features. Her eyes open widely as she looks into the face of this beautiful woman, and then her eyes. She understands. She laughs, cries out, and releases her grip to embrace the female pilot.

The male pilot reaches out his arms and embraces the other two. The Commander turns to look into his smiling face. He possess the same stunning green eyes as the female.

“How? I mean, you cannot be ...all this, this doesn’t make any sense! And the time cannot be ...can it?” She points to the chronometer.

The male pilot laughs and says, “Modifications have been made during our journey. We have arrived sooner than our original schedule had projected.”

“Modifications... by whom?” she says as she shakes her head and turns to the female pilot. Tears form in the corners of her eyes as she looks at this child creature who has become a woman. “Just beautiful, you are absolutely beautiful!”

The beautiful female pilot waves her hand toward the viewing portal. “We wanted you to be the first one to see this.”

The Commander raises her head and takes in the full view of the blue world that floats just outside of the viewing portal. The vessel is in orbit of her home world, the Earth.

The beautiful female pilot looks at the Commander and says “Welcome home, mother.”