52 Lance - Intermisso (2/2)

There were some adjustments as relationships failed. Not many as we had some very talented therapist/counselors onboard. But enough that new relationships were able to be formed. Some of them mimicked the core teams' structure, others stayed as couples.

We accelerated smoothly until we reached the point at which Bit's swift reaction time and his sensor range matched our speed. Our magnetic fields that collected hydrogen were much smaller than the design of a Bussard ramjet, so we did not have the issue where the force cost of collecting hydrogen balanced the thrust generated. Eventually, we reached a time dilation that matched our goals to arrive before I blew that base to dust.

Quoting Bessie Anderson Stanley's 1904 poem:

He achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;

Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;

Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it;

Who has left the world better than he found it, Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;

Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;

Whose life was an inspiration;

Whose memory a benediction.

[end quote]

All that was left for the next hundred years was to Live, Laugh and Love.