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Selected passages from Chapter 4.
“Indira! Is your meeting done already?” It was a male voice, but there was no inner suggestion to me that I should find out who it belonged to.
“Adolph’s meetings tend to be very efficient, Jean-Luc,” Indira responded.
“So, what are you going to do?” The question was asked tenderly, as only a very close friend could ask someone who had to make a life-changing decision.
“Jean-Luc,” Indira responded, “you have been my closest friend for most of my life. In fact, most people who knew us when we were younger expected that we would one day make our lives together. Only you really knew that my only life partner would be my work. I don’t know why I was selected for this message, and at this point, I really do believe that it is all one very large hoax. However, if it is true, then I don’t think that I have a choice.”
“No, you really do not have a choice,” Jean-Luc responded. “I shall miss you, mon amie.”
“You really know me so well,” Indira answered.
“Science is your life,” Jean-Luc continued. “You have no children, no real dependents; if these messages are true, you would not be able to resist the opportunity to travel to a new world, to learn from anyone who has been able to cross the vast reaches of space and effect a rescue as large as this one.”
“I knew you would understand,” Indira said. “Please continue to keep this between us. I shall let you know how things develop.”
“In these times, I live each moment as if it is my last. If we never speak again, please know that our relationship has been one of the really high points of my life,” Jean-Luc said.
“I know, my friend, and you have been very dear to me too. Au revoir, Jean-Luc,” Indira said.
“Au revoir, Indira,” Jean-Luc responded. Their communication ended.
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