31.8.yc120 J000186 < H-C00332 < H-R00032

I sighed.

Ran my fingers through my hair.

Planted my face upon my palms.

Forced my breath out. Raspberry loudly sounded.

Chuckling, I dropped my hands away then sighed again. Tedium quickly turned to boredom as I lost myself in wormhole space. How long has it been now since I’ve seen the inside of a station? How many more systems to go? No, don’t look, just keep going. My friends must think I’m a nut.

I needed to chill.

“Aura”, I spoke, “Play something from my Grandfathers playlist.”

Without replying, Aura began to play.

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing, stretching every nerve
Had to listen, had no choice
I did not believe the information
Just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom, boom, boom
“Son”, he said, “grab your things, I’ve come to take you home”

To keep in silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Though my life was in a rut
‘Til I thought of what I’ll say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom, boom, boom
“Hey”, he said, “grab your things, I’ve come to take you home”
(Hey, back home)

When illusion spin her net
I’m never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me
Today I don’t need a replacement
I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom, boom, boom
“Hey”, I said, “you can keep my things, they’ve come to take me home”

Solsbury Hill – Peter Gabriel

“Negative…” Aura stated.

“Negative?” I replied. “Negative what?”

“Negative what?” Aura asked.

“You said negative. Why?” I asked in return.

“I am afraid I do not know what you are referring to, Katia.”

Great, now my computer was going stir crazy as well. “Run a full diagnostic on yourself, Aura.”

“Of course, Katia.”