Tigerwolf Lands In The MUCK

© 1993 G.F.Nemeyer

Chapter 5 -- The End Is In Sight

Another two weeks passed with still no good position information, and no answers to the distress beacon transmissions. All the ship's sensors were scanning for any indications of other life, to no avail. It was as if they were the only two beings alive in the entire universe. Timgee and Tigerwolf had just about exhausted their abilities to keep their spirits up. Reality began to set in...hard.

"Want the last candy bar? You've got to eat something.", asked Tigerwolf as he held out the bar toward Timgee who was sitting at the control desk with his head down on his crossed arms. Neither had really eaten much lately...and there wasn't much left.

Timgee looked up. "I know, but I haven't felt very hungry anyway. Thanks." He took the bar, broke it in half, and handed one half back to Tigerwolf. "You need something, too.", he said.

Tigerwolf sat down and they ate quietly, each deep in their own private thoughts.

After some time Timgee broke the silence, "How long do you think we have?"

"Well, the physical stores are basically gone; and the stuff the replicator is turning out indicates the raw materials are nearly gone, too. I'd say no more than a week at best."

Timgee nodded, walked over to his bunk and sat on the edge. He put his elbows on his knees and head in his hands and stared at the floor. Then he looked up and stretched out on the bunk. "It's strange. We've been together since our creation; and during that entire time, I never gave any real thought to whether it might all end. But if it has to end for both of us, I'm glad you will be here with me.", he said softly.

Tigerwolf walked over and sat by his companion. "We've been through a lot together. We'll meet whatever comes the same way." He reached out and touched Timgee's shoulder, then without a word, laid down beside him and hugged him close.

"You know," Timgee said, trying to make as much light of the situation as possible, "there were times when being this close was a lot more fun."

Tigerwolf grinned sadly and whispered, "Yeah."

They fell asleep in each other's arms.

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Last revised: 24 Dec 2009