We hope Ian negotiates properly, and that the navigator won't aim us right through the heart of a star or something.We hope Ian negotiates properly, and that the navigator won't aim us right through the heart of a star or something. To quote, "That'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?" But more than that, we've come to rely on each other to maintain the semblance of sanity we call "ship's role." With only 1107 people to choose from, and nowhere to go to get away from everybody else, there's a lot of need for understanding, compassion, and tolerance. Especially since there are ten-plus different races on board, everything from Ian to the delphin s-space pilots. 648 days may seem like a long time, but it can seem longer if you're not just getting along. And if you're like me, trying to manage or juggle your relationships takes effort, practice, and a really quick tongue. So I like the aft lounge. It lets me see where we've been, when our forward-looking attitude becomes almost a parody of what we are. And in two days, all these relationships come to an end. We'll be home. And some won't reapply for another trip out, and new people will be on board, and when we land we'll be surrounded by people we knew when we left, people who, like us, have gone through over two years of change. Ian knows all this, and gave us two more days to talk it out, peacefully, under real calm Corrane-I drive that requires virtually no engineering crew and literally no bridge crew. |