KeaneM

Apollo and Millicent   Once upon a time, in a galaxy trillions of light years away, there existed a planet called Aphroditurn. Since its creation, this planet has been divided between the two alien species that inhabit it. On the left-hand side of Aphroditurn live the Atlans, who value hard work, power, dexterity, and physical prowess. On the right half is where the intelligent, knowledgeable, and sharp-minded Flipps reside. If an Atlan and a Flipp were to ever come in contact with another (a tap on the shoulder, for example), an apocalyptic explosion would ensue and Aphroditurn would cease to exist. Therefore, a distinct border was drawn through the middle of Aphroditurn that splits the Atlans and Flipps apart, thus preventing their planet’s destruction for several years. This border, under no circumstances, was ever to be crossed.    “Apollo! Apollo, where are you?” Einstum, a Flipp, shouted. “I need your opinion on something!”  “I’m coming, father…” sighed Apollo, Einstum’s son. Apollo had been busy attempting to train his pet Gnar to sit. He paused the hopeless training session and walked into the kitchen to find his father struggling with a small metallic contraption.  “There you are. Now, see this?” Einstum gestured to his little machine. “This is something I’ve been working on for //ages//. When it’s done, it will be able to transform gloves into shoes, and vice-versa! So anyway, what kind of wire do you think I should use here? It should be able to sustain-“  “Oh, I don’t know. It’s exceedingly late, I should rest…” Apollo interjected.  “Well, alright, I suppose you should. I think I’ll get to bed too, now that you mention it.” Einstum said, sounding disappointed.  Apollo slowly made his way up to his bedroom – he was truly exhausted. Teaching Gnars to do anything is very difficult and tiresome. He fell into a peaceful sleep almost immediately.  But Apollo’s tranquil sleep was abruptly interrupted by a clamorous knock on his front door. His father was a heavy sleeper, so Apollo knew it was his responsibility to answer it. He walked to his front door and opened it. A feminine and confused-looking creature stood before him.  “Hello! I’m lost. Could you help me find my way back home?” T he stranger asked Apollo.  “Oh… Um… Sure. Where do you live?” Apollo struggled to ask. The second he saw her, Apollo couldn’t bring himself to look away. It was love at first sight.  “Over there,” She, the stranger, pointed vaguely to the west.  “Let’s go, then!” Apollo exclaimed gladly. They started to walk together. “So… why are you out this late, anyway? How did you get lost?” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Well, I was sleepwalking and I just happened to wake up outside.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “How unfortunate. Oh, by the way, what is your name?” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Millicent.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Nice to meet you, Millicent.” Apollo said politely. “My name is Apollo, if you were wondering.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “I was, actually. You have a certain aura about you. You are very pleasant.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Apollo wasn’t sure about what to say next. “I was… thinking the same thing about you.” He said awkwardly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Oh look, we’re nearing my house,” said Millicent, pointing to a large castle. “We should definitely meet again, Apollo. Thank you!” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Many things were troubling Apollo at the moment. Not only did Millicent refer to the humongous castle before them as her home, but the fact that the castle was //across the border//. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Hold on, Millicent. Are you an…” Apollo gulped. “Atlan?” Apollo asked, scared to hear her answer. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Why, of course I am!” Millicent exclaimed. “I have to go now, and quickly. I can hear Proditus fussing about me up there…” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Who’s Proditus?” asked Apollo curiously. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “One of the royal guards. He’s quite paranoid. I’ll see you later!” Millicent said hurriedly. She ran off towards her castle and Apollo decided to head back home, deep in thought. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> That could have been //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">extremely //hazardous!// Apollo thought while he was walking. //What if we had touched? I don’t even want to think of it… If it weren’t so dark out tonight, I would have noticed that she isn’t a Flipp... And is she Atlan royalty? This could be bad… But we are absolutely meant for each other. I need to find some way to safely spend time with her. I shall consult my father on this matter.// <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Once Apollo arrived back at his house, he opened his front door, stepped inside, closed it quietly, and went back to bed. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Lord Acere! Your daughter has safely returned to the kingdom!” reported a royal servant. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “What? When did she leave?” questioned Lord Acere, king of Atlans and Millicent’s father. Acere was notorious for being a very powerful, very bitter, and very formidable king. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Hello, father!” said Millicent pleasantly. “I would have been home sooner, but I met the most wonderful man and I couldn’t resist chatting with him. I should introduce you to him someday, I think he’s the one!” said Millicent, who was speaking very quickly and passionately. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Hold on – you’ve just met this man //by chance// and you’ve already made this important decision?” Acere said incredulously. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Oh, yes! He’s absolutely marvelous!” Millicent gushed. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Well, if you think that highly of this creature, I do believe I should check if he’s wealthy and in good taste-” Acere was distracted by a frantic guard sprinting towards them. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Millicent! Oh thank goodness you’re alright, I was worried sick! Why on Ear-” Proditus let out a hacking cough. “Excuse me. Why on Aphroditurn did you leave the castle?” Asked Proditus, who was obviously concerned. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Oh, you know… sleepwalking…” said Millicent nonchalantly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Again? We should really have a guard look after you while you sleep, to prevent this from ever happening again!” suggested Proditus sternly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “No way! I could never fall asleep knowing someone was watching me!” said Millicent. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Enough of this drivel!” Acere shouted. “Everyone get back to bed! And I am going to meet this – this-” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Apollo,” said Millicent. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Yes… I am going to meet this //Apollo// first thing tomorrow morning!” declared Acere. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Alright! I’ll join you!” said Millicent happily. “Good night!” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> The next morning, Apollo awoke to his pet Gnar chewing on his hand. He scolded it, got dressed, and wandered into the kitchen, where he expected to find his father. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Morning…” sighed Einstum sadly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “What’s the matter? Did you not sleep well?” asked Apollo. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Oh, no, it’s not that… Nobody appreciated my shoe-to-glove machines. I started selling them yesterday, you see, and none were bought. All of my efforts, wasted! Oh, woe is me!” Einstum said miserably. “I need a new idea, and quickly…” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Actually, I think I have a pretty good idea.” Apollo said, seeing his father’s overreaction as the perfect opportunity to suggest the gadget he needed to him. “What if there was a machine that made it possible for Atlans and Flipps to touch and have no catastrophic explosion occur? The invention could unify all of Aphroditurn! It would be a best seller!” Apollo suggested excitedly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Einstum thought about this interesting idea for quite a while. There were many things to take into consideration about this invention; the biggest concern of all being how dangerous it could be. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Oh my… Oh, my, yes… It will be a grueling task, but I do believe I could pull it off…” Einstum thought out loud. “The end result could be… //revolutionary//…” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Just then, a very loud and powerful knock was made on their front door. An equally loud and powerful voice could be heard speaking. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “That teleportation device always makes me dizzy. I have absolutely no clue where we are!” The loud voice said. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Whoever could that be?” Einstum wondered. He started to walk to the door, but tripped and fell. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “I’ll get it.” said Apollo. He walked to the front door and opened it. Apollo saw Millicent standing next to a very plump and rather giant man, who was clearly an Atlan because of his color. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “What is this…?” The large man said faintly as his eyes fell upon Apollo. “WHAT IS THIS?!” His eyes were very wide at this point. He staggered backward looking both afraid and outraged at the same time. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Father, what’s wrong?” Millicent asked. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “We shouldn’t be here! Why didn’t you tell – oh never mind, you moron!” The man shouted at Millicent. “We need to leave! NOW!” He grabbed Millicent by the arm and they disappeared in purple light. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Apollo was stunned. Was Millicent not aware that she cannot cross the border? Or that she must not come in contact with a Flipp at all costs? And was that man by her side her father? Apollo had many questions, none of which were going to be answered at the moment. He went back into his house. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “What in the world was //that// all about?” Einstum asked, who was apparently very confused. Apollo proceeded to explain everything to him; about what transpired last night and all about Millicent. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “I see… So you’re in love with an Atlan, and she’s in love with you, a Flipp. I don’t suppose she knows about the danger of crossing the border and Flipps. She must not have learned that in her childhood. She is royalty, after all… probably uneducated. Also, she must have told her father how much she loves you, which is why he came to meet you. And, by her father’s, voice, I could tell who he is; his name is Lord Acere, king of Atlans.” Einstum revealed. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Apollo made a very audible gasp. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “This is very problematic. I see where you got your inspiration for that invention you suggested to me.” Einstum said. “I will be creating said invention with even more motivation than I had before! Aphroditurn WILL be unified!” Einstum said, inspired. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> After weeks and weeks of discovery, frustration, persistence, excitement, and (not to mention) Apollo and Millicent’s secret meet-ups, two pairs of Unifier Gloves (Einstum’s rather pathetic name for his genius invention) were successfully created. Unifier Gloves were essentially a pair of white gloves with a wire leading, from each glove, to attachments that were to be stuck to each temple on the side of one’s head. The gloves made it so that an Atlan and a Flipp could touch without causing an explosion. Einstum wasn’t very clear on how they worked exactly (“I won’t bore you with the details.”), but he was extremely confident that they worked. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “So, what next?” Apollo asked Einstum. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Well, since this invention is so incredible and involves both us and the Atlans, I need permission from both kings to be able to sell and mass-produce them. I’ve actually already gotten our king’s permission, as I’ve invented things for him many times before. It’s the Atlan king I’m worried about.” Einstum explained. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “How are you even going to get to his castle without any risk?” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Yes, about that… I’m going to be wearing a very big full-body suit, just in case I happen to bump into an Atlan.” Einstum explained regretfully. “I do believe that I will be stared at.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “May I join you? I simply must visit Millicent!” Apollo said hopefully. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “I do have a second suit, indeed! We’ll set out after we put our suits on.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> It took much longer to put on their suits than they expected. After Apollo helped Einstum struggle into his suit, it took twice the effort to get Apollo into his, as Einstum had to help him slip into it while wearing //his// clunky suit. Once they were both settled into their full-body suits, Einstum grabbed the two pairs of his Unifier Gloves and he and his son set out for Atlan territory. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Proditus, I have a very important mission for you today.” Lord Acere told Proditus earnestly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Oh, yes, anything you need, sire.” said Proditus. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “There is a scientist coming to our kingdom today. He is demonstrating some ‘revolutionary’ invention or something. But that’s not important. What’s interesting is that he’s not only a //Flipp//, but also a //swine//.” Acere said vehemently. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “And you’re letting him, being a Flipp, come into our castle, sire?” Proditus asked worriedly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Oh, it won’t be a problem, he will be wearing a safety suit, he told me, so we’ll be fine. Anyway, your mission is to sabotage his presentation. Make sure his invention is broken beyond repair, but only on the inside; make the outside of his device look just as you found it. I need you to do this because this horrid scientist is the father of that absolutely //hideous// Flipp who was dating my daughter, so, naturally, I suspect trickery. They’re just in it for my wealth!” Acere explained with suspicion. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Of course, of course. I’ll tamper with them at the first opportunity I get! No one shall harm our Millicent!” Proditus said heroically. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Perfect,” Acere said devilishly. “They should be here soon. Hide yourself.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Proditus skipped over to a nearby chair that was hidden from view. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> A short while later, Apollo and Einstum grandly entered the castle through its enormous doors. At that same moment, Millicent was coincidentally walking into the entrance hall too. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Father, where is my – oh! Is that you, Apollo? I can barely recognize you in that ridiculous suit!” Millicent shouted joyously. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Millicent! Yes, it is me! We’re here to-” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Oh, shut up, leave your machines there on my throne and come with me. We have… forms to fill out.” Acere said cunningly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> They did as they were told and followed Acere into an office-like room; Millicent tagged along. Meanwhile, Proditus fell asleep in the chair he was hiding in, when he was supposed to be destroying the makeup of the Unifier Gloves and whatnot. This thoroughly messed up Acere’s plan to sabotage Einstum’s demonstration. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Alright, now let’s see your funny little inventions.” Acere said mockingly after all of the unnecessary fake forms were filled out. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Yes, of course.” said Einstum. He and the rest of the gang walked into the entrance hall once again and found the two pairs of Unifier Gloves exactly where they left them. Einstum picked them up and gave a pair to Apollo and a pair to Millicent. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Apollo, Millicent, if you will.” said Einstum, gesturing to the Unifier Gloves. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Apollo removed his full body suit so he could properly utilize the Unifier Gloves. He put them on correctly and told Millicent to do the same. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Aren’t we not supposed to touch? My father told me-” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Don’t worry, Millicent. That’s what these are for.” Apollo reassured her. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Alright, Apollo, Millicent, please shake hands.” Einstum said. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Wait, no, don’t-” Acere started to warn them. He thought that the gloves were guaranteed to not work; he was proved wrong. Apollo and Millicent successfully shook hands with no hazard whatsoever. Einstum was giddy was excitement. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Ha! You see? And you might be thinking, ‘Oh, well, they are shaking hands while wearing gloves, they still aren’t really touching.’ But it works in other ways, too! Apollo, poke Millicent’s arm with your elbow.” Einstum commanded. Apollo did so successfully. “You see? YOU SEE?! They work!” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Lord Acere was absolutely dumbfounded. He had not expected this //at all//. Acere tried to think of all kinds of things Einstum could be pulling: //What if that’s not his son? What if that’s an Atlan in disguise? No… Millicent recognizes him, as do I… I guess this invention IS for real after all!// <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Alright, I’ve made my decision.” said Acere, who was still surprised. “You have my permission to sell these incredible devices. Now we must celebrate and plan a party immediately! Aphroditurn shall be united! Now I’ll make even MORE money! Everyone, let’s go to my castle’s party planning room!” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “YEAH!” Everybody shouted ecstatically. Apollo and Millicent removed the Unifier Gloves and set them on the floor in a hurry. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> The noise of everybody’s shouts of joy caused Proditus to wake from his deep sleep. He looked around with a very worried look on his face. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Did the demonstration happen yet?” Proditus wondered out loud. He walked into the entrance hall and looked around. He saw the Unifier Gloves lying on the floor. “Guess not. Lord Acere must be distracting them now. This is my chance!” Proditus seized both pairs of gloves, dissected their circuitry thoroughly, and made sure that they were broken beyond repair. On the outside, though, they looked perfectly functional, just as Acere had requested. Proditus heard voices and footsteps, so he hid in a nearby closet. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “All of this excitement is catching up to me! I must use the facilities.” Einstum said urgently. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Down the hall and to the left.” Acere said kindly. He was acting much nicer now that he learned that Einstum and Apollo are actually rather big-hearted Flipps and not some dastardly con-men. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Thank you.” Einstum said. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “I think I’ll go to sleep now. This entirely new breakthrough has really taken its toll on me.” Acere muttered to himself. He walked up the stairs to his bedroom. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “I guess that means we’re alone now.” said Millicent. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “I guess so.” Apollo replied. He picked up a pair of Unifier Gloves off of the floor and put them on correctly. “Shall we?” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “We shall.” Millicent said. She grabbed the other pair and also equipped them correctly. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Apollo and Millicent kissed. They were completely unaware of the gloves’ inability to function. A fiery explosion traveled at the speed of light in all directions, destroying anything and everything in its path. The hellish fire completely engulfed the entire planet in less than a minute. Soon enough, Aphroditurn was dissolved to nothing but ashes floating eternally in space.