Project Hail Mary

by Andy Weir

You just got drafted.”

On a whim, I try to unscrew it. It also doesn’t budge. But there’s no reason aliens would follow the righty-tighty-lefty-loosey rule, is there? I turn the lid to the right and it rotates. My heart skips a beat!

“Goodness me! DuBois appears to be black! I’m surprised you allowed it! Aren’t you afraid he’ll ruin the mission with talk of rap music and basketball?”