Project Hail Mary

by Andy Weir

Human beings have a remarkable ability to accept the abnormal and make it normal. I

I laugh as I float into the lab where Rocky is waiting. “On Earth, we have a scary, deadly creature called a spider. You look like one of those. Just so you know.” “Good. Proud. I am scary space monster. You are leaky space blob.”

We’re both quiet for a while. “I guess this is it,” I say. “It is time,” he says. “We go save homeworlds now.” “Yeah.” “You face is leaking.” I wipe my eyes. “Human thing. Don’t worry about it.” “Understand.” He pushes himself along to his airlock door. He opens it and pauses there. “Goodbye, friend Grace.” I wave meekly. “Goodbye, friend Rocky.”