The Fifth Science

by Exurb1a

Something rang distantly, a musical note. It was followed by another, then another; major key. It grew louder and a choir joined, one or two voices, then tens, then hundreds, wailing, exultant. In the melody was all the loss of all the worlds, all the collected science, each slight and kindness. Every battle was in there, every argument, every orgasm and ballroom dance, every rocket launch and glass of lemonade. I saw my mother’s eyes for the first time, from down in her arms when I was a baby and covered in blood and mess. I saw my father’s eyes for the last time as he walked from me with my mother in that field. Great hairy ape-like creatures searched for grubs in a forest. Workers built gargantuan stone monuments to gods they were promised existed. Riflemen on long ago cliffs raised their sights to advancing enemies. Scientists tamed the four forces of nature and taught them to pirouette and power cities. Engineers built elegant metal monsters, shepherding those first humans beyond the boundaries of the motherworld system. Trade agreements were signed. Galactic legislation was ratified. A trillion pairs of eyes looked out on ten trillion stars and searched for some nugget of meaning. Bodies were placed underground. Effects were collected and distributed to close family members. A dirge. It was a sleeping song. It was a lullaby for the empire. It was a request for the last one out to turn off the light. It was a kind thank you for all our trouble. The song began to die a...