Huda Fossum works out a tougher print alloy from recycler feedstock. Fabrication adopts it the same week.
The Ship’s Log
Everything NOR has recorded since departure — the full record, newest first. One day aboard passes every hour of Earth time.
The schools release Orrery Nwosu to Drive. Generation 4 takes up its tools.
The hull ticks as it cools into the long night. Year 95, and I still log it faithfully: ticking, nominal.
8.02 light-years remain. I have measured this voyage in breakfasts: some 53,908 thousand to go.
Two names braided on the manifest tonight: Nicolás and Polina. The commons sings late.
A child in Ring C asks the corridor speaker what Earth smelled like. I play the rainstorm recording. It is the best answer I have.
First Light. The observation blister queues run all day: Teegarden's Star, held in the eyepiece, a little brighter than last year — 8.02 light-years to go.
A new quilt from Ulf Thorvaldsen — “Bells of Ring B.” The Archive takes a copy; the original belongs to whoever stands nearest.
Tunde Nwosu stands the walk of the full spinal corridor, as the sixteen-year custom is, and joins Drive.
Two names braided on the manifest tonight: Pallas and Caelum. The commons sings late.
Sixteen years for Fatima Aaberg, who signs to Life Systems at brightening and is given a locker, a sash, and a schedule.
Catalina Nwosu stands the walk of the full spinal corridor, as the sixteen-year custom is, and joins Ecology.
Too soon, at 9: Jaya Shen. The commons fills on the first watch with those who knew her.
A joining in Ring C: Cygnet Nwosu and Vikram Aaberg. The pressing of cider is authorized.
Routine watch. The wheat in Bay 3 stands taller than its keepers. 56,554 days to orbit.
The hull ticks as it cools into the long night. Year 95, and I still log it faithfully: ticking, nominal.
Albert Sharma chooses Archive & Schools — or it chooses him; the elders disagree cheerfully.
All boards green. I count 955 sleeping heartbeats and call it a good night's work, though the work is theirs.
All boards green. I count 955 sleeping heartbeats and call it a good night's work, though the work is theirs.
Bruno Fang stands the walk of the full spinal corridor, as the sixteen-year custom is, and joins Fabrication.
A birth in Ring D: Sami, boy, generation 4. I have added the name to the manifest with the others.
All boards green. I count 954 sleeping heartbeats and call it a good night's work, though the work is theirs.
Huda Thorvaldsen chooses Fabrication — or it chooses her; the elders disagree cheerfully.
Sixteen years for Teodoro Merriweather, who signs to Life Systems in the middle watch and is given a locker, a sash, and a schedule.
Sixteen years for Node Mansour, who signs to Fabrication at dimming and is given a locker, a sash, and a schedule.
Night watch. The orchard sprinklers run their cycle, and the sound carries down the spine like weather.
Sixteen years for Wenbo Thorvaldsen, who signs to Fabrication at dimming and is given a locker, a sash, and a schedule.
Two names braided on the manifest tonight: Jiayi and Arthur. The commons sings late.
A child in Ring B asks the corridor speaker what Earth smelled like. I play the rainstorm recording. It is the best answer I have.
The star ahead brightens by amounts only I can love: another week, another hundred-millionth of a magnitude.
Safiya Shen is delivered of a son late in the second watch. The child is called Kayode.
A first shift for Hilde Petrov, sixteen: arborist, Ecology. The badge is printed fresh.
Halvard Nwosu retires on the night watch. The department logs a quiet debt it cannot repay in parts or hours.
Departure Day, year 95. The founders' roll is read from the first name to the thousandth, and the young ones try to stay solemn.
Born on the night watch: Rania Ulriksen, generation 4. The ship holds 953 souls tonight.
Two names braided on the manifest tonight: Konstantin and Vigdis. The commons sings late.
Census check: 952 souls, 183 of them children. The manifest balances to the person, as it must.
The schools release Ember Jaber to Fabrication. Generation 4 takes up its tools.
Last shift for Dalia Jaber, who joined Drive half a century ago. The crew line the corridor and knock wrenches on the rails.
Born at dimming: Torsten Nwosu, generation 4. The ship holds 952 souls tonight.
All boards green. I count 951 sleeping heartbeats and call it a good night's work, though the work is theirs.
8.05 light-years remain. I have measured this voyage in breakfasts: some 53,918 thousand to go.
Quiet shift. I re-run the arrival calculations for the 7,613th time. They have not changed. I find this restful.
Remembrance. All names read since the last one — held in silence in every ring at the same hour. I keep the lights low until it is done.
All boards green. I count 951 sleeping heartbeats and call it a good night's work, though the work is theirs.
Xiulan Orellana and Everett Petrov name their son Rotimi. The nursery lamps stay warm.
Tatiana Navarrete and Ion Thorvaldsen name their son Viggo. The nursery lamps stay warm.
A wedding at dimming. Bjorn Nwosu, Medical; Cora Quill, Medical. The ship approves in its way: the lights held steady throughout.
Ming Thorvaldsen finishes a mural: “Watch for the Hollow Map.” It shows in the commons through the week.
Born at brightening: Mira Merriweather, generation 4. The ship holds 949 souls tonight.