Suspended In Time

After leaving the conference room, Commander Korton and I turned right in the dim hallway.  He indulged me as I stopped for a moment, caught by my intense emotions.

Built into the wall, in this hallway, is a bank of coffin-sized cubicles.  Bodies sleep, suspended in time.  The cubicles are fronted by what looks like tinted glass.  Each is dimly lit, about the wattage of a 15-watt bulb.  I'm aware that the environment inside the cubicles is closely controlled and monitored.  When the spirit is complete with the mission it's set for itself, outside the limitations of this particular body, it will return. 

Without volition, I flattened my palm against the side of one of the cubicles.  A mental message sent to the brave soul who was wandering.  A tear of compassion.  And we moved on.

We passed many doors without stopping but I was aware of activity all around.  Somehow everyone on this craft is busy, but silence in the work fills the air with a sense of deep peace.

We were not so much walking as gliding.  We passed through the hallway's ion booth and soon we were standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the deck overlooking the docking bay.  The scene below resembled the many fabled movies we've seen on Earth.  The area was about as large as four football fields.  Figures moved intently about their work.  A small scout ship sat near the closed bay doors.  Much further to the rear of the room, my attention was captured by a larger craft.  (The scout ships are small, fit for two to six occupants.)

What was there about that particular craft that held me so captive that I was immediately aware of every breath? 

Korton noticed my stare.  "It's not time for you to remember."  He touched my hand.  As the energy of his compassion rushed through every cell, he gently turned me away from the sight and urged me back into the dim hallway.  I knew where we were headed.  A small smile replaced the tears that I hadn't released.

 (continued in next blog..........)