Wide Open Space

Commander Sunderland cleared the airlock, tethered to the shuttle by only a safety line and his wits. He turned away from the sun to face the outer planets, paused for a moment, then casually informed his pilot, “I can see Uranus.” Captain Erwin, eschewing technical astronaut jargon, explained what Sunderland could do to himself then urged immediate commencement of the EVA. Sunderland saluted with his middle finger and turned around.