Quieter Days

[The Error]

Nobody was really sure how it happened.

First, there were some budget cutbacks - hardly unexpected, what with all the money being channelled into the Layhte projects. A few personnel were laid off or left, the accountants adjusted things, and life continued.

Then, they caught murmurs, rumours flying about like they so often do - Kerbin's population was almost lower than Laythe's now. Dismissing this as untrue, irrelevant, or otherwise unimportant, the Kerbals of the space program trudged onwards, still building them and flying them as they always had.

The first signs that anyone cottoned on to were too little, too late; governments moving offworld, countries reloacting into space. Somehow, it happened, despite assurances by some that "a country is huge, their entire population couldn't be in space."

It was when the elder members of the program looked in the mirror, at calendars, and at each other than resignation set in; things were approaching their close. Kerbin emptying, the program growing ever smaller, them growing ever older...

Soon enough, it was only the three of them left, standing just inside the VAB. Talking, just like they always did.

"So... this is it. The last chapter." Bill said, trying - and failing - to keep the note of finality out of his voice.

"We did it; spacefaring society, settling other worlds, even starting to explore new stars... we did it all." Bob cut in, sounding weary but content. Jeb chuckled quietly.

"So why do I feel like a toy, used and abused and abandoned when it's not useful anymore?"

"No need to think like that. Look at the upside; we get to retire in that void that we dedicated our lives to."

"Mmm. Still, seems..."

"Quiet."

Jeb reached over and flipped the switch; as the large doors rumbled closed, they wandered up to their ship, the last one to leave their homeworld.

For a brief moment, over the space center, night once again became day.

Edited August 2, 2015 by The Error

[KSK]

Nice - bittersweet but nice.

[HoloYolo]

Amazing.

[KSK]

And congratulations on a well-deserved sticky!

[The Error]

O_o

Post a lil' short story, leave it for a few days, and suddenly, stickied?

Holy booster fuel! Thanks, guys!

[Tw1]

This is beautiful. It's almost like an epilogue to the game.

I love the idea that the kerbals somehow managed to depopulate Kerbin without realising it.

I agree with KSK, this is certainly sticky material.

Like tape! Sorry. Puns. Couldn't help it.

[Yukon0009]

Hold on! What about the kerbal workers in the editors? I guess someone left them behind.

Very nice work.

[The Error]

Hold on! What about the kerbal workers in the editors? I guess someone left them behind.

Not so. The guys are the last 3 to leave, remember.

[DH_Ocelot]

Wow, deep. Soon humanity's gonna need to do similar, just not the entire planet.