Despite being the one to sign up for this mission, Kyungsoo felt a strange sense of anxiety like never before. This wasn't something that happens often, certainly not to someone like him. It still didn't feel real. Kyungsoo was only 70% sure that he wasn't dreaming. The same percentage that showed on the screen before him.

71%...

72%...

Kyungsoo's stomach lurched and he forced himself to look away from the blue screen, focusing instead on the interior of his new home. Wires, lights, an abundance of white. Kyungsoo couldn't help but feel this was symbolic of way he was about to be cast into a place of darkness. But... would it be dark?

He remembered when he signed up for this trip, signing his name, signing away his life.

No. Don't be so dramatic Kyungsoo. You're not going to die.

He swallowed hard to remove the uncomfortable feeling in his throat, but that did nothing. The suit he wore began to feel stuffy, he felt trapped.

Think of other things Kyungsoo. Other things.

The night he signed up for this trip, the stars had shone so brightly. It was as though they were inviting him, promising him untold mysteries. The sky had looked so beautiful that Kyungsoo felt that he had made the right choice.

Underneath the nerves and the violent butterflies, Kyungsoo was more excited than he had ever been in his entire life. All he had seen were pictures that could have been fabricated for all he knew. Galaxies can't be that beautiful... can they? Were the planets as big as they were made out to be?

The monitor before him gave two sharp beeps and Kyungsoo couldn't avoid the percentage any longer.

99%...

100%

All systems online.

"Do you read me?", static crackled then cut short as the brief transmission ended.

"I read you", Kyungsoo rasped, suddenly the large amount of water he had drunk before embarking on this journey wasn't enough; his mouth felt as dry as a bone.

The static picked up again, "Are you ready?"

"I am".

"Great. Don't worry Kyungsoo; we'll be here with you every step of the way. You're completely safe".

Kyungsoo didn't respond.

"We'll count down from ten and then you'll be on your way. Hold on tight, and remember all the simulations we ran. This is as controlled as those times".

Kyungsoo took in a deep breath and exhaled, "Okay. I'm ready when you are".

As the ship began shaking with more vigour, Kyungsoo wasn't sure whether it was due to the increase of power or the sudden spike in his nerves. Of course it's because of the power, Kyungsoo. Don't be stupid.

The countdown began and once again his screen displayed numbers. As the numbers descended, as did Kyungsoo's breathing.

Breathe in, breathe out. Do it like we trained Kyungsoo.

But as the ship took off, all of Kyungsoo's training remained on planet Earth and his mind was then filled with static and squiggles. The sheer speed and force of the ascension forced him back in his seat and he wouldn't have been able to move even if he wanted to. The mesh of straps that pinned him in helped too.

Static picked up again and someone on the other end of the line said something, but between the sound of the ship and the white noise in his brain, Kyungsoo only heard murmurs.

The amount of time it took for the ship, for Kyungsoo, to reach space was lost somewhere amongst the white noise. But when he broke the atmosphere he could feel it. It was like a wave of energy washing through him, cleansing him of the Earth's toxins.

The energy wiped away the white noise too, and Kyungsoo's mind began to fill with thoughts and sounds once more.

"Kyungsoo, are you alright?"

"I'm fine", his eyes were glossy and the camera that relayed his image back to headquarters made him look like a shell of his former self.

Is this what nerves can do?

Kyungsoo himself felt like a robot. His arms, legs, features didn't want to move.

It was several minutes before he began to regain function of his senses completely.

That was weird.

The people at headquarters spoke to him, reassured him that everything was going well. They commended his bravery. Apparently they had all applauded when be broke the barrier, but he couldn't remember it.

It was expected that it'd take him several months to reach his destination. Everything he would need was upon this ship. Dehydrated food, dehydrated water...

Wait, no, what isn't right.

Speaking of dehydration, Kyungsoo felt parched. With shaky hands and the approval of HQ, he removed the straps and made his way over to the water station.

☆ ☆ ☆

It had been two months since his arrival in space and each day he couldn't wrap his head around how surreal the whole experience felt. HQ checked in with him now and then, and he was able to contact them whenever he wished... but for most of the time he was alone with his thoughts. It was peaceful. This is what he needed, what he had searched for throughout his entire life. Peace.

The food could be better, he supposed, and he missed regular bathrooms. This space capsule protected from outside harm and made him feel more comfortable than he had felt in the past few years of his life. Despite his apprehension and second thoughts, Kyungsoo knew in the pit of his stomach that this journey was meant for him.

☆ ☆ ☆

Another three months passed and nothing eventful had happened. A few comets had come into his vision - one dangerously close to his ship - but other than a mildly increased heart-rate, Kyungsoo was the same man who had left planet Earth.

I wonder how Earth is faring.

Kyungsoo's food remained plentiful, as did his water source. Naps were peaceful, and things were quiet.

☆ ☆ ☆

It was several weeks after when something eventful did happen.

At first it was just a blip on a digital map. Then it was 'everything-is-okay' voices over the intercom.

"This is an unexpected hurdle but it's all under control. Just like the other times, this comet won't get close enough to do any damage. You'll be fine. We're moving the ship off of trajectory until it passes".

Kyungsoo observed the dots on the map with curiosity. The speed that both his ship and the comet were travelling...

Why hadn't the sensors picked up the comet sooner?

Everything is fine. Everything is fine.

"Uh, Kyungsoo-", the static cut off.

Kyungsoo pressed the intercom button as fast as he could, "Hello? Is everything okay?"

The intercom remained silent for longer than Kyungsoo was comfortable with. Something's definitely not right. Oh god. Oh god oh god.

The blip was getting closer and closer, a few minutes and he'd be able to see it for his own eyes.

"Hello? Do you read me?", Kyungsoo tried hard to keep the panic from his voice.

Please...

"H-el- Ky-soo. T- com- frequen. Can- ear-. D- panic. -ine."

"Hello? I can't hear you clearly!", Kyungsoo looked around him for something to help in this situation, but he found nothing.

Remain calm. It sounds like they're trying to tell you something's messing with the frequency. It's probably the comet. Kyungsoo took a deep breath and tried to listen to himself.

"We don't know how- this connection will la-"

The intercom light flickered on and off like it was trying to communicate with him in Morse code. But Kyungsoo didn't know Morse code.

The blinking light flickered for a few moments more until the red light remained on, this time un-interrupted.

"Kyungsoo?"

"Yes?", he leant closer to the microphone and his hands clutched onto the panels as though they were lifelines.

"We... we're sorry"

Kyungsoo's stomach lurched and he felt sick, "You're sorry?"

He could feel their guilt all the way from Earth. No. No no no.

"Don't be sorry. Tell me what I need to do. TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO!"

"There's nothing you can do. We've failed. We are so sorry".

The comet was in sight now. Kyungsoo would have stopped to appreciate it if this were any other situation. Purple fire engulfed the rock and promised a beautiful destruction. Perhaps dying in space isn't such a bad thing. I love it out here. Dying somewhere you love... isn't that poetic?

"We're sorry. We are so sorry".

Kyungsoo tore his sight away from the thing that would kill him and looked at the intercom light. In its last fleeting moments, it flickered twice. It turned off for the last time. The blue monitor displayed a brief message before dispersing into a scattering of black and white dots. CONNECTION LOST.

Now he was all alone.

Just Kyungsoo and an approaching comet. Even if he overrode the controls, everything was pointless.

A strange sense of calm washed over him and accepted his fate. The chair that he began his mission in would be the chair in which it all ended.

Kyungsoo looked the comet straight on and waited. It would only be a few seconds now. The purple brightened to white and before long the comet was all he could see.

In the moments before it hit, Kyungsoo smiled. He could feel the warmth of the fire on his skin and could smell something distinctly metallic. So this is how it ends.

In a flash of white light, the flames engulfed the ship and left nothing behind.