And Yet, So Far Away
Trapped inside an alien warehouse, a soldier radios the one person who might keep him sane.
Content warning: this story contains strong language and ideations of self harm.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 0907
Rooster— do you read?
I hear ya, Nest. Loud and clear.
Describe your location.
So far it pretty much matches the pictures from the rover. There’s what looks like shelving and containers against the walls on either side of us. If I had to guess, I’d say this was a warehouse, or whatever their equivalent is.
Elaborate, Rooster.
Yeah, uh, everything is kind of a dull purple-blue. Material looks sort of like a cross between metal and stone.
Can you make out any of the contents of the containers?
Most of them appear to be sealed. A few are open, but I couldn’t for the life of me tell you what’s inside. Sure don’t look like anything I’ve seen back home.
Have you encountered any forms of life, intelligent or otherwise?
(laughter) If I’d seen a fuckin’ alien, don’t you think I woulda said something by now?
Rooster.
Negative, Nest. Aside from us, the site appears deserted.
Very good, Rooster. Update me if anything changes. Nest out.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 0944
Nest, this is Rooster.
I read you, Rooster.
It looks like we’ve reached the next section of the site. Color of the shelving and storage has changed from purple to a sort of light green.
Copy. Was the change in color gradual or immediate?
I guess immediate. There was the first section, a gap of about two feet, and then the green part started.
Does there appear to be any difference in container size or shape from the previous section?
Uh, maybe. I honestly wasn’t paying super close attention.
But you haven’t observed any major differences?
Negative, Nest. Apart from color, this section appears to be roughly the same as the last.
Understood. Nest out.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1121
COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!
Rooster! Repeat?!
(laughter) Just makin’ sure you were awake.
Please limit use of this channel to mission-critical communication only.
Fuck you, Nest.
…
Fuck you, Rooster.
(laughter)
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1200
Rooster, is there a reason you’ve been moving so slowly?
Unclear what you mean, Nest. We’ve been maintaining pace this entire time.
Tracker says you’ve gone a little over three miles.
Bullshit. You sure the tracker’s still working? I mean, we’re in another dimension or whatever. I’m surprised the signal can reach us in the first place.
Affirmative. Tracker’s still registering movement; it’s just very slow.
Well, I promise you, we’ve been keeping a steady pace.
Have you made any turns?
Negative, Nest. It’s been a straight shot all the way.
Copy. Carry on, Rooster.
Still think it’s the tracker.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1205
Hey Nest, how long is this supposed to be, anyway?
The site?
Yeah. I mean— affirmative.
Based on preliminary scanning, they’re estimating it’s about 14 miles from your entry point to the end.
Huh, okay, that’s not so bad. Thanks, Nest. Rooster out.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1314
Nest. Just letting you know that we’re gonna stop for a few minutes to eat.
Acknowledged, Rooster.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1327
Uh, Nest, come in.
I hear you, Rooster.
I forgot to tell you: I think we’ve made it to the next section.
The next section?
Yeah. The shelving has been replaced by these enormous… boxes, I guess. They’re maybe nine feet tall with some sort of symbol in the center; kind of like a sideways hourglass with some other stuff in the middle.
When did you start seeing these?!
I dunno, maybe two miles back?
‘Maybe two miles’… goddammit, Rooster, am I supposed to put that down?! We’re making a map; it’s gotta be precise!
Look, I’m fucking sorry, alright?! We’ll get the exact location on the way back!
Fine. Make sure you tell me immediately if you see any other changes.
Yeah, yeah. Rooster out.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1333
Rooster, this is Nest. You haven’t gone two miles.
What?
You said the third section of the warehouse began two miles back from your current location. But you’ve only traveled 1.3 miles since noon.
Bullshit.
People are bad at estimating distances. You probably—
No, man, I promise you— I don’t know exactly how far we’ve gone, but I know it’s more than fucking 1.3 miles. I turn around, and I can’t even see the start of section three anymore.
Okay, but—
Look, just think about it. You really think three healthy guys need an hour and a half to walk a mile? I could go faster than that hoppin’ on one foot!
Don’t know what to tell you, man.
I’m not blaming you, dude. But like, get one of the engineers to look at the tracker. Something’s wrong with it.
Will do. Nest out.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1355
Nest here. Engineers are reporting no issues.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1412
Nest— how far does the tracker say we’ve gone?
5.3 miles.
Okay— and what time is it?
1412.
You don’t think that’s strange? That it’s taken us five hours to go five and a half miles?
I mean, yeah, it is. I don’t mean to be a skrat, but are you sure you guys aren’t just moving slowly?
I promise you, that isn’t it.
Okay. Yeah man, I don’t know.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1428
Nest— requesting permission to turn back. Call me a bitch if you want, but I just got a really bad feeling about all this.
Negative, Rooster. Command wants this finished today.
Copy.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1441
Nest, I’m once again requesting permission to turn back. I know what Command said, but something about all this isn’t adding up. Remember when we did those ten-mile rucks back in basic? I could handle those just fine, but right now my feet are aching like a motherfucker. Something’s seriously wrong here, man.
I hear ya, Rooster. I’ll go check with Command.
Thanks, buddy.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1449
Rooster— you’ve been given permission to turn around.
Thank fuck. Much appreciated, Nest. Rooster out.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1613
Nest? We’ve— we’ve reached the fourth section.
What? I thought you were going to turn back.
We did.
That doesn’t make any sense.
I KNOW THAT, MOTHERFUCKER, THAT’S WHY I’M TELLING YOU!
Hey! Calm down, man, tell me what’s going on!
We— we— fuck, we, uh, turned around, uh, as soon as you told us. We’re walking back for— I don’t know how long, maybe ten minutes— before we reach this new section. The containers look like the ones in sections one and two, except they’re like, black and red.
Okay. And I’m sorry to keep asking you this, but are you sure you didn’t accidentally take a turn somewhere?
Man, you don’t understand— this whole place is one big hallway. There are two directions— forward and backward. There’s nowhere to take a turn.
Okay.
Hey— what does it say on the tracker? How far are we from the portal?
Uh, 5.1 miles.
Okay. Okay, okay. Thank God. At least we’re heading in the right direction. Thanks, Nest. And uh, hey— sorry for blowing up at you earlier.
All good, man. I know you’re stressed. And hey— we’re gonna figure this out, okay? I got your back.
Thanks, buddy. I know you do.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 1831
Uh, Nest. I’m sorry, but I forgot to tell you— we’ve been walking through another section. There are these sort of… pod things that are hanging off the walls. Should’ve told you earlier— really sorry, man.
I don’t think that really matters right now.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 2004
Rooster— just wanted to check— have you guys been walking this entire time?
I mean, we stopped for ten minutes so Mallard could take a shit, but other than that, yeah.
Okay.
What’s it say on the tracker?
…
What is it?!
4 miles exactly.
Christ.
[REDACTED]: September 25th, 2050: 2201
Rooster, this is Commander Davies. Nest tells me you’ve been experiencing some complications.
(chuckle) Yeah, that’s one way to put it… I mean, yes sir.
Mission Control is looking into your situation. In the meantime, we’re going to be relieving Nest for the night, but we’ll have someone on comms in case of an emergency.
An— okay. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
[REDACTED]: September 26th, 2050: 0412
Nest— you back yet?
[REDACTED]: September 26th, 2050: 0759
Rooster, this is Nest. Do you read?
Aw— yes! Yes, I hear you, Nest! (laughs) Took your damn time. Good to have you back, buddy.
How are you guys holding up?
Pretty shit. None of us got much sleep. Then again, we didn’t get jumped by any UILs, so I guess there’s that.
Look around. Have your surroundings changed at all?
Uh, nope. Everything’s the same. Why? Did they think that might happen?
Honestly, I don’t think they have any idea what might happen.
Yeah, sounds about right. So no plan on how to get us out of here?
‘Fraid not.
Back to walking it is, then.
[REDACTED]: September 26th, 2050: 1154
Hey Nest— me and the boys are gonna try something out. We’re gonna send Canary back about a hundred yards. Can you keep an eye on his tracker, and let us know how far it says he’s gone?
That’s a bad idea, Rooster. You guys need to stay together.
Nah man, no one’s got any ideas so we’re gonna throw some shit at the wall and see what sticks. Besides, it’s a hundred yards. He’ll be right there.
Understood.
[REDACTED]: September 26th, 2050: 1157
Alright, he’s stopped. What’s it say?
Hasn’t moved.
At all?
Nope.
Fuck! Okay, thanks Nest. I’ll call him back.
[REDACTED]: September 26th, 2050: 1202
Nest?! Nest, come in now, please!
Rooster?! I read you, what’s going on?!
Something’s wrong with Canary, like he’s trying to come back over, but he’s not moving. I mean he’s literally sprinting, but it’s like he’s stuck in place.
Can you—
Oh my god, he’s shouting at me but I can’t hear him. He’s right there but I can’t hear him, what the fuck is going on?!
Rooster! Calm down, man. Let’s work this out.
…We gotta go get him.
NO!
What do you mean, ‘no’, we can’t fucking leave him!
Rooster, if you go down there— I don’t think you’re coming back.
…
Fuck.
…
okay. okay.
[REDACTED]: September 26th, 2050: 1209
Canary’s stopped moving. I keep looking back; he’s just— staring at us. Like an abandoned puppy. He’s so close, man, he’s right there. What are we doing?
We’re gonna get you out, and then we’re gonna go back and get him out. Stay strong, brother. A week from now we’re all gonna be laughing about this over a beer.
I don’t think he’s ever gonna forgive us. And I don’t blame him.
[REDACTED]: September 26th, 2050: 1440
Nest? Any word from Command?
Not yet. Sorry.
Okay.
I’ll let you know the minute anything changes.
[REDACTED]: September 26th, 2050: 1815
Nest? Come in.
I hear you, Rooster.
How far does the tracker say we’ve gone?
1.8 miles.
That checks out. We’ve been walking for hours, but I can still see Canary. He’s further away, but not by much.
How’s he doing?
Hard to tell. He was walking, but kinda draggin’ his feet. Right now, he’s sitting down. I’m, uh, I’m trying not to look at him too much.
[REDACTED]: September 26th, 2050: 2155
Rooster? You read me?
What’s up, Nest?
Just wanted to let you know it’s almost 2200. I’m about to head home for the night. It’s gonna be the same as yesterday, they’re leaving someone stationed for emergencies.
Okay. Thanks for everything, buddy. Guess I’ll see you tomorrow.
How are you and, um— how are you guys holding up?
Well, I mean, you know Mallard; doesn’t say much. As for me… I ain’t even ashamed to say it; I’m scared. I’m more scared than I’ve been in my entire life. Don’t really notice when I’m walking, cause I’m just so focused, I guess, but times like this, it really hits me. Am I gonna die in here?
I don’t know, buddy. But I promise you I’m gonna do everything I possibly can to make sure that doesn’t happen.
I know you will, brother. And I really appreciate it.
[REDACTED]: September 27th, 2050: 0800
Rooster, this is Nest. Do you read?
(groan) Aw, you motherfucker.
Good morning to you too.
Nah, I, uh, sorry— fuck… it’s just… you woke me up.
You were able to fall asleep?
I’m just as surprised as you.
Well that’s good. How are you guys feeling?
Exhausted, got a headache, and my mouth tastes like three-day-old roadkill. Never thought I’d miss a toothbrush so badly. Think a few of the blisters on my feet popped too. Mallard looks ready to bash my head in, so I’m guessin’ he feels about the same.
What about Canary?
Well, it’s not like I can ask him.
…
Sorry, guess that wasn’t funny. He’s just sitting up against the wall. Think he’s awake but I’m not sure.
Okay. Let me know if you need anything.
Will do.
[REDACTED]: September 27th, 2050: 1108
NEST! NEST! NEST! COME IN MAN, NOW! PLEASE! FUCK! NEST! NEST!
Rooster! What’s going on?!
IT’S CANARY! HE FUCKING SHOT HIMSELF!
WHAT?!
HE’S FUCKING DEAD! OH MY GOD, HE’S FUCKING DEAD!
Rooster— Rooster, settle down man; tell me what happened!
I don’t know, man. I-I-I just look over, and he’s lying down; there’s— blood just pouring out of his head! Oh my god— oh my god— (retching)
Rooster— talk to me, brother. Breathe deep.
…
Okay… Okay. I’m— I’m here man. Fuck…
You didn’t hear anything?
No.
Are you sure he’s dead?
There was so much blood. You don’t— yeah. Yeah, he’s dead.
Jesus. Okay. Well, you can’t— I mean, there’s nothing you can do for him. Right now, just— keep moving. You’ve-you’ve just got to keep moving.
I know.
Jesus fuck.
[REDACTED]: September 27th, 2050: 1123
Rooster?
[REDACTED]: September 27th, 2050: 1425
Nest… Nest… come in… please… (sobbing, gasping)
Rooster! Are you okay?!
How far… have I gone?
What?!
Um, .3 miles.
Are you kidding me? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?!
What have—
(Sobbing) I have been sprinting… for hours. Why can’t I go? I don’t want to be here anymore! What is going on? What is going on?!
…
TELL ME!! Those NASA fuckheads, what have they been doing for the past three days?! Do they know anything about the hellhole they just sent me into?!
I— they think the creators might’ve, like… dilated space somehow— so they could fit a dozen miles of storage into one mile of space.
Fuck, man…
…
I can’t do this anymore.
[REDACTED]: September 27th, 2050: 1836
Rooster?
…
Rooster, do you read?
WHAT?!
I just— wanted to ask if you were okay.
NO MOTHERFUCKER, I WAS ASLEEP!!
Okay, I’m sorry, I—
Just fuck off!
[REDACTED]: September 27th, 2050: 2302
Nest? Are you there?
Nest? …Fuck, he must’ve been dismissed.
[REDACTED]: September 28th, 2050: 0344
Nest? You there, buddy?
Guess not. Fuck, I wish there was some way to tell the time. Everything’s the same down here, all the time. I’m losing my fucking mind.
[REDACTED]: September 28th, 2050: 0758
Rooster? Do you read?
Oh shit! Nest, buddy, what’s up?!
You sound better!
(laughter) Sure as shit don’t feel better. This is Hell. I’m still in Hell.
…
Nest?
I know you are, Rooster. I’m so sorry. I wish I could be doing more to help.
Hey hey hey— chill, dude. It’s all good, I’m just being a bitch. Listen, you’re doing plenty, okay? Seriously, you’re the only thing keeping me sane right now.
Still… just— just make it out of there, okay?
I will, buddy.
[REDACTED]: September 28th, 2050: 1054
Yo, Nest. Do you believe in God?
Uh, yeah, I guess so. Do you?
I thought I did. Went to church on Sunday and everything. You know, it’s funny, they say there are no atheists in foxholes, but I’ve tried to pray, and it just feels so… pointless. Nobody’s listening down here. ‘Cept you, I guess. I dunno. Maybe there is a God; He’s just not in here.
[REDACTED]: September 28th, 2050: 1214
Nest. Just wanted to let you know, Mallard’s stopped walking. Says it hurts too bad, to go on without him. I know we ain’t supposed to leave a man behind, but uh, I don’t think the rules apply anymore.
[REDACTED]: September 28th, 2050: 1400
Rooster— Central wants an update.
Update? On what? I’m losing my mind walking down a never-ending hallway, same as the last 72 hours! I’m the one who needs an update! What’s their plan to get me out of here?!
…
I’m going to die here, aren’t I?
…
Yeah. That’s what I thought.
[REDACTED]: September 28th, 2050: 1629
NEST! NEST! I SEE IT! IT’S— IT’S— YES! I SEE IT! FUCK YEAH!
Rooster! What?! What is it?!
THE TRANSPOSER! THE FUCKING TRANSPOSER, I CAN SEE IT!
The transpo— our transposer? Are you sure?
Y-yes, yes, I’m absolutely positive! It’s a fucking pinprick— I can barely make it out— but that’s it; I’m sure!
Holy shit.
I’m gonna make it. (Crying) Oh my god, I’m actually gonna make it out of here.
I’m so happy for you man, you don’t even understand.
…
Okay. Okay, no more talking. Gotta focus my energy on getting there.
Affirmative, Rooster. Let’s get you home.
[REDACTED]: September 28th, 2050: 1702
Yo Nest. What’ve I missed since I’ve been gone?
Huh?
Like, what’s been going on in the world?
Man, for the last three days I’ve been in either the control room or the barracks. I don’t know any more than you do right now.
Huh, fuck. Fair enough.
[REDACTED]: September 28th, 2050: 1715
Dude. Dude, oh man, Misty is gonna be so pissed at me.
That’s your girl?
Yeah. Yeah, she’ll be furious. Gonna rip me up for making her worry.
I think she’s just gonna be relieved to have you back safe.
Yeah, for like, ten minutes. Then she’ll start yellin’.
…
Yo, after this we all gotta meet up for dinner somewhere. What’s your favorite food?
Uh, artificial steak.
Really? Not the real stuff?
Never had it.
Well shit, after this we’re gonna go to a real steakhouse, and I’m gonna get you the biggest, juiciest fuckin’ T-bone they got on the menu.
Can’t wait, buddy. Can’t wait.
[REDACTED]: September 28th, 2050: 1724
Hoo boy. Once I get back to base, first thing Imma do is take these fuckin’ boots off.
Say again, Rooster?
Just said I’m really looking forward to getting these boots off.
Oh yeah. They gotta be pretty uncomfortable at this point, huh?
Like you wouldn’t believe.
[REDACTED]: September 28th, 2050: 1935
Yo, Nest. How far away am I? Or at least, how far does it say on the tracker?
…
Nest?
One poin— (static)
Say again?
1.6 miles.
Okay. Okay.
Yeah.
[REDACTED]: September 29th, 2050: 0652
Good morning. Rise and shine. Another day in paradise. Every day I wake up and see the exact same thing I saw when I last closed my eyes. Think that might be what I hate most about this place. Everything is the goddamn same. Gets to be so you wonder if anything else is real, if anything exists outside of this endless fucking hallway. Are you real, Nest?
[REDACTED]: September 29th, 2050: 0808
Yo, Nest. Do you think they’ll put me in the history books? ‘Rooster was a trailblazing pioneer who boldly forged a path through uncharted territory. Tragically, his stupid fucking dumb ass died in the process.’
…
Nah, they’ll just redact everything and pretend none of this ever happened.
[REDACTED]: September 29th, 2050: 1124
Feel like I’m walking through the desert. I mean, I guess a warehouse is pretty far from a desert, but it’s the same kind of vibe. The lone wanderer, journeying through an endless expanse. Makes me wonder if the transposer is just a mirage. But I don’t think so. It’s the heat that causes them, right? And it’s not hot in here. Plus, mirages disappear, and I’ve been looking at this for hours. And even if it is, it’s not like there’s anywhere else I can go. So Imma keep walking. Following my North Star.
[REDACTED]: September 29th, 2050: 1215
Uh, Nest. Just wanted to keep you updated. I’ve, uh, officially exhausted my water supply.
[REDACTED]: September 29th, 2050: 1330
(Tuneless whistling)
[REDACTED]: September 29th, 2050: 1841
Nest, I’ve been… I’ve been walking for… for such a long time. My feet are bleeding through my boots. I can see them turning red and my feet squish with every step. I must’ve walked through a dozen different sections by now. It’s incredible stuff, man, beyond… you wouldn’t even believe me if I told you and it just doesn’t even register in my mind anymore. It’s funny, I was… um, I was so excited to come here, and now— I just want to go home. I wanna go home. I miss Misty and Lucky. I miss beer and foosball and Maxwell Fury. I miss the Sun. I miss the Sun… so much, man. Maybe I’m being dramatic. I’ve only been down here, what, six days? But sometimes it feels like nothing on the outside is real. Like nothing exists outside of these walls, like I’m going to be walking for all eternity. Misty was worried. I told her there was nothing to worry about. I laughed at her, man. I’m so sorry, baby. God my feet hurt so bad.
[REDACTED]: September 29th, 2050: 2022
Nest. Just wanted to let you know that, uh… I’m checkin’ out. I know how this story ends, and I ain’t puttin’ myself through that. I hope you don’t feel guilty, brother, cause you got nothin’ to feel guilty about. Hell, you’ve done more for me than anyone these past few days. Just bein’ there to listen— kept me sane. Made me feel like I still existed, you know, that I still mattered to someone out there. Even now— well, no one wants to die alone. Love ya, brother. Rooster out.
…
(Gunshot)
PCF-3/Site 88: 12 April 2077: 1205
EXO C, this is Scoutman 5. Transposition successful.
Full Contact, Scoutman.
Scoutman 2 and I are beginning basic preliminary tasking. So far site appears unremarkable and consistent with neighboring structures.
Very good. Maintain tasking, Scoutman.
PCF-3/Site 88: 12 April 2077: 1337
EXO, we appear to be approaching a UAO blocking our— wait. Is that a—?
Scoutman? Describe the object.
It’s not a UAO, EXO. The object in our path appears to be a transposer.
A transposer?
Yes EXO, a second gen. Unpowered, but otherwise in perfect condition.
So we aren’t the first to make contact. Very interesting.
How should we proceed, EXO?
Continue tasking. But keep an eye for any other terrestrial artifacts.
Understood, EXO.
PCF-3/Site 88: 12 April 2077: 1621
EXO! EXO! Come in! We’ve— we’ve found something.
Another sign of contact?
…In manner of speaking, EXO. We’ve identified what appears to be… a body.
A body?!
Well, ‘skeleton’ is more accurate.
Human?
Affirmative, EXO. Based on their uniform, it appears they were a Greater American soldier.
The Americans. Of course. Do you have any idea how they died?
There’s a hole on the top of the skull, and a firearm and spent casing on the floor next to the body. Seems pretty clear this was self-inflicted.
Jesus.
Yeah. Poor bastard; I wonder what made them do it? The exit was so close…
Kevin Cronin is a Washington DC-based writer focused primarily on short stories and screenplays. His favorite genres to read and write are comedy, sci-fi, horror, or any combination of those three.
Editor's Note:
Thank you for reading "And Yet, So Far Away" by Kevin Cronin. We at Cetera believe some of the brightest science fiction can expand the universe by shrinking its focus. In that way, Cronin's story unfolds almost entirely through radio transmissions, allowing voices to carry the full weight of setting, character, and suspense. Each exchange deepens the emotional geography while the alien ground grows stranger with every mile. Yet the most remarkable distance emerges between two people determined to keep each other company across an impossible divide.
Companionship, to put it bluntly, is often an act of endurance. Rooster and Nest begin with the easy shorthand of colleagues who've shared enough days to tease each other without explanation. Their conversations gradually become something richer, though. Humor gives way to confession, routine becomes ritual, and every response across the radio serves as a soft affirmation that someone is still listening. Until they can't. Even as the warehouse stretches space beyond ordinary comprehension, friendship continues to measure the world in the promise of a beer waiting somewhere beyond the horizon.—Jon Negroni
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