Telescope

“Emil! We’ve detected movement in Sector 13, Region 9. Engage the thrusters and reposition the lenses.” I can’t help but hesitate as I stare at her furious vigor. She looks up at me expectantly.

“Sorry ma’am. I’m on it.” My cheeks heat up, probably turning as red as the lever I’m pulling. 

The space station shakes violently as the thrusters are active. They roar, deafening my ears. I run to the other side and start running a diagnostic on the lenses. A monitor between them turns green as the station's AI Confirms the lens is calibrated. I ran back to the other side, shutting off the thrusters. 

“Lenses are in position, focusing now.” I hop on my computer and start running the program that focuses the lenses.

She is staring through the eyepiece. “Emil, this is big news. I think we’re finally going to prove the existence of another planet in the solar system…” She trails off as the lenses are focused.

“Charlotte? What is it?”

She starts screaming and runs to the other side of the room. She starts slamming her head violently into the wall, leaving a bloodier mess with each hit. 

I look through the eyepiece, dreading what could be but drawn to it by my own morbid curiosity.

An eye stares back at me.