"Think we'll make it out there?" Kelly asked, looking up at the sky, at the stars. They shone clear on this chill and inky night, deep in the middle of noplace, not a light in sight, expect a firefly.

"Already have," Scotty said. "See, they got these things called rockets. You might have seen them on the news. They sometimes talk about them before they get on the the sports report."

"I mean really out there." Kelly ignored the provocation. "Other planets, other galaxies."

Scotty shrugged. "Maybe. If we keep from blowing ourselves up." He smiled. "Well, that's part of our job."

"Always good to know we're making a contribution to the future of the human race."

"They'll probably build a statue to us. On Mars."

"Mounted on horses, like knights of old?"

"You know there are no horses on Mars."

"Shame." Kelly sighed. "I see myself on a horse. With a shield and a lance."

"Titling at windmills."

"Did that one already."

Scotty chuckled. "We just keep on keeping on, don't we? Don't think we'll ever get a statue. Men like us don't. But we keep on keeping on. We have to believe we're... making a contribution."

"To getting out there. To the future."

"I'll drink to that." Scotty rummaged in a bag. "Did you bring the sodas?"

"I believe you were in charge of the catering arrangements, friend."

"Then I believe we're in for a thirsty night, Duke."