A long way back

Tom awakens in the cramped cabin of a solitary spacecraft, his mind still drifting from a deep hypnotic trance that carried him safely through launch. As he steadies himself in zero‑gravity, he watches five dormant satellite modules orbiting Earth, a relic of a long‑forgotten project meant to power the planet. With a crackling radio link to the ground crew, he learns he’s the only one who can piece the floating components together before his limited oxygen runs out.

The story follows Tom’s tense, methodical work outside the ship, balancing the fragile mechanics of the satellite against the relentless vacuum of space. Every decision is weighed against the ticking clock of his life‑support system, while the voices of his teammates—Ruth, Jason, and the enigmatic Arnoldsson—provide both guidance and pressure. As the first human to attempt this daring repair, Tom must confront his own doubts and the weight of humanity’s hope hanging in the void.