Perhaps it was inevitable that she would end up here alone.

After Elsie and Hank left, hand in hand, Christa wondered how long she could keep the crippled shuttle running by herself. Then she wondered why she should bother. When the simple joy of fixing broken things ceased to thrill her and the stress of survival weighed down her spirit, the self proclaimed 'grease monkey' decided drastic measures were needed.

She typed a quick message and hit send. It would be weeks before the message was received back home.

"Elsie - be happy. Please think of me sometimes."