By Bev Volker
Originally Published in Beyond Orion #2

Stars beckon, calling,
Promising
Dreams come true.
Visions, silver-rimmed,
Fulfilled.
Out of the chaos of inhibitions,
Superstitions that keep us
Bound by our own inadequacy,
She rises
On wings of perception,
Understanding with intuitive insight,
The need to help.
Yet, Fate intervenes
Its insidious course,
Too soon.
She is right.
The time is wrong.
One day, Man will answer the starcall,
Soaring toward unlimited heights
Made possible by this
Sacrifice —
One insignificant life spent
In the infinite quest of destinies.
She must die.
He knows, Doctor. He knows.