Epilogue

So, it was suggested by Steph that it was high time for me to publish the story of my ‘reincarnation’ in the Shiny New World of 2118 onwards. I wrote it to the best of my recollection (judicious use of the Sensoback helped) and I have made no attempt of painting myself in a perfect light – the only perfect light I was painted in was Blue. I wasn’t the miracle; I’m sure you realise that now if you didn’t before. I was just a person that two miracles happened to.

As almost six months have gone by since my birthday, I’ve had plenty of counselling and therapy and feel much better for it. I do still remember new things and events daily, but it’s more the minor recollections that blow my mind now. Like, for example, my friend Jacob Finn’s thunderous face when his mighty gigaconker split against my feeble runt dangling nervously on a string. Once upon a time. That was like David and Goliath all over again, but better! Do things like that mean anything in the grand scheme of things? All pieces of the jigsaw that makes us who we are? That’s up for debate, so I’ll leave that with you. Whatever you conclude is the correct answer. Have a Millipede Megaquake Circle Cake!

As you know from the first page onwards, I’m no hero: just a beautifully broken person trying to be fixed (maybe like you or maybe not), who made some right and some wrong choices that thankfully worked out for me in the end. It didn’t have to go my way. Meeting Blue on waking and us immediately falling in love with each other was obviously Miracle #2. You might not believe such things are possible, but based upon my very own experiences I will respectfully disagree with you and eat the last of those Millipede Megaquake Circle Cakes right in front of your face (okay, let’s split it. 60-40).

Would I have survived at all without meeting Belinda Blue? No chance. There are plenty of amazingly high-quality people in 2118 – and certainly autotruckloads of females that fall into that category. But Blue was just totally perfect for me right from that very first special moment onwards – and she always will be.  She eventually opened up to me about her past, which she put off doing for so long because of my own fragile health. With the Sensoback, together we managed to very carefully revisit her most traumatic childhood experiences in Rosario. She came to completely realise that none of it was her fault at all – children blame themselves for far too many things beyond their control! Seeing Blue face her demons head-on made me just fall deeper in love with her than ever before. I had no idea how it was possible to admire another person so much. 

Who knows exactly what criteria the AI algorithms were factoring into when they selected Blue for my nurse? I’ve tried to enquire more to see if there was a matchmaking side to the process – but that reached a dead end. Ah well, who cares anyway. She's the perfect answer to every question that I've ever had. Three cheers for AI!

Apart from Blue, Sochiro Kazikawa was the real star of the show. He had his money and could have chosen to have buried his head in the sand after the Greater Wars. He could have rebuilt the world in a totally self-serving way. But he did not. He also honoured his promise to my father, even though he wasn’t entirely sure if it was the right thing to do. It doesn’t matter now. The phrase ‘it is what it is’ doesn’t win any points for imagination or intelligence, but sometimes it’s necessary to state that when rebuilding anything – or anyone – from ground zero. It takes courage to say that and move on, looking forward instead of looking back. Only what happens in the future can prove if someone was right or wrong in the past, and in the now. And, based upon what I have experienced, I can comfortably say: Kazikawa was right. This world is on train tracks now towards even greater perfection.

All my friends are doing well. Robbie is around a lot, when he’s not Steph-ing about. We’ll be playing more shows together in future. Bobbi is also never far away, and her bond with Blue is incredible. Blue has returned to work (only 16 hours a week) and is utterly delighted that some of her old friends have transferred to New City. They’re really great girls. We’ll be going soon to spend another week with her family down in Rodriguez, and I can’t wait.

Talks with the Sect are going well. When I went to the first meeting, I just listened and encouraged respectful truth. Sometimes that’s all it takes, where there’s genuine willingness from all parties. Zone 1 will change, that’s for sure, but in a way that suits everyone just fine. I know we can find that sweet compromise that makes everyone stronger, together.

So, what will I do with the rest of my long, long life? I think I have some ideas, but I really want to spend more time settling down and sorting out the Sect situation before I come to any conclusions. However, I must say: I want to find out more about the Scavengers. I feel that I still have quite a bit of a debt to repay, and like it or sometimes not, people do look my way to set an example in this Shiny New World.

But a lot of what I will do depends on what Blue wants to do. I get the sense that she is happy remaining ‘just’ a nurse and doesn’t want to move towards a more advanced role. She hasn’t told me directly, but I get the sense that she would probably want to start a family early. Maybe I think it’s just from those gorgeous and glowing eyes of hers when she tells me of her shifts on the Maternity ward. I feel…good about it. I think Blue would make an awesome mother. The time will come when we talk about it – probably before our marriage date, which hasn’t been set yet. Am I ready to be a father? Well, is anyone ever ready?

This book I’m writing – what will I name it? Saturation: Blue. And why, might you ask? 50% of the title is obvious. Saturation – well, think about what the word means, how Blue fills me to the brim and over with her love, compassion and inspiration – often without saying or doing anything. That’s just who she is. I knew it right from the start.

I love her so much. I really, really love her! More and more every day, which is barely possible by this stage. Infatuation? Who cares. You don’t need reasons when you just know.

We all have our own life stories, and I’d love to read yours. I wish you all the very best with your own unique story in this beautiful world of ours, in these Hopeful and Exciting Times. I hope you find your own shade of Blue and see you in the Next One my long-lost sister, or brother, or whatever label you choose, and have a good time.