Only one more night on Earth.

Tierney lay on the couch, watching the wispy shadows from the early morning sunlight dance on her office ceiling. She'd spent most of the night staring at her ceiling, and although her eyes burned, begging for rest, she couldn't bring herself to close them.

Jumping up, she tossed on the nearest clothes and raced out of the room. Down the winding hall, past the empty offices and cubicles, she ran as if someone were chasing her, pausing only to throw open the large glass doors that led to the lawn. Kicking off her shoes so she could feel the wet, crunchy grass beneath her feet, she ran out of the shadow of the White House and stood in the sunlight. Closing her eyes, she let the warmth that emanated from the center of this solar system soak into her body. She breathed in the scent of the nearby roses, listened to the sounds of the birds singing, and felt tears streaming down her cheeks.

This was her last full day on Earth. Tomorrow morning, she would join the rest of her kind on a moon-sized ship and be carted across the galaxy by aliens she still wasn't 100% sure she could trust, and dropped off on a new planet, with new smells, sounds, dangers, and beauty. She'd never been much of an outdoorsy person, and though she traveled a lot with Nelle in the beginning, she never saw much more than the plane and the capitol buildings of the countries they visited. Now she ached for the missed opportunities. She'd never get to see the Grand Canyon, or the Aurora Borealis, never hear the songs of the whales or the roar of a lion in the wild. And soon none of those animals would even exist. They were unique to Earth. After tomorrow afternoon, this planet that she was standing on would never be the same as it was right now.

"It's too quiet."

Tierney whirled around to see Nelle standing in the shadows of some nearby trees.

"How long have you been there?" Tierney asked, wiping her face.

"Most of the night," she said, walking over. She was in her sweats and sneakers, her long blond hair hanging limp on her shoulders.

"I can't believe it's the last day," said Tierney. "It's already been a month."

Nelle stared ahead at the barren streets. It was still early, but even at this hour there were usually cars passing by, or joggers, people walking their dog. Today, there was nothing. Most of the city had already conveyed.

"Twenty-five days since first contact," she said, her face grim.

Tierney gave a mirthless laugh. "We were supposed to have a month."

Surprisingly, Nelle smiled -- the first real smile Tierney had seen on the President's face in a long time. "The fact that these Relicans can make mistakes, and that we can fix them, actually gives me hope."

"I just wish it had been about something else."

Nelle nodded. "Agreed, but they've been remarkably true to their word, doing their utmost to evacuate every single human, even at their own peril."

"Commander Arrat said that some of the ships are beginning to show the strain."

They both looked up, unwilling to jinx their good luck by saying anything more. Though the vessels weren't visible to the naked eye, the cart was. It looked like a second moon, rising and falling. Ever since it arrived, Tierney had felt like she was in some sci-fi movie on a distant planet, rather than Earth.

"Your family already transported, right?" Tierney asked. The President didn't have any children -- her wife had died shortly after she was sworn into office. But she was one of eight children, and had gone to great lengths to make it clear that none of her family members were receiving special treatment in the evacuation.

"Yes. They're in sector twelve. Hopefully I'll be able to visit during the trip. You?"

"They're in sector eight."

Tierney, Nelle, and most of the government was being settled in sector four of the cart. Each sector was several hundred miles wide, with no means of transportation other than walking. The Relicans had made it clear that conveying would only be used for emergencies.

"They were the last town to be conveyed in Illinois." Tierney rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Only thirty-two towns to go -- or at least that's what it should be. I haven't checked the schedule yet today."

"Have you spoken with Tausson at all?"

Tierney started at the question. She'd dreamt about him again last night -- during the brief time she had actually slept. He'd haunted her dreams for the last week, watching her from across the room, whispering her name.

Nelle, of course, had every right to ask about him. The day of the cart inspection, Tierney had been so distracted by seeing him and being near him again that she'd broken down and told the President what had happened. She'd been so distraught that they'd went into one of the houses to escape everyone's peering eyes.

"No," said Tierney. "Commander Arrat said that he's been helping with the evacuation by conveying individuals, as well as assisting with repairs on some of the Relican vessels, but that's all I know."

Tierney pushed back her disappointment. When the commander had told her that Tausson was partially reinstated, she'd hoped he would at least contact her, but there was really no reason for him to do so. She'd rejected him, plain and simple. Even if he asked her again, she'd still have to say no. She didn't want to be with someone who only wanted her for sex, no matter how hot he was.

"What's that?" asked Nelle, narrowing her eyes at the sky.

Tierney followed her gaze and saw what looked like a meteor shower. About half a dozen flaming bits of... rock, maybe?... were falling through the brightening sky. Her stomach clenched in panic.

"The asteroid?" she whispered.

"No," Nelle said firmly. "That won't arrive until tomorrow, we're sure of it."

Her certainty calmed Tierney's terror slightly. "Then what?"

"Let's find out." She turned and strode into the White House. Tierney followed her into the Oval Office, where she picked up a transmitter she had been given by the Relicans to contact them.

"Commander Arrat, transmit."

Nothing. Tierney's heart was pounding in her chest. She started pacing the room, unable to bear the silence.

"Commander Arrat, this is President Freeland. Transmit."

Still no response.

"Maybe it was one of the ships," said the President, her face turning pale.

"The Irral?" Tierney's legs began to give way. She gripped the side of Nelle's desk for support. The idea of the Relican commander, her thoughtful patience, her unwavering commitment to the mission, being lost to the universe, made Tierney sick.

"Squad, President Freeland."

Tierney looked up, almost not believing her ears. But Nelle's obvious relief was confirmation.

"Commander Arrat!" Tierney cried.

"Has something happened, Commander?" asked the President. "We saw what looked like a meteor shower."

"There has been an explosion," said the commander, her words heavy with sorrow. "The Eklan, one of the Relican vessels, has been destroyed."

The joy Tierney had felt moments earlier vanished, the knot in her stomach returning instantly.

"There were casualties?" asked Nelle.

The commander took a deep, ragged breath, and a cold dread settled over Tierney. If even this fierce, disciplined woman could be moved to tears, then the tragedy must be greater than they could imagine.

"The entire crew, all 134, were lost."

Nelle closed her eyes and hung her head. "My sincere condolences aren't enough, Commander. It is a great loss."

But the commander wasn't finished. "Miss Dawson?"

Tierney looked up, her own eyes wet with tears. "Yes?"

"Tausson was on board."