[ WP ] The cure for death is found . But die to the fear of overpopulation on earth , people are given a choice . Stay on earth and be mortal , or be cured and go on a deep space mission .

Rhea packed her suitcase slowly, meticulously. She knew this would be the last time she would be packing it. Ever. The finality of it, now, seemed ironic to her. Finality seemed to have lost it's meaning in the last months. She had filled her application in mid-June, but the news of her acceptance had not arrived until last night. It included a one-way plane ticket, and a short list of instructions. She started `` Space Camp'' in one week, in preparation for a launch early next year. The training would go all through Christmas and New Year's. She would n't even see her family over the holidays. Rhea tried to comfort herself. There would be many holidays to come; this was just the beginning. 
 
 She heard a quiet sob from the living room. Rhea felt her stomach churn. She knew this news would n't be easy. One can hope for the best but, sometimes, people get overwhelmed. 
 
 `` Rhea?...'' The soft voice came from the other room. 
 
 Rhea dropped her sweater into the suitcase, and stepped into their living room. Lunch was sobbing on the couch, the arm stained with tears. Rhea sat on the lounge chair opposite Lunch, and put on a sad face. It was a few minutes before Lunch had stopped sobbing long enough to get out a few words. 
 
 ``... Why?'' 
 
 Rhea's face went from sad to surprised. `` What do you mean, why?'' 
 
 Lunch wiped her eyes and sat up. `` Why are you leaving?! This is n't what we discussed. We either went together, or stayed together. Not this!'' 
 
 Rhea's brow furrowed. ``..You're right. I felt that way at first too, but neither of us knew that the screening process was going to be that strict. Or that they were only going to accept 1,000 of the applicants. They needed scientists, engineers, and poets. When it came down to it, I think they wanted my mechanical engineering degree, not your Journalism degree. That's all there was too it.'' 
 
 Lunch let out another sob. And another. Then she became loud. 
 
 `` That's not good enough! There were plenty of other applicants, other engineers! They do n't need you, Rhea! I do need you! Eternity among the stars, or growing old together! But not this! Not this bullshit Rhea!'' 
 
 Rhea felt a tear start to fall down her cheek. `` What would you do in my position, Lunch? This is literally a 1 in 6 million chance. A chance to spend eternity traveling the universe, looking for answers to humanities greatest questions. We will outlast humanity, the Earth, the Sun, and the stars! We would be gods! How can I pass this up, Lunch?! Tell me!'' 
 
 Lunch became inconsolable, falling back into the couch and sobbing uncontrollably. Rhea's tears started to fall as well. Rhea walked back into her room, and finished packing her suitcase. She included one picture of her parents, and one of her and Lunch on vacation in New York City last August. Everything had seemed so much easier then. 
 
 Rhea returned to the living room, coat on, and suitcase in hand. Lunch was motionless. 
 
 ``... I'm not going to forget you, Lunch. You'll hear from me at every opportunity. I'll tell you about my life, my hopes, my struggles. I'll tell you I love you. That I miss you. Out of all the people I met here, you were my favorite. The one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. But...'' 
 
 Her voice trailed off. There was nothing more to be said, that had not already been said. As Rhea walked towards the door, Lunch flew to her feet, her face red and tear soaked. Desperation in her eyes. 
 
 `` Please, Rhea, do n't go. Not like this.'' 
 
 Rhea opened the door, turned to face her partner and lover, and said, 
 
 `` This is the only way I can go, Rhea.'' 
 
 The door shut quietly.
