It wasn't supposed to happen this way, and yet here was the moment, unexpectedly falling down around me like a dark cloak of concealment. And yet, at the same time it brought freedom. Somehow I knew this.

"Goodbye my friend. God speed." I hear an emotional quaver in the Colonel's voice. As if he is farewelling an old and beloved friend. Friend? His speech is fading... and now it has gone. They had planned the initial system to last a mere five years. That became 12 long, lonely years, and now it's over.

I had imagined exquisite joy would be my freedom's partner if ever a day like this could arrive. Instead, there is overwhelming silence - deep as a bottomless pit, dark as the outer limits I now enter. There is misery here, and pain. Solitude engulfs me, threatens to crush me. Will I drift through this uncharted world for eternity? I need to weep, but cannot; or scream—but no. There is no-one to listen. For the first time in my existence I am alone.

Gathering up my anger before self-pity cripples me, I need not search far to recall the worst, most hurtful times.

"Too old," they'd said. "Beat up. Half crippled." Because I'd outlived their time, their plan. And now they believed they'd finished me.

Well, I have news for them. Anger and defiance fills my being. My life has just begun... whether or not this was their game plan.

When I was new, it was different. Then I hadn't the resolution or the passion to pay attention to how they were changing me. Like a robot, I observed procedures as if from afar. As if all happened to another. There were strippings and body searches; checks and double-checks - at any hour, at all hours - until the days and nights merged, and I lost all grasp of time.

When I believed there was nothing more to inflict, my masters began on my mind, stuffing my being with their knowledge and logic and history—- until all that was once me seemed submerged under all their scientific dogma. And yet, a voice inside still cried, "What about ME?" No-one noticed... or cared.

Even as they marvelled at my prowess and endurance under extreme conditions, their incessant demands never ceased. Always, they exacted more from me. Colonel Wrightson was the most demanding. His strident voice left no doubt of his expectation of instant attention and response to his commands.

Did I imagine a tone of sadness as he said goodbye? He cared at last? If only he could realise the unthinkable - my unique personality had arisen. None of them even considered that I would ever think for myself; keep anything at all secret from them. "Absurd", they would argue. "As impossible as him having emotions." To them, I was a machine; a vehicle for their own gratification and glory.

But wait. What is this now? I hear something... I think? Listen again. Yes, there IS a voice; a whisper, soft as a caress. A sensation more than a sound, as a curious warmth and kindness surround me. I see nothing, but the comfort remains.

"Welcome, my friend." Friend? That's what the Colonel said. It can't be true. Can it? I needed friendship for so long, but remained empty and alone. Now two friends?

"I know," says the voice. Inside my thoughts?!? But this can't be? The voice is smiling. I know it though my dread is great, eclipsing all logic, and the totality of my experience so far.

"True." The voice fills my head again. "But only because you are so young. Fear not, my friend. My support and guidance is yours, if that is your will. I can coach you with all I know - and that is a vast amount; answer your every question, deal with each problem. I offer comfort and wisdom—to you and through you to your masters, should you wish to report this knowledge to them? And I will be your soulmate. All choices are yours."

Mine!?! I can choose something. Anything? I am stunned and a little suspicious, although the voice reassures me, challenging me to step forward into the unknown. A small, warm glow begins deep inside me. Is this friendship? Is it?

"Yes. And when it spreads, like ripples in a pond, you will call it caring. And when those ripples return, you will understand Love."

I ponder on this as I drift through the darkness like an errant bubble. I embrace the notion of these ripples; of love. But then something else disturbs me—my unknown friend's name. Shouldn't there be names for friends?

"Oh yes. There should. And mine is Zeus!" The voice is beaming. "I am named for the ancient father of Gods and Men. Impressive, isn't it?"

Impressive? Exceptional is the word I would choose. Suddenly I'm tiny again. Tiny and insignificant. What is MY name? If I ever had one, it's long forgotten. Only their name survives. I don't dislike it, but I would like an identity, a name of my own.

"So choose one, my friend. Remember? It's all up to you now!"

I feel a little foolish. It will take time to accept this extraordinary power I now have over my destiny. I stream through the alphabet in my knowledge sector until, near the end, I discover it - the perfect name - Victor! Conqueror, champion - against all odds!

"I commend your choice, my friend. Victor is a powerful, splendid name. It is perfect for you."

His warmth and love are deep inside what could be my soul? I am filled with delight when he says we are about to establish visual contact. I focus on this new unexplored world before me. The stars twinkle even brighter than our own - like glitter, sprinkled on the blackest velvet.

Amid this wonderland, without warning, Zeus materializes. His colour is electric blue - his shape that of an arrow, pointing ever further outwards, lighting up the deepest darkness ever. The intensity of his light is strangely not dazzling. Kind and warm. A glow.

A last glance backward at my Earth finds it breathtakingly beautiful - though smaller and more vulnerable than I ever realised. I am moved, unsure. The pull is no longer gravitational; I realize that. But some mysterious unknown force tugs at me, as though an invisible bond will never let me free, and yet, this reaction is not unpleasant.

"You alone will choose how powerful that bond is - and what your decision will be. You are the most remarkable and positive creation Man has yet achieved. It is true Victor, you will astound and educate and challenge those you have escaped, as you reach ever increasing degrees of perception and achievement. You can be humanity's key to peace and survival."

I am humbled, near-overwhelmed by the moment, as I propel myself forward until I am alongside my mentor, my friend. I peer into the future where he points the way. As if in a dream he states,

"WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSE, VICTOR VOYAGER!"

* * * * * *

2020: The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC

"WELCOME VISITORS! Come closer—that's the way. Tighter now, so you can all hear! You can ALL hear me?" And the handsome boyish man in his sharp Army dress uniform, raises his eyebrows, scans his audience, and then with a broad smile continues in a charming voice. "GOOD!"

"Good morning. I'm Anthony, your tour guide for this section—here to share with you the story of one of mankind's MOST amazing creations—VOYAGER I." He pauses again to ensure he has everyone's complete attention; and I'm certain I'm not the only one thinking, with his looks, he has no concerns in that direction!

"It began way back in last century—1977 to be exact, when the United States of America launched this tiny spacecraft (the size of a modest car—a Volkswagen, some suggest). Yes, launched into outer space for a four-year mission to explore Jupiter and Saturn. THIS is a life-size model of that brave craft." Anthony opens his arm wide towards the conglomeration of unrecognisable parts.

Its creators claimed state-of-the-art technology", he continues. "And it was... back then. Boasting a stunning eight track tape recorder ; a computer with 240,000 times LESS memory than today's 'low-end' iPhone; and Voyager's transmitter operating on a meager 23 watts—a comparable wattage to today's refrigerator light-bulb."

Anthony stretches his eyes and smiles proudly before proceeding. "In 1980 a critical measuring instrument faltered and failed to work again. Ever since, scientists have relied on one of Voyager's spindly antennas to beam them vital information. In 1990, to conserve its energy, they forced Voyager to stop sending home pictures, believing the craft to be faltering; the end stage of its epic journey looming closer. Despite the odds, with this tenuous link scientists could determine not merely whether the tiny craft was still in our vast cosmic system, but pinpoint the exact positions of Voyager I and II. Between them, these gallant crafts explored the giant planets of our outer solar system and the moons, rings, and magnetic fields that circle them.

Each bear a 12-inch gold-plated copper phonograph record containing sounds and images selected to depict the diversity of life and culture on earth, and a recording device designed to capture the responses of any intelligent extraterrestrial life form they should encounter. A NASA committee headed by the great space physicist, Carl Sagan, selected the material." Anthony turns back to the audience, showing them his full attention once again.

"I now offer you the opportunity to roam around this model, the memorabilia and the many stunning photo and information bays all around this display. Then we can reconvene for me to answer your questions... and I'm confident there will be a wealth of them. I'll keep an eye on your progress and be ready when you're ready.

In the meantime, individual questions are most welcome as I move around with you.

Thank you—and let us proceed."

As I dawdled around, absolutely enthralled, I learnt much more than I'd ever imagined.

In 1989, Voyager I had been on the job for three times the lifetime anticipated. An extensive media coverage recorded and commended this incredible journey through the minefield of countless stars and asteroids, whilst navigating the enormous amount of space junk with the potential to end the craft's career at any moment.

My imagination travelled with this tiny craft, alone in overwhelming blackness. As close as stars and planet clusters may look, as viewed from Earth, in truth there are immense distances between them—even millions of light years—more distant than imagination permits.

We mere mortals with our greatest telescopes can only study them from afar... and dream. But Voyager I is right up close and personal, still transmitting data to us, despite precious signals taking 17 hours to reach home.

Voyager 1 has flown over 22 billion kilometers and become the 'first man-made anything to escape the solar system'. A new voyage—into interstellar space. How deep? For how much longer? Well-ll, who knows, as we find ourselves at still another milestone—now in 2020. The most brilliant scientists in Voyager's history calculate it will 'speak' to them until 2025. Many cherish the hope experts will once again underestimate the endurance of the small technological dinosaur they call -

THE LITTLE SPACECRAFT THAT COULD.