It was his last day on the surface. In a few hours he would be 'up and out', and then that would be it. The human race would have left Earth after millions of years. But, for now ... .

"What are you doing?" The feeling of a hand on his shoulder roused him from his contemplation. "You look miles away."

"No. I wasn't," he replied, not bothering to look behind him. There were only two humans anywhere on the surface,. Who else could it be? "I was just looking."

"Looking?" She moved up beside him, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

"Yes." He stared out across the sea of grass that was spread out in front of him, watching as it rippled in the wind. "It will be the last time anyone sees this - this world - with their own eyes. I want to enjoy it while I can."

She sighed. "Fine. You enjoy it. The rest of us have got work to do." She walked away, back to the capsule that would soon carry them into orbit one last time.

A thought occurred. "Hey!" he called. "Do you have a specimen jar? Or a box? Something like that? It doesn't have to be a big one."

"Why?" came the muffled response.

"Do you?"

"Yes." She came back, carrying a fist-sized, metal container. "Will this do?"

He took the container from her to examine it. "Thanks." He opened the jar, letting the atmosphere hiss into it, and set it on the ground beside him. Then he tore a piece of paper from a notebook and scribbled something on it. It wasn't perfect - not even close! - but the sentiments were honest and from the heart. The paper went into the jar and he activated the seal, turning the container into a seamless metal cylinder. That done, he knelt down and started scraping a hole in the soil.

"Hey! You shouldn't be doing that! We're not meant to leave any traces!" She scowled at him from above.

"Sorry. It's just ... I wanted to leave some kind of monument. Just something." He gave her a reassuring smile. "For whoever. If ever."

She grimaced in thought and tapped the toe of her boot on the ground. "Alright," she said at last, and left him to finish burying the jar.

Before nightfall, the capsule rose into the darkening sky on a pillar of light.

The grass began to slowly grow over the scars of Mankind.