And miles to go before I sleep

"And miles to go before I sleep" by William F. Nolan is a science fiction story set in the mid-20th century that masterfully examines duty and selflessness. It tells the moving story of Robert Murdock, a rocket pilot, who embarks on a final voyage back to Earth after two decades in space. Gravely sick from his travels, Murdock knows he won't survive the return, but he is driven by a promise to his elderly parents. Facing his own mortality, Murdock conceives a plan to replace himself with an android, ensuring his parents believe their son has come home while he quietly passes away among the stars. The narrative blends Murdock's recollections of his youth and his aspirations of becoming a spaceman, resulting in a strong statement on identity, love, and the problems of being human.