And we sailed the mighty dark

"And We Sailed the Mighty Dark" by Frank Belknap Long is a science fiction story set in the desolate shipyards beyond the solar system that explores human emotion with adventure in space. After a streak of bad luck with gambling, Jim Sanders, alongside his buddy Pete, buys an old spacecraft, hoping for a trip to Earth. Their journey takes a turn when they confront bizarre phenomena, including a vision of a mysterious woman—an illusion from a creature known as a mirage pup. This mirage pup remembers a girl who died on the ship long ago and manifests its memories as real figures. Confronting the emotional weight of loss propels a poignant conclusion as Jim reconnects with the past and finds hope.