Out Around Rigel

"Out Around Rigel" by Robert H. Wilson is a science fiction story about bravery and the high cost of dreams. It tells the story of two friends from the Moon, Garth and Dunal, who take off on a huge trip to the star Rigel aboard their spaceship, the "Comet". Their adventure is full of danger, with close calls like almost crashing into a comet. However, things get really serious when Garth gets blinded by jealousy and challenges Dunal to a deadly fight on a strange planet. Dunal makes it off the planet alive, but he finds out that their journey has messed with time in a big way. When he returns home, centuries have passed, and he’s completely alone in a changed world. The story wraps up with Dunal facing the deep sadness of being alone, dealing with huge losses, and understanding that he can’t undo what time has done.