Everyone had been excited and elated when they left - broad smiles and waving hands everywhere. He had felt the energy and optimism and love of all those friends and co-workers that were wishing them well.

        He looked around at what seemed to be a zillion stars in the sky. He thought how trite but true that their sheer number made him feel small and insignificant. How many others were looking back from those stars thinking the same thoughts? Was someone really watching them all?

        His two partners sat silently beside him. “Good buds,” he said aloud. They had performed their assignments to a T. He was proud of them. He had done all he could himself; the job was done.