xxii. “Mendoza. Mendoza!” Mendoza crawled through the dark. He was not aware of the cold. He felt no pain. Ahead of him burnt a warm, welcoming light. He crawled towards it eagerly. He was going home. “By His most tender mercy, may the Lord pardon you …” A familiar figure approached out of the light. Mendoza rose to his knees. “Inay?” [Mom?] The light haloed her gray head. All the wrinkles were gone from her face, and she wore a tender expression he had seen too rarely when she was alive. “You have to go back, nonoy.” Mendoza’s sister appeared at their mother’s side. The PLAN had blown her apart but now she was whole again and well. “Not yet, Johnny. Someday. I promise. But not today.” “… may the Lord pardon you, forgive you your sins, and lead you to everlasting life …” Mendoza reached for his mother and sister, but an irresistible force dragged him backwards. He fell through the dark. Through space. Into the maw of Docking Bay 1. He saw the moon in a sky full of stars.
