I have no idea how long I've been floating in outer space. The last thing I remember was working on repairing a satellite, the explosion, and then it's all a blur. I don't how I'm still alive or if I really am. When I slowly started to regain consciousness a sense of panic overwhelmed me. I never realized how massive the universe was. I felt like a pebble in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Even though my oxygen supply had likely expired hours ago, I was incredibly still able to breathe. I felt so helpless as I aimlessly floated in outer space, my arm and legs flailing as if I had jumped off a cliff.  I started to feel something underneath me, nudging me. The next thing I knew I was bolting through outer space. I felt like I was going to lose my balance so I held on to what felt like a fin. A fin? What was going on? More importantly, what was underneath me? Was it a friend or foe? Everything was moving so fast that I didn't have to time to fully grasp what was happening.

After soaring through the stars on the back of whatever this creature was, we came to an abrupt stop. "Hello Commander" a voice called out to me. "Who's there?" "Some people call me the space cowboy." "Really?" "No, but I wish they would. My name is Obsidian and I'd like to welcome you to The Black Hole." "Black Hole?" "You've come to the end of the universe but that doesn't mean that everything is over. In fact it's a new beginning." Who was this guy and what the heck was talking about?

"Good girl Midnight! Go and enjoy swimming with your pod?" "Um, who were you just talking to?" "One of the orcas of the orbit that call The Black Hole home. These magnificent creatures have the entire universe to explore. They are not kept in tanks or made to perform for you people." "I don't like that either. I'm love the ocean and the animals that call it home. Tell me, what do these orcas eat in outer space?" "Why starfish of course" Obsidian snickered. Well, at least this guy had a sense of humor.

"Tell me more about this place. How did I end up here? Am I still alive?" "It's The Black Hole Commander and you are very much alive. We'll never know everything about the many mysteries of the galaxy." "That's why I become an astronaut. I wanted to explore the unknown. So, um, are you some sort of mermaid?" "I'm a merman! I prefer the term merfolk actually. It's much more inclusive." "Are there others here?" "You'll meet them in due time. Initially we were rejected by the mortals on Earth so we decided to call outer space our home."

"Follow me. There is so much more for you to see." "I still have so many questions though." "And you always will. Part of the appeal of this world is that there are so many things that we will never know. The universe is bigger than we can comprehend. Besides, if we had all the answers to every question then life would be quite boring. Don't you agree?" "I guess you're right." "Come Commander. I will introduce you to some of the denizens of this great expanse." Mermen? Orcas? The Black Hole? What had I gotten myself into.

"Occasionally we'll get some unwanted visitors from time to time. Usually just lost vessels looking for a way out. Other times I fear they're here for the orcas or looking to claim this part of the universe for themselves" Obsidian explained. At first I was scared and confused by everything around me. Yet, for some strange reason I've never felt more at peace in my life. I didn't miss the trappings of Earth: the noise, the people, the pollution or the politics. I wasn't sure how long I was welcome here but I wanted to stay . My life had been so regimented over the years that it felt good to live in the moment.

"We have all the time in the world but there is so much more I want to show you Commander." Somehow I got separated from Obsidian and found myself cruising through space on the back of an orca. I was a little shaky at first but soon I was able to maintain my balance. It felt like I was back in my beloved ocean riding the waves on my surfboard. I guess in a way the ocean is a lot like outer space. It's so vast and mysterious. After a leisurely cruise, the orca stopped without warning sending me tumbling to the surface below. It was a gentle landing but now I was all alone in this strange world. Wait, what was that?

It appeared to be the wreckage of a space ship similar to the one I had taken into space. Aside from a large crack there didn't seem to be much damage to the ship. How did this ship end up in The Black Hole? Against my better judgment I decided to look for survivors. "Hello? Anybody there?" I was greeted by the deafening silence of outer space. As I started to walk away I felt something grabbing at my foot. "Hello?" I repeated once again.

"It's only a skeleton" I uttered to myself as my racing heart began to slow down. Wonder how long he's been here? I tapped the glass on his mask. "Yoo hoo!" I jokingly called out. "You must leave this place" a voice whispered to me. "Who said that?" I asked scanning the area for any other survivors. "Down here." "You're alive?" "Not for much longer." "Can I help you?" "No, but you can help yourself. This place isn't what you think it is. You're on Neptune. And those mermaids are called 'The Children of Poseidon.' They lure ships to their planet, steal their resources and the souls of space travelers."