The Void

Even the head of the Grey Watch needs to get away from it all eventually.

"I once fought in the Great War, you know."

"Horse crap," said his drinking buddy.

Edmund Grey rarely got the chance to leave the Grey Watch to its own devices. But in this station orbiting a planet whose name he didn't care for, he was at peace. There was no one around that he needed to order about. Do this, do that!

He sighed, burping before bursting into a coughing fit.

"How old are you?"

Grey looked at the man. "Take a guess."

"Fifty."

"Higher."

"A hundred?"

"Higher still."

"Look, just because ageing may not be much of a thing anymore due to growth inhibitors. That doesn’t mean you’re that old."

"Do you even know when the Great War was?"

"In case you are getting senile. There have been more than half a dozen great wars!"

Grey acknowledged that at least and tapped the side of his glass. "And to think they said it was the war to end all wars…"

The man faced him again, his face paled at the realisation. "If it's that war, then that makes you..."

"Yes," Grey said. "Yes, it does…"