Backward Lines from Identity by Caeruleum Blue

A Welcome Return Cubic Six. As requested, here is today's Water Eater Status Report.
Cubic 6 Coordinated Services Manager.
Confidential Report Level 5.
July third 523 E D.
Distance 483 kilometers and 82.5 meters. No change.
Declination 28.313 degrees south. No change.
Height, 98 kilometers and 323.487 meters. Change.
Increase of 831.231 meters.
Increase consistent with registered pattern A 3 8 7 2, a Water Eater Fall.
Expected collapse in 5 hours, and 32 minutes.
Estimated incursion 182.7 kilometers.
Safety margin estimated at less than 1 kilometer.
Recommend retreat, 200 km north, within the next 5 hours.
Odds of surviving Water Eater Fall at present location at 0.0003 percent and declining rapidly.
End Report.

Over 800 meters in 24 hours? For months it has been 10 meters a day. We should have months, maybe years before another fall. Cubic 6 collapsed in his favourite chair and stared out the glass wall to the city below and the Water Eaters in the distance. There was nothing that can be done. It’s all over now, for everyone.

Cubic 6 lent forward in his chair resting his hands on his face with a sudden realization he was the only one who knew. Jumping up he rushed to the window to see if he could see anything, any sign. Slowly he drew the pale blue envelope from his shirt pocket, his final ride if he should choose. Others certainly do, we just keep it quiet when they do.

Incoming Message from Cubic 42.
Welcome Return Cubic 6.
Given today's events, your request for a 25% increase in Transparency has been approved.
Slips have already been delivered.
End of message.

Well then, I may as well stick around for a bit, he thought to himself as he headed to the delivery slot. Can’t waste all that Transparency. But there was no warm embrace of laughter this time around. No trips to golden memories and thoughts of comfort. No amount of Transparency could trick his mind into escaping reality this evening. This evening he stared blankly out the window to the distant blue-veined creature that would finally after more than 500 years end them all at last.

Incoming Message from Cubit 138.
Welcome Return Cubic 6.
Did it speak to you again?
Did you hear what it said?
There is something happening that's new.
Surely you can feel it.
The Reindeer are moving south; it makes no sense.
And spot is on the rise again.
Do you know what's going on Cubic 6?
End of message.

Ah shit, Cubit 138 was her brother. It’s been 6 years since her final ride yet he pesters me for information. If she were here this would be far easier. She always knew exactly what to do.
Cubic 6 slumped back into his chair to face the enemy. His evening glass of water in one hand, Transparency in the other. From below the city, noises echoed up as the Northern lights danced before him for the last time. Florescent lines of Eater veins snaked towards the stars to wave at the dance at the edge of space. As always, the night was crisp and clear. Clouds had not been seen in over 70 years now. Just not enough moisture anywhere to create them.

From far below the voices of singers windes its' way into the cosmic milieu of sounds and light. Pressing a button to his left, Cubic six opens the windows to watch the world below.

Sights and smells assault his senses. Smells of home-cooked food, sweat, heat lamps for the homeless. Singing and rhythm washed over him tingling his senses. There was hope there, there was need and wish, love, hate, there was humanity. And throughout the city, hundreds upon hundreds of Reindeer walked in single file towards the southern gate and the Water Eaters. With them walked the faithful, the curious and the lost.

She would have told me they had a right to know. She would have stood by me until the end holding my hand. It’s time I do the right thing.

System.
Yes, Cubic six?
Forward today's Water Eater Status Report to Cubit 138.
Are you sure Cubic six? I detect unauthorized transmission of protected information.
I’m sure System. In fact, send it to every person you can.
Yes Cubic six, message sent.

As a young lad of 6 in 1974 my father plopped me down and said listen to this lad. It was Echoes and I never looked back. By 12 I had gobbled up Floyd, Jarre, Tangerine Dream, Oldfied, Vangelis,etc.

Now 40 years later I have returned to those lucious spaces again as life has afforded me the opportunity.

No dreams of greatness only the greatness of dreams.