Well, that was a touching thought which augured hope for the future of the Galaxy. But I noticed it didn't touch the zap gun.

The thing in the Statue's stomach started to feed on something; I turned away. The gloom deepened as the pale supernova remnant was eclipsed by the edge of the ceiling. I tried to sleep.

The first day was bad enough, but the second was the worst. Except for the third.

For me, anyway. The suit had water and food -- well, a syrup nipple -- but the recycling system wasn't designed for a long vacation. I didn't want to lose face by sluicing out my plumbing system all over the floor. And so, when I went for my regular walks around the bereft pillar, I sloshed.

By contrast, the Statue was unmoving, machinelike. Bizarre fish swam in its stomach, and the zap gun tracked me like the eye of a snake.

On the third day I stood by my pillar, swaying in unstable equilibrium. I didn't have to feign weakness. I sneaked glances at the futuristic sky. I had to time things just right--

At length, the Statue said, "You are weakening and will surely die. But this has always been inevitable. I do not understand your motivation."

I laughed groggily. "I'm waiting for the cavalry."

The stomach creature twitched uneasily. "What is this 'calvary'?"

Too uneasy. I shut myself up with the truth. "Maybe I just don't like being robbed. I'm a prospector for Xeelee gold, but it's not just for me. Can you understand that? It's for my son. My off-spring. That's what you're taking from me, and I don't even know what you are."

A flicker in the sky like the turn of a page.

It was time. I stumbled to my knees.

The Statue said, not unkindly, "You have been a worthy opponent. I will allow you to end your life according to the custom of your species."

"Thank you. I -- I guess it's over." I forced myself to my feet, took the hoop from my neck, and laid it reverently atop the little pillar. I began walking stiffly towards the door, feeling ashamed of my trickiness. Amazing, isn't it. "I'd like to die outside," I said solemnly.

The Statue glided away from the doorway, respectfully lowering its zap gun.

I got outside the building. Another shudder across the weird sky. I limped around the corner of the building--

-- and ran for my life. My legs were like string, shivering from under use. A bar of light swept behind the stars. There were tiny explosions in my peripheral vision; it was as if something was solidifying out of the layer of space that cloaked the planet.

The Xeelee didn't believe in a quiet entrance.

I tumbled face first into a shallow crater and stayed that way. It didn't feel deep enough; I imagined my backside waving like a flag to the marauding Xeelee.