AU where two chips broke off the museum memory statue. One used for hatchy's ship, one for Gabbro's. When the hatchling visits Gabbro, they would share every detail of what they learned, what they've found, what they think is going on, described the photos they were saving in their ship's log.
After a while, though, these excited stories become more scarce, more subdued. They start withholding details. The optimism turns to anxiety to guilt.
Gabbro says nothing of it, not wanting to worry their friend. But when they stop sharing new discoveries at all, just remarking on the weather, or a 'fun' death they had recently, then stop visiting altogether, Gabbro puts the flute down. They strap into their jetpack, fly into the deep, and seek out their ship. Power it on for the first time in what feels like months, boot up the computer, and find that it'd been syncing with the hatchling's ship's log. All their discoveries, everything they've found. It doesn't take Gabbro long to filter through to where the hatchling had stopped sharing details.
The sun station, and the Ash Twin Project. The death of the universe, the Vessel awaiting a core, and the power source waiting to be plundered.
The thing keeping them both alive.
They know there's not enough space in the hatchling's ship for two, not without spending at least half an hour rigging up a harness to prevent Gabbro getting brained the moment they lift off.
The sun explodes.
Gabbro stands on their island, hammock ties in hand, wondering if the hatchling ever intended to tell them the loop would soon be over, that any death might be their last.
I am putting out so so many seeds and nuts and worms for this finch
