I’d seen footage of from Earth. Before I could even ask myself why they were circling counter-clockwise like that, the group of fish opened up collectively. They displaced themselves nonchalantly and formed a gap just large enough for me to enter. With this kind of momentum, I had no choice but to float through. I drifted through the hole unfazed and untouched, but I still flinched and ducked my head anyway. Surrounded by the spiralling school of fish, my thrusters carried me forward through the interior of the spinning cylinder. These shimmering creatures looked peaceful. Minding their own business, largely ignoring the passer through. And passing through was exactly what I wanted to do. Foolishly, I expected the fish to open up again for my exit as they did moments ago for my entry.

My expectations were w...

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