“So this is it then?” Clarke asked.
“Yes” the voice replied, “this time tomorrow it’ll all be over.”
“For everyone?”
“Everybody Clarke, this is how it ends, I told you that.”
“After all we’ve achieved though?”
The voice paused. “I think perhaps you overestimate man’s achievements.”
“If you ask me it’s a real waste,” Clarke said pointing to the ribbon of fire that filled the sky before him. “Just look at that sunset.”
“That’s the sun about to engulf the planet Clarke” the voice said quite calmly.
“Oh yeah, right,” Clarke replied.
“Now go home and say goodbye,” the voice said.
Afterwards 