Alone on the mountain, with their emergency air supply running out, Ernielaughed. A long, hearty laugh, one that almost seemed to dispel thehopelessness of the situation."Gee, Bert," he giggled, "even after all these years, the view really takesyour breath away, eh!"Bert opened his mouth to retort, but thought better of it - he only had somuch oxygen left, why waste any? And in truth, the landscape that laybefore them was truly a beautiful sight.Before their eyes were vast snow-covered peaks, boldly challenging theclouds, almost as if they wished to surpass them. And there was, in thedistance, a great verdant plain, scattered with trees, and crystal-like water,glimmering on the horizon like a distant memory that is all but forgotten.Bert had never forgotten.No, he had never forgotten. Though it was half a lifetime ago, he stillremembered everything - his mother, her valiant but fruitless battle withcancer. His wife, her soft smile, her gentle lips, that he could almost feelagainst his forehead. His infant son, the gentle smile on his face... thoughhe should be nearly 30 by now, if his reckoning was right.He even remembered the taste of oatmeal, a luxury that the freeze-driedrations up in the research center could never match."Yes Ernie," he finally agreed, "the view is wonderful."A warning light flashed on the display panel near the door. "Ah," Ernie said,"I'll get the cylinder."Neither of the friends dared to mention, but both knew, that this little tube ofoxygen was their last.After a few seconds, a gentle whirring sound indicated that the cylinder wasworking. Thirty minutes worth of air."Well," said Ernie, ever the optimist, "there's still hope for rescue! Let's sendout a another distress signal!"Over the past few years, they'd sent out thousands, and none had evenbeen met with an answer - they'd tried several times, many years ago, toclimb down the mountain's slopes, but each time were driven back by theharsh conditions. Bert had long ago resigned himself to the cruel inevitability of their fate, butit touched him in an almost inexplicable way, to see his lifelong friend dialthe distress number, a glimmer of hope still alive in his eye.The shrill ringing began, and it ended. There was, as always, no reply."Ah," said Ernie, "that's a shame."For a few seconds, there was silence. Bert's thoughts washed slowlythrough his mind, with the lightning-quick leisure of a man who has resignedhimself to death.He thought of