A Theological Fantasy
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson -
Hoping to reprise a childhood memory, I've met my father at a Gasthaus in the foothills above Innsbruck.
I've spent the last year or so happily discovering how radically changed the universe has become, while remaining comfortably familiar. Thus far I've only observed and explored, and can't say I've done anything really constructive. I feel a strong need to get to work, to serve. Maybe Dad will have some suggestions for me.
Gentle spring breezes, appropriate hiking garb, plus our unhurried agenda have kept us reasonably cool and dry. When we remove our boots to ford a stream below a gushing waterfall, I feel a lot like a teenager again. The mist settles in my hair and slicks it down a bit.
Our feet are drying in the sun. I lean back against the granite slope and watch a hawk circle overhead.
"See that hawk, Dad? I feel a bit like it these days."
"What do you mean?"
"I've kind of been circling, not really sure what to do next. I think it's time for me to get busy."
"Hey, you've got a lot to offer. I remember all the science experiments you used to fool around with when you were a kid. Anyway..."
"That's true; I've always loved science."
"Your nose was always in those science and electronics magazines. And later, you had quite the career as an engineer."
"Yeah, but Dad, much as I enjoyed engineering, I did it mostly because I couldn't make a living as an inventor."
"Well, you don't need to make a living now. We have everything we need. So why not invent?"
"Right, but where do I start?"
We round a bend. A couple hundred yards ahead, a small, rustic cabin perches on a granite outcropping. Even from here, I can see other hikers coming and going.
"Breakfast was great, but I'm about ready for some provisions, how about you, Dad?"
"If I remember rightly, that chalet up ahead is our meal ticket, so, yeah, let's eat."
The menu is simple, but after our workout, a slab of cheese, some bratwurst, and a stein of weissbier sound just right. The handful of open air tables afford a spectacular view of the surrounding forest and mountain peaks. Unfortunately, they're all taken. We're about to go sit on a rock when a couple of girls flag us down.
One's brunette and one's a strawberry blonde/redhead. Being hungry and ready for a rest doesn't prevent us from noticing they both look great.
"Join us. No need to sit on the ground."
"Hey, thanks."
We take our seats across the table, and—after brief introductions—as we dig in to lunch, Dad strikes up a conversation.
"Where are you gals from?"
"San Diego." The wind blowing a lock of ruddy hair across her freckles, she wipes it away laughing. "We're part of a group developing a new approach to space travel."
My antenna go up. I've been intrigued by the cosmos ever since I can remember. "That sounds really cool, and I want to hear more, but what brings you here?"
The brunette answers. "The project's pretty intense. In fact, it's a real brain bender. We're here for a few days to unwind."
"Yeah, we both really needed a mental health break."
Looking at this pair, who would have thought they could be brainiacs? Especially Red...
I suddenly realize I've been staring. Maybe she won't notice if I aim the next question at her.
"How far along is your project? And what exactly do you mean by 'a new approach?'"
"Until now, humanity has relied on rocketry to get off Earth. Sure, it works. You might even say it's entertaining; but it's quite messy, rather noisy, and it used to be really dangerous. The real issue, though is time, speed, and distance."
I slowly start to catch on as she continues.
"We live on what may be the crown jewel of creation, the planet where the Creator became Son of Man. But do you recall his first order to mankind?"
"You mean the Genesis directive?"
"That's the one. 'God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the universe, and subdue it.”'"
"Please go on."
"Isn't it obvious? We've got a whole lot of universe filling to do, and that ain't gonna happen using rockets."
My head is suddenly full of deep questions and wild imaginings.
What is there besides rockets? Given eternity, what's the hurry? What was the last estimate I read about the size of the universe anyway?
Hey, I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I am the proud owner of a brand new, perfect body and brain. Why aren't these issues clear without a pretty girl prompting me?
Maybe that new brain of mine is a little too focused on the girl right now and not enough on the questions?
For much more of 
