"How long have you been here?" She asked the lightship pilot.
"Longer than I can remember."
"How long will you stay?"
"Until they return."
She glanced at the blackhole.
"The chances of anyone escaping that are tiny."
"But not nil." He said. "And if they do, then my light will guide them home"
"On the beam and on the green, Gray Lensman, all the way. Every long, last millimeter. There, wherever it is—to the very end of whatever road it has to be—and back again. Until it's over. I'll be here. Or somewhere, Kim. Waiting."