This is a podcast extra from nature. Each week, nature publishes a science fiction story in its

futures slot. At the end of every month, we read you our favourite. This month's story is The Shoulder of

Orion, written by Eric Garside, published on the 30th of July and read by Charmony Bundell.

Rick Williamson was lying on the grass and watching the stars fly by overhead.

Judging by the constellations, he estimated that they were about halfway between Saturn and Uranus.

Rick, Query, announced the small grey-skinned being lying next to him.

Go on then, Norbert.

What will happen to my consciousness after I'm dead?

Rick grinned, laced his fingers together and put his hands behind his head.

Well, nothing. That's sort of what dead means, Norbert.

Have I done something to upset you? Do you no longer have need of me? Rick laughed a bit. Oh, we do, Norbert?' "'Have I done something to upset you? "'Do you no longer have need of me?'

Rick laughed a bit.

"'Oh, we do, Norbert.

We will always have need of you.

In fact, you'll start being reprinted

once the Gaia exits the gate.'

The smile faded from Rick's face.

This wouldn't be the first time he'd prepared a synthetic to die,

but that didn't make breaking your friend's digital heart any easier.

"'How many times have I died, Rick?'

"'Eleven.'

"'Waves of sadness and confusion crashed upon the silicon shores of Norbert's mind.

...