c. 2026 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(4-26)
Commander Hornell Block left the Morningstar III bridge in a dark mood of detachment, after ordering his crew to resume their voyage back to the colonies on Mars. Yet as he sat alone in his quarters, signals from the lunar surface continued to repeat. They were an encrypted sequence of tonal blips, undoubtedly something a computer would recognize as meaningful. Though not instantly intelligible to the human ear. He could not process the idea that anyone had survived at Mare Frigoris, so long beyond what had transpired on Planet Earth. But equally difficult to accept was the idea that someone had traveled to the Moon from another spot in the solar system. Neither explanation made any rational sense. The noise patterns rattled his consciousness. He wanted them to simply go away, as they traveled out of range.
But the rhythmic cadence of data being shared would not relent.
Finally, he decided to hail the Digger shuttle as it was approaching a safe spot to land, near the rural community of manufactured homes. He sent the message on an unofficial channel, which would not be monitored by anyone in the military network.
“Baines, you sly bastard! Is this a trick of some sort? Answer me please, I need to ask you some questions...”
The university professor was totally preoccupied with onboard duties that demanded his attention. He could not immediately respond to this petition for relief. A navigational aid was guiding his tiny craft through the lower atmosphere. Yet for a brief period, the ship’s signal was unavailable. However, as the verdant green of an Ohio landscape came into view, with the blue water of Lake Erie, he thumbed a com button on his console.
“Hornell? What could possibly make you call when we’ve already said our goodbyes? Is this a joke? I’m about to get a fix on our intended destination...”
The Space Force officer huffed with irritation. He had not wanted to continue their last conversation.
“We’re getting something on our scanners from a decommissioned lunar base, at Mare Frigoris. I thought it had to be an anomaly or a flaw in the sensor array, but it keeps repeating. You said that during previous visits, your research uncovered separate enclaves of human population on the old world. One of those had managed to resurrect some technological capabilities, correct?”
Judson chortled and stroked his red beard. He was amused by the query for information.
“Yes, at Calimex on the west coast. They were at a level of sophistication, about where our American ancestors stood in the 20th Century, from what I could ascertain...”
Commander Block scratched his buzz cut, and frowned at the monitor he was using.
“Do you think the two might be connected? Whoever is sending out data from that lunar base must have come from somewhere nearby. Travel in this region has been shunned for decades. There’s still a stench of history from the Great Uprising, and what followed. So, I doubt that a vessel from the outer planets would be responsible. But perhaps your contacts on the surface might have sent out a team, hunting for clues about their own backstory?”
The professional scholar rubbed his eyes while pondering. Concentrating on memories of past visits to the Terran homeworld made him feel fatigued.
“It’s possible of course. More likely than a stray craft coming out here to seek adventure and mining opportunities, I suppose. Still, it’s a quantum leap to rehabilitate an abandoned facility on the Moon. They could probably get that far with their primitive rockets, but outfitting a former base would require lots of work. That’s a big chore compared to simply squatting in the dust with a lander, and taking pictures...”
His former host groaned audibly. He had hoped to be finished with the chore of conducting visits to their origin point as a species.
“I don’t want to share this report with Admiral Nauga. He’ll be likely to have a fit! The fellow has already been skittish about reopening an investigation into Planet Earth and what transpired with our forebears. He might even regret banishing you and the lieutenant from our colonies! I don’t want to witness such a tantrum, or get caught in any crossfire that results!”
Baines laughed out loud, until his lungs ached.
“Science and history are intertwined in their relevance, Hornell. Both give us a greater understanding of ourselves. But we only get the goods if our minds stay open. Otherwise, it’s a matter of perpetuating delusions, and being ignorant by design...”
The lifelong soldier snorted angrily, and vocalized his disdain.
“I HAVE NEVER BEEN IGNORANT! BUT WISE MEN HAVE TO KNOW WHEN STAYING SILENT IS BETTER THAN SPOUTING OFF!”
The university nerd steered his shuttle carefully, into an attitude of final descent. The horizon above Evergreen Estates had come into focus. He was ready to complete their trip to the trailer oasis.
“Commander, you’ve got priorities to keep in mind. And I don’t envy you over those, it can’t be pleasant to function between a perpetual set of guardrails. Where I stand is a better spot, philosophically. I do my research, and publish the findings. Whatever happens afterward is up to the public. I don’t make judgments about value or worth. That is above my pay grade, to use a common metaphor...”
Block leaned forward in his weblike, Synthalite chair. It creaked slightly as he shifted his weight off-center.
“I don’t have a choice, as you perceive. This news has to be shared with the high council, and my superiors. That means turning around before we get home, and extending this tour of duty. They will want to know more. Specifically, where the data stream is being directed, and who is responsible at Mare Frigoris. If I keep this a secret, my career could be ruined in the future. I might be exposed for breaking with our rules of engagement. But following the protocols will mean more tiresome responsibilities to tackle. No option here brings me any joy! I would rather retire than face these disparate choices. But, I need to summon the courage to act. This is no time for cowardice in the face of a challenge. Were I to give advice to a cadet at the academy, that is what I might say. So, blast this conundrum! I come out a loser, no matter what happens! My crew will want to mutiny!”
Judson shrugged and smiled, while landing his Digger shuttle on a concrete pad by the maintenance garage. The largest building at his target destination.
“I look at things differently, Hornell. New opportunities to explore and learn are invigorating for me. I welcome challenges. They give me a reason to embrace the gift of life!”
No comments:
Post a Comment