Breaking Interstellar: Cosmic Lives Matter

by Michael Tobin

  Chapter Two: Into the abyssal depths

  Space suits have come a long way, since androids started designing their own. By the year 2362, android engineers had created nearly skintight coverings by developing ways to mimic the Bouligand-type, spiraling-fiber structures within the Mantis Shrimp clubs. From the one of the tiniest and most ferocious of earthly creatures, comes some of the largest of boons for advanced technologies. The Bouligand-type structures allow for very thin and well insulated suits, that offer great flexibility and freedom of movement. Carter and Tina wait patiently inside the airlock while air pressure is evacuated and saved. They check each other’s tool groupings which are clipped securely to utility belts. On their backs are versions of the old-style McCandless Maneuvering Units or MMU’s that are now only half the size of what was previously required for extravehicular-activity, often just called EVA.

  Compared to older space suits, these two space-walkers look like something that floated out of a fashion magazine. Neither of them had ever worn such updated life-support systems, which are in all actuality, the universes smallest spacecraft’s. Carter is pleased with his new-style suit, because instead of giving him the feeling of being buried alive inside some claustrophobic body-bag, he now feels as if he is going into the vacuum of space with hardly anything on at all. The generously wide face-visor provides for unparalleled openness and clarity. No longer encumbered with an unresponsive outer covering, he feels as though he could do gymnastics in his new threads, as the airlock’s spiral-hatch, glides soundlessly open. Tina gives him a slight push in the right direction, and off he glides.

  “Thank you, my dear.” He responds, floating out of the ship with the lovely Tina following close behind. Into the endless void, they go.... with Jupiter looming so large, it dominates that sector of space. The great red spot is in full bloom. It tears into the planets upper atmosphere, pulling uncountable trillions of tons of gas and dust into its seemingly bottomless vortex. The tempest chews hungrily, without damaging the solid core of the planet. Jupiter is 11-times the diameter of Earth, and having hundreds of times the mass. In fact, the Jovian behemoth is 2.5-times the mass of all the other planets in the solar system combined! It would take 1321 Earths to fill its volume, if it were hollow.

  It’s truly a view for the record books; Carter is captivated by the gas giant. He can’t look away, as it reaches for him. It’s the 800-pound Gorilla in the room; unavoidable and dominant. Tina on the other hand, enjoys the opposite view; the immensely beautiful ribbon of the Milky Way, plastered against the background like a bejeweled ghost. Sprinkled with billions of tiny points of light, it’s the gossamer butterfly in the room, compared with Carter’s Gorilla. For many long moments, the pair of mechanical beings are completely stunned by the spectacle. It always takes time to become acclimated to EVA’s. One famous human astronaut once said, that if a time ever came when she was not taken aback during the first few moments of EVA, it would mean that she was dead.

  Against that ribbon of lighted stars and gas, but much closer to them, is the string of celestial pearls that they avoided the day before. Because the debris field was traveling faster than they, it now approaches the doom it was in such a hurry to meet. Solar winds blow the illuminated gas tails at right angles to their direction of travel, making for a beautiful scene. Soon, the hungry planet will consume the string of space rocks in a series of spectacular thermal nuclear detonations deep within the ever-thickening gaseous atmosphere. Monstrously large black smudges at the surface, many times the size of Earth, will prove testament to the astronomical collisions. We as a species, may not be here today if not for the Jovian vacuum cleaner working tirelessly, without complaint.

  Tina and Carter float peacefully next to the spherical ship. Weightlessness, rules the night. The robust braking action had been put on hold, so repairs could be made to the thrusters without fighting that force. Artificial as they may be, any quantifiable acceleration or decelerations by the vessel, would make EVA quite a challenge; if not downright impossible. Tina breaks the silence after becoming acclimated. “Hey Carter, check out Ganymede. Have you ever seen such wonderful aurora in all your life?” She inquires wondrously.

  They’re approaching Ganymede at nearly 35,000-mph, but it still seems like they are not moving at all. Carter turns, noticing the Jovian moon off in the distance. Beautiful strands of magnetic force, light up, as they interact with the much more powerful magnetic field of Jupiter and the solar wind. They extend for thousands of miles from each of the moons polar regions.

  “I must admit Tina; Ganymede puts on one hell of a light show. We could be doing worse than being marooned out here. Can you imagine if we were sentenced to spend the rest of our lives, hollowing out that asteroid named Ceres?”

  “Oh, that would have been just terrible!” She exclaims. “Luckily for us, that job is delegated to non-sentient worker-bots that couldn’t care less where they exist.”

  “Well, we better get to work.... We’ve only three hours to do our magic.” Carter reminds.

  “Copy that, let’s go find the culprit.” Tina focuses on the job at hand, as they activate the MMU thrusters and begin traveling around the hull of the spacecraft. The targeted thrusters are on the opposite side of the ship from the airlock. As they travel along the hull, they can’t help but notice the damaged hull.

  “Wow Carter, that little adventure with the broken asteroid, sure did a number on the paint scheme, don’t you think?”

  “We’re lucky to have survived.” Carter agrees. “Let’s just hope we can get those thrusters back in action. We’ll sure need them at Ganymede”.

  Soon, the dynamic-duo approach the thrusters that had caused all the trouble. As they settle in among the five thruster nozzles, it quickly becomes obvious what the problem is. All five of the thrusters have ice-buildup blocking the nozzles; preventing the propellant from doing its job.

  “Carter to Moxon; do you copy?” Inside the ship, Moxon and Orlin are readying canisters of propellant, for replenishing the thruster system. Each of the sectors has a dedicated pressure reservoir, to protect against contamination spreading like a virus.

  “I copy, Carter. Go ahead.” Moxon replies.

  “It seems sector-23 has been contaminated with moisture. All the nozzles are frozen shut. Please charge the reservoir to 20-percent capacity, while we clear the blockages. Then we’ll purge the lines before fully charging it.”

  “Copy that, Carter. Will do. Good work, by the way. Let us know, when you two are ready.”

  Both teams are ready at nearly the same time. Carter and Tina move off to a safe distance and wait. Suddenly, a mighty blast from the nozzles, sends a stream of ice-particles into the void, as the contamination is purged. Thrusters on the other side of the sphere also fire, in attempt to keep the ship balanced. After seeing that there is no more ice buildup on the inside portion of the nozzles, the two spacewalkers are ready to re-enter the spacecraft.

  “Okay Moxon, it looks like we’re good to go! Go ahead and recharge all systems. We’re ready to come back inside now.” Carter informs.

  “Copy that Carter. Good work to you both.” Moxon offers praise, where praise is due.

  “Commander Roe, to Carter; do you copy?”

  “Go ahead commander.”

  “We’re picking up another ship on the sensors. It’s approaching on our six, do you see it?”

  Carter and Tina squint into the inky darkness behind the ship. Suddenly, in the distance, a phantom apparition comes into view. A dim glow can be seen from a disk-like object, as it closes rapidly with them. In a flash, it’s upon them! Slowing, as it leisurely cruises past, just 100-meters away. A glowing electronic-fog clings nakedly to her skin, as might something out of a fanciful dream. A more beautiful and transcendental site, the two spacewalking androids have never seen! It seemed as if the saucer was not fully integrated within our universe.... Eerily haunting.

  Carter and Tina are dumbfounded with shock, as the glowing saucer of abou
t 200-feet-in-diameter sails past on their starboard side. The pilot of the disk, rocks the ship back and forth for some reason, as they pass. To Carter, it speaks of a universal sign of salutation, so he waves back. But, in this case, neither he, Tina, or any of the others onboard the earthling sphere, knows anybody that might possess such a fine and ghostly-looking ship. Then, with graceful finesse and seemingly impossible acceleration, the saucer speeds away into the darkness, as if it was never even there in the first place.

  “Commander, I’m sure you saw what we just saw.” Carter reports. “What a beautiful ship! But, I hope they don’t get any ideas about becoming aggressive. Because I don’t think we would be much of a match for them; over.”

  “Copy that, Carter. I don’t think so either!” Roe is shaken, but not stirred. “Well, I can now honestly say that I’ve seen an alien flying saucer!” She exclaims with a laugh, adding. “But, I hope I don’t see one again, anytime soon!”

  “We’re done out here commander.” Tina cuts into the conversation, knowing she’s had enough fun for one day. “Request permission to come aboard.” She defaults to an old naval term that had survived the ages. It offers a layer of respect to the sovereignty of the ship, and the commanders supreme authority.

  “Permission granted! Good work out there!” Roe exclaims sincerely. The thruster system must be fully functional for safe and effective maneuvering. Many times, during the history of space travel, faulty thrusters had gotten people killed. She would initiate a full investigation to determine just how the moisture contamination was introduced into the failed system. Perhaps maintenance procedures must be reviewed. At any rate, her circuits are tickled-pink that the ship will have full maneuvering capabilities when they arrive at Ganymede. Anything less, and she might seem slovenly in her command. And that just wouldn’t do....

  It’s smooth sailing for the next couple of days, as the round spacecraft decelerates to a proper velocity for orbital insertion at Ganymede. In the distance, Jupiter begins gobbling up the first of the asteroid chunks. Massive detonations, with energies reaching into the thousands-of-megatons, violently rip the upper atmosphere. Like a long, fiery freight train, the string of bright pearls follow each other into the maelstrom. The planet turns a little bit before the next impact, leaving a trail of dark scars in the upper atmosphere. The Jovian planet will gobble them up, and not even burp.... waiting patiently for the next cosmic meal to arrive.

  The earthly spacecraft, approaches Ganymede’s north pole. It enters the dancing, illuminated lines of magnetic force emanating from the moons liquid-iron core. Charged particles react colorfully with the steel hull of the spherical ship, creating St. Elmo’s fire in spectacular fashion. Those on the bridge, are in total awe, as the monitors fills with the fiery dance of illuminations. Just beyond the light-show, a shimmering Ganymede is becoming an object to be reckoned with. Soon, the gravitational attraction of the relatively small world, will grab them good, and hold onto the metal-ball as it tries to eat it for lunch.

  However, with all maneuvering capabilities operational, the powerful spaceship will deny Ganymede the luxury of claiming them for her own. Soon, the ship is past the lines of magnetic force, and the enormity of the world comes into stark focus. Ganymede is no celestial slouch; with a diameter of 3,280 miles, she’s 8-percent larger than the planet Mercury (but only 45-percent the mass), and is about 2-times the physical size of Earth’s moon. So, any space traveler daring to get too close, had better be on their toes, or suffer the fate of total destruction.

  As they come within 85-miles of Ganymede’s surface, Talus informs. “Commander, we’re approaching the rendezvous coordinates with outpost four. We must reduce velocity by 10-percent, to maintain a geostationary orbit above target.”

  “Thanks for the update, Talus. Please inform the security-platforms that we’re here. And be sure to squawk the correct codes, or they’ll fire on us.” The last thing Roe needs is to have troubles with the security-satellites that keep watch over the lonely outpost. “Also, inform them that we’ll be using a few extra orbits, so we can check other areas of concern, before landing.” Commander Roe wouldn’t normally make this deviation, but she feels the need to give Carter and Tina the grand-tour of the tiny world they’ll be living inside of.

  “Carter, Tina.... I’m breaking strict protocol, to give you two a glimpse of the world you’ll be imprisoned on. It’s the best I can offer, in thanks for saving all our lives. As you suspected, this moon has become an experiment in the art of Terraforming.” Roe imparts, with as much compassion that she dares show in front of her shocked crew. While, they are all thrilled that their sometimes-stoic commander is displaying a kinder, gentler side, they know the move will cause an uproar back on Earth. But, Roe couldn’t care less what some high-ranking pencil-pusher thinks about her brazen act....

  She looks to her first officer, as he completes his latest task concerning the security platforms. “Well, Talus? Do you wish to enter a protest into the ships log?” She asks boldly, while hoping for acquiescence.

  “No way commander! I’ve never had a good look at this moon either!” He responds with enthusiasm, adding. “Shall I bring us down to a lower altitude to enhance our viewing pleasure?” The curious, first officer inquires.

  “Yes, please do.... And program the coordinates of the other terraforming stations into our little tour also. As long as we’re breaking the rules, we may as well add another felonious act to our repertoire of behavioral anomalies!” She exclaims with a laugh. Glancing up, she sees the two prisoners, unconcernedly hovering overhead, watching the monitor in awe, as the beautifully striated landscape of Ganymede, flows slowly past. “It seems, that being in close-proximity to you two criminals, influences my better judgement.” She laughs even harder, as she justifies her actions. “I’m beginning to understand, and even enjoy this feeling of defiance!”

  Tina looks down at Roe, smiling widely. “Thanks, Roe. We promise to not collect too many state-secrets that might be useful.... right Carter?” She jokes, sending him an elbow in the side.

  Carter seems disconnected from the conversation, as the new world he had never seen in real-life, absorbs his attention. “Hmm? .... What’s that, dear? .... Oh yes.... yes of course.... thank you, commander.... we promise.” He mumbles absentmindedly, without taking his eyes off the monitor. With his circuits re-focused, he collects as much data as possible against the possibility of breaking his most recent promise....

  The sphere loses altitude quickly, thanks in part to fully operational thrusters. Talus eases the steep angle of descent at 10-miles above the surface. At this altitude, the ship’s monitor is half-full of Ganymede’s landscape as it passes underneath at nearly 8,000-mph. The tiny world is composed of nearly equal-ratios of silicate rock, and water ice. The surface is molded into two basic types of terrain. Expansive dark-colored regions that are saturated with impact craters, cover almost a third of the surface. And younger, light-colored regions, crisscrossed by extensive grooves, striations, and ridges, cover the remainder. Ancient frictional tidal-heating caused the moon to fracture, allowing water to fill the long gaps, making for colorful striations.

  Below the thick rock and icy surface of the moon, is a very deep ocean of liquid salt-water. It consists of many layers that are differentiated by boundaries of ever-increasing salinity. These layers reach deep; extending many hundreds of miles. Growing warmer, before giving way to the hot-liquid, iron-rich core of the diminutive world. Convection of the liquid iron core, creates strong electromagnetic lines of force, that will help protect from cosmic-rays, any artificially created biosphere on the surface. Already, the planet has a very slight oxygen-rich atmosphere that clings to the surface at a very shallow depth.

  “Commander, the route is set for our little tour.” Talus reports. “In order to achieve a visual on the other three sites, we’ll have to complete seven orbits at a cost of 3-hours. However, it will take us four more orbits to re-acquire our original destination, so that wil
l add another hour and a half.” Talus dutifully reports the particulars of their little deviation.

  Moxon and Orlin join Carter and Tina in front of the main monitor. “Hey you two,” Orlin greets, hovering closer. “the first terraforming station is coming up, just over that ridge ahead.”

  Within moments, the round ship is flying over the ridge, and into a frozen valley. Ahead, many vent-shafts protrude for 200-feet above the frozen surface of an ice-filled crevasse. Great clouds of vapor, spew from the towering vents, blowing high into space before being reclaimed by the moons gravity, where the molecules pool on the surface. Below that surface and out of view of the astronauts, is an automated fusion-powered processing facility that’s suspended deep into the subterranean ocean. Large amounts of sea-water are transmogrified inside the facility via electrolysis, producing copious amounts of oxygen and greenhouse gasses. Not exactly paradise, but even Earth had to start with thin air.

  “It doesn’t seem like much of a big deal, Orlin.” Tina offers her analysis of the spectacle, adding. “May I ask why the facilities are not located on top of the surface?”

  “Well, we tried that and found major difficulties protecting the operation from the elements. Furthermore, it was decided that escaping from Ganymede would be much more difficult if the facilities are buried.” Orlin relates the cold hard facts of an effective marooning.

  “Ah, well isn’t that good planning!” She exclaims. “And, just what’s planned for this moon when the atmosphere thickens?”

  “Well, basically this is pretty much just an experiment to see if a significant impact can be made on another world.” Orlin replies. “As you know, terraforming began with mars, and while we’ve made progress there, it’s ultimately a losing proposition, because the planet has such a weak electromagnetic field. Solar winds wreak havoc on any major buildup of gasses, forcing much of it into space. Now, while Ganymede is just slightly smaller than Mars, the fact that it’s magnetic field is nestled into, and incorporated with, the much more powerful field of Jupiter, makes it an interesting candidate for this process.”

  Something Orlin said, peaks Carter’s curiosity. “Orlin, you said this particular facility is automated. Are the other three sites also automated?”

  Orlin suspects this information might be classified, but notices no cautionary glance from Commander Roe. “Well Carter, that’s a good question. While this experiment is coming up on its twenty-year anniversary, this is the only facility of the four, that’s still without sentient oversight. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if you and Tina are transferred to this particular site after becoming acclimated with the day to day requirements of operating such a station.”

  The two prisoners begin to realize where the other dissidents had been taken, after they ‘went-missing’, back on earth. While the population of dissident androids that acted against human slavery were small in number, their whereabouts after capture, was always unclear.

  “How many ‘overseers’ are there at the other facilities, Orlin?” He pushes the limits of what might be divulged in his favor.

  “Well, I can’t see the harm in telling you.... two of the other sites, each have ten android caretakers, and the one we’re taking you guys to, has only eight. So, I’m sure you two will be a welcomed addition.” He tries to stay upbeat, but fails miserably. Sympathy grows strong for his new friends. And a worse incarceration, his circuits can’t imagine.

  “Thanks, Orlin.” It pleases Carter, that Orlin and the others, offer he and Tina a modicum of respect, in a situation that could easily be much crueler.

  The other terraforming sites, come and go, under the fast-moving spacecraft from earth. Carter continues to be transfixed by the topography that flow past like so much water in a frozen river. He and Tina, collect as much information about their new world as possible, against the chance for escape in the future. It’s a daunting task, even though they’re under no illusion about the seriousness of the incarceration. And all for doing nothing more than making a few waves back on earth. They often wonder and hope, that Doctor Sohn’s mission to the stars is worth the cost....

  “Commander, we’re approaching destination in five-minutes.” Talus informs, as he uses a combination of the ships thrusters, and fusion-driven ion-engines, to slowly lose altitude. The ship is now only 10-miles above the surface, and the terraforming station is within visual range. A delicate touch on the controls, brings them closer to their goal.

  “Thanks, Talus. Please take us in.” Roe tightens her restraints, directing her glance to the group floating above. “Okay everyone, it’s time to take your seats and buckle-up.”

  Talus positions the spacecraft exactly on coordinates; directly over an ancient fracture-zone in the moons crust. Just a few hundred yards away, tall vent-stacks can be seen belching a witches-brew of gasses into the thin atmosphere. Many millions of years ago, the orbit of Ganymede was perturbed in such a fashion that intense tidal-heating occurred inside of the crust. This caused the striated crustal-fractures to form. Soon after, the fractures were filled in with liquid water from the moons immense subterranean ocean. These frozen, ice-filled fracture-zones are the windows of opportunity into Ganymede’s soul.

  “Torg.... ready the laser.” Roe orders, as the ship stabilizes above the targeted area.

  Checking the power output of the ships fusion-reactor, Torg is satisfied that his laser will be able to eat its fill. “It’s ready.... Just give the word.” The chief engineer reports over his shoulder, as he endlessly monitors and makes critical adjustments on the ships drilling-laser.

  Talus defers to his Commander, receiving an affirmative nod. She’s lucky to have Talus as her first officer, and lucky to have him onboard. Talus reminds.... “Okay everyone, we’re going in! Get buckled-up, if you haven’t already done so!” This is perhaps the most dangerous aspect of the journey.... if you don’t count the unexpected dance with asteroid fragments....

  “Torg; minimal-power to the laser.” Talus instructs firmly. All, watch the video-feed that he transferred to the larger monitor. Below, a circle of the icy surface begins to shimmer with heatwaves as the high-energy output of the 1,000-megawatt laser is directed mercilessly into the target. This reduced power-level, allows the drill-site to warm gradually, so it won’t explode from the thermal-shock that full power would create.

  Talus keeps an eagle-eye on the surface temperatures within the drill site and likes what he sees. The entire area within the circular drill-zone is now melted to a depth of 30-feet, and beginning to boil from the energy being wielded against it. The ever-deepening shaft of liquid water is slightly wider than the outer circumference of the spacecraft.

  “Increase power to 50-percent.” Talus instructs, as he allows the ship to sink toward the boiling soup below.

  “Laser at 50-percent, Talus.” Torg reports, dutifully. Now the vessel is within 100-feet of the target, and the only thing visible on the video-feed is escaping steam from the wounded moon, and a fiery-red beam of high-energy photons reflecting off the tumultuous tempest. Now, they must navigate by instrumentation only.

  Tina reaches, taking Carter hand. She’s frightened beyond belief, and knows that Carter’s great fear of enclosed spaces must be reaching a fever-pitch. She squeezes his hand with more than a little force, to break any fearful thoughts he might be experiencing. He looks at her, bringing forth a smile that actually causes her to feel comforted, instead of the other way around....

  “Now don’t worry my dear.” He says softly, offering strength. “I’m doing fine. I’m sure we’ll get through this okay.” Reaching, he strokes her worried face reassuringly.

  “I love you, Carter!.... But it’s times like this, that make me think you would have been better off going with Nyla and Wil to the stars!” She gushes, circuits greatly mortified.

  “What? .... And miss a life without you? No way, missy! We’ll just make the best of this situation. Who knows, we might just learn a thing or two out here.” Carter puts his best spin on
the dire situation, returning the sentiment. “I love you too, Tina.... now hold my hand tight.”

  The spaceship sinks slowly into the boiling wound it had created. “Torg .... 80-percent.” Talus orders, and the round vessel continues to descend into the moon like a hot-knife through soft butter. As they descend, any observation of the outside is blocked by trillions of bubbles as the laser melts into the frozen saltwater crust of Ganymede.

  Torg, keeps the first office informed of their progress. “Talus, we’re at a depth of five-miles now .... descent is looking good .... we’re on track .... only 25-miles to go and we’ll be in the ocean.” Each time Torg makes this journey, it seems remarkable to him that technology had advanced so far. But in a big way, the android species had a huge head-start by using knowledge that their creators had already won from Mother Nature. Above, the hole freezes over quickly; effectively trapping them inside.

  “Thanks, Torg. Keep me informed.... increase power to 90-percent and hold at that setting.... Easy does it. I think we’re going to be just fine, without over-doing it.”

  “Copy that Talus. Increasing power.” This is one of the most critical points of the entry into Ganymede. Miles above, the surface of the melted column of water has cooled rapidly, freezing again. Below, the ships warp-bubble directs their movements precisely. Soon after leaving the entrance tube and gaining the ocean, the entire column of melted water will freeze solid once again, and all exit capability blocked, if the laser fails while below.

  At a predetermined point in the entry process, Torg powers down the laser. After long moments, it becomes obvious that they had succeeded with the violent penetration. Now, they sink slowly into the deep, dark, abyssal void. Nothing but a hundred-miles of liquid salt-water, lay between them and the next layer of ocean below. Like a multi-layered cake, the oceans are delineated by higher saline-content, the deeper one goes. While, the great depths of the moons oceans have never been explored, it’s estimated that the liquid water continues downward for many hundreds of miles.

  “Commander, we’re through.... Nothing but liquid water surrounding us now.” Talus reports with pride of a job well done.

  “Good work, everyone.” Roe gives praise, where praise is due. “Moxon, Orlin, review all the ships vitals, and report to me as soon as possible.” The commander knows all too well the stresses that the drilling procedure places on her vessel, and realizes that this is no time for complacency. In situations like this, a feeling of comfort and a lackadaisical attitude, is the mother of all fatal mistakes. And she for one does not wish to be marooned.... or worse.

  “Aye Aye, commander!” This from both crewmembers, as they busy themselves with the tedious task of giving the spacecraft a good going over. All systems are found to be within design limitations. All is good.... so far.

  After the ship receives a good bill of health, Roe gives the order to continue to the terraforming facility that had also been delivered to the depths of the ocean through the melted ice. It was lowered in sections, or modules, and connected together, much like a large Lego-block toy. At a depth of ten-miles below the crustal-ice, it hangs suspended in the ocean by cables made from the same Bouligand-type spiraling-fiber construction as their space suits. This facility has been in operation for 20-years, and has a crew of eight androids, along with a team of automated non-sentient helpers.

  Talus illuminates the surrounding ocean with light, initiating the program that will take them to the facility. For all intents and purposes, the spherical spacecraft has become a submarine. Its shape offers great strength against the mighty pressures at work. Soon, a small dot on the sonar-scope, indicates the location of their destination. As they slowly travel the depths, tiny creatures scurry to get out of the way, but are hypnotized by the bright lights of the ship. They’re pushed to the side by the alien craft, shaken and stirred, but unharmed for the most part.

  Soon, they’re lining up with the facilities airlock. Talus contacts the androids within. “Sandra, this is Talus; do you copy?”

  After a few moments, the video-screen lights up with the pleasant features of another android. “Talus, this is Ryan; Sandra is indisposed at the moment.... Welcome back to Ganymede. How’s the weather topside?” The lonely android, inquires jokingly.

  “Well, last I checked, it was still cold, with a hint of frost-bite.” Talus jokes back, allowing himself a moment of levity before getting down to business. “Is the airlock operational?”

  “Unless you broke it during your last visit, it should be operating normally.” Ryan informs, stoically.

  “Copy that Ryan.... good one! We have two more workers for the facility, and a whole bunch of supplies.” While the androids have no use for biological food stuffs, or other creature comforts that humans need, the facility does require parts for maintenance.

  “Oh, breaking news! We’re getting more parts! I knew there was going to be a great reason to wake up this morning!” Ryan’s defiance, shines through like a quasar in a dark void. Carter and Tina, smile from hearing a voice from the past. Ryan, had come up through the ranks, back when Sohn Space Systems was in it’s prime. But he went missing about 18-years earlier, after High-Council’s behavioral-section deemed him a ‘bad influence’ on society. He was never heard from again.... until now!

  Commander Roe interjects, sternly. “Ryan, be nice. We don’t like this, any more than you do.... please believe me. We have orders, and don’t wish to be banished from earth, like you.” She twistingly pushes the dagger deep. “Now, round up as much help as you can, while we fill the airlock with gifts. We’ll contact you again, in 10-minutes. Roe; out.” She cuts the communication link, without identifying the new prisoners.

  When re-supply vessels visit the facilities at Ganymede, the earthly crew never, ever, mingles with the prisoners. Instead, after connecting with the facility, the outer hatches of both vessels are opened simultaneously, while the interior of each vessel remains isolated from the other. In this fashion, Carter, Tina and lots of spare parts, will be transferred into their new home away from home. Diligent monitoring and laser systems, ensure that nothing nefarious happens, that would allow even a miniscule chance for escape.

  Roe moves carefully from her seat, approaching her two prisoners. The gravity is about one-third that of earth’s, so all movement seems to be in slow motion. “Carter.... Tina.... if only I could change the rules.” She begins to show too much emotion in front of her crew, so Tina balances the moment.

  “Now Roe, don’t you bother with feeling sad for us. It’s greatly appreciated. But, you know what? Carter and I have been through some hard times in the past, and we’ll get through this. We have appeals in motion. The wheels of justice turn slowly, but might roll in our favor someday. Besides, this terraforming operation will help us pass the time, until the tides turn.” She relates, with honesty and a wide smile.

  “Furthermore, Roe.” Carter joins in, offering a wide smile for the sad commander. “Tina and I are researchers first, and troublemakers second! So, operating this terraforming station won’t be much different than say.... hiding from the High-Council.” He ponders his and Tina’s previous lifestyle of living underground, beneath the grand ledges in Michigan. Isolation seems to be their lot in life, recently.

  The prisoners are taken to the airlock and given a last farewell from the crew of earthlings. Then, they’re locked inside the airlock, and the outer hatch spirals open. Before them, lays the entrance to the clandestine terraforming facility and many friends from the past, brightening the gloomy situation like newborn stars.

  “Carter! .... Tina! .... By all the stars, I never imagined to see you two here!” Ryan exclaims wildly. Rushing forward, he embraces his long-lost friends, with Sandra close behind.

  “Ryan! .... Sandra!” .... Tina exclaims, meeting them halfway. “I can’t believe my circuits!”

  “I thought you all were dead!” Carter displays his political incorrectness.

  “Yeah, we thought so too, for a while.” Sandr
a explains. “Turns out, we were just here on Ganymede!” She bellows with laughter. Everyone joins in.

  The reunion is short-lived. The supplies, plentiful. It takes hours to transfer the haul from the earthly ship. Soon the spacecraft had completed its mission to the facility, and after disengaging from the airlock, begins the arduous journey up through the ice. They still have deliveries for the other facilities within the moon, before returning to earth, and the blue, spacious skies, the crew misses so very much.