by Kate Rauner
***
The trustee pointed at the greenhouse aisle. He glared at Fynn but spoke to Max. "Mechanics can't do anything right. There's still a lump right there, and we've been tripping over it for days."
Even though he was answering the trustee, Fynn spoke to Max. "We'll take another crack at repairs."
The big cohort shooed his crewmate away. "Fine. You should leave them to their work."
Fynn and Ben knelt at a buckled section of floor adjacent to the central duct. It had never quite flattened properly after the explosion. Ben laid down a rectangle cut from a cargo bin. "The patch kit wasn't intended to heat such a thick piece. I couldn't get it soft enough to smooth out, but I cut this one from a straighter section. I think I can trim it to size."
"Hardly your fault." Fynn pulled a marker from his pocket and traced around the rectangle of plastic. "I suppose they'll complain this white patch doesn't match the gray floor."
"They can't say it's slippery. I textured it." Shallow circles were melted into the plastic.
Ben unfolded a meter-long blade and pressed the sharp tip into the floor. He shifted so Fynn could brace both hands against his shoulder.
"I do miss my body weight." Fynn stretched one foot toward a nearby tank to use as an anchor.
Several greenhouse crew dropped from the hydroponics frames and approached. Fynn didn't look up but spotted their True Blue pant legs. Despite being determined to avoid conflict, he was perversely pleased he and Ben were dressed in khaki. "Cohort Bauer." One of the blue coveralls called to Max. "Why are Mechanics in our dome?"
The big feet joining the group could only belong to Max. "It's alright, I called them. Back to your chores."
"Like we need permission," Fynn muttered.
"Guess I better stay here to supervise you." Max lay his blunt-fingered hands on Fynn's shoulder and braced more effectively against the tank. "Looks like you can use some help anyway."
Ben hacked out the warped piece of floor and tapped the polystyrene below. "I'll carve away some of this mangled insulation too."
They finished the job in silence and stood for a moment to admire the repairs. Most of the duct panels blown loose by the explosion had been undamaged and simply slipped back in place, so only a few white blocks interrupted the gray. With the lumpy section gone, the aisle looked better and Fynn smiled.
Three men and three women marched toward them, easily counted since they approached in two neat lines. Their confident stride and welcoming expression left no doubt that these were teachers, each one also serving as barracks leader for a children's unit. They wore True Blue but had striped their sleeves with colors that the kids must have chosen. Orange and purple, pink and neon green, peach, black, electric yellow. Such creativity was a reminder of how the Kin's compounds on Earth were run.
The lead woman, with dark braids cascading down her shoulders, walked a half-pace ahead of the others.
"Birgit." Max greeted her with an outstretched hand. "What's up?"
"I've been elected teaching cohort." She nodded over her shoulder at her smiling followers. "You are the farming cohort. I propose that we reconstitute the Council. How else will we achieve Doctor Tanaka's great vision?"
Max was solemn. "The deaths of the other cohorts left a terrible hole in the Kin. We lost, not only their knowledge, but the trust built up within their crews over years."
"Then you'll join me in inviting the medics, the space station, and Mechanics to choose cohorts?"
Ben stepped to one side, extending a hand toward Fynn as if introducing him, though they'd both taken maths from Birgit. It was Fynn's best subject. "The Mechanics have an engineering cohort. We elected Fynn."
Fynn clasped his hands behind his back and trusted his dark skin to hide the warmth rising in his cheeks.
Birgit's face clouded with concern. "Fynn, dear. We're all so saddened to hear of your father's death. Such a dreadful accident."
"Thank you, Ms Bell."
"You must call me Birgit now that we are cohorts together."
Somehow, that made his face even hotter.
"About that," Max said. "Have you talked to Maliah Rupar?"
"I'm sure she'll welcome a new Council. She's taken on quite a burden. Always such a wonderful student and dutiful barracks mate."
Fynn snorted. Praise was hard-earned, and he doubted the teachers ever said that about his sister on Earth. She was being diplomatic.
"No, we haven't talked to her. I thought - we thought - offering her the completed Council would be a perfect way to demonstrate our dedication to this colony. To put misfortune behind us and return the Kin to their proper role as true humans."
"And Magnus?" Max asked. "He was security cohort at the spaceport and leads a team of trustees here."
"Um, yes. Trustees are something new on Titan. Of course, Magnus is welcome." She shook her head slightly. Maybe he wasn't as welcome as she said.
Ms Bell was right. Kin always had barracks leaders and a Cohort Council. On Earth, Maliah loved her freedom. She'd be happy to shift responsibility to others.
***
Maliah hauled one of the hologram plinths over to the tower's lounge so she could play full-sized clips of Tanaka in comfort. The cushions here were plastic but had a velveteen surface. It blurred the purple and green paisley pattern, but didn't leave her feeling sweaty after sitting for a while. She wriggled her shoulders inside Fynn's warm, soft sweatshirt. Cotton was more comfortable than Ever-Clean.
Today's date on Earth was easy to look up, and she scanned Tanaka's files for that exact day back through the years, seeking guidance. There were private entries in his journals and public events. Her algorithms had learned to present them all as holo speeches, and she played a few, admiring the quality.
Three brisk knocks rattled the door, and Maliah flipped off the holo. "Come in."
Birgit Bell entered first, but there was a crowd. Max Bauer filled the doorway next, followed by Emily Erling, then Maliah's mom and brother. Magnus came last and closed the door, his thin lips pressed tight.
Birgit strode toward her, hand extended. She hadn't been in the tower before and her eyes drifted across the lounge before snapping back to Maliah's face. "I have wonderful news," the teacher said.
Maliah levered herself to her feet, shook Birgit's hand, and then settled herself in one of the cushioned chairs. She felt more regal with her hands spread on the armrests than when she perched on a sofa. "Please, everyone take a seat."
Birgit inquired after her health and Maliah suppressed annoyance. The teacher was only being polite, so instead of answering, she asked how the children were adjusting.
"Better than predictions I've found on our cybernet." Birgit's chin tilted up proudly, but Maliah believed she wasn't simply boasting. As a teacher, she was pragmatic about progress and had certainly been willing to share both good and bad reports when Maliah was a student. "The students are eager to take a field trip, so Emily will hold indoor flying lessons. I understand she helped develop our fliers. Then any student tall enough to fit a surface suit can join our first excursion."
Maliah relaxed into the soft back of her chair. "So, what can I do for you today?"
"I've worked with all the crews to elect new cohorts. Medical, Maintenance - all the colony's occupations. And here they are." She twisted her shoulders to gesture at the others. "May I present to you, the Kin's new Council."
Maliah's face froze. Emily's cheeks lifted in a full smile. Max sat uncomfortably on the edge of his chair. Fynn looked half-apologetic, and Greta merely nodded. Magnus' thin lips never twitched.
Birgit leaned into the lengthening silence. "You're pleased, surely. This is how Kin were organized on Earth under Doctor Tanaka."
Maliah's forced the stiffness out of her back. "Of course. This calls for a celebration. Kin should be gathering for supper now. I'll tell Maj to bring out tea and sugar. I've been surfing through Tanaka's files." Her eyes drifted across the room to the ornate molded desk. "I'm sure he's left
us an appropriate message."
She escorted them to the door, and Fynn hung back. "How's the sweatshirt?" he asked.
Maliah felt a giddy lightness and pulled the sleeves down into her fists as she swayed. "It's wonderful. You're the best brother." She would miss him, someday soon, when his destiny arrived.
Then she caught Magnus' eye, and a weight descended on her mind. "Magnus, let's talk before you go."
She folded her arms across her chest and listened until footsteps on the balcony outside faded away. "When did you learn about this Council?"
"Just now. I'm still a cohort from the old spaceport days, so they picked me up on their way here."
"So much for your trustees alerting us."
"My trustees all work in the greenhouse where Max is already cohort. No one called for a vote there, so they didn't know what was happening. Perhaps setting messages open to everyone isn't the best approach. People have given up using the cybernet for communications. Instead, they talk, and my trustees can't be everywhere."
"Apparently, the rule against whispering is not enforced. There must have been chatter in barracks."
"Cohorts are elected by work crews, not by barracks," Magnus said. "Besides, I don't have trustees in every unit. It takes time to cultivate recruits, and with so many Kin awakening..."
"It was a mistake to wake everyone quickly, at variance with Tanaka's schedule. I see the problem now that it's too late. Our Advance Team is outnumbered and can't assimilate newcomers properly, so Kin like that teacher think they can do whatever they want. But this is Titan, not Earth. Doctor Tanaka knew we needed discipline." Maliah's gaze drifted to the carved plastic desk as she marveled at their leader's brilliance. She would not allow him to be disappointed by her mistake.
She hugged herself tighter and repeated something from his journal. "Rules make the game, but winning is what matters, not rules. As the level of play increases, rules change, and players must do what's required without question."
Maliah focused on Magnus. "Take one of the holo projectors to the mess hall and leave it on top of a counter. I'll join you in a few minutes."
Magnus lifted a thick circular holo unit from one of the room's decorative plinths and left. Maliah waited long enough for Kin to finish eating. She descended the inside vertical ladder to the ground level, adjusted a dome camera, and narrowed its audio pickup.
Then she slipped out the door and came around the kitchen, unnoticed until Maj and Magnus lifted her onto the countertop where she was visible to everyone. Not the grandest entrance, but conversations died. After a few pokes and whispers among the crowd, all eyes settled on her.
"Another milestone for our colony." With her voice relayed to everyone's ear gels, she didn't need to shout. "Our governing Council has reconvened. I extend my personal congratulations to our new cohorts." She pumped a fist overhead. "Kin, Kin, Kin."
Chants rose above the constant whir of ventilation fans. "Kin, Kin, Kin!"
"Doctor Tanaka has a message for us all." Maliah shifted to one side, directing her attention to the holo that sprang up beside her, life size and densely colored, appearing almost solid.
Cheers rang out as Kin jumped to their feet, applauding. This is what truly mattered, not some group of would-be advisers. The holo raised both hands and the crowd quieted.
"I salute you, explorers and conquerors." The initial image Maliah accessed had been aged perfectly. His short-cropped beard was white and wrinkles spread from the corners of his eyes.
"The perils that face us will be surmounted. Take your tea back to your barracks units. From now forward, no one is to linger in the mess hall and no large groups should convene. Collect the evening meal quickly and return to your barracks to eat. Do not venture outside again until your next work shift."
Maliah glanced into the crowd, finding puzzled faces. The trustees, scattered among the tables, tapped shoulders and shooed people along.
"But... food outside the mess hall is forbidden," one man said, loud enough over his shoulder for the trustee behind him, and Maliah, to hear.
"No arguments," the trustee responded briskly.
Maliah smiled and returned her gaze to Tanaka. He focused directly on her, and his cheeks rounded upward, extending the smile to his eyes. He approved.
Magnus reached a hand to Maliah to support her hop to the floor. "I recognize that clip, I think. From a year when the flu was epidemic in our state. His edict lasted until vaccines arrived as I recall."
Maliah glared. "Are you saying those are not Tanaka's words?"
"No, of course not." Magnus tilted his head in a slight bow.
"Leave the projector here. I'll be using it again. Now help Maj put away the tea tubs."
The holo's eyes followed Maliah, and he smiled down at her. She bounced on her toes, thinking of words in Tanaka's journal that were surely meant only for her. Every Eden has its serpent... on Titan, we rewrite the story... Kin are the angel's flaming sword... this time the serpent will be banished from paradise.
Chap ter 16
T he Council of Cohorts waited at the Village dock. That didn't bother Maliah. She'd even sent Magnus ahead to stand with them. All except Liam of course, who remained onboard the Herschel.
Evan stood at the open airlock. He'd piloted the Hera, the shuttle outfitted for passengers. According to a status report he'd posted, he'd refueled before docking, so his passengers wouldn't be delayed on their trip up to the space station.
And here those passengers came. Two medics, nine shuffling Kin, and then the stevedores, each carrying a stretcher with another patient. One weak but alert, the other comatose. No crowd was present to see them off, these first Kin to enter rehabilitation in the station ring. Anyone not busy on a work shift was closed up in barracks, though Emily's maintenance crew probably was peeking around the corner of a purple barracks unit. Maliah caught glimpses of movement there, of reflections in the shiny surface of a wastewater tank close to the dome wall.
Some of the cohorts stiffened, wide-eyed or smiling sadly, as they watched the passengers creep to the airlock. They hadn't seen individuals suffering the worst stasis effects before.
The medics had arranged this shuttle trip and Maliah stopped next to her mother. "You've chosen to send the sickest among us. Was that wise?"
Greta stood straight and answered calmly. "They are the most in need of treatment, and Liam only has one unit ready for occupants."
"Kind of my point," Maliah said. "Why not send people who can be useful starting up station systems? Gravity's going to flatten these poor sods. They're hardly worth the effort."
Greta flinched, but surely she understood Maliah's point. Doctors used triage, and so would the colony. At some point, she'd have to admit that Titan was culling individuals who were not true Kin.
Greta kept her eyes on the stevedores as she answered. "Maybe I'm a little desperate. I've administered double Gravitron treatments to these patients and no one's made measureable improvement, but I'm not prepared to give up on them.
"I'm sending the Herschel's medics back up with them because they need treatment themselves, and the space station is far superior to the Gravitron. They'll be impaired at first, but we've activated the caregiver protocols on the station's robots, which will help. Liam continues hauling water to the station and expects another unit to become livable each week. They'll have assistance soon when the next shuttle-load of Kin arrive."
She turned her calm, professional doctor's face on Maliah, but her eyes gleamed like ice. "I'd like to send you next week, and I recommend you stay onboard until the baby's born."
"I'm going to surprise you, Mom, and take your advice." Holo-Tanaka was accessible from orbit so she'd run her re-education program from the station. It would feel good to get away from all the stares, from everyone watching her. She'd programmed the dome cameras to focus away from her unless she called for them, but Kin could take pictures with their pads. A blue-clad arm had slipped out from behind the men's barracks just no
w and the rectangle of a pad reflected light for a moment, a brief flash.
They were everywhere, the watching eyes. She couldn't find bugs in her room's fake carved paneling, but that didn't mean they weren't there. The station ring should be safe, at least for a while.
She thought about joining Greta's patients in the shuttle right now but clenched her fists and resolved to follow her plan.
Evan, the shuttle's pilot, shuffled over. A year in zero-g had transformed his chubby face, leaving him puffier than ever. Maliah touched her own cheek, wondering how much Titan's low gravity had changed her appearance.
Evan flicked one hand to his brow in a casual salute "I secured the sacks of greenhouse produce, thank you all. A soon as my passengers are comfortably strapped in, I'll take off."
"While we're waiting, Evan, I have something to discuss with you." Maliah led him a dozen paces toward the purple end of the men's barracks. Magnus had his back to them but, as she expected, he shifted closer to the airlock. Maliah continued to stroll toward the barracks with Evan in tow.
"You've been of great service to the Kin," she said. "I don't think I've told you how much Doctor Tanaka appreciated your dedication. How much we all do."
"Just doing my job."
"More than that. While the other pilots fiddled around, you stuck to the schedule, kept your shuttle in top condition. You're a big part of our success and I'd like to reward you."
"Well, um. That's not really necessary."
"I'd like you to be commander of the space station."
Evan's brows shot up. "But Commander Westergaard... Liam. He's a good commander."
Maliah interrupted with a friendly chuckle.
"He's a good man, but maybe commander was the wrong position for him. He wants to be a pilot. You've heard him say that. We all have. Now that the Herschel's become a space station, new talents are needed. Talents that you have."
