“Yes, it was a different world. And yes, we need to find our own way. But he is still our last elected president, and Governor Havelar is his chosen representative. So, if all this talk of freedom and rights holds any meaning to you, we should honor the memory of our dead, and respect their wishes for our future. Besides, last time I checked, we haven’t invented any laws here. We even have legal experts making sure every policy of the administration is in accordance with the law.” He broke off, clearly taking notice of Greg’s smirk.
“You talk about American law, Solis. And yet, you come here expecting us to respect and honor those who took apart the Constitution, who took away liberties once taken for granted.” He paused briefly, and stood up, hovering over the other man.
“You would do well to study your history, Solis. People have tried to impose their rule on others from worlds apart before. It turned out people dislike those sorts of rulers, and every nation that has tried this has wound up on the losing side. I’m quite certain that is still the case.” Ramon slowly stood up and looked at him for a long time. Then he looked at Tina, and then Dean and Kim, and the others in the back. He sighed.
“Well… I had hoped you would bring these people back on track, but it seems you would rather lead them toward their own destruction. For that I am sorry. There is no way we can accept this, and I’m afraid the governor will have no choice…” He shook his head slowly, and suddenly Greg thought he looked sad. As he reached the door, Ramon stopped and turned toward him.
“Admiral... Greg… Please, tell my daughter that I think she ought to come back. And if she chooses to stay, please keep her safe…” Then, before Greg had a chance to reply, he turned away, and quickly stepped outside, followed by his assistants and the guards. When the doors closed behind them, Greg turned toward Tina.
“Well, there’s no going back now,” she said quietly.
“I’m afraid we just opened Pandora’s box,” he said, almost whispering.
TINA HAMMER
Tina looked around as everyone took their seats. It had been less than an hour since Ramon Solis and his group had left, and she was still a bit surprised. Even though Solis was more mild-mannered and easier to like than his old buddy Havelar, she knew he was also a tough businessman and well versed in the art of negotiating. She had never seen that side of him though, and seeing him for the first time as a leader had made her more aware of what they faced. Many would follow such a man, even some of those who were skeptical of Havelar’s leadership. Tina could see Solis as a possible heir, should Havelar triumph.
On her left side sat Greg, calm and poised. He had been the only person to stand up to Havelar early on, although his sense of loyalty had made him pass what he called the burden of command over to the appointed governor. He was their natural leader, and Tina expected him to be well aware of his fate if Havelar managed to break them.
To her right, on the edge of the table, her old friend Henry sat. Since the meeting with Solis, Henry had been unusually quiet, and Tina thought she knew why. Henry seemed to agree with most of what Solis had said, and he’d never made a secret of his support of the Havelar administration.
On the opposite side of the table, Kenneth Taylor had taken a seat. He had come with the girls, after the massacre that Maria Solis had witnessed, and though he’d known this would be the safest place to take them, he still seemed wary. In the last few days, he’d opened up a little, and it seemed he shared a lot of the views prominent in Port Hammer. Sometimes Tina thought being able to talk freely almost scared him. No surprise really, as he’d probably grown so used to hiding his views that it had become second nature to him.
“So, how long are we going to play rebels?” Henry said. Tina eyed him sideways, waiting for him to continue.
“Come on, you know what I mean. We are hiding a girl who should be questioned as a witness. To be frank, I don’t believe a word she’s saying. I don’t know why she says these things, but she’s a civilian. She wouldn’t understand a tight situation, and interprets it differently than someone who’s been under fire.” He looked at Kenneth, a look that said he didn’t trust him one bit.
“It’s gone far enough already. We’ve got to stop playing at stubborn frontiersmen, not contributing one bit to the common good. Jeez, at some point they will have to react! You all heard the man, we need to stick together, or the colony will break apart!” He leaned back, clenched his jaw, and refused to meet Tina’s eye. She felt her cheeks flush and faced him directly.
“Taylor, Solis, and Travis shall be safe here,” she said.
“This is one place Havelar doesn’t control, and I intend to keep it that way. And I will absolutely not allow his henchmen to take any of them away if they try. End of discussion.” She was tired of listening to Henry’s talk and needed to set things straight. This wasn’t Fort Andrews. Greg nodded approvingly and, when he spoke, it was in a soft voice, which nevertheless sounded like the authoritative voice of a commander.
“Henry, we have come too far to be the colony of a nation long dead. And it seems Port Hammer has become the focal point of this struggle. So I think you need to make your decision. I respect your disagreement, but I also need to trust the people around me. And so far, you seem to be more at ease beside Havelar and Solis, than here.” He broke off, but Tina knew he had just given Henry an ultimatum; you’re either with us, or you’re against us. It had a sour taste to it, but she knew there was no other way around it. She hated the way this was going, but she agreed with the admiral. She couldn’t risk treason in their midst, and right now she didn’t trust her friend. She noticed Henry looking around. He had kept his old sidearm, but she didn’t expect him to do anything stupid. Besides, Dean stood leaning against the wall, quiet for once, and the leisurely way he held his rifle didn’t fool her. He was 100 percent loyal to Tina, and Greg had quickly gained his respect.
It seemed Henry noticed as well, because he rose slowly. He muttered something and shot her a dark look before turning his back to her, then walked to the door. He stood there for a second, holding the doorknob.
“This is getting seriously close to treason,” he said. Then he turned the knob and went outside, leaving the door open. After a moment, Dean walked over and closed the door, shutting out the cold gusts. He looked sullen. Henry had been one of them, and Tina’s best friend for years. They had built this place, these first few cabins and a few boats. They had done it because they were friends who had trusted each other with their lives more than once. Now only Tina, Dean, and Kim remained of the original team from Selection.
The finality of it suddenly hit her. She hadn’t just committed to the independence of Port Hammer. She had lost her best friend.
Chapter 9
BEN WATERS
Ben wasn’t sure it had been the right decision, but he was determined to see it through. Followed by Drew and Lisa, he had set out early this morning, before dawn. The perimeter, especially north of Fort Andrews, was now being guarded more heavily than ever, and they had all agreed that they had to find another way out. So they had gone south instead, planning on taking a wide turn before heading north toward their destination.
Harry’s death had opened their eyes. It was a senseless and stupid way to die, and Ben blamed the leaders. He had no beef with the nervous soldiers, who’d probably just made a wrong call under tough conditions. The way the incident had been brushed aside though, and not even apologized for, was a different matter, and now there were rumors all over Andrews that a group of people had been murdered on the street. There was no way to blame balders for that.
Ben had put words to what they all seemed to feel. They had had enough. So here they were hours later, west of Fort Andrews, on their way to join the others gathering in Port Hammer. Ben, who had taken point, stopped and looked at Drew and Lisa. Drew kept up just fine, but Lisa seemed to be struggling under the weight of her heavy backpack. He felt his stomach growl.
“Guys, how about a break? I’m starving,” he said. L
isa smiled and unclipped her support straps, letting the backpack fall to the ground. Then she sat on it, breathing heavily. Drew did the same and took out three packs of MREs, which he passed out.
“What did you get?” he asked.
“Beef and mushrooms,” Ben said. He didn’t like mushrooms.
“Chicken kebab style,” Lisa said, making a face. The MREs weren’t all that bad, but the more exotic they were, the less real they tasted.
“Wanna switch?” she said. Ben nodded and threw his pack over to her.
“Hey, I like beef too,” Drew said.
“And what did you get, D?” Lisa asked, already shaking her pack to activate the heating. Drew hunched his shoulders, and started shaking his MRE as well.
“I got the mystery meat…” he said. Ben and Lisa laughed. There was no way anyone would trade anything for the mystery meat.
After eating, they sat there for a while enjoying the warm midday rays of Cancri. Ben closed his eyes, and he wasn’t really listening to what Drew was saying, until he heard him mention Harry. Then he opened his eyes and looked at him.
“What did you say?” he asked. Drew looked down and kicked at the snow.
“It was my fault,” he said. “If not for me, Harry would be alive today. I should have been there, but I chickened out.” He kept his eyes on the ground, and Lisa snapped back at him.
“What the hell has that got to do with anything?” Lisa asked. “I know you think going out there was your idea, but you were just the first one to say it. We all felt it, just like we do now. Freedom is important, like breathing. We need it, as humans.”
“Yeah… She’s right,” Ben said. “Don’t beat yourself up like that, Drew.” Nobody said anything for a moment.
“I’ve been thinking…” Ben continued. “The scientists say the air is breathable. They have found some unfamiliar microbes, but none of them seems dangerous…” Lisa eyed him quizzically, and he smiled at her.
“The thing is… What does it mean to be free? Really free?” he said.
“You’re not thinking of…” Drew began, then stopped as Ben took off his cap, and loosened the straps behind his head. Then he removed the mask. He waited for a moment, and almost laughed at their expressions. Then he let the fresh air fill his lungs, held it for a few seconds and then let it out again, grinning. He inhaled again, and let it out slowly.
“This! This is freedom!” he exclaimed. He savored the smells of wood and clean air, nothing like what he remembered from back on Earth.
“Oh my God, it tastes so good! I almost forgot!” He got up and swirled around, and Drew looked at him as if he’d lost his mind completely. Lisa just laughed and started taking off her own mask.
“Don’t you think we should… wait?” Drew said. Lisa just dismissed him and closed her eyes as she, too, took a deep breath. Drew shrugged, before removing his mask as well. Ben smiled at them both. He thought it was liberating and just what they needed. He laughed, watching Lisa jump up from the backpack and start dancing around, kicking the feather light snow as she swirled around and around. Drew seemed more apprehensive, but then he let his inhibitions go, and soon the three of them were dancing around. Ben wondered what people would say once they reached Port Hammer, but right now he didn’t care much. They were all scarred from their experiences back on Earth, and so far, life on Aurora had turned out to be more fragile than they had hoped. But here, now, they were kids again. For a moment, they were able to forget all their emotional baggage and just dance. To live is to breathe freely, Ben thought. Never had it been more true.
GEORGE HAVELAR
“I want that idiot punished,” George Havelar fumed. The sergeant who had started this mess would have to be punished, although it would likely change nothing. Eighteen people were dead, and all because that idiot had decided to play judge and executioner. And for what? A few angry civilians, who had decided to speak up for a friend? When he had ordered Colonel Quellar to crack down on dissidents, this sort of action had been the furthest thing from his mind. The colonel had thought quickly though. As soon as the incident was reported, she made sure there was evidence to suggest the protesters had shot first. Havelar didn’t know whether people believed it, but he had to stick with the story, or all hell would break loose.
“He’s already been placed under arrest, Governor,” Colonel Quellar replied. Havelar nodded curtly. He would have liked to plant a bullet in the sergeant’s head, but he kept silent. He had vowed to keep to the laws of the old country, and the sergeant would have his trial, as law demanded. Of course, he might get capital punishment, but with the tale of self-defense spreading, a complete acquittal was no less likely. Havelar would have to see what could be done about that.
“So, Thomas, what’s the status?” he said, turning toward the younger man.
“Sir, there are several people missing, and the guards on the perimeter report tracks leading away in every direction. Several patrols report having followed the tracks a way out though, and they all seem to turn north after a while. The only possible conclusion would be that at least a hundred people have left for Port Hammer just in the past two days.” Havelar nodded, his face grim.
“I can live with a hundred going off north, but we cannot let this continue, or Port Hammer will grow too strong. I will not have them break out, as it appears they are attempting to do. It weakens us as a community. Besides, there are a quite few key persons that are needed here,” he said. Thomas nodded. They had all heard Ramon’s report from the botched negotiations, and the consensus seemed to be that, sooner or later, something would have to be done about the budding rebellion to the north. The colonel had proposed an armed expedition on several occasions, but so far, Havelar had held back. He didn’t want war. All he ever wanted was for everyone to pull in the same direction. Nevertheless, it seemed armed confrontation grew more likely with every day passing. If they didn’t act soon, Port Hammer would be too strong to take down quickly, and the division would be inevitable.
“I will not accept Hamilton or anyone else driving a wedge between us,” he said.
“Just look at Ramon! I bet his daughter was coerced along, and I bet there are others just like her.” Havelar dismissed them, and he watched their backs until he was alone. He had made his decision. He took a few notes and waited, as his old friend would be here any minute.
RAMON SOLIS
Ramon glimpsed Thomas Dunn leaving as he reached the door to Havelar’s office. His mind was elsewhere though. With everything happening faster and faster, he was concerned for Maria. She had only replied to one of his messages, and the reply just said she was okay, and that he shouldn’t worry. Which of course did little to ease the feeling of impending disaster. Ramon expected the conflict to get a lot worse before it got better, but he was unsure of his own feelings in the midst of it all. On the one hand, he wanted nothing more than to get on with building their colony. There was so much to be done, and once winter ended, there would be expeditions to explore both south, west, and north of Verdi, and the plans called for an aerial survey of the nearest continents as well. On the other hand, he sympathized with those who felt everything was too organized, too much top-down organization. The ones gathered in Port Hammer, and probably others as well, thought Aurora should be open to anyone to explore and to build. They wanted an entirely different society than the one they had left behind, and sometimes Ramon wondered how they had been let on board the Exodus. He would have expected much tighter control. Havelar had more than once hinted that the conspiracy they had all suspected must have been put in place to ensure dissidents and subversives as he called them were given places on board. He might have been right. Ramon hadn’t been sure whether that would be such a bad thing, but from what he could see, it now seemed as though Havelar’s concerns had been correct.
He was greeted by a solemn Havelar as he entered the office from which the colony was being governed.
“Come on in, Ramon,” the governor said. Havelar wasted no time
as Ramon found a chair and sat down.
“Ramon, I know your daughter thinks she knows what she saw, but you know the truth,” he said. Ramon nodded. It was a disastrous incident, and one he feared would tear them apart, but right now all he could think of was his daughter. He didn’t know how far he could go, but he hoped his long-time friendship with Havelar would count for something.
“The ones responsible will be dealt with, but let’s not forget we still don’t know every detail. Colonel Quellar is on the matter now, and so far, she has found evidence that there may be more to this incident than we first thought. The rioters may actually have fired the first shot.” He shrugged, and sat down behind his desk.
“Your daughter would be perfectly safe here. Actually, this will soon be the safest place to be. I’m afraid she will not come back any time soon though. You are aware that the shrink is up there too, right?” Ramon shook his head. He hadn’t known. He knew Kenneth Taylor could be charismatic even though he mostly kept to himself, but had trouble seeing his daughter as the victim of manipulation. She was too strong, too level headed.
“That may be so,” he said. Havelar looked up at him when he didn’t say anything more.
“Where do you stand, Ramon?” he said sharply. Ramon had prepared himself for this, and although he had his doubts, he had made up his mind. He had discussed it with Isabella well into the small hours the night before, as he always did when big decisions had to be made. She was even more terrified than he was for Maria, but after relentlessly going through the alternatives, the one option that remained had been clear to them both. He dreaded the consequences, but there seemed to be no alternative any more.
“I’m with you, George. I always have been.” He waited as Havelar smiled. Then, before the governor could say anything, he continued.
“But I cannot stand here while the soldiers march on Port Hammer. I need to take care of my daughter.”
“And what does that mean?” Havelar asked. Ramon folded his hands and leaned forward.
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