by Casey Herzog
Peter felt like he should do something at that moment, maybe hug her. He didn't. He couldn't bring himself to close that gap between them. The truth was, the space between them seemed far greater than a physical distance at that moment. They had both revealed something of themselves that they had been holding back.
“We had better think of re-joining the rest of the cohort if Alphred is going to try and kick up a fuss with the chiefs. The Mars shuttle is inbound, and we are supposed to assemble in the mess for debriefing.”
Minerva was perfectly still and silent for a moment, as though waiting for Peter to follow up his words with something else. When he did not, she nodded her head. “Yeah, let's go. I'll make sure the quarters are empty if you want to make sure the spirits aren't running a little too high in the mess.” With that, Minerva stretched out to grab a wall stanchion. Adjusting her angle, she bent her knees then sprang, flying downwards towards the chamber door.
The crew in the mess were well in hand by the time Peter returned. The second commanders of all the divisions were already there, ensuring the crew formed ranks and waited in respectable fashion as the chiefs and cohort leaders greeted the visitors. With the cohorts already lined up and being inspected, Peter decided to simply fall into line with his own division, taking his place next to Nisha. The girl smiled as he passed, hand combing through her ebony hair that skirted the borderline of acceptability. “So, our third in command is the first one of our team's leadership to arrive. It's no wonder this division still gets the worst rep.”
“Can it,” Peter whispered as he took his place next to her. “Don't try to make me feel guilty. You saw me at breakfast. We were ready...but then our commander called a last-minute meeting.”
“Excuses, excuses.” Nisha flashed her perfect white teeth so that it was impossible for Peter to be annoyed with her. Her face became more serious though. “Is everything okay?”
Peter turned his head to face forward. “The commander's sorting it,” he answered, not exactly answering Nisha's question.
CHAPTER 16
It was a novel experience having others on the Unity; even more curious was the reduction of personnel aboard. The declaration of secession from the moon of Phobos had the crew of Mars Station on edge, and they were eager to have their new security force aboard. There was supposed to be a formal welcome for the Unity, tours of the station, even a ceremonial send off for Mars Cohort. None of that was in the cards now.
Mars Cohort was sent to secure the Red Planet's primary space station at once. No fanfare, no ceremony, barely time for a farewell. Peter had watched from a respectful distance on the corridor as one member of the Mars team bade farewell to her friend in the Jupiter division. Who knew if they would see each other again? Seeing it brought his mind back around to the question of Minerva. How would he feel if she did choose to step off the Unity here?
Standing by a viewing port on the living rotunda, Peter watched as Mars Station drifted alongside the Unity. The traffic was busy. After months of drifting alone in the void, it was reassuring to see signs of humanity, a reminder that the Unity was not the only ship in existence. His eyes drifted to a mineral hauler, slipping away from Mars at a gentle speed. It would be an unmanned craft, by the size of it, flanked by one manned shuttle. It seemed the people of Mars Station had taken to escorting their cargo freighters during the first leg of their journey. With Phobos under enemy control, it was a sensible precaution.
“Are you interested in ship classes, Peter?”
Turning around, Peter had to blink and rub his eyes to set his vision right. “Not particularly, Commander. It's just nice to see the sky isn't empty everywhere.”
Alphred nodded his usual neutral expression not seeming to change. “Well, if I am not disturbing you, we have had an assignment change.”
This caught Peter's attention and he crossed his arms. “Is this to do with Minerva?”
“Yes. The Admiral has granted us leave to go to Mars Station; command of Pluto Cohort will fall to Neptune Command in our absence.”
“And why are we going to Mars station, officially, I mean?” Peter was sure command would think of some kind of excuse to explain their absence.
Alphred began to walk, indicating with a gesture from his hand that Peter should follow. “We'll be taking the next shuttle over in the hour. Officially, we are there to help assess the station's ability to fend off an attack from secessionist forces. It'll mean some light EVA work, looking for weak points on the hull that might be targeted and scanning the schematics for other defects in the design that might be exploited.”
“Really? That's a half-cocked excuse to send us over. Maybe you, I guess, but not me.”
Alphred smirked and let out a slight laugh. “I don't think you need to worry about it, Peter. The others in the cohort don't pick apart the chief's decisions as fully as you do. I don't doubt they'll be envious that we get a change of scene, but it'll be worth it if it means we can hang on to our second in command.”
Peter shrugged his shoulders. “I guess that's true. No one seems to have been surprised about Minerva being sent to Mars station...Maybe I really do overthink these things.”
Stepping off the shuttle onto Mars Station was like striking out onto some foreign world. The most bizarre thing about it was the fact that the station seemed to be simultaneously alien and familiar to the eye. The metal interior plating was the same white as the Unity, only its color was drained and faded. Here and there, dirt and scratches were plainly visible on the walls. Then there was the layout of things. This should have had little impact on the look of the place, but to Peter, it made a significant difference. Panels and lights were not where they should be. The screens on board the station, he thought, had a slightly bluish tinge to them. After so long aboard the Unity, it seemed novelty of any kind was welcome to his eyes.
Mars Station was built in similar design to the Unity, though with a greater interest in habitation and storage. With little by the way of engines or thrusters, saving those needed for minor course corrections, a greater proportion of the ship could be given over to these interests. Like the Unity, the station was made up of one long bar corridor, holding a series of rotundas spinning away to simulate gravity. However, Mars Station was far grander than the Unity in scale, holding four rotundas instead of two, and being substantially bigger in general size. You could feel the size difference just by floating down the main shaft of the vessel. There was so much more room to maneuver, so many more people coming and going and not bumping into each other.
After arriving at shuttle bay two, Alphred led Peter through the station as though it were his second home. Peter guessed that his commander had already thoroughly inspected the station’s schematics and committed its maps to memory. Though his talents were sometimes irksome, he couldn't help being impressed by his ability.
“So, where are we going?” Peter asked the question as he grabbed rungs from the corridor wall, struggling to keep pace with the commander who shot up the station like a bullet. He wasn't sure Alphred could even hear him.
“The living rotundas are this way. The Tharsis family has a permanent residence because of their unique position on the station. At the moment, Minerva is listed as off duty, so she should be there, or else in the mess hall.” Alphred called down, after Peter, before grabbing a bar and pulling himself through a spin. Peter followed, noting the painted sign for Rotunda One.
Just like the central corridor, everything about the living rotunda Peter entered was on a grander scale than the Unity. As he followed the commander along the corridor, he noted the presence of Mars Cohort. Individual members stood on guard, armed with spear, sword, and tower shields. It was an impressive sight and seemed to attract attention from all who walked past. The scientists, pilots, and miners on the station seemed to speed up when passing the soldiers, eyes darting about as they tried at once to look while not appearing to be looking. Meanwhile, the men and women of Mars Cohort stood their ground like statues. Only
their eyes moved, scanning each passerby with a suspicion that knew no boundaries.
Anyone could be a secessionist, or have the potential to turn. It was strange to think about, and Peter felt bad for the longtime residents. He remembered how unusual it was when the Unity first issued round the clock guard duty after his assault in the combat room. That physical reminder of a threat, of division amongst neighbors was hard to take in. He gave a nod to one of the members of Mars Cohort on guard who he vaguely recognized. The man didn't even twitch. His focus was completely on his duty. It made Peter shudder to think that this might someday be his lot, standing on a corridor at the edge of the solar system, defending his square meter of turf from any who would seek to cause harm there.
The Tharsis residence was easy enough to find. Most live-in residents who held full time residences on the station seemed to have taken great pains to personalize them. Some hung quaint little signs from pipes near their door that bore their names. One particularly creative soul had painted their door to look like the entranceway to some garden. Minerva's parents had added to their own door by writing their name in black paint on the door. Underneath, were three sets of handprints. One was unmistakably a baby’s. Peter smiled to see it, picturing Minerva as a baby, hands covered in green paint as she made her impression on the door.
“You had better knock.” Alphred, who had been leading the entire time, took a step back. “In fact, maybe it'll be best if I sit out of this conversation altogether.”
Peter shook his head. “I don't think that's sensible. We want Min to remain with the cohort, but the chiefs need her to be more of a team player. If it's only me asking her to stay, nothing is going to change in the unit.”
Alphred frowned, then nodded. “Very well.” He turned his attention back to the door and knocked three times.
After a few seconds of waiting, the door opened, and Peter found himself looking at the woman who was undoubtedly Minerva's mother. It was a very strange thing to see her. Being an orphan who had spent most of his life surrounded by orphans, families in general were something of an oddity for Peter. Still, he was struck by this woman who looked so much like Minerva, and yet so much less alien. She had short brown hair and was not as tall as her daughter. In fact, the woman only just came up to Peter's height, and he had only grown by over an inch since living in space.
“Well, there is no need to guess who you are,” the woman said with a smile, her green eyes glinting as she smiled. “Min, you have visitors?”
Peter looked past the woman in the doorway, catching a glimpse of the space Minerva had once called home. The small living area was made up of a table and four chairs, and a screen was built into the wall for watching movies or transmitted programming from Earth. The room had been painted a pastel blue, which immediately made it homier than anything Peter had seen all year. There were three door, inside, and it boggled his mind to think that all this space belonged to just one family.
A door to the far right opened, and Minerva emerged. She blinked twice as she looked directly at Peter, almost seeming not to recognize him, or unable to process his being there. Her mother turned to look at her, and helped her find her words. “Well, Min aren't you going to greet your guests?”
“Yes...Yes,” Min blushed and crossed the floor at a greater speed. “Please, come in.” She gestured to the chairs and nodded for Alphred and Peter to sit.
“I'm sorry to just drop in on you like this without calling first. But I thought you'd appreciate the surprise. I hope we're not disturbing you though Mrs. Tharsis.”
The woman with the short brown hair laughed. “Mrs. Tharsis, my they must teach you some good manners on the Unity. It is a shame none of that seems to have rubbed off on you Min.”
Peter smirked as he watched Minerva's face contort into a pout. “Please ignore her, guys. Do you want anything to drink? Coffee?”
Peter's mouth opened in shock. “You can make your own coffee in your quarters?”
“Yep.” Minerva gave a proud smile and walked to the kettle. “I mean, coffee is a luxury and doesn't come through from Earth as often as we'd like, but we got enough to spare you both...well, maybe one of you.”
Alphred looked to Peter, seeming worried about which of them would be given the honor.
“Don't worry boys; we have enough to share.”
“For now.” A man, presumably Minerva's father, said as he walked out from one of the other rooms. “I'm heading out on duty. Gotta dash. Thompson got in a lot of trouble for late clock in with the new blood.”
Peter gave a glance to Minerva, watching as her father left without so much as an introduction. “Mars Cohort causing trouble? We've had no word of it on the Unity.”
Minerva bit her lip and just shook her head. “Coffee for now; I'll tell you more later.”
Mrs. Tharsis was a friendly host and seemed to know how to make herself scarce. After making drinks for the group, the older version of Minerva found an excuse to leave. Peter and Alphred were left in Minerva's care; all sat around the table and struggling to make conversation.
“So, how's it been to be back home? I must say, I am envious of the space you have. Is that room over to the right yours?” Peter looked to the door Minerva had first come out from, wondering just what her place might be like.
“Yeah, all mine in there. Don't expect a tour though.”
“Spoil sport,” Peter joked. He looked to Alphred and let out a sigh. The commander continued to sip on his coffee in silence, seeming unable to engage in small talk.
The commander seemed to notice that it was his turn to speak and put down his cup. “You didn't answer Peter's question. How are you finding being here with your family again? I'm curious to know how Mars Station is coping with the arrival of our ship. I would have thought they'd be grateful for our presence given the situation on Phobos.”
Peter drew in a deep breath. He wished the commander hadn't been quite so direct, but he could not deny a keenness to hear an answer.
Minerva looked between both boys, finally settling her eyes on Peter. “It's a complex thing. No one saw Phobos declaring secession. We thought Mars was safe from the movement. We've always prided ourselves on close ties with Earth. I mean, we're a nine-month flight away from Earth, and aside from me, most folk get rotation. So yeah, people are on edge with that.” Minerva sighed and ran a hand over her scalp. “But from what Mum and Dad have told me, we were managing a good dialogue with Phobos before the Unity's arrival. I won't pretend we were going to sort the problems, but Mars Cohort changed the mood. Now we can't talk to Phobos, and everyone's being told we're at war.”
Peter leaned forward and nodded. His fingers ran over the rim of his cup. “So, what about the coffee thing. There some kind of food shortage?”
Minerva nodded and took another sip of her own drink. “It's not terrible. Mars is fully self-sustainable, but it's the luxuries from Earth that make all the difference. Since Phobos announced secession, supply freighters from Earth have taken far longer to come through. Earth doesn't want to see any supplies being intercepted by the enemy, and so we all suffer for it. It'll be months yet before we really feel the pinch, but we're already on rations.” she gave a sly smile to Peter. “Don't expect me to be sharing any chocolate or anything with you here.”
“Damn, I mean that's the only reason we swung by.”
Minerva gave a weak smile, but didn't laugh. “I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you're both here to see if I have come to a decision about my future in Pluto Cohort.”
Peter looked to Alphred. The commander just gave a solemn nod. “More particularly, we hope to try and sway you to remain with us. I know we have not shared as close a bond as maybe we should, but I hope you will believe me when I say I would have a hard time picking a second to replace you.”
Minerva's weak smile remained on her face. Her eyes glanced down at the tabletop, and she began to draw circles on its surface with her fingers. “Well, thank you for that. A part of me wants
to say I've made up my mind and that I'm staying here, but, if I'm really honest with myself, I don't know what I want.”
Peter felt uneasy. He shifted in his chair and scratched the back of his neck. “Do you think maybe we could do this over a walk? Feels a bit stuffy treating this like some kind of board meeting.”
Minerva was quick to rise to her feet. “Sure, that sounds good. I'll take you to our mess hall and off duty recreation center if you like.”
CHAPTER 17
Peter found it easier to talk while walking. He really did want to see the rest of Mars Station, and he figured Minerva would find opening up easier without Alphred asking his questions so directly. Their commander took to walking a few steps behind them, Min walking side by side with Peter, but talking loudly enough that both could hear.
“When I was first asked to join the Unity program, I jumped at the opportunity. I had this picture in my head of making a real difference to humankind and finding my life's purpose. The fact that I was asked to be the second in command to a unit made things all the more exciting. It felt like a real responsibility and something my parents would be proud of. It didn't occur to me until we were properly underway with our mission what a burden it would actually be. Commanding people, making decisions, having to play nice with people who clearly wish they had nothing to do with you. I don't know how you've been able to manage it, Peter.”
