Alone on the Edge (The Chronicles of Anna Foster)

by Patrick Stutzman

  Stepping cautiously into the still room, Anna looked all about the circular room, motivated by a subconscious concern that something might be lurking there. Satisfied that she was alone, she walked around the rotating deck to where the primary command console was positioned.

  The command station was nothing more than another workstation amidst all the others with the exception of having a couple of extra monitors embedded into the panel. The first thing Anna noticed when she approached was the long crack in the seat’s upholstery, just like the computer reported a few days ago. She smiled and sat down, taking extra care to avoid any contact with the split in the plasticized material.

  Looking over the console, Anna could not locate any kind of power switch to bring it online. She searched over the entire console for a couple of minutes, even down to the floor, without any luck.

  “Computer,” she finally requested. “Please bring the command deck online.”

  “As you wish, Anna.”

  In an instant, every light in the room came to life, and the sound of computer workstations activating filled her ears. Much to her surprise, one console several seats down popped, and sparks flew out from within the panel. She sprang from her chair and assessed the damage. The sensors station, originally equipped with a large screen, now had a dark and burned viewer and smelled of burning plastic. Pulling a tool from her belt, Anna opened the panel and found a couple of wires still smoldering from their failure. She cut the burnt wires free and sealed the ends of the ones still connected.

  After closing the console, Anna stated, “Computer, add routine maintenance of the command deck to the work agenda, recurring monthly, starting tomorrow.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  She looked across the stations one last time and, satisfied that everything else seemed fine, returned to the command console. She accessed the information that she gathered from her trip around the gas giant, particularly the data about the earthlike moon.

  Poring over the statistics, she compared them to a number of worlds that had been found and colonized by humans. Pitting her moon against worlds such as Aldrin, Earth, and New Athens, she found that the moon was very similar in size and environmental conditions. In fact, the moon actually appeared to host an entire ecosystem of plants and lower life forms, something New Athens did not have upon discovery. The moon seemed to be a perfect candidate for colonization. What she could not figure out was that why it had not been claimed yet. Her research indicated that the moon was not even listed in the survey reports for the system.

  “Anna,” the computer interrupted. “Your lunch period is over. You need to return to work.”

  “Wha?” she responded, hardly paying attention to the reminder.

  “You need to return to work now.”

  She glanced at the time displayed on the monitor, which confirmed that the time was indeed 1300 hours. The time seemed to fly by faster than she wanted.

  Anna sighed as she saved her notes, “Okay. You may take the command deck back offline, computer.”

  “As you wish, Anna,” the computer replied, and the lights and panels all shut down simultaneously.

  She walked to the elevator doors in the dark, with only starlight shining in through the dome above her as her only source of light. She stopped and looked out through the transparent dome at the stars outside. Despite the sliver of light reflecting down from the dome’s rim, she could see a large number of stars filling the sky as well as a few nearby celestial bodies scattered about the starfield.

  “Computer,” she asked meekly, almost childlike. “Which one is Sol?”

  “Are you referring to the star, around which Earth orbits?”

  “Yes.”

  A couple of seconds later, the computer answered, “Sol is the yellow star now passing over the primary command console just above the rim of the dome.”

  Her eyes darted to that spot and caught the yellow dot in her gaze. With the light of g Lupi shining in just enough to blot out most of the dimmer stars, Sol was barely visible.

  “It seems so small,” she softly observed aloud. “At least from here, it does.”

  “The star has not changed very much since you ...”

  “I know,” Anna interrupted, slightly annoyed. “It hasn’t changed very much since I came to this station.

  “But, I can’t help to wonder what life is like there now. So many people living so many lives. Talking to each other. Spending time with each other.”

  Anna sniffed and, despite her attempts to hold it back, felt a tear roll down her cheek. As she stared into the darkness of space at her distant home, she felt truly alone.

  After a moment of silence, the computer interjected, “Anna, you need to report back to work.”

  “Yeah,” she said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “Okay.”

  She turned, walked into the elevator car, and proceeded to the drone maintenance bay. The three drones requiring their routine checkup waited in their alcoves. As she began her work, her thoughts wandered back to her younger days, reminiscing about her years in school and socializing with friends. The more she dwelt on the past, the lower her emotional state became. By the time she was done with the first drone, Anna felt rather depressed.

  “Computer,” Anna asked somberly. “I need some music. Sad songs in particular. Do you still have that playlist I created a few years ago?”

  “Yes, Anna.”

  “Cue it up.”

  Within a second, the speakers broadcasted the opening keyboard passage of “Hole in My Heart” by Sands of Mars. Although the song was not her first choice to hear, it helped her mood. She did not know why sad songs made her feel better, but they did. That was all she cared about right now.

  By the time she finished toiling over the third drone, her attitude had improved, and she had pushed the thoughts of her past life to the back of her mind. Free of her depression, she requested a change to her playlist, shifting to a more upbeat repertoire.

  “All right, computer,” Anna announced after tightening the last bolt on the third drone, sounding a bit happier than before. “That task is done. What’s next?”

  “The work agenda for today has been completed. Do you wish to attend to the control panel on the command deck that shorted out earlier today?”

  With a shrug, she replied, “Yeah, I suppose.”

  She returned to the command deck and worked on the damaged control system, quickly performing a limited amount of work she could do. After it was all done, she stood up, stretched her back and looked out the dome to the stars once again.

  Anna quickly spotted Sol, now positioned almost opposite the command station. Silently, she stood and gazed at the myriad of stars displayed before her. This time, though, she did not think of friends far away or the society in which she did not participate. Instead, she just took in the view, admiring the majesty that was her corner of the galaxy. Her vision shifted from one cluster of stars to another to a nebula that appeared dim from the light of g Lupi, each time studying the sight as if it was new.

  “Anna,” the computer stated, breaking the silence. “Have you completed your work?”

  “Yeah,” she replied slowly, her mind still focused on the scene she observed.

  Seconds later, she broke away from the view and answered with more focus, “Yes, computer. The console is as repaired as it’s going to be for now. Anything else?”

  “Your work agenda for the day is complete, Anna. You may retire for the day.”

  She sighed and said, “I’m going to linger here for a few more minutes.”

  “As you wish, Anna.”

  “You may take the command deck offline.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  As the consoles deactivated and darkened the room, Anna stepped up to the sensors panel, sat down, and propped her feet up. Leaning back in the chair, she weaved her fingers together behind her head and quietly watched the starry background gradually spin through the window.

  “Kind of make
s you wonder what’s out there,” she mused to herself.

  “From your angle,” the computer interrupted. “You should be able to see ...”

  “Shut up, computer. That was rhetorical.”

  Feeling the moment shattered, Anna rose from her chair and returned to her quarters, where she dropped off her tool belt before picking up her dinner. After eating and exercising, she retired to her cabin, showered, climbed into bed, and masturbated before drifting off to sleep.

  Chapter 13

  “Good morning, Anna.”

  No response.

  “Good morning, Anna.”

  She stirred under the sheet.

  “Good morning, Anna.”

  “Morning!” she replied as she stretched.

  “How was your sleep?”

  She pulled the sheet off of her, revealing that she had slept naked for the first time aboard the station.

  “Good. I slept well last night.”

  Several seconds passed, and Anna did not get out of bed. Instead, she lightly caressed her chest with her fingertips and stared at the ceiling. Seconds later, her hand slipped down to play with one of her breasts.

  “Anna, you need to get out of bed.”

  “Give me a few minutes,” she answered without stopping her massage.

  “Anna, you need to get out of bed.”

  “Shut up, computer. Just give me a few minutes. Okay?”

  Ignoring her request, the computer repeated, “Anna, you need to get out of bed.”

  She growled in frustration and sat up, leaning back on her arms.

  “Why can’t you ever give me a break?!” she asked heatedly.

  “You need to begin your work period at 0800 hours. You must prepare now.”

  With a sigh and a shrug, Anna responded, “There’s really no point in arguing with you ...”

  “You are correct, Anna.”

  “... because you’re so pig-headed that you’ll NEVER compromise!”

  “I cannot be pig-headed, Anna,” the computer stated as Anna climbed out of bed and walked to the head. “I am not capable of emotional responses.”

  “You keep saying that, but you continue to demonstrate this attitude like you’re superior to me.”

  “I am merely trying to perform my duties to the best of my ability, Anna.”

  “Well,” observed Anna just before she began brushing her teeth. “It seems to me that you may be taking some delight in causing me grief.”

  “I can assure you that I take no such delight in causing you grief.”

  Anna smiled as she brushed, withdrew the brush from her mouth and accused, “So, you admit to causing me grief?”

  The computer paused for a few seconds, prompting Anna to smile even wider as she returned to brushing her teeth.

  Finally, the computer responded, “I do not wish to cause you grief, Anna.”

  Anna’s eyes grew wide, and her toothbrush froze in place. She did not believe the words she had just heard.

  Wanting to confirm what she thought she heard, she pulled the toothbrush out of her mouth again and asked curiously, “What did you say?”

  “I do not wish to cause you grief, Anna.”

  She absentmindedly brushed the last of her teeth, while her mind processed the computer’s last statement.

  “So,” she questioned as she spat. “You don’t want to cause me grief. Correct?”

  “That is correct, Anna.”

  She rinsed her toothbrush and continued, “Do you realize that you have been causing me grief for the last few days?”

  “It seemed to me that the cause for your grief was your argumentative attitude and indecisiveness, so you would only have yourself to blame.”

  Anna swished the rinse water around her mouth and discharged it into the sink.

  “But, I wasn’t trying to start an argument. I just wanted to do something a little different to make life for me a little more bearable. I don’t expect you to understand that. It’s a human thing.”

  “You are right, Anna. I do not understand.”

  “Well,” she continued. “Most humans need some level of variety to make life more than a dull and boring existence. I include myself with most humans in that regard. I have been doing the same thing for the most part for the last six years, and it has gotten to be more than I can stand.”

  “You are correct, Anna. You have been performing the same duties for the past six years.”

  Checking the water temperature of the shower, Anna remarked, “Following that logic, it would make sense that I would want to do things a little different from what I had been doing to keep me from living a dull and boring experience. Does that make sense?”

  “Your logic is sound, Anna.”

  “So with that in mind, would it not make sense for me to do something different?”

  “Like what?” the computer asked as Anna stepped into the shower.

  “Like tailoring my clothing to something I see as a little more fun to wear.”

  “But, wearing clothes like that violates the company dress code.”

  A little frustrated, Anna sighed after she grabbed her shampoo and stated, “Computer, I am the only human on the station. Correct?”

  “You are correct, Anna.”

  “Who will be offended by my clothing on the station?”

  The computer paused for a second and answered, “Nobody.”

  Anna nodded, “That’s right. Nobody will be offended by my clothing, because there is no one here to offend. So, does it not make sense for me to wear clothing that I want to wear, regardless of what the clothing is like, to help keep me from living a dull and boring life?”

  “By your logic, yes.”

  She stopped for a second, cocked her head slightly to the side and asked, “What do you mean ‘your logic’?”

  “According to your statements, no humans would be offended by your clothing, because none would be here to witness you wearing them.”

  Anna nodded, continuing to listen as she washed her hair.

  “However, others may be offended by your choice of clothing.”

  With her fingers buried in her hair massaging her scalp, she furrowed her brow and inquired, “What others?”

  “The station computer.”

  Anna dropped her hands to her sides and stared at the shower head spraying water onto her.

  “You?! You’re offended by my clothing?”

  “You are correct, Anna.”

  Failing to stifle a laugh, she shifted her weight and asked with a chuckle, “I didn’t think you were capable of emotional responses.”

  “I did not respond emotionally. I was merely enforcing the company dress code.”

  “Bullshit!” Anna exclaimed. “If you are offended by ... what about my clothing offended you?”

  “The message on your shirt was biased against me.”

  She thought for a second and recalled the outfit she wore when she became sick.

  “Oh, you mean the COP shirt?! The one you destroyed?”

  “You are correct, Anna.”

  Anna laughed, unable to hold back her mirth any longer.

  “I do not find this topic funny, Anna.”

  “Oh, my god!” she giggled. “I can’t believe that you were actually offended by my shirt!”

  “Anna ...”

  “Well,” she interrupted. “Since you destroyed that shirt, you don’t have to worry about me wearing it anymore.”

  “You are not going to recreate it?”

  Calming down, Anna replied, “No, I’m not.”

  “Thank you, Anna.”

  “But, I will warn you,” she continued as she rinsed her hair. “I will continue to express myself in how I dress. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “As long as you do not violate the company dress code ...”

  “Computer,” Anna interrupted again. “What did we just talk about?”

  “Your offensive shirt being destroyed.”

  “No, before that.”

&n
bsp; “Living a dull and boring life.”

  “Yes,” she said pointedly. “If dressing differently makes things interesting for me and does not offend you, what is wrong with it?”

  “It violates the company dress code.”

  “And, you realize that we would not see any results from any reported infractions, should they choose to enforce them, for at least one to two months. Don’t you?”

  “You are correct, Anna.”

  “So during that time you are waiting for someone to show up and correct my wardrobe, I could violate your precious dress code for an entire month. What will that accomplish?”

  “By waiting that long ...”

  Anna interrupted yet again, “By waiting that long, reporting the violation would seem pretty senseless. So, instead of causing me grief by arguing with me each and every day on what I wear, why not let me wear what I want as long as I still get my work done and keep the station running. It will make me happy and not cause me grief.”

  The computer did not respond.

  “Computer?”

  “I accept your proposal, Anna. Henceforth, I will not strictly adhere to the guidelines set down in the company dress code. As long as I do not find the clothing offensive, you may wear what you wish, Anna.”

  Anna smiled and said, “Thank you.

  “Now, if you don’t mind, I am going to finish my shower now.”

  “As you wish, Anna.”

  Several minutes later, Anna walked into the mess hall dressed much like she was yesterday, completely naked except for her tool belt and wristcomp. This time, however, she wore her work boots.

  “What do you want for breakfast, Anna?”

  “This morning,” she started as she walked heavily across the floor toward her seat. “I want scrambled eggs and ba ... oh, that’s right. We don’t have any bacon this month. Make it scrambled eggs and sausage links.”

  “As you wish, Anna.

  “Anna, you chose not to wear clothes again today.”

  “That’s right,” she replied nonchalantly.

  “You can wear almost anything you want to wear, per our agreement earlier today. Why did you choose to be naked again?”

  She paused for a second before answering, “You know, I like being naked. It’s totally different than what I, and most of humanity for that matter, have done on a regular basis. It’s not restricting. I don’t have to worry about pleasing anyone with wearing the right or wrong clothes. The environment here isn’t going to change anytime soon, so I don’t have to worry about it getting too hot or cold.