by Gary Weston
Marcia was in her late seventies, and still looked very attractive. 'Hello, Craggy. Hello, Captain.'
'Fawn.'
'A lovely name. Care to join us?'
They sat together as they ate their meals. Marcia made them feel at home and her easy manner had Dillow feeling like they were long time friends.
Marcia said, 'You two were very brave, what you did.'
Cragg said, 'Young Rocky was a star, as well. No way could I have brought that ship home.'
'An amazing effort all round,' said Potts.
Marcia said, 'With the hostilities hotting up on Earth, we're getting a lot more enquiries from Moon, from people wanting to come to live here.'
'Understandable,' said Cragg. 'It makes us all sad to look at the Earth, knowing it's being killed off and us not being able to do anything about it.'
Dillow asked, 'Will you be able to take many in?'
'We'd love to do that,' said Potts. 'But we are at almost full capacity as it is.'
Dillow said, 'But I thought the intention always was to develop Mars to take many more people.'
'It is,' said Potts. 'In good time. But we need to have accommodation and enough food for everyone.'
Cragg said, 'Moon was really a trading post between Earth and Mars. With the Earth gone soon, Moon becomes redundant.'
Marcia said, 'True, Craggy, but it isn't that we don't want Moon dwellers, we just have to solve the practical issues first.'
Potts admitted, 'Not a five minute job.'
Marcia said, 'Forgive me, but I have a committee meeting to attend. If it isn't one thing, it's another. I'll see you both before you go.'
* * *
Although the “jungle” was a well-tended, diverse and vital part of the ecosystem, it had also been developed to have a natural feel to it, and neither Rocky or Amethyst had experienced anything like it, to walk along the safe paths, foliage brushing their skin. Amethyst was startled by an insect that flew in front of her.
'That's a bee,' said Rocky.
'Are they dangerous?'
'Just don't annoy them. They pollinate all the plants and provide honey.'
'Honey?'
'I haven't had any, but I heard it's amazing.'
They reached the clearing where the wallowing pool was. It looked like it had been fed from a spring for thousands of years, not a man made pool for relaxing in. It wasn't difficult to imagine a wildebeest or even a tiger come out of the undergrowth to drink. Towels were dropped by the side and they slipped into the body temperature water. They were pleased to have it all to themselves, but that didn't last long. Others came and wallowed for a while, chatting in the usual friendly Mars way before taking off again.
'This is nice,' said Rocky, sipping the strange brew.
'Wouldn't it be fizzing to live here?'
'I was wondering about that myself. Can't say I like the idea of Moon after seeing this place.'
'It wouldn't hurt to ask if there's anyway we could come here permanently.'
'We'll sound them out when we get the chance.'
On one of the moments they were alone, Rocky was trying hard to keep his gaze at eye level, even though he was rubbing bare shoulders with a beautiful girl in a bikini that didn't leave much to the imagination. He wasn't listening much to what she was saying, but he was watching her full lips, wondering what it would be like to kiss them. He was about to risk moving in to find out when another couple turned up and slipped into the pool.
'I'm famished,' said Amethyst, after saying hi.
'Me too. come on.'
Chapter 47
In the lounge which also served as the eating area, Rocky and Amethyst saw Cragg had joined Misty at a quiet side table, and it was obvious they didn't want to be disturbed. Mars Commander Potts was talking to Dillow. Helping themselves to a meal, they heard Dillow say, 'Come and join us.'
'Thanks,' said Amethyst.
'Rocky Ramshorn, Amethyst Bouquet, this is Mars Commander Potts.'
'Nice to meet you,' said Potts. 'Enjoying your stay on Mars?'
'Loving it,' said Amethyst. 'I love the jungle. Nothing like it on Moon.'
'It is very special,' said Potts. 'You did a remarkable job on that ship, by the way. Craggy was saying what a fine pilot you'll be.'
'It's what I always wanted to be,' said Rocky.
'He scored a ninety two point average in the simulator,' said Amethyst, proudly. 'I've another term to go before I can take my tickets.' It was a fairly blatant sales pitch.
'Very impressive,' said Potts. He shared a look with Dillow, suspecting what was coming next.
'Actually,' said Rocky, 'We were kinda wondering if there were any places coming up here.'
Potts said, 'As a matter of fact, Fawn and I were discussing that before you arrived. Not you two specifically, just in general. We would love to take everyone if we could, but where would we house them and how would we feed them?'
'Can't you just build more bases?' asked Rocky. 'Grow more food?'
'What with? We could probably build enough for another fifty, but not two thousand.'
'Pity we can't bring Moon nearer,' said Amethyst.
'You are brilliant,' said Rocky.
'I am? I knew that.'
Rocky said, 'We need homes and more food here, right?'
'Yes,' said Potts.
'All the homes we need are already on Moon. We just need to get it all here. Not all in one go, but we could do it over time.'
Dillow said, 'We could do that. Our new ship could carry heaps of stuff. The buildings are in sections. They can be taken apart and rebuilt here.'
'We also have freighters to bring stuff,' said Amethyst.
'What about food?' Potts asked.
'Moon grows their own,' said Dillow. 'Hydroponics, mostly. No reason why we can't bring complete hydroponic units over, still growing food on the way.'
Potts liked the idea. 'This idea has legs, I think. We'll get the details worked out and I'll talk it over with Moon Commander Forbes. See? This is what I'm talking about. You three are the future of the human race. We have to do this. Well done, you two.'
Dillow said, 'Rocky. We still have a job to do. In the morning, you and I have to supervise the return pods being attached to the freighter.'
'Okay. I'm about ready for bed.' He looked at Amethyst.
'I'll see you in the morning,' she replied, a no nonsense look in her eyes.
Rocky said, 'See you all in the morning.'
With Rocky gone, the three chatted about the possibility of the big move from Moon to Mars, then Potts excused himself.
'Fawn.'
'Amethyst?'
'Can I ask you something, woman to woman?'
'Yes, he does.'
'What?'
'Rocky. He really likes you.'
'How did...?'
'Woman to woman. And I know you like Rocky.'
'How do you know when you're in love?'
Dillow smiled. 'We need to talk. And I know the perfect place. Come with me.'
Chapter 48
The observation catwalk was empty and Amethyst was enthralled by the vista.
'Fizzing. Olympus Mons is awesome.'
'See over there? The mines, the water bores. The work goes on around the clock.'
'Fantastic. I hope we get the chance to live here. Imagine a proper city all out there. Wouldn't that be amazing?'
'I think from your ideas, it is more likely than ever.'
'Fawn.'
'Go on.'
'You think Rocky really likes me?'
'I think it's a bit deeper than liking you. He positively glows when he's near you. Do you feel the same way about Rocky?'
'I think so. I go all tingly when I'm with him.'
Dillow chuckled. 'Always a symptom. Mind if I ask you a personal question, woman to woman?'
'Go on.'
'Have you ever had a relationship with a boy before?'
'You mean...no. But I know Rocky wants me.'
&nbs
p; 'He's a stud. Of course he does. But you mustn't ever feel pressured to do anything you don't want to do or you don't feel ready for.'
'But what if Rocky won't wait and finds another girlfriend?'
'Somehow, I think that's unlikely. But if he puts pressure on you, then he isn't the one for you. If he really cares for you, he'll wait. Now another personal question. Have you had your NoPreg implant?'
Amethyst looked embarrassed. 'No. Do you think I should?'
'That's a choice you have to make yourself. But you never know when you feel the time is right to take your relationship to another level. Maybe a little forward planning wouldn't be a bad thing.'
Amethyst smiled and hugged Dillow. 'You're right. I never had this sort of talk before.'
Dillow grinned. 'Strangely, neither have I.'
'I never knew my parents. It's...it's like having a real mother to talk to.'
'It is? Okay. They have a medical centre here that can do the implant. You should sleep on it. Alone.'
'I will. Goodnight, Fawn.'
'Goodnight.' Dillow watched the girl skip lightly down the steps. 'Why is it I feel a hundred years old, all of a sudden?'
Chapter 49
On the freighter, Dillow and Ramshorn were getting the ship ready for the pods.
'Happy with the controls, Rocky?'
'Yes.'
'Good. I'll be outside; making sure all pods are locked securely. Follow my instructions over the radio.'
Dillow went down the ramp of the airlock and up the steps to the cradle catwalk. 'Rosy?'
'Ready and waiting.'
'One at a time. You know the routine. Rocky. Pod one's going on now. Rosy. Grab pod one.'
Rosy lowered the grabbers over pod one.
'In place,' said Dillow. 'Take her up.' The pod was lifted smoothly off the cradle and Dillow helped guide it in place, watching the pod slide perfectly down the newly designed couplings. 'Okay. Rocky. Lock pod one.'
'Pod one locked.'
It took an hour to repeat the procedure with the other nine pods. 'Thanks Rosy. Good job.'
'You're welcome.'
Dillow returned to the freighter. 'That went perfectly. We'll be ready for take off in a day or so, so time to relax.'
'Great. Dillow...'
'Yes, she does.'
'What?'
'Amethyst. She likes you.'
Rocky was surprised. 'You knew what I was going to ask you?'
'Call it woman's intuition. But the answer remains the same. Amethyst likes you.'
'Yeah? Really likes me?'
'What's not to like? How do you really feel about her?'
Rocky's eyes glazed over. 'I see her, I can't breathe. Her eyes, her hair. The smell of her. Her smile, her...'
'That's all I needed to know. Rocky. Amethyst hasn't had a relationship before. You need to be a man about it. Treat her with respect. Never pressure her into anything. Just love her the way I know you do and you won't go far wrong.'
'Thanks, Dillow.'
'No worries. Now go spend some quality time with your girlfriend.'
Chapter 50
'Craggy. You know I don't mess about with anyone else, don't you?'
Cragg wrapped the sheets around them, holding Misty tight. 'And you're the only girl for me.'
'You mean that?'
'Of course.'
'You really mean that?'
'Misty. I've done with playing space cowboy. Do you know what keeps me going on those long lonely rides?'
'Beer?'
Cragg laughed. 'Yeah, that helps. But when I'm racing through the cosmos, letting the computers do the boring bits, I'll be on my bunk, thinking of you.'
'You are such a fibber, Dixon Cragg.'
'True. But not on this occasion. You and I have known each other a very long time. You amaze me by knowing me inside and out and still want to be with me.'
'You know what scares me more than anything?'
Cragg sighed and nodded. 'Probably the same thing that scares me. Growing old alone.'
'That's not the same thing as love.'
Cragg said, 'I'm as close to being in love with you as I ever was when I was with Maria, my wife. How can we let ourselves fall in love if we can't be together? That wouldn't be fair to either of us.'
'Can't you come and live on Mars with me?'
Cragg kissed her. 'I wish I could. Pottsy already told me I'm too old. They want young blood. Not old farts like me. The only thing I have to look forward to is having a bit of a class to teach spotty teens on Moon. I get depressed just thinking about it, knowing you are all the way out here.'
'That just isn't fair. All you've done over the years. And you're in good physical condition. I can testify for that.'
'You aren't doing too bad yourself for an old bird.'
Misty slapped his chest. 'Plenty of life in me yet. And that's my point. I want a man in my life again. Not one who spends his time millions of miles away.'
'But it isn't up to me. I'd love to bunk in with you permanently. Maybe I can have another word with Pottsy. See if I can change his mind.'
Misty kissed him. 'Okay. But not just yet. I want you all to myself while I have you. Now come here and make an old bird very happy.'
Chapter 51
'And Rocky and Amethyst came up with that idea?' Forbes said. For once, the vidcam was working well, with the usual time lag.
'They did,' said Potts. 'I've had a couple of meetings with our engineers. It will take up to two years to relocate everything and everyone, but it can be done.'
'I think so, too. Who will do your coordinating?'
'Marcia. She's already sorting out several committees. It's what she does best.'
'I'll have a team put together to liaise with Marcia. Pottsy. Finally, this is what we've been working towards. The war drums are beating the final military tattoo on Earth. All we can do is let them finish the job. Pottsy. Do you think we can learn from their mistakes and do it right?'
There was a longer than time lag pause. 'That's where you and I come in. While the relocation is happening, we can try to make sure we can live together in peace. For one thing, no weapons of any kind. We have no need for them.'
'I agree. Okay, Pottsy. We both now have a whole heavier workload. Time to get busy.'
'Looking forward to it. Keep in touch.'
Chapter 52
'What's all this about?' asked Cragg.
'No idea,' said Misty. 'Must be important to have the work stopped so we can get together for a meeting.'
The only place large enough to hold the entire population of the planet was Base Three. The path was full of people waiting for Commander Potts to address the meeting. He wasted no time in calling everyone to order.
'Okay. To keep you all in the loop, there have been developments. Positive ones. Everyone on Moon will be brought here to live. I know we have planned to do this over the next ten or twenty years, but with the...unfortunate events on Earth, it is time we brought this forward. A rough estimation from start to completion is about two years. All the building material now on Moon will be brought here and rebuilt. As for food, we will be bringing Moon's hydroponics here, to help feed all of us. This means we will be sending less from here to Moon, and receiving much more from there to here. That means a temporary reduction in mining activities, so some of the people employed in those sections will be employed in the rebuild. I think we are entering an exciting phase in human history. Finally, we can make this planet what it was always intended to be. The new home to our race. Please embrace it and do all you can to make this planet all it can be. Right. We all have work to do, so please carry on. Thank you.'
Misty grabbed Cragg's arm. 'You know what this means, don't you?'
Cragg grinned and kissed Misty's cheek. 'We live happy ever after?'
'We can but try.'
Chapter 53
Amethyst Bouquet hoped nobody had seen her slip away to the medical centre. She wasn't even positive she wanted to go throu
gh with it. The medical centre ran round the clock because the Base worked round the clock. Outside in Mars' harsh environment, hazards were everywhere and medical response had to be measured in seconds, not minutes. A woman doctor and a male nurse were in attendance.
'Can we help you?' asked the nurse.
'I'm not hurt or anything,' said Amethyst.
'Feeling ill?' asked the doctor. 'You look a picture of health to me.'
'I am.' She looked at the male nurse and had no intention of saying anything with him in the room and the doctor could see she was nervous.
'Noel. Don't we get a few goodies as a snack by now,' the doctor said.
'On my way,' said the nurse, taking a hint.
'Take a seat. I'm Dr Jill Uphill. Everyone calls me Dr Jill. Do we have you on our records?'
'I'm from Moon. My first trip over here.'
'Enjoying it?'
'I so want to live here. With everyone coming here, I'll have all my friends with me.'
'Nice. What's your name?'
'Hmm? Amethyst Bouquet.'
'Date of birth?'
'Ninth of May, twenty seventy eight.'
'You're seventeen?'
'Eighteen. Almost. In another six months.'
Dr Jill smiled. 'Seventeen it is. Okay. What can I do for you, Amethyst?'
'The thing is, I met a boy.'
'Ah! Have you and he been having...'
'No. I've never had...but I love him. We are going back to Moon. That's over three months together in a small ship. I want to know I'm safe.'
'You are seventeen. Past the age of consent. I think you are making a mature decision. Do you know about the NoPreg implant?'
'We covered that in biology.'
'So this is just a precaution.'
'Yes. I mean if me and Rocky got together, we'd want a baby. But now is not a good time.'
The doctor agreed. 'This place will be a nightmare of activity for years. They say at least two years. Not the best of time for babies, and the fact that you are still very young means you have a lot of living to do before you settle down.'