Moonday

by J F Clayton

  Europa showed a picture of Uranus with seven of its most important moons, “Uranus has over thirty moons, most are small and are probably captured comets or asteroids. However, the first two Uranus moons, discovered in year 1787 by astronomer William Herschel, were large moons and they are Oberon and Titania.” She showed a picture of William Herschel’s telescope, and then a photo of Titania and Oberon, “Titania is the largest Uranus moon and has an almost perfectly circular orbit.”

  Paul tapped on Maria in the photo. He didn’t offer an explanation to Patrick why Maria was called Titania.

  Europa ignored their game, “Oberon is the second largest moon of Uranus. It is only about fifty-five kilometres smaller than Titania and it also has an almost perfectly circular orbit.”

  Paul pointed to Charlie, and Patrick put his name on the list.

  “Oberon has an icy surface that is obviously very old and has little geological activity because it is littered with craters. Both the number and size of the craters on Oberon are much higher than on Titania or Ariel but it cannot be compared to the number on Miranda.”

  Europa clicked to a new slide, “Miranda is one of the great moons of Uranus and has an almost perfectly circular orbit. This moon is easy to recognise by its particularly complex surface. It shows extraordinary distortions, that are up to twenty kilometres deep and it’s got an irregular shape, which is unusual for a moon of this size.”

  Paul seemed eager as he tapped on the photo, “Beatriz - write Beatriz.”

  Patrick responded excitedly and wrote Beatriz in his best handwriting as Europa waited patiently but still managed a look of disapproval.

  Europa pointed to a photo of Ariel in the next picture and said, “Ariel.” She saw Paul move excitedly and waited for Paul to finish.

  He tapped on the photo and said, “Write John.”

  Patrick wrote and then looked up.

  Europa continued, “Ariel is the fourth largest and brightest Uranus moon. It’s bright because it has the largest albedo of the Uranus Moons.”

  Paul asked innocently, “What is Albedo?”

  Europa kept calm and replied, “Albedo is what we call surface reflectivity. Interestingly, Enceladus has an even higher surface reflectivity than Ariel.”

  As Europa said Enceladus, Paul suggested Dervla before he realised they’d already written it. They both laughed about his mistake.

  While they were still laughing Europa selected a new image, one that showed Mars with its two small moons, and then she explained, “Phobus and Demios these are the small irregular moons of Mars.” She looked at Paul, raised her eyebrows and waited.

  Paul suggested Damian and Filip to Patrick.

  Patrick started writing Damian next to Demios.

  “No Damian is Phobus.”

  “But why, D stands for Damian and Demios.”

  “Damian is Filip’s father and Phobus is bigger than Demios.”

  Patrick shrugged his shoulders and wrote what Paul wanted as he asked, “Okay. But why are Damian and Filip Phobus and Demios?”

  Paul explained kindly, “Because they are not far away, and they are still together.”

  Europa pointed to the picture and continued, “Like our Moon, Demios has a bound rotation, that is, it always has the same irregular side facing Mars.” She checked to see if they were paying attention to her before she showed the next picture.

  “Our home, the Moon.”

  Paul said to Patrick, “Write Peter the Moon Major.”

  Patrick picked up the pen and nodded as he wrote Peter’s name and smiled as he thought Europa’s lesson really was fun.

  Europa continued, “Our Moon has a bound rotation. It always shows the same side to Earth.”

  Patrick interrupted her, “If we stand on the other side of the Moon, can people on Earth see us?”

  Europa explained, “We call that the far side of the Moon, and you are right, no one on Earth will be able to see us there.”

  Paul smiled to hide his thoughts, that he didn’t think there was anyone to see them on this side either.

  Paul looked at Europa as he heard her say, “And that means that a Moon day and a Moon month have almost the same duration.”

  Patrick looked amazed and then puzzled before asking, “Why doesn’t our Moon have a name?”

  Europa looked at him perplexed and answered sternly, “The Moon’s name is simply Moon because it was the first moon discovered.”

  Patrick nodded satisfied. Although, he wasn’t sure if that was a reasonable explanation, but Europa’s tone made sure he believed it.

  Europa turned her back on the picture and looked at them, “And now for a short history of the Moon. The Soviet Luna 2 module was deliberately brought into contact with the Moon in September 1959. The crash site is near Mare Imbrium, that isn’t so far from where we are, but unfortunately too far for a day trip.”

  Patrick opened his eyes wide and suggested in a small voice, “We could go outside and visit the crash site.”

  Europa quickly thought about his suggestion and replied, “It’s possible to take a moonwalk when we find a spacesuit that fits you.”

  Paul interjected quickly, “Not yet you’re too small for the spacesuits.”

  Patrick made a long face and looked at Paul with pleading watery eyes.

  Paul could feel Patrick’s disappointment stabbing him in his chest and knew he had to say something to comfort him, “Maybe next year, or the year after that, but soon, we just can’t, not yet.” Paul smiled and ruffled Patrick’s hair.

  Paul added slyly, “Maybe we can even play golf. Did you know someone has already played golf on the Moon?”

  Europa was quick to reply, “Yes, I know. Do you know his name?” Europa knew it was Alan Shepard. She was testing Paul.

  In an unsteady voice Patrick asked, “What’s golf?”

  Paul replied in a flash, “It’s a great game. Let’s play it together sometime.” And then he grinned before tapping on the one name on the moon nicknames list without a moon next to it.

  Patrick looked at him forlornly.

  Paul turned to Europa and asked her, “Which is your favourite moon?”

  Europa responded immediately, “Ganymede.”

  Paul looked at her and asked, “Please, can you tell us why?”

  Europa was both surprised and delighted by their sudden interest and answered almost smiling, “Ganymede is my favourite because it’s unique and very big. It’s even bigger than the small planet Mercury. If you want to know how big it really is, then imagine it as three-quarters the size of Mars. I don’t have a picture, but I can find one and show it to you later.”

  Paul smiled and nodded as he enthusiastically said, “Good idea.”

  Europa wasn’t finished, so she continued, “Ganymede is the only moon that has a strong magnetic field and it also has a very thin atmosphere. It was discovered a long time ago in 1610 by Galileo.” She looked at them intently, “This was a significant moment in history, it was the moment when Galileo realised that not everything revolved around the Earth. And he did it with Ganymede’s help.”

  Paul thanked Europa for the lesson then he asked Patrick, “What about finishing the list?”

  The name at the bottom of the list didn’t have a moon. Patrick looked at the list and then at Paul before saying in a small voice, “I don’t have a moon nickname.”

  Paul smiled as he saw how sad he looked because he thought he’d been forgotten. He looked him in the eyes and said, “So Ganymede what are we going to do about it?”

  At first Patrick was confused and then he beamed. He was Ganymede, Europa’s favourite moon.

  Paul nudged Patrick conspiratorially, and said, “Here is a felt-tip, shall we write the moon names on everyone’s room doors?”

  With a worried expression, Patrick looked up at him trembling and sounded short of breath as he replied, “Yes.” Then it occurred to him, “But the Sauberbots will clean it off afterwards.” He looked sad.

  Paul nodded o
mnisciently, “No problem. We can reprogram them, and they’ll think it’s modern art.” Both he and Patrick laughed out loud as they ran off to go and do their best writing.

  It was lunchtime, and everyone had gathered in the canteen for the birthday party. Peter looked around and smiled. He nodded to the others appreciating that they were there. He liked Patrick’s birthday. It was a day where they could forget everything and step out of their daily routine and come together to celebrate. Peter had told Liam that he should come this year and Peter was pleased that Liam was there. Peter had felt guilty about not inviting Liam and hadn’t enjoyed excluding him. Since Liam had kept his promise and stayed away from Patrick, Peter saw no reason not to invite him, but he was still a little concerned.

  When Paul and Patrick turned up last, both with ink on their hands, Peter gave Paul a knowing look. Then he started the little ceremony to give Patrick his certificate, proof that Patrick had been good for a year.

  Patrick beamed as Peter gave him his certificate and congratulated him on his Moonday birthday. To end the ritual, Peter touched his captain’s hat and nodded appreciatively. Patrick reached up and tried to do the same but realised too late that he had forgotten to put his captain’s hat on. He looked lost before Beatriz started shaking his hand and congratulating him. He soon forgot his mistake, and everyone took turns at wishing Patrick happy birthday and shaking his hand. As Liam stepped up, Peter watched him very closely. He didn’t want to, he wanted to trust him a little, but he just couldn’t.

  While they were eating the cake that Steve had baked, Peter asked Paul and Patrick, “Were you upstairs? Someone has graffitied on the room doors. Do you happen to know anything about that?” Peter laughed as he watched the two of them running into the distance and laughed again with the others as they heard the distant laughter. Everyone seemed happy today. Positive enough that they had forgotten about the upcoming contract renewals. He tried not to think about the discussions that were going to take place in a couple of weeks. He wasn’t looking forward to them.

  Second renewal

  Date: Saturday 18th October 2149 – 10:00 CET

  Location: Alpha 12 – Moon Base

  “Thank you for coming.” Peter looked at the familiar faces of the team. The remaining eight of the original team had, over the years, found their favourite places to sit and they would probably always sit there. It simplified Peter’s life because he always knew where to turn his head without thinking about it. The tense expressions showed that they were worried about their uncertain future. Before he came he’d looked at the old team photo, examined the faces, and wondered what they were thinking and feeling back then. Eight of them were now sitting before him, they were older, more experienced, but probably not wiser. He certainly didn’t feel any wiser, but they expected him to offer them a solution for their uncertain future that he didn’t have.

  He was nervous and had a low-level feeling of sickness at the bottom of his stomach. He looked seriously at them and explained, “I thought, if we all got together, maybe we could understand the situation better.” He paused, his eyes flicked around the group and he waited for a reaction. None came, and he took off his captain’s hat and laid it on the table, as he slowly lowered himself to sit down. All eyes were following the hat. He looked around, they still expected him to have answers, which was, as always, not the case.

  He broke the silence, “First of all,” he turned to Paul, “please explain to me why there’s still graffiti on everyone’s door.”

  Paul glanced away, blushed, opened his mouth as if to say something before closing it and deciding not to say anything.

  It was only with difficulty that Peter kept a straight face. Paul looked completely guilty, which Peter thought was funny.

  Maria looked concerned and explained, “I like it. I would even like to have a picture of Titania painted on my door.”

  Charlie thought it was a great idea, “I’d love a picture of Oberon.” When he’d found out what nicknames he and Maria had been given, he’d been very pleased. They thought they were a couple, and he’d beamed then as he was beaming now.

  Raising his hands in a gesture of giving up, Peter withdrew his half serious comment, “It seems as if you all like your graffiti.”

  Paul visibly relaxed and jokingly wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.

  Steve laughed, he liked being called Io, and had also enjoyed Paul’s discomfort.

  Peter enjoyed the distraction, it delayed them talking about the topic at hand. He needed to ask, if anyone wanted to go home. They’d postponed the decision five years ago and he knew it would come up again. Now it was time, and they were gathered together to discuss it. From what Peter could read in their expressions, he suspected that they weren’t ready to talk about it.

  Peter put his right hand on the table with his palm up, “The question before us today is: What do we want to do? Do we want to stay on the Moon or do we want to go home?” Unconsciously, he clenched his fist.

  Nobody said anything. They were all watching his hand.

  Watching his fist, Peter gently tapped it on the table a few times before he looked up and decided to break the silence, “Let’s stay for another shift and wait for new information, maybe Earth Base Columbus will get back in contact.”

  Steve’s tone sounded peevish, “We don’t know anything about what happened, and I don’t think we’ll ever know. We sit here and keep going through the same old theories. We don’t have any new information.”

  Liam looked a little offended. He was doing his best, “We had a moment when I thought we’d made contact with the Mars Base, but it was only briefly, the satellites have now deviated too far from their course for it to be worth trying again.”

  Steve looked at him with contempt.

  Liam shrugged his shoulders and pulled an indifferent expression. He didn’t care what Steve thought.

  The repeated, quiet tapping of Peter’s finger nail on the table slowly drew their attention, one after the other they turned towards Peter. When he had their full attention he said, “If we stay here, everyone will get the same renewal conditions as last time.” He smiled calmly hoping it covered his nervousness, “Of course, there is also the possibility to arrange an appointment with me,” he looked at Steve, “if you want to negotiate something different or if you want to discuss anything.” He glanced around at the others. There was no reaction. He looked around for confirmation. Their body language relaxed and he could see a few little nods. He realised he’d been holding his breath and breathed out before adding, “As a reward for the good work, there will be extra credits added to your environment and social responsibility account.” He smiled and waited while they considered the offer.

  Charlie shuffled in his seat and sat upright. He opened his mouth to say something and then quickly shut it. He tried again, “Before we came I registered to take part in a Citizen Science project. The first phase of the project ends next month.” The volume of his voice dropped at the end of the sentence, and remained quiet as he added, “I thought I’d be back by now.”

  Peter looked at him compassionately and could feel tears welling up in his eyes. He put his hand up to his face and covered his mouth, feeling the warmth of his palm on his face, and the warmth of his breath on his hand and it calmed him. He looked at them, they all had their reasons why they wanted to return to Earth and also why they weren’t yet ready to return.

  Steve asked mockingly, “What project would have you?”

  Charlie, who was seemed distant, ignored Steve’s tone and explained, “It’s a hundred years long project studying how people develop spiritually over time. I’ve been doing it for twenty years. My brothers are involved as well.”

  Steve snorted before saying, “Spiritual development. You. You’re just crazy. Didn’t they have a minimum intelligence requirement to participate?”

  Charlie didn’t look at Steve. He didn’t have enough energy to respond to him. His feelings and thoughts were with his bro
thers and the memory of them promising each other that they would never give up. His gaze was on the cold dregs in his coffee cup on the table in front of him, “I’ve filled out the questionnaire every year. I thought I’d be able to take them back with me.” He looked at Peter, “I never quit the project.”

  Beatriz’s tone was kind as she said, “You can still take them home when you return. I’m sure they still want to know what you’ve recorded.” She stressed, “Your results are really valuable. No one else in the project has spent part of it on the Moon.”

  Charlie noticed the nods of encouragement from the others and smiled. He thanked them for the support. It was a comfort to him.

  Bored, Steve interrupted the supportive mood and in an angry voice asked, “Are we going to avoid the real issue forever?” He looked first at Peter and then at Dervla directly in the eyes, “We don’t have enough room for all the people in the escape pods.”

  Everyone remained silent and they avoided looking at each other.

  Steve continued to make his point, “We can’t all go back because there aren’t enough escape pods. Only nine people can fit in the escape pods, and Patrick is probably too young for the journey.”

  Dervla turned to Steve. She had a very determined expression, “If it needs to be, Patrick can have my place.” Her voice sounded clear and firm. Her determination hid her uncertainty about whether it would really come to that.

  A few seconds later Beatriz added, “I’m not so young anymore. Let’s wait and see, you never know what could happen to one of us.”

  Liam didn’t want to draw attention to himself, but he also wanted to relieve the burden on others so that they’d be less worried, “Maybe someone doesn’t want to return. That’s another possibility.”

  Peter suddenly remembered, “Where is Patrick?”

  Paul smiled and said softly but firmly, “He’s playing with Astro. He wanted to come to the meeting and was upset that he wasn’t invited. He’s waiting for us to finish.”