by Casey Herzog
There was no pleasing everyone. That thought repeated itself in Peter’s mind over and over. Sometimes it was a sad melancholic thought in the back of his mind, other times it was an angry embittered declaration against the universe. As he sat there and wallowed in his own misery, he concluded that it was somehow his destiny to be forever a pariah. It didn’t matter what he did; he would always find himself somehow reviled by those around him.
His body was stiff and ached from the long span of time he had sat on the cold floor. He hadn’t been keeping track of the hours, but the muscles in his legs had gone to sleep, and his ass had quit complaining and gone numb ages ago. He might have fallen asleep once or twice; he wasn’t sure. As far as he was concerned, he was content to remain curled up in that space until his suit's computer called him to his next work shift. He was lucky that no one had tried to call him on the comms or picked up on the fact that he had not returned to his bunk. To be ignored like that was a double-edged sword. Paradoxically he both wanted and hated the idea of someone looking for him at that moment.
Time continued to pass in an indefinite blur. Time was an abstract when alone. It only returned fully to him when the cabinet door opened. The sound of the handle clicking brought Peter to sudden attention, and he struggled to right himself. He failed completely. The muscles in his legs gave no response to his commands for movement, and all he succeeded in doing was tottering onto his knees. Desperate to mask what he had been doing, Peter pretended to be inspecting the shelves, trying to seem like he was looking for something.
“Peter...Peter are you okay?” The voice was gentler, benevolent and concerned. More crucially, his name was spoken before the intruder had even entered the room. It meant whoever was coming through the door knew he had locked himself in there. That knowledge alone was enough to make his face flush a deep crimson. He gave up pretending to sort out the shelves and looked to the door.
“Nisha?”
The sight of the dark skinned, raven haired girl was accompanied by a feeling of tranquility and peace Peter hadn’t expected. As she looked down at him, her brown eyes seemed to shine as if she were upset. Her soft lips were turned downward in a melancholic frown, and her entire body seemed to heave at the sight of him.
“Just how long have you been sitting there?”
Peter groaned and reached out a hand. Nisha took it and helped pull him up to his feet. His lower half complained, and Peter found it impossible to straighten his back right away. “I don’t really know. I didn’t check the time when I came in here. How did you find me?”
Nisha bit her bottom lip. Her eyes darted away from Peter. “Thomas said you weren’t in your bunk. I got worried and checked the vid camera in the control room. Why are you even here?”
Peter flinched as he tried to straighten out. He heard several audible clicks as his spine was forced to conform to its usual shape. “I just needed some time alone. I didn’t want to be in the bunks.”
Nisha nodded, seeming to understand without being told why this would be the case. “Did someone say something to you? No one threatened you, did they?” Her voice, usually so quiet and calm took on a note of surprising ferocity.
Peter thought back to his exchange with Commander Icarus. “I don’t know. It probably was, but not much that can be done about it. Maybe it was more of a warning. I think I need to keep an eye on my back at all times to make sure I don’t get assaulted by members of our own crew...again!” He said the last word with a weak chuckle, even tried to force a smile as he said it.
“It’s not funny, Peter.” Nisha’s voice was serious. She then did something that Peter had not expected that left him completely disarmed. Stepping fully into the small closet space, Nisha wrapped her arms around Peter and held him in a tight embrace. She was short enough that Peter could rest his chin on her soft black hair as she held him. His arms remained limp at his sides, but as his mind became accustomed to the intimate gesture, he slowly let his arms wrap around her back.
Time seemed to distort once again. The time Peter spent in Nisha’s arms ran both into infinity, and yet also seemed to end in a moment. Her hair smelled oddly of strawberries, and he felt a pang of disappointment as she retreated and the warmth of her embrace slowly left him.
A faint glow seemed to radiate from Nisha’s cheeks, and she refused to look Peter in the eye. That did not diminish the seriousness of her words though. “While you’ve been hiding away, the crew have been talking all over. I don’t know what impression you got of things, but there are those of us who agree with what you suggested. Dean needed to be put in check. In fact, there are several in both our cohorts who really need to tone down their aggression towards the colonists.”
Peter sniffed, trying to keep himself from succumbing to emotion. “I don’t suppose you have a handy list of the people I can count on?”
Nisha smiled and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. The return of her touch was more than welcome. “Well, you’ve got me for one...and basically everyone in the Birthday club.”
Peter blinked in surprise. “Really?” The Birthday club, that stupid little secret organization he had made up on a whim? He hadn’t even given that little pet project of his a thought since it was shut down by Alphred and Minerva. There had been far more important things to consider since those days.
“Yeah, really.” Nisha gave a warm smile, one that seemed to promise that everything would be okay. “I’ve already talked to Thomas and a few others who were involved, and we’re all behind you. We need to keep Icarus from turning us into some brutal dictatorship. If we’re to have any hope of getting production to return to normal in this colony, we need to have the cooperation of the Europans. Plus, I don’t like the fearful look they give me every time I pass them on the corridor.”
Peter felt a desire to reassure Nisha at that moment. That things would improve on the station for the colonists was a foregone conclusion. Icarus had been ordered to give ground to Peter over the coming weeks. He wanted desperately to share the secret, complain about the stupidity of it. Hell, when he thought about it logically, if it weren’t for this big charade to make him look like some benevolent intercessor for the Europans, he might not have found himself once more the hated black sheep of the Unity family. Peter had his orders though and he kept his mouth shut. “Hopefully, if just a few of us are on board to improve things for the colonists, we’ll be able to make some real change.”
Nisha nodded and then turned about. “Well come on then, you’re not going to achieve much change sitting in a closet. We need to find you a proper office.”
CHAPTER 15
Things improved on Europa because they had to. They improved because Admiral Gayle had commanded them too, and at the pace he had dictated. The Europans were subjected to a tyrannical rule under Commander Icarus just long enough to learn obedience, but not so long for their passive indignation to turn to thoughts of rebellion.
Peter’s meeting with the Europans bore regular fruit over the weeks. He would record their concerns and grievances, and the best of their ideas he would put forward to Icarus as changes and reforms to be implemented by the Unity crew. There was no fear of his ideas being rejected, as Admiral Gayle had all but guaranteed the Commander’s cooperation and Peter, in turn, earned fresh respect and praise from the colonists whenever their wishes and desires were seen to be met. It felt like he was cheating, playing a game of poker with his opponent’s hands laid out before him. Even the hatred he had garnered from his own brethren was easier to bear as the weeks and months rolled by.
For a time, Peter had walked around the station expecting an ambush at every turn. Unless he was with Nisha or one of his other allies, he constantly feared he would be pulled into a dark corner and assaulted by some disgruntled member of his outfit. As time lessened his fear, rationality took over. As much as Icarus had crowed about the treatment and ire he would garner from his fellows, Peter came to realize that no one would be permitted to touch him. Even though Icarus seemed
to love seeing Peter reviled, he could not let any harm come to Peter without getting it in the neck from Admiral Gayle and the Chiefs. Taken a certain way, Peter came to realize he had been effectively put in charge of the facility on Europa, with Icarus merely a mouthpiece. This knowledge didn’t exactly make him feel good about things, but they helped reconcile him to his lot.
Best of all though, Neptune and Pluto Cohort’s questionable command of Europa colony looked to end in the very near future. Reports from Admiral Gayle broadcast over all the colonies in the Jovian system declared Io, the last planetary base under Secessionist control, conquered. What Secessionist forces left were now fleeing across the system in a rag tag collection of short range shuttles. The war of Jupiter had been won, and the operations the Unity had left in the system now amounted to little more than clean up.
In his office during a rare break, Peter moved to the kettle that had been installed and poured out two cups of coffee. “Seems like forever since we last had a chance to talk, you and I. I never thought I’d say this, but I can’t wait for the day when you’re calling the shots once more.”
Alphred gave a polite nod as he was handed his beverage and settled back into his seat. “I will admit it will be nice to feel like I have some semblance of control...Having spent the last months in Commander Icarus’ shadow, I believe I have come to appreciate just how hard it can be to live life as a follower.”
“You’re still our cohort commander.” Peter meant his words as both reassurance and accusation. “It may have caused friction, but you’ve had plenty of opportunities to stand up to Icarus and push a different path here.”
Alphred shook his head. As usual, he seemed absolutely confident in himself and seemed unable to accept the criticism Peter laid against him. “The Admiral gave Icarus primary responsibility here. I had to put up a united front with him in his decisions. It seemed best, especially when the native hostilities became apparent.”
“And yet here I am presented as some guardian of Europa’s people, fighting the oppression Icarus has created. It’s a grand farce.” Peter felt relieved he was able to finally talk about the strange stage show he was putting on.
Alphred nodded and took a sip from his mug as he thought things through. “The Admiral likely chose you to be the voice of Europa’s people because of your past. Like it or not, the people here knew your face and story before we even set foot here. Your status as a celebrity likely engendered a lot of good will.”
“Yeah, and got me ambushed and attacked by a bunch of dissidents,” Peter was quick to add.
Alphred shrugged, showing no sign of caring. “A cult of personality is a double-edged sword as I understand it. You’re more likely to affect the minds and hearts of those around you to your advantage, but you also paint yourself as a rather symbolic target to those who cannot be swayed.”
Peter’s lips drew thin and he held his own cup in both hands as he stared up at the ceiling. “So, you’re in no danger of ever being singled out by the enemy then.”
“As leader of Pluto cohort, I am fairly sure I do represent a key target for enemy hostility.” Alphred seemed to completely miss the joke made against his wooden personality. But Peter smiled anyway. He enjoyed his commander’s obliviousness to sarcasm. “But are you really able to indulge in a private conversation like this? I thought you would still be inundated with interview requests from the colonists.”
“I gave myself the hour off,” Peter said casually. “It’s one of the perks of having a job you create for yourself. Besides, one of the new initiatives being introduced is work co-ops. In a few hours’ time, I’ll be heading out topside to conduct a geological survey of some suspected ice movements. I figured I could use some time to myself before then.”
Alphred nodded, neither seeming to condone or condemn Peter’s relaxed attitude. “Yes, I saw the expedition notes. Tharsis put in a request to join you on the expedition.”
Peter groaned and put down his cup. “Minerva did that? Why?” He shook his head. “That girl is driving me to madness. She’s given me nothing but silence and angry stares ever since Dean got locked up, and yet she persists in following me around like a damned shadow wherever I go.”
It was no exaggeration. Minerva had seemed to go out of her way over the last weeks to lurk in the periphery of Peter’s vision at all available hours. She never seemed happy to see him, but that didn’t stop her from standing silently nearby. Peter couldn’t even begin to guess what her deal was, but he had to assume the steps taken to a reforging of their friendship had been undone by the recent turn of events in the colony. Minerva was a Unity loyalist through and through, and Peter knew she would not have approved of him calling for one of their own to be locked up. She’d see it as disloyalty.
“I really have no idea what motivates that woman to do anything,” Alphred confessed. “Were it not for her amazing competence with EVA work and piloting, I’d be tempted to call her more a liability to the cohort than a boon, especially after Mars.”
Peter nodded. It was the first time Alphred had expressed his opinion, and Peter couldn’t help but agree. “I tried to talk her out of continuing the mission, you know. After the incident on the station, I asked her if she wanted to bow out of the mission. I even offered to hand in my resignation myself if it would influence her decision.”
Alphred raised an eyebrow. “That is quite a commitment to her well-being. I must say, knowing that, I am suddenly glad that she did not choose to leave. It would not have done for two of my cohort to leave the mission at our first port. Not that you’d have been allowed.” Peter shot him an interested glance, waiting for him to continue. “Your presence on the mission is good for the Unity’s publicity. Even I can’t guess how great a role you play in things, but I guarantee the Admiral is looking to make the very most out of you. He would have made sure you did not stay on Mars even if you had requested the transfer.”
“Good to know,” Peter said with a forlorn sigh. He looked to Alphred and noticed the Commander seemed equally troubled, though Alphred always seemed a little pensive. “Is something wrong. You don’t seem all there? If you need to be elsewhere right now-.”
“-No, it is not that at all,” Alphred shook his head and took another swig of his drink then deciding to drain the cup instead. “Truth is, I was just thinking about your EVA expedition. Was it sanctioned by Icarus.”
“Yes?” Peter sat forward. “Why do you ask?”
Alphred looked uncomfortable and stared into his now empty mug. “It’s classified information…I thought Icarus might have told you though.”
Peter leaned back and frowned. “Icarus is not exactly in a big hurry to talk to me about anything. But you’re a cohort commander, perhaps you could actually do something with that authority and let me know what’s on your mind if you think it’s important.” He knew Alphred would be unlikely to divulge any secret unless given the proper clearance. So he didn’t hold his breath.
“We had a transmission from the Admiral.”
Peter perked up as his commander relented, much to his surprise. “What was it about, or are you going to leave me hanging?”
Alphred did not seem happy, but he continued anyway. “After Saturn Cohort arrived on Io, the Secessionist forces fled in their shuttles. At this point, they are little more than cornered rats. Their shuttles don’t have enough fuel or power to take them out of the Jovian system, and they know there is no sense in bringing the fight to the Unity.”
“Yes, we heard all this already. The Admiral and Jupiter cohort are looking to run them around the system until their ships give out and they are forced to surrender.” Peter couldn’t see what the Commander was getting at.
“The Secessionist ships are now drifting our way. The Admiral doesn’t seem concerned, but there is the possibility the Secessionists may try to land on Europa. A deep facility beneath the ice sheets with food and water grown on site, they could hold out for months and any fight to force them out of this place would be b
loody.”
“But the Admiral doesn’t see it as a problem?” Peter was confused.
Alphred sighed. “We have two cohorts defending this facility. The Secessionists would be stupid to attack us here. Nevertheless, they are in a desperate situation, and there are not an awful lot of options left open to them.”
Peter nodded, at last understanding Alphred’s concern. He tried to put on a reassuring smile. “There are numerous space stations they could attempt to take rather than come here. If their main goal now is survival, they aren’t going to pincer themselves between our cohorts here on Europa and those on board the Unity.”
“I suppose not.” Peter could tell that Alphred still wasn’t happy, but he didn’t have the luxury of time to discuss the issue in greater detail. “Look, our EVA excursion will likely take seventeen hours tops. I know I’ve not had the best track record for luck on our mission thus far, but I seriously doubt anything earth shattering will happen to Europa in the time we’re away.” He downed the last of his drink and slammed his cup down on the table top with some extra gusto. “Besides, the buckling we detected in the ice sheets could be a bigger, if less awe-inspiring, problem for the colony. If a cracking of the great ice spread near to the facility, we could see Europa colony dying off to natural causes.”