I gazed up at the ceiling. “So, let me understand this. Humans and Earth, that’s no more?” I peeked up at her.
“Well. This is another discussion. We think there are some, but understand the androids rule your former home, Victoria, it’s as simple as that. We lost Earth,” she said plainly. The thought was incomprehensible. Before I left Earth, it felt like we had them on the run, but it was a resetting phase for the machines.
“So, they’ve taken Earth, but they’ve never bothered the colony here?” I asked.
“Ahem. Well, no, not exactly.”
I shrugged. “Well? What does that mean?”
“We think they’re planning something, they’ve constructed an orbital fleet, four hundred ships strong, each larger than an aircraft carrier from your day. They began bombarding the planet’s moon eight months ago. We’re thinking it’s in preparation for some type of attack. Obviously, this is classified, highly sensitive information,” she replied, crossing her arms.
“Earth is still our home, that’s our moon,” I replied. There was such a disconnect in her voice regarding Earth. The androids might rule there, but it was humanity’s home.
“Some here still think that way, but for most, it’s difficult to imagine Earth as home. Even the iconic blue sky I’ve seen in videos seems unfathomable, almost frightening.” She smiled, peering out into the drab pink horizon. She shifted her eyes toward me. I got the sense she knew what my next question was.
I clenched my fists and calves, almost preparing for a high G-Force maneuver. “So, is there, um, any indication on how he died?” I whispered. I bit my bottom lip and closed my eyes.
“Luther. It’s imperative that you don’t get your hopes up, considering the situation, but we’re not completely positive he is dead. We can’t say for certain,” she replied, raising an eyebrow.
I stood up. “How? What? Last known location. Tell me—”
“We don’t know. When you were frozen, he decided to go under the ice at the same time,” she said.
“Oh,” I whispered as my lip trembled. My mouth dropped as I stared a million miles away.
“Victoria. There’s no statement in the logs from your husband on why he did this, specifically.” She grinned. “But I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to figure it out,” she added.
“He wanted...to wait...for me,” I muttered. My heart pounded as I attempted to sort out the tsunami of emotions flooding my mind. Anger, hopelessness, sadness was suddenly overtaken by a glimmer of hope that beamed so bright that it blinded all rational.
And I knew it.
“T-tell, me what you know,” I pleaded. Arania sat down in the chair.
“I want you to understand there’s not much information, okay,” she said.
“Please,” I begged.
“So, the original Titans didn’t have adequate long-term facilities for two people under the ice. Luther agreed to be sent back to Earth per the logs, but we have no idea where,” she explained.
“Oh my God. Earth! N-no, then how? How can I even have a chance to find him?” I asked frantically. I looked down, noticing my hands trembling.
“Hold on, there’s more,” she said. I thought of the worst. What if he’d been unfrozen somehow, living during the war with his anxiety, knowing he would never see me again? The thought of him dying in the nuclear fire seemed comforting by comparison.
Arania pulled out a small device from her shirt pocket. “Captain, this was left inside your ice chamber. It’s from Luther. It has instructions to give it to you. It’s linked to his ice chamber. It will reveal his location once you answer a question he prerecorded.”
“Here. Let me have it,” I leaned forward, outstretching my hand.
She placed the device in the palm of my hand. “Of course. There’s also a separate video stored inside apparently,” she said.
“I think it goes without saying, but don’t lose this, Captain. We’ve made a duplicate, but you alone hold the answer,” she said.
“H-he did this.” I stared into her eyes. I wanted to cry as I cupped my other hand around it. The simple, unsuspecting object was the key to my existence.
“Yes. So, the device is password protected by your thumbprint and a verbal question. Once you answer it, his ice block will begin to melt, hopefully displaying his location. Seems he went to great lengths to plan this with the technicians onboard your ship,” she said.
“A question? I have to go to Earth then, it’s the only way. I don’t want to answer it unless I’m close enough to recover him,” I said. Arania began nodding her head slowly with confidence. “Sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what we wanted to hear from you. We were counting on it.” She grinned.
“What?” I asked.
“We’re assembling a team, a mission to Earth. We want to link up with any human resistance to deal with this possible impending conflict, but no one has volunteered until now, until we told them about you,” she explained.
“Wait, you haven’t received any transmissions from Earth?” I asked.
“Not in many years, but we think they might be afraid of interception, possibly leading to their discovery. That device Luther made for you, it’s possible it could reveal this location to a secret human settlement, and that’s exciting for us, not just you,” she said.
“Is there any way this device could reveal Luther or the resistance’s location to the androids? Will it broadcast the position?” I challenged.
“Luther’s device is actually heavily encrypted, so we really don’t think so. We have doubts the resistance has the technology to fortify their transmissions like this,” she said.
“Still sounds risky.”
“This whole mission is risky. It’s unlikely you will survive,” she said plainly.
“It’s not like I have much to lose at this point.”
She lifted her eyebrows, scanning around the room briefly. I imagined she was attempting to put herself in my shoes for a moment. “Ahem. Victoria, your file states you were a very successful combat pilot before your duties as captain of the Orion,” she said.
“I flew several combat missions against the androids. Most of them involved shooting down hijacked fighter drones. I also destroyed a National Guard armory in Tennessee they overran,” I said.
“Your file also mentions you had no physical ailments or mental issues before the head trauma. Is this correct?” she asked.
I met eyes with her. “I’m obviously under a lot of stress, but I’m fine. I’ve had a few headaches in the past days, that’s it.”
“No bouts with suicidal thoughts or anxiety attacks in the last days?” she asked.
“No,” I lied. I was used to deceiving military evaluators on Earth. One ‘yes’ answer usually led to hundreds more. Sure, I had a brief thought of suicide when all this was initially thrown in my lap. Of course, I had some anxiety. It didn't mean I wasn’t capable. Besides, what experience did they have dealing with a situation as unique as mine? None.
“Good. Reading your file, we got the impression you were very resilient. Mrs. Belic, I want you to know who we are as a people. I think that’s important to know,” she said.
“Okay.”
“For one, there has been no war here. We are a peaceful mining colony and—”
“That’s how it always starts,” I interrupted.
“What?” she said.
“Looking out my window. I see the signs. Cooped up on a toxic planet, industry driven. It’s only a matter of time before people here turn inward on themselves. Could be today or fifty years from now,” I gathered.
“We’ve been here over seventy years with no major conflicts. We’ve had some murders, but statistically compared to humans on Earth during your time, we are nowhere near as violent,” she said softly. It was difficult for me to fathom. I lived on Earth during the downhill slope.
“It’s still early, give it time,” I replied.
“We call what you’re referring to as the Onyx Theory. Yes. We�
��re aware. When people live inside a decaying situation, things tend to sour, quickly. Earth was literally a giant Onyx Theory chamber. You all knew it was going to end, but what would be the final nail in the coffin? The numbers didn’t add up. Society was fragile. Overpopulation combined with dwindling resources, war, disease, something on a global scale was waiting to cripple civilizations, they just had no idea what,” she explained.
“I know, I lived it. I never thought it would have been androids, though,” I said.
“To be fair, people on Earth made it easy for the androids. They were already at each other’s throat and the machines capitalized. Here, on Titan, life has huge challenges, we’re a civilization in its infancy, but we have a future, we have hope,” she lowered her voice. She paused, gesturing toward the horizon.
“But that’s in jeopardy, isn’t it?” I shifted my eyes toward her.
“I’m sorry?” She arched an eyebrow.
“If your Onyx Theory holds true, the people on Titan are beginning to feel the impending doom, too, much like Earth did. That android orbital fleet is out there. I find it unlikely it’s been kept secret. I’d be willing to bet word travels fast here,” I said.
Arania sighed, narrowing her eyes at me. “This is a secret matter. But you’re correct, there have been whispers in the colony about it, along with an increased sense of restlessness,” she revealed.
“Gotta keep all those workers working, do ya? Can’t have people worried. Need production numbers high, I’m sure,” I said, glancing out at all the construction.
“People here want to be a part of this movement, to carry the torch onward for humanity. It’s a real thing, and I want you to understand that. We have a collective goal, a responsibility,” she said.
“Me too,” I mumbled.
“So, you’re willing to help then?” she asked, right back to the point.
“Yes,” I answered confidently.
Arania stood up slowly. “Then it sounds like we have a tentative agreement,” she said.
“Good. What’s the mission timeline?” I stood up as well.
“If you pass medical evaluation and training, seven weeks minimum. We know you could fly, but we need you to get acquainted to the newer systems. We have an aircraft we think you’ll like,” she hinted.
“Show me a cockpit, I’ll show you a pilot,” I said.
She raised her eyebrows. “I’ll give you more details in the coming days. Until then, you will go through a few more medical and mental evaluations,” she said.
“I’ll pass, don’t worry,” I replied.
“Let’s hope so. Again, if you’re asked any questions by the staff other than myself or Corvin, report that immediately. We’d prefer if you kept this quiet,” she lowered her voice.
“Loose lips sink ships,” I said. She grinned, turning away and exiting.
After she left, I stared down at the device that linked me to Luther. I put it up to my nose, sniffing it. I wanted to believe he had touched it. Obviously, I couldn’t smell anything.
I closed my eyes, recalling the lavender soap on his skin, his ocean fresh after shave. I began crying loudly, uncontrollably, clenching the device in my hands. I stood up, picking up the chair beside my bed. I smashed it into the window several times and slung it across the room violently. I collapsed into the floor, panting heavily.
“No!” I shouted.
The thought of him stashed away safely in some underground facility felt like a fantasy. It was unrealistic. Why would anyone keep him alive after the war for this long? What incentive would a person have to preserve him after all these years?
It didn’t make sense.
No matter how unlikely it was, I couldn’t live without knowing for certain. In fact, the thought of him being alive gave me the sliver of hope I needed for motivation, survival. I needed to make myself believe it was at least possible, even though the reality of it would crush me. He froze himself for me. He let the world pass by for the chance I would survive and come back for him.
And I was coming for him, whether these Titans liked it or not.
Chapter 5
THREE DAYS LATER...
“Victoria, this is Corvin, can you muster outside your room in five minutes?” A speaker beside my bed interrupted my sleep. Today was the first day of training. Over the last few days, I had made some improvements. I was eating more and I had begun a light workout routine in my room, pushups and sit-ups mostly.
After seventy-two years of cryosleep, I was surprisingly mobile. I was stiff, but not like I imagined. It felt more like waking up after a long night’s rest on sleeping medication.
Mentally, I felt better, as well. I could feel determination setting in, propelling my every move. One small chance to find Luther was better than none at all.
“I’ll-I’ll be right there,” I said, rubbing my eyes.
I ran my fingers across my head, skimming over the scar above my left ear. My hair was stubble on my head now, it felt prickly, a sensation I’d never felt there before. Even during officer training school, it wasn’t this short.
I heard a knock at the door.
“Ready?” Corvin asked.
“Almost!” I yelled. I threw on the maroon jumpsuit hanging on the bathroom door, then my combat boots.
I opened the door a few inches. “Is five minutes faster on Titan than it is on Earth?” I joked. Corvin cracked half a smile. I could see someone else standing outside. I looked down, noticing the top half of my breast were exposed as I quickly zipped up my suit.
“Ready,” I said.
No sooner than I could open the door fully, I noticed a tall, athletically built man behind Corvin. He was near Luther’s height, but not quite as broad. He had long, dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. He was wearing a military jumpsuit like mine. He seemed to be of mixed ethnicity. His face was long and angular, with a well-manicured short beard. His disposition appeared serious, but inviting.
“Hello,” he nodded.
“Hi,” I said.
His eyes were almond shaped and green, almost emerald in color. His skin looked olive and soft, somewhat feminine, unlike the rest of him. He was handsome, in an oversized pirate sort of way. I imagined he was covered in tattoos under his jumpsuit.
“I’m Rivan Drake.” His voice was extremely deep.
“Captain Victoria Belic,” I replied. He glanced over at Corvin.
“Our military ranks on Titan are all Army. Being a Naval captain that would mean you’re a—”
“Colonel, is the equivalent,” I interrupted Corvin. Drake raised his eyebrows slowly. He crossed his meaty arms low in front of him.
“Yeah, I don’t think anyone here knows Naval ranks, Belic. Before our time. However, for this mission, last name basis is fine. It’ll only be three of you,” Corvin said.
“Three? Who else? Who’s in operational command?” I asked. Corvin nodded over at Drake. “You’re looking at him.”
“Colonel as well, but just call me Drake,” he said softly. This long-haired swashbuckler was in the Army, and a Colonel? Apparently, military regulations went away with the oxygen atmosphere.
“That’s pretty casual, but all the same to me if we pull this off,” I said. I wondered if Titan’s military readiness was just as lax as his. An assault from the androids would require strict chain of command to repel. Maybe they thought they were far too outmatched to even bother?
“Right this way,” Corvin said.
We walked three abreast down a long tube-like hallway with huge curved windows on each side. It reminded me of a busy airport terminal with interconnecting sections abound. The floors were silver, like my room, and appeared spotless. This was the first time I got a good look at the regular colony folks.
“Just act like you belong here and people might not notice,” Corvin leaned in.
Most of the people on this wing were blue collar workers apparently. Many wore hardhats with color coordinated work utility coveralls, royal blue, yellow, white, and gre
en. I assumed this was for different fields of work.
“What’s with all the colored uniforms?” I asked.
“Professions. These people in blue oversee airflow and temperature, maintaining a comfortable setting, quite a task in itself. We convert the ice on the surface of Titan to oxygen. The yellow ones are what we call the honeybees. They handle construction. We have inside and outside crews. You probably saw some of the honeybees from your window?” Corvin asked.
“Yeah. But please tell me the guys on the outside get paid more?” I smirked, looping my index finger around.
“Ah, yeah. Absolutely.” Corvin nodded.
“The greens are the eco folks. They basically make sure all our solar and wind energy sources are up to snuff. White is, of course, safety and medical,” he explained. The colored uniforms reminded me of an aircraft carrier. We had a similar setup on flight decks. It allowed supervisors a better perspective of personnel from the bridge.
“It makes sense to me,” I said.
“Thought it might,” Corvin replied.
As I panned around, I observed round black domes on the ceiling. They were about the size of dinner plates and spaced evenly, about every thirty paces. A red LED light seemed to follow us as we proceeded.
I found it uncomfortable. I understood I was new, a wildcard, but it didn’t make sense to be so obvious. Maybe my keen fighter pilot eyes were a bit too observant for my own good.
I noticed a few business types were sprinkled here and there but, visually, they could have been plucked right out of my day with the traditional three-piece suits. They seemed hurried, checking their watches as they strolled about.
The Legion and the Lioness (World Apart Book 1) Page 4