Dark Moon Rising

by Michael E. Gonzales

"Hugh, tell me the truth—"

  "Always, if I can."

  "What do you mean, 'if you can'?"

  "Mary, I won't lie to you. If I can't be truthful for some reason I'll just not speak."

  She studied him a moment. Really, that was more than fair, and far more than offered her by any man she had ever known. Nevertheless, she was in a dark mood right now.

  "Hugh, do you know what messages you're sending with those flowers?"

  He seemed to swallow. "Yes."

  Mary took a step toward Hugh. "Do you realize the impact such words have? Do you realize the implication? You don't say it directly you let your paper flowers say it." She turned her back and stepped away. "Hugh, you have to know something up front, and I'm not going to say it with fake flowers."

  She turned around to face him, her eyes both angry and wet. "I'm going to have the courage to say this to your face. Hugh, I don't have any room in my life for a man, not even a boyfriend. I'm a very ambitious woman. I'm already quite high on the ladder of success now, and I have a plan for climbing higher. I don't want any distractions. Now, as long as you can deal with that reality, we can remain friends, at least for the next sixteen months. The instant you become a distraction, it's over!" Her voice had steadily risen as she spoke. She paused, took a deep breath, and crossed her arms. "There, I've chosen my damned road."

  She turned on her heels and quickly started walking away. Hugh remained where he stood, his face impassive. "Okay," he said softly, not nearly loud enough for her to hear. He watched as she walked off, fast and with purpose. The evening was at an end, and he knew it. She did not look back.

  Chapter 9

  Mary walked quickly. She did not want Hugh to catch up to her and see the tears streaming down her face, nor did she wipe her eyes, fearing he might see the movement of her arms and figure it out. She didn’t turn around again until she arrived back at the complex. She stopped at the door to the elevator and as she waited for it, she glanced off into the dome. Hugh was nowhere to be seen. She soon arrived in her quarters, locked the door behind her, kicked her shoes off, and threw herself down across the bed. Her confusion, fear, frustration, and anger with herself all burst forth, and she sobbed uncontrollably until at last, Morpheus wrapped her is his arms and gave her blessed oblivion.

  ****

  Hugh had followed her at a discreet distance. He was silent in his movements; his use of shadow in the dim light of simulated night in the domes was illustrative of his training. He watched her ascend in the elevator. When he was sure she was safe in her room, he walked away. He checked the time, 19:50 hours. Four hours and ten minutes before he had to report for duty. He walked on to the observation dome where he sat, unflinching, and watched the Earth slowly rotate.

  ****

  Upon his return to work, Balaji was immediately set on by Mary.

  "Balaji, where the hell have you been? We've been worried sick! I've been worried sick!"

  "I apologize, Mary. I needed some time alone."

  "Are you all right, is there any way I can help?"

  "Mary, we need to talk, privately. I have already cleared you through Dr. Whitmore."

  "Whitmore? What's going on?"

  He took Mary into the small meeting room off the admin area in the lab where he told her all he knew and all he had discovered in his research.

  "So, this Sword and Stars is a real organization?"

  "Yes, they are extremely well funded by the enemies of the allied nations, they openly admit to terror activities around the world, and have combat units in Oceania. I have asked to see the DIA's files on them. I was told I would soon have a copy. Their existence as a known terrorist organization lends credibility to Mr. Smith's story, but by itself is no guarantee of truth. I don't know why, but I am yet skeptical. I realize my dislike for Dr. Whitmore may be clouding my judgment; however, I am not entirely convinced. Stanley did make one true statement the other day. If the entire world is given the antidote for this plague, the weapon will be rendered useless. But the suggestion is a long way removed from the fact."

  Balaji's COMde alerted him to a call. He switched to speaker. "Hello?"

  "Balaji," Stanley said hurriedly, "could you come upstairs to lab two-twenty-two?"

  "I am with Mary, explaining to her—"

  "Good, bring her with you. I want you two to see these."

  "See what?"

  "The new Self Contained Environmental Protective Suits. Ess-CEPS II."

  "I have seen Ess-CEPS before, Stanley."

  "Not like these. Come on up."

  A few minutes later, Mary and Balaji were standing outside lab two-twenty-two. There were a couple of armed LCDD guards outside the security doors. One saluted and punched a code number into a keypad, and the door opened. As they walked past the two soldiers, Balaji turned to Mary, "Have you seen Hugh lately?"

  "Long story, I'll tell you later."

  Inside, Stanley was waiting. He seemed rather happy and excited. "Right this way. Balaji, I told you there was a practical application for the new fluorocarbon. It's being called EverBreath."

  They entered a long room with one of its walls being the strong outer hull of the dome. Along this wall thirty or forty Ess-CEPS II suits were situated. Next to each suit were its back and chest packs, and helmet. The packs differed considerably from the standard design.

  Stan advanced to one of the suits. "Now we are only limited by the endurance of the explorer inside the suit and, of course, the power supply. With these Type Two, Self-Contained Environmental Protective Suits, the person inside breathes not air, but EverBreath. Let me explain how this works. You'll note the suit is a tighter fit than the old suit. It is lighter too, so you'll be more maneuverable and comfortable. The inside of the suit will still be pressurized to one atmosphere with nitrogen and oxygen but you'll breathe the fluorocarbon emulsion. The helmet is slightly different, also, so it can accommodate the mask which will carry the liquid to your mouth and nose. The mask is manufactured from a new polymer that very closely approximates human flesh. It will seal perfectly around the lower half of your face, ensuring you have an uninterrupted flow of EverBreath. This pack contains the EverBreath, the power supply, the CO2 scrubbers, and the newly-designed, regenerative bio filters. The chest pack contains the environmental elements, controls, and communications equipment."

  "Sounds like a lot of new technology," Mary commented.

  "Oh, yes. I've been working with design and engineering teams on this project for several years, we prided ourselves on our innovation and—"

  "I presume you have all the bugs worked out of it? All that new stuff sort of makes these experimental doesn't it?"

  "Yes, experimental, but completely safe, they have been tested many dozens of times."

  "On Earth?"

  "Yes, on Earth. Remember Mary, these domes were tested on Earth as well."

  "Who is going to test these up here?"

  "We have no end of volunteers from the ranks of the Lunar Civil Defense Detachment."

  Mary looked at Balaji. Her face betrayed her deep concern.

  "Stanley," Balaji asked, "do you know the names of any of these volunteers?"

  "I have a complete list on my computer. Why?"

  "I know a couple of the soldiers. I was wondering whether any I know had volunteered."

  "We'll check in my office later." He turned to Mary, "I understand Balaji has discussed our other project with you?"

  "Yes, he has."

  "Are you on board?"

  "Like Balaji, I remain skeptical, but as long as he's involved, so am I. However, if I discover you're lying to us, I'll blow the whistle so loud it'll be heard on Earth from here. Do you understand?"

  "Mary," Stanley put the helmet back on its mount and turned to look into her eyes, "I am not a skeptic. Once you read the DIA file, neither will you be."

  As they passed through the security doors headed back to Stanley's office, Balaji asked, "Do you find a lot of LCDD members volunteer for exp
eriments?"

  "Yes, we do. I assume they become bored just walking about waiting for some catastrophe that's likely to never happen."

  Entering Stanley's office, they went to his computer where he called up the list of volunteers. Mary stood at Balaji's side.

  "What are the soldiers' names?" Stanley asked.

  "Staff Sergeant Hugh Pacherd," Balaji said.

  Stanley entered the name into his computer. "Yes, his name is here, one of the first to volunteer."

  Mary grabbed Balaji's arm tightly. "Shit!" she said, and stormed out.

  "What's the matter with her?" Stanley asked.

  "She must have left the kettle on the burner," Balaji said, and turned to leave.

  "Balaji, for what it's worth, this Sergeant Pacherd's application was rejected."

  "Does it say why?"

  "No. All it says is 'unqualified'."

  ****

  That evening, after the end of the duty day, Mary headed directly for her apartment. She sat at her computer, but stared at the wall beyond it. Hugh had volunteered for a dangerous assignment and she felt it was because of her. She had already been greatly conflicted, and this certainly compounded things. What she had told Hugh was true. She was focused on her career and she did not need any distractions. But she was certainly distracted now.

  Her COMde sounded. It was Balaji. She tapped her temple. "Hello, Balaji."

  "Mary, are you up to a walk this evening?"

  She paused, sniffled, and wiped her eyes. "Give me a minute, Balaji."

  Twenty minutes later, she went down to meet Balaji with her eyes red and puffy. "What is the matter, Mary?"

  "Oh, Balaji, I've hurt Hugh. Now he's volunteering for stupid and dangerous stuff."

  She told him of their last encounter. How she had "told him how it is", and how she had walked home alone.

  "Mary, Hugh is a very smart man. Undoubtedly, he knew you were upset. I'll wager as soon as he hears that I am returned he'll be back, knowing that your stress over my disappearance has been relieved."

  "Still, I told him there was no room in my life for him. You told me a man likes to know he's wanted. Well, I certainly dispelled any thought of that in him. He may contact you, but I feel sure I've seen the last of him."

  "Why should that upset you?" Balaji asked. "Is this not what you wanted? You are a driven woman, by your own admission. Despite your competence, you lack the confidence to proceed with a life that you share with another human being. Knowing yourself as you do, have you not made the right decision?"

  Mary stopped walking and looked at Balaji. Initially, she was angered at his comment, but she realized that this was, indeed, her position. As she told Hugh, she was ambitious and she didn't need the distraction. Regardless, having her words thrown back at her didn't help. "I thought you were on my side?"

  "Oh, but I am. The problem is, you do not know on whose side you are. What does Mary want? Do you know, honestly? Obviously, you are upset at the idea you may have hurt Hugh. His feelings, then, mean something to you, thus do I contend that you care for him. How much do you care is the question. As scientists, we must have something to measure, shall we measure the number of tears you have shed?"

  "That's not fair," she said, looking away.

  "I am sorry, but life is seldom, if ever, fair. Frankly, I could not suffer life without my Chandrakanta. We complete one another. Mary, there is a story that says that life is a man and a woman. They must join or there is no life. Without this joining both the man and the woman wither, and are blown into dust by the northern winds."

  Mary turned back toward Balaji. "Do you believe that?" she asked, wiping her nose.

  "Oh, indeed. Without my Chandrakanta, I would be an empty husk. I would be as a dead leaf floating on a vast sea."

  "How old is that story?"

  "Right now, about thirty seconds. I just made it up."

  Mary smiled and they walked on. Several minutes passed in silence.

  "Are you enjoying our walk?" Balaji finally broke the quiet.

  "Yes, I am, of course."

  "You are unusually quiet."

  "I'm sorry. It's just that I don't have an answer to your question, what does Mary want? It's a good question, Balaji."

  "And?"

  "Frankly, I'm a little upset with myself that I don't have an answer for it. I did decide that I am dreadfully sorry I shot my mouth off to Hugh like that. I could have been more diplomatic."

  "So, you'd have said the same things, just differently?" Balaji asked.

  "Oh, hell, I don't know. I thought I had this all figured out and you fouled me up again."

  "I hate to add to your burden, but we are being followed."

  "Hugh?" Mary asked.

  "Yes. He's very good at following, too, I must say."

  "Oh, no. I must look a fright!"

  Mary started to look over her shoulder, but Balaji stopped her. "Do not look back!" he urged, and took her by the arm.

  "Why not?"

  "The man is a highly trained soldier; imagine the blow to his ego to learn that I, a middle-aged lab coat, discovered him."

  "Why is he sneaking around, why not just come up here and—"

  "Mary, is it not obvious? The man cares greatly for you. He wishes to see you, but knows such a meeting is not desired by you. So, he sneaks glances of you when he can. You were right the first time — he is a stalker."

  "Oh, baloney, Hugh is no—" she reached up to feel her hair. "I'm going back inside, Balaji. I don't want him to see me like this."

  "As you wish, Mary. Get some rest. Do some thinking."

  Chapter 10

  The next morning as Mary prepared for work, she made some subtle adjustments to her appearance. She took her hair down from the bun, applied a little make up, and began wearing clothing that was professional, but at the same time, quite flattering, she had added some color to her wardrobe as well. She had also purchased a new perfume. She noticed that suddenly, she was attracting attention everywhere she went.

  Upon Mary's entering the lab that morning, everyone looked up. She pretended not to notice. Balaji approached and stood silently looking at her with a coy smile on his lips.

  "What?" she asked indignantly.

  "Nothing." Balaji turned and walked away. "Nothing at all."

  Ten days had passed. Mary still had seen no sign of Hugh.

  Their team had now all been informed about the additional, and now priority-classified, mission by Dr. Whitmore. No one was shocked that Bob was enthusiastically on board, as well.

  Mr. Smith was hovering about at all times. Should agents of the Sword and Stars be aware of whom he was, he would surely lead them to the team. He was, however, the dog guarding the hen house.

  Over lunch that afternoon, Mary asked Balaji, "Have you seen Hugh recently?"

  "No, Mary, I have not."

  "Perhaps we'll see him on our walk tonight."

  "Mary, have you an answer to my question?"

  "Not yet," she answered in a low voice.

  "Mary, I am embarrassed for you."

  "What?"

  "Look at yourself. You have, how do you Americans say it? Dolled yourself up; and for whom? You have asked me seven or eight times in the last week if I've caught a glance of him. You are as eager to see him as a schoolgirl. Now, I ask you again, Dr. Eddington, do you have an answer?"

  "Balaji. I hardly know him. We need to be on speaking terms before I can make any decisions."

  ****

  That evening, Mary joined the rest of the team in the meeting room off the lab. The door was sealed and Mr. Smith performed a sweep of the room with a device that would indicate if any sort of audio, video, or other type of clandestine surveillance device were present in the room. Stanley then turned on another device that sealed the room off from outside listening by muting their harmonic signature. Once these safe-guards were in place, they began the status meeting.

  Mary rose first. "Stanley I have very good news for you," she said,
looking him straight in the eyes. "Just this morning we confirmed the results of test 736, they are in the folder in front of you. In short, we have concluded that with minor genetic restructuring, the nanobots can be defeated, or preempted, if you will. Additionally, we can render the proteins of every life form on Earth invulnerable to any like type attack in the future. The biotechnology is experimental, and we don't know what the likely side effects might be, and the process will take decades to complete, but this is the most promising breakthrough yet." She started her power point presentation. "Additional study is therefore required, but as you can see from this—"

  Bob interrupted. "Why was I not informed of this discovery?"

  "You are being informed now, Bob," Balaji said.

  "I have to be the last member of the team to hear?"

  "Bob," Balaji knitted his brow, "you are deep into the exonuclease and ligase enzyme experiments which are avenues that still require much research, and will not end as a result of this news. We did not want to distract you late in the day yesterday. Our data was only confirmed this morning."

  "Well, I thought we were a team!" Bob rose to his feet. "Now, I find out you were holding back on me!"

  "Bob, your line of research is distinct from this one," Mary reminded him.

  "Still, I should have been informed!" Bob's ears were turning red.

  The degree to which Bob was upset was disproportionate to the situation. "So has this information already been relayed to Earth? Is my name associated at all with the project?"

  "Not yet, Bob," Mary said, "but I assure you, your name—"

  With the violence of a bolt of lightning, the entire dome jolted under their feet. The table retained its place in space while the floor jerked under it. Those standing, Mary, Bob, and Mr. Smith, were thrown to the floor, unable to maintain their footing.

  "Wow, that was the worst yet," Mary exclaimed as Balaji assisted her to her feet.

  "It is not over!" Balaji shouted, feeling the movement in the floor, another violent jerk, followed by a heavy vibration.

  "What shall we do?" Bob screamed, seemingly on the verge of tears.

  "Just stay put!" Stan bellowed. "These domes are built like tanks!"