Abel

by Jessie Rose Case

  “You like good food.” She told him between mouthfuls.

  Abel chewed, nodded and swallowed then answered her. “We do. We lived on a lot of syn food over the years and during the wars. We can survive on it, but we are not at our best without new fresh produce. We will go along way to get it too. It’s that important. People do not function well on poor nutrition. In our travels, we found worlds that needed help and that they had more than they needed, and wanted to trade it with us for our help. Ironically, we have most things that are now difficult to find on Old Earth and we are happy to share it with our friends and neighbours. Some of what your farmers and workers have accomplished here in such difficult conditions will be useful to others. The seeds and plants you have, will be wanted by others as well. They have value. Your people can set the price they want for them. Also you need to consider the soil and ore, they have value too.”

  Coco finished her mouthful and took a sip of the delicious drink. “The soil and ore?” She asked. Abel chewed and swallowed.

  “Yes, they are both very valuable to people who need it. You might want to keep a mining contingent here to work them, put out contracts to sell or trade it. We have ships that can help with that. We can also help with security, rotate people. You could give jobs to other miners from other worlds, set them up in the tunnels on working contracts. We’d put out a buoy around the planet to remind people that this planet is owned by your people, but once word is out that there is a fuel source here, it could be a target. You need to be prepared for that.”

  Coco kept chewing. It was a lot to think about. “Are the resources of this world shared equally between you all on the original contract?” He asked her. She swallowed and nodded.

  “It’s meant to be, but Hodges and his people take what they want.” Abel continued to eat for a while. Coco did too. The food was too good not to.

  He lifted his glass and drank, then put his glass back down. “He won’t be happy then. We will insist that everything is shared equally between everyone who is living at this point. Everyone gets a share and will continue to.”

  Coco pushed her plate away feeling full. “He’s going to be trouble.” She told him honestly.

  Abel cleared his plate and wiped his mouth on the napkin. “I expect he will. He will use the people’s own fears against them. People don’t react well to the unknown. If we are to have any chance of getting these people off the ground safely, we need to keep that to a minimum.”

  “Then we’d better not make any decision until we’re all safely off.” She told him.

  “Agreed, how was the lasagne?”

  She looked down on her empty plate. “That was amazing, thank you.”

  “Good, take a nap, I’ll be back. I have a few things to see to. I’ll wake you in two hours. We good?”

  Coco nodded. “Yes.”

  “Good, leave all this, I’ll deal with it later.” He stood, gave her a nod and left. Coco decided he was right, it had been a long day. She could do with a couple of hours sleep before getting back to it again. Her mind was going over all the things that still needed to be done, coupled with the worry over Hodges and his crew. She felt sure this wasn’t over.

  ***

  Abel stepped into the corridor and took the ping on his net. Our men have arrived. Jebb told him.

  Good put them to work. I also want extra security at the Colony and around this ship. I want someone on Hodges and his people the whole time and I need a sample of that ore.

  Affirmative. He wasn’t about to let Hodges cause trouble or have Coco in the firing line. They’d be prepared for anything.

  ***

  She stood to one side as another off-worlder, as Abel called them, was filled with their belongings. They’d been at it for a week. They’d started with the seed stock, then personal belongings of those going up first to look after their equipment. Then started bringing up the dismantled structures, then their food stock. People at the colony were digging up the orchards and the farmland of vegetables and fruit. It was a bit early for the first harvest of corn and wheat but in another week, it would be doable. It was decided it would be the last thing they did. Then the farming equipment would be loaded along with the grain and straw for the animals. Then they would be brought on board. Keeping them in the caves over night to let them rest and get as much fresh air as possible before being confined to the ship in a loading bay.

  They would be in Space for nearly eight weeks. According to Abel this was much faster than anyone else could do the journey, because of the Admiral’s wife Kim. She was magic with engines, he’d told her. She’d worried about the animals being in a small enclosed space and Abel had laughed, telling her his ship was bigger than her colony. She found it hard to image a ship so big. So, he’d showed her on the vid screen. Bridget had compared her ship to his and the difference was clear. They could fit four of her ship in his. She now understood how easy it would be for Abel’s ship to tow hers.

  And it was as ready as it was going to get. They’d finished off the repairs that they could. Abel’s men had helped a lot with that. Bridget had basic functions throughout the ship now. Life support wouldn’t be needed throughout the ship. A Cyborg could run point on it while it was being towed without any problems.

  Abel had made it clear that she would be on his ship with her people, making sure they were dealing with the changes. He’d told her he didn’t want any surprises. She could understand that. They’d heard rumours that Hodges was whispering in people’s ears. Every time they caught wind of something, Abel and his people with her consent, did something different. The tactic was working so far, but for how long, she didn’t know. Sooner or later she knew Abel’s patience was likely to wane, and she couldn’t blame him. Hodges was being an ass.

  He’d tried to call a community meeting without them knowing, but Cyborg hearing was good, Abel’s men caught wind of it and she’d made it, just in time to address the group. Hodges had said some nasty things, about her, taking that ship from them, that they were being taken over, that they were going to be used as slaves, that the Cyborgs were taking all their things including their children for their own uses, that they would take what belonged to them. Coco had stepped forward having heard enough and called him out on it.

  He wasn’t expecting her and told him straight, that no one was taking anything from anyone and that, including him. No more hording, no more taking what he wanted, no more pushing people around. Everyone in the community, old or young had a right to a fair share and that would be happening from now on. She told them she’d seen the new worlds on offer. The planets had good soil and resources and were welcoming to them. That the Empire had given them trading status on their produce and seed, and already other colonies were asking to buy. They would be able to trade and buy for themselves. Or, if they believed the lies Hodges was telling them, then they were welcome to stay if they wished, along with Hodges and anyone else, who worked with him.

  The room had got very quiet. People looked to Hodges and then to her or the other way around. They were nervous. “You can’t leave me behind. You wouldn’t have that ship if it wasn’t for me.” He roared out.

  So, Coco thought, this was about what he considered his, not what was best for the community. There was no surprise there, but it still saddened her. Coco turned to Abel, “General, what was the ship worth before I got it working?”

  He shrugged. “Scrap, nothing more. Salvage. 10% of its original value.” Coco nodded. “Make sure that is paid to the community’s fund please.” She called out.

  He glazed over for a second then focused back on her. “Done.”

  She looked around the room. “A community fund was set up with everyone’s name on it. You all now have an equal share of the community’s fund and that now includes the 10% of the salvage on that ship. In time, we will have to nominate a council to make decisions for the colonies resources and how we trade or buy things. Anything we make on a contract, from marketing our resources, will be paid int
o the community fund. From there, once we are all set up, everyone on the list, will receive quarterly equal shares. Old, young, adult or child, living at the point of leaving this world.”

  Hodges looked like he was fit to burst. “That ships mine, so are a lot of other things here. I’m not giving anything away.” He told her angrily.

  Coco nodded. “So, this was about you, not this community.” People caught on quickly and Hodges shut up, realising he’d said too much. “You,” she went on, “only have what you have, because you bullied people into it or took by force, strength of numbers, whatever you want to call it, from others. We don’t have to tolerate living like that any longer and we won’t. This is a new chance here Hodges. Things will be very different now, and I suggest you make the best of it. The alternative,” she looked around the cavern, “is not good. I don’t want to see anyone left behind but, if you want to, that’s ok too. We’re going to have Cyborgs stationed here. This will be an outpost to the Empire, protecting this world. Protecting our interests on this world from others. We have resources here that belong to us. We’re not going to just let that go.”

  Dana had stepped forward. “Equal shares in community resources sounds fair to me. Anyone opposed?” No one raised any hands. “Then it is agreed. Thank you Coco, for working on our behalf.” She’d given a nod and walked back the way she’d come. Abel and his men with her all the way. Suddenly being in the tunnels had felt too enclosed, too claustrophobic, she’d needed to get out. Coco ran on until she found the breeze on her face.

  ***

  They’d managed to keep the peace that time and it was holding. More and more of their lives were being loaded. The next group of people were walking forward. She’d found her people were more settled if she stood by the loading ramp and encouraged them onto the ships. She nodded to those she knew, hugged those that needed it, waved at others, held hands, smiled encouragingly, whatever they needed feel right about leaving. She looked at the list Dana had provided. They were half way there, they just needed to keep things moving.

  Several of the elders had gone on board first with their families and set things up for the rest What they’d reported back to the community, had been positive. It had settled many that were still sitting on the fence about leaving. They’d then gone back to the ship and got ready to receive the first of the community. She was grateful for their support. It was going better than she’d expected.

  The ships ramp started to close. Coco made her way over to the next one and started all over again. The next group of 100, stepped forward. They were doing two a day, with two loads of equipment. It was as fast as they could go.

  “You look thoughtful?” She hadn’t heard him arrive. He moved so quietly. Coco continued to watch her friends and neighbours load themselves and their families onto the craft. She’d had dinner with him every night since they’d first come back from the community. She couldn’t help her attraction to him. Just having him around her made her feel better, her feelings for him were growing day by day she realised. She noticed the guy in the crowd, she’d long ago thought to have some fun with, step up to the ramp. Remembering how she had lusted after him, hoping to spend an exciting night with him, she realised compared to Abel, he was lacking in every department. She knew that wasn’t a fair assessment, just a reflection of how things had changed.

  “Just thinking this is going better than I’d expected and how different things are in such a short time.”

  “Time doesn’t stand still Coco. The fact that your people have been isolated here might give that impression, but in reality, things moved on and changed here too. New relationships, new opportunities, new generations. It’s the circle of life.”

  She nodded while helping a child up. “Yeah. I understand that. I guess some realities take a while to sink in. I keep waiting for Hodges to make a move. I’m sure he’s not done.” She told him distractedly, worried for what that might mean.

  Abel reached out and took her hand. He didn’t like seeing her worried. He ran his thumb across the back of her hand. Soothing himself as much as her. She no longer hesitated when he touched her. She had gradually starting to welcome his touch. He cherished they’re time together at the end of each say. His system calling to him to take his mate. Make her his. Several times, he’d come close to invading her privacy and taking her. He’d paced up and down her corridor, looking for any excuse to be there. Only the thought that she might not be ready held him back. In frustration, he’d left and found something to pound on, venting his need but he couldn’t keep that up forever.

  “I do not believe Hodges is either. As far as we can tell, he no longer advocates not working with us. He wants to leave. When he gets on board the ship, it might be another matter. But we are better at this than they are. Trying anything would be extremely stupid.”

  “I know, thing is, so does everyone else, so he has to have an angle.” The worry in her words was strong. Abel lifted her hand and kissed it.

  “Don’t waste your energy on this. Your people need to see you confident.” Coco nodded, she realised he was right. She squeezed his hand back.

  “Dinner later?” she asked. Abel gave her a sharp nod and left. Coco had the feeling there was much he wasn’t saying so she wouldn’t worry. He was right. Her energy was best spent making sure all the community was saved. Her parents would be proud of that. They’d worked hard and long, to make that a reality. She wished they’d been here to see this. They’d never given up hope of finding a solution to their problems.

  Coco helped an elder, step onto the ramp. There were a number of Cyborgs doing the same. Carrying goods or children or helping to carry the infirm. Had Abel and his men not arrived, she wasn’t sure how much longer they had. Sure, she reasoned, Chas and his men would have been a help but, she wasn’t sure she’d have been able to get that ship off the ground and if she did, it might have taken more years than they had to do it. She kept the people moving. This was the only real solution they had.

  ***

  Abel stepped off the off-worlder onto his ship. The elders that had taken on being part of the reception group, were already moving forward and greeting people, moving them out the landing bay and through into the section of the ship that had been opened to accommodate them. It had been decided to keep some people away from others. Hodges and his people were one of them. They would access to recreation and mess areas on their level, but they wouldn’t be able to roam freely on the ship. Each section would be locked down and secured. Movement between sections would be with a Cyborg escort and only if both section leaders agreed to the visit.

  It was the only way to limit Hodges’ influence. As he walked, he linked into the ships systems and updated himself on their progress. Everything seemed on schedule. He walked to his office and sent an up dated vid call to the Admiral. He gave their progress and estimated arrival at the Space Station. Those that wanted to get off and try living on the Space Station could. Others, would be going on to one of the planets, along with their livestock. It was clear that the colonists had decided to split. It wasn’t his decision to make but theirs. Cyborg ships would be on standby to take them where they needed to go. He’s ship would be staying at the Space Station. Coco had to see Mac and he was going to make sure she got the best medical support she could.

  ***

  Coco couldn’t believe how quickly the last week had gone. They were loading the last of the livestock. Hodges and his people were onboard already. They’d been the last group to leave. In the end, no one wanted to stay behind. Coco stood at the entrance to the colony and heard the ship overhead. She turned to see the large piece of rock being carried to its designated spot. A large gash had been cut into the ground to support it. The ship lowered the piece of rock into it. The cables were unlocked from the supports rings and the rock slid into place 20ft in front of her. Several Cyborgs packed the dirt in around it, then stood back.

  Coco walked towards it with Abel. As she got closer, she looked up to the top of the
rock face. It was smooth with writing cut into it. She read the words.

  This monolith commemorates the colonisation of this world. For 83 years, against insurmountable odds, several generations of colonists, made this world their home. They claim severity of it for their people and the generations to come. In their strive to survive, many gave their lives and are remembered here.

  Coco read the list of names. Both sets of her parents amongst them. She was glad this was being recorded for their records and for those back on the ship to see. The last name on the list was a number. The Cyborg who lost his life landing the craft and was never found.

  The final message at the bottom welcomed anyone who might arrive after them.

  If you are here and lost, you will find a safe welcome below. Use what we have, you are welcome to it. Should our people not be here, we hope it protects you until your rescue arrives. Take heart, we are not far away and will be coming for you.

  She looked at the star map below it. It showed the location their part of the universe with this world highlighted and the other Empire worlds. Coco was glad she’d included the last part, no one would feel abandoned and lost on this world again.