- A week later... -
The situation has stabilized since our confrontation with the Martians. Roby is currently held captive in the prison, or what's left of it after the fires. It's pretty ironic how he ended up in the place which he tried to destroy.
While it's likely that there are still assassins lurking on Earth, most of the Martians have been captured and placed in the prison alongside their leader. This is a provisional solution, as the permanent one will be sending the criminals back to Earth when the next transfer window opens in approximately two years.
This means that we're stuck on Mars for the forseeable future. However, we're no longer marooned, as we've become a part of the Martian society (not to be confused with the criminal group). It was surprisingly easy to assimilate into the colony. Recently, we helped repair the lung, which was compromised Roby's pawns. Claudius and his skills really got to shine.
It was late in the evening and my work came to a close. I did help push science further, as we managed to recreate the 3D printing technology used in Mars Base Alpha. Now, I was pretty tired, so I left the laboratories and made my way to my room in the crew quarters.
It's nothing fancy, but I don't see that as an issue. The small size paired with few pieces of furniture and warm lighting made the stay pretty cozy. Every now and then, the speakers mounted on the walls play earthly sounds of rain, wind and birds chirping. Apparently, this boosts morale and helps people survive.
I think I'm starting to understand why. Mars is very bleak compared to our home planet. There's not a single life form aside from us, the colonists, as robots don't count. The whole world outside the base is deadly and few colonists like going there. The sounds of Earth are a good callback which helps people survive in this desolate environment.
I share my room with Justine, as she wants to have an eye on me, being especially protective following our most recent mission.
- I've come to accept this - Justine welcomed me cryptically.
- What "this"? - I didn't get it at first.
- Our predicament. We'll sit in here for two years and then we'll come back to Earth, god knows what happens afterwards... - Justine started explaining.
- It's not that bad in my opinion - I sat by her on the bed - We have decent accomodation and food and the work isn't as grueling as it seems, even if there's a lot of it. Moreover, we're hailed as heroes on par with Big Donny, because we saved the colony from chaos and disaster. If Roby took control of a free Mars Base Beta, he'd be able to hatch schemes far more dangerous than the one we thwarted. It's a good thing he ended up behind bars - I countered.
- I know, but so much has changed in the last months. My son was revealed to be a spy-in-training who has been sent to almost certain death multiple times behind my back, my husband also turned out to be a space spy who was silenced to prevent information from leaking into the outside world... and now we're stuck on Mars, without really knowing what's to come - Justine replied - It's really a heavy load of things that I'm carrying.
- I understand. Change is shocking, especially when it's so abrupt and sudden. Not only your life was turned on its head, mine as well. I didn't see myself becoming a space spy confronting criminal organizations on other celestial bodies half a year ago. It truly takes a while to get used to, since it's so overwhelming to a normal person - I responded.
- As far as I know, the war situation hasn't really changed. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff. Out of the blue, someone may gain the upper edge and irreversibly change the world. Not only am I a part of a new society with zero preparation, but I don't even know what I'll return too once this is over - Justine sighed deeply. I didn't expect her to open up like this, but alas, it was understandable.
- Yeah, it's possible that an irradiated wasteland will await us, but let's try to stay optimistic - I tried to comfort her.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. I got up and opened it, revealing Anthony.
- Nigel wants to see us all for some reason - he told us.
- Isn't he fed up with us? - Justine asked in confusion.
- I thought so. Maybe he changed his mind? - Anthony was equally puzzled.
- I doubt he's able to do that. You know him - I added.
We found Captain Nigel surrounded by the members of my unit, along with Einstein and Dawn. The latter has completely shifted sides, becoming a surprisingly good person. Sebastian was more than happy to become her friend. The two stood by each other at the moment.
However, I focused more on Nigel to determine what he's about to say. He looked grumpy, but that's normal. I was afraid that he was about to explode in anger, like an emotional bomb. Even if that's the case, there was no way to stop him, so I just decided to let reality flow.
- You guys... - Nigel started, but then remembered about Amber, Arika, Dawn and Justine - ...and gals... just love to drive me crazy. I've been forced to come along with you and now I'm considered a traitor, just like you all!
- What? - I couldn't help myself. Who did we betray?
- Are you living under a Martian rock? You've basically helped the colonists with their revolutionary goals by putting their leader behind bars. Even if he was evil, you destroyed the link between Earth and Mars. Now, the inhabitants of the Red Planet are trying to establish their own governing body. This is horrible not only for us, but also the country! How does the USA look like with the Martian Revolution in mind?! - Captain Nigel continued.
- Like a resrtictive giant hungry for control over a smaller country? - Arika guessed.
- Exactly, and we're portrayed as the cause of this mess! The Agency which I ran now hates me! We've basically become America's political enemies! I can't stand this madness!!! I've put my heart into the Agency and they backstab me like that...! - our principal was on the verge of exploding.
- Is there a hunt for us? - Dawn was worried.
- Not yet, but I'm sure the Agency will want us gone as soon as they get their hands on us. The worst part? It's not my fault, it's yours! I've been pulled into this mess because of a mother who cannot comprehend the simple concept of national security, but I'll pay the price! - Captain Nigel exploded.
Justine didn't make a comment.
- In my opinion the whole "Mars versus America" thing is bad in its own right, but at least it has an upside: you're no longer in charge. I think that can help you calm down a bit - Einstein was also loosing it. That's not a thing I expected.
Captain Nigel was about to respond with something nasty, but Big Donny emerged out of seemingly nowhere.
- Hey, pal! There's still a few things to be done to finish the workday! - Donny led a disgruntled Nigel away from us.
Looking on the bright side, nobody's out to kill us (for now at least), we've made some new friends in the colony and we're relatively safe. My family is also back together as the truth was unveiled, but that's more of a personal thing.
Big Donny and Nigel were working long hours, much to the latter's dismay. On Mars, a day is slightly longer than on Earth, being about 24 and a half hours long. This is why our clocks showed "24:01" intead of "00:01". Regardless of that difference, it was about time to go to bed, as we're not as duty-focused as Big Donny.
We wished each other some good sleep, because there's a lot of work schedueled for tommorow. With that, everyone left the hall and made their way to their rooms. Poor Nigel will be working hard as we fall asleep.
For me, doing so was tricky. Mom is right, a lot of stuff has happened since I was enlisted into the Academy of Astronauts. Many big things occured during this mission alone. I simply couldn't stop thinking about it. Our future is unclear, but there's one thing I'm certain about:
It's an interesting one.
ns216.73.216.86da2
and then Add to home screen.