mother and I want you to know that no matter what, we are very proud of you. We always knew you were a fighter. Not just some brainless brute but a cunning and decisive warrior. You come from a long line of servicemen. Your grandfather, three uncles, and many generations of Xanders have fought to preserve and protect our freedom.
While we are glad to see you pursue your dreams, please be careful. Pay attention to your commanders and comrades. Stay in the moment. There are times to daydream and use your imagination but be sure to keep your wits about you when you are in the field.
Don’t worry about the tuition money. We had that set aside years ago so as far as we are concerned that money was yours from the time you were born. Also, we have had to help your sister quite a bit in recent years and are always glad to help you both.
Keep us informed about your adventures.
We understand that you probably can’t share everything about whatever it is you all are doing up there, but we would still like to hear from you and hope to see you when you have some time off.
Love,
Dad and Mom”
Something in the Food
“I’m telling you guys, they are putting stuff in our food…” Stephan announced at random.
“What do mean?” asked Dyas in a sincere, yet inquisitive tone. “Like poison?”
“No, I mean performance enhancers, they’re doping us… making us stronger and faster than normal.” Stephan complained.
“So you think that’s a bad thing?” Baaz asked in that articulate manner of his – the guy was all business usually but tonight seemed a bit more laid back. “Isn’t that the point of our training? We’re supposed to be stronger, faster, and better than the enemy.”
“You guys have way too much time on your hands.” I interjected. “They put extra nutrients in there for sure, but that is exactly what we need with all the physical demands we face on this rock.”
“Why so testy, Captain?” Stephan sneered in that condescending British tone that you couldn’t help but like. “Did you lose your lucky coin?”
Silence filled the mess hall. I wasn’t quite ready to tell anyone about the coin, at least not until I found out what the inscription meant. It looked like an Earth language, probably prehistoric. The thing was also old and worn, but still very readable. It was thick and heavy, about an ounce or more and most likely solid gold or some kind of alloy.
“No, I… I’m just tired. Need some rest after being up the last 22 hours walking in circles.” I replied somewhat distantly. “You guys better get some rest too. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” said Dyas. “Sleep well, sir.”
“Thanks, Dyas. Get some rest, gentlemen. 05:00 will be here before you know it.”
It had been a long time since I had a good night’s sleep. I felt myself starting to unravel. It just wasn’t like me to snap at my men like that. I’m supposed to be their leader but lately it seems like I’m losing my edge. Dyas, who is the youngest of our group, is so eager to please - almost to a fault. It seems like I have to constantly remind him that he is an Alpha Trooper with SEF (UCM’s elite Space Expeditionary Force) and deserves to be here just as much as anyone else.
Perhaps we have all found ourselves in that place. Feeling like we don’t quite measure up; that we are just one mistake away from being cut from the team and sent home. Lately, I’m wondering if that might be a good way out of this mess. Then again, I might just be tired. As I got to my quarters, I remembered the coin. It was in my left chest pocket. Somehow, it made me feel a little more confident… a little stronger.
When it all fell apart
Day fifty-eight of our scouting mission: in two days, a few of us are taking some well-earned leave and heading back to Earth. I haven’t seen my folks in what seems like ages. I really miss Kate. She had mixed feelings about me joining but has been very supportive the last few months. Two more days – two… more… days… I can make it.
The next morning:
“We can do this, gentlemen. This is our last scouting expedition for this trip. In two days, some of you will be returning to Earth and the rest of you will be free to enjoy some R and R aboard the Orbiter (AMC’s orbital space-tourism mega facility). So stay alert, we’ll be on the Far Side today. There is no telling what we might find, but most likely it’ll just be more dirt.” I could barely hold back the sarcasm mixed with relief that this tour was almost over. As we exited the Lander, I felt my left pocket… the coin was still there. I took a deep breath and on we went.
It seemed like we trudged on for days with the hypnotic crunch of the lunar crust beneath our feet. The generated air in this suit began to feel stale even though I knew that wasn’t scientifically possible. Just a couple more hours and we could wrap up this boring mission and get some rest. The thought of getting to go back to Earth and seeing my Kate was the only thing keeping me going at this point. The blue of her eyes, the smell of her hair, the sound of her voice…
“Captain, did you feel that?” Stephan intruded into my fantasy. Jerk.
“Feel what, Lieutenant?” I asked.
“Could’ve sworn I detected a bit of seismic activity…”
“Acknowledged. Baaz, check your sensors.”
No sooner than the words left my mouth a thunderous crack disrupted the otherwise silent atmosphere. The first thought that went through my mind was, “Wait a minute, this is the flippin’ moon – we are in a vacuum. There is no sound in a vacuum…”
Just then a blinding, searing bright light filled the black of space. If we survived this it would be the miracle to top all miracles. The light was so overwhelming, I felt as if every particle of my being was penetrated by its power. To be honest, it was quite majestic…
Heaven
“Luke, are you okay?”
“Kate!” I gasped. Wow, am I dead? If so, being dead ain’t half bad if you get to wake up to this, I thought as my eyes cleared up and her face got sharper.
“You’re back on Earth. You’re lucky to be alive.” She said.
“What happened to the guys? Did they make it?” I asked.
“Dyas and Baaz are fine; they are recovering aboard the Orbiter. They never found Stephan. He is missing along with over 300 others.” she said in that sweet way of hers. Even bad news sounded better coming from her.
“My God…what was that light?” I asked.
“It was an explosion. From what they told me, one of the research stations ignited and went off like an H-Bomb. The Haven Project has been suspended pending a full investigation.” She replied.
The Haven Project… I thought to myself. That was an H-Bomb – a modified hydrogen warhead designed to alter the lunar landscape by scattering LifeSeeds (not exactly sure what they are made of but I do remember overhearing something about strains of animal and plant DNA and biological programming – all of which was classified well above my pay grade). If the Haven warhead detonated prematurely, it could be very bad news for humanity’s hopes of colonization.
“Jeez… I need a vacation.” I sighed.
“The Colonel granted you two weeks off to recover, sweetie – just rest for now.”
I closed my eyes and fell into the deepest, most restorative sleep of my entire life. I dreamed of running along the beach with Kate. I dreamed of camping with the guys back home. I dreamed of skydiving and riding my motorcycle. It was good to be back on good old terra firma.
The Birth of Pure Evil
Several days passed before we heard anything at all regarding the incident. Dyas, Baaz, and I had been debriefed and were told to enjoy our leave but to stand by for activation as the thermal scan for survivors was currently underway. The chances of any living thing surviving that blast unscathed were next to nothing. The only thing that saved us was our protective gear. We were all doing our best to come to terms with the possible loss of our friends and fellow workers aboard LB127. Ther
e were civilians and even families living there.
During the debriefing, we were given more insight into the nature of the Haven Project. The field of biological computing has advanced far more than any of us had realized. Sure, we heard that scientist were able to passively control bacterial cells by altering the DNA sequence of the cell, but nothing could have prepared us for what we learned: scientists could now create a fully functioning, programmable supercomputer inside of a viral cell. The Haven Project involved trillions of these “viral UAVs” dispersed by the blast along with other experimental compounds intended to restructure the moon’s surface and transform it into rich, life-sustaining soil.
Along with AMC’s water production facilities (of which we were already aware) and the synthetic atmosphere generation (which we not aware of – that explains the vibrancy of the blast we heard and felt) the moon was in the process of being converted into a Micro Earth. If the technology worked on the moon, we could then set our sights on colonizing Mars. Now all of that hangs in the balance as we wait for the dust to settle, as it were.
The Life You Save
“Look alive, men.” The Colonel called us all to attention. “I’d like to introduce you to Dr. Joel Brason. He is the lead scientist and developer of the Haven Project and will brief you on what you men will be facing down there. It won’t be pretty…”
“Good morning, gentlemen. I have good news and bad news. The good news