Not Alone

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. Captain Baillargeon contemplated these final words from his commander as he stares through the pit of darkness hurtling towards him. With communications to base lost and navigation shot, the volume of nothingness around him seems to gain density. Without connection to higher authority, Captain Bai, as his crew of ‘Guardians’ call him, has the law on his tongue. The goal of Mission Peridot, devised by the 2034 Federal Space Force strategists, was to colonize Mars hidden from the eyes of the public and other nations – “by all means necessary”. Scientists have finally engineered a spacecraft that can withstand the merciless journey while carrying the necessary supplies, including light weight weaponry designed with airy material. Captain Bai was never warned about potential habitants on the red planet but couldn’t shake the adamancy of his commander who told him more than once to keep the guns off safety and blades in reach once they enter Mars’ orbit. There is even a deuterium laser system built into the spacecraft which the captain barely knows how to operate. All Bai knew was in 1996, this thing was used to shoot down a rocket making him question just how much of a threat the military predicts his crew is up against. He is no fool to the criminal history of America but remains hopeful of the new wave of ethics, however a knot forms in his stomach as he contemplates what would happen should they come face to face with something more.

Checking once again that the ship remains pointed in the same direction Captain Bai heads down to the main room where his crew sits in near silence, holding a low muttering buzz. As Bai passes through the bulkhead, lips zip as tight as the astronauts’ suits. Taking a moment to lock eyes with each member, he begins; “As you guys know, communication and navigation have fallen through likely due to radiation interference…we’re on our own up here. Tonight, I want each of you to remember your oath to protect the freedom of your nation and the reason you joined Space Force all those years ago. We have all fought hard for the survival of this mission, shed tears, made sacrifices, and I feel we will be asked to continue our fortitude as we begin the human transition to space inhabitance.”

Derek, call sign Flounder, interrupts; “Semper Supra”

“Right. Now, we have enough rations to hold us until the voyage is complete and we’re able to install our hydroponic food system. Even still, we need to be careful to pace ourselves in case we get off course or something happens – we still have about five months until we’re boots down. Chip and Wolf, I’m putting you in charge of finding a solution to the navigation outage, Ranger and Bone, I need you to keep us on course. Flounder you’re coming with me, we’re doing inventory. Any questions?” Captain Bai cracks his knuckles and gives one quick nod to the crew’s shaking heads. “Great. Let’s go Flo”.

The captain leads his new apprentice to the row of lockers, typing in a short code on the wall. He rests his hands on the smooth door for a moment, turning to look at Flounder before opening it. “You guys haven’t been briefed on this element of the mission, but I think it’s better you know so we can prepare. This craft is fully equipped as a battleship; there’s a DF laser, explosives, blades, and this”, he says as he pulls open the latch exposing rows of customized assault rifles, “voila”.

“Woah, okay…I thought this was a scientific mission?”, Flounder looked shocked. “I know I’m technically in the military, but you know I never went to combat training or anything, right?”

With a slight smile, Captain Bai responded, “I know this, why do you think I’m telling you five months in advance. It’s unlikely we will even need to use them, but I need to make sure you all know how. Just in case.”

“Well, I guess that makes sense. Can I ask, use them on what exactly? What do they think is out there?”, Flounder questioned.

“Aren’t you the astronaut? Your guess is as good as mine; I was never briefed on that aspect either. Maybe another country has already gone through with a similar mission of their own, maybe an undiscovered species has set up shop. Either way, our job is to colonize Mars for our country. Extermination of guests may or may not be required.” Captain Bai knew he probably shouldn’t have said that last part.

Flounder gulped, but his fear quickly changed to anger; “wait you’re telling me that the U.S. military is encouraging violence in space? How can there even be property laws in space, it’s SPACE! I can’t believe it.”

“Not encouraging son – sanctioning.”

“Awesome, so America wants to declare martial law over actual Martians…it would be yet another shit stain on the blouse of our nation”, he said with contempt.

Captain Bai puts his hand on Flounder’s shoulder, “Look, I know it’s not a good situation. I don’t like it either. But I need you and the rest of the team to pull together and prepare for whatever is out there. We can start with loading and cleaning the weapons tomorrow, I’ll give you the night to discuss with the others.”

Flounder recedes to his bunk, now moving with an expressionless gaze. Captain Bai, thinking of the different ways he could have just relayed that information, travels through the main chamber. Wolf and Chip are deep in a quite heated discussion debating the best way to get the instruments functioning again, not noticing Bai’s broad presence. “Hey ladies”, Bai bellows.

“Oh, hey boss, didn’t see ya’ there”, Wolf smiles.

“That suit is really working for you chief”, Chip chimes in, “super flattering”.

Unimpressed, Captain Bai responds, “Yeah, thanks. You two seem a little too chipper for people stranded in space with no idea where they are. Wolf, keep him focused please.”

Wolf tips the pistol grip tool in her hand from her forehead, “Sir, yes sir”.

Just as Captain Bai is preparing to inform these two Guardians about their possible additional duties, Ranger barrels through from the cockpit. “Captain! We got something on radar – you’re gonna want to see this”, she yells while making a hairpin turn. Radar? The captain thinks, how could that be? We’re still over 150 days out from Mars and too far from Earth. He rushes toward the cockpit.