The Moons of Troponin

Scud sat at his command desk under the dim lighting that splashed upon his meager possessions that he kept as momentos. He shared the cramped office space with the four other department heads that were in charge of keeping the daily operations of the enormous mining facility running at peak efficiency. Being the lead security officer of the two mines had its share of problems, he also had to patrol the housing and living facilities of the planet below. His second in command remained in charge of the other moon's mining security forces. He knew he was getting the raw end of the stick, everything was much more hectic on STEMI, the miners were a rowdy bunch of noncomformists; approximately eighty percent of the planet and the respective moons were males, ages eighteen to fifty, the corporation required forced retirement of all personnel at that age, believing the work too demanding, space colonisation seemed to age you fast. It was his third Troponin day on the job, his predecessor had just retired, he was pushing forty, ten more years on this rock, maybe he should have passed on the promotion, a frown crossed his brow.

"What do you think of the new mandate corporate is trying to ram down our throats?" Scud looked up from his well-kept, immaculate work desk, peaking over his wire framed readers and look at Johnson with indifference. "Come on Scud, even though you're the new guy, you know all they're doing is bending us over one more time! They can give a rats ass about the common man!"

"If you are referring to the memo regarding additional compensation from all corporate personnel in the event of unexpected calamity, such as the devastation of the moons due to excessive mining, I have no comment." He too thought it was all B.S. He was in agreement with his opinionated co-manager, but as head of security, he towed the line and remained loyal to the whims of the corporation and it's dictates.

"They can kiss my black ass if they think they can squeeze any more juice out of my measly paycheck. F that, I'm already giving over forty percent of my wages to my retirement, and I'm sending a crap load home to the old battle axe." Scud watched as Johnson nervously walked away only to pick up a pencil from the floor and violently snap it in two. Johnson continued down the aisle, stopping at each other department head's cubicle along the way to voice his displeasure.

Enough of that, he opened his laptop, entered his security clearance and browsed through the day's coming events and activities with the mine. He read with interest the details on a missing person report that had happened on N-STEMI about a week prior to his arrival to this outpost. It wasn't out of the ordinary for miners to disappear for a day or two, especially when working the deep mines of the moons. But this person hadn't shown up going on ten earth days, he questioned Tobias about the incidents, who only confirmed the search was ongoing.

He had a conference with the other department heads with the commandant in about an hour to discuss how to derail the ongoing prostitution occurring on Troponin, though corporate officially frowned on such activity, it was well known that the attendants that were aboard the shuttles bringing in new miners and supplies, were offering other services to the men of the colony. Personally, he was indifferent to all of it, as long as it didn't deter from his aim, peace and security.

Recently, there were rumours of strange happenings on N-STEMI, bizarre graffiti on the jagged walls within the mine shafts of that desolate moon; he had questioned Tobias on several occasions about the claims, but his second in command stated he was never able to confirm such rumours. He thought Tobias was capable enough as a cop, but found him to be too guarded and secretive for his own liking. It seemed odd that a man of his youth and inexperience would move up the corporate ladder so quickly, wonder if he had connections.

Enough of that, he switched his attention to the security of the mining colony on the planet. Your typical stuff, nightly fights and misdemeanors at the bar, usually spurred on by the young attractive flight attendants that frequented the establishment. There had been a rash of robberies at the merchant store, a large supply of blankets had been pilfered, for what reason he hadn't a clue; the temperature of the alien world was warmer than the friendly confines of Earth, he couldn't imagine why someone would want blankets. He'd give the assignment to Jonesy, he knew the young enforcer would bend over backwards for him, kiss ass, and he knew the kid desperately wanted off the rock for an assignment on the planet.

Satisfied with the day's log of events, he sauntered through the office corridors to the stairs that led up to the commandant's shack, Johnson was still bellowing about the memo to another department head, whose cranium appeared as though it were about to explode. He shrugged as he pushed past the two, he knocked on the heavy metal door of the commandant's office. "Come in." He pushed firmly as the door reluctantly glided open, the commandant was busy behind his enormous oak wood desk; standing, he was an opposing figure of a man, he appeared much older than his stated age of forty-nine, he knew the commandant was approaching retirement; what was up with the silly comb-over he did with his thinning hair? "Captain Skuttles, good, come in, shut the door." He obliged and gently pushed the door which glided until it came to a crashing stop, it locked automatically.

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, pour yourself a drink captain, grab a cigar." Scud noticed the commandant still hadn't looked up from his desk to acknowledge him other than the wave of his hand, he appeared to be very intent looking at his computer screen which engulfed half of the enormous desk.

"I'll pass on the drink, sir, but I'll take a cigar for later." Scud moved past the cabinet that housed a large supply of spirits and opened the beautifully stained wood humidor which was full of cigars, Cuban. He moved to the other end of the desk and stood at attention. Finally, the commandant peered up at him, gesturing for him to sit, the chair was broad and encompassing, much like the commandant. He scrupulously surveyed the remainder of the room, mostly bare, but for a few nick-knacks and trinkets on the edges of the desk. A small pear tree caught his attention, it was sequestered in a pot on the floor on the edge of the desk, small buds were beginning to form on the limbs, he wondered how such a thing was possible on this miserable forgotten world.

"Captain, I need to give you an assignment, and I don't think you are going to like it." The statement snapped Scud out of his daydream, he quickly straightened his posture and looked directly at the commandant, who returned his stare, still standing but with his arms stretched forcefully upon the desktop, triceps taut.

"Sir." He had been an officer of enforcement for almost two decades, he had been to many off worlds and had witnessed incredible sights, beyond anyone's wildest imagination; but the one thing he knew never changed was the emptiness that followed humankind, like a shadow, haunting; man's inhumanity towards his fellow man. He instinctively knew the order would involve something entailing the soiled activity of a person on this dreaded world.

"I need you to travel to N-STEMI, there are reports of unsolicited acts of barbarism involving the mutilation of animals." Scud wondered if Tobias had forwarded the account, and if so, why hadn't he been informed first.

"May I ask where this information is coming from?"

"Let's just say, I have my sources. Captain, has your subordinate, what's his name?"

"Tobias, sir."

"Yes, has he brought you any information of this matter?" Scud thought for a moment, he knew about some strange happenings on the other moon, but when he questioned Tobias about any such activity, he stated there was no evidence to support the stories; he thought better of voicing his opinion and remained silent.

"No sir." He noticed the commandant soften his pose.

"Very well, I'll need you to leave immediately, I'm having...Tobias brought here to take your position here in the meantime, he's already on his way." Tobias on his way? Scud could see that the commandant was observing him closely, he steeled himself and showed no outward sign of emotion.

"Yes sir."

"Oh, and captain, one more thing, take Jonesy with you, his hyperactivity annoys me."

"Sir." Scud lifted himself from the chair and turned to exit, a thousand questions bombarded his mind; why was he being removed from his position to chase a rumour? And why on this forbidden moon was he being replaced by a wet nosed kid? Eighteen years of service had disciplined him to keep his thoughts to himself and be a good soldier. He moved down the stairs past the still whining Johnson and exited the office complex. He walked briskly past the barracks that housed the enforcers, saluting whenever approached by subordinates until he came to the non commissioned officer quarters.

"Officer on deck." Came the call, about a half dozen men jumped up from whatever they were doing and stood at attention.

"At ease, where's Jonesy?" He surveyed the quarters.

"Here, sir." A young man in his early twenties stepped forward; fit, athletic, and with a touch of acne about his fresh face.

"Grab your gear son, we have a job to do."

"Sir." Jonesy hurried off to his locker and grabbed a sorted mix of belongings. "Any idea how long we will be gone, sir?" Not a clue.

"Bring what you need for an extended tour son, we'll be housing in the barracks on N-STEMI." He noticed the look of disappointment of the non com's face. "Meet me in twenty on the lift deck. That'll be all." He felt the same disappointment he saw on the sergeant's face, he walked with measured steps out of the quarters and toward his own housing unit. Once inside he quickly gathered essentials and placed them in his suitcase, he grabbed his sidearm and holstered it to his belt. Something was rotten in the state of Denmark; he was purposefully being removed, but for what reason? Questions permeated his tortured brain; he would handle this the same way he did with all orders, methodically; he would gather information and find out what was happening on the other moon. Hell be damned.

The two men entered a rovercraft and exited the enclosed world of the mine into the poisonous atmosphere of the moon, he looked at Jonesy and noticed him smiling, he realized that he too was smiling, obviously it was the nitrous mixture that they were breathing. They arrived at the launch pad and entered the enclosed hallway that led to the small spacecraft that would ferry them to the other moon. The distance between the two moons was actually quite small, only about fifteen minutes of space travel was required. He was too immersed in thought to even notice the other craft carrying Tobias had whisked past them. The small craft landed uneventfully on the launch pad adjacent to the mining facilities of the moon. They were met by uniformed enforcers who saluted and quickly deposited them into a rovercraft that brought them to the enclosed world of the mine, it was nearly identical to the one on STEMI.

Once inside they were met by a non com. "Sir, welcom to N-STEMI." They saluted and walked briskly to the Officers quarters. "Ten-shun!" Several officers came to attention, Scud studied the men.

"At ease gentlemen." The officers relaxed and carried about with their business, one of the officer's came forward and offered his hand to Scud.

"Lieutenant Cordova, sir, I'm here to brief you." Hmm, so there is something going on here.

"Go on." The officer was about to speak, then stopped, then quickly spoke.

"Maybe it's best if i showed you, sir." The officer led him and Jonesy out the officers quarters and down a darkened corridor that led to an elevator.

"What's down there, lieutenant?" The young officer seemed to be looking at something far in the distance.

"I have no words to describe it sir." Scud looked at Jonesy for a brief moment, the sergeant was obviously nervous, he felt his own pulse quickening. "If you would follow me sir." The three of them were met by two enforcers as they all entered into an old rattling elevator cage. It descended quickly into darkness. He felt an unnerving eerie sense, something ancient, foreboding. The elevator came to a stop, they were met by two more enforcers, the cage door opened. "This way, sir." All seven men made their way to the entrance of a cave that appeared out of nowhere, it was lit with large spotlights that had been erected. For all intents and purposes, it had the appearance of a gaping open mouth with jutted stalactite formations that looked like fangs.

He couldn't recall any such cave formations on STEMI. "When did you locate this cave, lieutenant?"

"This morning, sir."

"This morning?!" He looked at him incredulously, the lieutenant nodded affirmatively. The officer led the way as the seven men entered the mouth of the cave, he squinted, he heard Jonesy gasp. There against the wall of the cave were writings and inscriptions of some sort, graphic artwork depicting human sacrifice. Littered on the floor were the remains of bones, not of animals, but human skeletons, eerily white, as though they had been bleached. Some, it appeared had been ripped in half, something had been feasting.

"Sir, over here." The officer motioned for him to move to his left to inspect one of the remains, there around the ribcage of the skeleton lay dog tags.

"F me! Sorry sir." Scud patted Jonesy on the back and knelt to inspect the skeleton closely, it remained intact, unlike many of the others.

"Lieutenant, do these tags belong to one of ours?"

"Corporal Higgins, sir. He went missing about ten days ago." Ten days! He rubbed his forehead and brought his clenched fist down into his other hand. That son-of-a bitch! He realized the enforcers were watching him.

"Lieutenant, by chance, did Lieutenant Tobias have a chance to review the cave?"

"Yes sir, first thing." That son-of-a bitch! He was about to enquire about the rest of the carnage when he was interrupted by an enforcer who was speaking into his radio mic.

"Sir, you have been requested to return to STEMI immediately by the commandant, there has been a disturbance." He nodded, saluted the enforcer and walked reverently out of the cave. The group of enforcers followed. Something is definitely rotten in the state of Denmark. He stared intently at the cave.

"Lieutenant, I want you to gather your men and begin around the clock searches of all trenches and tubes, I want you to post your men amongst the miners without drawing attention, you think you can do that for me son?"

"Yes sir, absolutely sir."

"Then get to it, you're dismissed." The officer saluted and waved for his men to follow him, other then the two who were stationed at the cave. The officer stopped momentarily and looked back at him.

"Sir, what shall I tell the commandant?"

"I'm on my way." The officer turned and headed in the direction of the caged elevator, he motioned for Jonesy to come close.

"I want you to remain with the lieutenant, I'm going to place you as his attache, you will stick to him like glue; you will report to me and only me, do you get me?"

"Yes sir, completely sir." Jonesy looked pensive, he looked like he wanted to ask him something.

"Go ahead son."

"Sir, I mean." Jonesy turned away for a moment, he appeared saddened, defeated. "What is going on down here?" What indeed.

"Do your job son, and report back to me with everything you find out. We better get a move on, I'll inform the lieutenant of your assignment." It was his suspicion the Lieutenant Cordova was reporting directly to Tobias, quite possibly the commandant. The two men walked to the caged elevator and stood in silence as they were lifted out of the dark pit. Tobias had known of the missing enforcer for ten days, and he had a good inclination that the commandant was in this whole mystery as well. Answers would come, STEMI held the key.