First 4 pages
The stark Luna surface cuts its image though the broken fake scenery viewscreen. The difference in light and brightness causes Dr. James Asdar to roll to his left side and stare out to the void. James sighs to himself admiring the view. For he actually likes the real, unembellished surface of the moon. Instead the Luna Proving Grounds, where he was just tapped to be the Lead Researcher, was covered in viewscreens showing whatever fake scenery desired. James mused over how much Solar Credits must have been wasted on such a vanity project.
James glances at his bedside console and sees he has to wake up in a mere five minutes. Of course, this whole event could have been avoided if only James remembered to file a work order last night when James first noticed the damage to his room. In any case, James figures he better file a work order since he did not own the screen. Everything was made on the bankroll with of Solar Credits from the deep pockets of the Tri-Planetary Senate. He pressed a green button on the smooth platinum colored console. James chuckles to himself as it feels a sensation from his fingertips. It is as if the console warms itself in response to his touch. A low gruff voice answers: “Facility and Construction crew, this is Technician First Class Kent.”
After explaining the situation to Technician Kent, James sits up and lets the console squawk out the news developing on Earth. Some debate about how the different sovereign nations still do not like the new Tri-Planetary Charter. James was a Martian by birth but still had ties to Earth through his father, Noah. Even though James was a scholar of history, he loathed politics. Perhaps this is because James disliked how he had to placate the talking heads to get money for research.
So it did not take long for James to focus on something else. James starts to stride to the sonic shower, James turns away from the console and looks about the floor beneath him. Everything about these facilities were so different and almost sterile compared to the homemade book infested lab he was used to. With this new lofty position books were a relic. Any information or communications could happen by just a touch of the console or voice command.
Possibly James himself was becoming a relic in most people’s eyes. Even though he was in his mid-twenties. He felt he could talk easier to Shakespeare and Isaac Asimov than the Honorable Maxwell, The Tri-Planetary senator from London, Earth. Ah, damn James remembers he had promised to meet with Hon. Maxwell at the Tranquility Park Conference Center! Muttering to himself, James changes the setting on the sonic shower to a faster pulse. He hollers at the console, it glows green awaiting his command. “Record news feed in the background. Connect me to Ms. Gains.”
James hurries and puts on his official Lead Researcher suit jacket. It still felt odd to him to be conferred to such a lofty position at his age. The console glowed red now instead of green. Red, what did red mean again? If James remembers right, was for external messages. Green for internal messages as it gleamed during James’ filing of the work order.
James fastens his coat on when Ms. Gaines face shines above the console. She must have been up a few hours before James. She was already at her work station and well dressed. James assumes everyone is doing their duty but him. “Is there a problem, Dr. Asdar?” her voice intones to him. Her voice was very unique. James could never pin point exactly her heritage. It wasn’t robotic but it was quite succinct and to the point. Not that it matters but as a student of various cultures, this was not the first time James tries to pinpoint Ms. Gains origins. James simply looks at her and tries to hide the desperation on his face: “Can you set up a secure conduit for a ride to Tranquility Park Conference Center? I will be meeting with The Honorable Senator Maxwell.”
After he relays the rushed command James tries to end with a smile. Ms. Gaines smiles back with such beauty that completely enchants James. Then she purses her lips as she looks off to her right. “Ah, I have already set up a tube ride. You will need to be at the main airlock in twenty minutes.” She returns her face to the previous position and says in a different, softer tone: “Do you wish me to accompany you?” James always wanted to get to know her better. Her experiments and ideas on terraforming could be a precursor to perhaps one of the greatest events in human history. James at this stage could merely nod his head and his voice broke when he said: “Oh if you could, I would love to read a treatise on what your staff are currently working on.” Her eyes glowed a bit more, not expecting the request but it was her that was now speechless “Yes, Lead Researcher.”
Twenty five minutes later, the official transport ship of the Tri-Planetary Prometheus docks to the Tranquility Park Conference Center. Senator Maxwell is a short portly man. By no means would anyone call the senator lazy. His eyes and grizzled muscles has seen much conflict. He is a retired tactician. Instead of using his booming voice to command troops, his voice exists now to pursue and broker peace. Transitioning from General to Honorable was an uneasy one for Maxwell. He wonders how many people, if any, knew his first given name.
James stands by as the entourage of Global Marines and various yes men filter into the main atrium of the Tranquility Park Conference Center. The Center itself, as it is sometimes called for short, was the biggest structure on Luna. It was the only building on Luna that you could see actual granite. Ms. Gaines to James right was his only support staff. James becomes self-conscious wondering if he should have had more people here to receive the senator. James steps forward and gives the Tri-Planetary salute. Three fingers on the right shoulder given with the left hand. A slight nod given to someone of higher social status. Ms. Gaines whispers to James, making sure no one else can hear her: “The politics of dancing.” James suppresses a laugh.
The granite table only used when dignitaries comes up and slowly raises up from under them. James motions for Ms. Gaines to sit next to him and Maxwell directly across. "Well Dr. Asdar. we all have our eyes on the Proving Grounds. We gave you the best seeds in research, theory, technology and military. We expect a better future to bloom there. So we as mankind can move beyond the wounds of the First Collapse. We need to start interstellar travel. Not be so bogged down with what Mars needs or Earth and Luna." James nods and takes a sip of water set before him and nods "I fully agree senator. My father was aggressively against the tri planetary but I can see where with your help, my research can change mankind’s progress among the stars." The honorable Maxwell takes a sip from his glass and his lips turn blue: "betrayed by another Asdar?!" Sputtering spit as he coughs and his face turns purple. James reaches for the glass without thinking and gets his prints all over it.