Eden 12

Eden 12 colony Mars, 2225

It’s been almost 150 years since the companies stopped pretending they cared about the people more than profits. Stopped pretending they cared about the environment, and that the world was still run by governments for the people. Why continue to pay politicians when everyone already knew the truth anyway. Sponsorship of everything from the air you breathe brought to you by “Everclean Air freshers” to tonight’s sleep thanks to “Better bed” told us all we needed to know. Then that election day in 2075 they decided it was enough after spending 29 trillion credits to get their man elected as North American Prime Controller. The heads of the four Mega businesses met in New York and decided to take what they had bought.

That was how it began. The four mega companies combined to form United Pease. Once united, it took them less than a decade to bring the world under the control of the corporation.

By the end of the 21st century 99 present of all business on the planet were under their fingertips. That soon was not enough. They turned their eyes and greed towards space, forming the first moon base. Then at an unbelievable speed, they settled the moon, base after base, from the ice mines in craters to fuel factories and ship yards all to reach further and for more. Almost like a virus spreading out from earth.

The Earth was no longer enough for the human race, or at least for United. Even the bases on the moon had expanded as much as they could support, more was needed or wanted. Mars would become their newest home at minimum cost of coarse. It would make harvesting the belt much easier than the inefficient outpost had been needs as much resources as was being extracted. This is what had allowed Eden 12 to grow to what it was today. The supply fleet was even bringing more staff.

“Landing Pad 2 is ready for your arrival Melissa.” Erik voice crackled on the comm link. “We have been looking forward to your run for months. Supplies were getting close this time.”

“Well, Erik Thomas, I thought you have this place running at a surplus by now. I mean you been up and going 7 whole years, Earth time.” The grin, across her face, clearly heard in her words. “I have a couple of new crew members for you as well as the necessities.” Melissa Fershborg was the commander and chief partner of the supply fleet, the lifeblood of these outer bases. The fleet was also the closest thing to an independent company allowed by United.

“Claire has been looking forward to the food tech help, but we’ll talk more once you make it through the airlocks and to the Rain Cloud Lounge. Till then, safe landings, Melissa.” Turning tightly on his left heel, Erik headed for the lift doors.

Yes two techs in the food lab had not been enough but starting a colony on Mars was never going to be easy. When the temp base was started there had only been 9 crewmen, each having overlapping jobs with only 3 sleeping at a time. Compared to that, the last 3 years had been a vacation. Even having Claire here had added so much to the livability of this place. The best decision United ever had to recruit partners who each had talents needed to build the early stages of the colony. Another lesson learned from the early Moon bases.

Funny how the Moon base always ended up in his thoughts when Erik was alone even if just the short time of the lift going to pad 2. Why not through, they had been all he had known before Mars. He had never stepped foot on the blue ball that had crossed the dome each night as a boy. Remembering how he had laid awake at night wondering what being outside would be like, but that was a lifetime ago now.

“Erik the cargo fleet has begun landing on the pads. You were right, all three ships fit; but can only offload one at a time. Only one airlock is big enough.” Beth’s voice filled the lift, bringing him out of his thoughts. Beth Stewart was the communication operator, she could have told the crew the colony was exploding and they would smile till she finished talking. “Melissa has already started airlock procedures and will be out before you get there.”

If he didn’t know better that sounded like a challenge or maybe a bit a gleefulness from Beth. Today was a good day in Eden 12 the ships had arrived. It brought both fresh supplies and maybe more importantly new faces. That was maybe the hardest part of colonizing was that it’s always the same people so new faces were welcome. You can only tale your life story to someone so many times. New crew would hear stories for the first time and have new stories of their own. It also doesn’t hurt that new people would most likely have new ideals and approaches to some of the same old problem we have had. Either way everyone here had had their spirits lift as soon as Dan Ford had seen the fleet on his sensor screen.

Walking out of the lift almost before it stopped, Erik thought ‘maybe even I needed new ideas from time to time’. He turned the corner just as Melissa opened the seal on the entrance lock, “Bout time you show up, take a bypass to echo first or something.” They both knew it was a joke. He knew Melissa would never elongate a supply run, she knows they were too important. “And where are my new crew, you didn’t try to steal them again did you?” Smiling at her the whole time, he repeated their usual routine.

As if on cue the second lift open spilling the four off duty crew out of it, led by Erik’s Claire. “Yes, where is my new helper? They said she can make a tomato grow on the surface of the moon.” Claire let out in an excited voice. Erik thought he had not heard her like that in a long time. Then they had all been too busy to notice the little thing like that.

“Hello Erik,” kissing his cheek then passing by him. Giving the pilot a friendly hug. “Welcome back to Eden, Melissa. We missed you. Now where’s my helper.” Stopping as if remembering something, Clair asked, “The computer says the food starts are on ship 2 is that right?” She was always like this when she was excited. It was one of the traits that had made Erik fall for her.

“Except for the livestock you asked for they are on my ship but they is a slight problem,” trying to hide a smile. “They were caged in ‘pairs’ we left with four pairs of young rabbits and ten chickens with a rooster.” Waiting for Claire’s face to show she understood then finishing the thought. “We have a few more now.” Pointing to the payload robots carrying cage after makeshift cage, “10 mths of rabbits and chickens doing what they do,” laughing as she tries to continue. “Good news is they can breed in artificial gravity. We used some storage repair equipment to make cages so I’ll need some replaced.”

“I don’t think that will be a problem Melissa,” Erik paused then continued, “as long as you and your crews stay for last meal with us.” Watching the last of his off duty crew enter and join in the unloading caravan. No one would pass up the chance to break up their normal routine. The arrival of the fleet was always a chance to hear news from other bases that would remind them that there were others out there like them.

“Yes you must, we can have fresh meat again. We all are getting tired of processed meats from freeze dried packs. What about my seed request, now that I have those little fertilizer makers I should be able to renew the soil pots we brought with us.” Claire almost beaming at the thought, holding a cage she had taken from an unloader. She had wanted to have the food pods in full production by now but the soil depleted fast even with rotation. The mature would add much the soil needed, with luck they could grow more veggies and in time even fruits and berries.

“They are on ship 3 along with the 200 lbs nulti-soil.” The voice was what one would expect from a young 20 year old fresh out of horticulture, each word dripped with excitement. “Oh I am Lisa Bourne,” straightening her uniform as if to prepare for inspection and standing straight. “Lisa Bourne Level 3 horticulture tech. You must be Commander Thomas.” Saluting trying to look confident and hide her nerves.

Hold back any outward sign of how humorous he was finding this whole exchange, Erik greeted her. “Erik will do fine Ms. Bourne. We depend on each other too much for formalities here. How was your flight, 10 mths is a long time to think about starting a new life. Have you changed your mind? I’m sure Melissa could be talked into an extra hand for the trip back.” Place a hand on Lisa’s shoulder and speaking lowly, “I mean it the next ship is not for 29 mths. You will not get another change till then so think on it tonight.” If there were any doubts it was better to get them out of the way early.

“I will not change my mind Sir. This is what I have wanted to do all my life. The reason I went into horticulture.” Standing in front of the 6’3” man, Lisa tried to look at him face to face. She would have traveled here in a cargo ship to have this chance to terraform the surface of Mars, or at least continue what had already been started.

“Are you trying to run off my help already Erik? You know it’s been 20 months since I had 24 hours off. You really don’t like to spend time with me do you?” Claire elbows Erik grinning at him. “Don’t let him scare you, Lisa. I am Claire head the horticulture and I’m sure you’ll love it here. We have to sit down and plan how to set out the new seeds once you get settled in your quarters.”

“Claire you know that is not true. I just have to inform them of the reality of this place.” Thinking to himself, if he had not already told the girl they were not as formal as other bases were she would know it now. Then turning towards Melissa, he asked her, “Wasn’t there a Male crew member coming as well?”

“Yes, he is on ship 2. Dirk Knowles is his name I think. He is basically a supply clerk so he is cataloging all your incoming resources.” Then after a breath to stop a laugh Melissa continues, “It was at his request. There is also another young couple as well, a medic and soldier believe they said.”

“Are they no longer recruiting partners at United?” Smiling at Claire without hiding any of his feelings continuing, “I think it was the best ideal they ever had. A lesson learned from the problems of the early moon bases. A man never works harder than to take care of the ones he loves.”

“I have a partner Sir, but he won’t be staying on the colony just yet.” A deep blush hit Lisa’s face as she spoke. “Jordan is the commander of the supply fleets’ third ship for three more years. Then he hopes to join Eden as a pilot if needed.” By then we hoped to start a transit system based on Eden 12 she thought to herself.

“I have no doubt Erik will have the colony established to that level very soon Lisa. I also have no doubt in Jordan’s ability to be an asset to Erik, and I will hate to lose him.” Melissa spoke without a hint of sarcasm. It was usual for United to allow an unproductive post change, even involving the supply fleets.

Feeling as if she needed to provide a reason to need Jordan, Lisa let her thoughts out. “We hope to establish a transport based from Eden 12. That was why he applied to the supply fleet instead of a United pilot. ” Hoping her face was not too red and that she had not just ruined her first impression. She searched the faces of those standing there trying to gauge if her outburst had just set back all their plans.

Letting out a laugh Erik followed the thoughts, “Melissa, I am honored by your confidence but I think we are still a decade from that being truly needed. Also the echo bases would have to grow to have a need for such transit.” Seeing Lisa’s face drop, he added quickly, “But a Pilot can always be of great asset. There are some areas of Mars you cannot just drive a land cruiser through.” That was a fact of life in remote places like this. It was also the main reason a good pilot was in high demand throughout the system.

Looking towards the lock as the loading robots begin to return to her ship Melissa killed the topic by stating the obvious, “I should head back to my cockpit and move the ship to small lock, so Troy can move his ship to the load airlock. You’ll be meeting your Supply officer soon Erik. Stars help us all.” Heading up airlock shouting back to the group, “I’ll be back as soon as I get moved to landing pad 1. I’ll tell my crew they are having meat tonight that should brighten them all up.” And she stepped out of sight into the ship followed by the hissing of closing airlocks.