Candor (Uniting Mars)

It had been a long time since United even pretended to value individual people. Earth was overpopulated as it was. Equipment was made from limited supplies. It was part of the reason Eden 12 had slowing become less a United colony and more independent. United’s actions helped the movement grow just by day to day operations.

The mission was an increasingly common one for United. Make up a crew of expendable people give them the basics and send then off to settle an asteroid. If it failed the only thing United would worry about was the mining bot which could be picked up by the next United cruiser that passed by even if it was a few years the company had not lost anything it valued. And the rewards if value materials were discovered were risk to low risk. Asteroid 1438 was a perfect target with only one problem it had a wobble that would make landing difficult. TT(Troop transport) 84 manned by 25 young trainee was set along with a mining droid to search for the platinum sensors picked up on surface on a routine pass-through.

“TT 84 this is United control. Your approach is too fast back off the thruster three quarters and turn starboard to counter the wobble. Then…” The instructor stopped as the screen showing the view from the nose of the ship went fussy. Clicking the intercom to main control room, “We lost another trying to land on asteroid 1438, whole ship lost.” Searching desperately for signals on sector swipes in the area for the needed signal.

“That’s truly bad news the board will be displeased.” An almost computerize voice answered back over the comm.

The instructor knew what a lost like this would mean for him. Then it came on the screen, a bleep, a wonderful bleep. “Control the signal was been find. It is floating near the asteroid, we can rescue in 5 hours from Asteroid 1399.” The relief in his voice plain for all.

“That is good news those droids are hard to replace.” The voice still as inhuman as the droid they had found.

The instructor asked before he thought, “Should we scan further for life signs Junior Partner, Sir.” He already knew the answer it would be the same as it was on the missions before this one. The same as the next lost mission most likely.

“No, we have already waste enough resources on them start training the next mission.” With that the voice was gone and the intercom dark.

“Yes sir” The instructor shut off the screen fed and with that the mission was forgotten by them as if it never happened.

Martin Quars was surprised that had worked. It had only taken them looking at their supplies and the asteroid to know they were never meant to survive the mission. The miner’s crate was built better than their ship. They were lucky one their crew had once been in contact with the human underground. Once their escape had setup the hardest part was covering their trail.

The building supplies were thrown into the asteroid with the blasting charges meant to make a flat landing pad for future ore transports. Jettisoning the bot as if it had been thrown from exposition making sure their oath away would not be followed. Now he just had to get them to their new home.

Erik had done a lot more than just bought the freighter and brought Jordan home to Lisa. He had signed the transfers of 20 new settlers. Included it those where Rosa Garrett, Lance’s wife who was going with him to Candor. He even talked Lewis Morsten out of retiring on earth to come train the troops on Mars. He filled out the holes staffing Candor had created; 2 food techs, 2 Medics, 2 communication officers, a radar man, and 11 men listed in different areas but actually part of their new squadron. He also arranged for another 25 men to come to Mars off the books to form the rest of their forces.

“Erik are you sure this is how we want to go about this?” Clark had become more cautious since Gil was starting to show. “What is the official reason for almost doubling our population, won’t they become curious about the sudden increase.” He was trying to make sure Erik had covered his bases.

“That’s why I had Dirk handle the paper work the 20 came from 6 different bases anything under 6 crew transfers are just consider normal promotion or filling holes due to growth.” Erik calmly explained to setup to Clark. “The only tricking one was Rosa from moon base but she put in to transfer to her husband’s station so the base commander couldn’t really stop her and the 3 men that are coming with her untrained so he saw no use in them. Lewis was up for retirement so the United loved the idea of making head of Security here.” Waiting for Clark to digest that he continued, “the unit of twenty five men that will arrive in a week are a lost mining colony on asteroid 1438 official their ship crashed on landing. United won’t even give them a second thought it was a low cost venture were the men received only basic training in basic operations. The mining droid was even launched into space towards Earth as if thrown by the explosion still in its protective create, so they will find the only thing they would look for anyway.”

“Well I guess I should have figured you would have covered every base possible.” Clark’s voice losing its edginess. “Have we heard from Boris about Candor or him asking about his wife’s progress? I’m not sure about Troan sometimes are they really as independent as they are trying to show they are.” He was starting to go off on tangents now a sign he was less worried and his mind was exploring other issues again.

Torrance Lorgent had never been shy about his feelings on any subject. It had served him well when he was a young pilot. When he could tell a mission was going to go bad because of how a superior was planning it out, he would tell them. Then he would explain how it would work. Later through as he advanced his superiors became higher ranking, the type that did not like to be proven wrong in front of others. Finally he was shipped off the remote post on a god-forsaken asteroid. Now he was heading to join the small uprising on Mars and worse he was dragging Tina with him. He only hoped Erik actually had the resources he said he had or this would not end pretty for any of them, but then few things Erik and he ever got involved in together ever did.

It would be another day before Jordan or any of the transfers would but arriving so Ivana going home in the morning was a good thing. Jack was prepping the transport fighter for the morning flight. “Vincent do you have a free engineer who can look at something out here in the flight hanger,” he asked into the comm next to the entrance of the hanger.

“Not really they are all working with the builders to finish the new house structure before the additions arrive.” Vincent not hiding his thoughts we were moving too fast. “If it’s really important I can come over there and give it a look.” He did not offer often but Jack did not ask for help from engineering often either.

“I would appreciate it. The charging station for the fighters electrical doesn’t move even a bit when I plug it into the fighter. I’m not sure if it’s the fighter or the unit but one is having issues.” Jack was well aware of what he was in for if it was the fighter. “This is where Luke usually comes in handy.” He had not truly realized how much had done around the base until after he was gone.

“We both need the new crew members to work out well don’t we.” Vincent had been missing Jesse as well. She could catch and fix most computer problems before anyone even knew they had a problem. “Maybe we’ll get luck with some of those untrained helpers will have some hidden talents.”

Was it possible Vincent had not been told what the extra men were really for? For now he would act that way till he could talk to Erik, “I’m not holding my breath, United still thinks we have the Candor crew here so I doubt we get the cream of the crop for helpers.” Jack played with the connectors as he talked hoping to find a short. “I’ll see you down here Vincent, thanks again.” He was not looking forward to a long buggy ride with two chatting woman all the way to Troan, but if it was the fighter that is what he had on tap for tomorrow.

“Do you really think I can do this Claire?” Ivana asked again sounding less convinced each time she did. “What if I mix up the seeds I won’t know what is what.” A sound of almost panic in her voice. Soon Troan would be depending on her to remember what she had learned in three packed days.

“First it really won’t matter with what you are planting as long as you have something for each to grow up. Second I have something for you.” Claire pulled out a data stick handing it to Ivana, “You need a computer just for keeping track for your crops. Everything from when you planted to any deflects you see. To help you in this I made this data file with pictures of twenty easy to grow plants and each stage of their growth.” Ivana hugging her almost before she finished, “Ok let’s load up your seedlings on the cart behind you. I have your tomatoes, peppers and beans started in three mini greenhouses. When the leaves start to hit the tops that’s when you plant them. The squash you need to plant these seeds in-between the beans like I showed you and there is a diagram of the planting on here too” Adding as she saw Ivana’s eye go big, “that should actually happen while I’m there with you, these have been planted for almost 3 weeks.”

“But there are more in each then you said I could plant in the area Boris is making for me. Should we contact him to increase the area already?” Ivana sounded both confused and concerned. “I don’t want to waste seeds.”

“A bigger area is always good but it’s not necessary now, you always start more than you need so you can plant the strongest ones.” Claire continued to explain how it was important not depend on every seed to grow into a strong plant and other planting techniques and other growing tips she had learned. “You can also feed the weaker plants to the chickens so not wasted.” The last words caused a smile to return to Ivana’s face.

The night came sooner than Jack was ready for as he and Vincent were still working on the connection problem but they had narrowed it down to a couple relays that once they replaced would have the fighter charged fully by morning when the ladies were ready to leave. He would have to pack in the morning right now all he wanted was to sleep in his bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long flight but at least it would be a flight still.

Claire and Erik were also not sleeping yet. It was one thing for Erik to be gone from Eden for a couple days but Claire would not be were Erik or his men could watch over her and protect her. “I know I said you could stay to help get her started but after he threatened Candor I’m a little less sure love.” He never had let Claire see any doubt before now, “Does she really need you to get them set up? If I send Curt or one of the other security officers with you I would feel better.” He was playing out each security man out in his head the ending each worse than the one before, maybe he was stressing over this too much.

“I will be fine Erik. Boris knows he could not stand up against Eden and I am there to help them.” Claire trying to show Erik she had thought of this herself. As they talked each felt a little better. In the end at least good enough to finally get some sleep a few hours before she and Ivana were to depart.