* * *
Landing beacons guided Flight 4 and a shuttlecraft onto the touchdown pad for the Ganymede Research Laboratory. The surrounding valley was alive with volcanic plumes of ash and lava-flow activity. Chief Howard and his communication team left to set up the relay communication link. Red’s astrogator went with them.
As they marched in step along the corridor on their way to meet with Colonel Ridgewood, Kelsey said to Red and Gallant, “We need to talk.”
“What’s on your mind,” asked Red.
“I wanted to congratulate Henry for his exchange of ideas in the common room. He really made a breakthrough,” said Kelsey.
“Do you really think so?” asked Gallant.
“I do. Your performance over the past three months as a pilot in Flight 4 has exceeded everyone’s expectations. The Mids are beginning to see you as an equal, and the discussion today has finally broken the ice. I think, the silent treatment is over,” said Kelsey.
“Thanks, that means a lot,” said Gallant, displaying a grin.
“I’ve heard Barrington and several others express similar feelings,” said Red. “They all feel you’ve held up your end pretty well—with the exception of Neumann and Chui.”
Red made an excuse to leave once they entered the inner lab facilities. “I’ve got some unfinished business,” he said tersely.
“I’m sure you do,” said Gallant, “but since you may just run into Elizabeth, would you mind getting a report on efforts to camouflage the aboveground accelerator facilities. I believe the captain would appreciate an update.”
Red blushed and then flashed a broad grin. “Sure thing, Henry,” he said, leaving Kelsey and Gallant to proceed to their meeting.
They passed civilian workers and lab personnel calmly carrying out their daily routines. The individuals went about their business with sober purposeful steps.
Kelsey commented, “You’d never guess they were facing an alien invasion.”
Gallant said, “Pioneers are a hardy stock. It takes a lot to shake them. I think they’ll hold up well against any hardship.”
The two made their way to the main conference room, where Dr. Lawrence and Colonel Ridgewood were waiting. Their briefing went rapidly, and both of the senior men were quick to grasp the essentials of their plight.
Ridgewood asked, “If there is an invasion force, how much fleet support can I count on?”
“Captain Caine said he would make every effort to defend Ganymede, but it’s likely the fleet will have its hands full,” said Gallant. “My communication division is currently setting up a satellite relay so that you will be able to stay in touch with the fleet during the action.”
Ridgewood asked, “What tactics would be most effect against these methane breathers?”
Kelsey said, “Their landing forces will undoubtedly wear body armor and their own methane-breathing apparatus. We believe they will fight with conventional hand laser and plasma weapons.”
Ridgewood asked, “You don't think their fleet will conduct a nuclear bombardment of the surface and attempt to exterminate the civilians?”
“Our analysis team doesn’t believe so,” said Kelsey.
“Why not?” asked an incredulous Ridgewood.
“For the same reason they haven’t already tried to bombard our planets with nuclear weapons. Either they fear retaliation, or they have an ethical threshold, and genocide crosses the line for them, just as it would for us. Commander Jackson feels that this colony of Titans must still have elders back on their home star that may, someday, hold them accountable for their behavior. That said, there is no assurance that the war couldn’t escalate at some point,” said Kelsey.
“Well, my marines will be ready for anything, including close-in combat. Our heavy weapons company is deployed around the accelerator since it’s critical to the fleet’s long term operations on the Jupiter frontier. Hopefully, the invisibility shield will hide the facility and prevent a direct assault there. Regardless, I’m deploying one battalion to defend the lab and accelerator. Another battalion will defend Jupiter Station, and the remaining one will hold Ganymede's capital city, Kendra,” said Ridgewood.
“Likewise, the civilian population is preparing throughout the Jupiter colonies. They are stocking food and life support supplies and transporting them into underground shelters,” said Dr. Lawrence.
After a while, Gallant and Kelsey left the men to proceed with their preparations, while the midshipmen went to look up Jake’s son, Sergeant Bernstein, who was with the marines deployed around the accelerator.
They found him on the gun range checking his weapon sights by using his AI-controlled rifle to identify and center on targets. After firing pellet rounds, laser beams, and plasma blasts from different available magazines, he looked at the midshipmen. He asked, “You know my dad?”
“I met him when I reported for duty and again when I had to travel to Jupiter Station. We traded background stories, and he was very kind to me,” said Gallant. "I told him that if I ever had a chance, I'd look you up. He seemed very pleased about that."
“That’s Dad,” the marine said with pride.
The three of them chatted amiably for some minutes until it was time for Gallant and Kelsey to leave.
“Is there anything we can do for you?” asked Gallant.
“Actually, there is. My family members are scattered over the colonies out here. With the evacuations and restricted communications these days, it’s nearly impossible to locate individuals. Would it be too much to ask for you to try to get a message to my wife and kids, on Europa?” asked Bernstein.
“Don’t worry; I can find them. Just record your message on this memory stick,” said Gallant confidently.
Bernstein went into a secluded corner and quietly recorded his message. His face was somber as he pressed the recording into Gallant’s hand. He said, “You don’t know what this means to me.” He quickly left.
Kelsey and Gallant made their way to the laboratory’s huge viewing dome and found Red and Elizabeth sitting in one corner. Gallant couldn’t be sure, but he thought Elizabeth had been crying. Red had his arm protectively around her shoulder.
The four of them sat together for a long time, stealing glances at each other, no one giving voice to their concerns. All too soon, it was time to leave.