The Force of Temptation - Chapter Two, Page Nine

Malcolm nodded, only paying attention to the final facts, an increase in speed was key. “Feel free to work on it then. Keep the Commander in the loop, but please do not do anything that could compromise the engines for any extended period of time.” Standing still was the opposite of helpful in completing their mission.

Lieutenant Jones started to turn to head towards the engineering department with a little extra spring in his step and before disappearing around a bend, he turned his head back and responded with excitement, “yes, sir!”

Entering his quarters, the captain sat in his chair. The wall lit up and displayed a variety of information. It showed the time on the ship, a list of active staff on duty, pending messages, available communication channels, and operational statistics regarding the ship. Touching the available communication channels, a window was opened with a few locations. Malcolm selected the Tundra and waited. Even with the most advanced ship to ship communications system in existence, the Tundra and the Solum were sent off at two different angles, but they were still closer to each other, than they were to Earth.

After five minutes, the communication window showed the face of Captain Wilkinson, who looked tired. “How are things on your end? Find anything so I can head back to Earth before my grandchildren are born?”

Andrea wasn’t impressed with Malcolm’s humour. She knew that if they didn’t find some resources soon that there wouldn’t be many more generations of humans, let alone grandchildren. “Nothing yet, though we received a data burst from Earth recently. We received more intel related to colonist attacks on city domes on Earth. Looks like things have been escalating since we’ve left.”

Some people on Mars felt as though people on Earth didn’t deserve to head to the stars and that they would only destroy other planets. The irony wasn’t lost on many of the more “sane” individuals of course.

“It is a real shame, but on the bright side, we should be heading into a planetary filled area of space within the next two or three months, if I can keep my crew’s spirits high. I am thinking about changing the rotation on my ship to extend recreational time and putting more ship functions into their automated mode.”

Andrea spoke up pretty quickly, “We’ve already done that. I now only have three staff members on duty at any one time.” The Tundra was a ship of thirty-eight people, and so to have less than ten percent on duty was a little shocking to Malcolm.

“Your ship functions well like that?”

“Not entirely, but my people do. We’ve been having huge issues with depression and emotional instability due to the seeming futility of what we are trying to pull off here.”

Malcolm nodded his head. “I understand how they feel, but we knew it would take almost a year to get anywhere near planets that could potentially help us.”

Sighing, Andrea agreed and tried to change the subject, “how is that little ship of yours holding up? No asteroid bump into you yet, huh?”