Shades of Earth (Across the Universe 3)

“Son,” Colonel Martin says, and I can’t help it, I like the way he says that word. “I think you know what you need to do. ”

“They will make us slaves or soldiers,” Orion said. “They plan to work us or kill us. ”

“I’m not just going to hand my people over to you,” I say, turning away from him and toward the door that leads into the shuttle. A wind from the planet swirls through my hair, making me feel stronger.

“I’m not suggesting that, son. ”

“Quit calling me son. ” I am no man’s son.

“Elder. ” Colonel Martin says my name as if it leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. “This is about more than you or me. We can’t let egos get in the way. ”

“I’m not letting my ego control me,” I say. “Don’t let yours. I may be younger than you, but there are one thousand four hundred and fifty-six people inside that shuttle who stand behind me. ”

Colonel Martin stands up and lets the chair whip around. “I know that,” he says, the kind edge gone from his voice. “I just thought I could reason with you—”

“You can,” I say simply. “You’re right—it hasn’t been easy. And I’m very well aware that I am not in the best position. ” How could I not be aware of that, given the way Bartie rebelled? The way people would rather stay on the ship than follow me off it? The way three of my people have died already just because they trusted me?

“I’m not against you,” I add. “But I don’t think that it needs to be just me or you. I’m willing to let you guide us, but I’m not going to tell my people to blindly obey you. ”

“But you’ll stand behind me? Support my orders?”

“If I find them reasonable, yes. I will stand beside you. ”

If he notices my subtle change of his wording, he doesn’t comment on it. “The first order of business is simple: we need to establish communication with Earth. ”

“We haven’t had com for gens,” I say.

“What?” Colonel Martin barks.

“It’s been centuries since we’ve heard from Earth. ”

Behind him

, I see Lieutenant Colonel Bledsoe mouth the word centuries. But Colonel Martin lets no emotion show.

“There’s this, though,” I say, moving over the computer on the bridge. The metal is hot to the touch, warmed by the twin suns. The screen blinks, awaiting the military authorization code.

Colonel Martin strides over to the computer, then hesitates. He doesn’t want to do this in front of me. I let one eyebrow twitch up as I stare him down. He turns back to the computer and quickly enters the code.

The screen comes alive as I step forward to get a better look. Amy’s father reluctantly moves aside to make room for me. For several minutes, all the screen shows is a twirling globe and a blinking bar labeled PROCESSING . . . SIGNAL RECEIVED . . . PROCESSING. Then the screen flickers, and the globe opens up, revealing an image of a satellite. INCOMING COMMUNICATION flits across the screen.

Colonel Martin flashes a triumphant look in my direction, but I’m focused on the screen. Is it really that easy? A ten-digit code and suddenly we’re talking with Sol-Earth as if there weren’t light-years between us?

A voice fills the air, and typed words on the screen transcribe the message. My breath catches in my throat. We haven’t had com from Sol-Earth for gens. And yet . . . here’s a voice, traveling across the universe just to speak to us.

And all we ever needed to make this happen was a frexing military authorization code.

Congratulations, Godspeed! You have safely arrived at your final destination, the planet circling the binary Centauri system.

The deep voice speaks in a slow monotone, but I’m still grateful for the transcribed words scrolling across the screen.

We know your journey’s been long, but we are excited to inform you that the probes sent prior to the ship’s landing have indicated not only a habitable world, but profitable environmental resources as well! As such, we’ve been busy on Earth, trying to find a suitable way to aid in the growth and development of the colony you are starting.

They want to aid the colony? Why didn’t they care about aiding the ship? When we lost com all those years ago, why didn’t Sol-Earth work to re-establish communication? I know I should feel wonder at this new com link that’s opened up, but truthfully, all I feel is rage. They could have helped us land. They could have helped us before we landed. Why did they abandon us, stranding us in the stars, waiting for us to land on our own?

In the time since the interstellar ark ship, Godspeed, departed Earth, we’ve continued with advancements in long-term space travel. A remote space station is already set in orbit around the planet you are currently occupying, which will aid in quicker satellite communication between the planets. Additionally, your first task is to locate one of the probes sent from the ship—the probes are equipped with advanced technology and will aid in our communication.

Colonel Martin’s entire attention is focused on the screen, but I just wish the speaker would be quiet long enough that we can ask some questions.