Kuiper Station by D.W. Patterson

Author:D.W. Patterson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, science fiction short stories, hard science fiction, science fiction books, hard science fiction books
Publisher: Future Chron Publishing
Published: 2020-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

9

Preparations had gone well, the Starfisher left Pluto Station on time and was well on it's way to Tharsis without incident. The Starfisher was adjusting its velocity to “catch up” to Tharsis and altering its orbital inclination angle to match.

It wasn't long until Lt. Commander Blyton, sent by Bogdonich to watch over the station men, established his supremacy over them and again it didn't take long until his orders grated on the men. Just as on the station he had a way of demeaning a man even while praising him. And it wasn't long until Jack and the other station men were complaining to Jonah as bitterly as before.

“Jonah may I speak with you,” said Jack.

“Of course Jack what is on your mind?”

“Jonah, Lt. Commander Blyton has ordered rationing again. At least for us station men. I don't understand it. You know the food situation, do we need to ration?”

“I don't think so Jack. According to my calculations, we should have plenty of food for the entire mission. But perhaps the Lt. Commander is just being overly careful.”

“Maybe. But I think it is just his way of lording it over us. Just like on the station. He and the Commander were always coming up with some goals that we had to meet. Work capacity, rationing, watch duties, as if we were always in danger or always at war. It just keeps the men off balance and disgruntled. Such continuous harassment doesn't lead to a man's best performance, I can tell you that.”

“I understand. Maybe I will speak with the Lt. Commander and assure him that the food supplies are abundant and robust and there really is no need for any rationing on the ship.”

“Thanks Jonah, I knew me and the other men could depend on you to speak up for us.”

Jonah was just back from meeting with the Lt. Commander and the meeting had not gone well.

“How did it go dad?” asked Jacob.

“Not good son. I tried to present my findings on the food supply to the Lt. Commander but he was completely uninterested. I'm afraid it got worse. He accused me of interfering with the chain of command. I tried to point out that I was just presenting my report but dropped my protestations and left as he seemed completely unreasonable on the subject.”

“I don't understand dad, what is going on?”

“I'm not sure son but I'm guessing that the animosity that has built up between the station brass and the workers is being carried over into this mission. The Lt. Commander was Commander Bogdonich's enforcer on the station. And the Lt. Commander seems intent on letting these men know that he is still the enforcer.”

“What a mess,” said Jacob. “That might work planet-side or even on the station but here in these tight quarters of the Starfisher I worry that the animosity might explode into action and reaction.”

“That's a succinct way to put it son, and I think you are right to be worried.”

It wasn't long until the explosion.

Jacob was on his way to aeroponics when he heard someone shouting.

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