30. Chapter 30
It took closer to five weeks to set up the colony within the dome. It was decided to use the dome as their ”city” to reduce the impact on the natural surface of the planet, and to protect the colonists from insect life, at least initially. The life scientists tested the water from a nearby river, and found it pure enough to drink with treatment, but recommended UV filtration anyway. Solar power was set up to provide their energy needs.
Everyone wore a mask/breather combination at first, but the colonists, now styling as ”Eireans,” soon discarded them. This was their planet now, and wearing a mask would only delay the inevitable if the planet had a killer virus or bacteria. Only the crew from the Gambit wore the masks consistently, as doing so would reduce time in decon.
Dare worked hard with the crew and colonists to set up New Eire”s first town. Fusion generators powered the settlement until the solar grid came online. Stockpiles of food and incidentals were inventoried and safely stowed. Dwellings were rebuilt and spaced further apart. The dome was bigger than the transport shuttle, and it was felt that two hundred disparate souls needed more privacy than had been possible on the Gambit. Everyone worked from sunup to early dark, taking breaks only to eat and sporadically rest.
When quitting time arrived, the Gambit”s crew returned to the shuttle, and the air purifiers there. Dare debated with himself and then decided to stay with the colonists. He would spend more time in decon but knew the time he spent with them was worth it. At first, he was so busy and then so exhausted; he didn”t have the energy to miss Jason. Having obtained the captain”s permission, he could call Stravetta every night, but soon that wasn”t enough. Jason always mentioned how much he missed him, followed by a disclaimer that he wasn”t trying to guilt him, and hoped he was enjoying himself. The empath always assured him he was, despite missing the older man.
Three weeks into the colony set up, the tasks went from requiring strength to needing expertise. The Mindset could fetch and carry but wasn”t qualified to do anything else. He helped some colonists rearrange their rooms, oversaw the jobs the sixteen to nineteen-year-old”s were given, but the truth was they knew more than him. Starting into the fourth week, there was nothing Dare could do, and he hated sitting while others were doing.
Speaking with Jason that night, he described the situation, trying hard not to complain, although he wondered how he would pass the next two weeks. The older man looked thoughtful and sympathetic before nodding.
”I could come and get you, if you like. I have a personal shuttle on board and Lewis can pilot it. I”d have to clear it with Captain Arends, but I doubt he”d say ”no” as long as you stay in the back so as not to contaminate either of us. I know you want to say goodbye to everyone, so should I see if that”s doable in two days” time?”
Dare visibly brightened. ”J, that would be wonderful. I really wanted to stay the full time, but I can”t stand having nothing to do, especially when everyone else is so busy. Two days is perfect. Have I told you how much I love you?”
Jason”s smile warmed the empath. ”Not today, but I love you just as much. I”ll drop a message to the captain tonight.” He paused. ”I meant to ask–have you seen Derek down there? He missed his shift with me last night and nobody”s seen him.”
Dare frowned. ”Believe me, if I”d seen him, I would have told you. I”ll ask around just in case, but I don”t think roughing it is his idea of a good time.”
”I don”t think so either, but I had to ask. I”ll let the captain know that, too. He”ll want to search the ship for him, not that anyone misses him.”
”Crap, I hope he”s not dead, but that”s a fitting epitaph for him.”
Jason gave him a sober look. ”Honestly, I don”t care one way or the other, but I don”t abandon anyone who works for me, even a dick like Derek. Let me know tomorrow if anyone spotted him on the surface.”
The empath nodded. ”Of course. I don”t think he”s here, though, the weasel.”
The older man laughed softly. ”I agree, but we still have to look for him.” He stared at the other man for a moment. ”I”m so glad you”re coming home. It”s been kind of hell without you here. Lewis keeps asking me how I”m doing, and he”s making me crazy.”
Dare grinned. ”Give Lewis my best and tell him to knock it off. I can”t wait to see you. I”ll com again about this time tomorrow.”
Jason gave him a fond look. ”I”ll be waiting.”
The next day, the Mindset informed Vida that he would leave the day after tomorrow, thanking her for her understanding and care while he was with the colonists. She thanked him in return and said she would let the colony know so they could make their goodbyes to him. Consequently, most of that day was filled with various colonists coming up to him to wish him well and thank him. The goodbyes were bittersweet, but heartfelt.
Despite questioning many of the ”Eireans,” and a thorough search, no sign was found of Derek.
Towards sunset of that day, Dare was able to pull Chance away from setting up the com system during a lull in activity. Asking him to step outside the dome to witness the coming of night, Chance nodded and smiled, knowing Dare needed to say goodbye to him personally.
They stood, shoulder to shoulder, watching the burnished gold of the star around which New Eire revolved, slowly sink into the far mountains. The air verged on cool, the atmosphere crystalline, making the colors shine without flaw.
Chance sighed with enjoyment. ”It”s so beautiful here.” He looked over at his mentor. ”You know you”ll always be a part of me, Mindset Dare. Our minds have touched, and I will never let that go.”
Dare gave him a distracted look, holding up a hand, as his eyes unfocused. ”There”s other life here. I can”t tell…but it”s not aggressive. I think I touched one of their minds. They know you”re here…they”re curious, but…” He shook his head. ”That”s all I got. Crap, I hope I didn”t wake them, although they don”t feel like a problem. Be wary, but open. They don”t mean any harm.”
Chance stared at him, eyes wide. ”The survey said there was no other life aside from insects. Gaia, what do we do now?”
”What you are already doing. It”s not that whatever this is doesn”t want you here, they just don”t know you. Treat them as you have treated me, and you”ll be fine. Let Vida know, and she can figure out how to tell everyone else. I”ll be here for another day. Have her talk with me if she wants to.”
It was now dusk, the last rays of light fading from the sky. Dare turned his back on the remaining light so he could see Chance.
”As for goodbyes, you”re correct. You will be with me, and I will keep that part of you safe within.” He gave the other Mindset a loving smile. ”It has been a privilege to teach and mentor you, and I have absolute confidence in your abilities. This is a beautiful planet, and I would not be averse to returning at some point, depending on Jason”s plans. I wish you all the best, Chance, and will think of you often.”
Chance bowed his head, his face shadowed. ”Thank you, Dare, for all you”ve done for me, and for this colony. I hope you return as you will always be welcome here. I will never forget what you”ve given me, and only hope I can give to those under my care the same understanding you have given me.”
The Mindset”s lips rose in a gentle smile, opening his arms. Chance hugged him tightly, sighing as he let go. ”We”d better get inside. The night bugs are massing.” He tugged the older empath into the dome, returned his smile, and together, they walked away.
Dare found a crewmember to light his way over to the shuttle. He needed to call Jason and remind himself of his future. His job here was, at last, done.