Xalata Orbit and Melody Fret: The Hammer of Asttar Page 2

  "Hi," said the girl.

  "Um, hey. Who are you?"

  "I’m Melody and I live next door. Your dad told me you would be arriving. I saw you through the viewport – you were with Fark, weren’t you?"

  "Yep. I’ve just arrived," said Xalata, pointlessly. Melody was quite small and, although she was by no means overweight, she carried a little more than she was happy with. She had a lively face that was set off by short-cropped hair that gave her a rather boyish look. Her eyes were deep brown, almost black and the size of them, coupled with her short hair made her look rather waif-like. She was wearing a ScramSuit, similar in style to Xalata's but with muted grey colours that seemed to blend into the background and on her feet were dull and practical boots, also in grey.

  "So, won’t you ask me in? Or did Fark give you the ‘Trust nobody. Invite no one in’ spiel?"

  "Er, yeah."

  "Tell you what then, come to my place instead," and she pointed two doors further down the corridor.

  "My dad may be home soon – won’t he think it a bit funny if I’m not here?"

  "Not really," said Melody. "He’ll know where you are."

  Chapter Three

  Melody’s home was almost identical to the one they had just left with one difference: there was a lived-in feel to the place. Some pictures of places on Earth were stuck onto the walls, there were some personal bits and pieces around the living area and, in the corner near to the kitchen area there was a guitar, propped into a corner beside the work surface.

  "Do you play?" asked Xalata as she drifted around the living space.

  "Sure," said Melody, "I’ve been learning guitar for about four years and I’m covering loads of songs by Marlene Thripp and Ent Quory. Do you play any instruments?"

  "Nope. Never learned. Never wanted to. I tried to learn keyboard once, back at home, but I was hopeless and gave up after a couple of lessons." She flopped down on one of the chairs and looked around the room. "Not much of a place to live, really, is it?"

  Melody shook her head,

  "I don’t agree with you. I like it here. I’ve been here since I was four years old ..."

  "And how old are you now?"

  "Same age as you, fourteen."

  "How in Frank’s name do you know so much about me?"

  "Your dad talks about you all the time. He’s really made up that you’re coming to stay here. He’s missed you like crazy."

  "Dad’s not seen me for years."

  "Exactly," said Melody. "You can guess it’s a big deal for him that you’ve got on the shuttle and come up here."

  "I s’pose. There wasn’t much other option back home. I was living with my aunt and she ... well, I’m not the easiest person to get on with. Not sure why I’m telling you that. I can be spiky – I just get fried about stupid things. Everyone seems stupid. Add to that living in a compound because of the disease everywhere ..."

  "Hmm," said Melody, "I think it’s part of our age. My mum always says that I’m going through a phase, but to me, I’m with you. Everyone else is dim."

  "Yeah. And don’t get me started about boys," continued Xalata, "what’s that all about? Will they ever grow up? Hitting things, breaking things, pratting around as soon as a girl shows up. Mind you, they’re just as bad when they’re on their own, as far as I can see. Anyway, why are you in this place? I’m here because I couldn’t get on with my aunt any longer."

  "Bit different for me," said Melody. "Mum and I have lived on LunarBase since I was four. My dad died in an accident at work here. Mum’s an astro-scientist and she works on stuff for the Praesidium to ..."

  "You’re the second person that’s said that word. What’s the Praesidium?" asked Xalata.

  "It’s the local government on the Moon. Each habitat area has councillors who then represent us at the main Praesidium headquarters at LunarBase – where you arrived on the shuttle. The Praesidium building was originally one of the first habitats created and they revamped it so that it became government offices."

  "OK – sorry ‘bout your dad. That must have been terrible."

  "Not really. I was too young to know what was going on. I hardly saw him and I can’t really remember him other than from movies and photos that my mum showed me."

  "So what’s she do for her work, then?"

  "Well, I’m not sure," said Melody. "It’s all secret stuff to do with developing our presence here on the Moon. I think it’s the same old thing – someone else wants a bit of what we are doing and we have to try and stop them."

  "Like what?" said Xalata. "I mean, I know there’s mining and stuff goes on up here and that we are using the Moon as a place to jump off to the other planets. Surely there’s enough to go around?"

  "You’d have to ask my mum. And she probably won’t tell you anything because of security. That’s one of the reasons this place is locked down so tight." Her face brightened and lost its serious cast, "You want a drink or something?"

  "Yeah, I’d kill a juice."

  "We’ve got synth juice but it’s not great. Other than that, there’s cola, water and coffee."

  "Oh, great. I live on juice. OK – water please ... er, thanks."

  Melody moved into the kitchen area, drew off two glasses of water from a tap and brought them over.

  Xalata drank thirstily and, after wiping her mouth said,

  "So what’s your mum’s name?"

  "Dawn. Dawn Fret. Pioneer in lunar habitats. That’s what she signs herself as. She’s been doing lunar stuff since she graduated. Dad was doing the same as her, but of course that all fell apart and so she had to make it work – can’t have been easy with a four-year old and a heavy job."

  "Similar story," said Xalata. "Dad couldn’t cope with me after my mother left us. Not sure when she went – just disappeared. He works in the Air Supply division of Lunar Hydroponics and I think he wouldn’t have wanted to deal with me at all if things hadn’t gone offline between me and my aunt. Shame, cos I really like her, but she just fries me. Mind you, most people fry me. So Dad’s going to have to put up with me, I guess. I’m off to the Academy to learn hydroponics ...

  "I know," said Melody. "That’s great because I’m doing the same course. You’ll start same time as me."

  "Well, at least I’ll know someone!" laughed Xalata, "Wow – first time I’ve felt like laughing since I got here. Thanks for coming round to the door when I arrived, it’s ..."

  But she had no time to complete the sentence. The door chime sounded and Melody went to the intercom:

  "It’s your Dad," she said, and pressed the door release to let him in.

  Chapter Four

  Xalata’s dad, Brett Orbit, stood in the entry not quite sure what to do. He’d not seen her for nearly a year, as he had gone without holiday to ensure that his projects were completed. Guilty feelings? You bet and they were written all over his face as he saw his daughter sitting in the living room of his neighbour’s home.

  "Hi Xally. Um. My, how you’ve grown," he laughed nervously.

  "For Frank’s sake, Dad. You see me on chat most weeks."

  "Yeah, sorry. Didn’t know what to say. Can I have a hug?"

  Xalata crossed the room and hugged her dad. He was only a little taller than her and she felt embarrassed showing emotion in front of Melody, but still, here she was with a new best friend already.

  Brett stepped back and looked at her,

  "You have actually grown quite a lot – I just see your head and shoulders on chat. It’s great to see you, Xally. What do you think to the Moon?"

  "Honestly? It’s a bit dull. I can’t imagine anything exciting happens here," said Xalata with a frown. "What’s for dinner?"

  "Ah, some things don’t change. OK – let’s wander back to ours and I’ll cook up a great meal I’ve been saving for you. Pepperoni pizza – I know it’s your favourite."

  "Yeah, when I was nine perhaps." Then she smiled at him, "OK – sounds good. Let’s go – thanks Melody. Good to meet you – I’ll catch you a
round."

  With that, Xalata walked out of the door, leaving her dad and Melody to say their goodbyes. She crossed the hall to the door for their home and it opened automatically – the key was in her pocket. As she walked in, she noticed her dad’s workbag beside her suitcase. It stood open and there, peeking out from the document folder was an item marked "Eyes only – security one". She was about to take a look when she heard the sound of the door lock disengaging and she moved on into the living area.

  Her dad came into the room. He looked tired and he sat down in the chair, looking at Xalata.

  "So how was your journey," he asked.

  "Fine," said Xalata, "But I can’t get my head round how different it is on the Moon. I mean, everything is like top security and you can’t just wander around. In fact it feels a bit like a prison. I thought the compounds on Earth were bad enough."

  "Sure," said Brett." You’ll get used to it."

  For a few moments there was silence. Brett and Xalata looked at each other. There was a huge distance between them even though they were in the same room. Xalata looked at the floor. Brett suddenly made a move into the kitchen and began clattering pots as he got together the pizza and prepared for dinner.

  "So when do I begin school, dad?" asked Xalata.

  "The new academic year begins the day after tomorrow so I guess you'll be going to school then. Melody will be going to the same Academy so you'll be able to go along with her."

  "Okay. Do I need stuff? What do I need to take with me?"

  "Just your pad. Everything else will be provided."

  Xalata looked at her bag, down in the lobby and said,

  "Right, I'll set about getting my stuff in place. I assume I'm in here," and she gestured to the doorway on the right.

  "Yep, that's the one - make your choice of either bed. They're both made up."

  She picked up her bag and pulled it into the room, looking around at the sparse furnishing: a bunk bed, a small side table with a mirror over it, a chair and a wardrobe area with some shelving. She opened her bag and pulled out some clothes and hung them up, musing all the time about what she had left behind.

  She pulled out her pad and looked around for a charging point - there was one beside the bunk - just handy. She quickly discovered the public network - called The Q, it was a quantum network that had no boundaries and provided instant communication and access to information and entertainment, wherever you were. So far, it had never been tested beyond the Solar System, but the belief was that it would work instantly, wherever you were in the Universe.

  She logged in with her universal ID that had been given to her at birth. Messages pinged and her digest of interests flashed to show that she had news about some of the topics she liked. Time for that later. The smell of pizza was starting to permeate the place and she grinned to herself. She'd been snide in snapping back at Dad so quickly about her food likes - pizza still rang her bell, any time.

  She stepped out of the room and there was the pizza, waiting on the table along with a green drink of some sort.

  "Thanks Dad," she said, doing her best to give a breezy and cheerful impression.

  "Sure you still like it?" he asked.

  "I'll force it down somehow," she said and gave her most winning smile. Brett visibly relaxed.

  "I thought that maybe you'd gone off it or grown out of it," he said.

  "Nah, just being a pain - sorry. I'm not that happy about leaving Earth and this place is a bit of a shock. I'll get used to it," and she took a long pull on the green drink, pulled a wry face and said, "And what's that?"

  "Synth juice - the best we can do up here. It has all the same nutritional value as ..."

  "I don't care! It's pretty revolting." She tucked into the pizza. "Tell me about the school."

  "Well, it's the Academy for Hydroponics Growers, as you know. You'll travel each day, with Melody, to the Moon’s Central Air Facility. It's where I work too, but I'll be leaving earlier than you. The school opens five days a week and you'll be starting the course led by Mr Wiggins - he's the main tutor and most of your time will be spent in his classes and tutorials."

  "What's he like?"

  "Wiglet? He's OK"

  "Who?"

  "Wiglet is what everyone calls him except to his face. He's about fifty years old and has had a very elevated career before taking up his teaching post here. He was one of the main founders of the original lunar colony, so he's experienced it from the tough days."

  Xalata chewed thoughtfully on the pizza crust.

  "So Melody Fret and I will be on the same course together, yes?"

  "Yep, that's the plan, unless you find you can't stand each other. Seems unlikely though - she's a nice girl, if a bit nervous."

  "What do you mean," said Xalata, recalling the lively girl she had met earlier.

  "She puts on a good front, but she's had some bad times and those sometimes cause her to be, well, careful in tricky situations. You'll find she's fine. Not much chance of any danger around here!"

  They finished the pizza.

  Chapter Five

  The news was not good. There had been an attack on a habitat on Farside - the side of the Moon that constantly faces away from the Earth. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't dark on the other side of the Moon - in fact it's just as light as Earth during daytime, when the sun shines on it. The lunar day and night last over 29 Earth days however, Nearside also gets reflected sunlight shone back from the Earth.

  The attack had been bizarre - more a wrecking expedition than anything else - on a habitat that was barely populated. An entire section of one of the main arms from the central atrium had been breached with a series of massive holes in the lightdomes and oddly, through the Moon's surface into the underlying tunnels. These had been considered to be almost indestructible, hidden, as they were deep down. But something or someone had used extreme force to create a devastating attack on the pressurised habitat and threaten the people who lived in it.

  No one had seen what had caused the attack - some felt it must be a huge vehicle like a terrestrial armoured tank. Others claimed it must be aliens. Yet, whatever or whoever it was, had remained invisible as the residents of the habitat fled for shelter behind the automatic airlocks. Now sealed off, the damaged section of the habitat would remain that way until someone managed to get the repair bots working on the structure.

  "What's that about, then Dad?" said Xalata as she chewed her breakfast that morning - a strange composite of hydroponic oats, imported nuts and some fruit that she could not identify. "Will it attack us?"

  "Too far away, I think. A vehicle that could inflict that damage would take ages to get around to Nearside. It's probably something to do with one of the extremist groups that are trying to make our lives a misery."

  "Such as who?"

  But before Brett could answer, the door communicator sounded. Xalata, expecting it to be Melody, rushed to the door - it was Fark.

  "Well, good morning, my dear. And have we settled in well?"

  "Yeah, well I'm fine thanks, A-dolf," she was pleased she had remembered his name correctly and judging by his leer, so was he.

  At that moment, Melody appeared behind Fark and he let her step past.

  "Actually, it's good you're here as well, Melody. I have something to say to both of you," said Fark. "The attacks on Farside have raised the security alert for the whole of LunarBase. Therefore, you will need protection - I have been assigned to accompany you to and from school."

  "Very kind, A-dolf," said Brett, "don't you think, girls? I'm sure you'll feel safe in his hands." Xalata barely suppressed a shudder and Melody just looked at Xalata without speaking a word.

  "So, when you're ready ..." said Fark.

  The girls shrugged and picked up their bags. With a quick peck on the cheek for her dad, Xalata headed out of the door, following the rapid progress of Fark with Melody trotting behind. Xalata turned to look back and saw Brett watching them go. She gave a wave and he smiled, waved
back and then went into the home.

  The TransTrak was crowded and they pushed their way onto the vehicle and found a seat near the back. Fark stood in front of them, looking down at them. The doors closed silently and the train accelerated into the tunnel so that, only twenty minutes later, they were disembarking at the Moon’s Central Air Facility.

  "I know that you already know the way, Melody," said Fark, "but I shall accompany you all the same. Please stay with me in the crowd." He pushed his way forward and they rapidly headed toward the tunnel leading down to the Hydroponics Institute.

  "Is he always like this," hissed Xalata to Melody, "I mean, where does he get off? What's he do and why's my dad so keen for him to be with us?"

  "He's one of your dad's team. Don't know what he does, but he's certainly taken an interest in you."

  "Jeeps! Just the thing, eh. A creepy nerd wants to follow me around - just like home."

  "What do you mean?" asked Melody.

  "It's just that I had a guy who always wanted to be near me during my last term at school on Earth. I couldn't shake him off. He gave me the shudders and eventually I had to get tough ..."

  "What did you do?"

  "Told him to get lost and that he was the biggest weirdo I knew and to slope off out of my life."

  "Ladies." Fark was suddenly beside them. "Having fun? Nice chat? Your college course awaits."

  And with an exaggerated bow he indicated the entrance to the Hydroponics Institute and the Academy that was situated inside it.

  Chapter Six

  The Academy was very, very quiet - unlike any school that Xalata had ever been in. Only a few other students were wandering around and they all seemed absorbed in the pads they carried. The building was essentially a large unit off the main atrium of the LunarBase. Tunnel corridors filtered off left and right as she and Melody walked down towards a classroom and Xalata could gauge no idea of the size of the place.

  "It's not actually a classroom as you might know it from your time on Earth," said Melody. "It's more of a study area with occasional teaching sessions - tutorials. We're left to get on with it once we have started, so you're free to work as you think is best."