Chapter Text
Mindoir Colony, Attican Traverse, 2170
“I don’t like this. It’s too quiet. Even the crickets stopped chirping.”
Cassandra Valentino raised her eyebrows at the militia leader. She deadpanned, “We don’t have crickets, not like Earth anyway.”
Patrick Shepard narrowed his eyes at the darkness beyond their colony’s borders. Of course, Mindoir didn’t have crickets, but even Mindoir had its share of strange wildlife. The stars above twinkled brightly and the smell of newly plowed dirt filled the air. The security patrol could see the warm lights of the homesteads behind them. The colonists settled down for a peaceful night after a hard day’s work.
Patrick was a practical man. He knew better than to jump to conclusions; after all, working as a vice detective on the New Orleans streets taught him that. Show me the evidence and I might be convinced.
Tonight, his gut warned him something was wrong. Madeline often shook her head and told him to ‘listen to that little voice in your gut,chere.“ Nine times out of ten, she was right.
“Cass, you have a talent for stating the obvious.”
“It’s an inherited trait. Ask my mother.” Cass laughed without humor and deftly changed the subject. “You gotta relax, Shep, before you bust a blood vessel. Then Madeline will get really pissed at you and say, ‘I told you so’.”
His mouth quirked upwards with humor. His sixteen year old son was just like his mother, going on instinct as opposed to plan.
Speaking of…
Patrick tapped his ear comm. “Patrol One-Five to Control.”
“Control here. Everything all right?”
“So far, Remy. Sensors clear?”
“So far. No activity in the last hour.”
“All right, we’re going to do one more round before One-Six takes over.”
“Got it. Stay safe, Dad. Control, out.”
“One-Five, out.” Patrick sighed and shook his head. He caught Cass’s expression and added, “He’s still mad at me.”
She patted Patrick on the arm. “He’ll get over it, Shep. A little cold isn’t gonna sideline your son for long. He’s as stubborn as you are. Maybe tomorrow night he can head up One-Six’s shift. He’s got the experience now.”
“Yeah, that might be a good idea. Madeline’s been nagging me to let him take more responsibility in the militia.”
“It’ll be good for him. Face it, Shep…he’s as good a shot as you are. We could use the help.”
“Yeah, we could–wait. Did you see that flash?”
“What flash–?” A bright light sliced through the night sky. It lasted only a few seconds, but it was long enough. “Shit. That wasn’t lightning.”
Patrick shook his head and gestured to his team. “Fan out. Keep in radio contact. If you see anything, raise the alarm.”
“Got it,” replied Cass. She gestured for her squad partner to follow her lead. “You think we should get everyone into the shelters?”
Patrick considered it, then shook his head. “Not yet, but it won’t hurt to give everyone a heads-up.”
Cass nodded as she tapped her earpiece. “Jonathan? Code Blue Two, spread the word. Get Talitha ready to move to the shelter if it’s necessary–”
Every Human colonist knew the risks of making a new home among the stars. On the one hand, there was freedom and a chance to make a new start. On the other, slavers, raiders, pirates, natural disasters…
Patrick hoped that sinking feeling in his gut was wrong.