If
corporations and the politicians in their pockets had it their way, every
planet, moon and half the asteroids in The Sol System would be home to
humanity. Unfortunately for them, some places in this universe just can’t be
tamed. Enceladus is not one of those places. One of Saturn’s larger moons,
although not much larger than a small city or town. It isn’t much warmer than
Pluto and civilization is still confined to a series of atmospheric domes.
There still isn’t much sunlight and really, it should be considered just
another terrible place for humanity to leave our mark. Destined to control the
stars, and all that crap used to justify wars, intergalactic colonization
The true
attraction of Enceladus is the leisure life. Casinos, sports, all sorts of
debauchery and I’m here to unwind and enjoy it. Take the time to celebrate life
the way I didn’t in the army. I don’t know about gambling, but I do want to try
racing the rocket karts. There’s also a theater that plays historic films which
is right up my alley.
“Young man,
you look like you’re at a rough space in life,” a stout man with a bald head
and ginger beard steps in front of me.
“Yeah, but
I’ve got it under control,” I try to walk around him.
“You could
always use some guidance and the Army of Sol could give it to you.”
The Army of
Sol, a combined army that takes in the best soldiers from every country, every
colony and every planet. They’ll take the best of the best. While humanity
fights wars amongst ourselves in the darkness The Army of Sol demonstrates a
united front for humanity. Taking on jobs and keeping peace in the Sol System
when our own petty differences become too large. They also have the third
largest galactic exploration program, not just for humanity, but for any
species. Only the Billith, who practically live and die on ships; then the
Revrell who believe they are the smartest of all races, and it is hard to argue
against in many situations. Their special forces programs are like no other,
borderline illegal and demonstrate just how far humanity is willing to go to
prove we’re the best. Human exceptionalism, you have to love it, and hate it at
the very same time. At one point, I thought I would be joining A.O.S. in one of
their special forces programs, then I’d join an exploration team, now I’m not
even a soldier. I would have jumped at the opportunity not long ago, now I’d do
anything to avoid more battles.
“I’ll be
thirty in a year and a half, not exactly young,” I continue making excuses.
“Haven’t
you heard? Thirty is the new 18 and you seem to be in great shape for any age.”
“I’m just
trying to get to my hotel.”
“How about
trying to fight for your star system?”
“I’ve done
my time.”
“Just
because your tour of duty has ended, doesn’t mean your war is over.”
“I know
this is your job, I’ve done some recruiting too. You’ll say whatever it takes
to get me signed up and that’s okay. I’m not mad at you, but you’re wasting
time on me. I’ve been to battle. I’ve seen and done things no person ever
should have to. I’m not going back, now if you’ll excuse me, I have to check
in.”
“When you
realize the outside world isn’t the same as you left it, you don’t fit in
anymore and all the problems you ran away from are still waiting on you, I
won’t be mad. The Army of Sol will always be waiting on you. You’d be surprised
how many people get out, just to want back in.”
The man gives
me a firm handshake and a stern look as if he’ll change my mind. Then he leaves
with a salute that I return. If he knew I was running, he wouldn’t have even
tried to recruit me. Would he have tried to turn me in, would he have just been
disgusted or would he have let me go onto my hotel without any complaint? Those
are just thoughts of what could have happened, and I just need to vanquish them
from my mind. There isn’t any point in worrying now.
The
Shattered Palace, my hotel for time here on Enceladus, a magnificent sight. The
base structure is that of a fairy-tail palace, complete with a tower for young
royalty to be held hostage. Yet, from seemingly every angle shards of ice shoot
forward, obscuring the beauty of the original architecture. I understand the
name, as it does look like a palace that was once made of ice, and shattered in
a giant explosion. The interior continues the royal style with everything
giving off just a bit of arrogance.
Despite
that, I didn’t splurge on my room. One full sized bed, a desk with an okay view
of the streets below, a hot shower and some television. Room service isn’t bad
either. I’ve put together a nice little vacation for a man on the run that
nobody is looking for. The last time I stayed at a hotel was with my family, we
went to an amusement park. That might have been the last time all five of us
were together and happy. No divorces, no suicides, no jail time and no running
off to be a marine.
Things went
to shit so fast after that. I don’t even remember if it had all been brewing
under the surface, or everything started to unravel rapidly all at once.
Everyone and everything changed after that summer, now we don’t even speak. One
of us died, the rest of us just act like we all died. It might be better that
way.
That
recruiter was right, things weren’t the same since I went rogue. They were
different since I went in as well. Sometimes I feel like everything around me
changes, but I never do. I’m still that little boy who blindly followed his big
brothers, and lost his way the minute I lost them. Commander Efrem Gray, they
really thought I was capable of leading people. I’m not capable of leading
anyone, Xioshaa showed that to everyone.
I ran away
from the actual mission, called myself avoiding conflict. While I was running,
I ran us straight into a trap. I’m not what the Army of Sol needs, nor anyone.
I’m not a brother in arms, I’m just a tourist on vacation.
