"We will complete our mission," the High Fleet Colonel announced, "Seems to be the best thing to do."
This statement was met with resigned nods of agreement from around the room.
Announcement made, Junior immediately felt somehow lighter.
He turned to the navigation officer and asked how soon they could be on their way to Earth Prime.
"Within an hour, Sir," the man responded.
"No sense waitin' around then, Junior nodded. Addressing the room he said, "Make ready to move out in one hour."
People started to file out of the room while Junior arranged to have the cargo divided evenly among the four ships.
At last, only Specialist McComb, Dank and Trixie May remained.
"I'll be happy just to see Earth Prime, once, no matter what," Trixie May said, placing a comforting hand on Junior's arm.
"Me too, Junior," Dank added, "We already got farther away from Impact than we ever figgered. Everythin' else is gravy."
Junior was a bit cheered by this, but concern still showed across his face.
"You know," McComb said, tentatively, "Earth Prime may not be what you think it is."
"We seen vid files," Junior assured him.
"I get yer Datanet," Dank added, patting his data terminal in the pocked next to his EPPF issued model.
"We learned about your medicines in school," Trixie May explained.
"Yeah," McComb continued, clearly uncomfortable, "About that . . . "
Chapter Thirty Six Interlude
File: Datanet Core Server Theta Delta Delta Three Hundred and Sixty-nine, Galactic Current Events, Era: Modern -0, Truth, Life on Earth Prime, Data Compiled by Press Release
As the Faithful are well aware, Earth Prime has been transformed by the Benevolent States United (long may They reign) into the paradise it is Truthfully intended to be. There is no poverty, illness, war or strife. Faithful citizens live in harmony with nature and with each other. Anything considered to be a burden to the Faithful has been eliminated, or is eliminated as soon as it develops. Truly, the Benevolent States United (long may They reign) have transformed humanity into the glorious state it has long intended to be.
McComb cleared his throat, "It isn't so great," he admitted.
"What isn't great about it?" Trixie May asked, "You have cures for all these diseases and no one is poor or hungry."
"Yes," McComb answered, "But those cures are very expensive and the government can't, or won't, pay for treatment for anyone not a government official."
"You ever caught a pile rat because it was the best source of protein?" Dank asked.
"No, but I grew up in the EPPF. Whoever my family was, they couldn't afford to keep me," McComb didn't seem to effected by this. It was just a statement.
Junior had long suspected that the published reports were exaggerations, but he didn't think they were this drastic, "But I thought there were no poor people on Earth Prime?"
"Anyone unable to work is 'removed' as a burden to society," McComb explained, "So that part is true."
"Can't pay for medical services?" Trixie May sat back down in one of the spinning chairs.
"They do a cost analysis, but the BSU has a lot to do running a planet. I've seen some of the numbers. It isn't cheap."
"But we are talking about human life!" she argued, knowing it wasn't McComb's fault but hating the news so much it came out more aggressively than she had intended.
"The BSU can't even reliably power the planet," McComb explained, "That was the big push that sent us after the Be-Esunium. Rolling blackouts have resulted in riots all across the southern hemisphere. Anyone caught complaining is labeled "Un-Faithful" and executed as a traitor." He coughed out a bitter laugh, "I guess the plan is to reduce power demand by serving fewer people."
"So the BSU really needs this stuff," Junior surmised, "Prolly way more than we need them. Maybe we can make a deal?"
"The BSU and the EPPF don't have a history of dealing with the Un-Faithful and, frankly, they can't afford to start now," McComb continued, "Strict adherence to the Truth is the glue that hold all of Earth Prime society together. If the BSU violates it, which dealing with terrorists would, they lose what credibility they have and risk more riots."
"You figger we qualify as Un-Faithful?" Junior asked.
"Junior," McComb slowly shook his head, "Right about now, we are about as Un-Faithful as people can get."
