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The weather was clear, and the sun rose above the eastern crater ridge.
Much to the chagrin of ARI, Elisa had given both three days off, and Pom and Mei had spent one recovering. Nevertheless, Elisa called them into their headquarters for a briefing.
After ARI had updated them about the events that had transpired in the base in their absence, Mei explained what they had encountered while out in the desert.
"There is something out there," Mei said to the assembled colonists, after describing their perilous journey.
"I have completed analysis on the signal patterns that Mei detected. I attempted all standard encodings, but they returned nothing. However, it turns out our equipment is looking for the wrong thing. There isn’t anything modulated in the signal, it’s actually all noise. Rather, it is the presence or absence of the carrier wave itself that contains the data in binary. For example, this part is repeated nine times in every loop."
A noise of rapidly whistling tones filled the room.
"And? What is that?", Elisa asked.
"A standard UEC distress signal, encoded in binary," Otto answered. People looked at him quizzically. "Our own distress beacons contain this exact sequence, along with more useful and descriptive information."
"Precisely," ARI confirmed. "And there is one other bit I have been able to translate. It says ‘requesting assistance’, in UEC standard language. The rest however, is untranslatable. It’s binary, so it could be a sequence of numbers, or a data package, or well, anything."
"Does that mean someone is out here ahead of us?", Sigrid asked, glancing at Otto. "Or that something that was onboard our ship, and just went off when the aft section came down?"
"Seventy thousand years is a long time," Otto answered. "Perhaps humanity sent out more expeditions this way... Ships with faster drives than ours..."
"It’s definitely worth checking out, at some point," Elisa said. "Do we know where it is coming from?"
ARI answered immediately. "I’ve adjusted our antennae and searched for the frequency, but we are unable to detect it from here. Based on where it was picked up, it is likely to be originating from somewhere south east of Pom and Mei’s so-called Valley of Hope, east of the first ridge they stopped at. Three days travel away from here."
"That’s too far out for now. What about the drop pods? How many did we pick up?"
ARI’s drone projected the map of the general area and marked the locations of thirty seven pods outside the crater. It also indicated the sections that contained crewmembers, trapped in their cryopods.
"Allright, how are we going to get all of these into the base?", Elisa asked out loud.
"I have already determined the optimal course of action to accomplish that," Maximilian said.
Everyone listened while Maximilian began to outline the plan. A second, much larger ramp would have to be constructed to reach the gulley that led out of the crater, and in the mean time, four crew members would take the buggy to recover three additional toploaders from drop pods in the desert. On the way back, they would load several pods into it, including the much-needed industrial parts required to repair the fabricator.
"Of course, this plan requires that Elisa marks Sigrid Ronningen, Pom Mansouri and doctor Qi Meifen as available for duty and assigned to ramp construction."
Elisa grumbled, not appreciating how Maximilian had thrown this issue out there and criticized her decision in public.
"That is not really acceptable, pressuring our injured crew members to work instead of recovery...", Elisa confronted him.
"I assure you, I am not pressuring them. I am merely stating that their assignment is required for the completion of this operation."
"But they are in no condition to work! Sigrid’s leg is broken, and the other two are still recovering from severe dehydration!"
"I have planned the tasks based on the crew manifest and the immediate needs of the colony and have to optimize our efficiency to maximize our chances of survival, as per the Company’s directives," Maximilian said defensively in a matter-of-fact tone. "Bear in mind that those cryopods have a limited energy supply. If we do not recover them soon, we are going to be losing people."
"Outside, now!", Elisa said to Maximilian as she opened the door of the shack and stepped outside. Maximilian followed, and Elisa closed the door behind him, leaving the rest inside.
"What do you think you are doing?", Elisa said angrily. "Undermining me like that in front of the others?"
"I am merely stating the facts, and doing what is best for the mission," Maximilian responded in a calm, reserved manner.
Elisa glared for a moment. "You do not have the right to speak to me like you just did! I am the commander of this mission!"
"I don't? I am the chief security officer, and as one of your senior officers, it is my duty to point out any potential dangers that may compromise this mission. Our current situation does not allow us to wait another week for Sigrid's leg to heal or for doctor Qi and Pom Mansouri to feel perfectly fit again. Since our base is not fully operational, we need all hands, or crew members in stasis will die. The orders you gave me were to organize the mission based on the crew manifest and available resources. That's what I am doing. If you wish, we can ask ARI to run the numbers, but I am confident that it will come to the same objective conclusion."
Elisa felt taken aback by the well-spoken way in which Maximilian outlined his arguments, and did not have an immediate response.
"I understand you are in a difficult position, commander Woodward," Maximilian continued. "While you are the ranking officer, you are also the only one that has not held command before. Allow me to give you some advice. You are not going to win people’s respect by being sympathetic and giving them days off. People are mostly going to judge you by your confidence, and your results. You should delegate more to those that can provide you with experience and crunch the numbers. It will still be your decision. We only want to help you."
Maximilian smiled. His words had sounded warm, genuine and helpful and his mannerism was calm and controlled, with which he had managed to defuse the situation while expertly turning the tables on Elisa.
Maximilian put a hand on Elisa’s shoulder. "We are all in this together, are we not?", he said, smiling again.
Elisa looked away and nodded, feeling shame for losing her temper and reacting rashly earlier, as well as not heeding ARI’s and Maximilians advice. Maximilian was right about everything, he had been right before when he had advised to fortify the camp, and now he was right that they needed all colonists to work.
More troubling, she realized what Maximilian had implied but not said out loud. She already had trouble commanding six people and an AI. How was she going to command over a hundred people later down the line?
"You know what, you're right", Elisa admitted. "I overreacted, and I apologize."
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"If you are to lead, the first one you need to control is yourself," Maximilian said in a friendly tone that fully concealed the criticism. "Shall we go back inside?"
Elisa felt confused. "Just one moment. What am I going to say? It will look bad if I force Pom and Mei to work right after I said I would give them time to recover..."
"You could stress the importance of the operation and try to steer them into going to work voluntarily," Maximilian advised. "We are a group of responsible people. We are all exhausted, but everyone does what needs to be done. It is our duty."
Responsible people, Elisa thought.
"Thank you for your advice, Colonel. I greatly appreciate that you are trying to help me. I still have much to learn."
"Think nothing of it," Maximilian said, as he opened the door and let Elisa in before entering himself.
Ervin cast a glance at Elisa as she entered, and then stared at Maximilian. Maximilian cast him a telling expression, and Ervin returned a subtle nod.
"Commander," Sigrid began before Elisa could even address them. "We’ve just discussed the matter in your absence. Considering the circumstances, we would like to resume our duties, with your permission."
Elisa gaped for a moment, then composed herself with a smile. "Of course, of course, thank you so much," she said.
Elisa remained quietly on the side for the remainder of the meeting, while Maximilian and ARI conducted the briefing for the operation to come.
===
After the meeting concluded, Elisa lingered in the dimly lit headquarters, her mind racing. The weight of command, the delicate balance of compassion and authority, and the ever-present specter of their precarious survival threatened to crush her resolve. She took a deep breath and glanced at Ervin Sekhon, who was quietly observing her from the other side of the table.
Ervin was known for his calm demeanor, an unwavering voice of reason and spiritual guidance among the colonists. He had been educated as a theologist and mathematician, the odd combination of science and religion typical of the True Faith adherents, and he carried that dual role seamlessly into their new world. His gentle eyes held a depth that promised understanding without judgment.
"Commander," he said, stepping forward. "Would you care for a moment to talk?"
Elisa nodded, grateful for the offer. "Yes, Ervin. I could use some advice. Let's go for a walk."
They made their way outside, where the wind had picked up and swirls of sand and dust blew across the newly laid duracrete foundations of the base. The sun, now high in the sky, cast sharp shadows across the crater plains. Elisa put on her helmet and keyed in a secure channel with Ervin. She remained silent for a moment, staring at the sky as if seeking answers there.
"I feel like I’m walking a tightrope," she finally admitted. "Every decision I make either undermines my authority or costs me the trust of the crew. Maximilian’s right—I don’t have command experience. I’m afraid that one wrong step will unravel everything."
Ervin leaned against a shelter wall, folding his arms thoughtfully. "Authority is a complex thing, Elisa. True leadership isn’t about the perfect balance between strictness and leniency. It’s about authenticity and knowing when to listen and when to lead. What is it you fear most?"
Elisa turned to face him, her brows furrowed. "I’m afraid that my decisions will push the crew too far, that they’ll break. Or worse, that I don't see the consequences of my decision someone will die because of my failure."
Ervin’s expression softened. "It’s not weakness to care about your people’s well-being. In fact, it’s your greatest strength, a trait often lacked by those that hold the reins of power. But caring must coexist with decisiveness. You can show empathy while making difficult choices. The key is transparency. When people understand why you make the choices you do, they’re more likely to support you, even if it’s hard for them, or a decision turns out to be the wrong one."
Elisa nodded slowly. "But Maximilian said that showing compassion is a liability, that people judge leaders by their results, not their empathy."
"He’s not entirely wrong," Ervin said. "Results do matter, especially in our situation, where our survival is at stake. But a leader who commands without trust is a tyrant. A leader who inspires without action is ineffectual. The balance lies in commanding with integrity, being responsible and accountable, and demonstrating that you’re willing to share the burdens."
Elisa’s gaze shifted back to the red landscape. The ground below had seen their hardships, their victories, and their relentless will to survive. "It’s easier said than done," she whispered.
"Everything worth doing is," Ervin replied, a small smile touching his lips. "Consider this: Instead of viewing your team as resources to be managed, see them as allies in the mission. You’re not alone in this, and neither should they be. Share your dilemmas with them when appropriate. Trust them to rise to the occasion. You’d be surprised of people's ability to band together when they understand the stakes."
Elisa felt a sense of calm settle over her, a newfound resolve forming beneath the doubt. She realized that leading wasn’t about presenting an unyielding facade but about showing her humanity without losing control.
"Thank you, Ervin," she said, her voice steady. "I needed this."
Ervin reached out and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Remember, commander, authority comes not from your title or your access codes, but from the trust you build. We’re all in this together."
Elisa strolled in the direction of the parked toploaders with a renewed sense of purpose. The path was still fraught with challenges, but for the first time in a while, she felt ready to face them head-on—not just as a commander but as a leader who believed in her team and in herself.
===
The scorching midday sun beat down on the dig site as Elisa, Sigrid, and Mei worked tirelessly. The gritty winds swept through, blowing coarse sand at the windshield. Sigrid, with her leg still strapped in a brace, gritted her teeth as she piloted the dozer, and coordinated the loaders with the other.
"We’re making progress, but we need to hurry," Mei said, pausing to wipe sweat from her brow. Her eyes darted to the crater edge, where fierce strains of sand and the downpour of gravel signaled the coming shift in wind patterns.
"Understood," Elisa responded. She glanced at Sigrid and Mei—both exhausted, both determined. "Let’s bring in a full load before the storm picks up, then park everything up near the plateau."
Nearby, Otto and Maximilian worked at the ore processing facility. The machinery groaned under the strain of its first operational test, gears grinding as the makeshift power lines sputtered with inconsistent energy.
"Watch the converter output! It’s fluctuating again," Otto called out, his voice tense as he adjusted the stabilizers.
Maximilian’s expression was a mask of focus as he manually calibrated the intake valves. "If we can’t maintain a steady flow, the whole system will seize up. We need more power," he said through clenched teeth.
Otto’s eyes met Maximilian’s, and a silent understanding passed between them. They had to make it work—not just for the mission, but for everyone depending on them.
Suddenly, the power flickered, and the machinery let out a metallic shriek before quieting. Otto punched a command into the control panel, holding his breath until the hum resumed.
"That’s as stable as it’s going to get," Otto said, exhaling. "Let’s hope it’s enough."
Further away, by the shallow river, Ervin and Pom moved carefully, securing the cargo and cryopods they’d managed to find half-submerged in the muddy banks. The water glistened under the sunlight, deceptive in its peaceful appearance.
"This one’s heavy," Pom muttered, straining as he pulled a cryopod up onto their sled.
"Steady, Pom," Ervin said, adjusting the support frame. His usually calm expression was shadowed with worry. They both knew that time was not on their side. Each cryopod they recovered was another potential life saved—or lost.
As they arrived back at the base, Mei rushed over to inspect the pods. Her sharp eyes caught the cracked glass of one.
"This pod is damaged," she said urgently, running her hand over the hairline fractures. ARI’s drone hovered beside her, scanning the pod.
"Energy levels critical," ARI’s synthetic voice intoned. "Immediate intervention required."
Mei nodded, setting to work with what little they had—a makeshift combination of stimulants and rehydration solutions. The crew gathered around, tension thick as they watched Mei’s hands move swiftly, injecting the contents into the failing pod.
Elisa stood nearby, silent but present, the weight of command pressing on her. Moments passed, each one dragging with it a harrowing sense of helplessness. Then ARI’s drone emitted a single, final beep.
"Vital signs lost," it stated.
Mei’s shoulders slumped. "I’m sorry, Commander. I did everything I could."
Elisa felt a wave of sorrow wash over her, followed by the cold logic of their reality. Resources were scarce—even the most basic burial would cost them dearly.
The silence stretched, the crew looking to her for direction. She swallowed, pushing down the grief, but knew what had to be done.
"We will honor them as best we can," she said softly, her voice steady. "ARI, document their identity and record their loss. We’ll mark their memory, even if we cannot afford more than that." She glanced over to ARI and Mei. "Salvage what you can from the pod, recycle the remains."
The crew nodded, understanding the painful truth that had bound them all since the moment they landed: survival demanded sacrifice. Yet Elisa’s resolve remained, fueled by the lives still waiting to be saved.