It was never just about discovery. Now, we were desperate...

In the year 2000, the Soviet Union formally collapsed. I remember my father would scream at me for days after that. "Teff, there's no one better to lead!" He was a big communist sympathizer, though for the past twenty or so years, the UNA and the Soviet's actually got along. Economically, the Soviets tried to stick to their extreme socialist model while adopting democracy. The United Nations of the Americas, conversely, become more socialist in their ideals. The economy the union was based on was of oil, crude desert oil, and the desert was running dry.

I stood third row down at a large conference, as the two governments formally disbanded themselves, various nations throughout each republic signing a massive document. January 1st, 2000 marked the official creation of the United Colonies.

"And now...!" Representative Zayd spoke out from the microphone, 7 Soviet leaders standing behind him. 52 other world leaders sat in chairs behind him, all adorned in the colors of their nations. "We celebrate the turn of a century, a new age for all of mankind!"

I scoffed a bit, thinking back to what my father said. I don't want it to seem like I don't like the guy, nor am I suggesting my father is right about the Soviets being the better power. But such a rushed decision didn't make sense. There had to be something else to this.

My friend Bazi nudged me on the shoulders. I turned around to see a stupid grin on his face, as he clapped along with the rest of the crowd. After nagging me on for a while, I eventually gave in and clapped along as well. Bazi screamed out his cheers, hands cupping his mouth. His long arms always made it awkward to observe such actions, but his even larger face often made it seem more natural. The representative on the stage gestured his hands behind him to show off just how many nations were represented that day. He turned facing the crowd again, leaning on his short, blue podium, asking everyone to calm down. Off the side of the podium, the almost comically long document hung off onto the floor, stretching even a few metres across the stage.

"I am pleased to announce that 59 independent nations have also joined the signing of his document, to ensure a brighter, and collective future." He swept his smiling gaze across the crowd. "We respect those have chosen to remain indifferent to our new order, but keep the invitation open, should they wish to be a part of our worlds greatest achievements!" The Representative almost screamed that last part, slamming his hands down on the stand. He paused for a moment, scanning the crowds yet again.

"I see many faces tonight, some of my former colleagues. Some, former enemies. Yet today, I say..." He breathed in, as if to continue his screaming attempt. "We are United!" He shouted out. The crowd erupted into cheers and chants. I eventually gave in, despite hating these sorts of rallies. Zayd had a way of hyping up even the most disinterested.

After the signing, I met up with Zayd as he shook the hands of various figures. "Zayd!" I shouted through the heads, peaking my head up. He appeared to notice me, shaking his head and hand at one of the old Soviet leaders, before making his way through the crowd towards me.

"Teff! Oh my..." He looked me up an down. "Goodness! Gorgeous medals!"

I looked down at my uniform. Military and government officers were among the crowd that day, and even though I only worked in Space and Discovery, I was given a clean, official looking uniform. You might have mistaken me for a marine like Bazi, especially standing next to him. Of course, their uniforms were black, a perfect contrast to the 'government white'. I held one of the many pins in my fingers, attached to my lapel. For undying service to Mankind. I felt a bit of the chills running over me as I read that, a smile flashing on my face. I looked back up to Zayd, his smile more than just flashing.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Yes, it's quite surreal! I never pictured myself dressed like this." I laughed to him.

"Truly, truly. But then again, the picture we have never seems to be exactly what we get." He giggled, then went in for a hug. I embraced him back, though the pins and medals on my uniform pressed into my chest. I felt the ends of one of them stab my skin through the thin material. He pulled back after a moment, nodding his head.

"So, what's the happenings in S&D these days?" He continued nodding, snapping his gaze left and right occasionally through our conversation.

"Well, the Lunar refueling station is complete, as I'm sure you know."

"Oh? Wow, no I hadn't heard."

I tilted my head, not sure if he was joking, playing along, or was straight up out of the loop. I quickly ended my expression, afraid of an awkward moment. "A refueling crew is already 3 days out. Stars, we had to cut one of the more experiences members though."

"Emergency?"

"He's got the 'Cough'"

"Oh my..." Zayd's expression pouted, his hand to his chin. "Well, I hope he improves." I turned around to leave, before he reached out his hand towards my shoulder. "Oh, Teff dear!" I shot my head back again.

"Do pass on to Elis, I will be arranging a visit shortly." Strangely, Zayd had seemed to hold back a scoff, but may have lightened the message for my sake. He slipped back into the crowd, as if the both of us were pulled by water.

---<===o---o===>----

It's been three years since that day; I wish I could have read that look on his face better. It wasn't disgust, or anger even. What seemed like a scoff was more empathy than anything. I wish I'd known that-

"Teff!" Bazi shouted across the thin corridor. He was floating in the watery-like zero gravity. I ripped off my headphones, magnetic boots still clamped to what was designed as the ceiling of the cultivation room. "You wanna see it?"

"I'm not really interested, Baz." I sighed, starting to put back my headphones.

"What, not green enough for you?" He laughed, as he dragged his hands through the left corridor, back to the common room. I rolled my eyes, and finished watering the planets around the spherical room. I had decided I may as well humor him, and stopped midway through.

Bazi had an obsession with floating. We've offered him the magnetic boots tons of times, but has refused. We'd been on this trip for the better part of two years, and he still found himself forgetting his own inertia, often slamming into the thing metal walls, sometimes even the tables in the common room. That common room itself, smack in the middle of our mobile station. Occasionally, we'd flip the hull so the force pushed us down, even just a little bit. It felt a bit more like home, the mess halls of carriers and laboratories we were all familiar with. The only illusion breaking realization was the pitch black void just outside the long, thin windows that covered each corner not occupied by corridors. Though, it's strange to talk about a circle as having corners. Infinite corners, I suppose.

I walked into the corridor, half of the crew looking out left-side window of the station. It was least obstructed view, as other windows had their scenery filled with solar panels and robotic parts flying around, the streams of jet engines pulsating as dampeners kept the crazed autopilot from spinning out of control. Bazi still found room to float, arms latched to the window sill. I approached the 8 crew members from behind.

Outside the window, an almost creamy looking celestial body shone light into our faces, the reddish imprints across the surface causing the eyes to dart around. Filling up the left side, a much more massive creative sat idly, through the raging storms made it anything but. My eyes darted from both bodies, eyes widened. Ok, maybe I was a little interested. I didn't think we'd be able to see Jupiter this clearly yet, but some how, even what little light shone on the side of the giant we faced seemed to reflect across the entire surface. Yet, most of the eyes there were locked on the faded moon.

We had finally stabilized our orbit around Europa.