Rhea (TV x ML)

[Tatcon Valdez]

It took a special kind of person to live on Rhea. The brochure had said something along those lines, however it never clearly explained what kind of 'special' you had to be. You would expect potential colonists would do their research, notice the moon was little more than ice compacted along more ice. Some, however, were just too damn eager to get away from home.

Rheatown, as it had been affectionately dubbed (far better than colony 0073) was the first habitable collection of structures made within the crusted ice of the moon. Every sector of the town was the same, long, narrow and tall structures buried into walls of artificial canyons dug on the surface. The intention was to avoid placing the wards directly on the surface due to the pounding storms, however if one were to look out the floor-to-rafters windows all they saw was the very same storms passing between the massive complexes. There was one point of irritation among the populace.

At least it was warm inside, each Ward usually kept at a temperate level, decided by the city's committee to reach a level where humans, aliens and androids could exist in the most comfortable manner. It worked well enough, some areas had been carved and modified to cater to some of the more exotic breeds. Since each of the wards were connected by similarly covered tunnels, each usually had one item or another to offer that the others didn't. The Snooze Ward was where the majority of the ice workers, maintenance employees and blue-collar, sitting over the hotels, motels and seedy dens which houses those who didn't have a permanent stay on the moon. Rapid transit zipped to and fro on luminescent lines that dipped and dived between levels. The Shopping Ward, a veritable sea of neon and steam held the majority of shops, stores, stalls and stands where patrons could find any number delicious, disgusting, unique and fascinating bits of food, fluff and entertainment. There were hundreds of Wards, each serving a purpose.

And for the moment, everyone was still busy waking themselves up and wandering to work. At least that was what Allain had been able able to decipher from the town's mainframe. Trillions upon trillions of rows of data had zipped past his covered optics, and the information satisfied him. Cable was detached from the terminal and then his bald head, the blue and red lines of data passing over his scalp slowly fading into black as the download was severed. Corner of frowned lips twitched as true eyes remained shrouded behind black plasti-steel frames. In terms of appearance and size, he might be considered painfully average at six foot one, the rest of his frame covered by a lengthy and thick coat of leather which was buttoned from pelvis to neck. What could be seen was that facial features were angular, jawline sharp and pointing to a strong chin which might give a clue that despite medium proportions the man possessed. Lips settled in a line as he rejoined the bustling population, moving himself towards the government quarters which seemed to have been the center of the discontent which had started to seep into this station. That was why he had been called, whisked from his rather comfortable retreat on Mars in order to try and nip the Rebellion before it took root in this colony.

He suspected he might be too late. However, the substantial pay he received on the daily showed that he was more than capable and qualified of uprooted and destroying even the most organized cell of sedition.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

It had been gruesome, staying out in the cold, the heavy storm. Thick warm scarves covered their mouths and half of their face, keeping only their eyes uncovered by them, but even they were covered with goggles so the harsh storms that made their way through the canals into where the people congregated more than often, didn’t harm them. Along with scarves and goggles, everyone was thickly covered so that the cold didn’t chill them out, for among them all in these large crowds that camped out for most of the night, were mostly humans. Not genetically altered beings that could withstand extreme temperatures. Some were exotic beings, aliens and even some robotic creatures that had learned to think for themselves rather than simply be a walking computer. All rebelling for the same cause. For a better Rheatown.

Among them was one particular female, like so many of the natural born humans, feeling the pressures and prejudice of being like so on her now home base away from her birth planet. Where there were so many others who could do far more than she was possibly capable, it was no easy feat to coexist. No place would be free of such thoughts of superiority, judgment and prejudice. No matter what they say. No one could forcibly reshape another’s mind and while she knew this, it certainly made for a damper in most cases but it never stopped her. If anything, this one female in particular pushed herself harder, as much of the many other humans did here.

As the early morning rose, Periwinkle Dawson, more affectionately known as Perry to those who were close to her, hadn’t slept a wink. She didn’t trust to get any shuteye when at any moment there could be forces much larger than herself or her entire group of rebels that could thwart them, waiting for a moment of weakness. Maybe she was paranoid or she just knew of the risks that came with being an activist, or she was just far too clumsy to know any better, but it was better in her mind to be safe rather than sorry. Instead, she worked the night and very early-early morning to gather provisions and warm drinks to hand out. It’s what she was doing now as the people congregated around the government quarters were rising from their slumbers. They were grateful for the hot drinks warmed their insides and the provisions settled their grumbling stomachs. Giving them all energy needed for today’s rally and protest.

And when the time came, they had started. With signs, loud voices and practiced cheer of protest and marching, the rebellion started. Their voices would be heard. Especially hers. Even if she blended in with them with her large goggles to shield her eyes, the scarf around her face and her mouth, her voice, as well as all their voices were loud and clear, spreading to be heard. No matter the risks, they’d rather risk it all than live the way they were living now. So unfairly. A new change needed to be brought to Rheatown. They would see it through.