We trudged wearily up the hill, our environmental suits glowing orange and green in the slanted light of the setting sun—a stark contrast to the gentle tan of the moon Varga’s surface. Jalaya’s boots kicked up a small cloud of regolith that swelled to calf height, subsiding only to be disturbed again by me and young Philip, who trailed behind. Inside my helmet, I could hear my own labored breaths amplified, alongside the quiet crunch of our footsteps on the lunar terrain.
The radio crackled as Philip exclaimed, “This time I’m leading the way! I can’t see through your dust.”
Jaraya didn’t slow her pace as we ascended the incline, her voice calm and steady. “Follow my orders, Philip, or you’ll be stuck on base.”
As if in response to her words, the Great Valley revealed itself beneath us, showcasing the reflective black panels of interconnected domes at a distant base. With each passing moment, the sun sank lower, plunging the base into shadowy darkness. Distant lights flickered around the telescope, making the base glimmer like a fairytale castle.
My heart sank. After the rover malfunctioned, we had to trek back to base, but walking that distance in the dark was too risky. It meant I couldn’t return tonight.
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I suppressed a curse, yearning to remove this uncomfortable suit. I longed for a proper toilet and real food I could chew instead of the pureed slop packed in my suit. I genuinely despised this place, this lifeless moon we called home.
I frowned at Philip. This 19-year-old, the first child born here, irked me with his presumptuousness. He thought he knew so much. At his age, I boarded the ship leaving Earth, presuming my time here would be the worst. How mistaken I was!
The hardest part was that the job remained unfinished. Absolutely unfinished.
“Yes, ma’am,” Philip murmured, still flashing that infuriating grin.
Jaraya noticed my silence, a reminder of why she led our expedition; she perceived everything. “Bethany? Are you alright?”
I turned slightly, nodding, sighing as I realized she couldn’t see through my anti-glare shield. “Yeah, I get it. It’s just disappointing.”
I sensed her gaze on my faceplate and switched off the glare shield. Her dark eyes seemed to delve deep into my thoughts. Gently, she touched my shoulder, her gloved hand offering a comforting weight. “I hear you. I’ll return tomorrow.” She straightened up and resumed directing us. “Bethany, you’re on duty from 3 a.m. until dawn. Philip, you’re on from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. I’ll take the first shift.”
I tilted my head in confusion. “A watch? What do you get?” I gestured to the emptiness surrounding us.
Inside my illuminated helmet, Jaraya’s eyes flashed irritation. “If you don’t follow my orders, it will be you watching.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied, finding myself inadvertently echoing Philip. I sipped the puree, found a spot against a rock, closed my eyes, and drifted into sleep.
My shoulders shook. “Bethany!”
I jolted awake to find Philip’s faceplate pressed against mine. I quickly activated my helmet light.
“It’s your watch,” he said with a laugh.
I groaned and sat up, stretching. At least the low gravity had alleviated some of my aches. “Do you see anything?” I asked, trying to mask my brusqueness.
“No, just the stars.”
I rose and walked to the ridge, peering down at the shining base, home to a thousand souls. Then I turned off my helmet light and gazed upwards at the star-studded sky.
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