Captain's log - Jupiter's Orbit
The crew's nervous today, and it's starting to affect the
passengers. Most of the people on this vessel already know, likely,
but I still do not look forward to giving my weekly speech. It's
today that I announce our intent to break the Interdiction, and
soon it'll actually happen. I'm not entirely certain how it
will be taken.
The bridge crew has always known, of course, and I've
tried to ensure that rumors filter down to the general populace so
that it's not entirely a shock when I tell everyone, but there are
definitely people who aren't going to be happy.
It's not hard to see why, either. When the passengers
signed up, they thought they were going to Europa to join the colony
already in place. The selection committee took special pains to
ensure that none of the passengers were associated with the recent
zealotry that's been overtaking humankind with regard to the
Interdiction, but there's only so much they could do.
There could be a riot when I make the announcement. I
think most the people aboard are more level-headed than that, but
nobody appreciates being mislead. Two weeks from now, we'll arrive at
the outer reaches of our solar system, and confront that still-unknown
fleet of ships which aims to prevent our exit. Hopefully, the issue
will die down by then.
Alice thinks so. The NSAI continually amazes me. I'm
tempted to try the trivial intelligence tests that are so famous, but likely
the good Doctor had already done such things. Alice has kept close
watch over the people ever since our departure, and she feels that
morale is high. Most secretly wished that our destination was not
Europa. There are strains of the fanaticism that's taking hold back
home, she's warned. It's nowhere near as strong, but its
undercurrents are still there. I've instructed the crew to prepare
one of the Evacuation craft for those who might wish to step off.
I don't think there are many, and hopefully we can
peacefully rid the colonies of those who believe against its mission
now, rather than when it's too late. While I believe in their right
to speak freely, I'd just as soon not panic the people. I wouldn't
want their prophecy to become self-fulfilling.
The last thing we need on this voyage is Divine Retribution.
[Helium] Part III -
Contents -
[Neon] Part I
Geocities