The celebration of the Colony's independence was made that much more special when the three astronauts from Earth were introduced to deafening cheers from the crowd in attendance. Not only were people happy to see new people on their world, but this was actually the first full confirmation that Earth had survived the asteroid that had threatened to wipe them all out. That alone was another reason to celebrate the big day as the people partied, many long into the night. It was a grand celebration, but one that eventually settled down without any incidents, and everyone eventually went home. Nathan was still full of energy so he left the house where he was staying with his crew and went for a walk on his own. While he was strolling down the street, he was amazed how much like any American town this colony looked like, as well as noting how great it was to stroll around without having to be worried about cars running by and possibly hitting you. It was dark in the colony, but there were street lights making the ability to walk around easier. The people were very polite as well, just saying hello and moving on, not doing anything to bother the new visitor. It wasn't until about twenty minutes after Nathan left the house that someone walked up to speak with him
"Excuse me," the young lady asked, as she seemed to be only a little older than he was. "Aren't you one of the new visitors?"
"I am," Nathan said, extending a hand, "I'm Nathan."
"Jessica," the young lady replied, "Are you lost?"
"No, I'm just wandering around." Nathan told her, "I find it easier to look around without everyone around at night. I'm also having trouble sleeping; this is all just so exciting."
"I can imagine," Jessica said, gesturing to her left. "There's a really nice park on this side where you can look at the stars and sometimes the moons. Let me show you."
"Sure," Nathan said, following her.
He followed her to the other side and like she had said, there was a park that a lot of kids enjoyed using during the day, but at night it was especially nice for looking up through the glass dome and at the brightly lit stars above. They walked over to a nice patch and laid down on the grass so they could keep looking up.
"This is amazing," Nathan said, still looking up, "the same stars, but seen from a different part of the galaxy."
"It's a perk, I won't deny it." Jessica replied, "one some nights, we can even see Earth but we have to use a telescope."
Nathan sat up and looked back at her, "Do you miss Earth? You were old enough to remember it."
"I do sometimes," Jessica replied, "I miss watching new television shows."
"Oh, I got that covered," Nathan said, laughing. "We brought data cubes with most of the shows that have aired over the last fourteen years. We also brought over the most popular movies from that time as well."
"Wow!" Jessica said as she sat up, "That is going to make a lot of people happy."
"We came in peace," Nathan continued, "Nothing says it better like coming over with something to watch and goodies."
"Goodies?" Jessica repeated.
"Candies for the kids," Nathan answered, "we brought a few boxes full. Not too much because we needed the space for our rations for the trip. We kind of ate some of the candy on the way too."
Jessica laughed, "I'm not sure I could resist that temptation either."
"There's still plenty left," Nathan said as he lay back down.
"Why are you here?" Jessica then asked.
Nathan sat back up. "We came here to find you, make sure things were well and actually confirm you were out here."
"Not why you're all here," Jessica corrected, "Why are you here. What is your motivation for making this long journey?"
"My sanity," Nathan said, laying back down. "When I was ten years old, I was in the desert when the last Stargazer lifted off into the sky. My dad was in the bathroom, and the gas attendant was in the store ringing someone up. By the time anyone else had come out to see, the ship was already in the clouds and gone. The government covered it all up, dismissed any claims of a massive ship or ships leaving orbit. They even went as far to say that they were weapons tests to attack the asteroid. I never believed them; I knew what I saw. It didn't matter how many kids call me crazy or how many people called me a conspiracy nut, that image is forever burned into my brain."
"That was the Elpis you saw taking off." Jessica told him.
"How do you know that?" Nathan asked.
"Three reasons," Jessica started, "The first being that the Elpis was the only Stargazer to take off in broad daylight. The other ships all left orbit in the middle of the night when less eyes were watching. Second, The Elpis was the last ship to leave because it was carrying our most precious cargo: the people. This brings us to reason number three; I was on that ship the day it lifted off."
"I wanted to see that ship again," Nathan admitted to her, "Just to prove to myself that it really existed. That I was right all those years and everyone else who was challenging me was wrong."
"It's still here." Jessica said, smiling to him. "It's on the other side, but it's attached to the dome's left side. It was decommissioned and turned in to research facility for the advancement of our technology in all fields. I'd be happy to take you on a tour of it tomorrow."
"That would be awesome." Nathan replied, exited he would finally see the same ship he spotted as a child all those years ago. A chance for the closure he hoped for but never thought he'd ever get.
"It'd be my pleasure," she told him, laying back down to adore the stars. "I'm sorry your ship was taken apart. Our military personal are very edgy and are fearful of all things that enter our area without consent."
"I don't mind," Nathan said, as he also layed back down. "As long as I get it back or get something of equal or greater value."
"I'm sure that can be arranged." Jessica replied.
"What exactly where they looking for?" Nathan asked.
"A bomb," Jessica answered.
Nathan sat back up upon hearing that word, as he thought back about what he had seen earlier that week when he was on the carrier. "The crater, that didn't look natural to me. What happened out there?"
"About four years after we turned off all contact with Earth, the planet was visited by a probe." Jessica started to tell him, "It had NASA logos on it and seemed harmless from a distance but as it got closer, the radiation meters went off scale. Whatever was inside that thing was radioactive."
"Holy shit," Nathan said, as he could hardly believe it.
"It was a warhead," Jessica confirmed for him, "We tried to take it out with the Star Shooters, but it was difficult to hit. When we did hit it, the shots were barely causing any damage. It was heavily armored and making a bee line right for our colony."
"That's awful," Nathan said, disgusted by the thought. "How were you able to divert the attack?"
"One of our pilots took matters into his own hands." Jessica answered, "He rammed the probe at top speed. The impact destroyed his ship and killed him, but did enough damage to the probe to knock it off course and save the colony."
"I'm a fighter pilot myself," Nathan admitted, "And that has to be the most courageous thing I've ever heard."
"It was incredibly brave of him," Jessica admitted, "The bomb still hit the planet, but was way off course because of the collision with the star shooter. That large crater you passed by on your way here, that was caused by the probe which had a payload we estimated to be around thirty kilotons."
"Damn, that must have caused a big bang." Nathan said, "Was the colony damaged by the blast?"
"Only from the tremors is caused when hitting the ground," Jessica answered, "We had to leave all the windows shielded for the better part of a year, to protect the colony from fall out. It was an attack that startled most of the colony. Despite our earlier decision to never use or create them, the station above us is armed with missiles only to be used if that kind of attack occurs again."
"Did it ever happen again?" Nathan asked.
"No, it didn't." She answered, "That blast must have been so close, that they assumed we were destroyed and chose not to waste anymore nukes."
"That explains why you guys were so nervous when we arrived," Nathan observed, "And also why you're tearing our ship apart."
"We just had to be sure," she answered, "A lot of us have been rather paranoid about Earth every since that incident."
"I don't blame you one bit," Nathan replied, "I'm disgusted to hear something like that happened at all. The people of Earth would be upset to hear it too. They would call for those responsible to face justice."
"We're past that," Jessica said, "We are just happy there were no more incidents after the first attempt."
"On behalf of my world," Nathan said to her, "I'm very sorry that happened at all. There is no excuse to justify that kind of bitter response."
"Thank you," Jessica replied, "I appreciate that. This is why many of us are still hesitant to re-establish relations with Earth."
"You've been thinking about doing that?" Nathan asked.
"That's the purpose of Stargazer Ten," She explained to him, "Its purpose is to return to earth. That's what Doctor Saunders said about giving you a life if you wanted one. After your peaceful appearance, I doubt you'd be denied placement if you asked for it. Your media intel is going to be heavily scrutinized by the council when making their final decision about sending that massive vessel to Earth."
"The people who attacked you," Nathan responded, "They are no longer in office. That's why I think there were no more additional attacks. The President who took over years after you left was a pacifist. A strong champion of diplomacy, and I'm sure she would never authorize any kind of strike, especially when she was responsible for destroying over half of the US arsenal before her first term ended."
"I believe you," Jessica replied, "She sounds amazing."
"When I get the media box back," Nathan continued, "I'll show you the footage from her election year and her victory. You'll find it very inspiring."
"That sounds like a great idea." Jessica replied as she started to stand up. "Ive got to get back to the house. I have a busy day tomorrow. I know where you're staying so I'll get back to you about that tour so you can see the Elpis, and you guys can get reacquainted again."
Jessica was about to walk away when she stopped and turned back to face Nathan who hadn't stopped watching her.
"You said you were a fighter pilot?" Jessica asked.
"I am," Nathan answered as he also got up, "That's why I was recruited, to pilot our vessel."
"I'll speak with the council about letting you take the test," She told him as she started to walk away.
"What test?" Nathan said as he watched her walk away.
"The Star Shooter test," Jessica called back, "If you're half as good as you claim, you could be piloting one by the end of the week."
Nathan stood there and watched her leave and couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. His time on the Red Star made that long, cramped trip all worth it as he would finally get to see the ship that he spotted all those years ago. And the news that he might be able to fly in one of those shooters was just icing on an already delicious cake. He made a few celebratory fist pumps while walking back to the house. The next few days were going to be very interesting for him.