Earth Reconquered by Kevin Berger

  **

  “You’d think they could get a more efficient security system”, Stoneman said as well were led away by security.

  “I didn’t have any problems”, I said.

  “Shut up!” my three team-mates yelled, almost in unison. I looked at Doug Lloyd and laughed.

  “Would you look at that”, I said looking at the great expanse of Earth mountains lying out beyond the transparent Zerite dome. Though ground level outside the dome was not visible, the mountains and sky were clear to see as you looked up and out the clear dome. “It feels like I can breathe for the first time, like I’ve just come out of a closet I’ve been trapped for years. Already it feels like home.”

  “Look there,” I said pointing off in the distance to the open area of the raised plateau the Earth dome was built on, “think what a difference that will make to the first settlers—to be able to live in wide open spaces like that. The City Central dwellers that'll go from their cramped claustrophobic quarters to there; freedom and fresh air. We're living in a great time my friends. We're lucky to be alive when Earth is reconquered. It’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.”

  “Let’s see how you feel when you’re outside the Zerite dome and not protected from incoming artillery,” Stoneman added.

  “You’re a real morale booster Stoneman, you know that?” Martina said.

  “I hope the safe zone is really safe,” Doug said.

  “Follow me,” said a soldier, stiff and official, almost as young as us. All the soldiers down here looked pretty young. We all gathered our knapsacks, heading in his direction. We were guided away from the masses of workers and to the other side of the fence. We were being led to the open area where there were just a few, less-traveled stairwells heading down below the station floor. These stairwells were reserved for military personnel. I took a last glimpse at the mountains through the Zerite dome.

  We were led down a long narrow stairwell to part of the underground tunnel system. Unlike the masses commuting to work at underground factories and farms, we were led to a military barracks, which dishearteningly looked very similar to the space station’s barracks; metallic walls and floors--minus the occasional beautiful views of outer space.. It was just dark and depressing with neon lights placed periodically in the long hallways.

  “Aw man,” I moaned, “this looks just like the space station.”

  “That’s okay,” Doug said, “makes me feel at home.”

  “’Makes me feel at home’,” Andy said. “Do you need a teddy bear?”

  “Get off his case!” Martina said.

  We were led into a utility barracks with two sets of bunk beds. Andy threw his stuff down on one of the lower bunks and declared it to be his. Martina and I each took top bunks, while Doug accepted the other lower one. It was early evening and we were all worn out.

  "We're away from everybody else," Doug said, looking at our small barracks.

  "Yeah," I said, "I expected to be with everyone else."

  "We ain't just the average grunts." Andy said. "We're here for a special mission."

  "Well Stoneman," Martina said. "Don't get full of yourself until we get something done."

  "Who's full of themselves Lever?! I'm just stating a fact."