
Subj : New Beginnings(40)
To   : All
From : SkyHawk #1
Date : Wed Aug 30 1995 22:44:39 PST

                               New Beginnings(40)

     Kevin cycled the main airlock and, the group stepped back as the door came
open. A blast of cold air hit Candar's face as she stepped forward and peered
out. The snow had stopped but, it was a sure sign that winter on this new
world was here. She stepped out and set foot on the new fallen snow. Taking
deep sniffs of the air, she marvelled in the rich oxegen content which was
here. "Okay, Kev, have the men bring them out. This isn't going to be fun. For
any of us."
     "Right." Kevin turned and nodded to two men behind him. Slowly Candar
watched in agony as the wrapped bundles of dead bodies were brought forth and
laid to rest on the snow. Kevin sighed. "I didn't want our first groundbreaking
here to be a graveyard."
     Kerry Lions stepped out and wrapped her coat around her tighter. She knelt
down and put her hand on one of the bundles. "I'll miss you, Scott." She
started crying and, another woman comforted her. Candar breathed in the air and
tried to look away from the depressing sight. One of those bundles was Henry.
He had been a good kid. She had hated him at first but, she had learned that
being good at your job does not make you better. It required teamwork,
something she was fast learning if they wanted to survive on this world.
     The back hatch to the Outlander suddenly opened, it's hinges badly damaged
fighting the fatigue it was asked to endure. A vehicle rolled forth onto the
snow, it's huge treads making long tracks as it turned. On earth, most land
vehicles were magno-cars, running off the magnetic field from the earth's
poles. But, the colony had little idea how well they would work on Hycenda and
had elected to go with an earlier approach. The vehicle with it's huge treads
was an oversized  cargo truck and, capable of travelling up to 120 m.ph. In the
snow, Candar has no idea no fast it would go. She watched as it turned. The top
opened up and, a huge laser borer appeared. She saw the driver look at her for
confirmation and, she nodded.
     The laser opened up blasting a huge a huge crater in the snow, melting it
into a concentrated steam as it did so. Then, it hit ground and continued
digging, making the crater wider as it went. At last the driver shut it off
and, Candar turned to the group which stood shivering in the snow. Out of three
hundred colonists, one hundred fifty were left. It was a tragedy of epic
proportions and, although she hadn't caused it, she had been a great part of
it. It made her sick to look at their ashen faces. She swallowed hard. "I...I
don't know what I can say. I think we should all offer a prayer in our own way.
I have no idea how many different religions are represented here. For my own
part I can only say, let's try to make the kind of world those who wont be here
to see it might have wanted. Let's do it for them..and us."
     Kerry Lions nodded, the tears still coming down. Candar had no idea from
her smiling face earlier she had been one of the ones who lost her husband. Nor
did some of the others show it. It was a sign of acceptance. Acceptance, and
loss.
     For several minutes, the large group bowed their heads in silence, Candar
watching them. She had only Henry to pray for. Jerry was hurt but would
recover. She looked over at Kevin. He nodded and looked over at the wreck that
had once been a ship. She let the silence go on for a bit then, finally she
cleared her throat to get the group's attention. "I'm sorry, but it's time.
Once we are able, we can come back and rebury them properly the way they should
be. Thank you for understanding."
     Several people looked at her, their sad eyes tearing her heart to shreds.
They needed the time to say goodbye. For some, it was devastating. Husbands
left alone with kids, wives left widowed in seconds. It hadn't been fair. None
of it! She sighed again. "I'm sorry...it's time." She nodded to the men and
slowly they carried the bundles which had once been full of life and put them
as gently as they could in the crater. When they had all been placed, Candar
waved to the driver and, a shovel came down pushing the unearthed dirt over the
bodies. The men moved in and with shovels finished the job. Then, they covered
it with snow and a large metal fragment from the ship, hastily made into a
marker was put down to mark the spot. If they wanted to move the dead into
proper graves, and moved to another spot, this would ensure finding the site.
     As the men finished, all eyes turned to Candar again. She looked back, her
mind racing. They were like lost sheep. Their loved ones gone, they had little
hope now. She and others who were still able had to carry the load for now.
     "I know this is tough, especially after what we just did. But, we need to
get things going as soon as possible. We'll retire to the ship for now. But, I
want those I talked with earlier to meet me tomorrow morning. We'll begin
building a base of operations after that. Shortly after, those selected for
scout teams will take off. Those of us remaining will have to work hard
finishing up and stripping the ship of every useful item we can. Power systems
are to remain intact until were sure enough living areas are set up for
everyone so that we have a warm place to stay. Is everyone clear on that?"
     Nods and mumbles of agreement acknowledged they understood. Candar tried
to smile but, it came out a faint attempt. "Let's get inside where it's warm
then."
     Together the somber group moved back inside the warmth of their temporary
home. Candar moved through the corridors wordlessly making her way up to the
bridge. She climbed the familiar ladder and stepped out into it. It was dark,
and cold. Only faint lights showed where some of the controls still existed.
She found a chair and moved it to an upright position falling down heavily into
it. In the dark, she stared wordlessly at the little room that had been the
command center of her vessel. She traced the long cracks in the portal above
with her eyes noticing if it had shattered worse, the glass would have cut them
to pieces. They had indeed been lucky, even with the deaths they had. She
closed her eyes, feeling the weight coming down on her. How was she to do this?
How could she motivate so many that had lost? What would their future be on
this godforsaken world? There was no guarantees here. Not like Hycenda. It was
all based on faith now. She had to look sure of herself even when she wasn't. 
