“Earth is not the same.”

“Earth is not the same.”

September 25, 2024

I had not been back in nearly a standard decade. I left just before the war began. However, now that I am stuck in this holding cell, I had no better option than to listen.

“Sunlight rarely makes it through the smoke. When it rains, what falls is as greasy as the soot that went up. Children don’t laugh. They don’t even cry. The government keeps lowering the draft age. It is now 13. Most of those who go, do not return. We hear stories. We see evidence. But, we are never to speak of such things. To do so is illegal. To do anything is illegal. If what we are fighting for is our way of life, we have lost.”

“Is there any hope?”

“If there was, I wouldn’t know. If I knew, I wouldn’t tell. You know that.”

“So, what is next?”

“If you are like me, we get a trial with a forgone conclusion. Then we get a neck brace and a life sentence with hard labor.”

“I heard the average term was only 5 years.”

“Like I said, a life sentence.”

We both paused and drank the water they gave us. It was orange tinted, most likely to kill the microbes that would kill us. Very thoughtful.

“Any chance of escape?”

“How long can you hold your breath in space?”

Another sip, another awkward moment passed.

“How long have you known?”

“That all of this is a deception? Since you began speaking.”

“What gave me away?”

Another long awkward pause. Another sip from his cup.

“I am going to let you figure that one out. I don’t get paid to train you.”

“We can use your help. We need a man who hasn’t been touched. We want you to go back to Earth, planet side, and await orders.”

“Orders for what?”

“Orders that will end the war. Orders that will prevent the next war. Orders that will keep Earth from becoming the next penal mining world. Are you in?”

“Got anything better to drink than this?”

“It looks like real orange juice, but tastes the same.”

“Better than any other offer I’ve had today. I’m in.”