Page 5 of Mutant Mine

It was the biggest scientific leap in human history. With faster-than-light travel, space exploration beyond our solar system became possible. Superluminal technology changedeverything, almost overnight.

The problem is getting hold of the goddamn stuff. At first, we were just using the small supply of luminum ore gathered from the meteorite, while Earth’s most powerful space telescopes frantically searched the skies. At last, they discovered that luminum can be mined on one extremely remote planet: Chronus.

It’s way, way further out than the authorities have otherwise established their presence in the galaxy. But Chronus was so important that they carved a route through space just to reach it, with a few authority-controlled planets and space stations along the way.

Outside of this narrow transport corridor, space is a lawless place. Surrounding our flight route, in every direction, is the New Frontier: space that has never been officially explored, where only the bravest pioneers dare to tread. Out there, it’s every man for himself.

And distance isn’t the only problem. The unique properties of luminum make Chronus a torturous place to work. Time seems to work like it does in a nightmare, shifting around you as you crack seams of ore out of the harsh, black rocks. Every hour of labor can seem to last a lifetime. A night’s sleep passes in a moment. It’s enough to drive a man mad.

That’s why prisoners are forced to mine on Chronus. No one would volunteer for the job.

On the way from Earth, the Hades carries able-bodied men. On the way back, every inch of space is filled with luminum, headed for the shipyards of home. The rest of the crew (who, unlike me, don’t want to stay out at the brink of uncharted space) will have to suffer the long six-month return journey — wandering between their bunks and the canteen, trying their best to entertain themselves without any real work to do, and dealing with time slipping faster, slower, faster…

“I’m dreading the journey home,” says Tommy. “They say that stuff makes you feel like you’re going crazy.”

“Yeah, but think of the payday, Jim,” says Carl. “If I can get through this one job, I can go home and buy my mother her house. Presto, just like that. And you’ll be able to fund your whole degree.”

“My wife and I are going to buy a little restaurant,” says Ellis, softer than his usual brash tone. “Nothing fancy, but it’ll be ours.”

“A restaurant?” I ask. “I didn’t know you liked to cook.”

“I can barbecue like you wouldn’t believe,” he says. “No nutrient porridge in my future, baby!” He lets a spoonful glob back into his bowl, pulling a face that makes me laugh.

“Rory, what are you going to do with your pay?” asks Carl. “What are you looking forward to when you get home?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I say, shrugging. “I’ll just save the money, I guess.”

Carl nudges me gently in the ribs. I shy away from the touch, worried he’ll feel the edge of my binder.

“You could stand to open up a little from time to time, you know,” he says, smiling. “Trust people a little more. We’ve been living with you for three months now, and we barely know anything about you.”

All three of their faces are turned to me expectantly. I blink back at them.

Do I have to tell them? When a dream is curled up warm and safe inside your head, no one can touch it. Saying it out loud exposes it to the air. It makes it real and vulnerable.

But they’re going to find out one way or another... If not now, then at Chronus, when they have to leave me behind.

“I’m not going back to Earth,” I admit at last. “I’m going to stay out at the Omega space station. Stick around there, get some work at one of the bars or refuellers, save up some more cash. Maybe I’ll join a crew someday, going further out.”

They gape at me.

“Further out?! Why would you want to go further out?” says Ellis. “There’s nothing beyond this, for light-years maybe.”

“It’s called the greatunknown, Ellis. Because wedon’tknowwhat’s out there. There could be anything.”

“Good luck with that.”

“Ahh, he’s young,” says Carl, ruffling my hair. “Let him chase his dreams. He’ll be old and jaded like you and me soon enough!”

I smile politely, tucking my chin and forcing down another mouthful of gruel. It really is disgusting.

4

Rory

IT’S LAUNDRYcollection day on the maximum security deck. I’ve just got done gathering the dirty pots from breakfast, going down the row collecting them from each drawer.

Roth is lying on his bunk, arms folded behind his head, watching me. He hasn’t said anything to me this morning, but I can feel him staring from the shadows of his cell. His attention weighs on me as heavily as a physical touch. He doesn’t hide it when I look his way — just keeps on taking me in with those bizarre blue eyes, like shards of sea glass. It makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

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