Page 5 of Alien on the Moon

Rylan tipped his head back in frustration. Though he felt bad for thinking it, he couldn’t help but agree with Kyn. He didn’t need a royal tag-a-long to babysit on top of his current situation.

Loyalty to the Crown made his back straighten, and he pinned Kyn with a look.

“I get what you’re saying, and this might just be a way for him to monitor his ‘investment,’ but she is still royal. We should treat her with the necessary respect.”

Kyn nodded, looking chastised. Rylan patted her on the shoulder, reassuring her.

“It will be challenging, on top of everything, but let’s keep our heads, yeah?”

Kyn smiled slightly, taking her holo-blet and leaving him to his thoughts.

Rylan turned back to his samples. He struggled to concentrate, not helped by the protests from his stomach. He hadn’t eaten since lunch. Even then, he barely finished the small meal.

When he reached the common room, it was almost empty. The cooks were already starting to clear up. Rylan nodded his thanks as the head chef pulled out a plate of meat and vegetables, the last of their supply.

He placed his holographic computer on the table, reading through his comms as he ate. The one from Prince Arccoo caught his eye and he reread it. Along with the message about his sister-in-law returning with Stiya, he’d attached a report from the royal scientists.

Conditions continue to decline within Thryal’s atmosphere. At the current rate of population growth and waste production, the point of no return lies within the next thirty years. The implementation of the air purification and waste management projects proves to be ineffective at significantly slowing the rate of decline. Due to the cost and ineffectiveness of the developments, further expansion is not recommended at this time.

The recommendations included relocation of at least ten percent of the population within the next decade, as well as replacing half of the food production with alternative measures. Rylan swore. The pressure behind his eyes grew almost unbearable.

The other reason for Kyn’s visit permeated through his doom and gloom, and he stood resolutely. Nothing like the outdoorsto clear a mind, and he might as well collect the samples they needed in the process. He sent a quick request for assistance to Triim.

As he suited up, he felt a pang of homesickness for Thryal. He always went for a hike when he felt overwhelmed, but due to the landscape and low oxygen levels, it wasn’t feasible on Kheros.

Feasible, maybe, but not pleasant,he corrected himself.

He caught up with Triim as he entered the transport pod. The older Thryal man was built like a tank, his suit straining over his muscled biceps. Rylan always wondered where he found the time to work out.

He shook his head at himself; not everyone had an unhealthy obsession with work. Rylan found it hard to switch off and struggled to maintain a healthy routine.

It was why, despite his success and wealth, he was still glaringly single. He couldn’t imagine making time for someone outside of his passion.

“How are the twins?” he asked Triim as he buckled in.

Triim grinned as he punched in the coordinates for the newly planted crop fields.

“Terrors. My wife was so happy she only had to be pregnant once, but she’s regretting it now.”

Rylan laughed. “What are they now, three? I can’t imagine controlling two toddlers,” he said, wincing.

“It’s a task, for sure. Makes me happy I’m stationed here three out of four weeks a month,” he said, though Rylan saw a glint of sadness in his eyes. They fell into silence for the rest of the ride, both occupied in their thoughts.

The Kheros sky darkened as they stepped out of the pod, the distance from the sun causing a chill in the air. Rylan pulled a thermometer from his toolbelt and swore as he saw the reading.

“Not good for the new hatchlings,” he murmured to Triim, showing him the reading.

Triim stooped down, dipping his gloved fingers in the soil. He looked up at Rylan with a grave expression.

Triim was their best field tech. From his expression, Rylan could tell this batch would likely be another failure. He swore softly. They were quickly running out of options.

“Let’s get the samples in any case. Perhaps collecting this time of day will show us something else.”

Triim nodded, though Rylan knew it was wishful thinking. The soil would give the same results.

As Triim boxed up the samples, Rylan took out his oxygen meter and measured the air. He frowned. When he checked his notes, he was bewildered.

“According to this reading, the oxygen levels have increased,” he said to Triim. “The new plants have barely sprung up!” He crouched to inspect a seedling. The color was off, and the shape of the leaves looked more oblong than round.

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