Epilogue
“Leaving Mars”
No one had spoken of their experiences since arriving on Mars, although Folkard found himself watching his crew more closely. Annabelle seemed more content, and he could only imagine that she, too, had found some kind of peace in Heaven. Every so often Folkard would catch a distant look on her face, one, he’d wager, he often wore himself, and he felt that she, too, had visited Heaven when Esmeralda 2 had been pulled apart by the aether tear.
As to the others? Mister Fenn, taken into custody upon their arrival on Mars, and shipped back to Earth before they had returned from Phobos, did not protest. He simply looked at his captain with a serene acceptance; no doubt he had also found his own peace. Folkard intended to speak in Fenn’s defence once he returned to Earth—the lad had served the mission well, without a single blemish on his service record since joining Sovereign for its maiden voyage to Luna. Folkard was well versed in the brutality the Russians could engage in when they needed information; Fenn had seen little combat, although he had acquitted himself admirably during the fracas at Messor Base on Ceres. And, of course, the Russians had threatened Fenn’s family. Folkard could understand the need to protect one’s family.
Fontaine had not been much changed by their experience, and continued to be his usual buoyant self, and his experiences had proven invaluable on Phobos. But Stone… There Folkard paused. The man had undergone some kind of change during the journey from Earth to Mars, although he would not discuss it, but Folkard felt that Stone had become a bit more…not adversarial, but he seemed to be prodding people more, as if he wanted to see how they’d respond to certain things. Yes, that was it, like when they had been trying to destroy the Mercurian plate, Stone seemed to be observing people. Folkard wasn’t sure why this bothered him so, but something about it did not sit right with him.
In return, he decided, he would have to pay more careful attention to Stone, too.
For himself, though, he knew he had definitely been affected by his short visit to Heaven. Seeing Charlotte again, and finally meeting his daughter… For the first time in years Folkard felt a certainty about his future. He did not know where his career would take him after his current mission was over, but he did know one thing. Charlotte and Felicity awaited him.
“I will see you both soon,” he muttered, looking out to the stars around him, as Esmeralda 2 left Mars and began its final journey back to Earth.
To Be Continued…
in