Shoshone Station #2: To Be or Not To Be: The Galactic Consortium, #11

By R. J. Eliason

Less than a year ago, they arrived over earth’s sky. They call themselves the Galactic Consortium and they are human, or at least, simian — from the same genetic line as humans. They claim to have terraformed this planet centuries ago to serve as a base for their exploration of this galaxy. What happened to the settlers, why none of us remember this, remains a mystery. 

For America the concerns are more immediate. Will the Consortium accept our independence?

Shoshone Station is the first joint enterprise, a solar power, space station parked in geostationary orbit over Denver, Colorado. Its been “gifted” to America, but as Sherman Lannister takes command he wonders just how much control the new American crew will really have. After all, what do they know about running a space station?

For Sophia, a homeless transgender youth from Denver, and many like her the station is a second chance at a new life. But what will she do living amongst the stars? 

Episode Three: The Egg

Sophia’s first day as liaison for the new medical wing starts out exciting, they have rescued a premature infant from the surface. But its new home, the bio-medical egg, sparks conflict between the healer, Bankim and Zeta, the diplomat. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: R. J. Eliason
• Release date: Feb 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386284741

R. J. Eliason

R. J. Eliason writes immersive science fiction and fantasy stories that feature diverse characters. Her writing spans many sub-genres from alien contact, apocalyptic stories and epic fantasy. She also writes in a wide variety of formats, from full length novels to an ongoing serialized adventure. Her writing can be found in digital and print formats anywhere online that books are sold. Or check out her website at rj.eliason.com and sign up for a free book. 

Book preview

A huge thank you to all my beta-readers, Wattpad followers and cheerleaders online and in real life. You keep me writing even when it’s hard and I thank you for that.

Author’s Note:

Shoshone Station is a continuation of the serial adventure begun in The Girl in the Tank. The characters and even some of the story line overlap. However the two serials can be read separately. Don’t worry if you haven’t read The Girl in the Tank.

If you are interested, the first season can be found in its completion in the omnibus edition, available online from all major retailers.

To Be or Not To Be

Chapter 1

Sophia’s phone rang. She set aside the squeegee and dug around in her purse for the phone. It was Tamela. She had expected as much. Nobody else called her, and if it hadn’t been for Tamela, she would have probably dumped the phone entirely. It wasn’t like she needed it up here.

Sophia had been on the station over a week and a half now. She stayed with Animika most nights. They had made the deal that Sophia would buy food in return for a place to stay. It gave Sophia a sense of contributing while allowing her to save most of her money for an apartment of her own someday.

Hey, Sophia said into the phone. She looked out the window she’d been cleaning and immediately felt a wave of vertigo at the sight of the mountains almost impossibly far beneath her. She leaned back against the railing.

Hey, Tamela said. How are things?

Good, Sophia replied, glancing around to see if Sara had noticed her slacking. She was busy scolding Tapanga and two of the Shoshone boys, who had been goofing off. Sophia was Sara’s star worker, or so she said. Not to be short, but I’m at work. What do you need?

We figured. And we don’t want to blow it for you, serious. It’s just that we’ve been staying at Sherry’s for a week and . . .

Sophia knew this already. She could also guess what was coming.

. . . she’s been out of work for the last couple months and behind on her rent and—

Sophia cut her off. And she’s getting evicted.

Yeah.

What’s next?

That’s just it, Tamela said. Our options are running pretty slim. We can’t camp this time of year, and our funds are pretty tight for a hotel.

I wish there was something I could do, Sophia said. I have a job now, and I’d send you some money but I don’t think they have any exchange system yet.

I know, but maybe you can do something. We’re debating . . . well, you seem to be doing okay up there. Do you think we could—

Come up? That would be awesome. Sophia looked in Sara’s direction again and saw that she had noticed Sophia on the phone and was approaching. I know Sara is always squawking about needing more workers, Sophia said in a louder voice, so Sara could hear her. She gave Sara a slight nod to show she was, in her own way, working. Sara pointed down at the surface. Sophia nodded, and Sara shrugged and mouthed something. Unfortunately lip reading didn’t translate, and Sophia could only hope it had been positive.

Sophia turned her attention back to the phone conversation. So, come up.

You sure? They are saying people can’t. But you did, Tamela said. And we don’t want to be a burden.

Don’t worry. As soon as I get off, I’ll come down to the surface, meet you at the gate, make sure they let you in. They’ll give you a little money to start, and I’ve a little saved. Dhanvin will find you something.

After several more reassurances Tamela said they’d call back when they arrived at the station below. Sophia put the phone down and found Sara frowning at her.

Dhanvin? Sara said archly. You tell them him: bottom-court crew. We would have opened a week ago, if I had enough crew. I need everyone I can get.

I’ll make sure they know before they talk to him. They can request the assignment specifically, Sophia said, breaking into a smile.

How many?

Three?

All good workers like you?

Sophia blushed and smiled. As Sara walked away, she worried. Honestly she had no clue what sort of work ethics her friends had. She picked up the squeegee and went back to the window.

Chapter 2

Fox and two of his melee guards met the healer, Bankim, on 5 below. Bankim was short and broad with sandy-brown, short hair. He wore a tight-fitting white shirt and white leggings, and a serious expression.

Five below was eerily quiet. Fox knew he had been here at least once before; he’d toured the entire station. He remembered nothing about the level, probably because there was nothing distinctive about it. Fifteen and 14 above housed most of the Consortium population with the Shoshone collective taking up the western halves of the mirror levels at the bottom of the station. There were a few offices open on the ones, 1 above and 1 below.

This level was empty. Lights came on as they walked the halls, and their footsteps echoed dully down the long, empty halls. Doors appeared at intervals along the route, but most were still sealed shut. Once or twice they glimpsed an empty mall with barren storefronts and empty stands.

To keep from dwelling on it, Fox said. So what do we have?

One life sign, Bankim said. It’s been wandering around aimlessly for the better part of the day. I got worried and checked neuro-kinetics. Very scattered.

What’s that mean?

It’s confused, possibly hallucinating. I was going to approach, find out what was going on, but Lavina objected. Reminded me we are supposed to have a security escort if someone’s confused, Bankim said. He rolled his shoulders as he said the last part, a gesture that indicated he did not see any need for protection.

I’ve dealt with mental health cases a time or two, Fox said, trying to placate him. They can be unpredictable. Probably best to have someone close, just in case.

It should be around that corner somewhere, Bankim said.

Do we know who it is? Fox aimed this at one of his melee privates.

The data grid identifies it as a Diane, the man replied. Not much else. Diane is new from the surface, no history.

The hall lights came on