Return to Earth

Chapter 2

Dent was silent as he looked over Kierst with emotionless eyes. He had given no sign as to why Kierst had been pulled away from his duties, which left him a little irritable. If he was considered a threat to the dome, Dent wouldn't be alone with him. Whatever this was may have something to do with security, but not in any way that made sense to him.

When he tired of waiting, Kierst snapped out at Dent without a care about what his title was. "I have an important job to do."

A slight smile cut across his face as his deep voice echoed a little in the small room. "You have no idea just how right you are, but it isn't working on the dome."

Kierst shook his head as confusion touched his voice. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Their eyes caught before Dent glanced down at the tablet Kierst had missed, which showed the contract he had signed. "It means Mars Security is transferring you." Kierst's mouth dropped as the news hit him hard. "Before you signed your contract, all the provisions were explained, including transferring you as we see fit."

He shook his head in disbelief. "It was also made clear that being transferred away from the dome would never happen. Nothing's more important than the dome."

The smile faded as his voice became unreadable. "I don't care what you were told. The contract you signed to work the dome includes the only provision I care about. You're being transferred, because Mars Security can. You don't have a choice."

Kierst no longer liked Dent at all, which came through with every word spoken. "Transferred where?"

Just the slightest of movement pressed up on the corners of his lips. "That's classified. Go back to the barge. A change of clothes is waiting for you. When you've changed, come back here. Don't speak to anyone. Don't think of running. You won't get very far."

Dent moved to the door and opened it without another word. Kierst struggled to find his footing as he made his way out the door towards his home. Someone must have made a terrible mistake, since he was the last person they'd transfer anywhere. His legs carried him past the next door as he smelled the unpleasant berries, and heard Jana say something, but had no idea what she was saying.

His legs felt what should've been a familiar sensation of gentle movement, but there was nothing familiar about what he was going through. Kierst moved down the steep stairs and almost fell to the hard ground beneath. Lights came on that seemed brighter than they should've been as the rocking took on an ominous sensation.

The new clothes were on his dresser as he looked through them to find he was being dressed as one of Mars Security. There was no way he'd make a good Officer, which meant someone made an even bigger mistake than he first believed. All he wanted was to be left alone at the edge to do his job, but he couldn't go back until he got everything straightened out.

He dressed in the unfamiliar clothing, which hung a little loose across his body. The cap was placed on as he stared at himself in the mirror. His brown eyes looked nothing like an Officer's should, which made him laugh at just how ridiculous the whole thing was. Of all the people who signed that contract, there were plenty more suited to being an Officer than he was.