Legacy's Ghost

Episode 21: A Little Fresh Air

"What?" I croak. Did he really say we were leaving the safety of the bio dome?

Everything I'd ever heard about Exodus Planet and the atmosphere outside the bio dome stated that the air was unbreathable, the gravity was exponentially stronger than it is inside the biodome, and the heat and UV rays from all of the suns will scorch you within seconds.

"We're leaving the bio dome," the Ghost says again just as calmly as he would if he said we were having soup for dinner.

"I have been put on a task to find out where the Swarm is infiltrating our defenses," the Ghost continues.

I stop walking and gawk at him. He continues several paces before he realizes I'm not following and turns. "What's wrong?"

"The Swarm is infiltrating our defenses? Are they getting inside the dome?" I ask, glancing around as if suddenly expecting the aliens to jump out from the ground and attack us.

He motions for me to come to him. When I'm closer, he lowers his voice so that only I can hear him, even though I'm certain we're alone. "That is information only a handful of people know. If word gets out, there will be panic. As a Ghost and a member of the Trinity, one must understand that sometimes it is better the colony not be aware of emergencies, because it will cause people to make decisions based on emotions rather than facts. Above all, we must base our decisions on facts, and respond decisively, not emotionally."

He turns and continues walking.

Despite the sinking feeling in my stomach, I follow.

He inclines his head closer to me and continues before taking a bite of jerky, "Your job as Ghost is to be the voice or reason. PPN's focus is on the environment and being peaceful. The LA's focuses on protecting the colony at all costs. You need to figure out where the middle ground is that will keep the people safe, and happy."

"I decide?" I choke out, feeling my eyes bulge. How did I just go from the colony's most hated person to the most powerful?

Wait a sec. I'm not the Ghost. He is. Everything is if I become the Ghost. And this guy looks plenty healthy to me. What are the chances I'd ever actually have to do his job?

Still. . .

The Ghost inclines his head. "Let's just say the other Trinity rarely see eye-to-eye." His hood rotates as if he's looking at me. "The burden of the colony and its survival will be on your shoulders. Do you have what it takes to lead them? Can you do it without getting any credit and," he says, lifting a shoulder, "knowing most everyone either fears you, hates you, or both? Can you love and lead a people that despises you?"

I don't say anything.

What do I say? I don't know. I probably won't know until that burden's dropped in my lap. And honestly, I hope I never have to decide.

We walk for several minutes, circling the perimeter of the bio dome. He keeps his head focused on the ground, while my mind does a continuous loop. Can I lead a people who hates me? Can I be fair if everyone feels about me the same way Rigel does? What happens if I'm in the Trinity and I have to work with someone like Rigel until I die? Can I do it? Would I do it?

The Ghost stops at a small arrangement of pebbles partially obscured by red sand. If he hadn't stopped, I probably wouldn't have noticed how the rocks are shaped in a half-circle, facing the dome.

He digs around in the pockets of his robe and pulls out a small gray pouch about the size of my hand, handing it to me. "Put this on."

I open the pouch and pull out a deflated face mask with a strap designed to secure the mask to my head.

"Take of your Ghost mask and seal this to your face," he says, "then put the ghost mask on over it. The material of the mask will conform to the breathing device, and the device will convert the gases to oxygen for breathing. Understood?"

I nod.

Then he turns his back to me, and drops the hood of his cloak. When he pulls off his Ghost mask, I see straight black hair in a buzz cut. He quickly puts on the breathing mask, then slides the Ghost mask over the device, returning the hoot over his head again. Then he turns back around to face me.

I do exactly as he did, turning my back to him, putting on the breathing device, and turning back around after I'd put on the breathing device, my mask and hood again.

He nods, then tilts his head. "Remind me when we get back to the colony to have the optometrist add a matte finish to your glasses. I see the reflection on them if you tilt your head at the right angle.

"Is that a bad thing?" I ask.

"Only if you want to get caught."

I wrinkle my nose and say, "I'll remind you."

The Ghost places the heel of his boot flush with the arch of the rocks, and presses back. There's a slight whooshing of air, then he says, "Follow me. We have fifteen seconds before the door closes."