The Scapegoat: a Capricorn Adventure

Moon Part 1

The spaceship arrived at the Earth Moon Terminus and docked. 

"I'm  looking forward to spending a few days with my cousin," Peyton confided.

 "Here on the Moon?" Doran was surprised.

"Yohanna works as a Lunar customs officer."

Yohanna Plumer had been stationed at Earth Moon Terminus for over a year now. She had always told Peyton that the work was mostly routine, although it did have its exciting moments, such as when the security team discovered someone travelling on an invalid space visa or attempting to smuggle contraband on or off planet.

"Interesting - you must introduce me."

"She's not your type."

"You just want to keep me for yourself."

Peyton had explained several times that she was not in the market for a relationship, so she ignored the easy comment. The pilot walked off the Martian Cruiser and across the spaceport into the controlled atmosphere of the Earth-Moon Terminus. She stood in line, deliberately approaching a different desk to the one on which her relative was serving.

Doran joined the same queue and nudged her elbow. "It looks as though Ivan is about to get lucky!"

Following his gaze, Peyton saw that over in her booth, Yohanna was inspecting the documents laid down on the desk before her.

"What is your star sign?" the customs Officer asked.

Since the establishment of colonies on planets other than Earth Prime, community interest in birth signs had grown until it had become an essential part of space-era culture.

"I'm a Gemini," a pleasant male voice answered.

Yohanna glanced upwards and was clearly enchanted by the twinkle in the young man's eye. "Ivan," she murmured.

"She is taking taking note of the name in case she meets him off duty in one of the recreation venues." Doran whispered.

"Hush." Peyton knew that it had been a while since her cousin had a love interest, or even a fling. "don't spoil it."

"That's right!" Ivan agreed jovially. "Since the day of my birth!"

 The interchange with Ivan appeared to have potential, and Peyton would be happy for Yohanna if it turned into a relationship.

"Have you just arrived on the cruiser?" Yohanna asked.

"Clever girl," Ivan said, "You know my every move."

Ivan was subtly reminding Yohanna that she had his space passport on the bench. The young woman blushed, knowing that her interest had been noted - which was alright if the subject returned her interest. 

"Welcome to the Moon." Yohanna stamped his space passport.

"Thank you." 

Ivan moved along, and Yohanna began processing another passenger. 

While her cousin was busy processing the commuter, Peyton entered the next booth, and answered the questions addressed to her by the officer whose name badge identified her as 'Kim'.

"What is your star sign?"

"I'm a Pisces."

"Do you have your passport?" Kim asked.

"Right here."

Kim appeared satisfied. "All good."

The customs' officer stamped Peyton's space passport, and the traveller moved along. Doran was the next in line. Kim turned towards him. 

At the sound of a familiar voice, Yohanna had glanced across the room. The cousin knew that Peyton's birthday was really in January, but Peyton's bright eyes warned her to say nothing. 

"I'll see you later." She mouthed, using a secret skill the girls had developed as children.

Yohanna turned back to her duties. "Who is next?" she called.

By remaining quiet, Yohanna had helped Peyton perpetuate a felony - lying about her star sign. This could incurr severe penalties if discovered. However, it was not Yohanna's hand that had stamped the passport, and not her I.D. number on the stamp. Peyton had been very careful not to involve her cousin in the misdemeanor. 

Peyton knew that the family must have beenextremely worried about her, because she had the misfortune to have beenborn a Capricorn, in a time when Martian public opinion had turned against all Capricorns.