By Alexander P. Bird

I’m sure you’ve heard of me. I’m Martin, and let me tell you this — even though Lancaster’s influence impacts many, only a handful of people know how he truly operates. Six months ago, he engineered an accident that took a famous Ukrainian astronaut's life. Last month, he deceived and imposed additional fees and taxes on young astronauts to ensure they would continue seeking favours from him. "New components for your ship? Your suit has defects? Everything you need will cost you 400% more because we are facing a shortage of magnets, Kevlar and tempered glass." Thanks to him, no one is leaving space nearly as rich as they thought they would.    

It’s like he can do whatever he wants and never face consequences. There's a well-founded rumour that he intends to bring a whole space bus here, more like a space cabaret, filled with space-prostitutes for New Year’s Eve. They call it “the happy bus.” But they say this every year. It's not like he couldn't do it: launch a bunch of sex workers from Earth without everyone ever knowing about it.  

A couple of weeks ago, Lancaster, also known as Cas, was leaving space to address his medical issues on Earth. His bones needed fixing after years of fake magnet-induced gravity. It was a big surprise for all of us. Who could believe he was human after so much time in space and after so many sinister administrative decisions? I say this, and I do acknowledge that I draw a paycheque from him.

Cas called me and said, "Take care of everything while I’m out, kid. If you do things right, maybe you will inherit the whole business." 

“It’s good to hear that, Cas. I wish you all the best, too,” I said, trying to hide my happiness that my boss was finally returning to Earth. 

Cas remained silent, and I noticed something was going on in that call. It felt like we were two cowboys waiting for a moment to exchange gunshots. 

“Is that all you've got to say, kid?” Cas said, “ I must admit, I didn't expect just a few goodbye words from a young and bright space miner I personally mentored for years.”

I decided to finally start an honest conversation with the man. 

“As a matter of fact,” I said, “I always wanted to ask you something. You never imagined how this could be a fair business? No lies. No tricks. Just space exploration, and mining.” It was the first time I’d felt I could be truthful, and speak with dignity to Cas.

The snake smiled. “Okay. Imagine we stop doing what we do. There would be a vacuum of power, and nature hates vacuum. Someone would certainly take our place and run things more or less like we do.” 

“That could happen. But it’s not certain. We can explore space without sabotaging miners, engineering accidents, and raising taxes just because we can.” 

“The only problem with corruption, kid, is when it’s not done by you.” 

“Really? Sometimes I have the impression that we are the problem, Cas.”  

“Let me tell you a theory,” he said, “I think there is no more need for digging gold or diamonds in space. Governments are destroying and hiding coins to keep things in order. Explorers from every nation are risking their lives for nothing. What do you say?” 

“That’s impossible! Astronauts are dying in the asteroid belt, Saturn rings, and on inhospitable moons!” 

“For being a part in all this, as far as I can see, you are killing them too. Everyone is. I’m just noticing this before everyone else. Some day they may notice, or maybe they never will. You could complain and battle the system exhaustively to be called a hero, or profit along the way and live a happy and wealthy life.” 

"You know what else can happen, Cas?” I said, “Justice. I press this button, and numerous small projectiles will penetrate your pod, leaving you without air in fifteen minutes. No satellite will capture it, and you will never reach Earth." 

Cas threatened me back. “I knew, Martin, you could do something stupid like this. That’s why I have a button too. I press it, you die along with me....” 

That’s where I lost my courage.  I do value living.

“See you, Martin,” said Cas. “Just wait for that happy bus. You guys paid for it.”

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