Earthblood

“Just keep on, Steve.”

“Wait a minute.”

“What is it, Jeff? As if I can’t guess what you’re goin’ to say.”

“Bastard right, Hilton. I want to be connected to my paper right now.”

Jim sighed, looking over his shoulder at the flushed, angry face of the journalist. “I know the West American paid an arm and two legs for you to be with us on this mission, Jeff. Can’t say I liked the idea, but our lords and masters say ‘jump’ and we just ask them how high. But I know you’re not a stupid man. If we can’t raise our own mission control, then how you figure we can get your newspaper? Right? So just keep it quiet and start thinking about the story you’ll have. About being on board the first shuttle ever to come through safely with an old-fashioned pilot operating manual controls.”

It was an unusually long speech for the taciturn captain of the Aquila, and it even reduced Jeff Thomas to silence.

“Aquila. This is Alpha Quebec Uniform Indian Lima Alpha. Aquila. USSV Aquila. Anyone out there hearing us? Come in.”

There was only the hissing of the speakers, all through the vessel. Then the hissing was broken by a faint, crackling voice.

“…on…ee…een.”

“Say again. Say again. This is Aquila. Getting broken-up message on seventeen two five. Say again.” Steve was fiddling with the controls, trying to strengthen the frail signal.

“What did he say?” asked Marcey. “Anyone catch what he said?”

“Thought he said something ‘me’ and ‘see,’ and then it sounded like ‘green.’ But I’m not sure.” Ryan O’Keefe shrugged. “Hell, I’m not sure.”

“Aquila. Say again.”

From out of the hissing the voice cleared for a minute.

“Aquila’s the Latin for eagle, ain’t it? Read that some…” There was a burst of atmospheric static, followed by “… sixteen.”

“Again. Try it again and give us some station identification, please. Over.”

“Said that John 3:16 was what it was all about. Over.”

Carrie called out. “Reference from the Bible, Captain. John’s Gospel. Third chapter, sixteenth verse. Used to see banners being held up at sporting events until they stopped the religious crazies a few years back. That’s what he means.”

“Think he’s a religious freak?” Jim pointed to Steve. “Try him again.”

“Read you better now. Give identification. Who are you?”

“John 3:16. Over.”

“What’s the quote? You know, Carrie?”

“Funny. I looked it up once and it stuck. Something about God so loving the world that he gave his only begotten son. Who believes in him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.”

“Tell the guy we understand his reference, Steve. Ask him where he is.”

“We’re currently over the western part of the United States,” said Kyle. “Damn near right overhead mission control. How come we can pick up this lunatic radio freak and not them?”

“Aquila hearing you. We know the quote. Please tell us who you are and where?”

“Jeremiah. Voice in the wilderness. Lone voice crying in the desert.”

“Where, Jeremiah? Please help us. We’ve been away from Earth for two years. Got radio problems. Tell us, Jeremiah. Over.”

Cackling laughter swooped and fell like a windblown gull. “You got a problem, mister eagle. You and…” More breaking up. “I’m out close to Barstow. You all come see me. Have a nice day. Signing off. Things to… water… get me… coyotes.”

“Jeremiah! Don’t break contact.”

The high, reedy voice said something that they all agreed sounded like “Earthblood,” and then vanished from the airwaves.

“Earthblood?” said Jim Hilton. “I don’t get it. What’s it mean?”

It was less than ten minutes later that Carrie Princip broke away from the others and entered the forward observation chamber. The heat shields and arma-shutters had been removed from the windows, and she had an uninterrupted view of Earth.

Marcey, suddenly noticing that the other woman member of the crew was missing, followed her.

“How’s the old place looking?” she called. But there was no reply. “Carrie? Carrie, are you in there? What’re you doing?”

“Come in, Marcey. I was… It doesn’t look right to me.”

“Doesn’t look right! What the shit does that mean, Carrie?”

“Earth.”

Marcey squeezed forward into the cramped space, kneeling down beside the slim blond second navigator.

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