Steele Will Not Repent

Yesterday, Rome, Rei and Aason arrived at Helome and gave David Troutman the opportunity to repent which he gladly accepted. Virga laid down the ground rules and Troutman was fine with them. Now it was time to address the Steele situation:

     Troutman shrugged. “OK, if you say so. Frankly, I don’t care.”
     “My beautiful wife here,” said Keller, “will find you some living quarters.”
     “Then what?” Troutman asked.
     “Then you do what you want. Use your skills for something constructive. I know that they have some crops up north that aren’t thriving. They need a certain mineral and they’re having trouble finding it. You could use your capabilities to help them locate some.”
     “That sounds great,” Troutman said. “What about Steele? I don’t think he’s going to go for the same deal.”
     Keller turned to Virga. “Why don’t you take David here, into the house and get him something to drink and I’ll go have a talk with Steele?”
     “Of course, Maury,” Virga said. She swept her arm forward and Troutman and she went into the house. Her little boy followed her inside as well.
     In the meantime, Rei, Rome, Aason and Keller walked back up the cargo ramp, through the cargo compartment and stood outside the small room that MINIMCOM had constructed to keep the renegade captive.
     “Dan?” Maury called out. “It’s me, Maury Keller.”
     “Captain Keller?” Steele answered back. “Where are we?”
     “We are on a beautiful planet in the Alpha Centauri system called Helome.”
     “Alpha Centauri?” he replied. “What about Earth?”
     “No more Earth,” Keller said. “This is it.”
     “But what about the Project?” Steele asked.
     “The Project has been completed,” Keller replied. “We are making our home here now. We don’t need to go back and conquer Earth. The people here have already given us this world.”
     Steele didn’t answer for a moment.
     “Sir, they must have done something to you. You would never give up the fight. I know I can’t.”
     “Look, son, we won,” Keller said. “We’re all creating a new society together, the way we want. That was the goal, after all.”
     “I don’t believe you, sir,” Steele said. “We have to take back the Earth. Maybe you’ve given up but I won’t. Ever.”
     Keller shook his head.
     “That’s a shame, son,” Keller replied. “Well, we’re going to put you in a special place and let you think about it for a while. Maybe you’ll change your mind eventually.”
     “Don’t hold your breath,” Steele answered with disdain in his voice.
     “OK,” Keller called out and he started walking toward the cargo bay.

Well, that didn't go so well. What will they do with Steele? I'm pretty sure you know.