Chapter 7 Forty-niner
The miners on Barnard's liked to think of themselves in the tradition of the California Gold rush of 1849. They were an independent and impulsive lot eager to make and spend money. They generally got along well with each other making Barnard's fairly peaceful. There was tension with the refiners but the two groups had their own territories staked out. There were plenty of bars, casinos and women on Barnard's to go around.
The “authorities” on Barnard's were scant and concerned primarily with completing the Eco-forming and general public health. The United Planets operated the space port and maintained a park police force that operated moon wide. A small geological science office was also present but no one actually did any work as best as the colonists could tell.
The “local authorities” put in place by the colonists had to comply with UP regulations but were independent of the UP. A sheriff and small contingent of deputies kept the peace. Dr. Renfro was considered the public health officer and it was he Commander Adams would approach concerning Alta.
Unfortunately, there was a rather raucous demonstration at the colony town hall. About 40 miners had assembled to air a number of grievances, primarily concerning Auric Canyon.
The canyon had been properly named as evidenced by large and highly visible veins of gold ore exposed on the canyon faces. The area had been declared by the authorities as off-limits because of the geological interest it generated. The canyon had been studied by geologists for nearly 20 years without reaching any conclusion on how it was formed. Miners frequently visited the canyon to look for new veins as the sides of the canyon weathered after a heavy rainfall. In the past 24 hours, four miners had disappeared. Their ATV had been found. There were tracks as well but they just stopped as if the miners had been lifted from the surface of the moon. The miners wanted the canyon searched and their friends found.
Adams and Alta had to push their way through the crowd, but no one gave them any trouble and they were soon in Dr. Renfro's office. Renfro was responsible for the quarantine and scanning protocols and supervised the technicians that performed that work. After the introductions were made, Renfro volunteered some knowledge he had gained of Alta. “Oh yes, you are the young lady with that unusual scan result. The technician was correct and I concur with him there is no threat of contagion. There are no alien bodies inside you. What can I do for you?”
Alta spoke right up. “I need my DNA tested to verify it is 100% human and uncontaminated by alien DNA. I need a more thorough scan of my brain to learn more about the anomaly in and around my pituitary gland.”
“Whoa! That's a tall order young lady, both costly and time consuming. What makes you think you may be contaminated?” Renfro was clearly defensive. Who was this young woman to practice medicine and order tests?
Adams jumped in at this point. “It's a very long story Dr. Renfro but I assure you the concern is genuine and could pose a threat to everyone in this colony. If we can get the testing started I will give you as much time as needed to explain the circumstances leading to this request.”
Renfro was uneasy but seemed satisfied. “OK, let's get the required samples, get the tests started and then relax with lunch and a few drinks so you can tell your story.” Adams and Alta nodded. “Follow me please. We will get the samples now but let's hold off on the scan, at least temporarily.”
Renfro's two technicians seemed to welcome the work and drew the blood samples. Renfro gave them instructions that encompassed a broad range of tests. When he finished, he turned to Adams and Alta and said “Let's get some lunch and into your story.”
…
When the miners saw Flapjack at city hall, they extended him greetings and welcomed him to their protest. He had no idea what they were talking about. He made a few inquiries and learned of the four missing miners. There was no evidence the miners had been mining at the canyon. They had just disappeared and no one had been able to contact the park police. Flapjack was putting this together in his head. He had to speak to Sheriff Martin. No one tried to stop him as Flapjack moved through the crowd.
Flapjack knew his way to the sheriff's office. He had been a guest there several times for suspected canyon mining but was found innocent and released on each occasion. He and Sheriff Martin had actually become close friends because of some unusual common interests. They both enjoyed fishing and hunting, but it was opera, Verdi in particular, and drama, Shakespeare, that distinguished and cemented their friendship.
The sheriff's office was on the opposite end of the corridor from Public Health. Being sheriff on Barnard's was a peaceful job. There were occasional brawls to break up, but that was the extent of violent crime. Sheriff Martin was sitting at his desk in a small office to the right of the Sheriffs Office proper. Flapjack was as pale as a ghost. Martin could see him through the window and motioned him to come in.
“You don't look well Flapjack. Something troubling you?” Martin asked.
Flapjack stumbled about before settling in the chair opposite Martin. Martin was puzzled by his friend's behavior. “Something I can get you?” Martin offered.
Flapjack looked Martin square in the eye and started his story. “Julius, you are not going to believe this.”
Martin put his hands together and sat back, staring intently at his friend. “It's not about this miner thing, is it?” Martin asked. “The park police will investigate as soon as we get some details and get a hold of them.”
Flapjack had to get right<