In Jupiter's Shadow
The Europa Saga | A Karin Reade Story
Karin was proud of her father, as proud as a daughter could be of a man who had betrayed her. After all, he’d been one of the first people on Europa, and he was a founding member of their colony. Everyone called him a hero. So had she until a few days ago, when she’d finally learned the truth.
As they lowered his body into the moon’s cold surface, the soldiers of the municipal government aimed their laser guns at Jupiter. They gave Karin’s father a six-gun salute, honoring one of the greatest pioneers in the history of space travel.
“You must be devastated.”
The words struck like a knife, but not for the reason the well-wisher thought. She didn’t recognize the man. He was in his mid-40s, wearing a blue button-down blazer with a matching necktie.
“Did you know my father?” The words left her lips automatically.
“Only superficially. I once had the honor of shaking hands with him at a gala in Europa city. Your father was a great man.”
“Thanks.” She had to force the words out.
“It’s must be very hard for you.”
“It’s…been difficult.”
“Losing a parent always is. I’m Jim, by the way. Jim Stein. If there’s anything I can do….”
“There isn’t,” she snapped.
She turned back to the proceedings, averting her gaze from the stranger. Anger filled her heart as she watched her father be laid to rest.
When his coffin finally reached its immortal resting place, the officiant moved to the foot of the grave.
“We are gathered here today to say goodbye to Wyatt Reade. An extraordinary man and an inspiration to us all. As most of you know, Mr. Reade was the founder of our beloved colony. His daughter, Karin, has agreed to say a few words on behalf of her father.”
The officiant was looking at Karin. She felt like she had nothing to say to this crowd of officials and public servants. Most of them were only here because they were hoping a little of her dead father’s greatness would be left behind to scoop up for themselves.
Karin forced herself to move. She slowly approached the grave, her heart heavy with grief. She had always known this day would come but never thought it would be so difficult. She looked out at the congregation and took a deep breath.
She could see her father's face in her mind, smiling at her proudly as he boarded the ship that would take him to Europa. How her heart had ached watching her father leave her. And how excited she had been when he’d sent for her to join him.
Karin shook her head to clear it. There was a note in her pocket with the speech she had prepared, but she didn’t read it. She let the truth come as naturally as vapor rain.
"My father was a space pioneer. He was one of the first men to set foot on Jupiter's moon, Europa. But his dream wasn't just to explore the stars; he wanted to find a home away from Earth. A place where we could all escape the destruction and chaos that seems to follow us wherever we went.”
“My father was always fascinated by the stars. When he was a little boy, he would lie in his bed at night and stare up at the sky, dreaming of traveling to other worlds. As an adult, he made that dream a reality.”
"He did make a home here on Europa. He and the other astronauts built a colony, and they lived together for years, exploring the moon and its secrets.”
"Now, my father is gone. But even in death, he still inspires us. His legacy will continue, as long as the colony he helped found remembers his dreams and keeps exploring."
"So remember my father," Karin began. "He was an explorer, a scientist...a hero." Her voice caught in her throat, and she paused to compose herself. "But he also betrayed me. He lied to me and left my mother behind to pursue his own dreams."
The crowd gasped, but Karin continued speaking. "He always told me that my mother died in an accident, but that was a lie. He left my mother for another woman."
Karin's voice broke as she struggled to continue. "My father lied to me about my mother for years. So forgive me for saying it, but I hate the man in that grave right now. I hate him because he never respected me enough to tell me the truth, so I can’t forgive him.”
Her father, the man who had always been so strong and dependable - he was a liar. A coward. He had finally confessed to what he had done all those years ago on his deathbed. Karin's mother wasn’t dead as her father had claimed; it was all a falsehood, designed to cover up his infidelity. Karin was devastated.
But despite the pain, Karin was proud of herself for saying the truth out loud. Even though it deeply hurt her, it was necessary. She turned away from the stunned faces in the crowd.
The officiant touched her gently and she stepped back from the grave.
“Thank you, Karin,” he said.
Later, as she climbed into her hovercraft in the cemetery parking lot, Karin saw Jim Stein coming toward her.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a eulogy like that before,” he said. “You’re a lot like your father, you know. He was also unique.”
Karin smiled. “My father was a hero, and he betrayed me. They’re both true.”
“Even great men make mistakes,” said Jim.
Karin looked up at the stars spread behind Jupiter’s shadow. The weight of her father’s death was as cold and foreboding as the empty void of space. If only she could talk to her mother, she might be able to ease the pain she felt.
Maybe her mother was out there somewhere. But even if her mother lived, she could be anywhere in the solar system.
“I have to go, Jim.” She pushed the ignition on her hovercraft, and it roared to life.
“Of course. It was nice meeting you,” he said, backing away from the vehicle.
She closed the door and set the destination on the console. As her hovercraft rose, Karin caught a glimpse of her father’s grave一felt the stinging pain of his betrayal all over again一and knew she would carry her anger all her life, just as he had carried his lies.