Terra Nova

by David C. Garland

  ***

  ‘Did you say your name is Noah? That was the name of ... ’

  ‘Yes, that is exactly what I said - Noah Tullius Cicero to be exact. Noah was a very popular name during our time on Earth. It has survived and remains popular on Terra Nova today.’

  Richard eyebrows bunched questioningly.

  ‘Terra Nova? Is that where you are from?’

  Noah nodded.

  ‘Yes, it means New Earth of course, from the Latin, a language and a way of life that was revived and is still sacrosanct throughout Terra Nova. The early settlers believed that most of Earth’s problems arose from the inability of various creeds, races, colours, nationalities to converse with each other in a language common to all. So, in the first millennium, a leaf was taken out of the Roman’s book and Latin became the common language. That has since changed and the English language was eventually adopted since it is has far greater utility, especially for those of a scientific mind. But more on that later... please, be my guest, follow me...’

  Noah led Richard towards a dormant monitor positioned on a lone desk situated at the rear of the cabin.

  ‘Please, join me here,’ said Noah. ‘I will show you the location of Terra Nova on a celestial map. Otherwise it will take hours to explain its whereabouts.’

  Noah sat down at the blank monitor and waited patiently until Richard joined him. Peering over Noah’s shoulder, Richard looked anxious, nervous. His eyes opened wide with astonishment when the blank screen burst into vibrant, colourful life.

  ‘How did you do that? I didn’t see you do anything!’ stuttered Richard, the knowledge gained from a series of successful Microsoft technical training courses thrust to the forefront of his mind.

  An eloquent, enigmatic look appeared on Noah’s face.

  ‘You must understand Richard that the inhabitants of Terra Nova have more than 5,000 years advance on you new Earthlings! Well, not quite that many years to be strictly correct. You see , by the time our forebears had settled Terra Nova and laboriously duplicated the conditions they had left behind on Earth, something between 3,000 and 4,000 years had passed. The last 1,000 odd years has seen an amazing growth in our knowledge in all forms of science, the universe that surrounds us and the awesome power of the force that created and controls it. The entity you refer to as “God” is the one we deferentially refer to as “The Creator” for that is what he is and so He shall remain omnipotent until the end of time.’

  Noah looked benevolently at Richard. He then turned and scanned the screen with eyes that had become intensely focussed. The irises appeared to have changed colour from dark brown to steel blue, any movement of his eyes, up, down, sideways, wherever he glanced, caused the figures and symbols on the screen to appear and disappear in accordance with unperceived orders issuing from his brain.

  Beats using a mouse, thought Richard, marvelling at the ease with which Noah was scrolling through innumerable pages of complicated data.

  ‘You are most amusing,’ said Noah without taking his eyes off the screen. ‘But you must bear in mind that my forebears on Earth also progressed from very basic forms of mechanical calculators, to early computers and then onto super computers whose power and complexity at the time was thought to be state-of-the-art, never to be surpassed. My advice to you Richard is “never say never.” It is a lesson I have learned that I will never repeat.’

  Noah smiled at his unintended witticism and was a trifle surprised to see that Richard’s face remained impassively studious. He decided that perhaps the humour that appealed to new Earthlings had changed and, in future, he would have to be careful not to assume that their evolutionary process had resulted in an exact personality match to his own kind.

  ‘Richard,’ he said quietly. ‘Look closely at the map. You have heard of the constellation of Andromeda no doubt?’

  Richard nodded. However, a brief glance at the incredibly complicated celestial map immediately scuttled his intent to appear even minimally knowledgeable.

  ‘There are several galaxies within Andromeda, the one where Terra Nova is to be found is known by Earth astronomers as Galaxy M-3l but we have our own name for it - we know it as Hercules. However let’s put that aside and concentrate on showing you exactly where Terra Nova is to be found. I’ll try not to confuse you overly so we’ll dispense with extraneous detail.’

  Noah paused for a moment. He turned and glanced at Richard - a look of avuncular concern crossing his features.

  ‘But you are looking somewhat tired,’ he said. ‘Caused by nervousness perhaps and that, my friend, is the last thing we want at the outset of a most important relationship. Do not worry, we can study the celestial map later. Allow me... ’

  Noah rose from the chair and turned to face Richard, his hand raised. With a click of the fingers, Richard froze and, for him, all became black.

  Chapter Three

  ‘How are you feeling Richard - less nervous and less tired I trust?’

  Noah’s taciturn face was the first sight confronting Richard as he opened his eyes and slowly lifted himself up onto his elbows. The glaring light above the bed on which he was lying prostrate reminded him of the operating theatre where he underwent a spinal surgical procedure some years ago. Other faces were visible in the background; all wore inquisitive looks that caused an involuntary shudder to invade his body.

  ‘You haven’t done anything to me, have you?’ he demanded, thinking of the many melodramatic claims made by people allegedly taken by aliens and then, also allegedly, being operated upon. ‘You haven’t opened me up?’

  Noah assumed an understanding look, then slowly shook his head from side to side, indicating empathy with the questioner.

  ‘Opened you up? No, no, of course not Richard. You must, I implore you, ignore all those ludicrous reports you have read. I assure you no one from Earth has ever been taken aboard a space craft and no one has ever been operated upon. Ask yourself a simple question. Why? Why would we need to? We from Terra Nova are, as I have already explained, the ancestors of mankind and our bodies are exactly like yours, except for some minor changes for the better which have resulted from the natural process of evolution, plus some meticulous genetic engineering. For example, our ability to converse by thought transference is something that has been acquired, because we have had the benefit of thousands of years to evolve than has your version of mankind. That, Richard, is a simple fact and the same progress will occur on Earth if the catastrophes that caused us to migrate to another constellation can be avoided.’

  Richard wore a look of dazed puzzlement.

  ‘Why do I feel different now than when we first met?’

  Noah nodded knowingly.

  ‘You were nervous, confused, unsure, scared. That is to be understood; anyone in the same circumstances would have reacted exactly as you have done. So, to help you relax, we administered a potion that is used on Terra Nova for those with similar problems. It is perfectly harmless with no side effects and will help you to help us. Allow me to explain.’

  Richard sank back onto the bed and rested his head on a pillow so soft it felt as if he was floating on a cushion of warm, seductive, air. Thoughts of a recent vacation in Barbados came to mind, the cooling breezes, the blue translucent waters, the white sandy beaches, the overwhelming feeling of peace, tranquillity and pleasurable well-being.

  Mmmmm, this is good, he thought dreamily.

  ‘That is exactly our intention Richard.’

  The thought transference and reception mode had once more kicked in.

  ‘Now I want you to lie perfectly still, relax and listen carefully to the following. My story is a very brief history of our time, it covers the period we, your ancestors, spent on Earth that ended so disastrously in the Great Flood that wiped out most of mankind.’

  ***

  ‘There is but one God, The Cre
ator,’ began Noah. ‘And everything that is within the Universe is of His design. Without the acceptance of that basic premise nothing I can say or do will be of any use. Mankind has to be persuaded to accept a belief in one, all powerful, being. The mistake we, your ancestors, made was to arrogantly assume we could divide God into portions that suited our own, selfish beliefs. We had competing religions whose origins were based on fear, power, oppression, submission, greed plus a host of other reprehensible concepts. We defied the true God by worshipping the gods of wealth, possessions, power, celebrity and material gain, to the detriment of the poor and needy. In short we created a world where only the strong flourished and the weak were treated as pawns to be used, moved and shunted around at the behest of sleazy, corrupt governments, multi-national companies and autocratic dictators.’

  ‘The first four thousand years of our time on Earth was a period of stabilisation and relative peace but, by the time of the fifth millennium, anarchy ruled throughout the world. Pre-emptive wars were regarded as necessary and commonplace, death and destruction was accepted as the norm. Famines, plagues, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, volcanic eruptions and severe weather conditions were the result of The Creator’s constant reminders that His creation was being misused and abused.’

  ‘Towards the end of the our fifth millennium the great ice caps of the North and South Poles began to melt and the level of the seas rose so that low-lying land became submerged. Millions died not only from drowning but also from starvation due to crops failing as the world’s temperature rose by several degrees due, it was postulated, to global warming and global dimming. Huge areas of the Earth became dust bowls. Where there was once lush farm land so it became sterile, arid desert. Nothing grew and life became unsustainable. The Great Pyramids at Gaza, once the centre of a vast metropolis set in thousands of square miles of verdant land with life-sustaining rivers running through it, were left like stranded whales on a vast, lifeless beach. Terrible wars took their toll. The area that you now term the Middle East was not only detrimentally affected by the consequences of global warming but, in addition, by the indiscriminate use of nuclear weapons in battles between two of the world’s major religions. Entire civilisations perished, beautiful cities were destroyed, entire populations were wiped out and the result? Yet more desert wastelands. But this time not only was the entire region rendered useless but it was also poisoned by radiation and became uninhabitable. These ominous signs of impending disaster were clearly the beginning of the end but pompous, self-interested governments ignored the signs and nobody, but nobody, in authority had the courage, the wisdom, the common sense, to act meaningfully to stop the insane descent towards the inexorable demise of our world.’

  Richard was dumbstruck. A look of shocked disbelief disfigured his face. Noah acknowledged the silence with a slight nod then continued his narrative, speaking softly, reassuringly.

  ‘It was decided by an influential group of enlightened scientists, gathered from all nations, races, colours, creeds and religions throughout the Earth, that an orderly migration to what became known as Terra Nova, should take place. In our year 5,125 over one hundred thousand migrants left Earth and established settlements on the virgin planet. Carried on board those early spaceships were the DNA’s of every known seed and plant on Earth; the same for animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea. DNA from every species was transported so as to enable reproduction, and eventually procreation. Everything, but everything, with a proven utilisation was gathered that would enable the recreation of the conditions on Earth without the interminable process of natural evolution. Conversely, we left behind those things which were of no value. You will not, by way of example, find a single mosquito, a locust, a house fly, a venomous snake, to name but a few, or any other being that caused disease, pestilence or famine and was of little or no use on the original version of Earth.’

  Noah was visibly warming to his task, he carried on, leaving Richard mute, transfixed.

  ‘The following year the great flood that had been forecast for eons occurred on Earth. Only those who had the ability and the opportunity to move close to the summit of mountain ranges survived.’

  Noah paused and looked Richard directly in the eyes.

  ‘It was those survivors who procreated and became the ancestors of what you now refer to as humanity.’

  Richard was staring, eyebrows crunched in scepticism at Noah’s astonishing revelations. Noah returned his stare, his soft brown eyes somehow calming Richard’s racing senses.

  ‘If what you are telling me is true, it explains so much,’ Richard said softly. ‘Our knowledge of the past has been based upon ancient teachings, biblical theory, archaeology, anthropology, ethno historians, evolutionists, linguists, geologists, all setting out their own theories about the origins of humanity. We know for certain that advanced civilisations flourished in Greece, Egypt, Babylon and Rome. We also have irrefutable evidence of other great cultures existing throughout South America, the Mayas, the Incas and the Aztecs. Well documented Chinese and Asian civilisations stretch back thousands of years. But now, after listening to your story, are you telling me that the amazing knowledge of the sciences, architecture, art and culture displayed by those ancient civilisations was nothing more than that which was passed on by your earlier version of mankind?’

  Noah nodded affirmatively.

  ‘You are very perceptive Richard,’ he said. ‘I now know we made the right choice when seeding you. Gentlemen, do you not agree that the assessment of our young friend here is exactly as was predicted?’

  The other five crew members were now gathered closely around the bed, peering inquisitively at Richard. They spoke not a word but indicated their agreement by a collective nod of heads.

  ‘Assessment? Prediction? What’s all that supposed to mean? How could you possibly assess me or predict my actions when we’ve only just met and what’s this about “seeding” me?’

  Noah merely stared. It was obvious he had decided not to answer the string of questions. Richard’s startled, apprehensive look had returned to scar his face. Noah sighed, straightened to his full height, clicked his fingers and, once again, Richard’s body froze and an impenetrable blackness enveloped him.

  Chapter Four

  There was no sense of movement and yet when Richard opened his eyes he instinctively knew he was no longer on Earth. The crew were dispersed around the interior of the space craft either seated at monitors or studying maps and graphs that were displayed three-dimensionally upon huge, dazzling screens that changed shape and size, rather like the screen savers that Richard used to protect his PC monitor at home. Noah was the first to notice Richard’s awakening.

  ‘Richard, please, join me over here,’ he said pointing at the vacant seat to his right.

  ‘I might if I knew what was going on!’ answered Richard angrily. ‘You said I’ve been assessed. Well - tell me, how, when, why? How could you do that when....?’

  A long drawn out sigh from Noah silenced Richard’s noisy reaction mid-stream. With a repeated curling of his index finger he beckoned once more for Richard to join him. Unable to resist, in spite of a strong desire to remain where he was, Richard stumped disconsolately towards the empty chair. He sat down with a resounding thump.

  ‘You are taking me over Noah and you told me that was not your intention. Remember that’s what you said? If you want my help with whatever it is you are planning for me then you’ve got to stop this take-over - now!’

  The benevolent look that had previously been a permanent feature on Noah’s face was replaced by a gaze that projected nothing - there was no discernable emotion, only a wax-like, lifeless stare. ‘We have much to discuss,’ said Noah after what seemed an eternity. ‘You have anger inside you that I can no longer comprehend. Anger, hate, sorrow, pity, greed, jealousy are all useless emotions that have been eradicated from the psyche of those inhabiting Terra Nova. Em
otions pollute intelligent thinking and, if allowed to germinate, lead to decisions based on other than factual analysis. When the early settlers first arrived on Terra Nova they carried with them all the emotions that were directly responsible for the problems that caused Earth’s descent into chaos. Consequently there was debilitating argument and dissention - it was obvious that unless something was done to correct the problem the same things that had happened on Earth would be repeated on Terra Nova. It was therefore decided by our forefathers that any and all emotions had to be eradicated if we were to survive and progress to our goal of perfect harmony under The Creator. It took several millennia but now, by means of carefully applied genetic engineering, the majority of the population are no longer motivated by emotions - at least not by those emotions which cause death, destruction and disharmony. Of course there are exceptions as with any scientific process but in general we are immensely proud of what has been achieved.’

  Richard scowled.

  ‘Achieved? That’s nonsense. What about love,’ he demanded aggressively. ‘Without love you have nothing to give and nothing to receive? And what about pity and kindness, altruism, generosity, empathy and sympathy plus all the other positive emotions that set mankind apart from the animals? And what about smiling? Smiling reflects an emotion - so how is it you and your crew manage to smile now and again?’