The Sirius Chronicles
©Christopher Costanza
ISBN-13: 978-1517666514
ISBN-10: 1517666511
Part 1 – Heading for the Stars
Part 2 – The Experiment
Part 3 - Freedom
Part 1
Heading for the Stars
In the year 8307, The Aeris Coalition of Intelligence sponsored the first long distance space mission in search for life. In the beginning, the idea was met with great protest from the public. The main reasons being the cost, high level of risk, and the widespread belief that Aeris was the only solar system in the universe able to house complex life. It was also during a time where superstition outweighed science in the minds of the majority.
The ACI had long been exploring nearby planets but found no signs of life whatsoever, which only fueled the opposing side. They were forced into constant political battles and had always struggled to acquire funding. The only reason they were able to exist at all was due to the amazing technology they invented and released to the public.
In the midst of this nationwide controversy, three of the wealthiest men on Aeris offered to take on %60 of the expenses. They were investors with the ACI and personally believed in their ideals. One was even quoted as saying “the universe had so much more to offer than anyone could ever imagine.” This helped quell the public outcry and allowed the government to take on the other %40 of the cost.
The ACI immediately began the long planned construction of the largest ship Aeris had ever seen. They called it, The Sirius. This name was given specially to the new ship because its planned course was the recently discovered galaxy the ACI had named Sirius. Two years earlier the ACI sent an unmanned exploratory vessel to the Sirius Galaxy and the data it sent back led scientists to conclude it was home to a somewhat developed planet with vast oceans. The planet dubbed D-217 was a perfect example of a planet that could house some type of living organisms.
Once The Sirius was completed, it was so massive, it literally blocked out the sun when it launched from Aeris for the first time. It’s still talked about today as one of most incredible events in the history of our world. It captured the imaginations of millions and inspired them to join the ACI.
It was specifically designed for long distance travel and most of the free space onboard was utilized for creating oxygen, hydro farming, food storage, and water conversion/storage facilities. The crew could only consist of 2,000 because the journey to planet D-217 in the Sirius Galaxy would take approximately 3 years. It was so complex it took over 1000 people just to operate and pilot The Sirius.
Scientists at the ACI invented something they refer to as suspended animation or stasis five years earlier, but the time was limited. The earliest subjects began to show signs of brain damage if the time spent in stasis was longer than two years. This meant The Sirius would have to support 2,000 men and women for the 2 years of travel and the time spent studying D-217. It was a massive undertaking, requiring methodical planning and vast amounts of wealth.
The majority of the public still believed it would be a complete failure and that the participants would most likely never return. Even though the ACI had proven itself and acquired a mass of private funding, the public still repeatedly tried to put a stop to the mission.
Despite all the protest and doubt, the mission was a complete success. The exploration team had discovered microbial life in every water source on D-217. Astonishingly, it was the same type of life that eventually led to the evolution of our species here on Aeris. It was the most important day for science in the history of the world. It directly led to the ACI receiving unlimited funding from the government and private investors. Shortly after that, the ACI strategically crashed the existing space station into the ocean and began to build a new one.
After 10 years, what they call The Aurora Station was completed. It was large enough to permanently house and support over 40,000 people. The close proximity to our star made solar farming extremely simple and productive. It was a wonder of technological achievement and was yet again met with great public disapproval due to the cost. The public felt that kind of funding should be spent on healing the dwindling atmosphere on Aeris, instead of an “unnecessarily large and advanced” new space station. The ACI argued that the advancement gained from space travel and the possible discovery of new technology or elements could lead to a breakthrough. Otherwise, at the moment, repairing the atmosphere was an impossible task.
At this point the ACI was far beyond the effects of public outcry so they swiftly moved forward with their plans. Once The Aurora was completed they began building more exploration ships. They weren’t quite as large as the original Sirius but were far more advanced and could now support a crew of at least 3,500 for up to 30 years. The ACI had two goals. To search for elements that would aid in repairing the atmosphere and to make contact with advanced civilizations that may be willing to share technology. The original Sirius mission showed that within the first few steps out into a universe so vast it’s incomprehensible; they were able to find the possibility for life. The ACI, along with a large percentage of the population and private investors believed contact with other civilizations was inevitable. These events led to what are now known as The Sirius Missions.
Over the next 20 years the ACI completed 17 long distance journeys to other plants with little success. Useful and interesting minerals, plant life, and more oceans had been discovered, but the true dreams of the ACI seemed to stay just out of reach. Just when the public was reverting back to their old ways of thinking concerning the ACI, The Sirius 4 returned with a groundbreaking discovery.
On its mission to a planet designated R-58, scientists discovered a mineral that could produce more energy than our current technology was able to register. This new mineral turned what was once thought of as pure fantasy, into reality.
After three years of study the ACI was able to use this mineral to produce a protective field around the capital in order to protect everyone from the radiation coming from our star. The only problem was that the mineral found was so rare, they only had enough to power a shield over The Capital for around 30 years.
For a long time our civilization used harmful substances and chemicals to power society and advance. By the time our scientists had developed a way of harnessing our star’s unlimited energy, it was
far too late. The atmosphere on our planet had deteriorated to less than %75. By the time the ACI produced the protective field over the capital, it had dropped below %60.
The entire planet was beginning to suffer. Several different diseases were widespread throughout Aeris, and once the rest of the cities heard about the Capitals protective shield, it caused major political issues. The Capital only contains approximately 12.8 million people; the other 2 billion are forced to live much harsher and shorter lives.
This inevitably led many of the cities on Aeris to join forces in order to overthrow the capital and size the technology for themselves. The attacks lasted for weeks at a time and eventually The Capitals military began to be overrun. After much debate, the ACI’s private militia was forced to get involved, and it only ended in a lot of death and even more suffering.
Once the ACI’s militia joined with The Capital, it gave them a huge technological advantage and the invasions were a complete failure. The ACI continued to promise they were searching for more of this element but the surrounding cities were hesitant to believe they were telling the truth. The treat of them attacking the city again still exists to this day.
Shortly after the fighting ceased, top minds at the ACI had discovered a way to create a crystalized powder that they could combine with the atmosphere. This substance would supposedly restore the
protection from our stars radiation and speed up the healing process. The only predicament was the main mineral needed to produce this substance had been totally depleted during our technological evolution.
The ACI vowed to send out every ship they had in the attempts to find the mineral, chrysos, and help the rest of Aeris. This plan indefinitely stopped the war but tension has long been building up, as over the last 8 years the missions haven’t produced a single piece of chrysos.
Due to the outside cities totally separating themselves from The Capital, they are experiencing widespread poverty and famine. This had led to small public resistance groups forming that constantly attack The Capital to steal food and supplies. In recent times they have even tried to sabotage the power station energizing the protective field out of spite.
The Capital and The ACI have offered to send aid when possible, but it is always refused. The outside peoples have actually developed an intense hatred of The Capital and everyone in it. They believe The ACI is lying and the only reason they don’t have protective fields is because of money and their previous lack of support.
Everything changed about 2 years ago when an unmanned, exploratory ship sent back information on a planet designated X-451. It was in a distant galaxy that had the exact same conditions as Aeris. If it even had a fraction of the chrysos Aeris originally had, a mining mission would be a complete success. The ACI immediately began training a massive off-word mining team and preparing for the estimated 20+ year mission. The Sirius 7 would take approximately 6 years to reach X-451 and they estimated the mining process to take around eight. The amount of chrysos needed was immense; at least 7,000 tons.
My name is Atlas Simon; at the age of 24 I joined the ACI militia academy in order to take part in the Sirius missions. When the ACI announced the plan to fix the atmosphere and the possible 20 year mission, I immediately signed up. I couldn’t help but like the idea of spending years in space and the mission I’d be a part of. I didn’t at all understand how the plan would work, but from the suffering I’d seen, I knew it was something worth risking my life for.
Everyone in The Capital seems to have forgotten what’s going on outside the protective field. The people on the outside have turned into members of an opposing side instead of victims…The citizens of The Capital think of it more as a way to prevent further attacks instead of focusing on the fact that we have the ability to help billions of people. They aren’t directly affected, so it seems they have forgotten the harsh reality of the situation… They aren’t the ones getting sick and dying off in their 50’s… For years I’ve sat out at night and watched the transport ships taking people up to the Aurora Station. I would always try to picture what it would be like to look down on Aeris from so far away, and imagine all the wonders and beauty the universe had to offer. Even when I was just a child I was always interested in the night sky.
Growing up in The Capital had lost its excitement long ago. My parents had recently passed away and I found myself without purpose. I had always heard about the importance of the Sirius missions but had never given it much thought. Life in general had just gotten in the way.
Then one day I found out one of my neighbors (who wasn’t particularly bright) had signed up for the militia in order to take part in the missions. It made me realize I could leave my empty, boring life behind and head for the stars. And right now, the Sirius missions are more important than ever before.
I wasn’t exactly a militia type of guy but it was one of the few ways for someone like me to be a part of The Sirius missions. Only children from very wealthy families were able to attend the science academy and prepare for a career with the ACI. My parents had been well off enough to live in The Capital but the science academy was far from their reach.
Years ago the ACI had decided to create its own military force, specially trained for “off-word” affairs. They would be the first sent down to any foreign planet to make sure it was safe for the science and archaeology teams. They were also trained in ways of diplomacy as they would be the first to contact any other species encountered. Due to my personality profile and performance record, I had been specifically assigned to be a first encounter specialist.
My job was basically to befriend any potential new allies and represent the Aeris government in a peaceful and intelligent fashion. Once a safe environment had been confirmed, others with more qualifications and knowledge would be sent to take my place. In a way it was like being a food tester for rulers in ancient times… it could get you killed. To me, it just sounded interesting and exciting.
The training lasted for 3 years and was intensely serious. We all had to be in peak physical condition and health. In fact anyone who tested positive for the possibility of future genetic ailments could not qualify for the ACI. They were extremely strict and selective.
I don’t expect to encounter any intelligent life. Simply due to the fact that The Sirius missions have been taking place for years and none has been found to date. I do believe it will eventually happen, just in the distant future. I have always thought about the question of intelligent life in the universe as a very simple one. I say if we exist here on Aeris, it would have to be crazy to think life couldn’t form on other planets as well. Really, there are many reasons I chose to take part in the Sirius missions and that’s why today I’ll be going to The Aurora for the first time.
When I arrived at the ACI launch facility just outside the Capital, it was ablaze with life. It was easy to tell they were preparing for our mission. Every few minutes transport ships were taking off for The Aurora and everyone seemed to be in a big rush. I had never actually been in space so the excitement only added to what I was already feeling. I couldn’t wait to head up to the Aurora and be able look down on Aeris for the first time. I had always heard the sight of it will change your life forever… Someone once told me – “It would make you realize your insignificant place in what we have deemed the universe.”
I walked for what seemed like forever, the complex was bigger than I had ever imagined. I could really feel that I was somewhere important. The impressiveness of the whole operation made me feel at ease; these people definitely knew what they were doing. My nerves vanished and were immediately replaced with the same excitement and curiosity I felt in my youth while looking up at the sky, wondering what might be out there.
As I approached the transport section I came upon an ocean of people, literally as far as I could see. Announcements were coming from all different directions – “science division gate 1, engineering gate 2, health division gate 3, ACI officers and general crew members gate 4, All militia personnel gate 5, mining operations gate 6, general maintenance gate 7”.
I made my way over to the militia loading gate and looked for familiar faces. I had made a few friends at the academy but I had no idea if any of them signed up for the mission to X-451. Surprisingly, as I got closer I immediately spotted my longtime friend, Kayin. He had trained alongside me as a militia technician, so I could only assume he’d be in charge of equipment operation and repairs while in the field.
I snuck up behind him and slapped him on the back – “Tighten up soldier!” He jumped and turned around. When he saw me his eyes lit up and he starting laughing, then he said “Oh I’m so happy to see you man, this is going to be way better with you here.” We shook hands and I replied “First thing I did was start looking for someone I knew… gotta say I’m happy it’s you instead of Silas or Zara. I love those two guys but they could get you killed.” - We both laughed.
Kayin and I were the same age; we even joined the academy the same month. He was bigger, stronger and faster than I was. He always got near perfect scores in marksmanship and was a technical genius. I was thoroughly happy and relieved to know he’d have my back. If we got assigned to the same unit he would definitely be accompanying me for any type of first contact. Hopefully I could use my position to influence it to happen, even if that wasn’t the case.
We stood around a talked about old ti
mes for a while, laughing it up as we always have. Soon after a man came out to make an announcement – “All militia will begin boarding the transports in less than five minutes!” When I looked over at Kayin, I could tell he was even more ready to go than I was. As always, he was the inspiring type of guy. He was the one who would always jump first. I on the other hand was cautious and meticulous, which is most likely why I’m a first encounter specialist. Funny that I’m called a “specialist” because we’ve never made contact… therefore such a thing can’t exist yet.
As the line started to move, my excitement only grew. It was strange to think I could be gone for years, but at the same time it was just fine because there was no one waiting for me. It would be interesting to see how much Aeris would change after such a long period of time, especially since I’d be in stasis and wouldn’t age. From my own perspective you could almost say it would be like time travel.
It was finally getting to the point where Kayin and I would be in the next group going up to the Aurora Station. Within minutes I would be boarding a transport ship for the first time. I started to get a sick feeling in my stomach but I knew it wasn’t from nerves… Just then the man controlling the boarding process said “next group!”… As I walked through the doors out to the departure area I realized that from this moment on my life would never be the same… It would be extraordinary.
When we boarded the transport ship, Kayin and I immediately began a struggle for a window seat. He of course won, so I just went to the back and found another seat. There was no way I was missing out on the view of Aeris from space. Once we got to The Aurora, Aeris would barely be distinguishable.
The Aurora was about ten times further away than the moon. It was a safety precaution in case something ever went wrong with the new technology the ACI was using to power The Aurora. They had found a way to draw immense amounts of energy directly from subspace. A rumor spread throughout The Capital, that if it were to ever detonate the explosion could seriously affect Aeris. The ACI claims it isn’t true, but to silence the protestors they agreed to operate at a “safe” distance.
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