Tara

by J G Possum

  You could construct any size building you wanted by selecting the length of the truss. You could then enclose the structure with prefabricated Kyrex panels and blocks. Mike was pleased to hear the news. He said, “Honey, you did good, but I have some bad news for you--we may have an epidemic on our hands. If Mila doesn’t find out why so many people are sick soon, we will all be in big trouble.”

  Sue replied, “I haven’t felt good lately. I feel weak and sick to my stomach, and I’m flushed.”

  Mike quickly replied, “Go see Mila now--right away.”

  In Erona, Walter and Ross had set up the laser and were ready to cut into the rock base. Ross focused the laser cross-hairs on the rock wall, exactly where he wanted a two-foot hole and pressed the trigger. The laser shot a red light at the rock, and the material disappeared before their eyes. The hole expanded as the laser rotated in a circle, the depth of the hole controlled by the power adjustment on the laser.

  When the hole was the right size, Ross released the trigger. Ross looked at Walter and said, “I’m impressed--that was great.”

  Walter replied, “Good job.”

  Ross looked around; his men had watched the procedure and were talking about it with each other. They signaled to Walter with hand signs that indicated appreciation.

  Back on Earthland, Ashley wrote the first draft of the government charter and reviewed it with Lois.

  CHARTER OF THE GOVERNMENT

  FOR THE NATION OF EARTHLAND

  A GOVERNMENT BY AND FOR THE HUMAN PEOPLE:

  ARTICLE 1

  THE EXECUTIVE POWER SHALL BE VESTED IN A COMMANDER-IN- CHIEF ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE EVERY FOUR YEARS. HE SHALL APPOINT A VICE COMMANDER OF HIS CHOICE.

  ARTICLE 2

  THE LEGISLATIVE POWER SHALL BE VESTED IN EIGHT DIRECTORS, ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE EVERY THREE YEARS.

  DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF ALL OPERATIONS, POWER, WATER, COMMUNICATIONS, AND AMBASSADOR TO ERONA.

  DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT: RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING: A MONETARY SYSTEM, PRINT AND COIN MONEY AND REGULATING ITS VALUE, THE TREASURY, BANKING, TAXES, REVENUE, CITY PLANNING, AND EXPANSION.

  DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION AND CONSTRUCTION: RESPONSIBLE FOR ROADS AND CITY DEVELOPMENT.

  DIRECTOR OF SECURITY: RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTION OF THE PEOPLE, THE ARMED SERVICE, DEFENSE, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW.

  DIRECTOR OF LAWS: RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING THE LAWS OF THE LAND AND THEIR INTERPRETATION, AND ESTABLISHING A TRIBUNAL OF THREE JUDGES, TO RESOLVE DISPUTES.

  DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS.

  DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PRODUCTION, TRADE, AND COMMERCE.

  DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, WELFARE AND SAFETY.

  ARTICLE 3

  THIS CHARTER MAY BE AMENDED BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE, TO INCLUDE THE COMMANDER, THE VICE COMMANDER, AND THE EIGHT DIRECTORS.

  ARTICLE. 4

  THE PEOPLE’S RIGHTS:

  FREEDOM OF RELIGION.

  FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

  FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY, EXCLUDING OBSTRUCTION.

  THE RIGHT TO OWN LAND, ANIMALS AND PROPERTY.

  THE RIGHT TO CARRY WEAPONS FOR SELF-DEFENSE.

  FREEDOM FROM UNREASONABLE SEARCH AND SEIZURE.

  THE RIGHT TO A FAIR AND SPEEDY TRIAL BY A TRIBUNAL.

  FREEDOM FROM CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT.

  FREEDOM FROM BIGOTRY AND PREJUDICE.

  FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY.

  Ashley presented the charter to Lance for his comments. Lance reviewed the charter and thought, This is what we need--we can amend it if we need to. He said to Ashley, “You and Lois have done a great job. It looks like you covered the bases and thought it through. Send a copy to the mission support team, to evaluate. I like to keep it simple and easy to understand. We will need to carefully select our best people for each position.”

  Sue directed her team to press the juice out of the Kyrex plants and spread the pulp in an area to dry out in the sun. She went directly to the clinic and talked with Marty.

  “I’ve had a problem lately with an upset stomach, and I’ve lost my strength,” she said.

  Mila checked her out and said, “Sue, you have a fever. I think you are coming down with the illness I’ve been working on.”

  Jonah entered the clinic, and said, “Hi, Sue.”

  Mila replied, “We just picked up eight more patients, and I think Sue has whatever it is. So far it doesn’t appear to be contagious; thank God for that. The only common factor I can find is working outside.” Mila checked Sue for any sign of a scratch or insect bite, and announced, “Sue, have you been bothered with mosquitoes?”

  Sue replied, “Lately, I have--in fact I have an itch on the back of my neck.”

  Mila examined the area and said, “Sue, I would like to take a small amount of blood from your skin, in this area.”

  Sue replied, “Help yourself.”

  Mila told Sue to go to her apartment and get in bed; she needed rest. She said to Jonah, “The patients in the infirmary can be returned to their apartments--have the nurses look after them.” Jonah agreed.

  Mila went to the medical laboratory and said, “Check this sample, and somebody get me some live mosquitoes--I think they may be the source of a virus.” She called Ashley. “I think we may have a virus caused by infected mosquitoes; to be safe, I will have the area around the ship sprayed.”

  Ashley replied, “I’ll have everybody return to the ship before dusk. Do we have any mosquito repellent?”

  Mila replied, “I believe we have a couple of cases on board. Have everyone working outside wear long-sleeved clothing and high socks.”

  Ashley called Mike and brought him up to date, she assured him that Sue would be alright and not to worry. Mila notified Ashley “The number of infected personnel has now risen to forty-eight, which comprises over twenty percent of the crew. We have an epidemic.”

  The word was spread throughout the ship, and the crew was alerted. Hikaru and Takeo so far seemed to be alright, and the garden was doing fine; the plants were growing at an extremely fast rate.

  On Erona, Ross and Walter were continuing the work at the dam. The hole Ross cut into the rock was carefully examined; no sign of micro cracks was present. Ross said to Walter, “Ambassador, I believe this problem is resolved.”

  Walter was glad his suggestion worked. He said to Ross, “You need to test the finished work, but I believe it should hold.”

  Zor was delighted to hear the good news. He said, “Ambassador Walker, you are a good man. The Eron people thank you, and I thank you. What can we do for you?”

  Walter replied “Your excellency, you already have helped us more than you know. The use of Kyrex for construction is greatly appreciated. To share this planet with your great people is an honor.” They were seated at the round table in the great room at the palace. Walter said to Ross, “Could you explain your power generation system to me?”

  Ross smiled and said, “The dam we are working on will be used to generate power for our city.”

  Walter replied, “I thought you used fusion generators.”

  “No, Ambassador, we stopped using that power two hundred years ago; it was damaging our planet. We presently use conversion panels powered by our sun, and wind generators powered by our winds.” Walter thanked him.

  General Urgon asked, “Ambassador Walker, how many lasers do your people have?”

  Walter replied, “Sir, you would have to ask that question of Captain Roberts, but we have many types.”

  Zor looked sharply at his general, and he sat further back in his chair.

  Mila stared into the microscope. The virus was present in a higher number of blood cells from the sample she obtained from Sue. Several lab techs reported that some of the mosquitoes they tested showed the same virus. She now was sure of the source. She thought, It’s the mosquitoes. All we need is to find a cure before everyone is sick. Mila took pictures of the virus cell structure in the blood samples that she had prepared. She brought them
to Andy and asked, “Andy is it possible to have Aqua evaluate and compare these pictures to known virus cells that may be in the computer memory banks? I need to identify the strain and develop a cure.”

  Andy replied, “I’ll go to work on it at once, Doctor.”

  While Andy worked with the main computer, Mila returned to the medical laboratory and searched her medical files for mosquito-borne diseases from past history. The problem was that everything about Tara was new and different. Should she try working with known cures?

  Andy returned to the medical laboratory. “Doctor, Aqua has found what you were looking for. I printed it out.”

  Mila took the paper and reviewed the analysis. The virus was similar to yellow fever, only a much milder, early strain. She quickly evaluated the treatment that had been used. She decided a similar treatment would have a high probability of success using a mild dose.

  She had the laboratory technicians prepare the serum, and she tested her analysis. The results was positive; she had the cure. She said, “What they really need is a lot of rest.” She ordered a mild vaccine prepared for the crew. Mila called Lance and said, “Captain, I’m pleased to inform you we have located the source of the illness that has infected some of the crew. It is a mosquito virus similar to yellow fever, only a mild version.”

  Lance replied, “What can we do about it?”

  Mila replied, “I have given all the patients an antidote and a vaccine is being prepared. What they really need is two or three days’ rest. As soon as the vaccine is prepared, we will vaccinate the entire crew.”

  Lance told Ashley, and she immediately notified the crew.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Mike had River Road under control, and with Sue laid up for a few days, he went to the rock quarry and evaluated the castings she had made. He liked the design of the truss. He noticed the Kyrex pulp that had dried out in the sun, spread out on a tarp.

  He called Sue. “Honey, how are you feeling?”

  She said, “You know me; nothing keeps me down for long. I miss you today and I want to get back to work. I’ll be all right in a few more days--I’m lucky.”

  Mike said, “What were you doing with the Kyrex pulp?”

  She replied, “I thought if it was dried out, pulverized, and added to the Kyrex mixture it would make a lighter weight truss or panel. The blocks are alright the way they are.”

  Mike was impressed. He said, “You hit it out of the park, honey. I’ll have a team work on it.”

  Mike directed five men to set up a furnace and develop glass panels needed for windows. There would be plenty of white beach sand available when River Road reached the ocean.

  Mike selected a team of twenty experienced men to find, cut, and bring logs to an area next to the stone quarry and set up a lumber mill. He assigned several carpenters the task of designing and building an additional structure for the storage of materials. The team working on the Kyrex was directed to manufacture building blocks and panels for building homes. Sue would want to develop larger angle trusses and insulating panels herself.

  Mike called Ashley and said, “River Road is moving along. We have two miles completed. We are working on building materials for the construction of homes. The Kyrex material is going to be great; we are experimenting with various mixes for specific uses.”

  Ashley replied, “That’s good news. Sorry about Sue, but she’ll be fine. Mila has a vaccine. Have all your people vaccinated right away.”

  Mike replied, “Already in process--we started this morning.”

  Ashley said, “Good to hear. Lois and I have the layout for our city. When you get back to the ship, stop by and we can talk about it.”

  Mike said, “Could you have the Mission Support Team develop a small power generator we can use to power individual homes and buildings, as needed. Do we want a power grid?”

  Ashley replied, “You must have read my mind. Walter is working on it as we speak. He is talking with Ross, the Eron chief engineer.”

  Mike said, “Thanks, Ashley. I’ll stop by in the morning before I go out to work on River Road.”

  Walter called Lance. “Captain, we used the laser at the dam. The laser worked as planned. Ross, was able to cut the hole in the rock face without micro-fractures. The dam can now move forward. Zor is delighted. I discussed power generation with Ross, he told me the Eron stopped using fusion power two hundred years ago. They didn’t want to affect the ecology of the planet. They are presently using highly efficient sun-powered panels and wind-powered generators. When the dam is completed, they will start using hydroelectric power on a grid network, as well.”

  Lance thanked him and said, “It’s time for you to come home. Ask Zor if he could send an aircraft to deliver you and pick up Ambassador Tron. I need you back here for now. We have a lot of work to do. When things settle down, we can send you back, if you want to go. In the meantime, you shall remain the ambassador to Erona, and my chief engineer.”

  Walter was surprised. he couldn’t wait to tell Lois. He would miss being in Erona, but he would rather be with Lois and his friends back in Earthland.

  Walter said, “Thanks, Lance. This is a good time to return. I’ll explain to Zor this morning.” Walter contacted Lois. “Honey, I just talked to Lance. I’m coming home.”

  Lois replied, “When?”

  He answered, “As soon as I can arrange a flight, I’ll let you know.”

  Lois was overjoyed--to her, it had been a long time. Walter visited Ross. He told him he needed to return to his ship, and he would like to talk to Zor. Ross set up a meeting.

  Walter said to Zor, “Your excellency, I recently talked to Captain Roberts, and he needs me back at the ship. He asked if I could return in one of your aircraft and Tron could return back to Erona. I will remain the ambassador to Erona and later in the future, if you want, I could return here for a specified time. Tron shall continue to be the Ambassador to Earthland, at your discretion. We will continue to work together and stay in communication.

  Zor consulted with his council and replied, “I’m sure you were greatly missed in Earthland and you would like to return to your wife. Now that we have a working relationship, I’m certain we can continue to make progress together. You are welcome to return here whenever you feel the need. Please stay in contact with Ross and Tron. I shall ask Tron to return to Erona. Thank you again for your help with our dam. We would like to keep your laser a while longer, until we progress further with the dam. You may leave tomorrow.”

  The Eron airplane dropped out of the sky and landed on the pad next to the Aquarius.

  Lance, Ashley, Lois, and Tron were waiting. Lance said to Walter “It’s good to see you, take the rest of the day off. I’m sure you and Lois have a lot to catch up on.”

  Ambassador Tron said, “Thank you, Captain. I enjoyed being here, and I hope to return soon. Tell Andy I’ll miss our conversations together.”

  Lance replied, “You are always welcome, Ambassador.”

  Tron climbed into the aircraft and departed for Erona. Lance and Ashley returned to the control center. Everyone was happy. A week passed, the crew was over the yellow fever scare, and the garden was growing beyond belief. Hikaru and Takeo could barely keep up with the growth. River Road was within a mile of the ocean shoreline.

  Mike had reviewed the city layout with Lois and Ashley, and they decided to keep the avenues parallel with the beach to simplify construction. They did not want to enter the rainy season with partially built structures and half-built roads.

  Mike expected River Road to be usable in another week. He would then turn south and follow the ocean shoreline for a mile. He had already sent a team to the area to clear away the foliage. He would need about one hundred acres cleared, all the topsoil removed and piled up, and the ground graded and staked out for roads and lots. It was a major project, and he would need the entire road crew. He might be able to use a few more men from the logging team if things went well. Sue had recovered from the virus and was gettin
g stronger every day. The team at the rock quarry had been able to cast about fifty angle trusses, using the new mixture of Kyrex with the pulverized pulp, all having a twenty-five-foot span. The new trusses were much lighter in weight and easier to handle. Mike was impressed with the design and the ease of construction they presented.

  They also poured over two hundred building blocks using the standard Kyrex mixture. Sue developed a lightweight insulated panel for construction using Kyrex and material from a newly found plant that had a cell-like structure, containing pockets of air. The team had assembled a furnace made from a type of asbestos stone and made some glass panels. Sue wasn’t satisfied and was working on improving the process. She wanted a clearer glass for window panels. She experimented with different percentages of potash, lime, and various other minerals, including the use of pure white sand.

  Finally she called Mike and said, “My wonderful husband, guess what I did. I have made the most perfect windows you have ever seen. Absolutely clear, clean glass, and with a little tempering it will be difficult to break and easy to work with.”

  Mike replied, “My sweet, it’s good to have you back, feeling better and in a good mood. I am going to reach the ocean today and I’ll bring you a sea shell tonight.”

  Sue said, “I can hardly wait, you big strong man.”

  Mike thought, She is one in a million.

  Lance was glad to have Walter back. He needed to design a wind farm to supply power for the new city, along with solar panels. Walter felt great; he and Lois were happy, and the future looked good. He talked with Lance and said, “I’ll contact Ross and ask him about the sun panels they use. They may be better than what we have.” Lance agreed.