Tara

by J G Possum

  Mike and his team completed River Road all the way to the ocean. He than turned south and followed the shoreline. Frank suggested they blaze a path using two ATV’S. He would ride in one and Mike in the other; they would advance side by side, cutting the heavy growth with the lasers as they went. The work crew could finish up River Road at the beach. They started out making good progress, staying close to the shore, following the high ground that had less vegetation; after a couple hours, they reached the area that was designated for the city. They stopped to look around. The area was covered in heavy growth that ran from the edge of the beach up to the dense jungle with larger trees. At this point the land sloped upwards into the foothills.

  The big cat crouched as low to the ground as he could, inching forward a few feet at a time, stopping at intervals to stay concealed in the tall grass. Through the slight openings between the heavy ferns, he could clearly see the tall creature standing almost upright reaching for the branches of a tree that had fruit. His tail twitched.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Frank, observing the area, noticed some movement in the tall grass to his right. He motioned to Mike to look where he pointed. He scanned the area with his field glasses; that’s when he saw the huge creature standing upright at the edge of the foothills near the tree line rising above the heavy growth. All of a sudden, Mike saw the big cat cutting through the high grass like a streak. It leaped high into the air and landed partially on the back of the Tarasaurus, which let out a loud scream.

  Without a second thought, Frank leveled the mounted laser and fired a quick burst, hitting the big cat high on its shoulders. The Tarasaurus leaped forward, ripping the big cat off its back with his powerful arm, and in an instant crushed its neck with his huge jaws. He then raised himself to his full height and looked straight at Frank, who was standing upright, motionless.

  Frank lowered the laser and signaled Mike to freeze, waving his hand in a downward motion. Frank raised his arms high above his head and didn’t move. The Tarasaurus seemed to recognize that Frank came to his aid. It waited a while, then turned and went back to feeding from the fruit on the tree. Finally the great beast returned to the jungle. Frank waited for a while to be sure there were no other big cats in the area.

  Frank carefully approached the small clearing. Mike, in the other ATV, followed close behind. They both were on high alert. The big cat was lying on its back, dead. You could smell the odor of blood, jungle grass, and burnt flesh. Frank could see where the laser hit. The cat was dead before the creature broke its neck. Mike said, “That was a hell of a shot--weren’t you worried you might hit the Tarasaurus?”

  Frank smiled and replied, “A piece of cake.” He knew it was a risky.

  They looked around, making sure they were alone, then took some pictures and measurements. The big cat was about twelve feet long from its head to the end of its tail. It had two six-inch fangs and large, muscular shoulders. A killing machine….Frank wondered how many more big cats were in the area. He assumed they were natural enemies of the Tarasaurus. They seemed to live in the high mountains and probably came to the valley to feed. The two of them carefully evaluated the area selected for the city. The area was mostly flat grassland with some large trees and good drainage. There were a few hills and some depressions.

  The area was mostly covered with three- to six-foot growth and a lot of tall grass. Mike suggested they bring the Saber Cat back to the ship, but it was too heavy for them to lift. Frank said, “Leave it here; that’s the best thing to do.”

  They decided to head back to River Road, following the path along the shoreline. They connected with the work crew and headed west back toward the ship. Ashley and Lance listened intently as Frank and Mike described what happened along the ocean shoreline. Mike decided they would need a large work crew to complete the beach road and clear the one hundred acres, and it would take a long time to complete; also the jungle would keep growing back.

  Lance replied, “I have a suggestion. I believe we need to develop our city at a slower rate a little at a time--we are not in a hurry. The first thing to do is construct a wide road that follows the shoreline and runs from the river south about two miles. We can have one hundred lots on the beach side, all having two-hundred-foot frontage facing the ocean and one hundred lots across the road.

  “The lots across the road could be for commercial use as we develop the area. This way, as we advance south, completing the road, we could start building homes sooner before the rainy season.”

  Everyone agreed. Lance said to Mike, “Do you have enough men to do the job?”

  Mike replied, “I can do that, Captain; it makes sense.”

  Lois said, “I’ll draw up a construction plan showing the building lots. We can call this road Oceanfront Drive. I’ll file the proposed city plan for future consideration.”

  Frank said, “I’ll assign guards to protect the workers.”

  Lance was pleased. He said, “I’m working on setting up our government with our mission support team. I’ll let you know when we have a decision. In the meantime, let’s build Oceanfront Drive.”

  Walter called Ross and discussed sun power. The Eron had developed a sensitive film that improved the efficiency of the sun panels. Walter decided the best approach would be to set up a grid network using electricity from a wind farm, combined with sun cells and advanced fuel cells for the main power source. Each individual dwelling should also have independent power.

  Walter felt they could develop a system with sun-powered hydrogen fuel cells for power storage, and there was plenty of dependable wind each day to have a wind farm. There also was plenty of sunlight to support a sun panel farm. In the future they could build a dam and use hydroelectric power. He would discuss his ideas with the mission support team. Ross had agreed to send him a couple of sun cells with the development data, for his evaluation and possible use. Ashley thanked Frank and Mike for their contribution. Sue continued to manufacture building materials at the rock quarry. Ashley was busy planning forward expansion--they needed to decide how to assign the building lots.

  She said to Lance, “Do you think it fair that each one of the crew receive a building lot to start with?”

  Lance replied, “No, I think each member of our crew, including the operations team, should be granted a specific amount of credits to do with as they please--if they want to build, it will be their decision. Each credit can be exchanged for currency when we establish a monetary system. We need to set a value for each building lot. Married couples should have priority, to encourage family planing.”

  Lance said, “I still believe we need to establish a government in accordance with our government charter as our first priority. I’ll talk with the mission support team; they should have evaluated the proposed charter by now.”

  Lance called a meeting with the operations crew and the mission support team. They had a decision to make.

  It was decided that the government charter be adopted as written and that the government be established using the best-qualified people available. After a lengthy discussion, the following personnel were appointed to the required positions unanimously by all present:

  Lance Roberts: Commander in Chief

  Ashley Roberts: Vice Commander

  Walter Walker: Director of Operations and Ambassador

  Lois Walker: Director of Finance and Development

  Mike Adams: Director of Transportation and Construction

  Frank Warren: Director of Security

  Terry Warren: Director of Laws

  Sue Adams: Director of Manufacturing

  Hikaru Moto: Director of Agriculture

  Mila Johnson: Director of Health and Welfare

  Jonah Johnson: Chief Medical Advisor

  Lance thanked everyone and said, “I will do my best to guide and serve our people.” He turned to Ashley and said, “Post a copy of the government charter for all to see, and include the list of appointed officials that will run our government. Also, call a meet
ing of all personnel available at 1000 tomorrow morning in the auditorium.”

  The next morning Lance addressed the entire crew. “I am pleased to tell you that we have developed a government charter for the Nation of Earthland. It will be posted for all to see. We also have selected our government using the best-qualified people that we have. In the future, we will conduct a national vote of all citizens to fill these positions, after the first term. The government center will be located on Deck Three. We will use the control center, which will be modified as required.

  “The directors will plan our development and our workforce as needed. All personnel shall be considered civilians and shall be assigned specific positions available that they are qualified for, and paid accordingly. Andy will keep all personnel records and post open positions. Available currency can be exchanged for credits. We are working on a proposed system as follows: Credits will be issued until a monetary system can be established. Initially all personnel will be awarded fifty thousand credits each, to do with as they please. A central bank will be established, and everyone will have an account and an official bank card. The laws of the land will be selected in accordance with the government charter and enforced. Everyone will be treated fairly and with respect. This is the fundamentals of the future for the human race.

  “I encourage each of you to consider marriage and raising a family. Married couples will receive priority concerning building lot selection. Our main road, which we call River Road, is now open all the way to the ocean. This road will be surfaced and completed as time permits. At the oceanfront, we will construct a new road.

  “The new road will be called Oceanfront Drive. This road will follow the shoreline, and two-hundred-foot-wide lots will be available for private use. Selected lots will be available for commercial use. Please understand, all this takes time and is subject to change as we make progress, but I said I would keep you informed. The directors will be working hard to resolve all issues. As you know, we have hostile creatures around us; however, we seem to have some kind of understanding with the largest creature, which we call Tarasaurus. They leave us alone and we leave them alone. Do not harm them under any conditions unless in self-defense. I cannot stress this enough.”

  Lance smiled and continued, “I know you have many questions. Please contact the directors as applicable. We will do our best to resolve any issues you may have. We thank you for your patience.”

  Everyone stood up and clapped and cheered their approval. Lance and Ashley left the auditorium and let the directors field the questions; they wanted some time to themselves to unwind. They both had been under a lot of stress.

  Back in their apartment, Lance took Ashley in his arms and kissed her passionately. They removed each other’s clothes a piece at a time and crawled into their bed. Ashley said, “Honey, would you like a home on the ocean?”

  Lance said, “I look forward to it.”

  Walter and Lois answered most of the questions. “Yes, credits will be issued as soon as possible. A monetary system will be established during the coming month. The price of lots will be determined after lots are established. Yes, you will continue to work at your present job until reassigned. No, you don’t have to take a job you don’t want; however, everyone will have a job. Yes, you can apply for open jobs, if you qualify. Yes, you can live here in your apartment as long as you want, but you will pay a fair rental fee, to be determined.”

  Walter and Lois finally left the auditorium. They could hardly wait to hold each other--it had been quite a day. Finally, the auditorium emptied out and everyone settled down for the evening. The next morning, Mike started a team to help work at the stone quarry preparing a special concrete mix to finish River Road. They would start by pouring an improved landing pad near the ship.

  Sue started paving the area beneath the ship, including the pads under the ships supports. The supports had been locked in place to improve stabilization. River Road was useable but would be paved starting at the ship and progress to the ocean, Sue would be in charge while Mike worked on Oceanfront Drive.

  Lois was involved in redesigning the control center into the government center and was working with Ashley for requirements. The Aquarius would be the government center, until the new city was completed in the distant future as agreed.

  Mike and Frank drove their ATV’s to the shore, along with two trucks full of available workers and armed soldiers. They looked the area over carefully and decided the best route for Oceanfront Drive was to follow the shoreline along the high ground about thirty feet above the beach. The vegetation was not as thick, and the ground was mostly hard sand and rocks.

  Mike said, “I want to keep the trees that are not directly in our path.” Frank nodded agreement. Frank scanned the area for wildlife. It was clear except for small animals and wild birds.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Mike’s workers checked out the heavy equipment that was parked overnight. Frank posted a few guards and climbed into his ATV. He inspected his laser; it was ready. Mike did the same. They set up next to each other and started from River Road driving south, cutting down the growth as they went. The sun was bright, and the sky was clear. Mike thought, What a beautiful planet this is--it’s ideal. Frank constantly watched the jungle area around them for signs of movement. He was happy they decided to build along the shore. This would help speed construction in a big way and allow the wildlife to move out.

  Frank said, “Maybe the Tarasaurus will move further back into the jungle.”

  After cutting down approximately a mile of growth, they returned to River Road to allow the road crew to advance forward and remove the cut foliage. Mike found that it was necessary to rake, grade, put down gravel and compress it with a heavy roller as you advanced, or the vegetation would quickly grow back. Working with efficiency, they could construct five hundred feet of road in five days, ready to be surfaced.

  Considering the days were short and they needed to be back at the ship before dusk, Mike felt they were doing fine. Mike said, “Frank, what do you think about extending Oceanfront Drive? We could follow the shoreline north to the river.”

  Frank thought about it and said, “Better sooner than later. I think we should consider a future bridge--maybe even a dam for hydroelectric power, and certainly a seaport.”

  Mike laughed and said, “Hold on; you’re going to wear me out.”

  Frank continued with a smile, “I do think we should include the river front, and you could build a nice dock with a boat landing that we could develop.”

  Later that evening, they talked about constructing a large building. The building would be located on River Road at the intersection of Oceanfront Drive. Back at the government center, they discussed it with Ashley and Lois; it would be used to store building materials and garage some of the heavy equipment and various other uses as needed. The building was approved, and Lois agreed to draw up the plans. Ashley agreed to extend Oceanfront Drive and build a small dock along the riverfront.

  Walter talked with Lance, “I like the plan for Oceanfront Drive, we also need to run a power line, a water pipe, a sewer drain pipe, and a cable for communications alongside Oceanfront Drive on the west side for future use while it’s under development.

  Lance replied, “Check with Lois; she is drawing up the plans for Oceanfront Drive and she will want your input.”

  Walter said, “With your approval, Lance, I would like to use Andy as our government secretary. He could keep track of all personnel assignments and records, including job descriptions.”

  Lance replied, “You read my mind. I was going to talk to you about the same thing; I agree with you on this.”

  Lois was up to her ears in plans to redesign the control center. She sat with the engineering team and discussed setting up a monetary system. She found a banking expert, Martha Holmes, and appointed her secretary of the treasury in charge of the central bank, and charged her with the task of designing and issuing credit certificates to be used until currency could
be printed and minted as necessary. She would also establish the government treasury.

  As director, Lois had control over the monetary system. She learned from Walter how to delegate authority and get things done. Lois said to Martha, “You will need to establish a tax system to provide government revenue. Hire whoever you need, such as an engraver, printer, metal workers etc. I would like a plan for my review as soon as possible. I’ll support you.”

  She discussed her plan with Andy, so he could update his records. She contacted Sue Adams and suggested they needed to construct a central bank, to be located at ground level.

  Lois continued, “The central bank could be located in the shopping center under the ship for easy access. We will need a special hardened safe for the treasury reserve, which should be located on Deck One for safety.”

  The date was 05-01-502. Lance and Ashley were having breakfast in the government lounge. The control center had been remodeled, and each of the directors had an office. A conference room with a large round table was established, and all the apartments were updated. The government was up and running. The Aquarius was the government center, and everyone had a job assignment.

  Lance said, “Ashley, I still would like to get away for a while. Let’s take a trip to the ocean.”

  She said, “Sounds good to me. Let’s take a boat down the river.”

  Smiling, Lance replied, “I’ll have Andy find us a big inflatable.”

  Andy found a fourteen-footer and had it inflated and put on a small trailer. Lance changed into casual clothes, took a hand laser and his com phone and joined Ashley, who had packed a small lunch. The boat was waiting for them when they came down the ramp.

  Lance told Walter what he was doing. Walter said, “You both need a break. Have fun, and I don’t need to tell you--be careful.”

  Lance replied, “I’ll keep in touch. Andy can drive us to the river, where we’ll launch the boat. He can pick us up at the riverfront next to the ocean around 1600 this afternoon. Mike has a landing on the river at the beginning of Oceanfront Drive. Ashley and I will review the area operations and then return here. You’re in charge.”