Kennedy lifts a small flap on his console and waits. The sub-light engine controller does, however, require someone to activate it. He places a hand on the switch and says, “I will activate the sub-light engines as soon as the board is green.”
Adams enables the ship wide communications, and announces “To all hands, this is your captain speaking. In less than two minutes, we will be arriving at New Earth. I expect this to be a rough ride people. Repair crews stand by.”
Frank glances at Adams with concern on his face. Until they reduce to speeds slower than light, they will not know exactly where they are. The Liberty’s onboard telemetry systems have proven useless, thus they have been unable to get an exact fix on their location. If their flight path is off by even by a fraction of a degree, they could find themselves a long way off target.
“Ten... Nine...” Kennedy’s voice seems especially loud as he sounds out the countdown. “Three... Two... One...”
Liberty’s systems shut down the main drive, dropping her almost instantly to sub-light speeds. Everyone on board is suddenly and violently thrown forward. A ripple begins at the front of the ship, and almost like a wave, rolls down its outer hull. Adams stares transfixed at the screen before him. Hull plates buckle and bend, some are forcefully ejected from the ship. Alarms sound, each one indicating a new system failure or hull breach.
Inside the Liberty, things are fairing no better. Deck plating also buckles and bends as the ship’s systems are too slow to compensate for the speed change. The phenomenon travels through the ship toward the bridge area. Adams grips his armrests in fear as he watches the shockwave approach. Damn, he thinks, Joe said they had some minor buckling, but this is insane. The forward view screen shatters, suddenly cutting off his thoughts, and showers everyone with chunks of safety glass. Almost immediately, Kennedy, Frank, and Adams, are roughly jostled as the very deck beneath their feet lifts, then drops.
Bulkheads throughout the ship close, or attempt to. The ship’s structure is so badly damaged in places that many of these protective bulkheads are either unable to move, or do so ineffectively. Fortunately, most of the bulkheads closest to the outer hull were sealed months ago.
From the outside of the ship, things look even worse. Gas vents from numerous places, while the ship itself, seems almost twisted. The water trapped in the lower decks vents forcefully into space through hundreds of tiny fractures, adding to the macabre scene.
Kennedy shouts over the din, “Activating sub-light engines.”
Frank is also busy, he flips a series of switches on his own panel, then says loudly, “Liberty calling Terran, we have arrived, and are in need of immediate assistance.”
Adams cannot believe the noise the ship is making, as the flexing metal creaks and groans. He stares at the useless screen before him, wipes blood from his forehead where he is cut, then says with urgency, “Where the hell are we?”
Kennedy turns to Adams, fear on his face, “We’re close to a planet, too close. Damn, we’re caught in its gravity well. I think it’s New Earth, but I can’t be sure.”
Kennedy engages the Liberty’s thrusters, while he frantically attempts to use the sub-light engines to bank them away from the impending collision. The end result is a horrendous noise from somewhere aft of the bridge; the ship’s twisted frame buckles even further.
A new alarm suddenly blares on the bridge. Frank stares at his console, mortified for a few seconds before declaring, “The hull is so badly compromised we can’t maintain atmospheric pressure.”
Adams issues his orders, “Take us down, we don’t have a choice!”
Kennedy does his best to level the ship, then shuts off the sub-light engines. He activates the ship’s gravity drive, and immediately feels a renewed series of vibrations emanating from below his feet. He glances nervously at Frank while he continues to apply power to the thrusters in a vain attempt to slow their descent.
Suddenly the speakers on the ship crackle, “Liberty, this is New Earth Colony, we stand by to assist, sending landing co-ordinates.”
Adams frowns, “Landing co-ordinates? I guess they can see us coming in.”
Kennedy stares at his console, “We need a reference point. I’m flying blind right now.” He stares at his controls, then slams his fist onto a small screen that is filled with static. Miraculously, the screen clears, providing him with a view of their outside world.
Plummeting through the atmosphere, the Liberty’s outer hull heats up, then begins to glow in patches. Clouds part as the ship swiftly continues downward, almost in a freefall. Overstressed outer hull plates peel off, leaving a glowing debris trail behind them.
Kennedy suddenly cheers, “I’ve got this beast now, plus I have the colony’s beacon on our scanners!”
The Liberty’s descent becomes less meteoric, and more controlled, as the combination of thrusters and gravity plating begins to slow them down. Inside the ship, repair crews have not had a chance to tackle any of the countless number of problems.
Even though the vibrations through the deck plates become more pronounced, Kennedy cheers again, “Swinging us around, E.T.A. at the colony, five minutes.”
Frank puts on his headset, then listens intently. After a few minutes he nods, then turns to Adams, “Emma wants us to put down in a field just outside the settlement’s perimeter.”
Adams glances at the useless screen, “It would be good if we could see where we’re going.”
Kennedy, though busy piloting the ship, says, “I have a small view-screen here, but it’s quite limited.”
The Liberty’s thrusters scream horrendously in the atmosphere, they are being taxed well beyond their operating tolerances, yet continue to slow the Liberty’s descent. Glowing hull plates continue to peel off and join the diminishing trail of water and air that still leaks from the crippled ship. Kennedy engages the ship’s landing struts, which extend downward, then lock into place. Miraculously they seem undamaged. Two minutes later the Liberty touches down, the landing pads sink deeply into the soil. Without delay, Kennedy opens the main loading ramp, unintentionally releasing the last remnants of putrid water, along with a pile of floating debris.
Captain Adams breathes a sigh of relief, then releases his restraining belts. He stands, then walks over to Kennedy and Frank. Ignoring the multitude of red lights and flashing warning symbols, he slaps both men on the back, “Well done! Remember, any landing you can walk away from is a good one.” He gives them both an encouraging wink.
Kennedy and Frank glance at the consoles indicating countless systems failures, then begin to chuckle. As the stress of the journey fades, all three of them begin to laugh louder and louder. None of them really know what is so funny, but their relief at arriving safely is uncontainable.
Shuttles arrive from the colony, along with medical teams. People begin to make their way down the Liberty’s ramp, many harbor cuts and bruises. Quite a few stop and stare at the green grass and blue skies in a daze, and wonder if they are really on a new world. The similarities to Earth are too strong for many to comprehend, until they gaze upward and spot the planet’s two moons. The sight quickly brings these people back to reality.
Cindy arrives on the scene with John and Joe in tow. The ship’s hull still creaks and groans as the metal cools. A vapor trail snakes up into the sky, indicating the ship’s erratic flight path.
Cindy shakes her head while she reviews the damage, “I can’t believe the ship actually landed,” she says more to herself than anyone else.
Frank and Kennedy make their way down the Liberty’s ramp, then walk over to Cindy’s group. After brief introductions, Joe turns his gaze upward, “It’s a good thing you didn’t hit either of the moons on the way in.”
“Kennedy glances skyward, “Yeah, or your ship, for that matter.”
John also gazes at the sky, “Or the satellites, it’s not like we have spares, you know.”
Frank and Kennedy look at each other in perplexity, “Satellites?” They question
in unison. Kennedy shakes his head, “We didn’t see any satellites.”
John laughs, and points at the nose of the ship, “Joe, are you sure they’re all accounted for? It looks like they ran into something.”
Joe is mesmerized by the damage, “It was the first thing I checked mate.” He turns to Kennedy, “Let’s go and check your ship out, see what still works.”
Kennedy and Joe walk up the ramp and begin a very brief tour of the ship. Once Cindy is assured that everything that can be done, is being done, she and John leave. Neither one wants to board the ship, and both respect that Adams is still on board.
Few of the Liberty’s people notice the heavier gravity, but the dryer air instantly catches everyone’s attention. Within days, however, this becomes the new normal as the new arrivals acclimate. The task of unloading everyone takes an entire day, all of them receive a check-up and a vaccination.
Captain Adams is the last person to leave the ship. He walks a safe distance away, and is met by Kennedy and Frank. They quickly fill him in with the latest updates.
Adams stops, turns to look back at the ship, and scratches his head in disbelief, “Still no deaths?” He says incredulously, “How is that even possible?”
Frank shrugs his shoulders, “I have no idea,” he says, equally surprised, “But the ship is trashed.”
Kennedy stands back and stares at the battered Liberty. Even now, days later, it is still a safety hazard as loose hull plates randomly fall from its sides. He shakes his head in bewilderment, “Lots of broken bones, cuts, and bruises, but everyone’s been accounted for.”
Adams runs his hand over his rough stubble thoughtfully, “I want the ship repaired.” He stares at the Liberty with reverence, “Don’t make it a high priority though, but let’s make her space worthy again.” His eyes narrow, “She’s not done for yet,” he says with determination.
Kennedy frowns and says slowly, “Ah Captain, Joe said the ship’s main axis supports have fractured.” He pauses, then adds while shaking his head, “Her back’s broken, she won’t be engaging her main drive again, that’s for sure.
Adams nods, “I see,” he says distantly, not really listening. He turns and looks at Kennedy, “Get Patrick to look at her anyway. With that suit of his, he has to be able to come up with something.”
Frank adds his own thoughts, “Yeah, there has to be a way to patch her up, even if we only use her as a planetary transport, or a space dock.”
Kennedy nods hesitantly, but says, “I will ask him.”
Adams smiles, George is Cindy’s boy, but Patrick, well, from what I hear, he may just help us out, with the right incentive, that is.
Kennedy looks at the ground for a few seconds, then decides he has to share Joe’s other comments. He looks straight at Adams and says, “Joe also indicated that we could use the Liberty as a permanent power source for the colony. It would save them from having to build more wind generators.”
Adams stares up at the mountain tops thoughtfully, then says, “No. The colony should be self sufficient.” He sighs, then adds, “But, adding more of those wind towers can definitely be a lower priority than was originally planned.”
Kennedy turns to look at the Liberty once more, “I will still ask Patrick to see what he can do.”
Hawking Expands
Cindy taps her fingers on the long table impatiently. She looks across at Emma, who simply shrugs her shoulders in response. Cindy stands, then walks to one of the room’s large windows. She gazes out at the expanding city and questions, “Where are they?”
Emma replies, “I have no idea.”
George runs up the stairs, enters the meeting room, and says between gasping breaths, “Sorry, time got away from me.” He gazes around the room, expecting to be the last to arrive, but is surprised to see a lot of empty chairs.”
Cindy replies, “You’re third, still thirteen to go.”
The now familiar sound of a motorbike engine gets closer. Love it or hate it, everyone recognizes Walker’s ride. His morning jaunts through town are becoming legendary. The General parks his bike, then looks up at the town’s latest construction effort with pride. A large wooden banner with the words, ‘Hawking Town Hall’, hangs over the double doors to this three-story building.
A shuttle lands in the building’s parking lot. Three more stragglers hurry along the road to get to the hall. A jeep approaches, its engine whining loudly as the driver pushes it faster and faster. Finally, after quite a while, everyone is assembled.
Peter, Emma, John, Joe, George, Radclyf, Hayato, and Patrick, the command crew of the Terran, sits on one side of the wooden table. General Walker, Barbara, Dave, Brett, Captain Adams, Kennedy, and Frank, occupy the other side.
Cindy runs an appraising gaze down the rows of people, then says, “Today marks Hawking’s first official government meeting. To mark this inaugural event, I plan to have a plaque made up with our names on it.”
Barbara looks at Joe, then smiles when she notices that he is taking minutes. Joe catches her look, smiles back, and continues his record keeping.
Cindy glances at a pile of papers in front of her, then gives everyone a copy of the topics to be covered. She sits down at the head of the table, picks up her own copy, and with little ado, begins, “We have a lot to cover folks, so let’s try to stay focused.”
Adams glances at the long list and is pleased to see that his ship, and its passengers are the top item. Cindy’s voice is filled with confidence, “Captain Adams, your ship is too dangerous to be utilized for housing.” She motions to Patrick, “I want you to hook the Liberty’s power grid to our own. I will also need an assessment of the ship’s status. Is it scrap, or salvageable?”
Adams head lifts up quickly at her choice of words, and interjects, “I am sure she is repairable, it may just take a little time, that’s all.”
Cindy purses her lips, slightly annoyed at the interruption, then relaxes, this is meant to be a meeting, where everyone’s thoughts and concerns should be raised. She looks directly at Adams, “Patrick will assess your ship, but you’re right. We should not hastily scrap such a valuable asset. Joe, can you assist with the detailed evaluation?”
Joe glances up from his notes, “Sure thing.”
Cindy continues on, “Due to the Liberty’s damage, we have to make other arrangements for the twenty-seven thousand colonists. Though the tent city is being reinstated to its full size, we simply do not have enough tents for everyone.” She looks at Emma.
Emma takes the cue, and says, “I have reprioritized the building of three warehouses. Once completed, these will each house approximately fifteen hundred. We have tents for ten thousand, and thanks to additional volunteers, have expanded the construction crews to thirty-two teams.”
Cindy nods in approval, “So how long are we looking at, before everyone is housed properly?”
Emma sighs, “Eighteen months, at the present rate.”
Adams leans back in his chair confidently, and says, “Oh, I think we can help with that.” He smiles widely as he looks around the room, “We have heavy mining equipment, along with dozens of smaller vehicles on the Liberty.” He places his hands on the table then adds, “I bet we could more than double the number of construction crews.”
Cindy’s eyebrows raise, “Patrick manages the colony’s construction crews, so coordinate with him.”
Adams nods, then adds reluctantly, “We do have one major drawback.” He pauses, then finally says, “Our fuel storage tanks ruptured during our arrival.”
Emma answers without looking up, “Send me a full list of your inventory. Our diesels are using more fuel than was expected, fortunately, we still have considerable supplies.”
Adams loses some of his confidence, “My superiors insisted we bring thirty cargo vans,” he pauses before quietly adding, “and they run on standard fuel.”
Walkers head swings around, oh crap! He meets both Cindy’s, then Emma’s stares with dogged determination. He slowly, and silently,
shakes his head from side to side.
Adams glances from person to person, then it suddenly dawns on him, “That motorcycle of yours! I am so stupid. You have fuel.”
Walker sighs, “Yeah, plenty,” then adds, “but not any more, I take it?”
Cindy smiles and nods, “Let Emma know how much you’re willing to give up.”
Adams frowns in confusion, “Hell, we’ll take it all! He doesn’t need that noise machine.”
Cindy puts a hand up to stop Walker from responding, then turns a steely gaze to Adams, “General Walker will determine how much he can spare. That fuel is still designated as a military asset.”
Adams’ jaw drops in shock, “You’re kidding, right? Military! Out here?”
Walker stands, and paces behind his chair before saying, “You can fill your vans. But just remember,” he stops pacing and stares at Adams as he states, “we can’t make any more, so once it’s gone, it’s gone!”
Adams hesitates, then thinks about the ramifications of the limited fuel supply, “I will make sure your fuel is not wasted General. You have my word.”
Cindy takes charge of the meeting again, “Good. Now that’s resolved. The next item on the agenda is about the colony’s government.”
Barbara raises her hand a little, and at Cindy’s nod, says, “I thought Emma was in charge of the colony?”
Emma answers quickly, “No, no. I am just the coordinator during the construction.”
Barbara replies, “So you’re the reason my radio telescope is still in bits on the Terran?”
Cindy puts a hand to her forehead, why does everyone want to fight today? She slams her hands on the table, “Emma is responsible for making sure this colony has all of its essential services running, while impacting as little as is possible on the ecology of the area. She is also charged with investigating all the animal and plant life on this planet. So I am sorry that your little research facility is on the back burner.”
Initiation Series: Series One Compilation (Terran Chronicles) Page 90