Initiation Series: Series One Compilation (Terran Chronicles)

by James Jackson

  First Visitation - Analysis and Review

  The selected landing site for the initial survey mission has a river nearby, but is otherwise a dry region. Cindy’s mission of finding a habitable planet has actually been hampered by the alien technology on the Terran. Apparently, what passes as habitable for the aliens that made the ship, does not always work out as okay for us. The rumor mill has it that the Gamin systems report many more habitable planets, but they are so far away that Cindy is not even going to investigate them. Besides, they may not even be any good at all.

  I am having difficulty doing my job! Cindy wasn’t going to take me, or my team, as part of the initial planetary inspection crew. She implied that it’s ‘too dangerous.’ Well, how does she even know if she doesn’t take a planetologist? Well, we did get to go! In fact, Cindy has surprised me by having my team be the first to go down to New Earth.

  Finally, I am on the planet with some of my team. The hired help is carelessly destroying a nearby forest in their efforts to build shelters. Having observed a large carnivorous species, dubbed wolf-cats, in the nearby hills, everyone quickly rallied and built tall wooden walls, forming a compound.

  We have been able to quickly confirm that the plant life in this area utilizes photosynthesis. My team is content to assume that all plant life on the planet is photosynthetic. I will await further testing and examination, rather than make broad claims that are largely unsupported by facts.

  I am surprised by the lack of diversity of life forms in the area. I’m only able to make crude notes, which I hope to update when the opportunity arises. The hired help is made up of brainless idiots. Someone had the bright idea of killing a local bison-like creature, then cooking it on a spit over an open fire. I took a sample of flesh and quickly ran it through a series of tests. Luckily for the people that ate the animal, its meat seems to be fit for human consumption; in fact, it’s quite nutritious.

  The wolf-cats have attacked us, either by design or by accident; in either case Louis, my colleague, was killed by them today. Prior to the attack, he had been testing the water quality of the nearby river. Judging by his notes, he was about to proclaim the water as safe to drink. We have named the nearby waterways the Louis River System in memory of his work. It is also quite evident that these carnivorous wolf-cats work in packs. I wish I had time to study them more closely. We discovered today that these large animals are sensitive to certain sound frequencies.

  We have left New Earth, and have barely done any real research. Cindy seems satisfied to call the mission a success. I feel that she is oblivious to my input, there is so much more to be done before we can ever deem this planet safe, let alone habitable.

  The Terran has been sabotaged, just as we were returning to Earth, and now we are Lost!

  We are thousands of light years from home, food is limited, and the ship is falling apart. There’s so much damage and destruction that I feel as though I am losing myself. I doubt I will ever get to finish my research on New Earth. If we ever get home, I won’t be staying on this ship of death; that’s for sure.

  I just found my journal! I have no idea how it ended up in Peter’s quarters. I can’t believe it, we made it home. The sooner I can get off this ship the better.

  Second Visitation - Colonization

  I said I would never board this ship again, but I have been made an offer I just can’t refuse. So, here I am, a passenger onboard the Terran, headed to New Earth, with Peter.

  We have arrived at New Earth without incident, which is amazing. I was selected to go on the initial survey without having to say anything! It’s another miracle.

  The old settlement is a bust, so we explored the continent looking for a more suitable location, and found have a great one. Everyone loves it. Mountain ranges border a wide valley, while forests occupy the foothills. A river flows down the valley and spills into an expansive ocean. We also noticed a large lake nestled in one of the forests.

  Day 1

  We have officially chosen our new colony. After much debate, we decided to abandon the old site in favor of this one, well away from the wolf-cats. Besides, the valley we discovered looks to be an ideal location. General Walker seems particularly pleased by the locale, as if where we put the settlement makes any difference to him.

  The colony is really a city. One we’re calling Hawking, in recognition of a famous cosmologist back on Earth. Thousands of people, many living in a tent city, constitute the work force and scientific communities. Many of these people have little to do, except to wait for their respective facilities to get built.

  New Earth’s ecology is much more diverse than I first thought, which is a relief. Our ecosystem models call for diversity in order for complex life to exist. And if our ecosystem models are wrong, then that would upset a lot of scientists, including me.

  Diane considers the upcoming content, pauses the display and says, “I have highlighted some of the key events,” she smiles at the boys and adds, “so you won’t have to read every entry.”

  Both boys heave a collective sigh of relief, because the walls of text before them are quite daunting. Dianne motions to the screen, causing it to immediately scroll.

  Day 45

  The variety of life is as dazzling on this planet as it is on Earth. Hundreds of species crawl on or under the ground, live on the surface, swim in its waters, or fly through its skies. I have documented a mere fraction of the life forms discovered. My team is working non-stop, as each day we seem to discover another new species. The only disturbing aspect is that the aquatic team is not finding the variety of life we expected to find on a planet as large and fertile as this one.

  Day 80

  My journal is beginning to pale in comparison to the massive database being collated by the planetologists. They’re doing a wonderful job, while I struggle just to keep up with reviewing their findings. I never thought I would be overrun with paperwork. I so want to explore the nearby lake, but as it’s on the other side of the canal that we built, I will have to wait.

  Day 156

  Finally, I get to go and explore the lake. I have been planning this day trek around the lake for a long time, and am very excited. I have added a special section, called Lake Mystery.

  Day 180

  The seasons are changing, and it’s as beautiful as can be. The leaves on the trees in the northern parts of the continent are changing color. Finally, the aquatic teams are reporting more and more species in the vast oceans of this world. It seems the shallow waters have a limited variety of smaller creatures, while the deeper waters not only have a greater variety of aquatic life, some species grow to enormous sizes. There is such a large variety, I can now start an ‘Aquatic Life’ section.

  Creatures of the World

  Wolf-Cats - Canis-Felis (updated)

  Height: 165cm to 220cm

  Weight: 150kg to 190kg

  Note: Extraordinary hearing, which is also their weakness.

  Not sure what else to call these large, amazing animals. One of the contractors coined the name ‘Wolf-Cat’ during our first expedition, and it has stuck. These animals look like a cross between a mountain lion and a wolf on steroids. They have long, tooth filled snouts, and thick fur, which covers these beasts. They have large paws, like a wolf, which enable them to move over soft terrain, or snow, relatively easily. Their size is quite shocking at first, as they stand taller at the shoulder than most people. Their powerful legs allow them to make huge leaps. I am classifying these animals as mammals. I have observed young nursing, and what can only be described as pregnant females. These animals have sensitive hearing, and are susceptible to specialized emitters which keep them at bay.

  These massive carnivores have taken over our old camp site, and are using the dilapidated buildings as shelter. I have studied them for some time, and they are more intelligent than my initial assessment indicated. The wolf-cats at the old settlement lay in wait, as others of their kind drive herds of bison toward them. Once the bison are close
, they leave the cover of the buildings, and attack the swiftest and fastest, bringing them down rather efficiently. The slower beasts are either ignored, or if killed, are not eaten. This appears to be an abhorrent behavior, and will require further study.

  These carnivores are definitely more intelligent than I gave them credit for. They do not eat the slowest animals as they may be sick, or infested with parasites. How the bison can evolve when their fastest and fittest are targeted, is another mystery.

  Tree Climbers - Atelidae

  Length: 65cm to 95cm

  Weight: 12kg to 18kg

  Note: Agile tree dwellers.

  These four limbed, monkey-like creatures do not have a tail. They are about half the size of a human, covered in fur, and have four large dexterous digits on the end of their limbs. They can emit a screech that keeps the wolf-cats at bay. These creatures live in the trees, and are rarely seen on the ground. Their diet consists of leaves and small insects, classifying them as omnivores.

  These animals birth their young live, with both parents taking equal care of the newborn. Twins have been observed, but to date, no triplets.

  I would love to learn more about these creatures, but can never get close enough. Based on distant observations, they are warm blooded mammals. It also appears that the same male and female pair mates for life. Further study is needed to confirm this hypothesis.

  Bison / Buffalo (updated)

  Height: 175cm to 220cm

  Weight: 180kg to 270kg

  Note: A great protein source, but we must take care to test each one.

  These herd animals could pass for European buffalo in a heartbeat. At first sight, that is exactly what they look like, though slightly larger. Thick brown fur covers their bodies, while their huge heads are adorned with a pair of large horns. These passive mammals run at the first sign of trouble, and will stampede through almost anything in their path.

  This species also carries a parasite that, if ingested, has a one hundred percent mortality rate to its victim. I cut a slab of flesh off one that was being roasted by the contractors, and it still contained live parasitic worms. Reference, Helminths. During our earlier expedition, the contractors with our group also killed, roasted, then ate, one of these creatures, and yet suffered no ill effects. The sample I took at the time did not contain any signs of a parasitic infestation.

  I have assigned a team to study the bison, and their reports are interesting. The bison seem to have barely evolved over the millennia, and appear to flourish in vast numbers. They also report that the parasites only infect a small percentage of their population. These warm-blooded animals are mammals, with newborns being able to run within minutes of birth. The females provide milk via teats on their undersides for many weeks, until the young transition to eating grass. Usually a single calf is born, though twins have been reported. Each herd is ruled by a single bull, with head butting and body slamming duels occurring, each time the bull’s leadership is contested. A number of herds will occupy the same field, and if a threat is detected, a single pack forms. Once the threat has passed, the animals return to their original herd. Not a single female has been observed re-joining the incorrect group.

  Helminths - Parasitic worms

  Length: 7cm

  Weight: 150grams

  Note: Parasitic

  These creatures grow to about the length of a person’s thumb, and live in the fatty tissue of host animals. These small worms grow in segments, and once they reach their full size, begin to lay eggs. These creatures live inside the layer of fat between the victim’s skin and muscle.

  To date, only bison have been identified as carriers, suggesting that a thick fatty layer is preferred, or required, by these creatures. Infested bison are observed to become lethargic, and tend to rub their bodies on trees and rocks, as if attempting to rid an itch.

  My team is baffled about how these parasites thrive. To date we have found no other animals infested with them. The eggs of this animal lay dormant until they detect a warm environment.

  Ingesting the eggs of these worms is also fatal. Hatching worms eat their way through the stomach lining in an attempt to find the host’s subcutaneous fat layer. Eating contaminated flesh, plants, or drinking water, which contains portions of these parasites, or their eggs, will cause an infestation. Each segment tested has not only survived, but it grew. Partial segments draw their nutrition through their body, and grow new segments until they are complete once more.

  Cooking food to at least 130 degrees Celsius, or boiling water for ten minutes, will kill these parasites. However, undercooking infested meat is ill-advised, as the parasites will travel through the victim’s fat layers, in an attempt to avoid direct heat.

  Benny turns to his mother, scrunches up his nose and says, “Mom, that’s gross!”

  Smiling at the two boys, Dianne replies, “Don’t worry, there are none of those creatures here.”

  “Mom, how is this important?” He asks with curiosity.

  She tilts her head at both boys, then says, “Our civilization’s ethical, and moral foundations, are built on events that began back then.”

  Richard fidgets, then says questioningly, “I thought it all began when the Gamin went to Earth.”

  “Yes, that too, is correct,” she replies slowly. “However, this,” she adds pointing to the display, “is when we started making decisions for ourselves, decisions that ultimately lead us to being the way we are today.”

  Benny frowns in confusion, the looks at his mother and asks, “The journal looks unfinished. Did something bad happen to Emma?”

  Dianne sits back and contemplates her answer, too much information and I will spoil what is to come next, too little and... She stops debating with herself, then choosing her words carefully, replies, “Emma just got a little too busy to ever revisit the journal properly. In fact, we at the historical archives are lucky to have found these notes at all.”

  Richard politely begins to ask, “Where is...”

  Dianne cuts him off with a firm look, then says, “Now, now. I want you boys to read some real history. So let’s read.”

  She lifts her hand up and motions to the display, turning another virtual page.

  Antelope

  Height: 145cm to 195cm

  Weight: 125kg to 155kg

  Note: Skittish and agile herbivores, with amazing hillside camouflage.

  These herd animals are also warm blooded, with thin brown fur that looks more like a camouflage outfit, than hide. The color and patterns of the fur make them well suited for living in the hills. With short snouts and long ears, these mammals are well prepared to detect approaching threats. Their four long legs propel them easily over rough terrain, bushes, or other small obstacles, while their slender bodies seem to flex as they bound around rocks and trees. A small, brown tail swishes in the air as they retreat.

  I have yet to examine these animals closely. Their skittish nature has them fleeing at the slightest sound.

  Snakes

  Length: Varies species to species from 50cm to 25m

  Weight: 1kg to an estimated 200kg.

  Note: Enormous variety of grass, tree, and water snakes.

  Initially, the snakes of New Earth proved to be rather elusive to capture and catalogue. But as construction of the colony drives them out of their habitat, my team has been able to trap, examine, and release a surprising number of varieties. Some are as short as my arm, while others are longer than our survey shuttle. Most are green and or brown in color, with a few water-based species being more yellowish.

  In an amazing parallel to some of Earth’s snakes, these reptiles are cold blooded, lay eggs, and even hibernate during the cold winter months.

  The fishermen have been reporting a large oceanic variety which is an off-blue color, but none of my team has been able to confirm these sightings.

  Oligochaeta - Earthworm

  Length: Varies from a few cm to dozens of meters.

  Weight: 150 grams to many kilogr
ams

  Note: Sightless underground dwelling worms.

  Another worm-like creature was discovered today, a harmless one. These thin underground worms grow to great lengths. Each segment has a series of small spikes arrayed around it that angle away from their heads. One worm was observed to have over two hundred segments. If these worms are cut, the rear portion dies, and does not grow into a new worm. An interesting observation, is that these underground worms cannot move backward. They compress themselves, then stretch forward, the spikes prevent them from sliding backward as they compress. Their small mouths sift the soil for microbes, much as a whale sifts the ocean for plankton.

  To date we have identified fourteen variations, but have yet to classify each type as its own species. The variants come in many colors and sizes, but all have the same segment structure. My team is still debating as to whether these worms are asexual or not. It is unclear how the various species propagate.

  Insects - Various

  We have identified many insects that either live in the ground, or above it. A most fascinating specimen that lives underground is an ant-like species. It has two distinct body segments with ten legs, six on the rear, and four on the front. This trait seems quite common on this planet, but I have yet to find any correlating genetic markers. These insects have powerful mandibles, and are almost black in color.