Pegasus Colony (People of Akiane: A Colonization Science Fiction Novel Book 1)

by Phyllis Moore

  The meeting had been delayed by one day because of laying the dead to rest and the child coming forth.

  Tables were barely cleared before the meeting began, without Adumie calling order. Many voices were speaking, demanding answers. In other meetings there had been wonder and speculation, now they were divided.

  It took only five days for the invaders to offend most of the community. Very few, like Cameron, still wanted to beg their help.

  “World Space Coalition demands that Akiane is theirs. They come to claim us as their property,” Mercener loudly declared.

  When they were healthy, the community had grown to over 2,000. They became too many to gather all at one time. The Community Room had been expanded to take up most of the first floor of Falcon. If they had continued to grow, the Community Room would have been expanded again. Unfortunately, their numbers began to shrink.

  There were now only 244 left and one new arrival, fewer than when Akiane was first settled.

  What was left of the community all settled in one section of the room, leaving most of the chairs and tables empty.

  “We are unwilling to be owned,” a priest said angrily.

  Most agreed, sharing the disgruntled attitude.

  They had built Endurance without help or interference. Perhaps those of Earth thought to come and claim a prosperous community of people and resources. Or perhaps they came because they knew those of Akiane were dying and wanted to claim what was left behind.

  “How do we stop them?” another shouted.

  How indeed? Adumie wondered.

  “Those from Earth may know of a cure for this illness that brings devastating death to our people.” Cameron always spoke of hope. All listened. Some believed. Others wanted to believe. Still others, like Adumie, knew without doubt there was no cure. No hope.

  If not for Cameron, everyone would have agreed to banish the invaders. His misguided opinion only added confusion and brought far too much discussion. This was the fifth meeting upon learning that intruders were coming and they still could not come to a consensus on whether to trust or banish them.

  “We should be asking for help before it is too late,” Qorow Low said. Few things about her disappointed Adumie; her siding with Cameron was one of them.

  Mercener stood again. In her usual loud stern voice, she said, “They come not to help, but to steal. If we are going to them for help, they will only hasten our deaths.”

  “What if God has sent them to help us?” Qorow Low asked. Her voice quivered with emotion.

  “Would God send those who abandoned us?” Mercener sneered as she spoke.

  “It could be a test to see if we fully trust God instead of relying on strangers,” a priest suggested.

  And so it continued, each person offering a different opinion, bringing more disagreement. They fought among themselves like chovis over fish.

  The final decision should have been left to Adumie. He was high priest, but when he tried, Cameron always objected. An agreement was not forthcoming.

  Jecidia stood. He had been the leader until the slow illness made him weak and frail. Still, his voice was listened to and considered. The community silenced.

  Here it comes. The real reason Jecidia walked at my heels and insisted upon this meeting. Adumie fumed.

  “This is too large a decision to be made without God’s wisdom,” Jecidia said.

  “We have prayed,” a voice said.

  “How much more prayer are you requiring of us?”

  Evidently, Adumie was not the only one dissatisfied with unanswered prayer.

  “We should Woden,” Jecidia said and sat down.

  The room fell into stunned silence. Adumie sat back in his chair and stared at him. He never imagined Jecidia would suggest such a thing that would declare death.

  Woden was a dangerous sacred walk across Akiane in winter to see who was stronger, the one making Woden or Akiane’s subzero weather and blizzards that could last for days.

  One either died and was forgotten, or survived and became legendary. The only two who had successfully accomplished Woden were those who had first attempted it, Captain Faris Assetti and the Jesuit Priest Striken. They explored the new land soon after they landed, found the caldera and the place where Endurance now stood.

  Not long after that, the colonists were also overcome with unexplained deaths. The captain and priest left again to explore the new world, hoping to find a way to survive. They returned with “that which brought life” that stopped the unnatural deaths.

  Assetti and Striken left during winter and were gone for months. The ocean melted. It was thought they would never return, but they unexpectedly returned victorious.

  Assetti’s famous words, “We have endured much, but we have persevered,” were repeated throughout the generations.

  Because of those two, the colonists survived and their descendants became the People of Akiane.

  Now Jecidia suggested the same treacherous trip across Akiane.

  “Woden?” Qorow Low asked, unsure she had heard correctly.

  “No one makes Woden and lives,” Mercener said. Even she was shocked.

  Jecidia started the discussion. Now he remained silent and allowed his previously spoken words to cause new disagreement.

  “Yes, let God decide.”

  “It is too dangerous.”

  “Do you not trust God?”

  “Will you go? Will you trust God?”

  Adumie hated division. It only caused anger, accusations, and bruised feelings.

  He stood. He was leader. It was his right to finalize decisions. Only his words were not as readily listened to as Jecidia’s.

  Voices quieted.

  “What would Woden prove?” he asked. “There have already been too many deaths, yet you propose to send more people outside at a time when they are assured of nothing but death.”

  All eyes returned to Jecidia, who spoke without standing, “One would allow God to decide. There will be no more need to argue. The matter will be out of our hands and firmly put in God’s.”

  Let God decide? Adumie wanted to shout. We have prayed. God has already decided. We are dying.

  All attention turned back to Adumie. Since this illness had begun, seven different times a small group of people hoped to retrace Assetti and Striken’s steps to find “that which brought life.” None were ever heard from again.

  Each team had set out during the winter years. Each had said God was directing them. None would wait until the summer years; they were too impatient to be heroes.

  Adumie had not believed that God was directing any of them. If He had, at least one of the teams would have succeeded, but none ever returned. Adumie had objected to their going, but each time he had been overruled. Now the same thing was happening again. He would object, he would be overruled, and again more would die.

  “I wholeheartedly reject Woden. It is too dangerous. The one who attempts such a trip will not return. How can I condemn someone, anyone, to death?” Adumie declared in frustration. He was grieved to his soul that this subject was once again in discussion. “I will not do it. I will not approve this.”

  Unfortunately, Jecidia would not make this easy. “If they survive, then we will ask for help. If those on Woden do not return, then we will banish the intruders,” he said.

  There was a murmur of agreement.

  Now the community is of one accord, Adumie thought with disappointment. But need he even worry? No rational person will volunteer.

  Cameron stood. “I will go.”

  “I will not allow it,” Adumie declared. It didn’t matter how much he disliked Cameron, he would not send him to his death.

  “You will not allow it?” Even now, when Woden would put his life in danger, Cameron still questioned Adumie’s authority.

  Perhaps he should let Cameron go. When he did not return, God would have decided and there would be no more discussion, no more dissention.

  “Too dangerous?” Cameron demanded. “Why,
because you do not trust God? Or because you would let our people die to protect your pride?”

  “You insult me in the hopes it will change my mind?” Adumie yelled. “Or would you throw your life away just to defy me?”

  “I would sacrifice my life so that others may live.” Cameron spoke with the passion of his misguided beliefs.

  “I will not agree to Woden.” Adumie dismissed the idea with the wave of his hand. “It is too dangerous. There must be another way.”

  A hush came over the room as all listened.

  Cameron remained defiant and would not sit down. He stood waiting for Adumie’s permission.

  “You are a fool, Cameron,” Adumie said wearily.

  “We shall see who the fool is when I return. I tell you, we will not die,” Cameron said in arrogant assurance.

  “How can you be so sure,” Qorow Low asked, this from the one who stood most closely with Cameron’s opinion. Even she knew Woden was wrong.

  “God has assured me if we Woden, we will be victorious,” Cameron said confidently.

  To say that God was on your side gave any disagreement an unfair advantage. But in this case, Adumie would challenged Cameron’s relationship with God.

  “I have not been given the same assurance.” Adumie smoldered with frustration.

  Before a rebuttal could be given, Adumie spoke to Nu Venia, “It seems that Cameron wishes to Woden. What do you say?”

  “I do not speak for Nu Venia. She. . .” Cameron started.

  Jecidia lifted a hand. Cameron became silent. “Let her speak.”

  At Jecidia’s encouragement, Nu Venia said, in a small voice, “No. I do not want to go.” Clearly, the idea frightened her. She understood the dangers.

  “I am well within my right to refuse Nu Venia to Woden,” Adumie said to Cameron. “One should agree to let you go just to be free of you.” But he knew, everyone knew, if Cameron went, Nu Venia would not stay behind. She would reluctantly follow.

  No matter how much he disliked Cameron, and disapproved of Nu Venia, Adumie would never have sent them on Woden. Yet he could not stop Cameron, nor could he prevent Nu Venia from following him.

  “If that one goes, God will surely curse Woden,” a voice said in reference to Nu Venia.

  And that was the real reason she would follow. Cameron was the only one who approved of Nu Venia. He did not see her for the disgrace that she was.

  “I will bring Nu Venia to prove God’s blessings on Woden and on her life,” Cameron declared to all in the room.

  The community muttered their disbelief. Good. Few agreed with Cameron. If they did not agree, Cameron would not go. It was the way of things. This matter would soon be settled and the conversation would move on.

  But Cameron refused to sit. As long as he stood, the discussion would continue.

  Tears sprang to Nu Venia’s yellow eyes. “I do not wish to go.” She sounded small and vulnerable.

  Cameron did not seem to notice or perhaps he did not care. Was he so caught in his own delusion of God’s favor that he had no regard for another’s life?

  Jecidia sat with his head held high. Was that a slight grin on his lips? Had he planned all this? Was he so devious?

  Adumie shook his head. He felt old. Why was Cameron so insistent?

  “Even if we abide by Woden, what will your deaths mean to intruders?” Adumie asked.

  “The Earth priest will go with us as witness,” Cameron said. “By traveling together, we will come to understanding. From understanding comes friendship. Friendship brings community.”

  Nu Venia sucked in her breath. Clearly he had not consulted her of his plans to form community with those of Earth.

  The mood of the people changed. No one had thought to include the Earth priest, or to be in community with off-worlders. They will never agree to this, Adumie knew.

  “Every ship travels with a priest,” Cameron said defending his case. “Since the priest Striken was on the first Woden, it is only right that ship’s priest should also make this Woden.”

  “What if the Earth priest is not as foolhardy as you and refuses to go?” Adumie asked.

  “Then all is lost and there would be no reason to Woden,” Cameron said. “But I trust God to move on that one’s heart. When we survive, the priest will have the right to speak on behalf of World Space Coalition.” Cameron looked directly at Adumie. “And we will listen. Then you will understand that those of Earth do not come to harm us, but to live among us and bring a cure for this illness.”

  Adumie made no comment. Woden was a waste of lives. He was sure the priest would not be so foolhardy.

  “Where will you go?” Qorow Low asked softly. There was disbelief in her voice and in the expression on her face. She didn’t believe either. “How long will you be gone?”

  “We will travel until we and the priest have understanding,” Cameron said.

  No one objected. They spoke quietly among themselves. Heads nodded. Was the community going to accept the idea? Adumie bowed his head, sat down and dropped his head in his hands.

  It sounded simple. If the priest did not accept the invitation, there would be no need for Woden. The matter would be settled.

  Something will go wrong, Adumie knew. Deep within his very being, he knew that Cameron, Nu Venia, and the priest would Woden. But why? He didn’t understand.

  “Who will speak to their priest about Woden?” Halmahera asked.

  Without hesitation, Cameron said, “Nu Venia.”

  Adumie’s head jerked up, his eyes focused on Nu Venia.

  She sat like a small child, head lowered, not in submission but in misgivings. Her dark skin paled. She was not worthy to be chosen for such a task. Everyone knew, even Nu Venia.

  Only Cameron did not see. He believed in her destiny. More than once he had declared that she should be leader. But only priests were leaders, not a life-giver and certainly not Nu Venia. No one would follow one such as her.

  Many loudly objected.

  “Woden is doomed,” Adumie said quietly to himself, but the matter was out of his hands. The discussion would settle itself.

  “No,” Cameron yelled above the hostile voices. “Nu Venia will once and for all prove God’s favor.”

  “God will once and for all prove Nu Venia’s shame,” a voice retorted.

  Jecidia stood. The room quieted. Adumie looked up at him.

  “Cameron will go. Nu Venia will go. The priest from Earth will go. God will decide victory or failure.” He sat down.

  The meeting was over. They would gather again once the priest had been summoned.

  This was Jecidia’s plan all along, to override my authority. It was settled and there was nothing Adumie could say or do to sway the community. Had Cameron and he conspired together?

  At times like this, Adumie wondered why he was even leader since he seemed to have no authority and his word was rarely heeded.

  CAPTAIN’S LOG

  Akiane Colony

  Captain Faris Assetti

  Second year, day 42

  All told 852 died from the virus. Dr. Beasley has determined the source of our illness is the fish. They carry a virus. As of yet, he knows of no cure. His findings are in the medical log.

  Our first thought was to dump all the fish, but the good doctor said no, that was not necessary. He assures us that cooking fish will kill the virus, but those who handle the fish must wear gloves when catching them, cleaning and preparing them for a meal. No one is to touch them barehanded.

  It is good that we have found a new food source so we don’t have to eat fish if we don’t want to.

  The red line was made up of some kind of plant, or rather leaves of a plant. The leaf is pointed at one end, blooms out at the middle then narrows to a rounded end. It has ridges in the wide part along the thick middle. The cook has done amazing things with it. His recipes are in his kitchen logs.

  Even Harrie likes it. She can’t seem to stop eating the plant, raw or cooked.

  Captai
n’s Log one month later…

  For the most part, we have stopped eating fish. Now the only one who eats fish is Harrie. The soft bones don’t seem to bother her. Fishermen are finding other chores to do and take turns fishing for my dog.

  People have been dividing up into the kind of work they prefer; cultivating the hydroponics, cooking and cleaning up afterwards, tending the native gardens, fishing and such.

  There have been no new illnesses. Those who were sick have recovered. We now number 453 from the 2,038 colonists that began this journey. It has been a rough beginning.

  Beasley doesn’t know for sure if the virus has been fully eliminated. He’s not a researcher, but he is an excellent doctor. All his reports are in the medical logs.

  Personal Log

  There are times when I grow weary of this place and long for the conveniences of Earth. There are no vacations here. No restaurants. No holidays.

  I often wonder what new musical is on Broadway. I wonder how my twin sister is doing. She had just married four and a half weeks before I left. They moved the date up by months so I could be the bridesmaid. Do they have children?

  Father Joseph says I must let go of Earth and all it represents if I am to bond with this world, which would mean I will never see Earth again. I will never take another pilgrimage to Mecca. I will never meet my sister’s children, her grandchildren, or her great-grandchildren.

  I am undecided. What is there for me here when I have left so much behind back on Earth? All of it is progressing without me. Here there has been so much death and disappointment.

  Chapter 22

  Lieutenant Jessica Hewitt

  Kitchen Detail

  Day Five

  IN ALL, it had been a good couple of days’ work. We’d set up the men and women’s dorm areas, we’d installed the walls for the couples’ room, and set up a dining area with tables and chairs.

  I even managed to stop Olivia from constructing all six of her large aquaria. Good thing. After the three that were sabotaged, she still had three more she could set up. Her research was not ruined.

  But did I get a thank you? Of course not. So I left her to do her own cleanup.