Bootstrap Colony

by Hechtl, Chris

  “I for one am all ears,” Jack replied.

  “Sinuses?” Anne asked.

  Axel snorted. “Every farted in a car with the windows up?” Jack gave him a dirty look.

  “Sorry I asked,” Anne snorted.

  “I think we should head for quieter pastures fellas,” Mitch suggested, getting up and dodging a kid.

  Mike nodded. “I’m for that!” Axel, Anne, and Jack got up and follow him out and to Mitch’s office.

  “So, as I was saying, my plans for next year are tentative. We have the basics of industry, knowledge and medicine, but...”

  Evan interrupted. “You have a hospital too?”

  Mitch nodded. “Okay, so, obviously we need to get each of you up to what we have here.” Each of the leaders nodded.

  “Right now we have a triangle trade going between us three.” Mitch pointed to Jack and Mike. “We need to expand that to Evan’s village, the planned mountain village, and others. Jack has a few running vehicles left, and Mike has one of the salvaged flex fuel trucks and a few of mine on loan.” He saluted Mike with his bottle. Mike grunted and nodded.

  “We just added two trucks to the fleet. We have seventeen more trucks under various stages of construction that should allow us to expand our trade and maybe expand our villages,” Mike said and then sighed. “Also one beat up hummer to finish repairing.” He got a dark look for a moment. “It is going to be another year before we build more complex electronics and equipment, but we might be able to use existing electronic databases in the interim....”

  They spend the evening going over the general plan, and touching each village’s part in it. They broke up deep into the night; yawning Anne led the visitors off to guest quarters.

  The next morning Angie flew Jack and Axel back to Copper town, and Jacklynn returned a reluctant Evan to Travis’s temporary base.

  Travis called in two days later with the report from the abandoned village. “Jacklynn just left with another load just as the gust front of the herds hit,” he reported. Mitch came in to the room, and leaned against the door jam. “I am glad she did, they stomped her landing area flat,” Travis said, sounding disgusted. Mitch nodded.

  “The eastern folk took off yesterday after we saw the sky south west of us. It looks like a storm approaching.” Mitch frowned. “As much as I would like to squeeze as many loads as we can before it hits, I think we are going to have to pack it in by tomorrow.”

  Jolie hit the transmit. “Roger that Travis.” She turned to Mitch. “Do you want them to head back now?”

  He shook his head. “It is too late in the day. Besides, it is Travis’s call.”

  There was a squelch of static from the speaker. Jolie turned to it. “Ten four base. He’s right Jolie,” Travis said. She looked up and then at the transmitter mike.

  She blushed, easing up on it. “Sorry, open mike,” she finally admitted. Mitch snorted.

  “Roger that,” Travis replied, getting back to business.

  “So what is it, cracked block?” Lisa asked softly.

  He took a look. “Is that what you think?” He turned to her. “You're the expert here Lisa, you tell me.” She took a look and then bit her lip. He sighed. Ever since the second batch of refugees had shown up she had crawled back into her shell. Even Brian and Dora could not seem to pierce it. Someone might have made an indiscreet pass at her, he would have to check.

  “Lisa relax, I am not going to bite you,” Mitch said softly.

  She shivered a little. “Yeah, I think it is.”

  He nodded. “Okay miss mechanic, where is it, and what are you going to do about it? How did it happen, and how do we prevent it from happening again?”

  She looked down at the engine for a moment. He sighed afraid he had put her back in her shell. “It’s right here.” He looked at her hand and spotted her pointing. “You can see it right here, going down here.”

  He nodded. “Okay I see it now.”

  “I think it was caused by thermal shock. The ice cold conditions outside, and the thermal variances in the engine probably did it.”

  He nodded. “Okay I buy that. Now what?”

  She looked around. “We have to pull the engine, and then swap it. Salvage what we can, and then the block will have to be scrapped.”

  He nodded. “Okay we can do that. We can also keep the block for school.”

  She looked up. “School?”

  “Yeah, so you can practice on an engine, and teach others,” Mitch replied. She blushed.

  “Okay so how do we prevent this again?” he asked, handing her a wrench. She bent over the engine, and began to take it apart.

  “We will probably need to get the trucks; I mean all the vehicles under cover during winter.”

  He nodded. “Good idea.”

  “I need more space here though,” she said. She didn’t even look up as she loosened the bolt and handed it to him.

  “Okay, so you want to expand?” he asked, smiling a little, knowing the answer.

  She paused at the next bolt. “Yeah. I guess so.”

  He nodded. “Okay, Maggie wants to expand too, if we build a barn or two next year, we can move the animals out, and then expand the garage into that space.”

  She looked up. “Really?” She seemed excited. He nodded as he moved the engine hoist over.

  “Yeah, why not. It will stink for a while though.” She waved to the garage. He nodded. “Yeah, good point.” He laughed. “We will have to park the vehicles in the warehouses for now.” He got a thoughtful look on his face, trying to plan how to re-arrange things.

  “Hand me a number three wrench will you?” she asked. He chuckled and got back to work.

  Janet came into the dim room and stopped. Mitch was standing in front of the class, pointing out the finer pointed of a hadrosaur’s anatomy from a projected hologram. The dim room and volumetric display always awed her. “And we see here they have down on their bellies like many of the other dinosaurs. The bodies have normal feathers while some areas most notably the feet have scales.” He looked at Janet. “Yes?”

  “Jamal caught sight of them with the UAV, they are about ten minutes out,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron as she took it off.

  He nodded. “Okay class, you heard the lady placed everyone!” The class got up and filed out quickly.

  “Remember to shake your clothes and footwear out thoroughly! We don’t need any more scorpion attacks!” Janet hollered after them. Mitch put the pointer down, flipped the off switch on the display and then motioned Janet to lead the way.

  The scouting party pulled in just as the first flakes of snow began to fall from the sky. Lisa, Janet, and Mitch were out to greet them. Travis waved, and then pulled into the garage. Lisa went to oversee the unloading of the flatbed and stowing of the gear.

  Travis got out and stretched, then looked around. “What no greeting party?” he asked, shaking his head.

  Mitch shook his head. “Too damn cold out.”

  Travis nodded. “Yeah, freeze a guys nuts off.” Janet gave him a reproving look. Pete got out and waved to her. She walked over to him.

  Mitch watched as she gave him a hug. “The kid did okay?” he asked Travis.

  Travis nodded. “Yeah.” The rest of the scouts unloaded and then Mitch ushered them inside.

  As they entered the Great Hall the lights came on and everyone hollered and hooted “Welcome Home!” Travis flinched and then looked around to all the smiling faces. Banners were strung from the different levels. Travis and Pete took it all in.

  “I should go away more often,” Pete commented. Everyone laughed.

  “So, you knew we were coming?” Travis leaned over to Mitch. Mitch shook his head no.

  “Some psychic you are,” Travis replied with a snort.

  Mitch looked up then cocked his head. “I keep telling people I lean toward numbers and slot machines, not fortunes and astrology,” he said and then shrugged.

  “Gambling? Remind me to never play poker wi
th you then,” Travis replied. He turned and nodded a thanks too Janet as she handed him a beer.

  “Naw, can’t play poker my tell is too obvious,” Mitch replied, eyes dancing.

  “What’s a tell?” Cassie asked, bouncing baby Ricardo in her lap.

  “A tell is a visual cue, some give away to what cards you're holding,” Travis answered as he popped the cap on his beer. “Damn, I missed having this,” he said. He took a pull and then ahed in appreciation. Mitch smiled.

  “So what is your tell?” little Wayne asked, ready and apparently willing to play straight man.

  Mitch looked over to him. “I wag my tail,” he said, with a straight face. Doc hid a grin behind her beer. Wayne looked confused.

  One of the kids just had to look, checking out his back side. “Wait, I don’t see a tail...” Travis, Mitch, Doc, and Cassie laughed as the kids groaned; realizing Mitch had pulled one over on them.

  The storm lasted for nearly a week; the community began to switch over to light winter duties. At first the tedium and enforced inactivity was hard, having one hundred ninety one people cooped up with little to do and only a few windows to look out of wasn’t easy. Since there wasn't much of a view anyway looking didn't really help much. The factories were working, but only so many people could be in there at one time. With so many volunteers they broke the jobs down into six hour shifts.

  Mitch worked on several projects, bouncing into check on work groups then out. Travis and Gunny cleared a section of the caves, Janet insisted on an exercise center. Grudgingly they moved the weight room there, and then worked on one chamber for her racquet ball court, another for yoga and group exercises, and even one area as an indoor jungle gym.

  Mitch tapped the pipe stockpile, working with Vance and Brian they set up a jungle gym. They used the plastic extruders to create slides and plastic tubing for the kids. Anne, Selma, and Janet organized a small group of women to weave rope safety nets. Three weeks into winter they held a brief christening ceremony, and the kids went wild. Anne turned the old weight room into a dorm room. After a few days Janet persuaded Mitch to have another party.

  That evening out in the Great Hall everyone was having a grand old time. The party was a big hit, all three floors were full. Some of the new settlers were dancing in the corner to the music from the speakers. Charlie, one of the refugees had asked if they could make new instruments if they couldn’t salvage their old ones. Mitch nodded. They had only one harmonica and a couple plastic penny flutes, that wasn’t quite up to the quality this crowd wanted though.

  Doc swirled in, wearing a new dress. She seemed to sparkle and glow, lighting the room with her very presence. She looked at his face, and then dimpled into a mischievous smile, knowing she had had a reaction from him. “You look beautiful,” he said huskily to her. Her smile widened. “Take those canary feathers out of your mouth,” he growled. She giggled as she tucked her arm into his. They made rounds around the room together, talking with the various knots of people.

  She even enticed him onto the dance floor for a slow song. Later in the evening when there was a lull while the teens argued over music he maneuvered her into the center of the room. “Can I have everyone’s attention?” She looked over to him, as do the crowd. The conversations began to die down. He nodded. “Well folks, we have had quite an adventure for the past three years.” He looked around.

  “That is right folks; it has been three years to the day and hour since we arrived on this world.” He looked down at Doc. “Now I am going to ask this lovely lady to take another adventure.” Slowly he bent down on one knee and took her hand. There were gasps from the female crowd. Doc was blushing, her freckled skin matching her fiery red hair.

  With his free hand he pulled out a ring. He had made it in the machine shop with a gold ring made from a chunk Travis had brought back, and an artificial diamond. “Doctor Sandra O’Connell will you do me the honor of being my wife?” he asked as the crowd oohed and awed. He slipped the ring out and held it up for her and the others to see. She gasped, and then gave a watery chuckle as she nodded. Tears were tracing down her cheeks, happy tears.

  He slipped the ring on her finger feeling his thundering heart, realizing it was applause from the watching crowd as well. He stood up, grasping her cheeks with both gentle hands and kissed her on the forehead, then on her lips. “No more tears Doc,” he murmured to her. She gave a watery giggle as her hands come up and around him. “I have one request.”

  She looked up at him quirking an eyebrow. “What is it?” she asked playfully.

  “Can I have my foot back?” he asked. He felt her take her foot of his, and then put it back.

  “Only if I get another kiss,” she demanded.

  He smiled. “If you insist...” He bent down to comply.

  “Oh I do, I do,” she murmured with a delighted smile.

  Chapter 23

  The next morning they heard some strange noises in the Great Hall and went to investigate. Doc called Mitch in urgently. He came at a run but paused at the chamber entrance when he spotted a familiar small alien squid flying around the room.

  “Oh great, not them again,” Janet muttered, having come up behind him. Mitch noticed Gunny and Travis had weapons. He snapped his fingers, and then motioned for them to lower their weapons. Scowling Gunny complied. Travis gave a reluctant nod as the creature buzzed his head and then complied.

  “A situation has come to pass. Error threshold requires extraordinary measures,” the familiar voice filled the room. The creature bobbed around, and began to change colors at an increasing rate. “Please prepare yourselves for transport.”

  “Great,” Mitch growled and closed his eyes just in time to blot out the whirling around them. Doc had somehow made it to his side, she clutched at his arm and hand.

  When vertigo ebbed he squinted, not really sure he wanted to open his eyes but certain he had to do so eventually. They were on what looked like an astral plane, much like their first visit by the aliens before they were transported three years ago. Off to his left was the planet, quiet beautiful.... and rather far away. He heard Doc’s shuddering breath, and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

  In small groups additional people began to pop in. Each group came in with a flash of light and soft bang. “Damn, going to get a migraine again,” Mitch muttered. He leaned over to Janet. “Grab a couple people from our neighborhood and have quiet chats with as many of each of the other groups as you can, get as much info too them and from them as you can,” he ordered. She nodded.

  “We’ll compare notes later,” he told her. She nodded and waved to Gunny and Maggie to help. Maggie nodded and moved off into the crowd. Jack, Evan, Helen, Axel, and Mike waved and then separate themselves from their groups to come over.

  “So what is this all about?” Evan and Jack asked, almost in perfect unison.

  Mitch shrugged. “Either something has changed, or they are just checking in.” He looked up to the stars above, then down. He quickly closed his eyes and sways. “Damn, shouldn’t have done that.”

  Doc clutched his arm. “What’s wrong? You’re very pale!”

  He swallowed. “Just afraid of heights dear,” he told her. She gave a watery chuckle.

  He opened his eyes and looked into hers. She winked at him, and then motioned her head to the waiting group. He gave her a kiss, not caring about anything for the moment. Her mouth puckered with a lurking smile as they came up for air.

  “What was that for?”

  He smiled to her. “Luck,” he murmured. She nodded.

  “As I was saying.” He turned to Jack and the others. “Something may have changed.... I might have had a hand in that.” He shrugged.

  Mike snorted. “Why am I not surprised?”

  Mitch shrugged. “Idle hands...Idle hands...” Then smiled ferally. “They didn’t tell us not to try to save Earth after all,” he said. He shrugged as Evan and Jack raised their eyebrows in surprised amusement.

  “I told Janet and the others
to go take a long chat with our compatriots we haven't yet met while we have the chance,” he changed the subject. “You might want to tell your people to do so too.”

  Jack nodded and whispered to Helen. She looked stubborn for a moment; he gave her a pointed look and murmured to her it might be their only chance. She then sighed and motioned Axel to one group while she headed to another.

  “Well, here are our hosts now,” Doc said, looking up. They all followed her gaze, watching as the alien squids came in from above, and more came up from below.

  They were all sizes, some truly huge, measuring hundreds of meters in diameter. A few were tiny, smaller than ten centimeters. They were clustering around in a globe, swirling arm tentacles with a riot of color.

  The largest creature settled in above them, lightning them with shifting colors. “It feels like we're in a new age club,” Doc said. Mitch snorted.

  “There is a conflict.” Mitch’s attention became riveted to the largest creature as did everyone else as it rumbled and pulsed. With each word it seemed to pulse color. “Error in program parameters has triggered emergency programming.” The riot of color faded for a moment.

  “You the one designated Mitch Chambers come forth,” it finally said. The tentacles rippled, and then one pointed to him. He squeezed Doc’s hand then stepped forward. “Your actions have changed our parameters outside accepted limits.” He shrugged. “You have manipulated variables. Your actions in revealing our visit to you and your transport have altered your species perceptions.”

  Mitch nodded. “Good.” He looked up at the riot of color above. “You never said I couldn’t,” he replied as he smiled.

  One of the other creatures responded. “Your actions have raised survival of your species from one percent to twenty percent.” Some of the people murmured and then began to cheer a little.

  “Good,” Mitch nodded. “Good.” Doc grinned.

  “I was hoping Bob and his team would be able to use the money and videos to turn public opinion around and focus attention on you and on the asteroid threat,” Mitch commented, loud enough for all to hear over the murmurs. The room became quiet.