New World Rising: A story of hope born out of tragedy

by Sloane, Lynette

  “You thought of everything,” I snapped sarcastically as he walked away.

  “If only,” I heard him mutter under his breath as he disappeared from sight. I cast my mind back to Olan’s last day and subsequent memorial, and took a deep breath, trying to stop grief overwhelming me. My emotions were still very raw. I had lost a foster son, and a friend I truly loved; Howard had lost his own flesh and blood.

  This cave had been hollowed from the same reddish brown rock as had dominated the landscape outside, but unlike the smooth rock-face the walls were hackly in appearance. Here too, the floor was covered with large white tiles. I suppose this made it much more cleanly. I sat at the nearest computer workstation and I reached the porta-disc out of my shoulder bag, slotting it into the G drive.

  The disk gave me much more access here than it had on the ship’s computer. A file named ‘message from Olan’ appeared on the touch screen interface. I tapped it once with my index finger and Olan’s face immediately appeared on the screen.

  The last time I’d seen him he had looked very old, his sunken features making him appear well over a hundred years, however, he had recorded this porta-disk on day five when he looked a distinguished fifty-five or sixty.

  He started speaking, “Welcome Bally, thank you for taking the first step and travelling to my homeworld. I hope seeing me again doesn’t upset you too much.

  It did. Grief cut through me like a knife and the tears began to flow. I paused the programme, not sure I had the strength to watch.

  After convincing myself that this was the only way I would find out why I had been brought here, I took a few deep breaths, dried my eyes, and tapped commence.

  Olan’s image continued speaking, “By now you will have accessed the information about my people, and a little about the work Howard and I have been doing. He originally hoped that a hybrid like me would live for at least ten years and that the unifying of the two species would be the answer to my species’s problem.” He paused for a moment and looked thoughtful, “It was, indirectly. I was the result of much genetic experimentation—a being far superior in intellect to either of my parent species—but, sadly, one that had no longer a lifespan than the last of the Aapas.” He lowered his voice, “Maybe the candle that burns ten times as brightly will always burn up ten times as quickly. I read that somewhere.”

  Regaining his previous tone he continued, “So you see, a big step towards addressing my people’s genetic problem was reached as a consequence of the experiment. I found a way to reverse the genetic degeneration suffered by my people … the people I never lived to meet. I know, Bally, that you will probably be angry with Howard at the moment, but don’t let this stop you from helping my people. If you can’t do it for him please do it for me.”

  I remembered promising Olan that I would bring his sister to the planet, so I felt kind of responsible for her. I decided then that I would raise her, if that was what was being asked of me. In any case, I couldn’t go back to Earth until the Omicron Flyer left five months from now. (Another little fact The Brat had forgotten to tell me—Howard really did deserve that nickname.)

  Olan was saying, “Like humans, my mother race, the Aapas, possess much unused potential: they are only able to utilize ten per cent of their brain capacity. Even so, they have achieved a great deal, interstellar travel for instance. I use ninety percent of my brain capacity, which accounts for my almost photographic memory and my ability to work out genetic problems so quickly. Just imagine what a similar species could achieve if they were to use their full brain capacity and live for ten years.

  “When the Sovereign Head of State for Theta Dayton Four, my grandfather, accepted that the future of my mother race was doomed, he contacted your United Coalition of Planets and asked for help. The Aapas had nothing to loose, it was all over for them. The Omicron Flyer was dispatched with the most highly qualified people in the genetic sciences—their assignment to resolve the crisis. When everything else failed and time had become critical, Howard and his team found a way of bonding the DNA of both races … and the rest you already know.”

  I doubted that I knew everything. Howard loved to withhold information; it made him feel in control. Judging by his previous record, I knew there would be many surprises ahead. Lost in his own highly intelligent, scientific world, he either considered that other people should already know what he knew, or that his work was above the average person’s understanding. Either way, most of us only found out what was happening as, or just after, it happened.

  Olan’s image spoke tenderly, “Bally, I have to go now. I still have quite a few things to do before I leave the Research Centre tonight. Please don’t be sad. Remember our day out. That was the best day of my life: my perfect day. I hope to see you again.”

  The screen went blank and I was left alone with my thoughts.

  “Okay, you’ve talked me into it,” I said out loud.

  “Glad to hear it.”

  The familiar voice startled me as its owner walked in through the doorway.

  “Dr. Dantzig!” I exclaimed, pleased to see Olan’s friend.

  “Belinda, there’s much to do. Olan’s sister will be hatching very soon and needs a surrogate mum.”

  “I thought that’s where I’d come in,” I said, smiling at last. “Dr. Dantzig why couldn’t Howard have explained this all to me so I could have made my own decision to come here based on the full facts?”

  “My dear girl, have you ever known Howard to make anything clear? He always has some new revelation to surprise us all with,” Dr Dantzig said knowingly.

  I paused for a moment and added, “Yes, true, there are bound to be further surprises. At least he’s never boring.”

  As it was late, or at least my body clock thought so, I made my excuses and found my quarters with the aid of the tracker devise. Apparently, it was early evening, but due to the time difference I had already been awake for nineteen hours. I guess this was what they called rocket lag. It was a bit like good old fashioned jet lag, although you could suffer from it for much longer if the planet you were stationed on had twenty-six or twenty-two hour days, for instance. This really took some getting used to.

  I changed into my nightclothes and climbed into my bunk. I noticed there were four other bunks here as well. I looked at the nametags on the luggage; I was going to share with Keni and three other female crewmembers I hadn’t yet met. Good night Theta Dayton Four, see you in the morning, I thought, as I drifted off to sleep.

  I must have slept very well as when I awoke the next morning everyone was up and gone and their beds tidied. I wondered what the time was. ‘Why don’t they have computers in these quarters?’ I thought to myself.

  “Good you’re awake, you lazy old trout,” said Howard, standing in the cave doorway. “It’s 8.00 am.” In case you were wondering, we work off the twenty-six hour clock. Think of everyday as a Friday: you stay up later and sleep an extra hour. I enjoy it. He paused, then putting on the expression of a naughty schoolboy trying to get around his mother said, “Am I forgiven then?”

  I threw a pillow at him saying, “I suppose so, but one day I’ll get even with you.” Howard was impossible, but it was very hard to stay angry when he was around. “How the heck does Chrissy put up with you? You must drive her crazy.”

  “It’s just part of my charm and appeal,” he answered, ducking to avoid my other pillow. “Did I mention that I have someone for you to meet today?”

  “No that must have slipped your mind, you know, like telling me why you wanted to get me here on this rat infested planet or that you’re Olan’s genetic father,” I continued light-heartedly. “Incidentally I haven’t seen a rat yet.” I paused before continuing, “Is this person an Aapa or one of your colleagues?”

  “That’s something else I didn’t get time to tell you, but she’ll fill you in. Come with me to the data library and I’ll introduce you,” Howard replied.

  The Brat made himself a drink while I quickly got dressed. When we arri
ved at the library I noted that we were the only ones there. Howard gave the computer a verbal command, “Computer open Jasperetta programme.”

  A woman’s gentle voice spoke from behind me, “Good morning Howard, how can I assist you?” I turned to see who had spoken and I was surprised to see an alien standing in the cave. She was much taller than me: around seven feet five, of medium build, and covered in olive green scales just like the alien in the picture on the Omicron Flyer database. Her bald head, high cheekbones, and dark eyes added to her alien beauty. She wore a loose, free-flowing, white garment with a mandarin collar, the square hemline almost reaching down to her knees. On her right side it revealed an olive green, scaled thigh.

  No wanting to appear rude I said, “I’m sorry; I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “I didn’t come in, I materialised,” the alien replied.

  “You speak very good English.”

  “Thank you. It’s in my programming. My species originally had it’s own language, but it’s far too complicated for mere humans to grasp.”

  I tried not to stare at the alien or to be insulted that she had referred to my species as mere humans. Nonetheless, but I found her slightly transparent edges rather disconcerting.

  Howard explained, “Jasperetta is a hologram, an interactive computer programme. You can ask her questions. She’ll tell you everything you need to know and show you around the cave system. She’s based on her namesake, Olan’s mother. I thought you’d like to meet her. Sorry, but this is as close as you’ll ever get because the real Jasperetta died three and a half months ago, shortly after laying the two eggs: Olan and his sister. Jasperetta was the daughter of Jaquazene, the Sovereign Head of State and would have been the next leader but her genetic degeneration was much too advanced.”

  “Did you and she … you know …” I asked, wondering if Howard had slept with an alien.

  “Don’t be stupid, Olan and his sister were conceived in a test tube.”

  Not much fun it that I thought. Howard looked at me as if I had the I.Q. of a slug.

  “I didn’t realise holographic programmes were this highly developed,” I said, changing the subject. It was true what they said; the science fiction of the twenty-first century had become a scientific reality. I hoped that Howard would let me show the hologram to Olan’s sister. It would be nice for her to interact with her mother, albeit in holographic form. It was a pity that we didn’t have one of Olan too.

  Jasperetta showed me around the cave system. It seemed that every part of it had been utilised for the Aapa Renewal Programme. I saw rooms with computers, science laboratories, and large sections assigned for living quarters, although I didn’t go into each one.

  When I was thinking that I must have seen it all Jasperetta said, “Here is the centre of the programme.” The passage we were walking along suddenly widened into an enormous cavern. It must have easily been five hundred metres across and the roof had to be two hundred metres high.

  “This is the hatchery,” Jasperetta explained.

  I was astounded. The enormity of the cavern took my breath away. The cavern was filled with row after row of incubators; each transparent so one could easily see the hatchings were all right. There were too many to count at one glance. I stepped closer and looked into one of the incubators. Inside was a soft substance resembling duck down, and amongst it a large, fawn coloured egg.

  Jasperetta continued, “The females are kept in here where it is cool and the males are incubating in the adjoining cavern, which is much warmer. Of course the whole cave system is air-conditioned. We will be letting ten males and ten females hatch each week, as it would be impractical to have all twenty thousand hatch at one time. They will need caring for and will have the treatment applied very soon after hatching.”

  I struggled to get my head around the enormity of the project, but was in agreement on that point saying, “Yes imagine twenty thousand baby Aapas all screeching at once; you’d need twenty thousand bottles, and twenty thousand nappies!”

  Jasperetta smiled and said, “This method will allow us enough technicians to look after all the hatchlings, and the generations will be staggered. Once the first New-Race Aapas are old enough they can help raise the younger ones. And then there’s education, homes, industry, and everything else our planet had whilst it was inhabited. Olan’s sister, my namesake’s child—the granddaughter to our leader—will be the first to hatch. She will be the first New-Race Sovereign Head of State. It is her duty and her right.”

  I added, “I’ve been told I’ll have the task of rearing her.”

  Jasperetta continued her guided tour showing me the male hatchery cavern, which was of equally astonishing proportions and was indeed much warmer.

  Behind this second cavern was another passage around two and a half metres wide and of equal height. The rock here was a little lighter in colour and was fine-grained. The sides and top of the passages were smoother than the ones I had encountered previously too. After about twenty-five metres the passageway widened into another cavern. Smaller than the hatchery caverns, it was still the size of a football pitch.

  “I can see what this cavern is used for,” I said, looking around. There were cots, small beds, and children’s clothing folded and placed neatly away in shelving at the end of each section, and just about everything else you could possibly need for many, many children of differing ages. In the early days many people would be needed to act as nannies; fortunately the crew were adequate in number to cover this.

  Industrial simulators were installed at the end of each section so that used nappies and dirty clothing could be disposed of and replaced as necessary.

  My guide gave the order, and the lighting dimmed.

  “Wait a moment,” she said.

  At first it seemed quite dark. Then the roof of the cave began to glow a florescent light green, appearing to become brighter as my eyes got used to this lesser light. It sparkled like a million distant stars. It was incredible, a sight I will never forget. The Aapa children will love this I thought.

  “Aapa’s have used this nursery cave for thousands of years. The natural phenomena makes it exactly right for purpose,” Jasperetta informed me.

  Beyond this point were five further caves, each of which had the same pretty, luminous quality on its roof, walls, and floor. These were obviously class rooms as they had rows of tables with computer link workstations fitted into them.

  I was now in for another surprise. We had walked quite a way from the data library and I was wondering when the tour would end and I could have a much-needed cup of coffee.

  Jasperetta seemed to sense what I was thinking and informed me, “You won’t need to walk back, you can use the synapse jump.” I would usually have used my mini-transponder pendant but it wouldn’t have worked this far into the cave system. We were too far underground: at least a mile away from the cave opening.

  “I didn’t know you had one installed,” I replied.

  The synapse jump was a very useful item. It was a specialist transferor, which could be used to transfer through solid rock. The transfer pad was made of a type of glass fibre perspex and was circular measuring around a metre across. I stepped onto it and gave two commands. “Computer end Jasperetta programme,” and “one to transfer to data library.” Within a second I was standing back in the library.

  My transponder pendant bleeped and I touched it to activate.

  Keni spoke, “Have you seen the general message on the notice-board?”

  “No. I’m a civilian; it won’t apply to me.”

  “It’s for all hands. You’d better check it; I’ll see you later.”

  “Okay, thanks Keni,” I replied.

  The notice-board was really a high-tech touch-screen monitor. I had seen many of these all around the complex, and there was one nearby on the library wall. I stepped forward and touched the flashing icon labelled, ‘Code One Directive to all hands.’ A message screen appeared stating: All hands transfer to coordinates ZP
Y 74120 at 5:30 pm. by order of Chief Science Officer, Howard Cagney—no need for protective clothing.

  There were about two and a half hours left before the scheduled meeting so I made my way back to my quarters where I drank a much overdue mug of coffee, and relaxed in an old fashioned water shower. This used up half of my water credits for the week, but it was worth it; it felt so good. The dry dusty ground seemed to permeate every pore of my being, even in the comparatively clean cave system.

  I chose a new grey-issue jumpsuit to wear to the assembly and tucked into a green bean and grotesberry cheese salad before proceeding to the recreation cave where I had arranged to meet Chrissy. She was sitting at the bar sipping a drink while she waited.

  “Hi Bel,” she said, turning as I entered the cave.

  “Hi. Any idea what this meeting’s about?” I asked.

  “No, not really. I only know what Howard’s told me.”

  “Not a lot then.”

  Chrissy shook her head. “Exactly. I suppose we’ll find out when we get there. They’re holding it on the far side of the planet. Apparently it will be cooler there as the sun is only just coming up.” Chrissy looked more serious for the moment. “Howard never tells me anything. It’s really frustrating. He means well but seems to think I should already know everything.”

  “Sounds like The Brat.”

  “Yes, he said you used to call him that.”

  “Still do.”

  Chrissy laughed. “Here, have a diet Chronan.”

  She passed me a tall glass containing a light blue, sparkling, translucent liquid.

  “Thanks.” I examined the contents of the glass and took a cautious sip. It was surprisingly pleasant. “Mm … tastes a little like juniper berry wine.”

  I checked my watch.

  “We’d better get going,” I said, feeling a little excited about what we were about to learn. “It’s 5:20 already.”