The days rolled by slowly now, with so much anticipation, it was hard to stay focused on the mundane routines so many generations had shared for so long. It was nearly over but for a few hurtles.
After three weeks of travel we were orbiting Number Three, 7,500miles in diameter. The probes were returning some confusing data, most not favorable for colonizing. First off, it had no visible water on the surface, and it tended to look like a large ball of mud. It looked a lot like Venus, except with less cloud cover, yet only a few volcanoes showing. The probe we sent down gave very high reading on sulfur dioxide and volcanic ash. Our astronomers were briefly stumped until they realized that planet number two had an elliptical orbit and passed within 70,000 miles of number three every forty-seven years, which almost tore planet three apart. There was no chance of establishing a colony there, ever!
With that knowledge Captain Pierce set a course for number Five, which was a three month journey, due to the fact that it was on the opposite side of the sun from our current location, and our ship can’t be taken to maximum speed on a trip as short as one within the same system. A long-distance probe had already confirmed an oxygen–nitrogen atmosphere on both the planet and its largest moon, so we still had two options yet to check. Meanwhile, it was life as usual for the 6,213 people on the Roid Ship, half of whom wanted to return to Sne-az and take over. Many of those advocates for colonization swore we could do without harming the native population, ha ha ha!
Planet #5 was approximately 100 million miles further from its star than was Sne-az, and was definitely in the middle of an ice age. Still, the equatorial region was well within habitable range. The oxygen content was a little less than we need, but easily within the range of terraforming in less than ten years with our technology.
After twelve plus generations of space travel, you would think waiting a few months would be nothing, our patience being inherent in our system. Oddly, it was exactly the opposite! Perhaps having found one inhabitable world had burned a hole in our programming. We had a world we could live on, and as many were saying: let’s settle there and then look for other places; we can have our cake and eat it, too!
Back in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, Earthlings wrote books about people traveling to the stars, and it taking so long that the descendents of the original colonists no longer remembered they were on a spaceship, or at least had lost their technology and didn’t know what to do when they arrived at their destination. With this thought in mind, you can see why our forefathers were so careful how they set up our system of government, education and military. Our sciences, technologies, and bio research had far surpassed what we started with. While it had been at least ten years since we’d actually received a message from Earth, we still sent messages back regularly, and assumed we would eventually hear from them.
When first leaving Earth most of the colonists believed a faster than light ship would eventually catch up with us, and save us a lot of time; but that didn’t happen. The main reason travel by asteroid was adopted in the first place was the fear that something might happen to the Earth. Our Roid Ships were designed to ensure mankind would continue through its colonies.
One of the first colony ships had been a standard-issue metal ship. After it was utterly destroyed by a reasonably small meteor, not even a decade into its trip, it was realized that farming the inside of an asteroid was the cheapest way to give our travelers adequate shielding and living space that could expand as the population grew. It also provided all the fuel and resources we would use for generations to come; and the mining gave us more living space constantly. That’s where the Matter Compressor came into play. By providing a greater density inside the asteroid, it provided sufficient gravity for humankind to survive and propagate.
The Astro II left Earth with 1,000 colonists, and we now were 6,213. It would have been considerably more if not for the plague that hit during the seventh generation that killed nearly 40% of our population. It was a nasty virus that started in our air processors and led to the monitoring systems we had to develop for future generations to avoid a repeat.
Over the years we installed various view ports and our auxiliary control rooms right at the surface of the asteroid, in case we ever had to navigate visually. Occasionally, electronic signal failing made that decision for us . Of course, the control room where my father had died was abandoned, but that disaster had encouraged new and even better sensor systems and backups. Captain Pierce’s actions to care for my family after that day had made me unquestionably loyal to him.
Aside from environmental concerns, nano-technology was another near disaster for mankind that made Earthers decide to migrate to insure the survival of the species. The history books told us that a whole town had to be nuked to stop the spread of nanobots that had improved people to insure their survival by making them nearly indestructible. That would have been good if the people altered had stayed mentally stable, but of course that’s not the nature of things. We never program nanobots for more than a single task to avoid the hazards; lesson learned!
Mom welcomed me with a big hug when I walked in the door. It was my first time home since the trip to Sne-az, having been required to be first in isolation and then at the militia headquarters for debriefing after the landing. Angel came in a few minutes after me and nearly bowled me over!
“He lives!” she exclaimed as she charged into me; you’d think I’d been gone a year! “Tell me everything that happened; what was it like?” As if she hadn’t already heard and seen the recordings on the ship’s net.
“It was the smells that made things the weirdest,” I said. “Such a barrage on your senses, of things both familiar and strange; even offensive. I found myself almost nauseated by some, including the smell of the water we drank. It had a sort of greasy taste even though Olga’s scanner said it was safe, and the food they offered made my eyes water; it smelled and looked like something that died a week ago and was left on a warm rock to cure or ferment! Thank the stars we didn’t have to try to eat it,” I said, warming up to my role as big brother and entertainer.
“There were also some really good smells, like some of the plants and flowers, though we didn’t have too much of a chance to appreciate them with the way things went down,” I added as an afterthought. “The strangest thing was upon returning to the ship, the smells of our world very nearly gagged me. It was so pungent after being in the wide open air! I guess we’re so acclimated to it, that we don’t even notice, though I’m still aware of it even now, after experiencing the difference.”
“Wow,” sighed Angie. “I’ve never thought of that aspect, but I knew there would be things that didn’t show up on the vids—you know; the things you internalize.”
“In the records of the early days of our voyage,” Mom chimed in, “there was quite a bit said about the odors and lack of privacy in the ship, though we really have never experienced any other way.”
“Yeah, I wonder if we’ll feel isolated when we move off the ship?” Angel queried. “I mean, this is the only world we’ve ever known! It’s a little scary!”
“Well, I don’t think we’ll need to worry yet.” Mom added. “It’ll take a little while just to get to number five and then, who knows?”
“What’s for dinner?” asked Angie as she put her school computer on the little desk in the corner of the room. “And what’s with that foggy rain scene in the window? It’s depressing.”
“I thought we should start getting used to things being a little more random.” Mom answered as she started punching info into the synthesizer. “I’ve read in stories that beef stew and a biscuit was perfect for a rainy, foggy day,” added with a smile.
“Sounds perfect to me,” I said, and meant it. “I’m starved!”
I went to my room and changed into something other than my uniform for the first time in days, and when I came out Mom asked me if I was going to the Central Hall for the meeting.
“What meeting?” I asked.
“Oh, Wade Turley and his group have called for an open forum to discuss leaving a colony on Sne-az. He and some others, like the anthropologists, want a vote on it, and that the old rules needn’t apply, since the Fenninz have no real technology,” she answered.
“He’s crazy!” I exploded. “Those little guys have a complete society! They’re gentle and friendly and people like Turley would walk all over them.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! “This is the first I’ve heard of it, but I will definitely be there. It may come to the point where Sne-az is our only real option, but we’ve got to exhaust all other possibilities before we seriously consider invading their world; that’s why we have the directive in the first place!”
“Well, we have an hour and a half to eat and get to the Hall, meetings at 1900 hours,” said Mom, seeing how much I was disturbed by her news.
Angie was setting the table as Mom was removing dinner from the synth. “Smells good enough to eat,” I said, trying to lighten the mood after my little tirade.
“I’m sure people will be reasonable about the options; there are still so many options to investigate, and I’m sure most of us will want all the information before overriding the directive,” Mom assured as she set the food on the table.
It was good having dinner with my family, having been gone a while with all that had taken place. Josh Getz and Ira Braun came tapping at the door, to see if I was going to the Hall and told us Brad, our pilot from the landing, had been to see them to let them know they were expected to be there in uniform, in case things got out of hand. Ira suggested that I should also be in uniform.
“Is there really that much of a threat?” Angie asked, sounding somewhat alarmed. “I mean, nobody would try to force anybody to disobey the directive, would they?”
“Well, Capt. Pierce doesn’t want to be unprepared,” said Josh. “Pretty much the whole colony will be there, and Turley’s group really want that planet, so it’s likely to get heated.
“Side arms?” I asked.
“Stunners only,” joined Ira.
As I headed in to change back into my uniform, I noticed for the first time the way Ira and Angie were eyeballing each other; didn’t see that one coming!
I was out and we were all on our way in a matter of minutes. The thoroughfares were packed with people such as I had never seen before except during drills. The chatter was almost deafening; the bits of conversation I was overhearing were a bit disconcerting. Like: “Why shouldn’t we settle there?” and “They’re not really human!” and “It’s a big planet.” I was suddenly aware of why the Captain wanted us in uniform. This could get ugly and he needed to be able to see who he could count on to at least try to keep thing under control. It also didn’t hurt for the public to be aware that we were there in force.
The Central Hall was large enough to seat everybody, having been enlarged only a generation ago, but the people tend to block entrances while waiting for their friends. Some things never change, and I soon found myself recruited to crowd control in order to keep people moving.
Although many of us lived close to the Central Hall, some lived several miles away, and to get there they needed to ride in the electric cars we call Flats, because they were just platforms on wheels, with molded seats; enough for twenty or so passengers. People can live as much as six miles away, traveling around the inner circumference of our little world; so in our communities, contrary to what one would expect, there are people that never meet. Many were the jokes about the nick naming the Asteroid ship, just Roid but, some said it was because being hemmed in on it was a pain in the ass. Well, you decide. In any case, we could easily travel another twelve generations on board, without running out of space. We could never have built a metal ship big enough to do what a Roid Ship could do for us. Each time a Flat arrived with all twenty seats full, the rush for the entrances was more than the doorways could handle.
This was way more excitement than I’d ever seen in my whole twenty-six years of life, spent navigating the passageways especially as we did when we were kids. Our home, Astro II, was five miles long and three wide, though nobody lived in the front mile; that was our shielding from small impacts, and even the astronomers wouldn’t go there without absolute necessity. There were small craters showing where it had served its purpose. Other than the Hydrop, the Hall was the largest chamber in our world, and it was full to the brim.
At a table on the stage sat Captain Pierce, Mayor Jordan, Rep. Wade Turley, Peoples’ Rep. for section E. There were currently 12 residential sections, each of 500 plus people, Rep. Jackson (Jack) Freemont P.R. section C, [my home], and, well, a total of sixteen reps and politicians.
When everyone was seated, Mayor Jordan called the meeting to order and the place got eerily silent. There were forty of us Militia members stationed around the perimeter in plain sight, but I knew there were at least as many not in the open. With almost no lapse in time the meeting was turned over to Peoples’ Rep. Turley, since the meeting was called for by him, and he began.
“Most of you know me,” and paused for assent and effect. “I have called this meeting because, as you’re all aware, we have found a fully habitable planet. Our captain has made the decision to leave that planet to the primitive culture, sparsely in evidence, with extremely questionable intelligence and the most rudimentary so-called technology.” Once again he paused for a moment, which he did with great effect. He had studied clinical psychology, on top of being a supervisor over our primary matter synthesizer and a politician, and he was a dynamic speaker. “This decision was far from unanimous and I feel should be debated and put to public referendum. I personally feel that our Captain, with all due respect, has in fact overstepped his authority in making this decision for all of us.” He stated this last with obvious vehemence, looking straight at the Captain while gesturing toward the crowd. There was a smattering of applause from around the room as he sat down with a rather satisfied look on his face; he knew he’d hit home.
The Mayor spoke again, quieting the crowd, “Captain, your response?”
The Captain stood and looked around at the upturned faces. “I certainly understand the impatience shared by many of you.” He paused as if in thought. “The decision to continue on was made long ago and with much forethought by our ancestors when they planed this voyage and wrote the directive.”
He was interrupted by a red-faced man in the front row, who kept glancing at Turley as he spoke, “Are we to let people who’ve never lived as we have, make the decision for us? And for that matter, those who live light years away nice and snug in their little world?”
The Captain scanned the crowd to see where the rest of Turley’s plants would be. He knew, Turley would have a well planned assault on logic to sway the crowd. “It is well documented in the histories in our own libraries, which we have all studied, the results of technological advantage on less advanced societies. That is the reason for our doctrines. Many were the cultures that were lost on Earth because of reckless superiority. There are two worlds that need to be checked out thoroughly before we risk any further contamination of the world of Sne-az.” Captain Pierce took special care to use the native name for the planet. After several more strategic questions and answers, Turley sprung his trap.
“Then let’s have the vote!” Said Turley, much to the Captain’s surprise.
He had expected a little more debate first! We were already well on our way to number five, so he was sure he could stall things long enough to get better information about the planet and it moon with which to convince us to obey the directive. Oh well, there was nothing for it but to do it.
“We can have the voting machines set up for Five days from now, if that’s acceptable to your people?” said the Captain, hoping that would be enough time for propaganda to be put to good use.
“That will be satisfactory.” Wade responded, knowing he had propaganda of his own well in hand.
With that said, the order to close the meeting was given and seconded, and the cro
wd dispersed in a better than expected orderly fashion.
Captain Pierce didn’t look at all happy at having been coerced into a vote that soon, but there had been little choice; now we’d have to make the most of the time. He ordered high speed probes sent to number Five and even its moon, to gather as much information as possible, though there was very little time to work with. There was just barely time to get the probes there, not to mention interpret the information gathered.
I was ordered to our Militia base in order to be prepared for any trouble. It didn’t seem likely, but better to be ready. Then came the surprise order! We were to leave immediately, in our fastest ship, toward number 5. The new ship was untested, but was the only one of our new design that could, if it worked right, get us there fast enough to appraise the situation before the vote. Oh, and we couldn’t tell anyone we were going!
We were on the ship in less than an hour and commencing count down!
The Mystery
The engines fired and we left the Astro II so fast, the Asteroid was out of sight before I could turn the rear camera on! The new drive system was a variation of the Matter Compressor System, except that in a small ship like this, it was unbelievably fast and responsive. Even at this incredible speed, it would take us a full two days to reach number Five. I just hoped it would worth the trip; I’d hate to have let the Captain or the Fenninz down. One of the biggest differences with the MCS was that it was small enough to dissipate when shut down; unlike the big unit on the Roid Ship, which would take years to shut down so as not to implode or explode; nobody was sure which, and it’s still under debate.
The crew selected by the Captain included Nettie, Brad, Josh, Ira, Olga, Hester, Mike, and Doc Lee— pretty much the same crew that had landed on Sne-az, with the exception of Roger Turley, because he would have given his dad a heads up!
The new little ship was performing well according to Brad, the best pilot we had, and the only one with prior landing experience in heavy atmosphere.
Starborn Odyssey (The Starborn Odyssey Trilogy Book 1) Page 5