Chapter 5, part 2

Waiting outside the barracks were 12 unmarked white vans. Each of the drivers was a UN military soldier. Their blue combat helmets screamed “TARGET”. This was all so very weird to the strangers that piled out of the barracks. They all looked at each other trying to size each other up.

Entering the mess hall, everything about this place still looked like a prison and they all felt that way too. Herded like sheep they all lined up for their breakfast. There were an awful lot of other people here too. Who were they and why were they here. Looking a lot like worker bees in a hive they scurried from one station to the other. Overhead loud speakers announced that launch was still a go.

Top engineers and scientists from around the world were here. All were working on a project just so that a chosen few would live. They knew they wouldn’t. For some of them it was an honor to have some part of history that would carry forth the human race. Some were not so naïve as to believe that their name would be in any history book. This could all fail. They could take off and then be blown to pieces. Nothing like this had ever been tried on this scale. Thousands of probes had failed either blowing up or never heard from again. Those probes had tiny reactors to drive their engines. The ship was 100,000 times the size of any probe. Some of them had blind faith in Dr. Finch. Others thought he was a complete crackpot.

Sofia helped Dana get her breakfast and carried their trays to a nearby table so that she could have proper access for her wheelchair. Sofia set Dana’s tray in front of her and then sat and began to eat herself.

“Mind if I sit here?” Addison stood on the other side of the table. Sofia with mouth full, gestured for him to sit. “My name is Addison.” He extended his hand. Sofia greeted his hand with her own.

“Sofia.” She said softly in her Spanish accent. “This is Dana.” Addison then extended his hand to Dana. Slowly she extended her hand.

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have assumed you could move your hands.” Addison felt embarrassed.

“No, it’s okay. I prefer to be treated like a normal walking person.” Dana felt attracted to Addison and his accent was to die for. “Tell me Addison, what part of Scotland are you from?” Now she was downright flirting.

“Edinburgh. I have, or rather had a small pub there. Johnny rest his soul, left it to me last year in his will. The Lion’s Claw Pub. When we get to wherever we are going, I’m going to open a new one. ‘Course, we won’t have any beer now will we? Sorry, rambling. It’s what I do when I’m nervous.” Addison’s gaze turned to Sofia.

“That’s very interesting Addison.” Sofia wanted to continue when she was interrupted.

“Addi, please.” Addison gave permission for them to use his pet name.

“Addi, what do you do in this pub?” Sofia asked as she thought there was more to this story. She took another bite of her toast.

"Besides being Landlord? I’m a chef by trade. I wish I had cooked this breakfast for everyone. This stuff is horrid.” The three snickered.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Monica Perez stood up and grabbed the attention of everyone. “Ladies and gentlemen, please, let’s get started.” She waited for everyone to quiet down and then spoke again.

“I realize a lot of you are still dazed and confused about what is going on and what is about to happen. All of you should be fully informed by the end of the day. But first, Dr. Shem Finch wishes to speak to all of you and then I’ll go over the day’s itinerary.” Monica looked down on Shem with a smile and handed him the floor.

Clearing his throat “Hello. I am Dr. Shem Finch, as my most esteemed colleague, Dr. Perez has already told you.” Shem felt so embarrassed when asked to get up and speak. He had become a Certified Toastmaster at one point but dropped meetings to work on his many inventions. He had wanted to stay in the background and not be the one giving the speech.

He continued “As you all know, last week a deep space probe came back with critical information about a new planet, a place where we could start over. Unfortunate for the human race, my colleagues and I were only able to build a ship big enough to hold 100. The reason for this is that the only engine would could build large enough and stable enough is in that ship. It has taken us two years to build that one ship. In those two years many engines capable of producing enough speed to past light speed have failed. It was only two months ago that we finally figured it out.

“We were not scheduled to leave for another month, but many scientists agree that the planet is not going to be able to sustain any oxygen breathing life much longer. We cannot produce synthetic oxygen any longer as the more we do so, the worse the planet gets. Soon your PV’s will fail and all will suffocate and die. They have estimated another month before the planet is completely dead.”

Gasps could be heard throughout the building. For those who could not speak English, personal translators were given in the form of a small computer hanging from their necks. These computers would hear words spoken and translate them into any language for the user.

“Now for the good news. The ship’s reactors have been filled and all systems appear to be a go. Our team has tried to make this all as comfortable as we can for you. Today you will be shown around the ship and also to where you will be bunking for the next six months. We expect it will take that long until we can build adequate shelters on the new planet. Until then, the ship will be our home.

“I know a lot of you are leaving loved ones behind. I wish I could have built a ship or more ships in time to carry all of us forward. I have a heavy heart about that. A burden I will carry for the rest of my life. But we must move forward. Now I will turn it over to Dr. Perez. She will answer any questions you may have.” Monica stood up and Shem whispered something in her ear. He readdressed everyone.

“Oh before I go, where is Ms. Church?” Shem motioned for two of him employees to bring in one of his inventions. “This is something I was working on a few years back and had to abandon for this project. It is a hover craft chair. With this chair you can go up and down stairs as well as maneuver on rough terrain.” By the time he had finished speaking, Dana Church had wheeled her chair to where he was standing.

“Ms. Church you are going to need this on the ship if you are to get around on your own, I only wish I had been able to release this invention to the public years ago.” Shem smiled at Dana and picked her up and placed her in the new chair. He then began to explain the controls to her. He nodded at Monica to continue.

“As Dr. Finch has told you, today you will orientate yourself with the ship as well as learn emergency procedures. Please finish your breakfasts and we’ll get started in ten minutes.” Monica bent over and took her tray back to the kitchen area where she had laid, what seemed like a thousand trays before it. The noise of voices talking soon returned to the mess hall. The new voice translators were busily translating everyone’s questions for each other. Again, the loudspeaker sounded that the launch was a go.

Monica proceeded to give instructions to the military personal and the engineers and workers donned their PV’s to head back to the launch pad. The ship had been moved the day before to the launch pad so that they could test the engines. The 98 passengers were loaded back up into their waiting vans and were taken across to the air force base.

As the passengers looked out their windows they could see the massive ship sitting on the runway. They were in complete awe stricken by its size. They could see that it was a multi-deck ship. At the base of the ship, personnel could be seen loading the belongings of its passengers. They would bunk on the ship tonight and so as to be ready for take off at 05:00 hours.

“Can you believe the size of that thing?” Duke’s jaw hit the floor.

“It’s the size of a football field.” Addi pulled Noah closer to the window for him to get a good look.

“Is that a ship?” Noah asked

“Yes son, it sure is.” Addi had taking a liking to this red headed boy. He figured his mother or father must have had some Scot or Irish in them. Noah had cried less and less now that Addi had become his big buddy. Addi wondered how his parents coped with him being gone. He couldn’t imagine having to give up his child.

“Wow, that’s bigger than the Millennium Falcon, even bigger than an Imperial Starship.” Noah was obsessed with Star Wars. He took his miniature Imperial starship out of his backpack. “See, this is my only one. I wanted more but my Mom said I had enough of them. You know what?” Noah was famous for saying this.

“What?” Addison replied

“I really miss my mom and dad. They got killed. I saw it. Just like on TV” Noah was that matter of fact about it. He had no comprehension that his parents were really dead and that he would never see his sisters again. To him it was one big movie. “Are they going to meet us on the ship?” Noah inquired.

“No they aren’t Noah.” Addison drew the boy in tight for a hug. Noah began to whine and wimper. “Please don’t cry. Look, we are getting closer. Isn’t this exciting?” He was trying desperately to distract Noah.

“Mr. Addi?” it seemed Noah had another question.

“What laddie?” Addison was trying very hard to be patient.

“You talk funny. Just like Obi Wan. Well almost.” They both had a good giggle.

The 12 vans pulled up around the side of the ship where the workers were busily loading suitcases, crates and computer equipment. This ship was massive. The 98 piled out of the vans and stood on the tarmac. The noise from the idling engines was almost deafening. They had been given earplugs as they left the mess hall. Monica waved them all to come forward and take the gang plank into the ship. As the passengers walked single file, they continued to look up and around at the ship in utter amazement. It was like they were living in a dream. None of this seamed real yet it was happening. It was all happening.

As they entered the ship, the passengers were greeted with a wide hallway that went left to right. Some thought that it resembled a cruise ship on the inside only everything seemed wider. Hallways were built wider to accommodate equipment transportation as well as one or more passenger. One thing that bugged Shem about cruise ships was the narrow hallways. They were built to cram as many people in as possible. This ship was not a floating hotel. It was a place of science and a place of rest. Not entertainment. He would be damned if he had to squeeze by another person if he was in a hurry to get to the cockpit or engine room.

Guided by Monica they turned left down the corridor. She explained that they would all have maps in their cabins. They walked down the hallway looking up and around them. The passengers seemed to be in a dream state. It all seemed so bright and clinical. They reached an elevator. Little by little they were ushered up the elevators to the living quarters. When they were all assembled once again on the fourth deck from the bottom they were given their cabin numbers and bunk partners.

Addison looked down to see that he was assigned with Mark Daniels. He didn’t know who that was yet. He wondered about the boy. Noah showed Addi his cabin assignment and saw that he was bunked with Duke Johnson. No no, can’t have this he thought to himself. Addi frantically searched for Duke and spotted him at the back of the crowd. Now to find this Mark Daniels. It was hard to hear anything through people trying to find each other. Addi headed toward Monica to straighten things out.

“Dr. Perez. Is it possible to switch cabin assignments? It would seem you have put a five year old boy in with a, well, criminal. He’s frightened and we have a report.”

“Certainly, Mr.?” Monica still didn’t know who everyone was.

“Addison MacKenzie, Dr. Perez. You can call my Addi. Do you know where this Mark Daniels is?” Addi was eager to get this figured out.

“Can I have your attention please? Excuse me.” A hush fell over the crowd. “Where is Mark ..” she looked at Addi

“Daniels.” He whispered

“Where is Mark Daniels?” she declared over the crowd.

“Yes ma’am, right here.” Half way through the crowd was standing Mark Daniels. Obvious to everyone he was of some military branch. Mark stood 6 foot tall and had a shaved head. He was fit and buff. He made his way to Addi and Monica.

“Mr. Daniels. This is Addison MacKenzie, your bunk mate. He has requested that you take his spot with uh Mr. … “She read Addi’s paperwork again. “… Mr. Johnson. Where is Mr. Johnson?” Addi pointed to the heavily tattooed man. “Mr. Johnson.” Monica spoke up. “Could you come here a minute please.” Duke walked over toward the lanky Dr. Perez.

“Yes little seniorita, what can I do for you? Need a little Duke in ya?” Duke was crude and rude. Monica was not amused.

“Mr. Johnson, please keep those comments to yourself. Now, Mr., … oh Addi here has requested that you bunk with Mr. Daniels here so that he can be with the boy. What’s his name?” She addressed Addi.

“Noah.” Addi reqplied

“Yes Noah. He wants to keep him comfortable. Would you mind switching cabin assignments?” Monica wanted this conversation overwith. Duke disgusted her.

“Anything for you baby.” Duke obviously ignored Monica’s warnings.

“Good. Okay Addi. You will be in cabin D5 with Noah and Mr. Johnson and Mr. Daniels you two will be in D18. Fair enough?” Monica was relieved that this had worked out. They all nodded. Addi bent down to Noah’s level and addressed him.

“Noah you’ll be with me laddie. Okay?” Noah nodded. All these people. Who were they and why was he here. He wanted to see his mom and dad and sisters. Oh how he missed his older sister. He began to pout and whine and he looked terribly sad.

“It’s alright son. I’m here for you. Now let’s get ourselves settled in our new home.” Addison was about to turn down the hallway and search for their cabin when Monica spoke up once again.

“We will meet back in this hallway in half an hour.” She turned and went back to the elevator.

The 98 passengers searched down the hallways on either side for their cabin assignments. It became obvious males were on one deck, D deck. and the females were on C Deck, the one above the male deck.

Addi and Noah found their cabin on the right side of the corridor. Duke and Mark’s cabin was down the hall a bit on the left.

The female population found their way down the other corridor. Sofia was bunked with Dana and Jo Anna had baby Emma with her. Sierra found herself bunked with an American lady in her 40’s.

Each cabin was identical. Two bunks and bench seat and a pull out table. They also were equipped with two computers so that they could watch discs and play games. Something Shem insisted upon for his own cabin and figured everyone should have one.

Soon they were all back in the corridor and ready for the tour of the ship. An assistant to Shem and Monica was on hand to show them the mess hall and entertainment lounge. They were also briefed on emergency procedures should anything go wrong in take off or while in transit.

The afternoon was spent between touring the bridge and a Q&A session. All of the engineers and physicists were on hand in rotation to answer, as best they could, how this ship could fly let alone reach light speed. A lot of people retreated to their cabins because they could not understand any of it.

The night time meal was spent in the new mess hall. It wasn’t what everyone expected. They had expected stainless steel and cold surroundings. Instead, there were four large kitchens that looked like they were plucked from a home show room. They were able to make whatever they wanted from non perishables. The dining tables and chairs were quite comfortable and sat 6 to each. Absent from this meal were Shem and Monica who were busily going over launch check lists.

Everyone retired to their cabins after their meals. Tomorrow would be a day that they would all remember. The ship was leaving at 05:00. Way too early for some. They had been instructed to stay in their cabins and that instructions on what to do when the launch sequence started would be given. All of them breathed a sigh of relief that they were not required to go back to the barracks.

Monica found Shem on the bridge looking over a check list.

“Are we ready Shem?” She leaned over his shoulder to look at the list. She could smell his sweat.

“Yes, I believe so. I’ve been over everything a million times. The engines are at idling power now and they will commence thrust power boost up at 04:00. I only hope that doesn’t wake everyone up. I made every precaution to have the engines at the back and the passengers up front. But we’ve never actually flown this baby before.” Shem got up from his chair to look at one more thing on the instrument panel.

“Why don’t we get some shut eye for a couple of hours and get up at 03:00. I think we’ll be fresher. Who are you bunking with?” Monica had yet to read her own orders.

“You don’t know? You and I share a cabin Mo. It was the only way I figured that we could have all of our paperwork and computer work in one area. Plus when I’m there you’ll be up here and vise versa. Just made logical sense. If you are uncomfortable, I’m sorry. I wanted a cabin to myself but it didn’t work out that way.” Shem felt unsure and uneasy about his decision

“no no it’s alright. Yes it makes perfect sense to have our papers and computers in the same area. Okay so let’s both go to the cabin and get some shut eye.” They walked down the corridor to the only cabin placed on A Deck. Shem wanted to be close to the bridge, just in case.

This would be their last night on Mother Earth.