Chapter 7, part 1
Unknown Planet
After hearing Shem Finch’s words that they had landed, Addi unbuckled his seatbelt and then helped Noah out of his.
“Come on lad, let’s see where we are.” Addi took Noah by the hand and headed out the cabin door. After opening it, they were greeted by the other passengers. They all looked as dazed and confused as he felt. They couldn’t have gone very far because they only left Earth’s atmosphere two hours earlier. There was no way they were already in another solar system. But then again, were they? No one had ever traveled light speed before. They had only seen it done in those science fiction shows on television. Yet here they were on another planet.
Sofia helped Dana into her hoverchair and headed out the cabin door and down the corridor to the elevator. After seeing Addison’s familiar face when she exited off the life, she waved him over. Addison led Noah over to the elevator to greet them.
“So, where do you think we are Addi?” Sofia was just as confused as Addison about how much time had elapsed since they had left Earth’s solar system.
“Dunno really.” Addi shrugged his shoulders. At the same time Finch was back on the communicator.
“Attention please! Can I have everyone move to the dining hall for a meeting? Finch out.” He sounded serious. Ten at a time the passengers into the lift to take them to the dining hall . Within five mintues they were all congregated in the dining hall.
Upon entering the larger portion of the eating area you could hear chatter.Every seemed to be talking to one another theorizing about where they were and what came next. Dr. Finch and Dr. Perez were not there yet. When the door to the lift opened and revealed Shem and Monica, a hush came over the crowd as they watched both of them move to the front of the room. Little baby Emma started to cry. Jo Anna tried her best to calm Emma while she prepared a bottle. Handing Emma to another female passenger, Jo Anna routed through the bag she brought with her. Being thrust into motherhood and remembering things for the baby was a problem right now. Frustrated Jo Anna took Emma and went to get some formula from the pantry in the back of the kitchen. The look on her face was apologetic as she shook the new type of bottles that warmed up bottles when you shook them. It was a new gadget invented the year before that had new mothers in blissful heaven. After reading the temperature gauge on the side of the bottle, Jo Anna tested the formula and then started to feed Emma. In infant happily sucked back her sustenance.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please let me have your attention.” Shem paused and took in a deep breath. “I don’t know what to tell you. I have no idea where we are or what planet we are on. When we re-entered normal space, our navigational computers told us we were at the point of origin. Meaning that we were back where we started. Clearly we are not as this looks nothing like the planet we just left. It does, however, look like the planet the probe found.” Everyone started talking amongst themselves. “Please! We will figure this out. What I can tell you is that the air outside, although a lot denser than what we are used to, is breathable WITHOUT PV’s”
The passengers once again began to talk amongst themselves. They were happy to hear that last part of news.
“Mr. Addi sir?” Noah tugged on Addison’s sleeve. “What does he mean without PV’s? Everyone has to wear them outside or we die Mr. Addi.” Noah was clearly concerned.
“Let’s listen to Dr. Finch and then worry about it, okay?” Noah was still concerned but held his words for another time.
“Dr. Perez and I will go out first and do some exploration. We want a couple of volunteers to help us. Once we find out the area is secure, we’ll start letting the rest of you off to explore. We have no idea if this planet’s dangers. Who inhabits it or what inhabits it. Mr. Daniels?” Mark Daniels perked up.
“Sir?” He was used to coming to attention. It still did not dawn on him that his military career was over.
“You are with me. Mr. MacKenzie?” Shem searched the faces for Addison.
“Yes, I’m here.” Addison stood up. Noah clung to his sleeve.
“You will go with Dr. Perez. The rest of you can stay here if you choose. Remember to check the assignment board as to when you are on kitchen duty. I guess that schedule can start now. Gentlemen,” Shem addressed Mark and Addison “… come with me.”
Noah protested that Addison had to leave. Sofia was the only other person Noah really knew so he thought it best Noah stay with her. It was then that Noah noticed another boy across the room. He wanted to go and say hello. Addison wouldn’t let him.
“Listen, I’ll only be gone for a little while. Stay here with Sofia and you’ll be fine. I’ll see you when I get back.” Addison had his hand on the boy’s head to reassure him.
“Mr. Addi. When am I going to get to see my mom and father?” Noah still had no concept that his parents were dead. He had been traumatized to the point of not remembering any of the events that surrounded him being there. You could almost hear Addison’s heart break at that very moment.
“Noah, laddie, we’ll discuss that when I get back. Okay?” Addison left Noah with Sofia and he was immediately distracted by Jo Anna and Emma.
Shem, Monica, Mark and Addison all headed for the lift. Once inside, Shem pushed the lowest deck button. Once arriving there, he led them down a corridor to a locked door. Inserting a card key into card reader and then nodding to Monica to insert her card key into the second card reader, the door unlocked. The door opened into a room full of weapons. Mark looked around the room like he had won the lottery.
“Not everyone knows about this room.” Shem explained, “And I would like to keep it that way. There is only one way in this room and it lies with me and Monica. I would prefer that we not have to use weapons, but we don’t know what is out there. A simple sidearm should do fine for now.” He handed them each one aluminum 9 mm Ruger.
“P94DC. Double action with decocker. Very effective.” Mark was a gun collector.
Addison had never held a firearm before but he was a quick study. Mark was able to show him how to load it and have it ready to fire at anything menacing.
Standing in front of the hatch door, with their PV units on just in case, Shem pushed a few buttons in sequence and the door depressurized and began to lower. They were at the belly of the ship and the gang plank lowered to the ground. Sunlight poured in blinding the four temporarily. Shielding their eyes against the sun, the four headed down the gangplank and onto the flattened grass below their feet. Monica did a quick scan once again of the air.
Addison turned to Mark and whispered “Right now would be a good time to have a go at those sunglasses my granny used to wear back in the day.”
“It’s breathable Shem. Lighter like we thought, but breathable.” Monica took off her PV unit and for the first time in ten years she was breathing on her own in the outside world. The sun was brighter than they were used to. To Shem it reminded him of days gone by and now days ahead of bright skies with no smog and no PV units. Shem, Mark and Addison all followed suit and took off their PV masks. They breathed in the sweet humid air.
Looking around them they could see a tree line about 100 yards in the distance. Never before had they seen trees this color. Blue and purple leaves along with the usual green but all intermixed on one tree. They warranted further exploration. With caution the four of them spread out a few yards from each other. Shem’s instincts were to look at the integrity of the ship. It seemed alright on visual alone. He would have to inspect it further because he wondered why it was making noises after coming out of light speed.
Mark suggested that they spread out a bit and secure a perimeter. Agreeing the four went in four directions of a 180 degree area.
“To the tree line, no further.” Shem insisted. “If anyone sees any trouble, fire a shot in the air.”
The grass was flattened within a one hundred food radius of the ship. Shem continued to the edge of the flattened grass and then stopped and listened for any signs of life. The eco- system was identical to Earth’s with the exception of the strange colored trees. He could hear insects making their noises, birds chirping and the wind rustling the grasses and trees. Absent was any sound of machinery. This was a wondrous place, Shem thought to himself.
The four met back at the ship after securing a perimeter. They had explored their surroundings for almost an hour. It was time to let the passengers see the outside for themselves. Mark thought it wise that they keep a guard outside the ship at all times, just in case. He had first watch. Shem, Monica and Addison headed back in the ship to get something to eat and tell the passengers there were free to explore the outside. When they were told there was no need for their PV units anymore, there were cries of joy. Slowly, most of them headed for the lifts. They were all still hesitant. Shem, Monica and Addison picked up some sandwiches that had been made and headed for a seat.
“Dr. Finch? Do you suppose I could head up the cooking detail for now? This stuff is horrid.” Addison was obviously disgusted. Ham and cheese sandwiches were not going to cut it. Obviously, his talents could be put to use here.
“Sure, I don’t see why not. What did you do back …” Shem stopped. The reality just hit him. Earth. Earth? Point of Origin, Earth … No!! Impossible!.
Sheme bolted out of his chair and headed for the lift. Taking another bite of his sandwich he turned to look at the two. Pointing his finger at them he said, “We’ll continue this discussion later. Monica, finish your lunch. I’ll see you on the bridge when you’re through.” The lift door shut between them. Addison and Monica were left looking at each other in bewilderment.
“What do you suppose…?” Addison questioned
“I’ve given up trying to figure him out a long time ago. He gets these ideas, gives me a hint he has an idea then goes silent until he figures it all out. It can be quite maddening. If I were to follow him right now, I’d stand there for ten maybe twenty minutes waiting for him to say what he has to say. I would be frustrated. So I’ll wait to go up there.” Monica took another bite of her sandwich. It wasn’t so horrible. It was a lot better than what she was used to.
“Aren’t you the least bit curious? One minute we are talking about this horrid stuff and the next he’s getting up with a weird look on his face. He looked almost terrified.” Addison stuffed his face and got up and headed toward the lift. Monica scrabbled to follow him
“Addison, you can’t go up there.” Monica was persistent.
“The hell I can’t. Who is going to stop me? You? I want to bloody well know what the bloody hell is going on.” Addison entered the lift and Monica hurried after him. Once inside the two did not look at each other, only stared straight forward.
After hearing Shem Finch’s words that they had landed, Addi unbuckled his seatbelt and then helped Noah out of his.
“Come on lad, let’s see where we are.” Addi took Noah by the hand and headed out the cabin door. After opening it, they were greeted by the other passengers. They all looked as dazed and confused as he felt. They couldn’t have gone very far because they only left Earth’s atmosphere two hours earlier. There was no way they were already in another solar system. But then again, were they? No one had ever traveled light speed before. They had only seen it done in those science fiction shows on television. Yet here they were on another planet.
Sofia helped Dana into her hoverchair and headed out the cabin door and down the corridor to the elevator. After seeing Addison’s familiar face when she exited off the life, she waved him over. Addison led Noah over to the elevator to greet them.
“So, where do you think we are Addi?” Sofia was just as confused as Addison about how much time had elapsed since they had left Earth’s solar system.
“Dunno really.” Addi shrugged his shoulders. At the same time Finch was back on the communicator.
“Attention please! Can I have everyone move to the dining hall for a meeting? Finch out.” He sounded serious. Ten at a time the passengers into the lift to take them to the dining hall . Within five mintues they were all congregated in the dining hall.
Upon entering the larger portion of the eating area you could hear chatter.Every seemed to be talking to one another theorizing about where they were and what came next. Dr. Finch and Dr. Perez were not there yet. When the door to the lift opened and revealed Shem and Monica, a hush came over the crowd as they watched both of them move to the front of the room. Little baby Emma started to cry. Jo Anna tried her best to calm Emma while she prepared a bottle. Handing Emma to another female passenger, Jo Anna routed through the bag she brought with her. Being thrust into motherhood and remembering things for the baby was a problem right now. Frustrated Jo Anna took Emma and went to get some formula from the pantry in the back of the kitchen. The look on her face was apologetic as she shook the new type of bottles that warmed up bottles when you shook them. It was a new gadget invented the year before that had new mothers in blissful heaven. After reading the temperature gauge on the side of the bottle, Jo Anna tested the formula and then started to feed Emma. In infant happily sucked back her sustenance.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please let me have your attention.” Shem paused and took in a deep breath. “I don’t know what to tell you. I have no idea where we are or what planet we are on. When we re-entered normal space, our navigational computers told us we were at the point of origin. Meaning that we were back where we started. Clearly we are not as this looks nothing like the planet we just left. It does, however, look like the planet the probe found.” Everyone started talking amongst themselves. “Please! We will figure this out. What I can tell you is that the air outside, although a lot denser than what we are used to, is breathable WITHOUT PV’s”
The passengers once again began to talk amongst themselves. They were happy to hear that last part of news.
“Mr. Addi sir?” Noah tugged on Addison’s sleeve. “What does he mean without PV’s? Everyone has to wear them outside or we die Mr. Addi.” Noah was clearly concerned.
“Let’s listen to Dr. Finch and then worry about it, okay?” Noah was still concerned but held his words for another time.
“Dr. Perez and I will go out first and do some exploration. We want a couple of volunteers to help us. Once we find out the area is secure, we’ll start letting the rest of you off to explore. We have no idea if this planet’s dangers. Who inhabits it or what inhabits it. Mr. Daniels?” Mark Daniels perked up.
“Sir?” He was used to coming to attention. It still did not dawn on him that his military career was over.
“You are with me. Mr. MacKenzie?” Shem searched the faces for Addison.
“Yes, I’m here.” Addison stood up. Noah clung to his sleeve.
“You will go with Dr. Perez. The rest of you can stay here if you choose. Remember to check the assignment board as to when you are on kitchen duty. I guess that schedule can start now. Gentlemen,” Shem addressed Mark and Addison “… come with me.”
Noah protested that Addison had to leave. Sofia was the only other person Noah really knew so he thought it best Noah stay with her. It was then that Noah noticed another boy across the room. He wanted to go and say hello. Addison wouldn’t let him.
“Listen, I’ll only be gone for a little while. Stay here with Sofia and you’ll be fine. I’ll see you when I get back.” Addison had his hand on the boy’s head to reassure him.
“Mr. Addi. When am I going to get to see my mom and father?” Noah still had no concept that his parents were dead. He had been traumatized to the point of not remembering any of the events that surrounded him being there. You could almost hear Addison’s heart break at that very moment.
“Noah, laddie, we’ll discuss that when I get back. Okay?” Addison left Noah with Sofia and he was immediately distracted by Jo Anna and Emma.
Shem, Monica, Mark and Addison all headed for the lift. Once inside, Shem pushed the lowest deck button. Once arriving there, he led them down a corridor to a locked door. Inserting a card key into card reader and then nodding to Monica to insert her card key into the second card reader, the door unlocked. The door opened into a room full of weapons. Mark looked around the room like he had won the lottery.
“Not everyone knows about this room.” Shem explained, “And I would like to keep it that way. There is only one way in this room and it lies with me and Monica. I would prefer that we not have to use weapons, but we don’t know what is out there. A simple sidearm should do fine for now.” He handed them each one aluminum 9 mm Ruger.
“P94DC. Double action with decocker. Very effective.” Mark was a gun collector.
Addison had never held a firearm before but he was a quick study. Mark was able to show him how to load it and have it ready to fire at anything menacing.
Standing in front of the hatch door, with their PV units on just in case, Shem pushed a few buttons in sequence and the door depressurized and began to lower. They were at the belly of the ship and the gang plank lowered to the ground. Sunlight poured in blinding the four temporarily. Shielding their eyes against the sun, the four headed down the gangplank and onto the flattened grass below their feet. Monica did a quick scan once again of the air.
Addison turned to Mark and whispered “Right now would be a good time to have a go at those sunglasses my granny used to wear back in the day.”
“It’s breathable Shem. Lighter like we thought, but breathable.” Monica took off her PV unit and for the first time in ten years she was breathing on her own in the outside world. The sun was brighter than they were used to. To Shem it reminded him of days gone by and now days ahead of bright skies with no smog and no PV units. Shem, Mark and Addison all followed suit and took off their PV masks. They breathed in the sweet humid air.
Looking around them they could see a tree line about 100 yards in the distance. Never before had they seen trees this color. Blue and purple leaves along with the usual green but all intermixed on one tree. They warranted further exploration. With caution the four of them spread out a few yards from each other. Shem’s instincts were to look at the integrity of the ship. It seemed alright on visual alone. He would have to inspect it further because he wondered why it was making noises after coming out of light speed.
Mark suggested that they spread out a bit and secure a perimeter. Agreeing the four went in four directions of a 180 degree area.
“To the tree line, no further.” Shem insisted. “If anyone sees any trouble, fire a shot in the air.”
The grass was flattened within a one hundred food radius of the ship. Shem continued to the edge of the flattened grass and then stopped and listened for any signs of life. The eco- system was identical to Earth’s with the exception of the strange colored trees. He could hear insects making their noises, birds chirping and the wind rustling the grasses and trees. Absent was any sound of machinery. This was a wondrous place, Shem thought to himself.
The four met back at the ship after securing a perimeter. They had explored their surroundings for almost an hour. It was time to let the passengers see the outside for themselves. Mark thought it wise that they keep a guard outside the ship at all times, just in case. He had first watch. Shem, Monica and Addison headed back in the ship to get something to eat and tell the passengers there were free to explore the outside. When they were told there was no need for their PV units anymore, there were cries of joy. Slowly, most of them headed for the lifts. They were all still hesitant. Shem, Monica and Addison picked up some sandwiches that had been made and headed for a seat.
“Dr. Finch? Do you suppose I could head up the cooking detail for now? This stuff is horrid.” Addison was obviously disgusted. Ham and cheese sandwiches were not going to cut it. Obviously, his talents could be put to use here.
“Sure, I don’t see why not. What did you do back …” Shem stopped. The reality just hit him. Earth. Earth? Point of Origin, Earth … No!! Impossible!.
Sheme bolted out of his chair and headed for the lift. Taking another bite of his sandwich he turned to look at the two. Pointing his finger at them he said, “We’ll continue this discussion later. Monica, finish your lunch. I’ll see you on the bridge when you’re through.” The lift door shut between them. Addison and Monica were left looking at each other in bewilderment.
“What do you suppose…?” Addison questioned
“I’ve given up trying to figure him out a long time ago. He gets these ideas, gives me a hint he has an idea then goes silent until he figures it all out. It can be quite maddening. If I were to follow him right now, I’d stand there for ten maybe twenty minutes waiting for him to say what he has to say. I would be frustrated. So I’ll wait to go up there.” Monica took another bite of her sandwich. It wasn’t so horrible. It was a lot better than what she was used to.
“Aren’t you the least bit curious? One minute we are talking about this horrid stuff and the next he’s getting up with a weird look on his face. He looked almost terrified.” Addison stuffed his face and got up and headed toward the lift. Monica scrabbled to follow him
“Addison, you can’t go up there.” Monica was persistent.
“The hell I can’t. Who is going to stop me? You? I want to bloody well know what the bloody hell is going on.” Addison entered the lift and Monica hurried after him. Once inside the two did not look at each other, only stared straight forward.
posted by Tracey at 7:59 PM
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