Colonizing the stars, and this expedition, had been his dream ever since the unmanned probe Solar Wind had reported back in August of 2104, over 22 years before. He had been only 26 then, a freshman member of the Kansas legislature, but the thought of colonizing a new planet, particularly in a new star system, had fired his imagination and changed his life. Colin had gone on to become the youngest governor in Kansas history and later, when Republicans swept both houses of Congress and the presidency in 2108, became one of President Atkin's most trusted staff members. It was President Atkin who had pushed for and gotten the commitment for the tremendous expenditure needed to launch the expedition, and it was President Atkin who had gotten Colin's appointment as assistant to the Executive Director of the Centauri Corporation, the government funded, quasi-independent organization established to plan and implement the expedition. Several years later Colin was appointed to head the expedition itself, and since that time had dedicated his energies to that goal.
While referred to as a 'colony', the settlement of Alpha 2 would be much more than that. It would be a new world, isolated and cut off. Even with the new ION-Plasma drives the flight took nearly nine years; eighteen years out and back, plus delays in waiting for the proper flight windows. Even messages transmitted to or from Earth took over four years. In time, Colin realized, Alpha 2 would become a unique civilization, coexisting with that of Earth, but hopefully a sister civilization with close emotional and cultural ties to Earth.
Whatever the result, there was no going back. The die was cast, and could not be recalled. The colonization ships were one way vessels, assembled in space and fueled for the outbound journey only. With the launch Alpha 2 was their home in fact, since only the two accompanying freighters had adequate fuel for a round trip journey; and even then there was only three months in orbit before they must leave or lose their flight window. Once the surge of colonization ended there was little to encourage continued interchange between Earth and its new colony. Unlike the earlier colonization of the Americas distances and costs of transportation made exports from the colony uneconomic unless some rare and highly valuable mineral was found. For the same reason any major migration to relieve Earth's population pressure was out of the question; without major government subsidies few people could afford to migrate to or visit the new colony. No, with time, and as the novelty wore off, the colony would be left largely to succeed or fail on its own. Colin understood this, but how many of the other colonists fully comprehended the finality of their decision?
The voyage had been launched nearly seven years before from Earth orbit, and it was still over two years before they reached their destination, Alpha 2, the second planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A. Over 250 people were on each of the three starships, but now, well into the free-flight phase, the Yellow Sea's fuel supply had been reduced below the critical point. Eleven hours flight time behind the second place Europa, the Yellow Sea had used some of its fuel reserves to accelerate to where it was now within shuttle range of the Europa, but on a significantly different trajectory with that divergence increasing daily. Within 48 hours it would be past shuttle range, and nothing could be done to correct the situation. Colin gazed at the uncluttered ceiling, thinking; true, there had always been a risk that one of the starships would be lost enroute. But that was a mathematical concept, this was real.
The meteor collision and resulting explosion that had damaged the Yellow Sea was unforeseeable. While both the first place Columbia and the second place Europa had passed through the meteor cloud with minimal hull damage, the Yellow Sea was not as lucky. While damage to the life support systems required all awake personnel to concentrate in a section of one of the passenger pods, the insurmountable problem was the loss of fuel and the inability to make orbit. The only option was to save as many of the colonists as possible. The Yellow Sea had been ordered to accelerate to come within shuttle range of the Europa so at least some of its complement could be saved, a number severely limited by the capacity of the two shuttles available. That was the stark reason for today's meeting; selection of the evacuees, which evacuation must be completed within the next 48 hours. What would he do if he were in Buchan's shoes? Colin just didn't know.
Colin stretched and pulled himself to a sitting position on the side of his bunk. He reached over to the built-in storage cabinets without having to get up in his cramped quarters, opened the drawer and carefully unwrapped the picture of Ellen, himself, and his only son Kevin, which had been taken the week before the expedition launch. Ellen couldn't cope with the thought of leaving Earth and the only answer had been a divorce of convenience. He would never be back, with his only link to his family four year old radio transmissions and memories. Well, it was done. It had been his choice. And now, with the finality of the Yellow Sea situation sitting like a stone in his stomach, he put his head in his hands trying to force his mind to blankness.
Frank Schumacher paced restlessly in the cramped space of the conference room. Everything was ready for the linkup for the board meeting, although not scheduled to start for 15 minutes. The colonization board members aboard the Yellow Sea and the Europa would be linked in via the video screens mounted on the wall, one screen for each of the absent members, while the board members aboard the Columbia would be seated around the small semicircular table facing the multiple viewing screens.
The responsibilities of a starship captain, coupled with the added responsibilities as senior captain on the expedition, had aged him. While only in his late 40s his hair had prematurely grayed, in many places turning nearly white, and the constant tension which he managed to cover under his controlled exterior was taking its toll. He wasn't the type to make close friends and, except for Buchan Chan, captain of the Yellow Sea, and his wife Rita, he was remote from close attachments. Frank had met Buchan, a citizen of the Eastern Confederation, at the Space Academy when both were cadets and become his closest friend. During Frank's senior year they had roomed together, and during his first command, the failed Jupiter expedition in 2114, Buchan had been his first officer. It was, in fact, due to Frank's influence that Buchan had been picked as captain of the Yellow Sea.
Frank's mind moved from his friend to his wife, Rita. They had been friends for years and had decided to marry during their training for the expedition. A marriage of convenience and friendship more than love, because of the pressure to pair up all available couples. But it had worked out. He had grown very close to Rita, and she had given him his only son Klaus, now seven years old, born just before the flight began. Rita wasn't a very pretty woman, but her vivacious, lively disposition complemented his normally reserved manner, and they had developed a deep affection, if not love. To occupy the time until the meeting started Frank drifted around the table looking at the nameplates and thinking about the people who would soon be present.
The chairman Colin Murphy was a dedicated leader. At times perhaps indecisive and too much of a compromiser, Frank thought, sometimes wondering whether Colin had the strength of personality necessary to control the factions among the colonists. The expedition Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Wayne Nichols, a narrow, talented man, buried in his work. Carlton Andrews, the expedition Chief Engineering Officer, a gregarious extrovert but highly talented and dedicated. And Professor Margo Kladstrup, the expedition Chief Science Officer, a tough minded, opinionated woman, and a power to be reckoned with. Margo tended to grate on many people, but personally Frank got along very well with her; perhaps because they were both all business.
Except for Margo the strongest personalities among the board members were aboard the Europa, Carter Armstrong and John Bachman. Another strong personality, with strong influence with the scientific community, was Rolf Wennerstrom aboard the Yellow Sea. And Buchan and himself? Frank was realistic enough to realize that both lacked the desire or the charisma necessary for colony leadership. Their life had been as starship officers, and fitting into the colony would be difficult for both of them. Perhaps, Frank thought, someone with the flexibi
lity and ability to compromise like Colin was really the only option.
Frank glanced at his watch which showed five minutes before the meeting was to start. The other members of the colonization board were beginning to arrive, first Carlton, then Margo, followed by Wayne Nichols. He moved to his seat as Colin Murphy arrived to start the meeting.
Carter Armstrong, captain of the Europa, walked rapidly down the hall to the conference room. His footsteps clicked loudly as the magnetic clips mounted on his shoes clamped and then disengaged from the metallic floor with each step. The artificial gravity of the spinning spaceship allowed most activities to be carried out in a normal fashion, but wasn’t strong enough to make walking at a normal pace safe without assists. Carter was tall, trim, and with a personality that made him fit easily into any group. Born in London, his grandparents had emigrated from Jamaica many years before. For some reason he and Captain Schumacher grated on each other, possibly because Schumacher was put off by Carter's easy manner. Also, like many of the more senior starship captains Frank shared some resentment at the ease with which Carter had advanced through the ranks. True or not, rumors of preferential treatment abounded, and rumors need no evidence or proof. Carter had graduated top in his class at the European Space Academy and taken graduate studies at the American Space Academy, and was one of the few blacks who had made it without the support of the 'old boy' network; his rise through the ranks had been rapid, earning him his captain's rating while still in his 20s, an almost unheard of accomplishment.
Rounding the corner Carter nearly bumped into John Bachman, the expedition Chief Agricultural Officer, who was also the vice-chairman of the colonization board. John was one of those short, active, aggressive but talented persons who were able to gather around him a dedicated group of followers. Not aware of his own shortcomings his ego told him he should be in charge of the colony, but this was a view shared by few others. Personally, Carter liked John, but fully understood his shortcomings. In his opinion John's real place was as leader of the 'loyal opposition' where his more extreme views could be voiced but not implemented. Unfortunately, while he was usually the leader of the opposition, the term 'loyal' didn't apply.
"What's up?" John asked. "Isn't it a little unusual to call a board meeting on such short notice?"
Carter glanced over at John as he opened the door to the conference room, and let Bachman precede him. Carter, who had been in the control room earlier listening to the transmissions between the Yellow Sea and the Columbia, could put two and two together, and felt he knew the purpose of the meeting. "I suspect it's decision time on the evacuation. The Yellow Sea is in position now and there isn't really any reason for a further delay,” he said. Bachman looked at him, but said nothing. They both pulled out chairs and sat down at the semicircular table, identical to that in the Columbia. Carter reached over and threw the switch to open the communications channels.
Buchan Chan didn't want to attend the board meeting, but knew he had no choice. He knew the situation and no amount of discussion by the board would change the conclusion. The Yellow Sea's problems were irreversible, and the only question was the end game.
Professor Rolf Wennerstrom, the expedition Chief Scientist and the second colonization board member aboard the Yellow Sea, entered the conference room and pulled up his chair. He ran his hand through his perpetually tousled hair, grinned, and said with his voice tinged with a slight Swedish accent, "well, Captain, I imagine this meeting involves a rather serious matter. May I propose a toast before we open the network? To put us in the proper frame of mind." He pulled out a bottle of his rare store of aquavit and two glasses, placed one before Captain Chan, and filled them both to the top.
Buchan nodded to Rolf, taking the offered glass. He was never sure whether the accent was a put-on or was real. Rolf was hard to judge, usually covering his real feelings with an attempt at ironic humor. As Rolf lifted his glass he looked at Captain Chan with the steely glint in his eyes belying the smile which still creased his face, "a toast, to a dignified end. You know, we Scandinavians don't mind dying, as long as it's dignified and with proper decorum." Draining his glass, he added, "to a proper Viking funeral."
May 1, 2127
Colin sat back in the contoured chair and toyed with the stem of his glass. He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The Columbia had ended its deceleration stage, and the computer showed they were right on target and should enter orbit on the 15th of May. The recreation room was crowded with passengers and crew celebrating their removal from stasis; for most nearly nine years. While during those years their bodies had undergone periodic exercising by the equipment installed in the stasis tanks, that exercise was wholly inadequate, making it difficult to even stand for a short time. The crowd increased steadily as others joined after leaving either their new quarters or the testing area where they were medically examined for any damage following removal from stasis.
Their destination, Alpha 2, had become clearly visible through their long range viewing screen, and, with its oceans and clouds appeared much like pictures of Earth from space. It was still just a very small sphere but would grow with each ensuing day. Before long they would be able to pick out the features on the continents and the major islands.
Colin had spent the afternoon reviewing the data from the Solar Wind stored in the computer banks. The location of the first settlement had been carefully selected before they left Earth, a natural harbor on the western shore of the primary landmass, temporarily given the name Pangaea, in the middle of the temperate zone. About 1,200 kilometers north of the great west-flowing river the land in the area of the settlement was primarily gently rolling savanna, but with frequent wooded areas and a sprinkling of small and medium sized lakes. The soil in the area had been tested earlier and appeared to be rich and fertile, with rainfall more than adequate to sustain a strong agricultural activity. Colin was not concerned with the suitability of the area since it had been reasonably established by the Solar Wind. The reduction in the number of colonists was more of a concern.
Colin's memory drifted back to the earlier events, and the memory of the Yellow Sea gave him a twinge of guilt at his own sense of satisfaction. Here he was at a party enjoying the companionship of the other colonists, forgetting the Yellow Sea's fate. The colonization board meeting two years before had been grim. Everyone agreed to the timing of the evacuation, but Colin had insisted, for the good of the colony, the complement for transport to the Europa be selected based on their importance to the colony, not by lot; but finally agreement was reached to pre-select 35, with the remaining 35 selected by lot.
The selection process had been wrenching. Those of the awake group not in the core group or selected by lot had been returned to stasis, and others awakened. Transport began as soon as those selected still in stasis could be revived and those awake not selected returned to stasis. The shuttles had been ejected and successfully docked with the Europa carrying 70 people, while the Yellow Sea moved on. The thought of the turmoil Rolf and Buchan must have faced was beyond Colin's ability to comprehend. The survivors nearly all had family among those not selected but no trading was allowed. Both Rolf and Buchan had been deemed essential and were marked for transport, but the families of neither had survived the selection and had been among those left aboard.
What happened in those final minutes before the shuttles left had, however, become a heated issue. Rolf had argued for self-destruction of the Yellow Sea following the evacuation, to, as he said, go out with dignity. Rolf's argument had little support; the other board members either arguing against his view or remaining silent. As a result nothing would be done. The ship would be allowed to continue on containing its sleeping complement.
With the loss of the Yellow Sea the goals of the colonization effort were placed in serious jeopardy. Loss of the ship itself could be worked around, the loss to the genetic pool could be replaced through the frozen sperm and egg banks maintained on each of the ships, and intensive cross trainin
g could replace much of the lost skills base; to a point. Now it looked like the colony would start with slightly over 550 persons with only about 210 females of childbearing age. But with the medical techniques available, and the nursery and child care to free adults for the work force, the problem wasn't as yet critical. They felt many would opt for multiple births, which could be guaranteed by current medical technology, and social pressure would tend to increase family size. While population growth would fall somewhat below the goals the consensus was the loss wouldn't be critical and could be recovered in time. The primary risk was that any margin for future losses was very thin.
But even now some adjustments of the plan were in process. The modifications proposed by Colin, to drop for now the plan for satellite agricultural communities, had finally been adopted over the considerable opposition of John Bachman and Margo Kladstrup. Also some of the manufacturing and laboratory equipment would be mothballed, but the basic outlines of the original plan had been maintained. While the question was officially settled it was by no means accepted by all.
Carter Armstrong lounged on his bunk, clad only in his shorts. Through half-closed eyes he watched Sonja as she arranged her hair. Beautiful, he thought. With her tall, graceful body, and long blond hair there wasn't another woman on board who could come close. Sonja Evans was a member of the medical staff aboard the Europa and had joined the expedition shortly after receiving her medical degree. Now 38, she retained the fresh appearance of someone in their mid twenties. Sonja and Carter had paired up over two years before during the free-flight phase but had never married. It was a natural relationship which both expected to be permanent, and while they had never discussed marriage it was just assumed that once the colony was established it would happen. For now Carter's responsibilities as captain of the Europa led them both to delay the final step.
The First Colony: Book I: Settlement Chronicals Page 3
