The Silence Between the Stars

by Alan Davenport

  Kelly sighed. She pointed to the far side of the room. “Blue door. No running in the halls!”

  Nathan returned several minutes later. He stifled a yawn and said, “It’s been a busy day. I could use some sleep.”

  “Return to the command center,” Kelly said. “The door to the side of the galley door leads to a sleeping quarters. Inside there you will find a bed, fresh clothing, a toilet and a shower. Since all water on the ship is recycled, you do not have to worry about water rationing.” Nathan raised his eyebrows at that. “Dirty clothes go into the recycling slot. Any recycling slot anywhere on the ship can handle any waste or recyclable. It is all automated.”

  Nathan exclaimed, “I feel like a king!”

  Kelly smiled. “No, not a king. You are the captain.”

  Nathan stood in the doorway surveying his sleeping quarters. He stared in wonder at the king sized bed with its gleaming white fresh linens. A silver rack made from metal tubes hung upon one wall. The rack held standard jumpsuits in an array of colors. A smaller rack next to the shower stall held fluffy towels in a rainbow of colors. Nathan’s face showed disappointment at the Earth-standard shower stall until he remembered that there was no water rationing. At that thought, a wide grin appeared upon his face. “I am going to take a shower and then go to sleep. Can I have a little privacy please Kelly?”

  “Certainly Nathan,” said Kelly. Her image disappeared from the screen. Nathan stripped, placed his dirty clothes into the slot and then stepped into the bathroom. “Water on, temperature forty degrees Celsius,” he said. Noticing a small cabinet by a small sink, he opened the door and smiled at the sight of a gleaming new electric razor. He felt like a little boy with his hand in the cookie jar as he luxuriated in the endless flow of hot water. He remained in the flow for much longer than necessary for a simple cleansing. All the time that he was showering, he did not notice that the little red LED over the wall camera had remained illuminated.

  He emerged dripping wet. Taking a towel, he completely dried himself off. Placing the towel into the wall slot, he walked over to the bed and still naked, laid down to sleep. “Lights at five percent,” he said and the room immediately darkened. “Good night Kelly,” he said.

  “Good night Nathan. Sleep well.” Kelly’s voice had an odd quality to it. Nathan fell asleep as his head hit the pillow. He did not notice the odd timbre to Kelly’s voice.

  Chapter 10: Departure

  Nathan awoke well rested. He stretched and lay on his back staring at the ceiling. “This hardly seems real. It is like those dreams about the unspoiled Earth I have. I keep expecting to wake up,” he said to himself. He pinched his arm and said, “Ouch! I guess I am not dreaming.” Swinging his feet over the said of the bed he said, “Lights, normal brilliance.” The room instantly lit up. Nathan selected a red jump suit and then said, “Good morning Kelly.”

  “Good evening, Nathan. The time is 20:13 UTC.”

  “Okay miss perfection, good evening. It hardly matters on the ship if it is morning or evening, does it? I will be going to sleep when I am tired and waking up when refreshed unless something comes up.”

  “Agreed,” said Kelly. “It will help avoid confusion however if we use adjectives based upon the ship’s actual time of day.”

  Nathan laughed. “I suppose,” he said. “Anyway, what is on the agenda today? How close are we to being able to start our journey?”

  “We could leave this instant,” she said. “While you were sleeping I ran a full diagnostic on all ship’s systems. I found nothing of pressing interest.”

  “Tell me what you found. I want to be kept up to date on issues.”

  “The worst thing that I found was a malfunctioning wash basin. A small water leak was occurring. I sent a repair bot and had it repaired. In addition, one travel cart will not power up. I sent a bot to repair that as well. Estimated time to repair is under an hour. Do you wish to be informed when the repair is completed?”

  “No, that will not be necessary. That is not a critical enough item to warrant further conversation on it. Only inform me if the cart cannot be repaired.”

  “Understood Nathan,” she said. “If you wish, I can update you on all items each day when you eat breakfast.” She grinned and said, “Whatever time of the day breakfast occurs.”

  “Yes, that will be excellent Kelly. Speaking of breakfast, please select something tasty for me. I am on my way to the galley now.”

  By the time Nathan reached the galley, his breakfast was already ready. It consisted of scrambled eggs with bacon on wheat toast, a glass of orange juice and coffee. Nathan stopped short when the aroma reached his nose. “Is that real coffee?” he asked in wonder.

  “Yes Nathan, it is.”

  “Frack!” he said. “I only have had real coffee once before in my entire life.”

  “Why not more often Nathan?”

  “It is just too expensive. I could not afford that luxury.” He held the steaming cup up to his nose. Inhaling deeply, he said, “Can I get some cream and sugar too?”

  “Absolutely Nathan.”

  The food processor dinged and Nathan found a tiny plastic cup with cream and two sugar cubes inside. “Frack, I feel so guilty living in luxury like this while so many people on Earth are starving.”

  “The Starship Project has provided this bounty for you because of the importance of your mission. Speaking of which, we really should get started. Do you have a particular direction that you wish to travel?”

  “No, not yet. Let us work that out while I eat my food. Do you have any suggestions?”

  “Yes, the star density increases the more that we travel towards the galaxy’s center. I recommend that we pick a route that maximizes the number of sun-like stars.”

  Nathan wrinkled his brow and said, “Won’t the other captains have thought of the same thing? We will likely end up visiting systems that have already been surveyed if we take that route.”

  Kelly looked thoughtful. “That is true but remember this ship is much faster than the old version one starships. The first starship launched two years ago. Assuming that they flew in a straight path without stopping, the furthest that they could have traveled is one hundred and eighty-two point five light years. We could travel that distance in a mere ninety-two days.”

  “Still,” said Nathan. “I would prefer not to waste time revisiting any systems at all.” While he munched upon his breakfast, a thoughtful expression appeared upon his face. “What is the least likely direction that the other captains would have picked?”

  Kelly pondered for a second and then said, “Well, as you know, we are on an outer arm of our spiral galaxy. I suspect that most other captains would travel back up the arm towards where the star density is greater. We could travel in the other direction; outwards towards the tip of the arm.”

  “Excellent, I like that idea. Let us begin after I finish eating. Do you have anything else to recommend?”

  “Actually yes Nathan. Since this is a new starship design, I suggest that we test the in-system gravity drive first just in case there is a problem that I have not detected. If successful, we should then pick a nearby star and test the warp drive.”

  “I like that idea. Let us go to Saturn first. I always wished I could get a close-up view of that planet.”

  The image of Kelly jumped up and down. “I like that idea too,” she said enthusiastically. “Hurry up and eat!”

  Finished eating, Nathan entered the command center. Kelly’s image filled the main view screen. Nathan stared at the screen in silence for a second before asking, “Can I get this screen reconfigured a bit?”

  “Certainly Nathan. We can set it up with many different windows.”

  “How about a small reactor power display window in the lower right. In the upper right, please place a small window with trip data. In that window, please place destination name and estimated travel time remaining. In between those two small windows, please place a third. In this window, please place an image of yours
elf. Just a head view, not full body. The remaining area of the main screen should show the front facing camera display showing the star field. On the auxiliary screen to the right of the main screen, please place a star chart. Include all labels such as star names and whether or not the system had been visited. On the left hand auxiliary screen, please place a display of any maintenance issues with estimate time for the repair. Please sort that screen so that the most pressing items appear at the top.”

  “Aye-aye captain,” said Kelly with a laugh. Instantly the screens changed. Nathan smiled when a brilliant view of the planet Earth appeared upon the screen.

  “Are we ready to go?” Nathan asked. Kelly nodded and then Nathan said, “Okay, open a communications channel to The Starship Project headquarters.” The center of the view screen changed from the view of Earth to say, “Connecting.” Several seconds later the image of a grey haired, distinguished looking woman appeared.

  “Hello Captain. My name is Jane McCann, Director of The Starship Project. What can we do for you?” she asked.

  “Nothing ma’am. I just want to inform you that starship Silent Running, Captain Nathan Staite is heading out shortly. Direction of travel will be first to Alpha Centauri to test all systems. Afterwards, we will be heading out towards the tip of the spiral arm.”

  The woman looked surprised. “You are ready to go so soon? Well done Captain!” The woman stood up, bowed towards the screen and said, “Good luck Nathan. Safe travels. Remember, the fate of the human race depends on you.”

  Nathan bowed back towards the screen. He said, “I understand perfectly ma’am. I will do the best I can.”

  “I know you will Captain.” A dark cloud passed over the woman’s face. “Captain, please hurry. I should not be telling you this but the breakdown has already started. There have been food riots in India. The internet has gone down in New Delhi. There are indications that the riots are rapidly spreading and that the government will be unable to contain them. Full world-wide collapse may occur in as little as two weeks.”

  Alarmed, Nathan said, “We are leaving in minutes. Stay safe ma’am. Please get to a colony ship as soon as you can.”

  The face of the woman softened. She said, “I plan on it Captain. I shall be leaving in the morning.” The lights in her room flickered. “Not a minute too soon I fear. Food riots have begun here in Houston today as well. I will not waste…” The screen pixelated and then displayed ‘Signal Lost’ for several seconds before returning to the view of Earth. Nathan stood there, frozen in shock for several seconds. “Kelly,” he said softly, “Let’s forget the shakedown cruise. What is the nearest star similar to Sol in the direction we discussed?”

  “Nearest type G star is Tau Ceti at a distance of eleven point nine light years. Travel time will be ten point eight days at normal cruising speed.”

  Nathan said, “Set course for Tau Ceti.” The destination panel on the view screen changed from dashes to display Tau Ceti’s data. Nathan stood up from his chair, held up his hand like a student in class. He swept his hand forward and said, “Engage.”

  Nathan felt an odd sensation in the pit of his stomach as the bow of his ship began to swing to face Tau Ceti. Just before the image of Earth left the view screen, Nathan thought he saw a brilliant flash of light on the dark side of the planet. “Kelly!” he said, give me a view of Earth on the view screen. Quickly!” The screen flashed and the rapidly receding image of Earth reappeared. On the dark side of the planet, Nathan saw another brilliant flash of light. Then another. Another. Softly, under his breath, Nathan said, “Nuclear explosions. Dear God!” Softly Nathan said, “Kelly, view screen forward.”

  “Yes Captain,” Kelly said just as softly. “Warp speed in five seconds. Four. Three. Two. One.” Nathan felt another slight lurch in the pit of his stomach and the stars on the screen took on a bluish color as their spectrum blue shifted from the acceleration.

  Nathan stood unmoving for several seconds and then he turned towards the bedroom and then sadly said, “Kelly, I think I will go lay down for a while.”

  “Have a good rest Nathan,” Kelly said softly.

  Chapter 11: Tau Ceti

  Nathan did not immediately go to sleep. Images of the Earth ravaged by nuclear devastation filled his thoughts. Rather than going to his bed, he sat down at a small functional metal desk. A small monitor was the desk’s only adornment. Speaking to the monitor he said, “Kelly, begin recording captain’s log.” The screen chimed and he began speaking.

  “Captain’s log, June 3rd, 2100 21:30 hours. I have left Earth’s orbit in route to Tau Ceti. We will arrive in ten days. I am afraid at what I am leaving behind. As I was leaving I saw what I am sure were nuclear explosions over the Indian sub-continent. I can only hope that the explosions were limited to an exchange between India and Pakistan and that the exchange did not go global. I am afraid for the people of Earth. I am afraid that the nuclear madness did go global. As I prepared to leave, I was in communication with The Starship Project headquarters. The communication suddenly cut off. I pray that it was just infrastructure failure and not because of a nuclear blast. I pray for the people of Earth. I pray for the people on the vast colony ships. They represent mankind’s best and brightest. I pray that a new world is quickly found for them to travel to. I pray for myself. Will I be able to hold it together with the knowledge that the planet of my birth lies behind me in ruins? Only time will tell.” Nathan sighed. “Kelly, close log,” he said. Nathan listlessly walked over to his bed. He lay down without disrobing. Sleep was a long time coming.

  Eight hours later, Nathan arose and, without speaking, went to the galley. Intelligent enough to know that he needed silence, Kelly did not intrude. Nathan selected a bowl of cereal with banana slices. He sat, munching in silence. After finishing, he went to the bridge and sat in the large comfortable reclining chair facing the view screen. “Two hundred thirty-two hours until Tau Ceti,” he said aloud… mostly to himself. Louder, he said, “Hello Kelly. Ship status please.”

  “Good morning Nathan, the time is 07:23. All systems nominal. Repairs on the travel cart completed successfully. Reactor status nominal. Power consumption is at eighteen point three percent of maximum power. No outstanding issues at this time.”

  Nathan relaxed a little. He said, “Thank you Kelly.”

  A look of concern on Kelly’s face, she said, “Is there anything that you wish to talk about? I saw the blasts on the view screen same as you. Do you wish to talk about it?”

  “What would be the point?” he sadly said. “There is nothing we can do for them now. All we can do is carry out our mission. It’s all we can do.”

  Kelly lifted her virtual hand towards him and said, “I know Nathan. I know.”

  Nathan sat there in silence for several minutes. He finally said, “Okay, so what the frack am I going to do with myself for the next two hundred thirty-two hours?”

  Kelly laughed. “Come, go outside and sit in the cart. I will take you to the ship’s theater.”

  Nathan exited the door and sat in the small vehicle. It resembled a golf cart, minus the roof. There was a standard steering wheel on the console as well as an accelerator and brake pedal. As he sat down, the little vehicle took off with an electric whine, all on its own. Two minutes later, it stopped beside a small door. The door displayed a stylized image of a movie projector. Nathan got up and went inside. The room was bare except for a plush, reclining rocker. He went and sat down in the big comfortable chair. Looking around the room, Nathan spied a huge screen filling one entire wall. Next to the rocker, a smaller screen displayed Kelly’s image. It displayed a side profile of her, as if she were sitting beside him. Turning to Kelly he said, “Very nice! What can you tell me about this theater?”

  Kelly smiled. She enthusiastically said, “This state-of-the-art theater has access to all video and films ever recorded. In addition, all music ever recorded is available as well. The projector has a 16:9 aspect ratio display with 64K resolution. The Dolby256 sound sys
tem uses two hundred fifty-six individual, full range speakers to create a fully immersive sound field. Each channel has its own dedicated amplifier.”

  Nathan whistled. “Really? Wow, I thought only billionaires had such systems! It really has everything ever recorded?” he asked, impressed.

  “Well, there may be some gaps; however anything of any significance will be available to you.” Kelly smiled and asked, “Do you have anything in mind?”

  Nathan pondered for a second and then he said, “Do you have the sound track to Silent Running. The one by Joan Baez? ‘Rejoice in the Sun’ I believe it was called.”

  “I do indeed,” Kelly said with a smile. A second later Joan Baez’s sweet voice filled the theater. Nathan closed his eyes and gently rocked in the soft chair. When the music stopped, he opened his eyes and said, “Too bad Joan is not still alive. I think she would be very happy to know that her beautiful song had been heard on a starship.”

  Kelly nodded in agreement. “I think that you are correct Nathan.” They sat in silence for a second or two and then Kelly said, “I want to hear that again. Thank you for showing it to me. Do you mind if I replay it?”

  Nathan looked surprised. “I thought that you had every recording in memory Kelly?”

  “No Nathan, the ship’s database has every recording. I personally will have no memory of a recording unless I have actually heard it. I am much like yourself in that regard.” She softly continued, “We can explore the library together on our journey, Nathan.”

  With a contemplative expression on his face, Nathan said, “It would bring me great pleasure to do so, Kelly.” He looked into her virtual eyes and she looked back. A look of adoration upon her virtual face. “Well go ahead,” Nathan said. “Play it again.”

  His eyes held a bit of moisture as the song ended. Kelly asked him, “Do you want to see the movie ‘Silent Running’ now Nathan?”