Minister Frankel angrily interrupted him again. “Now really professor. Now you are just being an alarmist! Energy production is no longer an issue with the new eternal super-conducting batteries. With the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions, the environment is set for a full recovery.”
Star emitted a little, scornful laugh and said, “I think that it is you who is overstating the extent of the recovery, Minister. Besides, not all the free energy in the world will solve the starvation problem. People cannot eat energy!”
“No, they can’t,” he agreed. “However, unlimited free energy will allow us to produce food more efficiently. Besides, new food production methods have come into operation already. Aren’t you the one who is overstating things now professor?”
“No, I am not overstating my point. I wish it were the case.” He shook his head at the Minister and continued, “I am aware of the new food production methods coming online and I have calculated that even fully implemented it still will not be enough. There will still be mass-starvation which is going to cause the collapse of society… as early as a year from now if my worst-case calculations are correct.”
Amanda looked over towards the minister and asked, “Just what new food production methods have come online, Minister?”
The minister puffed out his chest and said, “My partnership with Eternal Rest Recycling has allowed me to develop a hereto untapped source of food.” He gave Amanda an accusing stare and continued, “My partnership is not all ‘self-serving’, as you have implied.”
Amanda ignored his barb and said, “I would be curious to know just how your partnership with Eternal Rest translates into food production Minister.”
Professor Secker looked at Amanda and said, “I believe the Minister is referring to the ‘Soylent Green’ option. Am I correct Minister?”
Minister Frankel puffed out his chest. “Indeed, I am professor. I am quite proud of my work in getting this implemented.”
Amanda wrinkled her brow. “’Soylent Green’. I am not familiar with that term. What does that refer to?”
Before Minister Frankel could respond, professor Secker answered for him. “Way back in the 20th century there was a classic science fiction movie made called ‘Soylent Green’. In this video, there was a society very much like our own. There was over-population and starvation, although not as bad as we have it. Just like us though, there were environmental issues and the government was responsible for food production and distribution. The government found itself unable to feed everybody so they turned to a new source of protein… they started making food from people.”
“P-P-People?!” Amanda sputtered out. She pointed at his face, wagged her finger in Frankel’s face and said, “Seriously Minister, you not only have legalized euthanasia and infanticide but have now initiated cannibalism as a solution to world starvation? Have you no scruples at ALL?”
Minister Frankel sadly shook his head and said, “Do you think I WANTED this? We have no choice! As my distinguished colleague has pointed out, world starvation is a serious issue. I agree with him 100% on this. I just disagree with his allegations that our actions today are futile.”
Secker looked towards Frankel and said, “I am not an alarmist Minister, I am a realist. Your actions, while commendable, are too little, too late. As usual, the world government ignored the problem for far too long before taking any action. If your bill had passed ten, perhaps even as little as five years ago, it may have stood a chance of success. Now, even the most optimistic projections say that the collapse of society is inevitable. The only hope for humankind lies elsewhere. It lies in the stars. It lies with The Starship Project.”
The minister rolled his eyes and said, “Oh that pie-in-the-sky, ridiculous project? Really professor, humanity’s resources would be better spent on solving the food crisis. We cannot afford to be wasting time on such a long shot option. We need to solve the issues at home!”
Passion filled Secker’s eyes as he said, “Nonsense Minister. It is not ‘wasted resources’, as you call it. It is the only hope we have. Thank goodness, there are other ministers with the foresight to see this and have fully funded the project. Our hope is in the stars. With any luck, one of the ships that we sent out will find a suitable world for us to colonize.”
Amanda smiled towards the professor and said, “We are almost out of time here today but before we go, please give a brief overview of The Starship Project for our audience, professor.”
With passion in his eyes Secker reached out, laid his hand upon her arm, and passionately said, “I would love to Amanda. Briefly, The Starship Project has created a fleet of starships. Each one is being sent out to search for an earth-like world for humanity to colonize. Each ship has but one pilot. These ships are not for colonization, but for exploration and discovery. The new superconducting reactors and anti-gravity drives are fast enough to cut the travel time between the stars to mere weeks. Projections show that there are likely one hundred earth-like worlds within just a thirty-light-year radius. Chances are high that one of the starships will discover our new home. Each ship is equipped with hyper-speed messenger drones. Upon discovery of a suitable world, the pilot will launch a drone to tell Earth the good news. Gigantic colony ships are under construction in orbit. Upon receipt of a drone bearing the news of a habitable planet, a colony ship will be launched.” Professor Secker smiled and continued, “I expect we will be receiving positive news any day now. Our future is in the stars.”
Amanda smiled warmly back and she said, “Will you be going on one of the colony ships Professor?”
“I will indeed!” he said. “My application has already been approved.”
Amanda again laid her hand upon his arm and caressed it. “Do you think that they will have need of journalists, Star?” She looked at him intently and asked, “How does a person apply to the program?”
Secker, looking as if he were barely restraining himself from kissing Amanda, tremulously said, “The program has need of people of all skills Amanda. I am sure that a journalist of your caliber would receive instant acceptance. Signing up for the program is simplicity in itself. All the information you need can be found at WWW.STARSHIPPROJECT.ORG. You should apply today Amanda. Perhaps we will be assigned to the same colony ship.”
Flustered, Amanda said, “I… I would like that professor.” Amanda shook herself and then her face quickly returned to her professional mask. She wrapped up the interview by saying, “Well, that is all we have time for today. I want to thank our two distinguished guests…”
“Computer, halt playback,” interrupted Jonathan. The wall chimed and the digital woman reappeared. “Playback halted. Do you wish anything else Jonathan?” Jonathan ignored the computer, turned to Nathan and said, “Nate isn’t that great news? I can’t believe it!”
Nathan stared at him in shock. “Great news? How is THAT great news?”
Jonathan gave him an ‘Are you dense?’ look and said, “It’s great news since our jobs are secure! Eternal Rest is going to need even MORE employees now. We don’t have to worry about joining the ranks of the unemployed.” Jonathan was just about bursting with happiness. Putting his hand on Nathan’s arm he said, “We’re set. Perhaps we can even move up to a five by five-meter apartment someday too!”
Nathan brushed his friend’s arm away and stepped back. “Are you insane Jonathan? Didn’t you hear what the professor said? People are dying. Soon ALL of us are going to die! What good will a job do us if there is no food to eat, water to drink or air to breathe?”
Now it was Jonathan’s turn to stare in shock. “Good God Nate, you didn’t actually believe all that nonsense, did you? The nutty professor was just looking to alarm people to get them to follow his pet starship project. You are so gullible sometimes Nate, I swear. What Amanda failed to mention was that the garish professor is working for and is a major supporter of the starship initiative! Didn’t you see how miss impartial Amanda could not keep her hands off him? She would not mention that
and spoil her chances with him, now would she? Minister pompous ass had an agenda, miss loud voice had an agenda and professor rainbow had an agenda. Everyone has an angle. Sheesh, you of all people should know that!” Jonathan looked intently at his friend and gently said, “Look Nate, it’s not as bad as they made it seem… ANY of them. The only thing that matters is that our jobs are secure. We no longer have to worry!”
Nathan gave him a worried look and said, “Do you think so Jonathan? I do not know. He sounded very sure of himself and Amanda really did look scared. I don’t think that was all an act.”
Jonathan put his hands upon Nathan’s shoulders and gave him a good shake. “Of course it was an act, Nate. Geez! You are too damn trusting. It will get you in trouble someday. Mark my words.”
Nathan did not say any more. He stood there with his eyes unfocused, looking out into nothingness. Under his breath, he whispered, “The Starship Project. I wonder…”
Other Books by Alan Davenport
I hope that you have enjoyed that sample of “The Silence Between the Stars”. You may find this book and other books I have written at:
https://amazon.com/author/alandavenport
Golden Salvation: A devastated man who had lost everything and a beautiful woman who had given up on ever finding love are brought together by a beautiful golden retriever.
The Silence Between the Stars: After the fall of civilization, The line between artificial intelligence and humanity blurs while an intrepid explorer and his ship’s computer’s AI assistant search for a new home for humanity.
Stranded in the Wilderness: Two strong willed people, initially despising one another, grow close and fall in love as nature rages around their wilderness cabin.
About the Author
Alan Davenport was born in New Jersey on February 16th, 1956. In 1961, his parents moved the family to Ogdensburg, New Jersey, a small, rural town in the extreme northwestern part of the state. It was here that he developed a love affair with the outdoors.
An avid hiker and angler, he spent many long years exploring the outdoors. On one of his vacations, he discovered the Adirondack Park in northern New York State. Alan quickly fell in love with the region. In 2012, he and his wife JoAnn bought a small cabin near Long Lake, New York. It is here that he writes the majority of his novels.
Alan’s hobbies include hiking, fishing, reading, backpacking, photography, amateur radio (Call sign W2GZN) and computer gaming.
You can reach Alan at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AuthorAlanDavenport/
https://www.facebook.com/alan.davenport.33
Acknowledgments
I want to take this time to say thank you to the people who have helped me with advice while I was writing this novel. I could not have completed this task without them.
First, my thanks go to my wife JoAnn. Without her proof reading my final drafts there would been a good number of errors. In addition, her tolerance of me disappearing for months at our cabin to write my first few novels, it would not have been possible.
Last but not least, I wish to thank my readers. Without your support, I would not have the motivation to write. I hope that I have brought you a good deal of enjoyment with my tales.
Those Left Behind Page 23
