Initiation Series: Series One Compilation (Terran Chronicles)

by James Jackson

  Cindy scowls, disappointed. “Very well. John, you so much as even think you see another spaceship, punch it.”

  John nods, though having just shut the main drive down, means that reinitializing the field would be risky and very draining on the limited energy reserves. Their recent adventure has been as harrowing as it has been exhilarating. Everyone has a renewed sense of caution when something feels out of place.

  Cindy bites at her lower lip nervously for a few seconds. “Joe, open up a channel to the launch site. We have to find out what’s going on.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Joe replies formally, while tapping a symbol on his terminal. He has come to trust her instincts during this arduous trek. “Your console has access now.”

  Cindy looks at her chair’s controls. Taking a deep breath, she taps the symbol for external communications. “Ground control, this is the Starship Terran, come in.”

  As the seconds tick by, tensions mount.

  Cindy is just about to resend the message when the bridge speakers come to life. “WOW! You guys made it.” The young man’s voice is filled with excitement, and does not sound very professional at all. “Hold on a sec. Let me get someone.” Silence follows.

  Cindy glances around the bridge, bewildered, curiosity builds as she waits. The others shrug their shoulders or shake their heads. This is very bizarre, indeed.

  “Starship Terran, this is General Walker of ground control. Welcome back.” The strong American accent is unexpected.

  Joe and Andrew both turn to each other in surprise. An American in charge of the Australian facility? Now that is strange.

  Cindy is curious and wonders what the old NORAD commander is doing there. “General, what’s going on? Where’s General Hayes?”

  “Well folks, you have been missing for quite a long time, we thought you were lost, or worse.” General Walker’s voice is tinged with surprise. “That last transmission we received from you kicked off the largest, and most expensive, space-race in history. It was almost world war three down here for a while. A lot has changed while you were gone, that’s for sure.”

  Cindy continues, “How did that space station get built so fast?” Cindy is not liking that her questions are being ignored.

  “Fast?” Walker replies quizzically, “It took us over two years to build that monstrosity!”

  The bridge crew is stunned into silence. The hairs on the back of Cindy’s neck raise in alarm. As far as she and the crew are concerned, they have only been gone for about six months, not years.

  General Walker’s voice fills the quiet void. “You must be close, dock inside Space Station Unity, then come down with your command crew. We have a lot to discuss.”

  Cindy feels some frustration building up. “General, how long have we been away?”

  Surprised at the question, General Walker continues hesitantly. “Ah, you have been missing for almost three years.” He quickly adds, “But Lisa wouldn’t let us give up hope, that’s why Unity was originally built.”

  At the mention of his wife’s name, George turns to Cindy, his shocked expression mirrors the faces of those around him. Three years! The bridge crew is staggered by the revelation.

  Joe’s blank gaze wanders the room as his mind shifts into high gear. He puts a hand to his head, concentrating, his voice carries with it a disquieting tone. “The RMC went down when GUS was shot up. Perhaps this happened because we were travelling faster than light without it? I don’t know. This will keep scientists busy for a long time, that’s for sure.”

  Cindy takes the news stoically, then taps her console again. “See you soon General.”

  Cindy cuts the communication, and then pensively sits in her chair. Everyone patiently awaits her orders. Her eyes narrow as she gazes around the bridge, considering their options. The crew has been through a lot this last few months, and have forged strong trusting bonds.

  Finally Cindy speaks. “John, take us in slowly. Let the main drive fully charge, then park us in a high orbit, facing away from Earth. We won’t trap ourselves in that dock until we know what’s going on.”

  Cindy was expecting a ‘ticker-tape’ parade for her crew, not this, and certainly not a space-station in orbit. A lot does seem to have happened in their absence.

  It will take four hours for the drive’s capacitors to charge up, thus, John slows the ship down. During this time, Andrew and Joe view sensory data of Earth as news of their imminent arrival spreads throughout the ship. The hours seem to drag on for an eternity. George, in his familiar bodysuit, stays vigilantly connected to a terminal, ready for anything. All their fears seem to be unfounded. They pass the lunar orbit without as much as a peep from Earth. That in itself feels peculiar to the bridge crew.

  Cindy waits until John has the ship on station keeping before she finally sends the long-awaited message throughout the ship’s internal speakers. “We are home people! Let us never forget those who died, making this day possible.”

  The crew cheers loudly, the noise reverberates everywhere. Cindy wears a thin smile as she gazes at the view of the space-station. We have made it home, but is this the home we remember, or something else?

  ###

  Section Four: Pythos

  Short Story

  Preface

  In this story, we revisit the planet Pythos, and follow the four brave men who are returning home from their long voyage. Arriving in orbit, these men witness a spectacular space battle, and are shocked beyond belief at what follows next. Their home has changed in ways unimaginable.

  “Not all changes lead to progress. But progress is impossible without changes.” - Unknown

  “All great changes are preceded by chaos.” - Deepak Chopra

  Welcome to ‘Pythos’, the second short story of the Terran Chronicles Universe.

  Introduction

  The intrepid crew of Artemis One is returning home, to Pythos, after a three-year mission to their nearest planet, Harthos. Their mission to search for life is a failure, Harthos is a barren world. During their long trek home, the communications array aboard the ship stops receiving transmissions. Though this bothers the crew, there is nothing they can do about the situation.

  Unbeknownst to them, a spacefaring race called Gamin have annexed their planet and have begun collecting resources. For many months, the alien race peacefully occupies Pythos. Spacecraft of immense size land on various parts of the planet, and collect these resources. The visitors build a massive construction facility in a remote desert area. In a few short months, the Gamin assemble two massive spaceships, one after the other. They do not start to build a third ship, but instead depart, leaving behind the empty construction facility.

  The Gamin have left, but their satellites still orbit the planet. The first rocket that is launched gets destroyed, along with its expensive cargo. The second, then third, fare no better. It becomes clear to the people of Pythos that they are not going to be able to continue their space program.

  Almost a year after the Gamin first arrived, another spacecraft is observed entering orbit. This one is different, and does not send out any messages. It simply orbits Pythos, and waits.

  Prologue

  The massive cigar shaped spacecraft orbits Pythos slowly. It hovers in space for almost a week, doing nothing. Ground observers watch and wonder what the alien spaceship is waiting for. Alarmingly, it disgorges hundreds of smaller craft. Much to the relief of those watching, they don’t leave orbit, but instead they also wait, in space.

  The ground observers watch as the Gamin fleet returns to Pythos. One ship approaches first, then another. They arrive in staggered groups of a few ships at a time. The incoming fleet is met by the waiting smaller craft, and they are not friendly.

  The crew of Artemis One arrives home, smack in the midst of an epic space battle between these rivals. A sheet of metal peels away from one of the massive ships, leaving a barely noticeable scar on the ship itself. This fragment drifts past Artemis One, dwarfing her, its size putting into perspecti
ve just how large the incoming ships are. First one, then another, of the massive spacecraft succumb to the lasers fired by the hundreds upon hundreds of smaller craft. The remaining larger ships return fire, taking a heavy toll on the attackers. The enormous ships eventually turn, and retreat away from Pythos, heading back into the vastness of space from whence they came. The last of the behemoths fail to escape, instead, it explodes violently. The ensuing blast wave catches Artemis One, tossing the four men about like rag dolls. Fortunately, their ship is only slightly damaged, but it is thrown off its plotted course.

  Brett burns up almost every drop of fuel keeping them out of the planet’s atmosphere, then engages the ship’s solar panels. Dave and Tom stare transfixed at a broken window, a thin sheet of metal is all that protects them from the vacuum of space. Larry, along with the other three, turns to stare out through the single viewport. With relief, they can see that Pythos appears to be just the same as when they left. They look closer and notice that the communication satellites, in fact every satellite that was in orbit, is gone. In their place is a debris field that encircles the planet. Floating farther out in space is a lot of wreckage, remnants of the daunting battle.

  Larry licks his lips, then once again flips a switch on his panel. “Ground control, Artemis One here, say again.”

  They all wait with bated breath for a response, any response.

  Chapter One - Home Sweet Home

  The four men do not have to wait long. The speakers aboard Artemis One audibly click. The voice from Pythos sounds extremely apprehensive. “Did you find them on Harthos?”

  Larry turns to his crew, confused. “Find who?” He replies, quite perplexed.

  “Who?” The voice sounds quite vexed now, “The bloody tall, green, aliens! That’s who.”

  “Oh. No, we just got here,” Larry replies innocently.

  A number of strange muffled noises come through the speakers, then a different voice responds. “Artemis One, how about you prepare for splash down? Be better if we all talked face to face.”

  Larry gazes at his colleagues, getting nods of assent, he replies, “Sure, will do.”

  Brett, their leader, shrugs his shoulders. “Don’t know why they thought we met ‘em.”

  The others are just as baffled. Dave pulls out a booklet, and begins reading. Tom stares at him in disbelief, then looks over his shoulder. He steps back in horror, stammering, unable to say anything coherent. His mouth moves wordlessly, while he gasp for air.

  Dave looks up from the instruction manual, puzzled by his reaction. “What?” he says indignantly, “It’s not like I ever did this before.”

  Tom begins to hyperventilate, then aided by Larry, leaves the command module. Brett looks at Tom as he departs, then shrugs his shoulders again, clearly not concerned.

  Brett grins, then badgers his friend playfully. “Maybe the light reflecting off your head bothered him?”

  Dave raises his eyebrows, then quips back. “Well, I have to make up for the rest of you!”

  Brett chuckles as he jokes around, offering Dave some of his long brown hair. “I am sure that if you prefer black, Larry would help you, he has plenty.”

  Dave shakes his bald head, then gets back to reading. Artemis One orbits Pythos four times before Dave is satisfied with his review of the procedure he is to follow. He wanders about the ship opening dozens of wall panels. Inside each is a lever, he struggles but manages to move them all downward. A resounding clunk can be heard each and every time.

  Brett, with nothing to do, walks to the open viewport and gazes outside. Seeing the blue skies of Pythos with its smattering of white clouds, brings a smile to his face. Crossing the terminator into night, he leans closer to the glass, then relaxes. The glow of lights from the cities below look just like they did when they left. Something catches his attention; he lifts his gaze to look out into space. A massive piece of debris tumbles nearby. Wow, and that chunk is just a fragment of the spaceship it came from. He stares at the wreckage, watching as it slowly tumbles away from Pythos. The light from the distant sun reflecting off its dull surface.

  Dave arrives back at the command module, grinning. “Almost done, just need to seal the doors, then unlock the last four latches to release us.”

  Brett nods, satisfied. He walks back to his controls, then flips a switch on his panel. “Larry, Tom, get up here, we drop on the next pass.”

  The four men manually seal the doorways leading to the rest of the spaceship, then strap themselves securely into their chairs. Once ready, each of them reaches upward and opens a small panel.

  Dave, being the pilot, gives the order to release. “Three... Two… One… NOW!”

  As one, the four men swing their levers downward. Four clunks resonate throughout the command module.

  Brett smiles, then gives the next order with enthusiasm. “Fire the breakaway rocket!”

  Dave grins as he flips open a small cover on his panel. Inside is a bright red button with a number one painted on it. Without even hesitating he presses it.

  At the same time the rocket ignites, pushing the command module clear of the rest of Artemis One, the speakers click. “Artemis One, abort, I repeat ABORT!” The voice is frantic.

  Tom sinks in his chair and groans.

  Larry glances at Brett, then flips a switch on his panel. “Ground control, we have already disconnected from the command module.”

  The four men sit in silence for a few minutes, the separated module slowly moving away from the rest of Artemis one.

  Larry makes eye contact with each of them, then contacts ground control again. “I repeat; we have already disconnected. There is nothing we can do, we’re committed.”

  Finally, they get a response. “Something enormous splashed into the ocean, near where you’re to come down.”

  Larry pauses, then feeling confused replies slowly, “And that means what?”

  “Oh my,” the ground controller is getting flustered now, “There are massive waves radiating out in all directions. Some have already hit the closer islands, including the one where your recovery ships were.”

  Larry runs a hand through his hair. “Were?” He says, becoming alarmed.

  “Yes. WERE! The tidal wave was so powerful it destroyed the dock and every ship in it, including your recovery ship.”

  Dave licks his dry lips, then flips a few switches on his panel. He rubs his smooth head as he ponders their dilemma. Brett watches his pilot with curiosity, then notices Tom is hyperventilating again. Larry remains quiet as well. The only other sound in the command module comes from the little fans that circulate the air.

  Dave turns to look at Brett. “We could use our braking thrusters to put us back into orbit. But, I don’t know what good that would do us.”

  Brett frowns as he considers the idea. “Nah, let’s just keep going, I would rather splash down and have a chance, than end up floating in space waiting to be rescued.”

  Dave taps one of his panel’s indicators. He does not have the heart to tell the crew that they burned up most of their fuel earlier, keeping Artemis One in orbit. He gulps, and then begins his calculations.

  The command module enters the atmosphere; a soft red glow begins to radiate through the open porthole. Dave flips a switch on his panel, a sheet of metal slides into place, closing off their only view of the outside.

  Larry contacts ground control once again. “We’re coming in, hopefully you guys can send a ship to pick us up.”

  Dave sits in his chair debating their options. If I fire the braking thrusters on time, we will run out of fuel early, and be too high to open the parachutes. If I hit them late we might burn up. Oh the parachutes! If their cover plates melt, the explosive bolts might not…” He gulps, his thoughts trailing off. There really is no choice. He offers a thin smile to his colleagues, then monitors his controls.

  The command module freefalls through the atmosphere, heating up. It begins to vibrate and shake as it falls. Its heat-shield, custom built and experi
mental, remains intact. The small fans inside the module increase in intensity while they try to cool the cabin. All four men are bathed in sweat as they rocket downward.

  Dave shouts over the noise their descent is generating. “Braking thrusters in ten, brace yourselves.” He licks his lips as he opens a second small panel. Another bright red button stares back at him, it has a white number two, and seems to glow. He presses it firmly. Nothing happens! He stares at the button, blinking. Just as he is about to panic, the half dozen small rockets ignite. They burn through the remaining fuel quickly, while noticeably slowing their decent. Dave grins as his speed indicator drops from its orange warning band, to the safe white zone. His grin locks on his face when the fuel runs out much too early. Almost immediately, the indicator swings back toward the orange zone. If it hits the red zone, the chutes might break off when I deploy them. If I open the chutes too early they could burn up.

  Brett shouts out over the din. “We’re doin’ great!”

  Tom stares at him, his large blue eyes are very wide in fear, thinking. He actually seems to be enjoying this. He is mad. What on Pythos made us think that the orange ball of dirt might have life on it anyway, hostile life at that? I will never know. Harthos is a chunk of useless rock! He closes his eyes as the module begins to shake even harder. He is frightened, but it is not death he fears, it is having no control over the situation.

  Brett flips open the last of the small panels. He slams his hand onto the red button, covering its bright number three with his palm. A group of popping sounds come from outside, they sound almost like muffled gun shots.

  Small panels blow off the outside of the command module. Packing like material immediately spills from the openings. Thousands of small objects fill the air, their heat dissipating task complete. Seconds later, the module’s chutes deploy, having been safely protected. One large main canopy billows out first, followed quickly by five smaller ones below that fill with air. The command module swings and sways as the wind grabs the craft.