Initiation Series: Series One Compilation (Terran Chronicles)

by James Jackson

  After a few minutes Jie turns to Cheng and Kwan. “Well done, and we got here in eighteen days.” He raises his eyebrows, “Somehow, we have no new casualties this time.” His gaze stops at Kwan, who nervously smiles back.

  The two men bow respectfully, but say nothing.

  Jie stares at the pristine landscape before them, then says with confidence. “We will land the ship in that valley, near the river’s mouth.” He nods his head in the direction indicated, “Once the ship is down, tell the engineers to get to work immediately.”

  The three men reenter the shuttle, but do not take off. Instead, they tell the orbiting spacecraft where to land, while they remain safely on the planet. Jie steps back outside, and watches as his ship descends through the clouds, then puts down on the grassy landscape. Even at this distance, he can see it sink into the ground, then stop, leaving its landing struts half buried. Within minutes of the main ramp opening, people begin walking down it, and onto the ground. From his vantage point, he begins to mentally plan the city, his city.

  Work crews quickly and efficiently set up scaffolding along the outside of the ship. Welding crews cut into the ship’s hull following pre-existing weld lines, the same lines which were used to seal the ship prior to their departure from Earth.

  Jie watches his people with pride. A few hours later, the first section is ready. An entire segment of the ship’s side begins to slide out from the ship. Slowly but surely a building emerges, it hovers on gravity plating. The same gravity plating which was used to launch, then land the spacecraft. Jie is fascinated as he observes factory after factory being cut free from the ship. Each has its own Gamin power unit, making them self-sufficient from an energy standpoint. As each of these mobile factories is freed, they move slowly to their final resting place.

  People power has always been China’s greatest strength, and Jie takes full advantage of that here. While hundreds of thousands of people unload supplies, and build shelters, other groups begin the momentous task of exploring the countryside.

  Jie’s troops, under the command of Marshal Yong Sun, work efficiently to construct the military complex that will become their temporary home. As the hours roll into days, survey teams continue to radiate outward in all directions, sampling and testing as they go. The days are warm, and though longer than they are used to, seem to pass quickly on this paradise world. The nights are cool, yet not unpleasantly so. When it rains, it does so in light showers that do not last long.

  Once Jie is happy with the city’s progress, he begins to survey the land by shuttle, until he finds what he is searching for. He turns to his pilot, “That’s where I want my compound built.”

  Cheng follows Jie’s finger, and exclaims, “You will have a commanding view!” He gazes at the landscape, and notices that the city, factories, and farms, are far off in the distance, but he says nothing of his observations.

  Jie smiles, “I want the Capitol Building to be the most impressive structure ever built. People will be honored just to be allowed to enter its vast halls.”

  Cheng nods, “It will be done, Sir.”

  Jie rubs his chin, “I wish to meet with my department heads, tonight.”

  Cheng takes this as a sign to return to the landing site. Once there, he quickly contacts everyone who is expected to attend.

  New Order

  Jie glances at the setting sun, then enters one of many massive tents that dot the landscape. He smiles as the fifty or so people stand upon his arrival. They clap, as is expected of them. Jie lifts a hand, then walks to his raised podium. He leans close to a microphone, then says casually, “Please be seated.”

  The use of the word please instantly catches everyone’s attention. The room is so quiet that distant animal cries can be heard. Jie listens to the sounds of the wilderness while he recalls the many days spent reading his leadership books. A key phrase comes to his mind. People who think they are free will work very hard, as opposed to those who think they are oppressed. These feelings may only be a perception, and not necessarily reality.

  Jie smiles warmly then says, “I want full reports, starting with you,” he points to a man at the front.

  The man blanches at the directness of Jie’s statement, “Uh, I am the lead ecologist.” The man pauses for a second, then realizing he really is supposed to speak, grabs his notes, stands, and quickly begins. “This planet’s gravity is ninety-eight percent of Earth’s, and its size is approximately fifteen percent larger. The day/night cycle is almost twenty-five hours long, with one year being three hundred and eighty-two days. The atmosphere is so similar to Earth’s in composition, its differences are irrelevant.” The man gazes at Jie, then seeing that he is to continue, does so. “The water in the rivers, and most lakes, is potable in its natural state, while what passes for oceans, are not.” He shrugs his shoulders, “Just as Earth’s oceans are too salty, these oceans also have high concentrations of minerals, which can be filtered out if required.” The man stops once again, then glances nervously at the podium.

  Jie points at the ecologist and smiles warmly, “I don’t want you to fear me for stating facts. You need only fear me if you lie, or if your mistakes are costly to our survival here.”

  The ecologist gulps, then adds, “Initial data indicates the ground is nutritious and should support rice paddies, where we can provide sufficient irrigation, that is. In addition,” he glances to a man on his left, then adds, “We have identified a number of species that may be suitable as protein sources.” He bows, then sits back down.

  Jie genuinely smiles, “Good work,” he says, then points to his senior military advisor, “Marshal Young Sun, your report.”

  The old North Korean soldier stands proudly. Medals from another era, adorn the archaic uniform he wears. His diminutive body and short stature are testimony to the hardships he experienced growing up in his impoverished country. His expanding belly is obviously more recent, as it threatens to pop the buttons off his taut shirt. He nods respectfully to Jie, then says, “The temporary barracks are built. The perimeter is secure, and we expand upon it during each day. No wild animals have succeeded in crossing into the city. The head count has been verified at four hundred, seventy-six thousand, nine hundred, and fifteen people.”

  Jie nods, then casts his gaze around the room, “Excellent, you are doing well at protecting the people from the dangers of this world.” Jie smiles benignly as his mind wanders, and at keeping everyone contained. I don’t want runaways here.

  The Marshal bows, then sits down. He is a little concerned by how thin his forces will be spread out once the city expands to its final size. But, he also has a grand idea, one he is sure will be approved.

  The next man to stand has a tablet computer in his hands. He nods, “Supply master Liam at your service.” He reads from the tablet as he offers his report, “All fuel and water storage tanks remain on the ship. Of the twenty-five water storage tanks, six hold contaminated liquids which will need additional processing. The ship’s water recycling facilities continue to operate at peak efficiency, but there is more waste being generated than the systems were designed to cope with. The local water, though fit to drink in its natural state, will be purified and processed prior to being utilized.” He glances at his notes, then adds, “We have enough water to last two weeks, then all of our water storage tanks will be contaminated, forcing us to use this planet’s water regardless of our readiness.”

  Jie frowns, then says questioningly, “Two weeks! That’s all?”

  Liam glances at his tablet, then says, “Yes sir. The ship’s original design was for one million people, supported by eighty water tanks. The designers reduced the size of the recycling facility by seventy-five percent and many of the water tanks were re-designated as fuel storage.”

  Jie’s eyes narrow, “What idiot came up with that idea?”

  When no one responds, Jie motions to Marshal Yong Sun, “Find out who did this.”

  “Yes sir,” the Marshal intones.

&nb
sp; Liam is not sure if he should speak, but does so in the hopes of adding a positive note, “By committing so many tanks to fuel storage, it provides us with approximately five years supply for our ground equipment.”

  Jie blinks in surprise, then scowls, “Yes. But what do we have, two trucks?” He says scathingly, even though he has witnessed dozens of vehicles working on the city’s construction.

  Liam taps his tablet computer, then reads off the impressive list. “Sir, we have two hundred thirty-seven ground vehicles. This includes trucks, jeeps, busses, and construction vehicles of every kind. In addition, we have basic service items, such as replacement brakes, oil, filters, and more, to last many years.” He smiles as he reads off another section, “The ship also carries thirty conventional aircraft and fifty-nine helicopters, along with enough aviation fuel, and service supplies to operate these for many years.”

  Jie tries to recall the list of equipment he had authorized, to determine if the numbers are accurate. When he draws a mental blank, he replies, “That is workable.” He immediately points to another man. “Your report.”

  The man flinches, then quickly recovers, and says, “Sir, the multi-purpose satellites we brought with us will be in orbit by the end of the month.”

  Jie nods, “Very well,” he replies.

  The meeting continues on, long into the night. Jie half listens to reports on the planets life forms, both large and small. He stifles a yawn as the talks turn to fruits, berries, insects, water, and more. There are no signs of civilization anywhere on the planet, nor of there ever having been. The most intelligent life form discovered so far is an animal that looks like an oversized rat. It uses rocks, held in its front paws, to crack open large nuts for eating.

  The city’s developers relay their plans somewhat nervously, especially since they deviate from Jie’s initial wishes. His response is completely unexpected, “You people know what to do with the city, just make sure the Capitol Building is built where, and how I want it.”

  The developers stare at each other, stunned by the free hand given to them with the city. One of the men stands, bows his head, then says respectfully, “As you wish, Sir.”

  Jie smiles, he likes the way the people, his people, speak to him. He recalls his old title of Space Commander, and how he was ridiculed because he did not even have a spaceship. He glances at the room full of men, well look at me now! His thoughts drift on, Emperor Jie! I think I will claim that title, when the time is right.

  Eighteen Months Later

  Jie stands in his viewing room thirty stories above ground level, and surveys the distant city. Through sheer luck, the city has been established in a region that is ideal for rice growing. The previous summer, though hot, was not scorching and the winter passed with barely a frost appearing on the ground. The trees in the area are evergreens, and thus, none of them lost their leaves as the seasons changed. Spring saw heavy rains, but little to no flooding occurred within the city. During all this time, only a handful of people have died, and these have done so due to rather ordinary accidents. All in all, a great start for them.

  Jie smiles at his fortuitous choice for the city’s location. He is taking credit for the location, regardless of who initially suggested it. He turns his thoughts to the impressive building he stands in. The designers outdid themselves with the Capitol Building. Its upper levels tower over the nearby hills and some of the lesser mountain ranges. The building’s lower levels have few windows, and these can be sealed off by thick concrete panels, turning the building into a veritable fortress.

  As impressive as the building is above ground, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. Jie ruminates on the underground facilities which extend almost one hundred levels deep, and radiate in all directions. It is within these confines, that the medical research started in Kangbashi, continues. This medical team occupies only one small wing of the underground complex, and even they have no knowledge of what the other research divisions are doing. Not having the spore infected survivor means that an entire line of research is denied to them. Instead, they have gone back to their original plans of creating a super human through genetic manipulation. Jie sighs in disappointment over not being able to pursue the research into the spores.

  One complete wing is dedicated to a new supercomputer. Sadly, this has become Jie’s greatest disappointment. A trainload of computer components failed to arrive in time for their early departure. He can blame no one but himself, and the false launch date he gave to Wu. The technicians have done their best, but their new supercomputer exists more in name, than in reality.

  The deepest levels of the Capitol Building are set up as an inescapable prison. At the push of a single button, the lowest levels can be sealed off by giant stone blocks. It is very archaic, and yet potentially quite effective. A second button opens up a series of specialized flood gates. These hold back enough water to more than fill the prison area.

  Jie’s thoughts return to the scene outside. He focuses his attention on a long section of the enormous wall. It will one day encircle the city, the farms, and even this remote headquarters. A series of roadways extend outward from the city and into the neighboring hills and valleys. Very few roads actually lead out beyond the confines of the city, and none of these are paved beyond the city’s walls.

  Cheng walks briskly into the room and immediately notices Jie gazing out of the window. He cautiously says, “Sir, you sent for me?”

  Jie turns and responds, “Yes, I wish to view the city.”

  “Yes, Sir”, Cheng replies, relieved that he is not in some sort of trouble.

  The pair rides in an elevator to the roof where Jie’s personal shuttle is parked. Within minutes they are airborne, flying from the Capitol Building toward the city. Even though ground vehicles are rare, a two-lane highway sweeps along the hills and valleys below them. Native trees have been cultivated along the entire route to form a picturesque roadway. Thousands of people toiled for many months, carving this road into the landscape. It extends all the way from Jie’s building to the city’s center, where it passes an impressive structure.

  Jie glances downward, “Ah, I see the city’s government building is finished.”

  Cheng smiles at the pleasant tone in Jie’s voice. Suddenly he notices a dust cloud rising up from the far side of the city’s distant walls. “Sir, I think you should see this, it’s most impressive.”

  Jie turns to Cheng, “Very well, show me.” His tone is mellow, for today is a good day.

  Jie stares at the distant wall, frowns, then says, “The wall is a lot taller than was originally planned.”

  Chen replies quickly, “Yes sir. It’s three stories high, and equally wide.”

  Jie stares ahead, and gasps when they get close enough to see it clearly. The wall is far taller, wider, and stronger looking, than he ever envisioned. It dwarfs his home country’s Great Wall, and yet has clearly been inspired by it. It is obviously designed for a lot more than keeping people in, and small animals out.

  They fly over the wall and discover the cause of the rising dust cloud. Jie blinks in surprise at the sight. The reports have not done justice to the size of the local herbivores. The one below is larger than a two-story house, and longer than a football field. The creature is scraping its scaly hide on the massive wall, relieving an itch perhaps, and in doing so, is rubbing mud and dirt off its flanks. It lifts his armored head skyward, then emits a deep resonating roar. The beast’s large green eyes follow the shuttle. Its long, thick, scaly tail lifts up, then drops to the ground, almost the way a cat does when annoyed.

  Jie stares at the massive dinosaur-like creature and asks, “Why don’t the soldiers just shoot it?”

  Cheng nods, “They have tried to kill them, but it takes a lot of bullets, and there are just too many of them.” He points at the vast plateau that stretches away from the city’s wall, and says, “Hundreds inhabit that area alone, while some regions have reported herds in the thousands.”

  Jie glances at th
e mud smeared wall, then at the animal as it slowly lumbers away. Its four stumpy feet casually move the heavy beast toward a forest of towering trees. He glances at Cheng and reluctantly concedes, “The city designers have made a good decision.”

  Flying along the wall reveals many sections where theses beasts have rubbed their bodies. Clumps of dirt lay on the ground beneath large smudges on the wall itself. While they travel, Jie mulls over the imposing walls and the planned barbed wire fence, which is intended to line the interior. The original designs also call for specialized entries and exits, each with a detachment of security personnel.

  Jie stares downward, deep in thought, then says, “Tell the city engineers not to bother with the barbed wire. I will tell the Marshal that his guards will not be needed at the gates, either.” Jie nods as he considers his own words, “We’re not building a prison here,” he adds, almost to himself.

  Cheng’s eyes open wide at Jie’s unexpected words, but then he recalls the satellites in orbit. He subconsciously rubs his arm, where he, like every other person here, has a biometric implant. These allow their movements to be tracked, no matter where they go. Cheng glances at Jie, and ponders his own future. Freedom is a myth anyway, who can say they are truly free?

  Cheng turns the shuttle back toward a nearby hillside inside the protective walls. He points downward, “These are just a few of the rice paddies.”

  Jie stares at the dozens of terraces carved into the hills, then smiles when he sees people working in them. He leans back in his chair, then says, “Show me the factories.”

  Cheng nods as he says, “Yes, Sir.”

  The tour of the many factory complexes takes longer than Jie expected. Each one rests in its best geographical location, which means that they are spread far and wide. Those that require water, are near the mouth of the river. Others that rely on processed raw minerals, are near these processing plants, which in turn are close to their respective mines.