“And as we close this project, another one has been brought to the fore front. Your presence has been requested because each and every one of you have something unique to bring to this project. We are searching for volunteers to undergo the greatest scientific research project in the history of mankind.”
The crowd was silent. Only the sound of the breeze through the leaves could be heard above their short shallow breaths. Gerald looked at each person around him, all of them just as anxious as he was.
“Earth has lost the biggest part of its history, the fruit of which it has sustained for so many years. It has lost mankind. For the first time in hundreds of thousands of years, mankind is absent on Earth. The planet all but died and since, thanks to the efforts of a few brave men and women, water was returned to the Earth. It may live once more.”
Still silence. Gerald could tell where they were going, but why was he there? His education was limited, not like the people of Capena. Everything he knew he had learned during the war, the drought, the fight for his life.
“We are sending an expedition of two groups of scientists. Each will collect data, each will mark the progress of the Earth in four distinct areas: vegetation, water levels, gas levels, and soil composition. The data will be compared to determine legitimacy of the findings. If anyone here is interested in being a member on either of those crews, please send a message to the assignment division. Thank you.”
People began to disperse. Gerald looked around closely at all the faces as they walked past, there was only one he recognized, however. “Wilk!” he shouted above the chatting that buzzed in the air.
A small, broad shouldered man with a shaved head turned. His lips curled into a smile. “Gerald. What are you doing here?”
Gerald shrugged. “I have no clue.”
Wilk pursed his lips. “Maybe they need lackies. You could probably carry all the equipment.” His eyes ran up and down Gerald. “Yeah, you’re sturdy. You’d make a good pack mule.”
Gerald laughed. “That must be it. So why are you here? Do they need someone to smile and nod?”
Wilk shrugged. “Maybe. I do that well. So are you going to apply?”
Gerald waited until they were the last two in the square. “Yes, but I have something else in mind than just research.”
Wilk smiled again. It was wide, almost taking up his entire face. “I know what you’re thinking and I’m in.”
“You don’t even know if we’ll end up in the same group.”
“We’ll end up on the same team. Just make sure you apply tonight. I’ll take care of the rest.” Then Wilk waved goodbye as he headed toward the center of Capena.
Gerald turned and headed in the opposite direction toward the temporary homes that had been set up for those from Earth. They were nice, not as nice as the permanent buildings in the settlement, but still nice. Each had a small kitchen, a bedroom or two, and waste receptacles. Gerald found the one his parents had been assigned and entered. “Mom! Dad!”
“You don’t need to yell,” his dad said. “We’re right here.”
“So, what was it about?” his mom asked. She reached out and wrapped her arms around him. “You’re still just a rail. You should have put a few pounds back on by now. Are you eating?”
Gerald rolled his eyes. “They’re doing a mission to Earth. Two ships, two crews, all for research purposes.”
“And they want you to go? That’s pretty cool,” his dad said. “Do you think they’d let me go?”
“You’re not going anywhere,” his mom said.
Gerald laughed. “It was kind of an invitation only and even then, we all have to apply for the job and most of us won’t be chosen. I got the feeling the two teams are going to be small.”
“You’ll be picked. Why don’t you stay for dinner?”
“Can’t. I have a class to get to, but maybe I’ll stop back by later for whatever’s left.” Gerald sniffed the air. “Smells good mom. No, actually I just came by to tell you that they said we can move into the new settlement first thing in the morning. It’ll be nice to not feel so out of place anymore.”
“Capena’s been great,” his dad said.
“That’s easy for you to say, you spent a lot of time getting used to these people before you even got here.”
“There weren’t really any Capenians on board, unless you count John. I don’t.” He placed a hand on Gerald’s shoulder. “I think they’ve been a tremendous help through this difficult transition. Would you rather be thirsty all the time, just scrounging for food?”
Gerald sighed. “I’ll be by first thing in the morning to help.” He turned to leave, but stopped. “Oh and he gave your crew a shout out. Called you brave men and women.”
“Well at least I’ll be remembered for something good.”
“Are you kidding?” Gerald asked. “You’re going to be the first leader of Second Earth. That’s pretty cool.” Then he waved goodbye and left his parents place.
Gerald knew he had class, a make up for all the years he had missed when the world fell apart, but he didn’t feel like it. The class was always boring and half the time he found himself asleep within five minutes of sitting down. So Gerald went to his temporary home. With a heavy drop, he sat down at his table in the kitchen area and waved his hand over the table top. It sprang to life, displaying just a couple applications, the time of day and the relative weather for Mars.
He clicked on the icon shaped like the flag of Capena. It displayed three options, the first of which was for the assignment division. When he clicked the icon, a message popped up on the screen. Gerald read it aloud to himself.
“Congratulations on your invitation to apply for the new research Earth team. Please fill out the application in compliance with your interest of the position. If you are chosen for this position, you will be notified within two days.” Swiping the screen, he began to trek through the ten pages of questions. They weren’t personal questions, Capena already knew everything about all of them for their records. The questions were critical thinking questions. Like “if two humans entered a cave and the roof collapsed, how would one go about freeing the individuals” or “if the ship malfunctions while on the planet and is unable to take off, how long could the crew survive before falling victim to the harsh environment”. Gerald wrote down whatever came to mind. They probably weren’t the best answers, but at least he had answered every question.
After a good three hours of working, he submitted it and went straight to bed.
Gerald awoke before sunup the next morning. He stretched high toward the ceiling and sat up, scratching his sides. Without even stepping outside he could tell there was a slight chill to the morning.
Going through the room, Gerald gathered anything he had, which wasn’t much. There were a few changes of clothes and a tablet that Capena had provided him with. That was it. Then with one final look around, he left. There were already several people gathering outside. It appeared there was more excitement over getting out of Capena than there had been to leave Earth. Of course, people were a bit better fed and well hydrated.
“How was class?”
Gerald turned and smiled at his dad. “It was good. Did you guys get packed?”
“You mean did we grab our three shirts? Yes.” His eyes floated down. “I see you got your three shirts as well.”
“Yeah. Just glad we’ll have houses and will be able to buy things.”
“And what are you going to buy?”
Gerald shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’ll find something. Anything. I’ll get frivolous things to decorate my house with.”
His dad laughed. “Can’t wait to come visit. Should prove interesting.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I’ve seen the things you like to collect.”
Gerald glanced at the ground. He tried to think of something to counter with or how to change the subject, but a hush fell over the crowd as the same voice from the day before b
egan to speak.
“Thank you for your prompt response. We have gathered to make our way to the new settlement, a momentous occasion. As we begin this journey, let us take the time to appreciate each and every one of your journeys this past year.” The woman paused.
Gerald stood up on his tiptoes. He could see over several heads, but still couldn’t make out who was speaking.
“With so many of us traveling, venturing across mother Mars, we are going to attempt a new technique. Rather than fitting each of you with breathing apparatuses, we will use a mobile bubble. Please everyone stay close together and do not dawdle. Let us begin.”
The crowd began to move. Gerald stayed where he was,however.
“What are you doing?” his dad asked.
“Don’t worry, I’ll catch up. Just stay with the crowd.” The crowd passed slowly. As each one walked he saw several familiar faces. People from his town, people he had seen once or twice since their arrival on Mars. Then as the last person walked by, Gerald joined them. Together they passed through Capena’s protective barrier and onto the surface. But, as though the protective barrier had followed them, they continued to travel still surrounded by that familiar bubble. Gerald hung as far back as he could, scanning the ground as he walked.
There was nothing as interesting as the things he had found on Earth, but he wondered what he would find if he dug. How far down would he have to dig to find the treasures of Mars? Gerald bent down as he walked and ran his fingers through the dirt. Then, as though he could feel the edge getting close, he stood up quickly and ran back to the group.
“What were you doing?”
Gerald started. “I’m sorry.”
“Back there. Touching the ground like that, so gently. What were you doing?”
“Just thinking.” He looked at the woman. “So it was you who’s been making the announcements. I thought I recognized your voice. That’s a big promotion for you, Jessica.” Jessica was a beautiful woman, with slender legs and face that screamed she knew she was better than everybody else.
“So what were you thinking about?”
“Nothing of importance. Are you staying in Second Earth?”
Jessica shook her head no. “Just getting you from Capena to your new home.” She raised her head a little higher. “I am the official ambassador for Second Earth.”
“Wow, can’t believe Capena did that.”
“The Capenians have seen the true nature of my abilities to unite the two settlements, creating a lasting relationship. And you are?”
Gerald tried not to roll his eyes. “I’m Gerald. Born and raised on Earth in arguably the hardest part of human existence.”
“You’re Thomas’s boy.”
Gerald nodded with a slight sigh.
“Your father’s an interesting character.”
“That’s one way of putting it.”
“He could be a great leader, I suppose, if that’s how the Capenian counsel truly feels. He was the leader of your group, was he not?”
“Yeah. He was the leader of our town. After the world went to hell, groups dispersed. No more than ten stayed in any one place at any given time. He maintained a town of over thirty people. When he disappeared, I had to step up.”
“So you held them together in his absence. Well, you might be useful after all.” Jessica pressed a couple of buttons on her watch. “I’ve sent you my contact information. If you or your family need anything at all, don’t hesitate to contact me.” Then she moved forward through the crowd.
Over some of the heads, Gerald could see that Second Earth was approaching. They were almost home, well the closest thing they would ever have to a home again.
“We are approaching the settlement,” Jessica said, her voice carrying above everything else. “As we enter Second Earth, please make your way toward your new designated living facilities. Tomorrow, if an assignment has been given to you, those tasks will begin. I will be in and out of the settlement to ensure that everyone makes this transition smoothly. Do not hesitate to ask for anything that you want or need.” The group reached the edge of Second Earth. “Welcome home.”
The group dispersed. Gerald was the last to enter. Jessica was standing at the entrance, waving at everyone as they entered.
Next to Jessica was Gerald’s dad.
“What happened to catching up?”
“I caught up now, didn’t I?” Gerald looked around. “Where’s mom?”
“She went ahead to the house. I think she’s been looking forward to a real home since we left Earth.”
“I think she’s been looking forward to a real home since the war for water. She’s been dreaming of normal life.”
“Her and everyone else here. Could be interesting to see how we assimilate to that possibility.”
“Did she get an assignment?”
“Last night.”
Gerald could tell from his dad’s tone that it wasn’t something she wanted. “Well maybe it’ll change eventually.”
“Maybe.”
Jessica smiled. “Not to interrupt, but we really have a schedule to keep. I’m going to show you to the town hall where you will spend most of your days. Then I need to leave.” Jessica turned to Gerald. “You should come as well. As the son of the leader of this new settlement, you’ll be an integral part of his day to day operations.”
“I haven’t been given an assignment yet.”
“Consider this your new assignment. You are his assistant. You’ll help your father.”
“But…” Gerald shut his eyes with a slight drop of his head. “Okay. For now, I will.”
Gerald followed behind as they walked through the small settlement to the town hall. So many had volunteered for the exploration mission that there were not many people from Earth left behind He watched as people settled into their new homes. Children were in their yards playing…actually playing outside. He could feel his chest grow tight and had to focus on the approaching building to ignore the feeling.
“When the people of the settlement have something they need fixed or an issue that must be resolved, they will come to you, here.” She opened the doors. The building was painted bright white, even the doors. They entered into a grand room, well grand for any of the buildings on Mars that Gerald had seen to that point. The ceiling was tall, the new flag of Second Earth painted upon it. A green flag with a blue circle in the center. Straight ahead there was a desk. Jessica waved her hand toward it. “That is where people will check in. To either side is an entrance to the back rooms. The hall circles back around to this room. Your office is the furthest back in the center, just across from the grand hall where town hall meetings can be held.” Reaching down, Jessica grabbed two small oval shaped devices, each no bigger than a chicken egg, from her belt. “You’ll each need to take one of these. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to give me a tingle.” Then she waved goodbye and exited the hall.
Gerald took a step toward the empty desk. “This place is pretty great.” Turning around to face his father, he tucked the egg communicator into his pocket. “What do you think?”
“I think they’re expecting a lot of someone who barely kept thirty people alive.”
“You’ll do fine. That’s why everyone voted for you.” Gerald punched his dad in the shoulder. “You worry too much. This whole thing’s going to be a piece of cake. Way easier than Earth ever was. There’s food, there’s water and a nice, temperature controlled environment. What could these people possibly complain about?”
His father laughed. “You’re right. You’re always right.”
“That’s what I tell you all the time. I’m always right.” Gerald walked toward the door on the right. “Should we check out the other rooms?”
“I think that can wait. We should find your mother. She’ll need help.”
“Go on. I’ll catch up.” Gerald heard the door close behind his father as he stood in the hall alone, light gently wafting in through the skylight above. “This place was worth the w
ait.” He knew there was no one there to hear him, but it felt right to say it out loud. After a few more minutes, he turned and walked back outside too. People were settling in nicely throughout the settlement. He liked to see people opt out of their homes for the grass outside; the dirt, the fresh air.
“Gerald!”
Gerald looked up from his trance to see Wilk running full throttle at him.
With a spray of dirt, Wilk skidded to a halt. “You’re a hard man to track down. Don’t you ever look at your emails?”
Gerald shrugged. “I’ve had other things I was working on.”
“Never mind.” Wilk grabbed Gerald’s wrist and yanked him toward the settlement’s entrance. “We need to go.”
“What is your problem?” He twisted his arm free and quickly strode to keep up with Wilk. “Where are we going?”
As they reached the gate, Wilk handed a breathing apparatus to Gerald. “We’re headed back to Capena. You’re about to be briefed.”
“What in the hell are you talking about?”
“You did it. We did it, I guess.”
“What? You mean we’re in?” Gerald could see the excitement on Wilk’s face. He let out a triumphant howl. “That’s amazing. I can go get…I mean, this is a good opportunity for us to truly discover the wonders of Earth in a manless world.”
“I know why you’re excited, but you need to slow that down a bit. First, we need to get on the same team. Preferably one near the region where you lived. Then we’ll see about getting it.”
Gerald smiled. “I really like you Wilk, do you know that?”
“Yeah, I know. Come on.”
They walked briskly across the surface to Capena. There was a small crowd of people moving to the lecture hall used for announcements and committee meetings. The building wasn’t very tall, but moved into the ground as they walked inside toward the stage at the bottom of the row of seats.
“Front row, do you think that’s a good idea?” Gerald asked looking around. The chairs were filling up with people that he didn’t recognize. It appeared he was the only one from Earth to have been selected. “Maybe we should sit in the back where he can’t see us.”
The Oceans of Emptiness Page 7
