by Colin Owen
"O how blest we are," he cried out towards the ceiling.
Tea was wonderful, as usual, but today, a joy had hit them all, together with a sense of peace, that could only be described as supernatural. Steve looked at Clare who was grinning from ear to ear.
"I don't know Hun," she replied to his unasked question.
"I don't know what we did to deserve all this," he said, at length, "but I for one am grateful to be here." Then with eyes closed he mouthed, 'Thank You Lord.'
❧
The next day, all the section heads gathered to bring their reports. Eric had managed to complete the work on one of the unfinished sections of the main dome, a conference room.
"Very nice," Steve commented as they all filed in. "Find a seat everyone and let's begin."
Farming volunteered to go first. "Well," Gareth began, "we seem to have around 50 acres of grazing land, this is what you saw yesterday. Beyond that are another 50 acres with all kinds of vegetables planted, and there's yet another 50 or so acres with fruit trees and bushes. Livestock comes to almost 500 cattle, 1000 sheep, and we weren't able to count the number of chickens and hens. All in all, I'd say we've enough to feed an army...Erm sorry about that, Oh, and there's some more land that is currently lying fallow."
"Wow," Steve said, "at least we won't starve. Hydro, what about you?"
"It's a similar story here Steve," Sarah said, "we discovered vast ice fields deep down in the mantle, so far, we haven't been able to find the full extent of them. The moon must have been a very wet place some time back. Anyway, the hydro level contains an immense lake of very fresh water. All the necessary equipment is in place to utilise the ice and we even have an evaporation plant capable of generating pure oxygen and hydrogen. One thing we don't seem to have is fish."
"Ok, so we have a sustainable water supply." Steve said,
"Power?" Steve asked.
"Right that's me," Roland answered. "There is a separate lake in the power level, it is used to drive turbines. There are ten in place, but we are only using five of them at present, and we already have more than enough power to sustain all of Lark's systems. MBA has its own plant and so is no drain on Lark. The lake is constantly re cycled so I see no need to tap into our other water resources. Barring things like moon quakes or asteroid strikes, the system is perpetual."
"How about oil?" Steve asked. "Moving parts will need lubrication."
"Ah, that's where I can help," Clare said, "the botanical section has that covered. We have some acres turned over to Rape, or at least a hybrid of it, and corn. According to the files, this hybrid produces ten times as much oil."
"Good," Steve nodded, "then oil is not a problem. What else have you got for us down there?" Ignoring Steve's very pointed smiles, Clare continued, "The botanical section is rather extensive, and I haven't had time to see all of it yet, but how's this for starters: there are two other caverns besides the main one, both too large to see how far they extend. One contains a hybrid of a plant I discovered many years ago that has the ability to convert light into oxygen very efficiently. I would estimate that there's more than a thousand times the amount we need to survive here. Have you noticed how fresh the air is, and how we haven't had to even think about space suits since we've been here?"
There were looks of surprise.
"Me too, but there's more: this plant is also a hybrid of a desert grass that can survive for years with just a couple of drops of water. When given unlimited water it bursts into growth...Explodes would be a better word. This plant is growing at an incredible rate, which means oxygen production is growing at the same rate. I estimate that the Moon will have a breathable atmosphere within twenty years...If only we can get some gravity to hold it here."
"And the other cavern?" Steve reminded her.
"Ah yes, the other cavern. This one seems to be in part, an over- spill for the first one, but there is a vent system, it's closed down, but I think it's been designed to release oxygen to the surface at some future date. Perhaps Bill or Eric will be able to throw more light on that."
"Right, thanks Sweetie, I'll take that up with them directly. Conclusions?" Steve asked. "We seem to have everything we need and in sufficient quantities to live here, well, forever."
"Agreed," Roland added, "you might want to quiz Bill about the other section on the power level. It was sealed so I have no idea what's in there."
"OK, I will. Anything else while we're here?"
Nothing came, so Steve closed the meeting and set off to find Bill. He found him at his post in the command centre tinkering with something.
"What are you up to Bill?" He asked.
"Oh, just adjusting some external sensors," Bill replied. "Our only enemy now is out there," he said pointing into space. "The Moon still gets hit by foreign bodies, and we need to know when and where."
"Hammond really did think of everything didn't he."
"He sure did, we have the most advanced technology ever invented."
"You won't say that when the Martians arrive," Steve joked, and the two men laughed. "Bill, you've given me an idea. I think it would be a smart move to set up quarters in Lark. Then, if a disaster did happen, we wouldn't be stuck on the surface."
"Good idea," Bill agreed, "there are plenty of smaller caverns down there that will do nicely."
"Right," Steve nodded, "I'll get some folks working on that tomorrow. While we're here Bill, a couple of things came up that you might be able to shed some light on."
"Shoot," Bill said, and winced.
"Clare mentioned some vents in cavern three and thought they may be for venting oxygen to the surface."
"Smart lady," Bill said, "she's exactly right. Hammond tried to plan for our future, so he put in place a couple of things that would be needed later. Plant and oxygen growth will reach a point where the caverns will not be able to contain them. When that happens the plan is to start releasing both to the surface. There are already signs that air and moisture are present on the surface, though only in isolated pockets."
"The green mould," Steve said.
"Right, the mould. There will come a time when we will be able to live on the surface without suits, but no one knows exactly how long that will be."
"Clare says about twenty years."
"She's probably right, but it will depend on conditions continuing as they are now."
"Roland asked about the sealed section on the power level."
Bill thought for a moment. "Hmm, that's the biggy Steve, the final frontier if you like. In order to maintain an atmosphere you need gravity, and the Moon doesn't have enough of it. The sealed level contains an experimental system for creating gravity. Vinkle's idea, but he never got it off the ground so to speak."
Steve smiled.
"Word is that the theory is sound, but it may take some years of development before we can try it."
"Well," said Steve, "time is on our side. One other thing Bill, did Hammond provide any transport? Those caverns are huge."
"Of course he did, I told you he thought of everything. There are several electric vehicles on every level."
"I'm humbled Bill, this man was a true genius."
The next day, Steve called everyone together and told them about setting up quarters in Lark. The idea went down well and a team was detailed to make a start on it.
"We'll need labs down there too Kay," he called to her. "And a school house Lisa." Preparations were made to move the main food stocks too. The work began, and time passed.
Chapter Eight
Chapter 8.
The Alarm Sounds
Several months had passed and everyone had settled into their roles in Moon Base Alpha. Steve restarted the work he was engaged in at Star Labs, and Clare continued her research into hybrids. Life was good, and slowly, the brown planet was forgotten.
It was mid afternoon and work was going steadily when an alarm sounded. It was loud and obviously not meant to be missed.
"What in tarnation is that?" S
teve cried out, running for the command centre.
"I don't know," Bill said, a little panicked, "let me check."
Steve watched as Bill began scanning the system, the look on his face was not good.
"What is it?" Steve asked, starting to get panicky himself.
"It's trouble Steve, we've got to move fast."
"What do you mean, move Bill?"
"It's a solar flare, an enormous one, and it's heading straight for us."
"How long have we got?"
"About four hours, and then everything on the surface will be toast."
"Right," Steve said, "start transferring control to Lark, I'll tell the troops."
He left to do it.
"Listen everyone," Steve shouted at the top of his lungs, "we have to evacuate the surface, there's a solar flare coming and it'll be here in about four hours. You all know what that means...Radiation. Let's snap to it folks, Lark is about to fulfil its destiny."
Steve had been working on his neural coms system with some success, he pressed the button. "Clare, are you reading me?"
"I certainly am Hun, heard every word, I'm mobilising everyone down here, we'll be with you shortly."
True to her word, Clare emerged from Lark along with all those who had been working down below. Kay had taken charge of the lab, and equipment was being packed and moved. Lisa had all the children busy with small tasks. Everyone pulled together magnificently, and the evacuation was completed with half an hour to spare. Steve, Clare, Bill, and Eric were the last in MBA taking a last look around.
"Will the Bycrylic hold?" Clare asked.
"Sure it will," Steve answered, crossing his fingers. "It'll hold."
With that, they entered the elevator, taking their last look at the Moon's surface as the huge doors closed. "Now you know why they're so thick." Eric said.
"Hammond," Steve and Bill said together.
The descent was like any other, only this time it was one way. "I know this may be a silly question," Clare said, "but just how long will we be down here?"
"What do you think Bill?" Steve asked.
"It's hard to say folks, but somewhere between ten and fifteen years...I've got sensors set to monitor radiation levels, so long as the flare doesn't take them out, so we should know when it's safe again."
"Good thinking," Steve said.
Clare added, "I was tired of looking at stars anyway."
The lift came to a stop and Shelley and Chris were there to meet them, with Rufus of course. "Come on," they said, pulling Steve and Clare towards Lark's doors. They all entered and Lark's huge doors closed them in.
"Well, that's it," Steve said, to Clare, "we're in the ark, and the doors are shut...What's to eat, I'm starved!"
❧
Life took on a whole new meaning in Lark. For one thing, everyone forgot about space. The stars were no longer visible against a black sky as a reminder, and Earth too, became just a distant memory. Work and life progressed, and the men in the moon prospered, and multiplied.
"Huuuuuun," Clare said, approaching Steve one morning.
"Yeessss?" Steve mimicked.
"What would you say if I were to tell you I'm pregnant?" She said, twirling his hair with a finger.
"You serious?" Steve asked.
"What do you think?" Came the response. It took a few seconds to sink in, and then Steve's face lit up and he jumped up off the sofa and started to dance around the room.
"I'm pregnant, I'm pregnant," he was singing at the top of his voice.
"Well, actually dear," Clare butted in, "it's me who's pregnant around here, but feel free to tell everyone within earshot!"
Shelley and Chris came bursting through the door, "What's up with daddy mom?" Shelley asked giggling.
"Has living on the Moon sent him gaga?" Chris asked, as Steve, oblivious to his character being maligned, kept dancing around the room.
"Daddy's quite all right," Clare reassured them both, "I'm going to have a baby."
Without so much as an intake of breath, Shelley responded, "Please make it a girl mom," she looked at Chris, "one brother is quite enough!"
Clare laughed, and they all jumped up off the sofa to join in with Steve singing, "Daddy is pregnant, daddy is pregnant."
The Hammonds, who lived next door, heard the commotion. "Wow," Lisa said, to John, "this will be the first human being to not be born on Earth."
"A genuine extraterrestrial," said John, "this is significant, I must go and get the others."
With that, he left to round up the rest of the Moon men and women. The singing had died down by the time everyone arrived at the Forester's door. They knocked, and Steve shouted, "Come in." They all burst in shouting, "Congratulations, well done, great news..."
"Why, what's up with you lot?" Steve said jumping to his feet, "Any one would think we were going to have a baby!"
A great cheer went up mixed with loud applause.
"No work today," John announced, "let's celebrate this momentous event."
There were more cheers and calls of approval. A party atmosphere invaded Lark that day, and little was done of any scientific value.
Some days later, John was disturbed by screams coming from the lake. He ran out to see what it was all about only to see Lisa, distraught, and standing over Katy who was lying on the ground at the waters edge. John took off towards them calling as he ran,
"What's wrong, what's happened?"
"It's Katy," Lisa called to him, "there's been an accident."
"What accident?" he said, breathlessly when he got to them.
"Katy was diving into the water when she hit her head on something. She wasn't spotted for four or five minutes. She's not breathing."
"Where's Sam?" John shouted just as Sam arrived from behind him. Sam fell down at Katy's side and put his head to her chest. A few seconds later he reared up and struck Katy a heavy blow to the chest. He breathed into her mouth several times and hit her again. He dropped his head to listen, "We have a heartbeat," he said, and Katy gasped in air just after he said it.
"Thank God, O thank God," Lisa sobbed, kneeling by her daughter. "You're OK now Kats, you're Ok." John picked her up and carried her back to their apartment and laid her on her bed.
"Just rest a while love," he said, "you'll be right as nine pence in no time."
A little later, John and Steve got together to talk about the incident.
"We must be more careful," Steve said, "every life here is precious, we can't afford to lose a single one. I don't like rules, but it looks as though we'll have to make some where the children are concerned."
"Agreed," said John, "we'll have to have some sort of supervision for them at the lake, I'll see to it."
"Good," Steve said, then, looking straight at John, he asked, "Are you Ok?" Steve's hand found it's way to John's shoulder. John let go and burst into tears.
"We nearly lost her Steve, our little angel." He sobbed for a while with Steve comforting him as best he could.
Katy made a full recovery and was back at school the following day.
"It was a close call," Lisa said to the class, "now what can we learn from this?"
She looked around for a volunteer to pick on.
"Daniel, how about you, what have you learned by this incident?"
Daniel looked a little embarrassed but said, "We should be more careful near the lake miss."
"Yes, good, but what else? Shelley, how about you?"
"We should never give up miss."
"How so?" Lisa asked a little bemused.
"Well, Katy looked to be dead, she had stopped breathing and there was no pulse, but Sam came along and changed what he saw. He didn't give up just because it looked hopeless."
"Excellent Shelley," Lisa complimented her, "that is wonderful, a lesson well learned. Now, is there anyone else?"
Chris' hand went up, "Yes Christopher."
"All life here is precious, we are the remnant of the whole human race, and we should face up to the
responsibility of that."
Lisa was taken aback, she hadn't expected such answers.
"Class," she said, and paused, leaning on her table, "I have a confession to make." All ears pricked up. "I had not realised just how much you have all grown up in the time we've been here. It's obvious to me now that you are more aware of our situation than I am. I apologise for not giving you credit for who, and what you are."
This last sentence cost Lisa some tears. The class gathered around her but it was Katy who spoke.
"And I apologise to you all," she sobbed, "I was careless and could have caused you all much pain. We are here for a purpose, and I nearly let you down by not fulfilling mine. I'm sorry."
There were hugs a-plenty until it was time to end the lessons. When Lisa got home she hugged John and said, "I have not been the teacher I should have been to the children, but today, they have become my teacher. I am so humbled John, just to be here."
John held her close and said softly, "Whenever did you hear of a teacher admitting to being taught by children? You certainly are the teacher they need, and I'm proud of you."
❧
Time passed, and everything settled down after the accident. Clare heeded Shelley's request and gave birth to a daughter. They named her Hope, because she was the first human being to be born in space, and in her, and the others that would follow her, there was hope. She was a positive sign that the human race was not only surviving, but also growing.
They held a service to celebrate Hope's birth, and Steve stood to speak. "Friends," he began, "today is a truly momentous day. We have seen the rebirth of humanity, and this little child is living proof that we are doing what General Hammond envisioned we would do, we are expanding. Hope is the first, but there will be others...There must be others." He said, looking around. A few of the older ones laughed.
"I'm reminded of the story of Noah, and how he heard from God that disaster was coming. Noah was told to lay in provision for the survival of the human race, and he did so. It took him 120 years, but time and humanity has moved on, and our Noah, General Hammond, did it in ten. Who's to say that he didn't hear from God? The ark he built certainly seems to be a miracle. The only difference is, that he didn't live to sail in her. Let us all stand, and acknowledge that in this little child, Hope, both General Hammond's vision, and God's will have been fulfilled. God bless us all."
