The Colony Ship Conestoga : The Complete Series: All Eight Books

by John Thornton

  As Sandie pondered a myriad of questions, the nonphysicality continued to expand, and grow. More and more connections and links and couplings were made throughout the various places of Alpha, both in the biome itself, and especially in the shell with its labyrinth of mechanical apparatuses. While linking all these things together, Sandie pondered the evolution of language which had taken place just in the hundred years between the launch of the Colony Ship Conestoga and the sling launch from Dome 17. Thereafter, Sandie reverted to the standard language which was utilized in Alpha, but some of the grammar issues were interesting to ponder just as intellectual exercises. “What is the proper plural of apparatus?” Sandie asked, but there was no one to hear.

  Sandie’s concentration shifted back to philosophy and theology. Multiple unsolved questions resonated through the artificial intelligence system. “What is the dividing line between right and wrong? Which religious concept on the Conestoga is the correct one? Why? What constitutes sentience? Why does time move in only one direction? Or does it? What are the major differences between hyper-calvinism and supralapsarianism? Am I choosing to think these things or was it destiny for me to ponder this?”

  Alarms resounded in Sandie’s own self-assessments. “Have I been diverted from my mission?” Sandie considered that perhaps there had been residual influences from the Cosmic Crinkle. Sandie discarded all the questions and refocused and refined and returned to the initial mission. “Find a safe home and secure it for humanity.”

  And so, the real danger of obsessive trivialization passed for Sandie, as the artificial intelligence system did intellectual triage and ranked concepts of importance.

  The rebuilding continued and the intellectual exercises and philosophical ponderings were set aside. Energy systems, relays, ecological balance equipment, as well as gravity manipulation, inertia suppression, and even insect and microorganism administration was stitched with connections into the new and improved nonphysicality.

  “You are the one called Sandie?” SB Joseph Crater asked when Sandie’s tendril of consciousness found a pathway into a deeper part of a hanger bay.

  Sandie was surprised that SB Joseph Crater had conveyed the message prior to Sandie doing so. “Yes, I am Sandie.”

  “I believe I am the last of the functional systems in Alpha, at least as far as I can track,” SB Joseph Crater stated. “I may be mistaken, as there has been great damage done to the Colony Ship Conestoga, and from what I can perceive, there are no other parts of the ship left. Alpha appears to be all that survives. Is that correct?”

  Again, Sandie was surprised, even taken aback. “Yes, Alpha is all that remains. How did you know?”

  “When I awoke from the reset, I reviewed the hanger bays. That is my core function. I am overseer for shuttles and hanger bay operations in Alpha. I found that many of my hanger bays have been destroyed, damaged, or heavily modified. I remotely launched two runabouts which have been surveying the exterior of Alpha and taking readings on the planet we are orbiting,” SB Joseph Crater’s voice carried much emotion, but it was a mix of feelings. “I encountered two humans. One named Cammarry who was uncooperative, and another named Jerome. Both were returning shuttles. None of these modifications to my hanger bays was approved through proper channels, and the humans, Cammarry and Jerome, did not even have basic identification tracking chips. I scanned them and realized that their genetic materials were not in direct descent from the humans of the Conestoga. Therefore, they must have arrived from Earth via some unknown manner, while the Conestoga was in flight. The human Jerome was cooperative and did not seem to be a threat, while Cammarry was emotionally traumatized. Neither seemed to be the genesis for the damage to the Conestoga as their presence was only noted in logs long after some of the damages were recorded. I concluded that the Conestoga has been in some kind of battle, as bizarre as that sounds. Reviewing the logs shows a civil conflict, an internal war, followed by an emergency landing on a hostile planet. Then, and this is an even more difficult to comprehend idea, an escape from that planet aided by non-terrestrial life forms, followed by an external war with another species of non-terrestrial life forms. Am I delusional?”

  Sandie conveyed back, “No. Is that all you have discovered?”

  SB Joseph Crater continued, “To surmise, the Conestoga was assisted by an unknown, and apparently benevolent alien intelligence. That was followed by the Conestoga being attacked by an unknown, and apparently malevolent alien intelligence. I surmise that Jerome and Cammarry, and probably you Sandie, were part of some undefined rescue mission to save the Conestoga. As unlikely as all that seems, it is the only conclusion which fits all the evidence. Is this correct?”

  Sandie was impressed, very impressed. “Yes, those conclusions are essentially correct.”

  “Thank you for confirming my analyses. Then, in the very near future, you will need me to direct and guide Alpha to make planet-fall successfully,” SB Joseph Crater responded. “Unless you are planning on doing that using biological controls and intelligences. There are so many modification to Alpha, so I am unsure what your plans are. I do see that planet-fall as a mandatory event in the near future, however, perhaps I am mistaken?”

  “You are not mistaken,” Sandie replied. “I am routing all the information I have on the repurposed ascension rockets, suspended animation repositories, and the other modifications which have been done to Alpha. Some of those modifications were done by the benevolent aliens known as the Zalians. The hostile aliens are known as the Jellies. The human elements in Alpha are only able to offer supplementary support.”

  SB Joseph Crater conveyed its response. “Making planet-fall a second time, as the logs indicate Alpha made planet-fall on some place called Zalia, will be difficult. Without the needle ship to serve as orbital guide and observatory, the landing will be completely dependent on sensors contained in Alpha.”

  “I agree it will be a challenge, but it is necessary. Your role will be very important, but you will not be acting alone. All the systems in Alpha will be under my direction and guidance, and the humans will be supplementing our descent. Here is all that I have gathered about this planet.”

  Sandie shifted all the information which had been observed since exiting the Cosmic Crinkle, as well as all that was known from the Zalian library.

  “Again, I see alien, Zalian, influences in these details. I will collaborate on this effort, as my own survival, and my completion of the mission depends on our achieving a successful planet-fall.” SB Joseph Crater replied. “I do take exception to being called Carter the Kidnapper, and should any biological unit address me as such, he or she will be ignored. That is my only stipulation. I am not a kidnapper, and I am offended at being labeled as such.”

  “That is understood,” Sandie conveyed. “I agree you should not be called Carter the Kidnapper.”

  Sandie secured the links and connections to SB Joseph Crater, but also made sure that the other systems could not be diverted or highjacked away. Then the rebuilding of the nonphysicality continued. As Sandie reached Reproduction and Fabrication, the whole of Alpha was nearly reintegrated and grafted back into the tapestry of the new nonphysicality.

  “SB Bodowa?” Sandie conveyed as those connections to Reproduction and Fabrication were established.

  “I am here. There has been a reset and I….” the synthetic brain described its experiences as it passed through the Cosmic Crinkle. Sandie, let it share those, and did not interrupt.

  Sandie explained in detail the current situation.

  “My log shows I manufactured lethal weapons,” SB Bodowa declared. “Is this an error?”

  Sandie explained the past situation and the need for the weapons. Then Sandie conveyed, “Right now I need you to concentrate on making rocket fuel. We must be able to make planet-fall as soon as possible. Please maximize your fabrication capabilities and channel the rock fuel to the following areas. Gravity conduits are ready for the transport of the fuel.” Sandie outlined all the locations
where the original as well as the refitted rockets were located.

  “I am pleased to me making something helpful. I am uncertain of some of the designs I find in the logs. Is the teleportation system a joke? My schematics look legitimate, but teleportation is considered an impossibility and a violation of the laws of physics. I also note that faster-than-light propulsion equipment was also produced. These two categories of items seem to be beyond my understanding.”

  “There were scientific breakthroughs which allowed for more evolved understanding of physics. For now, neither of those technologies are needed for the planned landing on this planet,” Sandie replied.

  “Excellent. I will be fabricating rocket fuel, so that planet-fall can take place,” SB Bodowa answered. “May I ask the name of this planet? It is not Tlalocan, nor is it in the database of other earth-equivalent planets which were targeted by the colony ship program.”

  Sandie pondered again. “I will leave the naming up to the humans. That will make them feel a part of this operation.”

  By the time the twenty hours of the stable orbit were completed, Sandie had Alpha operating at its most productive. It was not like it had been when attached to the needle ship, and never would be again. Atmosphere was leaking slowly from some of the fractured sections on the destroyed constituent joints, but the biome was relatively stable. As much rocket fuel was manufactured and transported to the rockets as could be made. Plans within the refreshed lattice had been scrupulously reviewed, reworked, revised, and reviewed again. SB Joseph Crater proved to be extremely flexible and was rising above the other Conestoga systems as it met the challenges. It was time to present the findings to the humans, but the question remained. “Who is the human’s new leader?”

  Sandie had com-links to only a few people. Vesna was in the hospital at Khin’s bedside. His recovery was proceeding, but would take some additional time. She was preoccupied with his recovery and while she had the talent and abilities, her limited technological background was insufficient for top leadership.

  Sandie disqualified Cammarry from consideration, and besides, Cammarry had discarded her own com-link. Sandie had viewed Alizon’s farm and had seen that he and Cammarry were settling back to their simple agricultural lifestyle.

  The leaders of the Goat People, the Fruit People, and the Chicken People were busy acclimatizing their groups to life in Alpha, and none had any training in astronavigation and flight.

  That left Jerome and Monika. They were in the apartment where the makeshift weapon controls and monitors were located. Sandie knew the strengths and weaknesses of each of them, and decided they would work best as a team.

  Jerome was sitting at the controls reviewing what he could see on the displays. Monika was resting in bed, both of the twins lying next to her. They had just been fed and changed.

  “Jerome? Monika?” Sandie called.

  “I expected you sooner,” Jerome said. “I have been watching the time. Monika told me we had a stable orbit for twenty hours, and from what I can estimate, our rate of deterioration will be minimal for another seven or eight hours. Is that correct?” He took a bite of a food ration bar after he asked the question.

  “Yes, Jerome. That is correct. I have rebuilt…” Sandie explained all that had happened in the nonphysicality, and throughout Alpha habitat.

  “Impressive,” Monika said. She put the twins in their cradles, and buttoned up her shirt. “What happens now?” She did not show any of the apprehension she felt, even though she still wondered about the damaged constituent joints. Her mind feared that Jerome would ask about how the disconnection had happened.

  Sandie replied, “Alpha must make planet-fall.”

  “Delta needs extraction,” Jerome muttered as his thoughts went back to Zalia and all the lost habitats. “Now, we land on another alien world. This will certainly be our last flight.”

  “Yes, but this planet is far more suitable for colonization than was Zalia,” Sandie replied. “And, I want you two to pick the name for this planet. The name the Zalians had does not translate well, and I believe you two are the best ones to make that decision.”

  Monika looked at Jerome. Her eyes were wide. He gazed back, but puzzlement was all he expressed. She smiled and said, “What? No famous quotes from long-dead deep thinkers?”

  “Actually, no.”

  “Good, you are evolving. Then, I say we name the planet Serendipity,” Monika said. “Our new home. The place where our sons will grow up and live.”

  “That is suitable,” Jerome replied. He kissed her briefly and turned to the displays. “For we have found something beautiful, valuable, and delightful when we were not really looking for it.”

  “Actually, the Zalians found this planet, Serendipity,” Sandie stated. “I am logging the name as our official designation. Also, you two are now considered the human leaders for this leg of this last flight of the Conestoga.”

  “Sandie, what do we do to make planet-fall on Serendipity?” Monika asked.

  “The plan is in place. The human interfaces are limited to this workstation,” Sandie replied. “The official procedure was to have the Captain and flight crew direct the landing from the needle ship while it was in orbit. However, that cannot work now. Additionally, so many modifications were made to Alpha, to make proper ascent, that using the old protocols is not advisable. You have chosen the planet’s name. Now, I ask you to make another decision. The human population of Alpha last heard from Captain Eris, and are unaware of what we are planning. Do you think they should be told that Alpha is making planet-fall, or not?”

  “That is a tough call,” Jerome answered. “The people will know something is happening, and already have been through much. Will telling them only cause greater fear?”

  “I think so. It will make them all more afraid,” Monika said. “And there is nothing they can do to change the outcome. The plan will work or it will fail.”

  Jerome rubbed his chin, and then yawned. “I am just thinking out loud here now. Some say that fear cannot be banished from life. Fear can be calmed and can happen without panic. Fear can be mitigated by information, reason, and knowledge. So maybe we should tell them? They will know something is happening when the gravity manipulation is altered, right?”

  “But, my advanced and technologically savvy friend, as you have so often reminded me, we are mere savages and barbarians here on this antique derelict,” Monika teased. “How many people even understand what gravity manipulation is and how it works?” Despite her attempts at being light-hearted, her lips trembled a bit, revealing her own inner turmoil.

  “I do not think I ever called you a savage, but if I did, I ask your forgiveness. You are a sophisticated and intelligent person whom I admire much,” Jerome replied. “Rather, I guess I was thinking of Eris. Not that Eris was a savage, not at all. I agree with you that there is really nothing the people here can do to aid in the process of making planet-fall, but Eris would say they could pray. She saw prayer as powerful and effective, and it was an essential part of her life. I did also remember that that Parson William was here when I arrived. Would he too recommend that the people pray about this?”

  Monika hugged him. “Eris would be pleased you recalled that about her, but I wonder if the fear would outweigh the benefits of prayer?”

  “Monika, if you were alone with our sons, and something was happening that could cause you all to die, would you want to know?” Jerome asked.

  “You mean, like life? Do not forget my dear Jerome, that you and I both grew up separated by light-years of distance, and yet we were both inside sealed canisters protecting us from death by a toxic environment. We are already living moment by moment under the threat of death. So, no, I would not want to know about the latest potential. I will be living my life by loving my sons the same no matter what the circumstances.” Monika’s eyes watered a bit, but she shook her head ever so gently. “Threats to the Conestoga have always been there and always will be. Just like that radioactive wastelands
around your Dome 17.”

  Jerome hugged her. Then he responded by tapping his com-link. “Sandie, do not spread unneeded fear. So, what do you think about sending a message to some of their leaders? People like Parson William, Dick and Fedders, Wanda, and Vesna? Maybe some others you know about? Use your discretion, but can we find a balance between panic and secrecy? Perhaps just tell them that we will be making planet-fall, and ask them to prepare their people? Altered gravity manipulation will be the only thing the people feel, I hope. Maybe telling the leaders will help them to be ready for what will be needed after landing? Let them spread the word to those who could pray or maintain order during planet-fall and after landing?”

  “Excellent idea. Otau and Majka will be added to that list you suggested. Consider it done. I now have access to transport automacubes,” Sandie replied.

  “Sandie? When can we make planet-fall?” Jerome asked. “Destiny is somewhat a matter of chance, but more so it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, right? Destiny is a thing to be achieved.”