Earth Has No Tomorrow

By Norman J. Ball

Science fiction in the classical style- Norman J. Ball penned "Earth has no tomorrow" over thirty years ago, but is only now releasing it for publication. The author notes that after all this time, he only edited 20 words.

This novel is set in the 22nd century, after Earth had recovered from a war that left 100 million dead. The world government that had come into being after this war has as priority the exploration and colonization of other planets. This program culminates in the most ambitious space exploration journey by a lone space ship from Earth named Methuselah- equipped, commanded and crewed by the best that the Space Federation has to offer. The expedition has the assignment to seek out and make contact with extra-terrestrial life and the improvement of technology.

Both objectives are magnificently achieved- but certainly not in the way expected. Norman cleverly weaves a tale that keeps the reader spell-bound with surprising twists and developments, building to a nail-biting finish.

This is one of those books that you can't put down, or want to end! The well thought-out plot is fleshed out with ample and thoroughly researched space detail and facts; the cast of characters is well-developed and plausible. The story-line quickly and effortlessly acquaints the reader with the environment- after a few chapters the ship and its crew are like old friends.

"Earth has no tomorrow" is a fast-paced novel that rapidly takes the reader along to the discovery of a "beacon" in space which turns out to be something entirely different...contact with intelligent extra-terrestrial life is established. This contact turns out to be so much more than accidental as the Earth crew learns of the impending fate of their home planet and the planned rescue mission. Heroism, sacrifice, compassion, unbounded generosity and co-operation is shown by many civilizations from a number of galaxies.

Classical science fiction at its best, seamlessly interwoven with a deep and touching compassion lifts "Earth has no tomorrow" into the kind of book that deserves a place in any library.

*"Earth has no tomorrow" is the first book in the "Terran Trilogy". Book 2, "Liatra, a planet for Earth" is nearing completion. Please check back frequently or ask to be notified of the early-bird release. This can be done from the author's blog.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Norman J. Ball
• Release date: May 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310442131

Norman J. Ball

Norman began his writing career in the early sixties, producing small town and company organs just for the sheer pleasure of putting pen to paper.Certified as a pilot, scuba diver, wilderness survival expert and chef would be enough for most people but Norman has also explored the Himalayas, hunted Alaskan moose, raced motorcycles and helped in a small way to bring an organized crime ring to justice.Norman has observed suffering around the world but like most did little to help. In January 2001, he set out on an 8,500 mile walk to raise awareness of the plight of destitute children. Part of the proceeds from Norman’s books will be used to help children at risk wherever he finds them.Norman J. Ball was born on the Canadian prairies January 13, 1943. He moved to the west coast of British Columbia the same year. He and his wife, Dianne and their two married sons reside on the lower mainland near Vancouver BC.

Book preview

EARTH

HAS NO TOMORROW

Book I of the Terran Trilogy

Norman J. Ball

Copyright 2015 Norman J. Ball

Published by pwpub at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favourite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

To Dianne

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Prologue

Chapter 1 Methuselah

Chapter 2 Ten years later- We’re coming home on a rescue mission

Chapter 3 Call me Jennifer, Commander

Chapter 4 Home is where you hang your hat

Chapter 5 Book of horrors

Chapter 6 Stanton’s traffic light

Chapter 7 Welcome, people of Earth

Chapter 8 Ashtar

Chapter 9 Dead or alive

Chapter 10 Terran Hope- a long shot

Chapter 11 Li lives in you

Chapter 12 Back door to Alpha Centauri

Chapter 13 Faster than light

Chapter 14 We have company

Chapter 15 Shapirans, I salute you

Chapter 16 Hollow planet

Chapter 17 Departure

Chapter 18 Rendezvous

Chapter 19 Today Earth

Chapter 20 Earth has no tomorrow

Chapter 21 Business as usual

Chapter 22 The Gods are angry

Chapter 23 Marci

Chapter 24 And fire shall consume the Earth

Chapter 25 Liatra, a planet for Earth

Other books by this author

About the author

To Dianne:

You are the wind beneath my wings

This book is dedicated to you, Dianne. You have put up with me for over 44 years. That in itself is a miracle. You have been the guiding force in our family and have unselfishly given of yourself to keep our marriage working.

It took a year to write this, my first novel. You took a full time job working swing shift at a factory to give me that year to write Earth Has No Tomorrow. When I went on the road for two years to walk across North America and Canada in aid of children at risk- you were there every single step of the way, sharing my burden. Thank you is insignificant for all you have done.

But-

THANK YOU!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you, Dianne, for putting up with my myriad foibles and allowing me the priceless time to follow my dreams.

My mother was a woman of great accomplishment, tenacity and pragmatism. To my greatest fan who never said not to try, I say thank you for who I am.

I’m thankful to my son, Sean, who never stopped believing in his dad with his wild ideas, dreams and schemes. I love you Sean.

Sandra, my precious sister and agent who may also be my greatest literary fan and who not only re-typed the entire manuscript for novel #1, but searched out and communicated to dozens of publishers to get this book out. Thank you, Sis.

I acknowledge Bob Thompson, a good friend who knows most things worth knowing and because he always made me laugh when laughing would not have been my first choice.

Without these amazing people in my life, I’m not at all convinced my life would have come to much.

FOREWORD

An advancing civilization in danger of imminent extinction is discovered in a remote sector of the universe.

The year is 1952- Across the vastness of space, Ashtar carefully starts communicating through a few receptive humans. The message is awesome and frightening. And time is short. Some believe, most don't, while the majestic dance of the universe spins its way implacably and precious time runs out.

Drastic measures are finally called for to avoid total extinction and Ashtar sets in motion massive events to ensure human survival by relocation- an undertaking of unprecedented scale.

Forward in time to 2115 where the events of this novel are set- How will the leaders of Earth respond? Will they accept the proffered lifeline from extra-terrestrials? Will the people of Earth comprehend, accept and more importantly- will they act?

It has never been an easy task being the bearer of terrifying news. Especially so if the message warns of imminent catastrophe and a call to immediate evacuation of a people's home planet...the only home they have any memory of.

Since time immemorial humanity has used allegory to communicate ideas and messages that bluntly stated may have been rejected as incomprehensible and unbelievable, or simply ignored and consigned to obscurity.

And more so the pleasure in the reading when allegory is presented as well-written and engaging science fiction in the classical style.

I consider myself fortunate to count Norman Ball as a friend.

This novel has that rare quality of being able to stand independently as a work of fiction or work of messenger. May you count yourself fortunate to have read this timeous and spell-binding book.

Petrus A. Wessels

February 2015

Parys, South Africa

PROLOGUE

We are immersed in a time of apprehension and indecision. The bureaucracy has grown unmanageable, our judiciary has reached the apex of its own ineptitude- usually providing more service and compassion to the perpetrator than the victims. Our SYSTEM has instilled more fear in the hearts of the honest than the dishonest.

We approach an era of uncertainty, a time when we must look seriously at alternatives, before we are forced to by a conflict so large that we might not survive it in one piece. We are inching ever closer to the brink of a man-made holocaust that may annihilate us all before we can really test our wings.

It’s time to look seriously to the immensity of space as an untapped resource waiting to be discovered. We have only scratched the surface because we don’t believe our water and air will die, leaving us to suffocate from wallowing in our own filth. We have the technology and the resources to make this leap- We just lack the will.

It may be well to remember the words Napoleon Hill penned in 1938: Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

They’re waiting for us out there. I know they are. They’re wondering what’s taking us so long. They’re growing impatient for us to become part of their galactic family. What are we waiting for?

Author’s note:

I wrote this book over thirty years ago but set it in the 22nd century. As I offer my book to you after all these years, I have only edited 20 words

Chapter 1

METHUSELAH

The memories of Mankind’s first encounter with an alien civilization flooded my mind as the ceremony paying tribute to J. Weatherstone, former Commander-in-Chief of the Earth Space Federation drew to a close.

Commander Weatherstone’s career had been among the most colourful and well-documented in history. J.W. knew from day one that space was the only game in town.

Starting in high school and then continuing through academy, Stoney had specialized in the areas that would further that obsession; mathematics, physics, the sciences, engineering, advanced computer technology and pre-future analysis (the mathematical science that attempted to predict the direction mankind’s future would take) were among those studies. Applied electronics, navigation, the latest studies on colonization techniques, pseudo atmosphere design and hydroponics came later.

Following a military commission, Stoney picked up advanced studies in medicine and theories of space-time-manipulation (an esoteric study postulating instantaneous movement along the space-time continuum). It was known to very few that Weatherstone’s enormous capacity to assimilate information was due primarily to what was then referred to as computer assisted recall.

Weatherstone was also a veteran of the wars that closed out the twenty-first century. That experience had provided all the hands-on military training necessary to produce a seasoned squadron leader of the early Space Federation.

It came as no surprise, ten years years prior to this ceremony, that Weatherstone was given command of the Starship Questor, the second and last built at the turn of the century. She hung dark and crewless in Mars’ orbit- decommissioned following the mysterious disaster that had claimed her captain and entire crew four years earlier. The cause of their demise was never discovered- a bewildering and frustrating situation that left a bad taste in the mouths of the federation’s administrators.

News that Weatherstone was heading up a mission to the stars aboard the infamous Starship travelled fast. Whispers along the grapevine also reported that the dead Starship was being re-christened. Optimism surged and crew applications flooded the Commander’s office from every corner of the system.

I met Commander Weatherstone in February of 2115 during the re-commissioning of Questor. I had been attached to space/military for five years as a civilian test pilot and had refused a military commission several times. I held the honorary rank of Major which I had to admit did have certain advantages. Since childhood I had been intrigued with flying and I had followed man’s first timid steps to the planets with breathless wonder, deciding then and there that someday I too would explore the great mysteries that lay beyond our solar system.

That chance came sooner than I expected. The memo was hand delivered, SECRET marked boldly across the face of the envelope. It was short and to the point: Major Stanton, I need a chief pilot for Methuselah. It was signed, J. Weatherstone, Cmdr.

My chief was Colonel Bert Allison. He was on loan from combined forces, hired to ride herd on eleven test pilots of which I was one. The ruddy-faced Southerner caught me in a bone crushing bear hug. When he let go and stepped back I saw envy in his friendly eyes. Smooth sailing hot shot. Come back safely.

I had assumed incorrectly that Stoney’s office would be either in Dallas or Washington where most of the military leftovers hung out. I couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

Within the hour I had been briefed, converted to a full military major and was on my way to the base medical facility. By 0815 the next day I was on a stratojet bound for N.A.S.A. station with fifty kilograms of my worldly possessions stuffed mercilessly into a duffel.

We lifted on schedule on board Lunar Seeker Two, a recent acquisition by the Lunar government to augment the Earth-Orion-Lunar run. It was a profitable tourist proposition and had been for seven years. I had flown the first test flights in this baby but it had become routine now.

We matched with Orion Station at 1340 hours. At 1358 I was standing in a very unique room being probed and questioned. In seconds, three computers had finished hand, voice & iris-printing me and taking all my vitals for identification. As it turned out I really was Eric Stanton. The sexy computer voice welcomed me to Earth Station Orion.

Commander J. Weatherstone smiled as I walked in- a confident, reassuring smile. It’s good to see you, Major. Please come in. I’m glad you were able to make it. You’re welcome, Commander. Thinking wryly to myself that I was in the neighbourhood anyway.

May I compliment you on your choice of signatures for this amazing ship, Commander? I like a name with longevity. Smiling, Weatherstone replied- Thank you, I’m inclined to agree.

Over the next twenty-four hours, Methuselah’s new crew converged on Orion and began the most extensive re-training and cross-training program I had ever seen. The entire crew went through medical training and each specialist became a multi-specialist. I didn’t know at the time that the alternative specialities had been meticulously selected by the Commander and matched to our psyche profiles. I did notice that three of my alternative specialities were advanced mathematics, space-time manipulation theory and the application of pre-future analysis- not what you’d call primary education.

We worked- eating and sleeping with our new programming for six months. During that interval we became intimate with Methuselah through Commander Weatherstone’s extensive library of the ship’s thousands of systems. As long as our eyes were open we were studying. When they were closed we were fed information subliminally.

Orion Station’s orbit was stationary, relative to Earth. It hung directly over the Sahara Desert where Earth’s largest solar collector provided power to a relay station that fed and received information from space.

Orion was man’s most aggressive space activity to date. It catered to twenty-five ships at any given time and could accommodate up to three thousand people in relative comfort. The station provided a safe environment for the eager and curious public to get a glimpse of space. It also hosted government tenants in a high security area accessible only to a select few.

Orion and its people would be our last contact with Earth as we accelerated toward Alpha Centauri and hopefully beyond.

Chapter 2

TEN YEARS LATER- WE'RE COMING HOME ON A RESCUE MISSION

Outbound aboard Methuselah, we hoped that accelerated research in space would improve our drive system and move us closer to the barrier of relativity. Methuselah had no firm commitment to return to Earth. That decision was in Commander Weatherstone’s hands. The purpose of our epic journey was to search for civilizations we knew must surely exist among the stars fairly close to home.

During the ten years Methuselah spent exploring near space, Earth went through dramatic changes. Overpopulation and shortages had forced aggressive colonization programs within our solar system. Luna boasted an independent government and a population just over a million. Mars and Venus were progressing with mining colonies and two of Jupiter’s moons had finally been explored and settled. Over two million humans lived and thrived far away from Terra Firma.

The remaining ten billion on Earth was facing a huge problem. That problem was weighing heavily on the heart and soul of Commander Weatherstone, returning to Earth ten years after Methuselah’s departure.

Methuselah had irrefutable proof that forces far beyond our comprehension would destroy our planet and her lunar partner.

The first message from the great Starship since she had accelerated beyond simple communication on her outboard leg was brutally short and deliberately ambiguous. The triple security code was interpreted at M347 (man’s farthest outpost) then vectored to Ganymede station and on to Orion. The message was addressed, EYES ONLY to Commander John Stedman, Director of Orion and a trusted friend of Methuselah’s Commander.

Initial communication…from Starship Methuselah………………………

Reported by Commander J. Weatherstone.

Advanced alien civilizations confirmed. Full report to follow. Matter of grave urgency requires world representatives and Colonial Directorates to be present on Orion Station for briefing upon our arrival. E.T.A.: August 27, 2125 AD, 2200 hours Earth/Greenwich. Methuselah transmissions over…respond…

That was it.

WHAM! It took Orion’s C.O. a long time to react.

He knew Stoney, possibly better than anyone and he sensed the extreme urgency and importance in the short message. John Stedman had served with Weatherstone during the war of wars that had killed a hundred million human beings and marked the end of the twenty-first century.

War-torn Earth had stumbled into a world government guided by Herbert Hartley Smith, then chairman of the International Association for Government Reform and World Peace. That war had catapulted the human race into a space effort never dreamed of, a joint venture to reach the stars and further colonize our own system.

Stedman, having decoded Weatherstone’s security scramble, sat in stunned silence for long minutes. His first response, thirty minutes later, was to H.H. Smith, then Commander-in-Chief of the Earth/Space Federation.

Weatherstone was well known even before Methuselah’s departure but now mankind’s leaders were scrutinizing the commander’s credentials. These inquiries into Weatherstone’s most intimate depths were being directed to the Space Federation.

The Federation fleet comprised some two thousand vessels and deep space probes. It also boasted eight major planet and satellite bases; Orion, M374, Luna, Ganymede, Phobos, Ceres, Mars and Venus. The power and influence of the Federation was well understood.

It was the Commander-in-Chief of that organization who became the undisputed chairman of the group that would rendezvous with Methuselah. Anxious was an understatement to describe the atmosphere during the three-month wait while the great ship sped toward Earth. The group of leaders formed and met often during that time, most in person, some via security com-links.

Having exhausted supposition and conjecture, they concentrated on possibilities and possible solutions and countermeasures to myriad potential problems. They then resigned themselves to planning the rendezvous with Methuselah.

Many of the delegates had never been off planet and orientation for those who required it was arranged. Protocol briefings were held to ensure minimal difficulty in dealing with colonial Directorates. They were all, to each other, foreign dignitaries.

During a lull in the dialogue of their third session, Commander-in-Chief (chairman) Herbert Smith turned to the man on his right and whispered, Well Rob, what do you think Stoney has found out there? Rob did not think the question odd or ill timed.

He had come to know Smith as well as electronic brain and circuitry could. Rob was like a friend and confidant to Smith and did indeed hold a vital position. Being right hand to a man as powerful as his boss was not to be taken lightly and wasn’t. Rob was a humanoid robot by the strictest sense. No one knew, nor could anyone, unless Smith wanted it to be known and he most certainly didn’t. Rob had been evaluating every scrap of information since Stoney’s message. Now, Smith felt, was the time to ask.

Rob was handsome by our standards but possessed a gentleness that served well to hide his incredible intellect and strength. He glanced casually at his boss and smiled, Boss, your timing is always a source of amazement to me. Are you sure you don’t have silicon in you somewhere? C’mon Rob, Smith chuckled, enough of your phoney humble act. I may have to sound intelligent for these characters in a few minutes. Give.

Rob studied Smith’s features as he had on a thousand other occasions, noting the deep lines that carved character in this strong, intelligent face. Smith had an honest, fatherly face. People instinctively trusted him.

"Well Sir, here’s how I see it. The bombshell Stoney dropped on us about advanced civilizations is obviously small potatoes compared with the news we will hear in person.

I believe it was mentioned to provide us a gauge by which to measure the unknown data. I do think it’s for public disclosure however. It’s my educated guess, Rob continued, that we’re dealing with a crisis of global significance. Commander Weatherstone has discovered a threat, either to this planet, or at very least, all of its inhabitants- nothing less."

Rob’s educated guess was as accurate, or perhaps more accurate, than could be deduced by the best brains, mechanical or otherwise, in our system. As a technological achievement, Rob was the crème de la crème of a highly competitive industry. He had been placed with Smith as a top-secret test project two years before at an expense of some eighty four million dollars.

This unique, seeing, speaking, thinking, human-like robot had become Smith’s protégé. Rob was no longer a test. He was Smith’s right hand man and the chief vowed to keep it that way. Smith was deep in thought when he became aware that Rob was urging him back to the present time.

The speaker was staring right at him, indignation fairly bristling from him. And so Mr. Chairman, it is my opinion and that of many of my colleagues, that we form an agreement to cover ourselves politically and militarily against any contingency. Weatherstone has placed us in jeopardy by withholding critical information. I insist we act decisively.

Walter Sunby left the podium amidst polite applause and Smith resumed his role as chairman. He proceeded to stun every member present, eliminating all doubt as to any action.

Smith began with decorum and dignity and a deep resolve that he would impart strength and resolution to them. His voice was quiet and steady. "Ladies and gentlemen, you represent the leadership of the human race as we know it. We, as the political and military strength of our race have had an enormous responsibility placed on us, not by Commander Weatherstone, but by circumstance.

Stoney’s experience, courage, intelligence, and ability are all beyond question by this forum. Smith’s tone became intense. That responsibility was underlined by giving us information of staggering proportion. Namely that Methuselah had encountered intelligent civilizations in our Galaxy. Commander Weatherstone, having handed us that piece of importance, requires that we meet- that we, he almost shouted, the combined leadership of mankind, meet off-planet to discuss this grave matter."

He had allowed his voice to increase in volume as his conviction grew. Smith paused, took a deep breath and glanced at Rob. His assistant nodded almost imperceptibly, a gesture meaning that he had evaluated the mental capacity of each member present and determined that it was safe by a reasonable margin for Smith to drop his bombshell.

Members of this council, he resumed almost in a whisper, you are doubtless aware that we are dealing with a situation of enormous magnitude. I believe that the topic of Stoney’s meeting with us will be one of two things; the total destruction of our planet or the annihilation of the human race. As this sunk in, the silence became palpable. Smith spoke again.

I trust that we who have been charged with the responsibility to bear this cross will do so with great personal strength and resolve. I’m sure I needn’t remind you that we dare not discuss this with anyone. Not even our loved ones. Thank you. Good day

Rob was near the podium and led the chief through the stunned group before they could recover. Smith and Rob were outside the security chamber in seconds. Rob, anticipating Smith’s concern, confirmed that security for each member had been arranged to ensure secrecy.

Chapter 3

CALL ME JENNIFER, COMMANDER

Aboard Methuselah, much was going on. We had been on the return voyage to our system for almost a year, one-ninth the time it had taken on the outbound leg. Thanks to radical changes in our understanding of relativity, we had accomplished a faster than light jump through space and ended up three quarters of the way home. Now, we had to line up a safe approach to M374 and an easy vector from there to Jupiter. We could use Jupiter’s powerful gravity well