Mission to Constaluna

By Preston Taylor

A powerful story enfolds as the Earth men set down on the planet Constaluna, there mission is to create a base and an intergalactic communication station. Unbeknownst to the men from Earth, Constaluna is a jurassic world. In its valleys the monstrous ferocious Ceratosaurus and other creatures abide, The Earthman will need to arm up if they are to survive among the most terrifying creatures imaginable. Lieutenant Senna Tomb, lost in the wilderness, is found and then enslaved by a primitive people. His superior knowledge soon becomes evident not only to his captors but the high chief of a neighboring tribe, he can see the slave known as Tomb has changed the balance of power in there region. He has an assassin, whose art is delivering death to the unsuspecting. This evil dangerous man is given a mission. "Kill the slave known as Tomb". The two tribes will go to war, a massive battle will take place, amidst the carnage and despair,Tomb attempts to escape, as he does he recalls the words said to him on that first Constaluna day, "Tomb you be careful, death is the constant companion of those who seek adventure on planet Constaluna."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Preston Taylor
• Release date: Dec 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310373930

Preston Taylor

I really enjoyed writing Being Cecilia its been fun, and in a way the characters seem familiar to me. At present I am married, and that in its self is one massive experience and can add much to the way you see those about you. I have lived in three counties and I wrote 'Being Cecilia' while overlooking the Pacific ocean in Queensland Australia..

Book preview

MISSION to CONSTALUNA©

By

Preston Taylor

Words Edition 2016

*****

Published by: Brian Taylor

Mission to Constaluna

Copyright 2016 by Brian Taylor

This is a work of fiction, of about 92200 words. All of the characters or organisations portrayed in this novel are products of the authors’ imagination. All rights reserved.

Contents

Chapter one

Chapter two

Chapter three

Chapter Four

Chapter five

Chapter six

Chapter seven

Chapter eight

Chapter nine

Chapter ten

Chapter eleven

Chapter twelve

Chapter thirteen

Chapter fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter sixteen

Chapter seventeen

Chapter eighteen

Chapter nineteen

Chapter twenty

Chapter twenty one

Chapter twenty two

Chapter twenty three

Chapter twenty four

Chapter twenty five

Chapter twenty six

Chapter twenty seven

Chapter twenty eight

Prelude

Doctor Georginski, I want you to know that I have been following your work on the ultra-molecular drive for some time; and I find your progress most interesting. However, we have brought you here today to discuss the loss of our unmanned space explorer, and I must tell you Doctor Georginski, we thought we had that situation covered; nonetheless it has come to our notice that you make available a different version of events to what we presented, and it now appears that you are questioning our official report. Is there something we got wrong?

The young Doctor smiles nervously as he had expected to be met by a much older man, but as he regained his composure he nods his head to the smartly dressed chief executive of ‘CSI’ Constaluna Space Industries and then in a somewhat cautious manner he replies.

It’s not so much as something wrong Mr Constaluna; it’s a matter of someone coming forward and offering another explanation for that disappearance. I wanted to provide a different opinion to the one that has been offered in the company news report.

John Constaluna sniffs and scowls, but with a nod of his head he accedes to this request while saying.

Yeah, yeah, okay Georginski, if you have some new information let’s hear it.

The young scientist leans forward in his chair, and he stutters somewhat nervously as he says, "Mr Constaluna, I would like to clear up the inaccuracies surrounding the unfortunate disappearance of our space research vessel while on a journey to the Planet Jupiter.

So what's the problem, to what inaccuracies do you refer, snaps out John Constaluna.

Georginski grins uneasily as he answers, To be honest with you sir, I was extremely disappointed to read in the news brief where it is said, our Constaluna Research vessel was lost to a ‘Black hole’. Mr Constaluna I can emphatically say my people are not in agreement with that assessment, we know great care was taken to avoid that possibility, and we say there’s no way our research vessel disappeared in such a manner.

John Constaluna scowls as rarely does he hear criticism of his reports, and ruffled up he responds aggressively.

You can be as honest as you fucking well like Georginski but the facts are plain for all to see, the fucking things vanished... I want you to think about this Georginski, and think hard, because we too are extremely disappointed, for not only have we lost our very expensive space explorer, we have also lost a shit load of Government funding.

Georginski grimaces, but refusing to be silenced or put down, he answers, Yes, I hear what you’re saying, and I agree, it is extremely disappointing, but to put it in simple terms, we carefully pre-checked the flight path of our research vessel, and there was nothing there to indicate blackhole activity. I do concede you are right when you say our deep space research vessel has vanished, but we think something else must have been the precipice for this loss. I am saying, before you write off our missing space explorer let me put forward another possibility.

John Constaluna leans back in his chair and folds his arms, and then in a manner that indicates he has heard enough of this crap, but he begrudgingly grunts.

Okay Georginski, I’m listening, so what do you think is going on?

Georginski pauses, he is thinking hard, looking for the right words, and then in a measured tone and with more confidence he says.

I believe our space explorer has collided with the phenomenon we call a wormhole.

The Company President scowls, and he pulls a face that obviously implies, ‘What's this rubbish’; however, after a moment or so he speaks.

The term wormhole is familiar to me, and I have heard you’re a strong advocate of Jay Gabriel’s controversial writings that argues the existence of wormholes. I have studied his outpourings, and I believe there are many scientists out there that say this man’s elegant scribbling’s, are a whole lot of wormhole gobblygook. They say his idiotic writings should not to be taken seriously.

Georginski folds his arms, and furrows appear on his brow as he replies, "Yeah, what you say is true Mr Constaluna, but on the other hand there are many scientists who support Jay Gabriel’s findings, and many say he is the most enlightened scientist of our times. We think he has presented a mountain of evidence to substantiate that wormholes exist.

May I give you the reasons why we believe our space explorer has entered such a phenomenon?"

John Constaluna sighs and nods his head, and while he struggles to conceal his impatience and arrogance he spitefully composes, I know this odd ball is a Doctor of something or other, and at only twenty eight he is reputed to be some sort of a genius. But what does he mean by coming here wearing a shirt that looks older than he is, this guy needs to sharpen up his act.

The young Doctor has assessed this meeting is not going as well he hoped, but in a voice of more authority, he says, Our monitors showed us that our research vessel was in good shape, we could see everything was normal, yet without warning the dominant pulsation began fading, the pulse simply diminished, and then it was gone. It was as though the research vessel changed direction and moved out of range. We analysed the time lag, and we proved there was no Blackhole involved.

Suddenly the young Doctor showing some fury at his situation slammed his hand on the desktop, the violence was such the desk shook, and the standing Georginski robustly declared, I am saying, your spacecraft is still operational.

Surprised at this show of aggression, the Company President responds equally.

Still operational, are you fucking mad, if that’s what you believe, where is my research ship.

Georginski stands his ground, answering, Okay Mr Constaluna, we are saying the missing spacecraft has been drawn into a wormhole at tremendous speed, and we now believe our explorer has travelled from our universe to another universe using this corridor.

So Georginski, you’re saying our space explorer is in another universe, and it’s got there by entering a wormhole. Do I have that right?

Georginski brightens up, as now he believes his words are getting through, and he enthusiastically says, It is believed Wormholes take thousands of years to form and they remain in place, for thousands of years, it is said they will be the gateway to future space travel.

Is that likely Doctor, I mean that’s a major piece of guesswork, and I have yet to see any positive proof that wormholes do occur.

The young Doctor laughs aloud, with confidence he is almost sarcastic in his manner as he replies

Oh yeah, be assured there are wormholes out there, and as I said earlier, we have gathered enough evidence to show they exist.

Suddenly the frustrated Doctor flings out his arms, and then as though he was appealing to the Pope for more understanding, he splutters out

Mr Constaluna, the fucking thing must have gone somewhere.

John Constaluna pursed his lips. All right Georginski just calm down and get back in your chair. I do appreciate your concern and enthusiasm, but you can say what you like nothing alters the fact, my fucking spacecraft has vanished. So what am I supposed to think and he taps his fingers on the desk until he says, Okay Georginski, you insist the Constaluna explorer is still around, so how do you plan to get it back.

Georginski is silent, and then breathing in deeply he answers.

That’s a good question Mr Constaluna, as you know the spaceship is set up with technology designed to leave an enduring micro trail; we have anticipated that trail will stay in place for hundreds of years. We think future generations will able to access that trail as technology improves.

The Company President remains silent, and then he says, with some considerable sarcasm, I’m gratified, so how long do we have to wait before my spaceship returns.

Georginski flicks back his long hair as he answers, I regret I can-not predict the exact time when our explorer may return, it may return within a year or two, and then again many years may pass before it returns to our space. However, we are confident our unmanned space explorer will be as a homing pigeon and return to its nest.

John Constaluna stands up, and he almost chokes as he breaks into undisguised insulting laughter, and the desk jumps as he slams the palm of his hand onto the desktop and still gagging on his affected humour he snorts out loudly.

So now you’re telling me I have a billion dollar homing pigeon out there somewhere, and one day it will return to lay an egg.

There is silence, and then John Constaluna, leans forward, and he splutters out, So you’re saying, my pigeon will return to its nest, do you mean this year or do you mean when we are very old or very dead, what’s it to be.

The young Doctor is aghast on hearing this overt put down, and he immediately regrets his analogy to homing pigeons, never the less, he thoughtfully counters with some sound analogy.

"Perhaps I can put it this way Mr Constaluna, we believe there is a good chance the spaceship is not lost, we are optimistic that your spaceship will return in a year or two. I regret it is possible fifty or a hundred years could pass before your explorer re-enters our universe.

We believe your ‘CSI’ space explorer has gone way beyond our dreams, and on returning to our space and on recognizing a home frequency; it will surely transmit a complete dossier of its journey through space.

It is possible we will see a universe beyond our universe. Who knows, there may be an unknown planet, how about that Mr Constaluna, an unknown planet named forever after you, a new world called, 'Constaluna' now wouldn’t that be something."

Chapter one

Constaluna, a Jurassic World

The botanist, Ben Johansen, lowered his binoculars, and then surmising.

Tomb, you were right when you said we would see plenty of those killersaurus out here on the plateau, I can see them on the horizon, and I see a couple out there to our left. You know, what I find hard to understand is how the General can say, we shouldn't go around killing those brutes just because there dangerous.

Lieutenant Senna Tomb scowled a little as he said.

"Yeah, well we have little saurus... and then we have those big saurus like the tyrannosaurus rex, thankfully they seem to be rare around here, and then again we have the Ceratosaurus they are not rare, they are everywhere. Sergeant Lewkowietz named them killersaurus, and rightly so, those brutes scare the wits outa me, yeah, they may be smaller than the tyrannosaurus rex, but there real quick.

Did you know the ones that killed Billy Morten were two stories high, that’s about fifteen feet tall. Those vicious bastards ripped him to pieces in a moment, I know I was there; it was like being at the beginning of time. The Professor said he believed this planet is still in its Jurassic era, and all these dinosauric creatures we are encountering have survived on Constaluna because Constaluna has never endured an ice age.

I think what the General was getting at is, we have to remember these creatures were here first, this is their home, so rather than have us go out there and kill them all, he would prefer for us to relocate them, or learn to live with them".

Ben grimaced, while saying.

Relocate Killersaurus, learn to live with them, you must be kidding; we are like mice trying to move cats off their patch. Thank God we have harpoon missiles.

Tomb nodded his head in agreement while saying. Yeah, you’ve got that right, theirs some big mothers amongst them, and killing them is not easy, killersaurus their big and their quick. I recall when we first got here we threw stun grenades at them, and they used to run a mile, now they stand their ground, or ignore the noise and run after us. That’s when we began to include the odd missile, something that made a lot of noise and blew them to pieces.

Yeah, that gives them a wakeup call, said Ben, Anyhow we shall try to give them a wide berth, and hopefully if they get close, this little beauty will be able to out run them, and he gave the smart brightly coloured yellow quad bike a loving pat, just as if it was a dog, or a horse.

Pressing the starter button, he muttered, Go baby and then they felt the heavy treaded tyres of the six-wheeler bite into the ground, and with a jerk, the quad bike leapt forward.

The compass is reading, north west although it swings around a bit, said Ben.

Yeah the compass seems to work, said Tomb, but we are still having big problems with our navigation systems. The guys back at engineering say the magnetic field emanating from this planet is so strong, it’s hard to get anything electronic to work, it’s creating chaos, I just checked our radio telephone, there's no signal."

Ben nodded, and responded by saying.

Yeah, I’ve heard the only communication available is through wire, the Professor said the magnetism is so strong, that you could compare its interference like that of a massive electrical storm multiplied several times over. They say our helicopters still cannot be used, the guys flying those things reckon the engines cut out without warning. The flying guys are totally pissed off. I guess having no choppers in the air is a big setback in our search for oil. I was at the last council meeting; and they said, because much of our plant, like our transport and stuff is based on old technology, we must find oil soon.

Your right said Tomb, Oil is our number one need right now, and that’s what we are all about, I am following up that reference made by a survey team were they said, they thought they passed a few black slimy mud pools situated beyond the ridges on the other side of this plateau. This is a long shot, but worth a look. After all they say we now have less than two year's storage, and the next transporters are not due to get here for about four years.

And what if they never come says Ben

Tomb is quick with his response, Don’t you worry about that Pal, there will be many ships coming to this Planet.

I hope so, says Ben, Hey this looks like a good spot to put down one of those yellow stakes; I guess you know it's written in standard procedures that we are required to put down an identity stake in a high visibility location, and then follow that up with another marker for every hour we travel.

Yeah, I know that, said Tomb as he watched Ben hammer a stake into the open ground.

Three stakes later, as they neared the far side of the plateau they began to encounter many large creatures, There Killersaurus said Ben, Those things look like hell on Earth

Tomb laughed, You're right, they are hell on Earth, they might be big, but I can tell you they are deceivingly quick over a short distance. Lewkowietz says anything that is big, and has big teeth is a Killersaurus. Professor Chainey says they are a larger species of the Ceratosaurus, and are arguably the most ferocious creatures ever spawned.

Ben smiles, while saying, Is that right, here I was, thinking I might keep one as a pet.

Try that one my friend, and you're soon to become pet food, quips Tomb with a grin.

Ben laughed at this response, There are some nice girls back at Base Camp, now I reckon some of them would make a nice pet, and I think I get some of them purring.

Tomb laughed, then grasped his throat and pretended to choke, Yeah in your dreams.

Thoughtful at Tomb’s comeback, Ben became rather serious as he considered his response, You know Tomb, there are times when I view these surroundings, like now, as we come across these dinosaurs and their like, it's almost like I'm in a dream, and that dream could end at any moment.

Tomb laughed and turned to his friend, Yeah, I do know what you mean; it's like we are at the beginning of time, what you need to dream about is having your head on your girlfriend's pillow. Just remember what we are doing here, this is no dream; this is for real, so just watch where you're going.

Ben hung on to the handle bar as the bike bumped and bounced through an area of uneven marshland and high undergrowth, then he says. I'll be glad to get out of this stuff, these weeds are so dense you could get lost in here and never be found.

Yeah said Tomb, It’s a sort of high marsh grass, I believe there’s high ground ahead, we should be OK there.

The quad bike was handling the conditions well, then Ben, suddenly yelled, Look out, as the as the quad bike brushed by the head of a Killersaurus asleep in the undergrowth. The massive carnivore reacted rapidly, rising out of the tall reeds and swishing around indignantly, and then screeching angrily as it leapt up to give chase after what must have seemed like a large meal going by. Ben in his panic wrenched the hand throttle to full power, instantly the heavy treaded wheels ripped into the turf and the quad bike took a giant leap forward, and quicker than you can think Tomb went backwards. Suddenly Tomb was clutching precariously to the rear rail, he was half on and half off the rear tray, his body taking a fearful painful jarring.

Tomb gritted his teeth and held on tight as the quad bike sped over the undulating surface. Tomb knew his life depended on Ben maintaining full speed, and he very quickly gained the extra strength to hold on as he saw the creature had it's the yellow eyes fixed on him. Terrified he screamed out, Ben go, go, the big mother is right on top of us.

Ben already scared shitless, struggled to keep control of the quad bike. The chief of transport engineering John Ingram would have had a heart attack if he could have seen one of his beloved quad bikes going through such punishment.

Suddenly the going became less rugged, and Ben on taking a backward glance saw the creature had ceased its pursuit. Now in the clear he slammed on the brakes bringing the quad bike to a halt. How are you old chap, I do hope you are enjoying the fun he said, kind of nonchalantly, and then with less humour, Shit that was close, and he leaned back and hauled Tomb onto the front seat.

I bet that was fun, he said.

Yeah great fun, said Tomb, That mother just about had me

Ben opened the water bottle and offered it to Tomb who a took a quick swig, Hell that brute had the biggest mouth I have ever seen, its mouth was big enough to eat the quad bike, far out, I can tell you I just about pissed myself when we give that thing a nudge.

Yeah, well I think I might have done more than that, said Tomb with a grin, but I think we should get out of here fast, there may be a big family of those brutes running around here, and that one may have been their pup."

Ben grinned as he stammered, "You're kidding me , a pup… a pup, you say, wow, that was the biggest, ugliest, two ton pup I have ever seen, and yeah, let's get the hell out of here, and Ben turned the grip and the quad bike leapt forward.

Ben at twenty-seven and almost six foot six inches in his socks was a lean rangy young man; and he hated shaving or cutting his thick dark hair. Tomb thought Ben looked like he had lived outdoors and slept rough all of his life. His interests were plants and insects and like the Professor, he was always poking around in shrubs and trees. Tomb also knew that Ben was right in one respect, he did have a way with women, his intelligence and wit seemed to draw their attention.

At twenty-five, the slightly younger Senna Tomb at six foot two inches is also lean and gangerly; he prefers to stay clean-shaven and let his surfie blond hair hang shaggily about his ears. At College, he majored in geology, and was a well-known competitor at the Inter-College Track and Field competitions, excelling in the high jump, discus, and especially the javelin event.

This journey to the far side of the plateau came about as the Professor said, at times he could see dark lines in the cliff face across the plateau, and he thought those dark patches could indicate oil or minerals lying close to the surface. He suggested Tomb should take an excursion and investigate. Ben offered to come along for the ride as he thought Tomb would need a hand and besides he liked the idea of getting a change of scenery.

Ben on seeing an exposed high point brought the quad bike to a halt; saying I'd better do this, and he sprang off the bike and diligently slammed in another location marker. You know Tomb were not too far away from those cliffs, if we get a move on we could reach them before nightfall.

You’re at the helm Ben, but take it easy," said Tomb.

No problem said Ben and he patted the yellow quad bike as if it was an old friend, I've got the hang of driving this little beauty.

The terrain was becoming easier, and Ben, he being more confident in his driving skills kept the quad bike moving at a good pace.

Ben on hearing loud screeching, and concerned there maybe killersaurus close by, ramped up the speed.

Hey, take it easy Pal, yelled Tomb.

Yeah, yeah, said Ben, We've got to get the hell out of here, and even as he spoke, the left front wheel dipped into a deep hole. Catastrophe, the quad bike flipped, it flipped over quicker than a shot out of a gun, somersaulting high in the air went the quad bike.

Tomb gasped and flung out his arms, perhaps to grab something, the sudden forces of momentum meant he could do nothing to stop his body from hurtling through the air. Tomb knew he was turning end over end and travelling at great speed over the treetops. He closed his eyes tightly; in his mind, he had already accepted that death was certain.

Oh God, this is it, I’m dead, and he waited for the bone crushing impact, and now with his eyes shut tight and knowing he was already dead, he calmly waited for the blackness of death to take him away. Even as his body smashed and tore through the mass of thick spiky shrubbery, he knew the impact would kill him.

Tomb did not realize he was lying on his back or his that eyes were open, there was no pain, after all, he was dead. Strangely, there was light, and he was delighted because as he saw the light, he immediately thought, it's all true what they say, there is life after death. As he looked into the soft pale blue above him, he looked for angels or messengers dressed in white. All was lovely and serene; there were even pools of white lace passing overhead.

His confusion and conclusions continued for a minute or so, suddenly Tomb realized his eyes were open and he was looking up at the sky, and there were clouds drifting by, and then it came to him. Dear God I’m alive, these words came slowly, as he did not believe he had survived a massive hurling that had propelled him over the trees.

Then fear rushed into his mind, surly after a throw like that, many bones must have been broken, yet, he was surprised because there was no pain at all.

He continued to lie very still; you could say he was too scared to move, nonetheless with much apprehension he carefully wriggled his toes, There's no pain, and they wriggle, and then he cautiously moved his legs, that bringing forth Thank God. He moved his head from side to side, up and down, neck ok, and then he slowly pushed himself up onto his elbows and then into a sitting position.

He was stunned. Dear God he whispered, I'm not dead and I'm not smashed up.

Now he struggled to get clear of the bushes, and that was not easy as these bushes had large thorns and they were reluctant to surrender him, but he was sure these bushes had cushioned the impact of his landing.

Ben, hey Ben where are you, he yelled, and getting no response he peered down through the undergrowth, Oh no he muttered, the yellow glow of the quad bike could be seen upside down almost submerged in the stream at the bottom of the gully.

Tomb slid down through the undergrowth, Oh hell he exclaimed as saw a strong flow of water was cascading over its wheels. Immediately Tomb plunged into the fast flowing stream, and heaving the quad bike aside, he saw and grabbed Ben by his jacket and heaved him to the surface, out of the corner of his eye he saw the quad bike disappear, swept downstream.

He felt Ben's throat for a pulse, and looked for signs of life, but as he viewed his companion's injuries, Tomb was sure, Ben had died before drowning.

Leaving Bens body at the edge of the stream he ran to where he saw the bike vanish, scanning through the water he saw the yellow glow of the quad bike deep below the surface. Tomb eased himself into the stream, but the surging cascade of water threatened to overwhelm him, and he decided, going deeper to recover his rifle and equipment was much too risky, so with a grim smile, he returned to dry ground.

Tomb knelt alongside his young friend; he had never before witnessed the death of a friend, and he was shocked and saddened at