Destination: Titan: Titan, #1

By Liza O'Connor

With Earth destined for a new ice-age, seven scientists, twenty-two brilliant teenagers, and twenty-four soldiers are gathered in a compound deep within a mountain. There they struggle to come together as a group and complete the projects needed for their survival in the inhospitable environment of Titan, one of Saturn's moons.

However, certain factions on Earth have no intention of letting Project Einstein succeed. Keeping the group alive and productive is the hardest task Colonel Lancaster and his soldiers have ever had, but they are determined to succeed no matter how well the saboteurs have planned. The continuation of the human race depends upon it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Authors Online
• Release date: Apr 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386572411

Liza O'Connor

   Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens in a myriad of genres. http://www.lizaoconnor.com/   

Book preview

Chapter 1

S o, you’re telling me I was chosen over every other biochemist in the world because my favorite color is orange. Tamara tugged at a strand of her short blonde hair. Her mentor was the brightest man she knew, but this didn’t make any sense at all!

Maxwell’s eyes sparkled. I love the way your brain tunnels in and isolates the key differentiator.

"The fact I like the color orange should not be a key differentiator."

Her mentor shrugged and paced the small, open space of the conference room. Well, when all other things were equal, it became so. This project requires a top biochemist under the age of thirty, in excellent health, unmarried, with no constraints that would prevent traveling. There were quite a few scientists who met those requirements. Therefore, further differentiators were selected. The ability to work with teenagers dropped out all but two, and your clear preference for the color orange put you securely on top of the last remaining candidate.

But it’s a meaningless differentiator unless we’re going someplace that only has the color orange. She fell silent as she considered that possibility. Exactly how far will we be traveling?

Quite a distance. His eyes twitched several times.

They only did that when he was conflicted, which told her she was asking the right question to discover whatever it was that he was under orders not to reveal. Will we be traveling on Earth or away from it?

The twitches intensified.

Tam, I cannot tell you anything until you’ve agreed to go.

Jesus! We’re going to Titan, aren’t we?

He removed his reading glasses and pressed his hand over his left eye to still the twitches. I can neither confirm nor deny that.

Titan: Saturn’s orange moon. Forty percent the size of Earth and rich in life-supporting chemicals. Bedrock composed of ice, rivers and seas of liquid methane, and enough hydrocarbons to heat the Earth for a thousand years.

What is the purpose of the trip?

I cannot tell you anything until you agree to go.

Well, I cannot give you my answer until I know if we’re going to harvest the hydrocarbons for Earth or if we’re going to try to colonize the moon.

Max now had both eyes covered with his hands. Tam, I cannot tell you. You will just have to use that brilliant mind of yours to figure it out all on your own.

His response told her that something he’d said had provided the answer. She focused on the ability to work with teenagers. You wouldn’t take teenagers on a ship to harvest, but you would to start a colony. By the time they arrived, they’d be young adults possessing a full span of child-bearing years.

I’ll go.

Max breathed out in relief. Thank God that’s over, he complained. He passed her a document. By signing this, you commit yourself fully to this mission. There is no turning back, no changing your mind. This is a lifetime commitment.

She smiled and picked up the pen. Reading the tiny print before she signed, she stopped smiling at the point where it stated any dissemination of information other than that expressly permitted would result in charges of treason and her death, plus the elimination of any people who become aware of the information. No wonder Max’s eyes had gone into a twitching fit.

Maxwell sat down and reached across the table, gripping her hand. Tam, read every word, but then you have to sign it. I know it’s scary, but once it’s signed, we can put it behind us and move forward into the greatest exploration this world has ever attempted to achieve.

He understood her so well. He knew she was having second thoughts as she read the document, but if they were willing to kill to keep this quiet, then they couldn’t let her go now, even if she refused to sign it. She already knew too much. From the concern in Max’s eyes, she could tell he was worried she might go bull-headed on him.

I’m going to Titan no matter the cost, she assured him.

As she returned to reading the document, she discovered the cost was high: an immediate and permanent quarantine from all family, associates and friends; no contact with anyone outside the project; no access to open spaces or the outdoors; mandatory birth control until arrival at destination of mission; mandatory physical regimen; mandatory teaching regimen; and mandatory assignment to projects.

Upon signing this paper, she was giving up all rights. She was, in essence, promising to be a dutiful little soldier. She had never been very good at following rules—they had evidently missed that differentiator. No matter. Since her choice at this point was either to die or become part of a colonization mission to Titan, the choice was simple, even for someone as anti-establishment and bull-headed as her. Tamara lifted the pen and signed her name.

Max walked around the table and cupped her face in his hands, kissing her on the forehead. I knew you would focus on what’s important.

Her heart fluttered. It always did when Max showed her any sign of affection. But this wasn’t just the normal pat on the back. Max had kissed her, pressed his lips upon her skin. Yes, it had only been her forehead, but still it was a major advancement in their relationship.

She had adored him through her three years of undergrad and three years of doctoral study. Most of her fellow students were certain they were having an affair because she always received the best assignments. Yet, to her frustration, he’d kept their relationship completely platonic, even after she’d become an assistant professor last year.

She had often wondered if he had a girlfriend, or perhaps a boyfriend, off campus, who held his attention, but honestly, given the hours he spent in his lab, she didn’t see how that was possible. Like herself, Maxwell Hunt was consumed by his research.

What about our research? she asked, realizing it could actually assist the project.

It’s been carefully moved to our new facility. I checked on it this morning. Everything is fine. Better, in fact, since we have some additional equipment that will please you.

Just as Tamara rewarded him with a smile, a soldier entered the room. His expression was severe and his hand rested on his gun. She feared they had suddenly realized the color orange was a stupid differentiator.

He walked to the table and lifted the paper. Upon seeing her signature, he introduced himself as Colonel Lancaster. Did you read it thoroughly?

She nodded.

Then you understand that I outrank you and you will do everything I say?

He didn’t look much older than her. How old are you?

That isn’t relevant to my question.

Max interceded. Colonel Lancaster’s age is irrelevant, Tam. Only his rank is of importance. He is the senior ranking officer at the facility, and thus is our commanding officer.

Tamara smiled at the thought of how painful those words must be for Max to say, although to his credit, he said them with great sincerity.

Do you find something amusing? Lancaster challenged her.

She stared at the young man. Despite his severe look and shaven head, he was not entirely unattractive. In a penal code way, he might be considered good looking. She tilted her head to one side. I was just wondering what you were so hell-bent to command me to do.

Lancaster frowned. If the two of you will follow me. The others are waiting in the containment room.

They entered a small lecture room with a platform at one end. Chairs filled the remainder of the room, and twelve loud, unruly teenagers occupied the back. In the far corner, behind the podium, stood a cluster of adults. They all stopped talking and stared at Max and Lancaster when they entered. Tamara was pretty much ignored.

Lancaster ordered them all to take a seat as he walked to the podium. Max pointed Tamara to a chair while he remained standing beside Lancaster. Lancaster reinforced their understanding of the contract they’d just signed. He emphasized the need for immediate and total obedience when he or his men gave them an order.

One of the teenage girls raised her hand, and Lancaster gave her a nod.

Will any of your orders be for sex? Because you’re damn hot.

The teenagers burst into laughter and hoots.

Interrupt me again, and your mouth will be duct-taped for the remainder of the day. But as to your question: Neither my soldiers nor I will be ordering anyone to provide sexual favors of any kind. That being said, sex among the students will not be prohibited once you have received your medical clearance. Dr. Culp and Dr. Willows will provide each of you with an extensive health exam. You will cooperate fully, he warned, and gave the kids and Tamara a warning glance before continuing.

At this time, I would like to introduce you to your teachers. Dr. Tamara Cantor is your biology and chemistry teacher.

Tamara smiled at the kids.

Lancaster continued, Dr. Kiev is your math and physics teacher.

The curly-haired fellow was writing on his pad and ignored his introduction entirely.

Dr. Tong is your economy and linguistics teacher.

Dr. Tong received several whistles from the teenage boys, probably because she wore a tight red silk dress that looked painted on her curvaceous come fuck me body. To prevent Max from seeing how utterly she disliked Dr. Tong, Tamara gave her a sweet smile.

The dark-haired femme fatale eyed Tamara up and down before responding with a glare of contempt.

Lancaster did not miss the exchange and glanced at Max as if holding him responsible. Max raised his eyebrows in a what did you expect? expression.

And finally, Dr. Sarns, who will be your computer programming and mechanical engineering instructor.

A red-haired fellow raised his hand for a brief second, then pulled it back.

Lancaster eyed the teenagers. "I see most of you have found the envelopes that were placed on the table in the back. For those of you who have not already retrieved them, do so now. Of those who have retrieved them, how many have opened them?

Two hands raised.

Lancaster gave them both hard stares. What part of the words ‘do not open until instructed’ did you not understand?

Several of the other teenagers chuckled. Another boy opened his envelope then froze upon seeing Lancaster’s angry glare.

You have not yet been given permission to open them. Names? He eyed the three with opened envelopes.

The three identified themselves as Li Chou, Antonio Fox, and Ry Pasha.

As punishment for disobeying this order, you will work kitchen duty until I say otherwise.

The punishment did not sit well with Antonio. Why should we be punished? There’s nothing important inside. It’s only our class schedule.

I am aware of what is inside the envelope, but that is irrelevant. The envelope said do not open. Thus, you disobeyed the order. You must all learn to follow orders—all orders—not just those that make sense to you. Thus, there will always be punishments associated with disobeying orders. The severity of the punishment will depend upon the situation. Threaten this mission in any way, and you may be removed from the project entirely.

Tamara looked horrified that he would so blatantly threaten the lives of the children, but Max caught her eye and gave her a stern glare to be quiet. She refocused her mind on the purpose of the mission. Max then passed out the envelopes for the teachers. She almost opened hers, then stopped, searching both sides of the envelope for something that said, do not open. When she found nothing, she opened it.

The rest of the teachers stared at her as if she were insane.

It doesn’t say ‘don’t open’.

Everyone, please open your envelopes now, Lancaster said. I will turn the podium over to Dr. Hunt, who holds direct responsibility for you. Lancaster stepped back and shifted his position, so he had a direct view of Tam.

Tamara could feel his eyes on her, but she stubbornly refused to acknowledge him, choosing to give Max her undivided attention as he explained how to read their schedules. Tamara was pleased to discover ten hours were allotted to research, two to teaching, and two to physical therapy.

The moment Max asked if there were any questions, her hand popped up. He smiled and nodded at her. Do we have an instructor for physical therapy?

Colonel Lancaster will assign instructors from his staff.

Again, she felt Lancaster’s eyes burning into her. She smiled at Max and nodded, so he went on to the myriad questions the teenagers had. She was amazed how many questions twelve teenagers could ask, especially with such a simple schedule. Assuming these students weren’t brain-impaired, she concluded they were just asking questions to give voice to their general need to complain.

Max evidently concluded the same thing, because he cut them off. If you can’t ask better questions than that, then the schedule is clear enough.

Antonio’s hand rose urgently. It’s not a question about the schedule.

Max had that expression Tamara knew so well. He knew he was going to regret giving the boy the floor, but he did it all the same.

Back to the sex question. Is there any rule prohibiting us from having sex with our teachers?

All the boys’ eyes instantly went to Dr. Tong.

Maxwell stepped back and relinquished the podium to Colonel Lancaster.

No, there is not. However, keep in mind the teacher would have to want to have sex with you, and given that she has many other more viable alternatives, I wouldn’t get your...hopes up. Now report to your temporary quarters and remain there until you have cleared your physicals.

The teachers were asked to remain. As they waited for the kids to leave, Dr. David Sarns, the engineer, walked over and sat beside Tam.

I’m looking forward to working with you.

Dr. Victor Kiev sat down on the other side of her. He said nothing, but his expression changed from a glare at Dr. Sarns to a smile at her.

Tamara was curious why Sarns thought he’d be working on her project. However, when they started discussing more efficient ways to change hydrocarbons into energy, she realized his value and gave him more respect. Unfortunately, the more respect she gave Sarns, the more hostility grew between him and Dr. Kiev.

Thankfully, Max called the meeting back to order.

I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to this project. This week you’ll work with our first twelve students. At the end of the week you will receive two of these students to use as lab assistants. Thus, by Thursday evening I would like a list, in order of preference, of four students. David has written a model that will allocate the students as fairly as possible.

What if we don’t want any of them? Dr. Kiev asked.

"You will receive two lab assistants, and you will use them. If you do not provide a list, you will receive whoever remains unselected by the others."

Dr. Kiev shook his head. I work better alone.

I beg to differ, Victor. Your best work was done in conjunction with Dr. Sarns.

Who took credit for all my work, Victor snapped.

I am aware of that, Max said with amazing patience. But it was unquestionably your best work. I want you to work with two very bright students who cannot possibly take credit for your work.

Dr. Sarns cleared his throat and interrupted their conversation. "I object to this conversation. I never took credit for Victor’s work. The reason his name disappeared is because he disappeared. He refused to talk to the press, and when he did, he was unable to say anything they could understand, so they dropped him from the articles. I had nothing to do with that. However, Victor would have you believe I had no part in the research, but that is not true. He needed my knowledge of programming just as much as I needed his math."

Max rapped his fingers on the podium, testifying to his waning patience. I am aware of all of that. Both of you are brilliant scientists, and while it is unfortunate that you have this baggage between you, I believe with a bit of professionalism, you will find a way to successfully work on this project. After all, there is no press to misinform here. There is only the project now.

Could you go into more detail about the project? Dr. Tong requested, evidently bored with the boys’ dispute.

Yes, let’s focus on the project of a lifetime, shall we? He nodded for Colonel Lancaster to dim the lights.

His first slide was data gathered on global warming. Through better analysis of the melting glaciers, we are now certain that global warming is as unstoppable as the four seasons. It is, in fact, part of a long-term Earth cycle. After global warming, we will return to a few years of survivable climate before falling into an ice age of approximately two hundred to two million years.

Max took a sip of water and studied the scientists. None of them seemed shocked by his declaration.

The immediate problem we have is how humans can survive the extremes of this cycle to enjoy the next cycle of moderation. Survival here on Earth is a task assigned to another group of scientists. According to computer projections, there is a strong possibility they will fail and Earth as we know may not be able to support human life for millions of years. If that is the case, our project becomes far more than a great step forward in man’s exploration; it becomes the future of mankind.

Jesus, David Sarns whispered. Are they sure about that program?

It’s the program you and Victor wrote, Max replied. It shows that when the ocean temperatures rise fifteen degrees, the world destabilizes. Methane rises from the ocean floor. The oceans start dying. Droughts, fires, hurricanes, cyclones, floods, tornadoes all combine in greater frequency to destroy our cities, then our water and food supplies. Finally, the ocean currents stop and the world freezes.

Why aren’t I on the Earth project? David asked.

They aren’t rehashing the work you and Victor did. They’re only trying to figure out how to secure a large enough population to survive during the worst of the cycle. Another set of scientists are working on preventing the ocean currents from stopping.

Dr. Sandy Culp raised her hand. But if that’s the case, then why tell people they can prevent global warming by driving their cars less?

Distraction, Max replied. You can’t tell people that the world as we know it is coming to an end. Instead, you create a list of things they can do and let them focus on that.

Dr. Bruce Willow raised his hand. But if we’re to be mankind’s future, we’ll need more than twelve kids to build it.

We will have more than twelve. They are genetically prescreened and come from all over the world to increase the diversity that will begin life on Titan. So theoretically—per your own work, Dr. Willows—with careful manipulation, we could rebuild mankind with the twenty-two teenagers, seven doctors, and twenty-four soldiers.

How many females? he asked.

Half, Max replied.

Dr. Bruce Willows nodded his agreement. I’d prefer a larger selection, because that would require every birth to be a different mix of parents.

Even with additional people, I believe that would still be the situation.

Yes, it would. Only the outcome would be more certain, Willows admitted. Is that why I’m here?

Absolutely.

Are you planning to require women to mate with various men, or will we be doing this by artificial insemination? Dr. Culp asked.

That depends on the situation. If the man and woman have a genuine physical attraction, then they should be offered the opportunity to do it the old-fashioned way, but if that is not the case, then artificial insemination can be performed.

So we females are to be bred like cows? Dr. Tong’s angry face left no doubt of her outrage.

Tamara could feel the tension in the room. She suddenly feared for Dr. Tong’s life.

Dr. Tong, in the survey you took, you said you eventually wanted to have children.

I do. Just not right now.

Well, that’s good, because no one in this project can have any children until we arrive on Titan.

And when will that be? Dr. Willows asked.

Our departure time depends upon a different group of scientists. It could take up to five years.

And what are we doing until then? Dr. Sarns demanded.

We have our own projects to complete and children to assimilate.

Dr. Victor Kiev raised his hand. We won’t survive the years of radiation we’ll endure traveling to Titan. We will almost certainly be sterile when we arrive and dying from cancer.

There is another team working on that problem.

You should get Ivan Kosokov, Victor suggested.  He knows more than all of your NASA scientists put together.

We did, Max assured him.

Within two years...he’ll find an answer, Victor said, then frowned. So why am I here?

Because we will be going into an unknown environment where the only thing that may realistically work the same is math. We will need the expertise that you and David bring to the table.

They both nodded, then cautiously eyed each other. David reached out his hand across Tamara and, after a moment of reluctance, Victor shook it.

Now that is a very promising beginning. Max smiled at the men. Any other questions at this time?

Tong crossed her arms. "Well, since we’re questioning why people are here, may I ask why she is here—other than being your girlfriend?"

Tamara expected Max to vociferously deny that she was his girlfriend, but instead he simply described the work Tamara was doing on fuel conversions. He then went on to describe her additional value as a biochemist, since they would be living in a world where methane was the second most common chemical. As he continued with her excellent problem-solving skills, Colonel Lancaster broke in and declared the meeting over.

Tamara was very pleased Max had not refuted they were dating. He had vehemently denied it in the past. His change in attitude and his kiss on her forehead had to mean something.

You too, Cantor, Lancaster declared, his hand gently pressing on her back.

I need to speak to her for a moment, Max interjected.

Lancaster sighed. Five minutes and then she has a medical exam.

The moment Lancaster was gone, Tamara spoke. He sure is bossy.

He thought you were going to be a problem, but you have shown great restraint today and I am very proud of you.

She felt her entire body fill with happiness. Max had never been one to praise too often.

He took her hand in his, pleasing her greatly, at least until she looked at his face. His expression forewarned her he wasn’t about to make a declaration of love. In fact, he looked far more like a guy about to break up with her. But how was that possible? They weren’t even dating yet. Maybe he intended to tell her that despite the rules not prohibiting it, there was some reason he still couldn’t date her.

She steadied herself for the worst and nodded.

This is not how I wanted to tell you, but I’ve four minutes left, and I need you to hear the truth from me before you hear partial truths from Dr. Tong.

Dr. Janise Tong? She was now completely confused about their topic of conversation.

I dated—actually lived with—Dr. Tong when she attended Berkeley for her undergrad degree. We were not in the same field, so I saw no issues. Still, we kept it very quiet. And honestly, I wouldn’t be telling you now, except I’m almost certain she will.

When?

The first chance she gets.

No, I meant when did you live with her?

I met her during her freshman year, and she moved in with me the following summer.  She didn’t move out until her senior year. That would have been your second year at Berkeley.

Tamara blinked in confusion. But you were always with me at the lab.

He laughed softly. That was her opinion as well. It’s why we broke up. It’s why she changed schools for her doctorate.

She thought you and I...

Yes, and that’s why she was so rude to you and will likely continue to give you a hard time. His face hardened. I know your temper, but I need you to continue to show the restraint you did today. If it comes down to you and her, I fear it will be you who is left behind.

Why? She’s a linguist. What do we even need her for?

It’s not her knowledge, it’s her DNA. Janise is genetically flawless. The future of the human race needs her. In a crunch, I could cover your skill requirements, but there’s no one close to her genetic purity.

Just then, Lancaster entered and declared he needed Tamara.

Max sighed. This is not where I wanted to leave this conversation. We’ll talk about this later tonight. He gently pulled her from her chair and handed her over to Lancaster.

She felt Lancaster’s eyes on her. No doubt Mr. Busy-body wanted to know what Max had told her. As he rushed her down the hall, her mind kept repeating Max’s declaration that Dr. Tong was genetically perfect. His lover for two years was genetically perfect. His genetically perfect lover who’d left him, but now clearly wanted him back.

Are you crying? Lancaster demanded.

She shook her head no and suddenly wished she had long hair like Tong’s so she could hide