Planet of the Red Dwarf: The New Beginning

By Judith L. Mitz

This story is from the perspective of children pioneering space to a new colony, much like their ancestors did going to the new world to colonize.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Jan 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483421124

Book preview

PLANET OF THE

RED DWARF

THE NEW BEGINNING

JUDITH L MITZ

Copyright © 2014 Judith L Mitz & Darrall L Mitz.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-2111-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-2350-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-2112-4 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 12/1/2014

CONTENTS

Chapter 1   The Arrival

Chapter 2   The Causeway

Chapter 3   First Glimpse Of Rhochi

Chapter 4   Our New Home

Chapter 5   Our Trip To Rhochi

Chapter 6   Keta Meets Gravity

Chapter 7   Our First Day On Rhochi

Chapter 8   Orientation

Chapter 9   Welcome To The Pods

Chapter 10   The Writing On The Wall

Chapter 11   My First Friend

Chapter 12   The Garden Of Eden

Chapter 13   Moving In

Chapter 14   Exploring

Chapter 15   Mom’s Work

Chapter 16   Hydratics

Chapter 17   Sara Comes To Visit

Chapter 18   The Magic Garden

Chapter 19   Restricted Reading Materials

Chapter 20   The Grotto

Chapter 21   The Columns

Chapter 22   The Secret

Chapter 23   Keta Is Tested

Chapter 24   Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 25   Back To Laura’s

Chapter 26   The Project

Chapter 27   A Day To Relax

Chapter 28   Preparing For Open Forum

Chapter 29   Arriving To Open Forum

Chapter 30   Surviving Open Forum

Chapter 31   Open Forum Round Two

Chapter 32   Invitation To The Expedition

Chapter 33   The Expedition

Chapter 34   Keta’s Transmission

EPILOG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Author

Judith L Mitz

Edited By

Mary Beth Kotrodimos

Photography By

Judith Mitz

Darrall Mitz

Quintina Buck

Contributors

M. Carol Adams

Sara Mitz

Laura Mitz

Quintina Buck

Dedicated To

My Family

Copyright Judith L Mitz & Darrall L Mitz @2013

CHAPTER ONE

THE ARRIVAL

The first thing I remember seeing was the bright warm face of a man I had never seen before. His smile was wide and warm and the sound of his voice was soothing. Wake up little one, he said softly, you’re almost home. I tried to move my hand and raise my arm, attempting to touch his dark amber face. I had to make sure he was really there and this was not a dream. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t move. Easy now little one; you’re not fully awake yet, he cautioned me. Waking up from stasis is a slow process, so don’t try to move yet. I opened my mouth to speak but no words came forth.

I know you want to ask me who I am and where you are and how long have you been asleep, he said, gently laughing. Well, allow me to introduce myself. I am Lieutenant Jerald Rose, your attending nurse, and it’s my job to care for you while you recover from your prolonged sleep. And now, I’ll bet you’re going to ask me how long you’ve been asleep. That’s easy enough: six and one half years. Yes little one, that’s right; for six and one half years your entire body has been asleep. You have not moved, spoken, eaten or played. Waking your brain up is slow and your muscles are weaker and slower to respond. How long will it be before you feel like your old self again? Well, believe it or not, in just a few days you’ll be up and walking.

Thankfully, those three days passed quickly. The lieutenant was kind and helpful. I rejoined my family in our new quarters and made preparations for our arrival on Rhochi. What a strange name for a planet! Rhochi was located 4.2 light years from Earth. Our six and a half year journey was coming to an end. I was twelve years old when on earth and now, six and a half years later, I’m still twelve years old. I’ve never understood how it could be possible for that much time to pass and yet when I looked at myself then, I couldn’t detect even the slightest change in my body or in the features of my face.

Hey you, if you stand there much longer you’ll take root! my father mused. Come join us on the observation deck. Rhochi is within range now. The Captain said we could see it more clearly today. Catching me by the hand, he pulled me from the bathroom and we hurried down the hall to my room to collect my five year old sister, Keta. My mother was waiting for us at the door of our quarters, urging us to hurry. With a gentle press from her finger on the door panel, the door slid open and we stepped into a narrow hallway. All right everyone, follow me, my father cheerfully commanded. We need to get to the main causeway. That will lead us to the skywalk and the observation deck. He led the way while Keta lagged behind grumbling to herself.

This is impossible! How do they expect me to keep up? she complained. I reached for my dad’s arm and tugged at it.

Dad, Keta’s marching again.

I’m not marching, she said flatly. I’m stuck to the floor!

Keta, I called to her. Try walking normally, like you would if you were back on Earth.

My mother turned to face Keta. Sweetheart, the hallway outside our quarters is stickier than she’s used to. She’s also not as strong as we are. Walking in a weightless environment is more difficult for smaller children.

I’ve got an idea I should have thought of sooner, Dad confessed. Let me get the tether. We can pull her along behind us like a balloon. Okay, Keta?

Sure Dad, anything is better than this, Keta sighed.

Now, wait right there. I’ll be back in a minute, Dad said, grinning.

Yeah right, Dad, Keta grumbled softly, like I could go anywhere.

My father returned with the tether that he secured to Keta’s belt and to the wrist of his left arm. Lifting Keta from the floor, he guided her gently down the hallway where we were waiting. Here Keta, put your head on my left shoulder so you can steady yourself, Dad said gently.

Now, are we all set? Mom asked. Sure! Keta chirped, Let’s go!

CHAPTER TWO

THE CAUSEWAY

We made our way down the corridor to the causeway with Keta in tow. She was delighted to be floating about our heads looking at the faces of all the people we passed. It’s a wonderful view of things up here, she chirped. Finally, I have a chance to see people’s faces first!

First? my mother asked.

Yes! Usually the first thing I see is their tummies, Keta explained. Now I see their faces.

I watched my parents and little Keta walking ahead of me which gave me a chance to take a closer look at the interior of the ship, which was hollow with walkways running along the walls. Everyone was preoccupied with going to the observation deck so I walked over to the guard rail at the edge of the walkway. I grabbed the rail and carefully peeked over. I could see all the way down to the bowels of the ship. I did not realize how immense the ship really was, and as I looked down, a creepy feeling came over me, that awful feeling of falling. It’s one thing if it’s only two or three stories, but this ship appeared to consist of hundreds of stories! Then the realization hit me: I could climb over that railing and fling myself outward and I wouldn’t fall! I would float, just like Keta, except I don’t have a tether. I then turned and caught up with my family.

After I reached them, my father turned to me and said, Laura, you’re awfully quiet.

No Dad, I’m not quiet. I’m amazed! I knew the transport ship was big, but not this big! It’s enormous! How many people are on this ship? I asked.

Well, I believe there’s about four thousand people, Dad explained. Some of them are colonists like us; some are the flight crew and ship engineers. As Father explained, he counted them off on his fingers. Also, there’s the Medical Staff and the Communications Technicians.

Well, how many are colonists? I asked, And how many will be remaining on the ship when it returns to earth?

About half of us are staying on Rhochi. The other half will be returning to Earth, Dad answered. Now the flight crew and support staff that brought us here will be put into stasis for the trip home, Father continued. A completely new flight crew and staff that are now in stasis will take over the return trip. On their way home they will deploy more communication satellites and align them so we can send messages to Earth faster than before and without the prolonged blackout periods.

"What do you mean by blackout periods?" I asked.

You know that all things in the universe are in motion. For example, all the planets in our solar system rotate around our sun. In a six month period, the Earth moves about 190 million miles, moving from one side of the solar system to the other side; which means, we have to be able to bridge that distance. Another point is that the rotation is in a circle, not just back and forth.

I’m not sure I understand what you mean, Dad, I sighed.

Okay then, think of it this way, he continued. In a circle, objects not only move from one side to another. They also move closer to you at one point; then they move further away. I guess the look of confusion was still on my face as my father searched for an easier way to describe what he meant.

Laura, picture a wheel from your bike. Pretend you’re sitting on the edge of the wheel. Okay? Now I’m going to turn the wheel slowly to my right, he explained, gesturing with his hands as he spoke. With your imagination, describe what you see.

I see that not only am I moving to the right; I’m also moving back away from you. Oh! Now I understand, I cried.

Good, now remember that just like the Earth that orbits the Sun, Rhochi also orbits its sun, the Red Dwarf Star, Proxima Centauri, my dad continued. This is a hard concept to understand but it is simplest to state that there are no fixed points in space.

I get it: all things are in motion, I answered.

Dad smiled. Yes! Everything turns in circles. Large things take a long time to complete their rotation, like our Galaxy, the Milky Way, which takes 250 million years to complete a single rotation. Our planet Earth, takes a year. But it’s only eight and a half months for Rhochi to rotate around its Red Dwarf. All this movement causes a lot of lag time so messages take a long time to relay. The Earth moves around the sun and when we send a transmission when the Earth is behind the sun it can take a long time. You have to be able to get the message up and over planets that get in the way. That’s why we’re bringing in new communication arrays, to resolve the problem of line of sight.

Without our realizing it, a small group of people had gathered to listen to what my dad was explaining to me. It made me feel proud that my dad was so knowledgeable. As the Director of Communications for Rhochi, Dr. David Kelly, my dad, knew far more than most on this topic. As we continued to make our way slowly down the causeway, the group of people moved with us. They introduced themselves to my mom, shook hands and began chatting excitedly about the adventures ahead.

CHAPTER THREE

FIRST GLIMPSE OF RHOCHI

I followed behind the small group of people, watching them closely as we made our way down the causeway to the observation deck. The observation deck was located at the front of the ship enclosed by a vast expanse of glass windows. The windows curved outward just enough to expose the view directly below and above the ship’s facings. It made you feel as if you were out in front of the ship rather than confined inside.

The deck floor and ceiling were both made of the same white sticky material as the rest of the ship. A pleasant blue-white light emanated from the walls. As I looked around, I realized that the walls, floors and ceiling formed glowing white tunnels. The only color was confined to scant pieces of furniture. The fabric of the formed chairs was a rich cranberry color separated by emerald green tables. Even their surfaces were sticky, so if you sat down or sat something on the table, it would stay put. In spite of the stickiness, you could move about easily enough; it just took time to get used to it. My father explained that this was necessary in a weightless environment.

To break the monotony of all this whiteness, large colored numbers appeared alongside all doors and corridors. Instructions for the basic operation of elevators, food dispensers, even bathrooms, were printed in bright colors. This didn’t make them any easier to read, just more colorful.

At the very top of the ship was a giant atrium filled with trees, plants, grass and a wide variety of flowers. The atrium was mostly for the benefit of the crew, but it was open to anyone. My mother, Chief Botanist on Rhochi, Dr. Joanne Kelly, was in charge of creating a habitable environment for those of us living there. She said that people need to have a feeling of their natural surroundings about them, and that this need is part of our nature and helps us maintain our mental health.

Still leading the way, my father continued his discussion on communications with Earth. There are times when other planets in both solar systems and either sun will block transmissions between Rhochi and Earth, Father explained. This creates the blackouts I spoke of earlier. Placement of the new space station and two small unmanned substations should solve the problem.

Somewhere in the group a voice asked, How? Won’t they be blocked as well? I mean, surely the problems that exist now will still exist with the space station and the substations?

That would be the case if the stations lay directly between them, my father responded. Tell you what, let me demonstrate what I’m talking about. Reaching into his pocket, Father produced three shiny copper-colored tokens.

What are those for? Keta chirped.

I really don’t know, my dad answered. One of the crewmen gave them to me.

Keta quickly snatched up one of the shiny tokens to examine it more closely. Realizing that Dad needed it back, she smiled apologetically and extended her hand expecting to drop the coin into his hand, but when she released the coin from her grip, it didn’t fall. The token just hung in the air, floating silently as if waiting for instructions.

Oh! Keta squeaked. I forgot things don’t fall here. They float. Everyone giggled. I think they were almost as surprised as Keta. Father smiled warmly at Keta as he gently plucked the token from the air.

Once again, my dad continued his lecture on motion and space stations. He placed the tokens neatly in a row, allowing them to float freely in the air. Spacing them a foot apart, he began to demonstrate his explanation. The first token is Rhochi. The second will be the station and last but not least, he smiled, is Earth.

Placing his hands on either side of the center token, my dad demonstrated how any object, be it a sun or another planet could not block a transmission if the array is placed directly above Earth and Rhochi. Now, if we move the array up and out to the direct line, sort of forming a triangle, then the transmission will go over the obstacles, he continued. Hopefully, this will remove the lag time and blackouts that have been experienced in the past.

What about the other arrays? someone asked. Where will they be placed?

Okay, the other arrays can also be placed where ever they are needed. They are much smaller and easier to maneuver. They can also change position when needed even though they are unmanned.

Dad, I don’t mean to interrupt, but what is that orange ball over there? I asked. As I pointed, all the members of the group turned their heads towards the window. Off in the distance a large orange ball whirled silently in space. Is that Rhochi, Dad? I asked.

No Laura, that’s Proxima Centuri! Father exclaimed. Rhochi is over there! Without thinking, he jetted his left hand forward. Intending to guide my gaze below the Red Dwarf to Rhochi, he accidentally launched poor Keta over his head toward the window!

Keta cried, Daddy! as she sailed over our father’s head. Oh my, Keta! Dad shouted, grabbing frantically at her flailing legs. Luckily, he caught her before she bounced against the window. Oh, Keta! I’m so sorry. Are you all right? my father gasped.

Yes, I’m fine, just fine, Keta croaked. Yes Sir, I’m just wonderful. A note of sarcasm was creeping into her voice. Oh boy wasn’t that fun! Dad, look, I love listening to you talk about stuff, but do me a small favor.

Yes, dear, Dad said sheepishly.

When you’re talking, she started gently, please don’t GESTURE with your HANDS!!!

We all stood frozen in silence but after a moment I just couldn’t hold it in any longer. Deep from within my very soul a rumble of laughter came leaking out. At first I was spitting and sputtering trying desperately to regain control, but it was of no use. I threw my head back and howled with laughter. Mom looked surprised but after a moment she began to laugh too. Before I knew it, they all joined in a chorus of uncontrolled laughter. Even Keta began to giggle. We continued like that for what seemed like hours. At first the laughter was a source of relief but the more I thought about it, the funnier the situation got. The startled look on Keta’s face was something I couldn’t forget. And the way she scolded Dad while floating upside down looked so comical all I could do was laugh until my sides hurt. The laughter brought relief not just because of Keta’s close call; no, it goes much deeper than that.

We were only startled by Keta. That’s not why we needed relief. I think we needed to release the fear each of us harbored deep inside: the fear of being alone and on our own, far away from the things we loved that were familiar to us. We had traveled farther than any other group of people. There was no place of safety to retreat to if things went wrong, because our home, our only place of safety, was trillions of miles away.

CHAPTER FOUR

OUR NEW HOME

When Rhochi first came into view, all I could see was a tiny glowing orange ball about the size of a marble. So, this is our new home, not at all what I expected. I was so used to the way our Earth looked, bright blue and white with patches of brown or green. Earth, a place of untold beauty and endless forms of life; living things were everywhere, but here on Rhochi, there was no life but us. If there ever was life on Rhochi, it had long since vanished millions of years ago.

Rhochi looks more like Mars than anything else. Its surface is obscured by dust storms that rage endlessly over the entire planet, and there’s no moon to shine overhead at night to guide migrating birds to their destination like on Earth. No evening night light to walk under. Dad said even if Rhochi had a moon it would be difficult to see through all that dust. There is no water either - none, not a drop - but explorers on an earlier expedition thought that one of the other planets in this system might have water on it. I hoped that was true. We were going to need it.

We would arrive in orbit over Rhochi within the next few days. Mom and Dad were preparing for the transfer to the Pods. Pods: peas in a pod, pods on the vine, pods in a basket; why do they call them pods? Makes me feel like a vegetable. They say that the Pods are nice. Nice Pod, good Pod, sit Pod! Arf!

I think my problem was that I was really going to miss the ship. I really liked it there. The crew was warm and friendly, eager to talk to anyone about anything. Most of all, I liked it when they called me Miss. Good morning, Miss. Off to the atrium, Miss? Sleeping well, Miss? Another thing I liked about the ship is that it was bright, well lit. You could see details clearly, not like on dark, grim Rhochi. Twilight, that’s the brightest it gets in full sunlight and at night it’s black as pitch.   However, Rhochi does have one bright spot: it has gravity! No more floating Keta about. No more floating out of bed in the middle of the night. No more floating, period! Now don’t get me wrong; floating can be fun, but you can never shake the fear of falling. The farther from the floor you get, the more scared you become. It’s creepy! You can tell yourself over and over again you’re not going to fall, but you feel sure that an unseen hand will turn on the gravity switch and you’ll come crashing to the ground (or actually, the floor).

During the last few days on board the ship, Mom took Keta and me to weight-lifting class. She said that because we’d been in a weightless environment for a prolonged period that our muscles were weak and needed to be strengthened. We all were going to have to get used to gravity again.

The gravity of Rhochi is 82% of Earth’s gravity. That is to say if an object weights one hundred pounds on Earth, it only weighs 82 pounds on Rhochi, or a two hundred pound man weighs a mere 164 pounds. Now, in an environment that is weightless, meaning you don’t weigh anything, a different kind of weight measurement is used.

What they do is this: they have you climb into a tank of water. They know exactly how much water is in the tank before you get in, then, while you’re in the water, they measure how much water is displaced. To get a better idea of how this works, measure out exactly one cup of water in a two cup measuring cup. Drop in a golf ball. Now, look to see where the water has risen to. In space, the procedure is a little more complicated but it works the same way.

From the prolonged sleep in stasis, I found out that I had lost the equivalent of 23 pounds and most of that was muscle - another reason for my visits to the weight room. I realized then that there’s almost as much preparation and training needed for coming out of space as there was for going into space.

The time for departure to our new home on Rhochi was coming quicker than I was ready for. Mom moved about our quarters gathering our things for the packing crates. She complained in a good natured manner as she collected Keta’s toys from the most unusual places. I would never have expected to find toys stuck on the ceiling or to the underside of tables and chairs.

I remember her constantly reminding Keta to pick up her toys that were scattered about the floor all over the house on Earth. Some of them always managed to trickle into the hallway and half way down the stairs. When Dad would come home from work, the first thing he would say coming up the stairs was, All right, who left the flood gate on the toy box open? - all the time looking at Keta’s guilty face with a smile. Keta, if you’re not more careful, some of these toys are going to escape, he would laugh. Keta would gather up