Destiny: The Battle for Parit

By William Emmett

Menem is marooned to another world. His advanced technology clashes with the Empire of Ronnin. He falls in love with the beautiful Destiny and befriends the city of Parit, showing its citizens how to break free from the overwhelming power of Ronnin. But Ronnin is more cunning than Menem predicted.

Can Parit survive a war without Menem?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Apr 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524561819

William Emmett

WILLIAM “BILL” EMMETT was bom in Girraween, NSW, in 1939. He is a graduate of the University of New South Wales where he obtained a degree in Industrial Chemistry, specializing in Ceramics. Emmett’s keen interest in sailing, science and astronomy, and his curiosity about the future possibilities for mankind, has led to the writing of this book.

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COPYRIGHT © 2017 BY WILLIAM EMMETT.

   ISBN:   SOFTCOVER   978-1-5245-6182-6

      EBOOK   978-1-5245-6181-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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.

Rev. date: 03/31/2017

Xlibris

1-800-455-039

www.Xlibris.com.au

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Contents

Authors Comment

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Epilogue

AUTHORS COMMENT

THE NOVEL BEGAN As an attempt to look at how humans would evolve as the centuries past.

Up to the 20th century humans were a product of the environment and selection of the fittest in nature.

But from the beginning of 1900 this all began to change and as time past we were using science to halt ageing, become immune to diseases with the western world having abundant clean water and food all resulting in the extension of life beyond the biblical age of 72 years.

Gradually new ingredients were added, the computer and knowledge of DNA, laser technology, etc.

Information and developments in these areas were leading to A) the development of intelligent robots and mechanisms (mechanical slaves) and the possibility to extend life much further by eradicating faults in our genes The natural extension was the ability to develop bodies that could possibly live a very long time.

However one area of the body that was not able to keep up was the brain and this would become the limiting factor in longevity.

Other areas of development were nanobots, mobile phones and knowledge of space and the world around us and then climate change which was basically the result of too many humans on the planet.

We believe now that the earth and the sun were born together within a large group of other stars that gradually dispersed and spread around the Milky Way. These other cousins should have the same composition of matter as the earth and sun.

Sooner or later there simply had to be a series of catastrophes. We were running out of water, food, fish, animals, oil and clean air.

Eventually nature would be pushed too far. I could only see that the nature solution would be the destruction of the numbers of humans.

We know of 3 other possible fates for the world and these are 1) an impact from a large asteroid, 2) the moon moving away from the Earth that would eventually lead to the earth spinning unpredictably and finally the Sun using up its fuel and becoming initially a red giant. Of course at least 2 of these last 3 were a long way off from the present time.

Projecting these events forward ultimately could lead to intelligent robots capable of radio wave communication and able to download information.

They would eventually surpass humans unless a solution was found.

This fiction novel is an attempt to bring all these factors together pitting new technology against old yet staying within the known bounds of science as we know now and that which could be reasonably projected forward hopefully making an interesting story along the way.

William J Emmett 28/2/2010

CHAPTER 1

DESTRUCTION

The dark cratered surface of the moon sped past in total silence.

Menem absorbed in his instruments felt the first sudden shift and looked up as the ship began rapidly firing its laser weapons. Instantly he could see the rocky cloud of jagged boulders crashing toward Explorer 2 at tremendous speed. With eyes full of terror he screamed out, Stan, get to your seat!

Stan dashed into the control room eyes wide and white faced.

Menem felt the ship twist violently as the control deck exploded around him. Then a fearsome shock wave ran through his body, sending him into oblivion.

Pieces of the ship glowing from the heat of destruction blasted out into the void, cascading into a huge firestorm as a single glowing object rocketed out and away from the path of the debris.

TIME PASSED

A grey fog crawled into Menem’s mind then consciousness slowly filled his brain and he began to claw his way out of the dark and back to reality.

Oh God, he moaned in a gravel voice.

Gradually he realised he was in a small confined space. Where am I? he said to himself in bewilderment.

You are in the escape capsule, sir, came the matter of fact reply from CAP the onboard computer. What happened? Menem said slowly as he struggled to calm his fear.

Explorer 2 has been destroyed Sir, I believe it was mistakenly caused by the Starship. It appears the velocity momentum of the Starship as it passed the moon ahead of us was still travelling at half light speed. It sent shock waves reverberating through the moon. On our third transit to slow down using the moons gravity we increased these moon quakes and released a volcanic plug into which Explorer 2 collided.

Menem slowly digested this information his mind grappling with the events that had taken place, while also realising his predicament.

Stan – where are Stan and Roban?

They did not survive Sir.

Both gone -— and the Starship, where is that?

SS1 is still travelling at high speed toward the second star in this solar system. It will not be able to turn back until it reaches the dwarf star.

Then he felt the pain. It was seeping into every part of his body. Oooohh, he groaned.

I obviously must have passed out? What are all these tubes in me?

"Sir, at the instant of impact, two life support shells from above and below your seat clamped around you. ‘You were ejected out and away from the explosion, but even so the pod did sustain some damage.

You were subjected to extreme forces. I had to act quickly as you were haemorrhaging. So I cooled you down and fed life support tubes into your body around your heart and lungs to keep you alive.

How long have I been unconscious?

It has been 10 earth days since the accident.

My God! –Silence – I feel so strange, have you altered something?

"It is clear, sir, that we will crash land on the planet we are beginning to circle, assuming we can survive entry at this speed.

This planet is larger than earth and has a higher gravity, although all other signs are compatible for life. As my program allows me to operate or make a judgement in the absence of a human, I am in the process of altering your body to help you survive on the planet’s surface for a number of months until the Starship can return.

What exactly have you done to me?

"These tubes connect to different parts of your body. I am shortening your height using the surplus bone and muscle to strengthen your frame.

I am also equipped with a supply of artificial blood and program controlled nanobots that are flowing through your body as we speak.

Well, Menem considered. That does seem to be a sensible move. How tall was I?

You were just on 2.1 metres, sir. Now you are 1.67 metres. You will need the help of your suit for a while, but you should eventually be able to stand up against the high gravity on this planet.

Menem lapsed back into thought wondering how this mess had started

Oh, yes, he thought. The last thing I remember was the class room.

Hazily an image formed in his mind of the 3D class room surrounding him on the starships bridge.

Hello Commander, The face of the very attractive, auburn haired teacher filled the bridge communications screen, her full lips parting in a beaming smile to reveal a row of pearly white teeth. She then turned slightly to acknowledge the class behind her. "Now remember children, you must all use spoken words and speak one at a time.

Commander, I know you left our mother ship Earth 2 just four hours ago and have not yet reached 95% light speed, so I thought we would take this opportunity to discuss your mission with students before you get too far away. Could you explain to the class what your expedition is about?

A slight delay occurred.

Well Nanci, hmmmm, where do I start, he murmured.

Firstly Earth 2 is going toward a group of stars located near Rosette NGC 7293 in the Orion arm. This will take about 80 years at current speed and during this time we will pass a number of solar systems.

"As you know the mass of Earth 2 combined with half light speed produces colossal inertia and makes it very difficult to turn around in space. Can you imagine how the water in the lakes that exist inside the three modules would react if we decided to turn the ship? It would have to be done slowly. The safest method would be to freeze the lakes first. However that would create problems with the fish, animals, people and houses. So to maintain momentum with the least effort we must fly between stars and use the curved space around each star to head off in another direction. As a result the ship maintains its velocity with very little effort required.

"My Starship is going to investigate a double star solar system some 30 light years away out from the galactic plane approximately at right angles to the mothership flight path.

"You are probably aware that we are seeking out stable yellow stars with blue planets that may be habitable for us together with solar systems born from the same gas cloud as our sun.

"Normally double stars do not offer promise, however the main star is a yellow star and our telescope has noted a blue planet slightly larger, but similar to Earth in this double system and within the Goldilocks Zone of the main star.

So we are going to reconnoitre. There are no obvious signs of advanced life but we are sure it has life due to the components in its atmosphere, the presence of water and its stable orbit. Being a double star we don’t expect to find a civilisation, but there may be highly developed animals. The second smaller dwarf star is also interesting. It has planets and one of them, although smaller than earth, could have life.

We do know there is 20% oxygen present and this means life of some kind almost certainly exists. It appears that the main star was created from the same gas cloud as the earth and sun. We know this from the composition and age of the star so we are feeling quite positive about the expedition," Menem continued.

You never quite know. We have to fly to the system, slow down around the main star and other solar bodies, and then investigate a number of planets in just six weeks before returning to Earth 2. If we delay beyond this for more than a few weeks, then catching the mother ship will get progressively more difficult.

Any questions? the teacher asked as a hand shot up.

Greta, the teacher called.

Yes. I want to know how long it will take to reach near light speed and what you will do for 30 years until you reach the new star system? A delay in reply occurred again.

That is a very good question, Menem murmured, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

"Firstly it will take several days to reach near light speed and although 30 years will pass on the mother ship, it will seem more like a few months to us travelling at this speed. The planet we are interested in is larger than earth and has more gravity, so it will be difficult for us to walk on the surface. I will need to work in the Starship gym and get as fit as possible.

Stan thinks this is a waste of time and if we have to go down to the planet surface he will rely on a motorised suit to support and assist him. He intends to hibernate for most of the time. I will also need to rely on a suit. Otherwise it could mean we have to crawl along on our hands and knees.

Any more questions? the teacher asked

David raised his hand and proceeded to ask the next question. Does the Starship need to use a star to turn around too?

"No it is not like E2. We can use a star or a large planet to turn, slow down or speed up depending on how we chart our course. It is preferable to use a star, but we can turn slowly if necessary without these bodies. After we have slowed around the star in the SS1 we will separate and travel with Explorer 2, using nearby planets and a moon close to the blue world to slow down further before approaching the planet in question.

"I should also mention that the moon around the blue planet is three times the size of the moon around earth, even though it is further away.

"Our Starship will continue on through the Double Star solar system and investigate the other planets and the second dwarf star which has a number of captured planets of interest to us. Explorer 2 will then rendezvous with the Starship and return to Earth 2.

As SS1 will have slowed considerably it will take some time to reach and explore the other planets. We intend to meet it somewhere beyond the fourth planet from the main star in order to stay within our time frame. Otherwise we could miss the opportunity to return here to you at all.

Thank you Commander, we are all keen to follow your travels and see what you find, the teacher gave a sexy smile and the whole class waved goodbye.

Menem’s memory began to go deeper to previous conversations as he lay in the capsule. He hesitated in his thoughts sensing the capsule was changing shape for entry into the planet atmosphere. They were still travelling at half light speed and he knew if he survived the next few hours, it would be a miracle. He was not a religious man but this was one time when he felt only the blessing of a God could help.

THE BIRTH

Sixteen years after Starship 1 had left the mother ship Earth 2, an event was occurring in a remote valley on a world many light years away.

Most of the village houses were clustered together and built simply of stone and rough wood.

Inside one of the cottages, in a small room with stained wooden walls and a rough thatched ceiling, a newborn baby was crying loudly.

The people standing around outside were solemn and quiet.

We will have to get rid of her, Boro said as he knelt down beside his wife’s bed.

She was aghast, What’s wrong?

She was distressed and exhausted, hair tangled sweaty and fearful.

Bentinit knew there was something wrong, the birth had been so difficult.

She is totally deformed.

No, she cried out in anguish. I will not have the child killed. I want a little girl. I don’t care if she is deformed.

He became furious, Betinit, I will not have her in my house.

Tears flowed from the mother’s eyes. No I can’t let you harm her

Then you must keep her hidden from me. I will not be seen with such a creature.

Bring her to me, Betinit pleaded to the midwife.

Boro stomped from the room shouting with anger.

The midwife hurried over and laid the little girl still naked in Bentinit’s arms.

The child was badly deformed and even Bentinit had second thoughts, but she suckled quickly on her breast and immediately stopped crying.

I will look after you my little one. I will care for you. I will call you -— Detinusfura, the unfortunate one. I will give you a chance at life although the future for you is in the lap of the Gods.

Gradually the town-folk dispersed into the nearby cottages. The family has upset the gods, they murmured.

Years passed.

Detinusfura grew to a young girl. Her face was distorted with her mouth, teeth and jaw on an angle. She let her long black hair hang down in a way that hid the worst parts. One leg was shorter than the other. The arm on the left side was also misshapen and she loped along with an awkward gate.

One day sitting forlornly on a stool peeling a vegetable she looked at her mother, Is there any one who could fix my body? she enquired.

The mother looked at her startled by the question; she did not know what to say.

Miracles can happen, Bentinit replied.

Who could perform such a miracle? Detinus quickly replied.

Bentinit searched for something to say. "Well our religion preaches that the stars in the sky at night are camp fires of the dead.

The Star people who lived there are in a Utopian after-world.

Without thinking she said, Perhaps a Star man may come down, I’m sure he could help you.

Really, Detinusfura said brightly.

But you would have to pray a great deal and do everything I ask of you, the mother replied quickly wanting the conversation to stop.

Now go on down into the field and see what you can find for supper. It is spring time so perhaps you will find mushrooms or edible roots.

Detinusfura did not hesitate, turning about she picked up the basket beside the door and with wondrous thoughts in her mind trotted out behind the cottage and headed into the woods.

Despite all her afflictions she was a contented child and happy for any small mercies that came her way. The village people felt sorry for her and helped wherever they could.

Since the father worked all day out in the fields it was usually dark when he returned and Detinusfura stayed well out of his way.

As she walked along with many thoughts it gradually dawned on her that she would never marry.

And if her mother died she did not know what would happen to her.

TERRAT%20MAPS%20Pic%20%231.jpg

PRIMITIVES

CAP do you expect problems with the capsule entering the atmosphere? Menem asked.

The escape capsule explained, Well sir, I will initially circle the planet a number of times to record the land forms and oceans and determine the best place to set down. We are travelling too fast to enter directly so I will have to dip into the atmosphere several times to slow down sufficiently to allow normal entry. You will have noticed we have change shape to provide initial braking. We are encountering the outer layers now.

The capsule shuddered violently as the noise increased to horrific proportions then died away to silence. Menem found he was holding his breath and let out a sigh of relief. Then it began again and again. Slowly the velocity of the craft reduced sometimes spinning out of control violently until CAP brought it back.

Sir I think we are ready to carry out entry. It will require me to generate my most powerful magnetic flux field around the capsule to hold off the heat of entry. It may feel uncomfortable to your brain as it will interfere with your telepathic senses. Please take the special faraday helmet from the locker and place it on your head now.

The capsule plunged into the blue green world below trailing a streak of fire many kilometres long. The air became thicker and the turbulence grew beyond his experience. Menem gritted his teeth. The fall seemed endless as it plunged through the deep atmosphere. He became aware that the craft was changing shape again. For an instant the noise stopped then with a whoosh that sounded like a muffled explosion the now torpedo shaped capsule dived deep into the ocean.

That was very close Menem; I fear we may have damaged the craft but we could not have remained much longer in space as we were running out of air.

The powerful deceleration racked through Menem’s frame. He vomited and writhed with the pain.

Then the motors reversed. A different motion now took hold, so slow it was almost sickening, but the pain subsided.

What now CAP? Menem coughed.

Well sir, I plan we should first rise to the ocean surface and take in new air. It appears there is about twenty percent oxygen and quite breathable for you. I will also replenish my banks of water and allow the currents to carry us to the nearest land. Would you concur?

Certainly you have done an extremely good job, my friend. This is the most restful motion to date, but even now I can feel the weight of gravity like some heavy person lying on top of me. I will try to get some rest now. Please wake me up if events change.

In the quiet cool water, the capsule took time to alter itself once again. A storm was raging above, but as it abated the capsule rose to the surface soaking in the warm sun. Regaining its energy in the relaxing water it felt restful and filled with new life after its birth in the fire next to the moon.

During this time Menem dreamed incessantly as memories from Earth 2 poured into his brain. In one seemingly real life flashback the engineer was greeting him on the bridge of the mother ship.

Welcome Commander, please come in, we were just talking about you. The captain of the shift walked across and offered his hand to Menem. They were all handsome and tall between 1.94 metres and 2.13 metres, typical of the human race.

The chief engineer referred Menem to the scanning monitors.

There seems to be a little more dust than usual up ahead. It is rare to encounter dust this far from a star. Normally one expects something around two light years from the star, his thoughts beamed out.

Show me an overview, Captain Rand asked calmly.

A 3D image appeared at one end of the room. Dust and gas were visible as shades of light mist in the path of the ship. The engineer rotated the image to gain a clear impression. Do you see any problems ahead?

No, I don’t think so, the engineer spoke carefully.

The clover shaped rings ahead of our mother ship should take care of any obstacles we might encounter, however there will need to be 24 hour surveillance while this dust exists, he went on.

"At half light speed our rings get less than half a second to respond to an undetected object. Random clouds do occur occasionally but sometimes there could also be larger rocks thrown out from an Oort cloud. Normally we would detect a large object and alter direction or destroy it. Although incoming radar waves are travelling at light speed, relative to our speed we have less time to react. We are dependent on waves sent out an hour ago to detect any problem. I will keep you posted.

Menem, we want you to take SS1 and investigate a double star system. Our scopes now reveal a blue planet and although quite large it has all the ingredients of life. If you leave now at this angle to our flight path you will automatically have enhanced speed from the mothership. It should take about 30 years our time but less in your time. Your mission is to gather as much information as possible about two potential planets and begin your return within six weeks. I will leave you to work out the details.

All this conversation had taken place telepathically as humans now had this genetic ability built into their brains.

Menem slowly mused how this communication had started, moving from mobile phones to chips inserted in the brain that contacted a wrist phone which in turn spoke to Mentor. Then the chips change to biological devices that grew to become part of the DNA gene sequence. All humans now communicated this way. It was particularly useful to Menem when working with the robot Mentor directly. Mentor ran the ship albeit within certain limits.

Menem woke from his deep sleep as CAP was transferring information about the planets surface features into Menem’s suit and telepathic wrist band.

CAP spoke softly to Menem "Sir, this ocean