Minerva Chronicles: Book 1: Insurrection

By Thomas King

Markus Crowe-Valdez arrives as a prisoner in a commercially owned gulag on a far away world, where
he witnessed firsthand the harsh conditions of exoplanet colonization . After discovering a dark secret
about the colony, he is caught in the middle of a brutal rivalry between terraforming moguls. To save
himself and his fellow prisoners, he must lead them in a rebellion against overwhelming odds and gain
favor of a sophisticated alien race who eyes humankind with caution and suspicion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781532093555

Thomas King

THOMAS KING has written several highly acclaimed children’s books. A Coyote Solstice Tale, illustrated by Gary Clement, won the American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award for Best Picture Book and A Coyote Columbus Story, illustrated by William Kent Monkman, was a Governor General’s Award finalist. He was a Professor of English at the University of Guelph for many years, where he taught Native Literature and Creative Writing. He won the Governor General’s Award for his adult novel, The Back of the Turtle, and he has been nominated for the Commonwealth Writers Prize.

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Copyright © 2020 Thomas King.

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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-9354-8 (sc)

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2020901143

iUniverse rev. date: 01/22/2020

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Minerva Chronicles

Book 1: Insurrection

Contents

Corporate Space Colonies

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Corporate Space Colonies

It was an age of contradiction. The late twenty-first century saw upheavals around Terra brought on by overpopulation and a shortage of resources. The polluted planet could barely sustain life. Disease and famine were rampant.

It was during this time that the Terra coalition formed, making it the first one-world government. Countries dissolved as humanity packed themselves into giant towers that reached to the clouds. The Great Consolidation, as it became known, did not go smoothly. There were many rebellions all over Terra as nations refused to give up their sovereignty.

The turning point arrived when an alien ship crash landed on Terra. Scientists worked for decades to reverse engineer this superior technology and unlock the secrets of its mysterious energy source, Vulcanium. Eventually, they were successful, and humanity was able to travel to the stars and colonize far-off planets.

Two rival companies, McFarland Enterprises and Schaefer Industries, competed for control of planets in the Megastra Solar System. The competition was fierce and often violent as both companies hired their own private armies for security.

The Megastran planets offered many things. Some planets could be a source of precious minerals and resources. Some could also be the breadbasket for the starving inhabitants of Terra. Some could be the new homeland of the human race. And some could be convenient places to stash undesirable citizens.

Minerva was such a penal colony. Only a small percentage of them made up the hard, violent criminals because the coalition would normally just hang them. Most of these inmates here were debtors and homeless folks. A big portion of them were members of the resistance whose only crime was losing the war against the coalition.

It was during this era that the birth of the greatest republic ever known in human history took place. Its founding leader first arrived on Minerva in chains. This is his story.

Chapter 1

Markus’s jade green eyes struggled to adjust to the nearly blinding light of his cryogenic sleep pod. He had been in stasis for a year and a half since traveling from Terra. His head throbbed, and he felt as if he had been hit with a brick. His body felt just as sore. As he regained consciousness, he focused his vision and took in his surroundings.

Once the blur faded and Markus regained equilibrium, he noticed a hallway that spanned roughly a hundred meters or so from fore to aft of the ship. There were dozens of vertical cylinders made of metal, plastic, and hard glass. Inside of the cylinders were his fellow space travelers. Most of them were still asleep and were suspended in solutions with high salinity. One by one, they woke and exited their sleep pods.

Markus attempted to take his first steps away from his pod. His limbs felt weak and wobbly. His head felt as if it were a half empty bottle that tilted sideways. As he stepped, he felt his bowels clinch and his body drift toward the deck. He would have fell on his face if he hadn’t dropped to one knee with one hand outstretched. Nausea started to overtake him as he struggled to hold the stomach acid from rushing up his throat.

Whoa! yelled the medic, who was busy examining the prisoners. He hustled his way to Markus. He shined his flashlight in Markus’s eye to get the pupil reaction. Then he did the standard tests, taking his pulse, blood pressure, and breathing rate and examining his coordination.

Markus accepted the medic’s hand as he walked to a bench on the starboard side of the hallway. His nausea started to subside. He welcomed the steadiness of the bench.

It’s okay. You’re okay, the medic said to Markus. You’ll be a little dizzy at first, but it’ll pass.

Markus watched the medic work down the line of his fellow inmates. He then noticed a door opening at the fore end of the hall. Four mercenaries from Praetorian security walked in, clad in dark brown military uniforms. Each of them wore helmets and body armor, and all were armed with Tasers and batons. The leader of the group was a tall black man with a lean build.

Listen up, sleeping beauties, the leader said. Those of you who have been screened need to get your clothes on and stand by for your rations. Stay in a single file line, and don’t get any ideas. You have fifteen minutes!

Markus quickly put on the gray underwear and jumpsuit. Once he finished, he waited as the medic distributed the rations, which were just proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins condensed into a series of capsules. Although it wasn’t pleasant-looking, these provisions were easier to store and distribute on long stellar voyages. To gulp it down, Markus and the others drank water that had been recycled from cooling ducts.

Markus noticed the Praetorians wasted no time. They made sure the prisoners made their way down to the next deck and into a drop ship. Then prisoners sat in their seats and had restraints placed around their hands. There were only six remaining hours before they entered the atmosphere. The process was quick and efficient. In a word, dehumanizing.

Markus’s one highlight of the trip was that he got a window seat. It wasn’t much, just an extra dense circle roughly twelve inches in diameter. To Markus, it was a gateway to another universe. He could see countless stars and nebulae. Up ahead, he could see his destination, the planet Minerva. He could see clouds mostly with occasional interruptions of land and sea.

He had heard about the seven exoplanets that circled around a binary star group called Megastra. Like all the other kids in his school classes, he wondered about them. Like all the other kids, he knew only the fundamental basics.

On one extreme were Vesta and Juno, the two planets closest to the mother star. Since neither had an atmosphere, no terraforming firm made an attempt to colonize them. On the outer edge of the star system were Prometheus and Atlas, the gas giants. Each of them had dozens of moons. The Promethean and Atlantean moons had some water, but colonization required some considerable terraforming efforts. These were GEO 2 colonies.

Vulcan, Minerva, and Ceres were the middle planets. They were the prize colonies. Vulcan was a GEO 3 colony and had raging hot temperatures and an atmosphere with lots of carbon. The dome colonies existed there so that minerals could be harvested from its mountains. Minerva and Ceres were considered GEO 1 colonies. They had atmospheres comparable to Terra along with water. These two planets actually supported carbon-based life.

Like many youths on Terra, he was fascinated by stories and images of the planets’ landscapes. That was back when he was a kid. That was long before the death of his parents. It was a long time before he was convicted of insurrection and given a life sentence just like his fellow travelers.

He started to dwell on the past and on how he had lost his parents in a mysterious plane crash just as they were about to expose the oligarchs who controlled everything on Terra. He thought of his recruitment and training in the resistance. And finally, he remembered his arrest when he was knocked unconscious and handcuffed by a coalition soldier.

His mind stayed focused on past memories to the extent that he felt he was still on Terra. But then he felt himself thrust back into the current situation. The craft that he and his fellow passengers sat in was moving into a corridor of the commercial ship Magellan.

A series of gates unlocked and locked to isolate the drop ship. A computerized voice counted down from ten. The drop ship then fell from the hull of the mother ship. The craft’s engines ignited, and the drop ship began a controlled descent.

Hang tight, everyone, the ship commander said. We’ll be experiencing a lot of g-force and a bit of turbulence.

The vessel took a sharp dive through some clouds. Markus felt his stomach and bowels clinch as if they were retracting upward toward his ribs. The ship shook and rocked as it descended. The experience made Markus wish he was back in his cryogenic pod.

As the ship continued its descent, he could see what appeared to be land. It was Terra Mega, Minerva’s largest continent. When he was younger, he learned that it was twice the size of Asia. Most of the continent was in the northern hemisphere, and the southernmost peninsulas skimmed the equator.

The drop ship continued through the atmosphere. Markus could see a huge group of mountains to the north. The mountain chain seemed to split the continent like a wedge. There were multiple shades of green. He even saw some blues, violets, pinks, and rose.

Wow.

As the Magellan slowed down, Markus could see what appeared to be a herd of animals. He was still too high to see them individually, but it was still a sight to see dozens of lifeforms moving in unison. The herd was moving toward a river.

The commander of the ship said, Those of you with a window seat will have noticed those large animals roaming the prairies. The xenobiologists call them armataurus or armored bulls. They’re very aggressive.

Biology classes on Terra mostly focused on Terran organisms, so it was a shock for Markus to see these new animals firsthand. From what he could see, the animals looked like they were the size of elephants.

The Praetorian leader added, All the more reason notta attempt an escape. There are dozens of creatures that would love to eat you for a snack.

Hours later the ship slowed as it approached its destination. Markus could make out the general details of his new home. There were numerous buildings to the south, including what looked like a military barracks and a power plant. In the center there was a cube-shaped building that stood ten stories high. To the north there were dozens of dome-shaped buildings that stretched at least a kilometer high.

The compound was roughly twenty square kilometers and surrounded on all four sides by walls that stood almost ten meters high. More Praetorians were there patrolling along the wall. On each corner there were stations of heavy machine guns and missile launchers made to shoot down any enemy aircraft. Markus was confused by the configuration. He didn’t know whether they were trying to keep prisoners in or defend against outside attacks.

Within the walls and to the east and west sides of the compound were dozens of crop fields. Little figures seemed to be working in the fields. Markus could see some machines were gathering up wheat and other plants. He also saw cargo crafts ferrying miners to the mountains just north of the compound.

Listen up, said the guard leader. When I give the command, you’ll stand up and make your way to the rear hatch. That’s where the ramps are. Don’t try nothin’ funny, or you’ll get free dental work!

The ship maneuvered to a landing pad at the south end of the compound. Markus could feel the craft slowly inch down to the ground.

Thud! Thud! The ramps lowered from the rear hull while the ship stood on massive titanium legs. A moment later the restraints receded from Markus’s wrists and ankles. The other prisoners experienced the same action.

All right. Stand up! the Praetorian said.

One by one, the prisoners made their way to the ground. Markus was near the back of the procession. He looked out of the exit and was immediately mesmerized. As he stared at the open sky, he almost wept.

He could see varying hues of purple, pink, and orange. The colors seemed to blend seamlessly into one another as if the sky were a canvas. It was evening on Minerva, and he could see the gold sphere of Megastra as it appeared to dip below the horizon. There were no clouds, and he could see what appeared to be two moons.

He could not help but be paralyzed by the beauty of his new home. Prison or not, he felt he could fall in love with this planet. There were no such sunsets like this on Terra. The smog and pollution only allowed the city dwellers to see shades of gray and faint blue.

Suddenly, he felt a shove from the guard that woke him from his daydream.

Get moving, inmate, the Praetorian yelled at him.

Markus continued walking after he realized he was holding up the line. The line of prisoners marched a kilometer south of the landing zone toward a massive cube-shaped building.

Once he reached the cube, Markus could see more Praetorians in dark brown uniforms with their assault rifles at the ready. He wondered just how many mercenaries were needed for such an establishment.

Suddenly, it was Markus’s turn. He walked up to a short, bald Praetorian sergeant. His last name, Patterson, was stenciled on a name tape on his left breast. The Praetorian held a handheld data pad.

Name? the Praetorian said.

Markus Crowe-Valdez.

Ah, here we are, the guard said with a rolled ar at the end as he looked at his data pad. Markus Crowe.

The guard grabbed a plastic card with a square metal chip in its center. He gave the card to Markus while another guard removed the shackles from his feet.

This is your life, Mr. Crowe, said Patterson. "It has your medical record, criminal record, biography, and it serves as your bank card and room key. Do not lose it!"

Room 910, Markus said as he looked at the card.

That’s nice, the Praetorian said. Don’t try to jump out the window on the first day. It’s a long way down and a lot of goddamned paperwork! Now get to your dorm.

Markus walked through a vertical opening door and immediately stood next to four other inmates. He pressed the number nine and waited as they made their way up. Once he made it to the ninth floor, he navigated to his dorm. He passed by a room where several inmates were engaged in a card game. One of the inmates looked up. When he got to his dorm, he noticed a set of stacked bunk beds and a man inside doing push-ups with his feet propped on the lower bunk.

What’s up, man? the inmate said with a raspy voice as he finished his last rep. You must be my new roommate. The new guy.

Markus noticed the shorter, stockier inmate who appeared to be built like a bulldog, which was in contrast to Markus, who was tall and lithe. Markus tried to get an idea of his age, for the inmate looked to be older with his balding hair and salty goatee. In his late twenties, Markus still had his thick black hair.

Markus also noticed the man was out of his jumpsuit, wearing only tan shorts and a white T-shirt. He could see the man was of similar sepia-colored skin, and he noticed his various tattoos. Some were odd geometric designs. There was also an Aztec pyramid with a feathered serpent circled around it.

The man held out his hand and said, Name’s Alejandro Hernandez or Alex for short.

Markus took the man’s hand and shook it.

My name’s Markus Crowe-Valdez, but the Praetorian assholes like to shorten it to Markus Crowe.

Alex laughed. They are assholes, he said.

Just then two other guys approached the doorway to the room. Alex pointed at a tall, blond-haired man and a scrawny Asian. That’s Kurt Weisz and Frank Chen.

Nice to meet you guys, Markus said.

Maybe he can be of help to us in the Harvest Games, Frank said.

Harvest Games? Markus asked.

It’s a series of contests and sporting events that the administrators hold at the end of harvest season, Kurt said as he passed by.

Yeah, said Alex. The floor that gets a cumulative first place gets five percent added to their rations.

Oh, said Markus.

He wondered just what kind of competitions the inmates participated in. He wondered if the guards and staff got some kind of amusement or entertainment out of the games.

Markus then looked at the puke-colored yellow of the walls inside the dormitory. Alex picked up on it as he also looked at the walls.

Yeah, Alex said. The interior of this place is fucking ugly. I personally like looking at the outside of this place. On some nights I can get a good view from the window. The sunrises and sunsets on this planet are gorgeous. It’s one of the few things good about getting a life sentence here.

I agree, Markus said. I stopped in my tracks when I got off the shuttle. I guess that’ll be one of the good things here on Minerva.

So what are you in for? Alex asked.

Markus stood quiet for a moment and did not feel like talking about his alleged crimes.

Alex shrugged his shoulders and said, It’s cool if you don’t wanna talk about it.

Yeah, it’s fine, Markus said. I’m just really tired.

Markus put his stuff away and climbed up on the top bunk. He looked around his domicile and noticed a digital clock on the wall.

Alex smiled as he went back to his push-ups and said, Wake-up time is at 0730, and we have to be fully dressed and standing by the doorway at 0800.

Markus thought about it for a moment. This would be the rest of his life. A slave on a colony planet far, far away.

So what are we supposed to do here other than go to our rooms? Markus asked.

Since this is your first week here, you’ll go through processing, Alex replied. You’ll get all your uniforms, gear, and stuff. Later this week you’ll get your work assignments, which usually means either the farms or the mines.

I should have stayed in medical school and not joined the resistance, Markus said.

Ahhh, Alex said. The resistance? So that’s what brought ya here.

Those fucking oligarchs, Markus said as he thought about the corporate heads that controlled things back on Terra.

Ah, don’t dwell on it now, Alex said. This is only the first night of the rest of your life. All you need to think about is whether you’re going to be mining for minerals or harvesting turnips.

Markus laughed as he rolled to his side and set his head on his pillow.

The two of them slept in the dorm, oblivious to the chaotic events that took place outside the cube that night.

Chapter 2

The commander of the Praetorians, Major Kenneth Kaufman, was enjoying a blissful sleep in his king-size bed when he got the call from the watch officer. Sluggishly and angrily, he reached for the cylinder-shaped console on his nightstand and pressed the receive button. He wondered to himself if he would become worried or merely annoyed.

To his further dismay, it was a lieutenant from the air defense sector. The officer’s image appeared on the three-dimensional projector.

The major continued in his deep voice, Lieutenant, is there a reason you’re calling me at 0200.

The officer said, Sir, we have an unidentified craft approaching the compound.

Is it a ship? A drone?

I don’t know, sir, said the lieutenant. It’s not responding to our attempts at communication. And it’s speeding at Mach 10.

Mach 10? Kaufman asked as his blood pressure spiked and his pulse quickened.

Yes, sir. I’ve double-checked the equipment and ran a software diagnostics. It’s accurate. The craft is flying exceptionally fast.

Does it have a designator? Kaufman asked.

Negative, sir.

Fire the SAMs, Kaufman said. And use the rail guns as well.

Roger that, the lieutenant said.

Give me a situation report once you take it out.

Kaufman got out of his comfortable bed and strolled about his room in his gray underwear as he made his way to his wardrobe. Slowly, he dressed in his brown military uniform and boots. He was enjoying his sleep, but it seemed that someone had other plans for him tonight.

***

Sorina piloted her ship through the clouds of Minerva. According to her navigation systems, the human camp was close. Looking at the ship’s sensors, she noticed a spike of radiation coming from the compound. The amount was large enough to suggest either a reactor or some type of energy weapon. It was her duty to investigate all potential threats to planet Azar, so she accelerated her crescent-shaped craft.

The ship’s warning systems indicated that the humans were targeting her ship. Two missiles were headed her way. First, Sorina decided to take evasive actions and made her ship change direction and accelerate. The projectiles kept coming. Apparently, they were tracking her craft. With a few voice commands, she activated her ship’s pulse shield.

The two missiles exploded on contact with the shield. Her ship was not harmed. She laughed. What primitive weapons, she thought. She then commanded the ship to slow down, for she needed a safe spot to land and hide her craft. She spotted a cave in the side of a mountain that was only a short hike from the human base, and she decided to hide her ship there.

Immediately, she called her father, who was the leader of the Azari people. The three-dimensional image of Taro Mitra’s face appeared on the projection. His light green skin contrasted with his dark green hair and beard.

Sorina, what is your status? Taro asked in Azari.

I’ve landed on the human colony, Father. The craft is safe and hidden.

"Good work, my daughter. Work quickly. You know what you need to do. We need to know