Procyon: Genesis Launch

By Don Gibbs

Procyon - Genesis Launch is the prequel to Procyon - Mission Genesis. It takes place 30 days before, and leads up to just before the events in Chapter 1 of Procyon - Mission Genesis. Follow the events of the launch of the Genesis EVU, all the way to where it is in orbit of Procyon 2. Experience the excitement and dangers of the launch, and all the events that surround our two heroes during their exciting adventure to another alien world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Don Gibbs
• Release date: Dec 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005329105

Don Gibbs

I am a native of, and live in Colorado. I am a retired software developer. I have always been a fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy. My favorite movies are The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit. My favorite TV series are Stargate SG1, Stargate Atlantis and Merlin. I have a very creative mind, and a lot of time on my hands. So I enjoy writing about my favorite topics.

Book preview

Introduction

This story takes place 30 days before, and leads up to just before the events in Chapter 1 of Procyon - Mission Genesis. Trevor Blake has jut been released from stasis, and is in the MedLab going through examinations. He is accompanied by Kara Waquer Smythe. The MedLab, in common with most of the ship, looks as though certain systems have been endlessly modified since the crash – and there has been little thought to any kind of final aesthetic. Parts that were old and well past their best have been recycled a dozen times over, every time for a completely different purpose. The whole ship seems quiet and still, with only the occasional computer contributing sounds which, most of the time, would go barely noticed.

Something is weighing heavy on everyone’s thoughts and little is being said. Dr. Sebastian Cole, the chief medical officer, is looking over a multitude of data. Trevor and Kara are clearly in the dark on the results coming through.

Chapter 1

Without ever looking away from the information in front of him, Sebastian speaks. So…did they re-instate you yet?

Trevor takes a moment to look at the Doc. Is that a medical question?

Is that a ’no?’ Sebastian inquires.

Trevor says nothing. The Doc carries on.

Kara speaks up. Doctor, I know these are not your usual circumstances, but we don’t have a lot of time.

Now the Doc looks up momentarily to Kara. Don’t you think I know that? There’s never enough time. With some dissatisfaction Sebastian puts a stop to the data screens and their readouts. For instance, I would need a team working on this data for weeks to come. I’ve been looking over some strange diagnostics lately from the crew manifest, but to be honest….

The pause draws a half-joking, half cynical inquiry from Trevor. Well…C’mon Seb, I’m all screwed up right?

I’ve told you a thousand times not to call me that. Sebastian throws an icy look at Trevor.

The Doc moves in closer, perhaps to save him from having to raise his voice. "Don’t think you’re fooling anyone Mr. Blake. In my strictest professional opinion I would say that the owner of those readouts would do well to form syllables; I would say that your brain , Trevor, is just about the strangest thing ever recorded in stasis. It’s almost as strange as some of Muskov’s…."

What’s that supposed to mean? Trevor inquires.

The lights in the MedLab are suddenly reduced in power. Some emergency lighting is available to assist the crew stations. The mood darkens. The entire ship seems to grow even quieter.

Then, General Waquer’s voice is projected over the Comm systems. It gets full attention. He sounds more reserved than usual.

This is the General with an all-stations alert. Repeat, all-stations alert. The Explorer has been placed on stand-by. Major system modifications will be in affect for the next one hour, expect some energy fluctuations through the ship. All containment protocols will be observed. External maneuvers are to be aborted, no exceptions. Ship-wide lockdown will commence in thirty minutes.

Trevor looks to Kara. No exceptions?

Before Kara can say anything a voice at the MedLab entrance interrupts, Naturally, except you two.

From the shadows, a sultry figure steps into the low lights. The woman is followed closely by two guards who station themselves outside. Katrina Dumet closes the door behind her, seemingly mindful of her own guard.

Kara wastes no time in addressing the Admiral. Admiral Dumet, we’re pretty much done here. Is everything ready?

And waiting. She then approaches Trevor and takes a close look.

Kara does not look happy with the Admiral’s proximity to Trevor. Katrina Dumet is consummately calm and collected, at least, it appears that way. She, like all the crew in Trevor’s newly awakened eyes, looks like they’ve been ‘entrenched’ in a war-zone for years. Though Katrina has, in her own way, managed it better than most, it