ELLSWORTH

By Conrad Fjetland

The Mayflower has arrived back in orbit at Earth. But something is wrong. It appears that all human life on Earth is gone. Otherwise, the planet appears normal. What happened to Earth's population, and will it also happen to the crew of the Mayflower? The captain has decided that he must lead an exploratory team to the planet's surface to determine why the population is gone and whether it will also happen to him and his team. The future of the human race hangs in the balance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645592518

Book preview

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Ellsworth

Rebirth of the

Human Race

Book 2

Conrad A. Fjetland

ISBN 978-1-64559-249-5 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64559-250-1 (Hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-64559-251-8 (Digital)

Copyright © 2019 Conrad A. Fjetland

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books, Inc.

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Table of Contents

Preface

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

About the Author

Dedication

For my wife and family

Preface

When I was a boy in the 1940s and early 1950s, I spent a lot of time in Ellsworth, Iowa, visiting with my dad and aunt Ida and uncle Henri. I have many fond memories of the town and surrounding area and all the cousins I have in Iowa. As I began to write this series of books, I was looking for a small town as the setting for part of book two. Ellsworth seemed the ideal place.

The past few years I visited the town many times as I traveled between Minnesota and Texas or Arizona to learn more about the town and surrounding area. I found that Ellsworth hadn’t changed very much from my boyhood days. The family home is still there on Delphi street, and the water tower I climbed (and needed help from Uncle Henri getting back down) looks the same as it did in 1950. The main difference is Interstate 35 passing just to the east of town, but this proved to be a valuable addition to this story. Of particular help in restoring my memories of Ellsworth is the Centennial Story of Ellsworth, 1880–1980, by members of the Ellsworth Historical Society. It is noteworthy that my aunts Ida Fjetland and Millie Taylor and uncle Henri Fjetland were contributors to that history.

Of course, a lot of help from many people went into the writing of this series. First and foremost is my wife of over fifty years, Judy. I have always had her full support as this work developed. She has edited numerous drafts, helped me with character development, and talked me through sections of dialogue. She never doubted that I would complete what I had started. But most important is Judy’s faith and understanding of the Bible. Over the course of our marriage, Judy has led me to a closer walk with the Lord and the principles I have tried to emphasize in this book.

Next, I want to thank my three children, Kristin, Conrad, and Laura. Laura and Kristin, both teachers, have also read numerous drafts and provided important content and editorial feedback. Conrad provided helpful information concerning genetics and biochemistry. They had also provided the encouragement and help I needed when things were going slow. Several other people, too many to mention by name, have read early portions of this series and provided valuable feedback as the final version emerged.

Finally, I want to thank those who brought this work from a manuscript to a published novel. An agent, Jim Hart, although he couldn’t take on the project because of other commitments, provided valuable guidance in how to improve an earlier draft. Kolleen Taylor, my cousin and a librarian in Iowa, provided valuable insight in how to make the book more readable for its intended audience. Finally, all the folks at Covenant Books who agreed to make this project a reality.

I hope all who read this will enjoy it as much as I did in writing it. Thank you for reading my fictional story of a possible future.

Chapter 1

You’re going to lead a team to the surface, aren’t you? Sarah said as she floated into Morgan’s office.

I have to go, Sarah, answered Morgan. It’s my responsibility. It’s my duty to do everything possible to get us home. The only way I can do that is to find out what happened and whether the Earth’s environment is safe for us to land.

I know you think your responsibilities as captain mean you need to lead an expedition to the surface, argued Sarah. But you are also responsible for this ship, not to mention our family. We don’t even know what the risks are. Wouldn’t it be better if someone else served as the guinea pig? If there is something on Earth that kills everyone, or otherwise makes it uninhabitable for us, you will be needed here to make the decision as to what we do next.

"Sarah, you know that we really don’t have any alternative. If we can’t solve this problem and find a way to live on Earth’s surface, there won’t be any decision to make. We can’t go anywhere else. Even if we stay in orbit, how long will we survive? The Mayflower is nearing the end of its life expectancy. It isn’t safe enough to make a flight back to Epsilon Eridani or anywhere else." Morgan knew that Sarah was not just worried about him as captain of the Mayflower. He was also her husband of twenty-seven years. She could not bear the thought of losing him while she was left behind in space.

That’s true, but it could keep us alive for many more years before it finally breaks down completely. With Judy’s and Sam’s help, we should be able to figure out why our food production is declining and keep the hydroponics producing for a long time. If the Earth is still toxic to human life, that doesn’t mean it will be so ten years from now, said Sarah. We can just wait here in orbit until it’s safe to go down.

That is a pretty dismal alternative, isn’t it? Morgan replied. "We didn’t volunteer for this mission to live our lives in a box. When we left Earth years ago, we wanted to find a place where we could establish a new population of humanity and raise our families with the moral values we believe. We were disappointed that the second planet of Epsilon Eridani would not give us a reasonable chance of survival. The safety of our families was one of the main reasons we decided to return to Earth, instead of embarking on a risky flight to Tau Ceti. But ten more years of weightlessness sounds worse than whatever waits for us on the surface. We certainly didn’t expect to find no one here to greet us, but that’s the way it is. The questions now are, what happened, and will it happen to us if we land?

Besides, the only other person on this ship qualified to assess environmental conditions is Laura. She will probably volunteer immediately once I ask for a team. But we all know that any expedition to the surface may be a one-way trip. Unless we find that whatever happened is no longer a threat, those exposed to the environmental conditions on Earth cannot be allowed to return. Laura has three small children. Ours are grown now. It makes more sense for me to go, so that’s what I want to do.

Why do you always have to be so smart, Sarah capitulated. Everything you say makes perfect sense. But what kind of a partner would I be if I didn’t put up a good argument to keep you by my side? I knew from the minute we realized an exploratory mission to the surface was the only way to find answers to this mystery that you would be leading it. Actually, I wish I could go too. But I won’t volunteer because I don’t want you to reject me, and I’m pretty sure you would.

You’re probably right, Sarah. I would have a hard time justifying the need for an expert on quinoa production and use. On the other hand, we’ve been together for a long time. Since we left Earth, I don’t think we have been out of each other’s sight for more than four hours at a time. I remember an old saying that fits us. We are joined at the hip. Part of me says we should face this challenge together. I don’t like the possibility that tonight might be our last night together—if not forever, at least for a few weeks or more.

Then I’m ordering you to find the problem and fix it. I can handle you being away for a few days, but that’s it.

Aye, aye, my dear. I shall return, quipped Morgan. He thought about that for a second. Actually, I don’t want to return. I want you to be joining me on Earth.

That gets my vote too, offered Sarah. On a more serious note, I assume you have worked out your plan of attack in your head. How are you going to proceed?

We are currently parked in a geostationary orbit about twenty-six thousand miles above Kansas. From this altitude, we can tell that there are no signs of the industrial society that existed when we left, but that doesn’t mean there is no human life at all. So, the first step is to get lower and gather more information. I want to take a shuttle down to a low Earth orbit about two hundred miles above the surface. At that altitude, our digital imaging equipment should be able to distinguish things the size of a basketball. Morgan’s mind took a brief detour off track at this statement. Do the younger crew members even know what a basketball is? he thought. Once there, we should be able to get a better sense of what might have happened. If I don’t see any obvious reasons not to go to the surface, but at the same time I can’t determine what happened, I think the only alternative is to continue on down. As I said before, we need to find out what will happen to us if we land. We may not like what we find, but what else can we do?

Do you know yet who will go with you? Sarah asked.

"Not yet. I have a pretty good idea of the skills I want with me, but they should all be volunteers. I was just about to make an announcement when you floated in. I expect many crew members will want to be a part of the landing party, so I will ask them to submit their names to the computer by six this evening. That should give any prospective volunteers time to consult with family members and friends before they throw their name into the hat. I see no reason to delay this, so I will work with Purple after dinner and select who will go with me.

Speaking of dinner, what creation are we looking forward to this evening, my dear?

Erica Vollbrecht told me tonight was a special occasion, even with our uncertain future. So, to celebrate our arrival in orbit, she has created a steak dinner. At least that’s what she called it. We shall see. Actually, it’s been so long since any of has had a real steak, I don’t think we will know the difference.

Quinoa steak—what will you guys in the galley come up with next? After I put out the word for what we are planning to do, I want to spend a couple hours in my office going over maps of Earth that Purple has in its files. I will drop by our quarters about five and we will go and enjoy the feast.

Sounds good, said Sarah as she pulled herself over to Morgan’s chair and gave him a kiss on his forehead. Get there a little early. We need some quiet time.

Will do, said Morgan as Sarah pushed herself out of his office on the way to the galley deck.

Morgan spent the next fifteen minutes going over what he was going to say before opening a crew-wide channel on his personal communicator. "Crew of the Mayflower, he began, I know you are all anxious to know what we are going to do to complete the last leg of our journey. Here is what we know. Since we left Earth on August 1, 2072, over twenty-one years’ ship’s time and over thirty-three years Earth time, have elapsed. Purple tells us that the current date on Earth is March 22, 2106. I told you a couple of days ago that the power grid on Earth was no longer functional. There is no apparent sign of a global natural disaster or worldwide warfare. Now that we are in orbit, all indications are that everything on Earth appears normal, with one exception: there are no people—at least no signs of an organized society. We don’t know why, but there certainly is a strong possibility that if we disembark, we could be exposing ourselves to whatever calamity has befallen the Earth’s population.

"We also know that our alternatives are limited. The Mayflower is getting old, and undertaking another interstellar voyage would be very risky. Further, where would we go? We left Ararat because the chances for survival there were very low. Since we left orbit around Epsilon Eridani’s second planet nearly eight years ago, we have heard nothing from the colony or Nels’s little band. You all know the colony told us they would not communicate with us, and they have not. Before we got out of communicator range of Ararat, Nels told us he had removed the receiver from the shuttle Orion and was working to get it operational. However, he did not have the power source available to get the transmitter side of the system working, and we have heard nothing from Nels since we were out of communicator range. We sent a message to both the colony and Nels, explaining our situation this morning, but even if they receive it and choose to respond, it would be many years before we could receive that response.

"The bottom line is we have to determine what happened on Earth and whether it is safe for us to land. If Earth is not habitable for us, we will then have to choose between three very risky options: go back to Epsilon Eridani, go someplace else, or stay here in orbit indefinitely. So, the first step is to try and find out what happened. To do that, we need to send a team to the surface. In that regard, I am asking for volunteers for that mission. But you need to understand what it means to volunteer. You will, in all probability, never be able to return to the Mayflower. If the demise of humanity is the result of some pathogen, whether known or unknown, we cannot risk introducing it into the Mayflower. Therefore think carefully about what it means to sign up for this mission. Take the time to talk it over with your family and friends. If you chose to be a part of the team, you may assimilate a fatal disease as soon as you are exposed to the atmosphere. You may succumb to some other as yet unknown calamity. Even if you live, you may never be able to rejoin your family and loved ones.

While I will need certain skills among the parties to this mission—including obviously, a shuttle pilot and someone with medical expertise—I don’t want to discourage anyone from applying. If you are interested, please let Purple know by six this evening. I will review the names and backgrounds of those that volunteer and notify each one that I pick for the mission. I believe we need to know what has happened as quickly as possible, so we will be getting underway in a shuttle tomorrow. Keep this in mind as you consider whether or not to volunteer.

Morgan closed the crew-wide channel and called Christopher Vollbrecht, the ship’s morale officer. What do you think, Christopher, will I get many volunteers?

Well, you certainly didn’t give them much time to think about it, but I bet you will. Everyone is worried about what we have found to date, but they are also sick and tired of being on this ship. I think plenty of them, particularly those without families of their own, will be willing to take the risk. To be honest, I am thinking about putting my own name in, although I have no idea how my training would be of benefit to the team. By the way, what are you calling this team?

As to the name, I guess ‘survey team’ works best, said Morgan. "That doesn’t sound as dismal as some names I can think of. I said I didn’t want to discourage anyone from volunteering, but for you, I will make an exception. The Mayflower will need you if this mission goes bad. In addition, you have a three-year-old daughter who needs a daddy. I’m pretty sure Erica will agree with me. Speaking of your wife, I hear she has drummed up a steak dinner for celebration of their arrival in Earth orbit."

That’s what she told me. I am curious how it will taste. To be honest, I’m not sure I remember what real beef tastes like. I was only ten when we left Earth.

I can relate to that, said Morgan as he closed the connection.

Morgan spent the next hour in his office reviewing geographical maps of the Earth. At about 4:00 p.m., he called Sarah and told her he was on the way to their cabin.

Good timing, she said. Anne just dropped off Brittany for a few minutes. I think she wanted to talk to Ben about the shuttle mission you announced.

Morgan wondered if Ben was considering volunteering. He was their oldest child at twenty-four and was an expert in long-range communications systems, like those used to communicate between the Mayflower and Earth and Ararat. He had married Anne Montgomery in 2091, ship’s calendar, and Brittany was born ten months ago, just a week before the Perry-Warner engines were started to decelerate the Mayflower into the solar system. Brittany was Morgan and Sarah’s first grandchild, and he was thrilled that he would have the opportunity to see her before he left on the mission to the surface.

Morgan quickly pulled himself into their small cabin where Sarah was strapped into their double lounger and holding Brittany on her lap. How is Brittany adjusting to weightlessness? he said as he adjusted his restraining straps next to Sarah.

Not too well yet. She was just starting to walk while holding on to something when the engines shut down. She seems very confused right now. I can’t let her go on her own. She will fly across the room and could hurt herself.

Let me hold her for a few minutes, asked Morgan. I may not get another chance until we are all together again down on Earth.

I wish I could be as positive as you, answered Sarah as she passed Brittany into his arms. I am very worried, not just about you going down first but about our future in general. What could have happened down there? And will it happen to us too? Promise me again, Morgan, that you will be safe and we will be together again soon.

I promise, he responded, attempting to sound confident. But he knew it was a promise he should not make, and he was pretty sure Sarah knew it also.

Morgan and Sarah spent the next few minutes in silent thought until Brittany started squirming in Morgan’s arms. Morgan loosened his hold to just one foot, and she floated up toward the ceiling of their cabin. Then she started laughing as she looked down at Morgan and Sarah. I think she will get the hang of weightlessness pretty quick, laughed Morgan as he pulled her back onto his lap.

A few minutes later, Ben and Anne came down the corridor and drifted into the cabin. Before you ask me any questions, Ben said, cutting off his father, I’m going to volunteer for the mission to the surface. I want to do what I can to get Anne and Brittany off this ship as quickly as possible. I think my expertise in communications systems could be very valuable for the team.

Morgan agreed with Ben that a communications expert would be valuable to the team, but he saw other problems if Ben was part of the team, However, it was not the time to discuss those concerns. Okay, Ben. Thanks for letting me know was all Morgan said in response. What Morgan didn’t say was that Ben would be the man of the family if anything happened to him.

We are heading down to the galley for dinner, said Sarah to Ben and Anne. Do you want to join us? Erica says she has whipped up a real treat.

That’s what I understand, said Anne. Quinoa steak. I think I heard some mooing coming from the galley prep room. But we have some other things to do. We’ll see you later.

Your loss, said Morgan laughingly. Sarah, let’s go and enjoy the feast. He and Sarah left their quarters and worked their way down to the galley. After being under gravity conditions for three hundred days, they had to be careful not to get going too fast in the central companionway. Sarah told Morgan this was another reason to quickly resolve what had happened to the Earth’s population. She did not want to spend another extended period of weightlessness on the Mayflower.

Morgan, Sarah said quietly as they fastened themselves into galley seats, I hope you will not consider Ben for this mission. He is our only son. If I were to lose both of you, it would be more than I could bear.

Unless I have no other volunteer with his expertise, I will not select him, but it’s not for the reason you stated. We have no idea what we might face once we are on the ground. I may very well have to make life-and-death decisions on a moment’s notice. His presence could cloud my judgment in an emergency situation.

Thanks, Morgan. Having you to worry about will be more than enough. Say, this steak is actually pretty good.

After dinner was over and Morgan had to agree the steak was pretty good, he returned to his office to select the exploratory team. When he arrived a few minutes after six, Purple told him there were 340 volunteers. I broke them into the skill areas you suggested, said the computer. Two hundred and eighty of the volunteers did not fit into any of the categories you identified as desired for the landing party, so I have put them into one group called ‘other.’ There is more than one volunteer for each of the desired disciplines. I have included personal and professional data for each of the crew members that volunteered.

Morgan spent the next hour looking over the names and deciding who he would have accompany him on the team. It was not an easy task, but finally, he had his list. He then called each crew member he had picked, told them what responsibilities they would have, and gave them an opportunity to change their minds. None of them did.

Morgan explained to them that he would serve as team leader and would also fill the role relating to environmental and ecological investigations. He selected Kristin Simmons, Laura’s mother, as the shuttle pilot. She was fifty-six years old and had extensive shuttle experience, both on Ararat and on Earth as the Mayflower prepared to depart in 2072. The next team member he called was Julia Sanchez, Sandra and Miguel Sanchez’s daughter. Julia, twenty-six years old and unmarried, was a well-qualified physician. The fourth team member selected was Andrew Cibulski. Andrew, forty-three years old, was a skilled epidemiologist who had spent his time on the Mayflower assisting Dr. Sanchez, ensuring that no infectious diseases were present on the ship. He had been married, but his wife was one of the volunteers that stayed on Ararat. The next team member Morgan called was Leonard Carston, an assistant systems engineer. Leonard, thirty-two, had a knack for fixing equipment of any kind. Leonard was also unmarried, but Morgan knew he was close to a woman named Yvette Knutson, who worked in the galley with Sarah. Morgan’s sixth selection was Alicia Bartholomew, a forty-eight-year-old analytical chemist that monitored the Mayflower’s air and water quality. Alicia’s husband was one of the twelve crew members that died when the Mayflower began deceleration into the solar system. She had shown no signs of forming another relationship since his death. Morgan also selected Nathan Montgomery. Nathan, twenty-four and single, was a friend of Ben’s and had been working with Ben and John Malcolm to design an improved interstellar communications system intended to reach Nels’s group on Ararat. He was an expert in operating and repairing communications equipment. Morgan was glad to have him as an alternative to Ben. The eighth person selected was a young geologist named Carolyn Pasternak. Carolyn, thirty years old and married to one of the hydroponics staff biologists, had been a student of Nels Brunken before Nels left the Mayflower and was now Phil Cavuto’s primary assistant. Finally, Morgan added a ninth person to the team, Bob Workman, the son of the Mayflower’s systems officer, Samuel Workman. Bob, now twenty-eight, was married during deceleration and did not yet have any children. Bob had volunteered, but he was a fitness expert, not considered a needed skill for the team. However, Bob was also trained in the martial arts. Morgan was concerned about unknown potential dangers on Earth and wanted someone that was responsible for security and defense.

When Morgan called Bob, he told him to check nine laser weapons out of the ship’s armory