Terra

By P E Mather

It all started with the lights failing on Jupiter... How did it end up like this?

Watching intently as one by one the domes begin to fill with light, Gabby waits for the remaining two to turn on. Frowning she asks, “Do the last two normally take a while?”

“No, the domes are timed to light up as soon as night falls…”

Vita and her crew explored the galaxy terraforming planets for the Federation, looked down on by everyone with a respectable job until it came to the lights failing on Jupiter’s Penta-dome.

Going down to investigate, they realised they got more than they bargained for, but it wasn’t in Vita to back down from a challenge… even when Commander Vox showed up with the crew of The Sentinel. Now the highest decorated faction and the lowest faction were about to be forced to work together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Oct 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781035802975

P E Mather

P E Mather for the most part grew up in a small village in Whittle-le-Woods with her family and friends, with a roaming imagination there was no end to the stories and tales she came up with, leaving random passages scattered throughout the house or squirrelled away in half-finished notebooks, from the greatly appreciated support from her mum and inspiration from her gramps, Paige was able to produce her first novel and will continue to share her stories with everyone.

Book preview

About the Author

P E Mather for the most part grew up in a small village in Whittle-le-Woods with her family and friends, with a roaming imagination there was no end to the stories and tales she came up with, leaving random passages scattered throughout the house or squirrelled away in half-finished notebooks, from the greatly appreciated support from her mum and inspiration from her gramps, Paige was able to produce her first novel and will continue to share her stories with everyone.

Dedication

I dedicate this to my mum, my biggest supporter and my gramps, my biggest influence and to my sons who love my stories as much as I do and my partner for re-reading the chapters over and over again just because I asked him to, you came into my life right when I needed you and you have been there ever since, I wouldn’t change that.

Copyright Information ©

P E Mather 2023

The right of P E Mather to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035802968 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035802975 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank everyone at Austin Macauley for supporting my journey of becoming an author; I really couldn’t have done it without you!

{1}

Vita Arbor sits in her captain’s chair reflecting on her life’s choices that led her to this moment; was it her excitement of seeing the wonders space and inter-galaxy travel had to offer? Choosing to carve her own path through the history of space travel? Was it being promoted to Captain at a young age? Or perhaps, more likely, it was her drive to bring life to the desolate wastes of space. Vita sits back, blowing into her coffee, a subtle smile on her lips—yes, all of that and more, she decides.

A young Second Lieutenant by the name of Mal anxiously taps his foot standing behind the Captain, his worry barely overshadowed by his own fear lets out an even more audible sigh, more audible than the consistent tapping of his right foot, Captain, what if the ice breaks underneath us? his eyes darting left to right across the window of the ship.

The ship, in all its 44-tonne glory, is just not heavy enough to break through the ice, Mal. Relax! Have a coffee, she reassures the anxious young man.

But even if there was a slight chance…

Chill out, Mal! The ice here is like 10–15 miles deep, we’re safe! Gabby, an unvetted and beyond overly optimistic engineer Vita picked up from Skaas Station, announces her presence as she enters the bridge removing her puffy coat and gloves. Mal bites his nails still unsure of the ship’s safety. Phew, even under the biodome, it’s still cold out there, Captain!

Vita takes another sip of her coffee looking out from her perch over the frozen lake watching the drill swirl round and round heading further into the ground. Well, you wanted to stay out there with B.A.R.B. She grins pointing to the coffee and hot chocolate machine perched precariously on the side.

I felt bad that she was out there all by herself! Gabby admits laughing, her black curly hair falling below her shoulders.

It’s just a robot… Mal points out confused by the anthropomorphism attributed to the robot.

Gabby turns to roll her eyes at the Second Lieutenant before taking a sip of her much-needed hot chocolate. B.A.R.B is much more than just a robot! She has a personality, likes and dislikes…

How does a robot have likes and dislikes? Mal takes his turn to roll his eyes.

Easy! She doesn’t like you and she loves me! Gabby sticks her tongue out causing Vita to chuckle.

B.A.R.B—a Bionano Agricultural Rooting Bot was created to assist the crew in their terraforming efforts of the frigid wastelands of Europa, under the safety of the biodome B.A.R.B patiently and dutifully watches the drill head deeper into the thick ice that would eventually reach the lake underneath. The crew had already scanned nine other lakes where the ice was thin enough to drill and this was the first without any signs of life that would be endangered by the terraforming operation.

A few hours go by since Gabby left for the ship, as night begins to approach a small repetitive beep and a flashing green light alerts the dutiful bot to the drill reaching its destination, in turn B.A.R.B lets out a long happy sounding whistle turning from the drill it pops its eight legs out from is ball like form which carry the bot back to the ship letting out a continuous array of excited beeps and tones.

Meanwhile on the ship, Mal and Gabby entered the med-bay where Dr Jenson Rhodes sits in his chair trying to concentrate on which assigned terraforming pod is best suited for the job, his salt and peppered faux hawk joining the slight hint of stubble across his chiselled jawline complimenting his piercing blue eyes. What are you two doing here? he asks not taking his eyes off the pods spread out across his desk.

Captain says you need to eat, so we brought you lunch since you never come to the kitchen anymore. Mal edges forward slightly the tray of food steaming away in his hand.

Set it down over there and leave, I need to concentrate. The two young crew members share a look before placing the tray down, Gabby decides to move in closer to see what the doctor could possibly be looking at.

What are you doing?

Sighing at the continued disturbance, Rhodes finally looks up to see the newly added face on the ship standing over his shoulder her eyes wide with curiosity. I am looking to see which pod is best suited for this type of environment, he answers curtly.

Oh, so how do you do that? They all look the same to me.

The pods are all different, you can tell which is which by looking at the markings. Rhodes rolls his chair away from Gabby as not to strain his neck talking to her, still giving vague answers in the hopes of her leaving quicker.

What markings? her eyes widen with excitement eager to understand more about the mission she has joined, Mal however stands biting his nails now leaning against the door, uninterested in the topic.

The markings on the pods… Rhodes replies crisply, his shoulders slumping as the young girl stares at him with her wide green and blue eyes, urgh, you’re not going to leave until I tell you, are you?

Nope. Gabby beams at the doctor.

Admitting defeat Rhodes gestures to Gabby to take a closer look while he digs out his tattered notebook on terra-pod markings. Okay, I really didn’t want to go into detail since I was busy, but here we go, he flips open to an intricately drawn and detailed version of all the pods created, see these markings on the first pod? They show that it will transform into a tropical climate, which as you can guess will not be compatible with this climate…even under the biodomes— Gabby looks to the marking on the page and then to the first pod on Rhodes’s desk.

Now what I am trying to work out is which of these last four pods will provide the most suitable environment, won’t cause issues to the local wildlife and unlike what happened last time, won’t result in weird creations… he turns to glare at Mal whose features turn to fear as he steps out behind the doorway, while you’re here, why did you hop onto our little mission anyway? Was it really to fix up an ever-breaking ship?

Hey! It worked out in the end! Mal defends himself, Gabby glances between the two men before shaking her head and continuing.

I have always wanted to see other planets, I grew up on Skaas Station and everyone who visited would always talk about what lies beyond the hangar doors, the people they’ve met, the places they have travelled to…my dad was going to take me one day, when we saved enough money, she beamed brightly only for a moment, unfortunately he passed away suddenly while working on a flyby, he fell from the top of the ladder…everyone thought it was the fall that killed him but when they autopsied, they found he had inhaled enough space dust to choke a Hollixni Desert Snake…my dad lived for me, he sent me to night school for my education even though it was expensive, and he always made sure I had a present on my birthday! She smiles sadly, remembering her father hurt very much.

Couldn’t you go anyway? I mean I assume he was saving up to take you away from the Skaas. Dr Rhodes felt something akin to empathy for the young girl and her tale, remembering his own parents scrimping and saving up all they could to get him into the Federation’s Academy Programme once the initial human restrictions were lifted.

We were in a lot of debt…they took all his savings when he died and I was left without anything to fall back on, that was until I met Captain Vita! She listened to me talking about my dad while I fixed the wing damage caused by the asteroid storm. Once I finished, she offered me a job fixing the Stell…she also promised to take me to the Jewelled Forests of Mars! she adds sheepishly.

Dr Rhodes chuckles to himself shooting Mal a look of amusement whereas Mal sighs slumping his shoulders, to everyone else the forest was likened to the Amazon Rainforest on Terra Alpha-1 in the early 2000s before it was targeted by deforestation, to the Federation however…it was the biggest blunder that cost billions in occupational and residential relocation.

{2}

To the other end of the Federation, sat Commander Magnus Vox of The Sentinel, a stern man with an impressive moustache, and a nearly impressive career record, his broad shirtless torso decorated with battle scars dripped with sweat as he hit his final pull-up in his own personal gym listening to the radio overhead, dropping to the floor Vox looks in the mirror his short cut black hair with the grey sides and thick eyebrows gives him his own distinguishable look being the oldest on the ship at 44 years-of-age, and in his opinion, the best looking.

A knock at the door disturbs his after-gym routine, his moustache bristles with disappointment as he gives the command for the door to open, standing in the entrance is Commander Vox’s opposite, a meek little man whose idea of fun is snitching on his co-workers to the Commander, also in Vox’s opinion has a rubbish moustache—Lieutenant Venenata Anguis stands snivelling behind his virtual-clipboard ready to list his multitude of grievances against his shipmates.

What is it now, Anguis? Vox sighs donning his tight military green shirt back on.

I have caught a number of men and women drinking after curfew! I told them to go back to their rooms and they laughed at me! his nasal voice grating on Vox’s nerves.

…It’s the weekend, they’re on leave, also there is no curfew on the weekend Anguis.

Oh…they still laughed at me, and I would like to make a formal complaint! he steps into the room, further annoying the Commander.

Denied.

But Commander I—

Denied.

Why? Stomping his foot like a spoilt child in requisition holds.

One, it is the weekend; they are free to enjoy themselves! Two, you always have an issue with people trying to relax, and finally three…you have just tracked mud from Corinthia onto my clean carpet! Vox shoves the weedy little man back out into the corridor, closing the door behind him, sighing in defeat the Commander looks to the red dirt pressed into the thick light grey carpet, that’s never going to come out.

As the Commander grabs a simple grey jacket from his wardrobe, a loud beep emanates from his desk computer indicating only one thing—Leave was going to be cancelled, looking over his shoulder to the desk one name crops up on the screen, Dr Lauren Lorem, the science departments overseer within the Federation and Head Researcher for the Council, a detail-orientated woman with a sharp mind, Vox had no choice but to answer the call.

Commander Vox, I will get right to the point; we need you and your team to head to Jupiter.

Sitting down across from the screen, Vox comes face to face with Dr Lorem, sat elegantly in her royal blue cheongsam dress, taken aback by the sight before Vox’s mouth drops slightly forgetting his place. Commander Vox, I am aware that I am dressed differently than how you normally see me, I had no time to change from tonight’s gala, we have an emergency. She shakes her head, her perfectly styled hair falling gracefully over her shoulders.

Blinking back to reality Vox clears his throat, his usual frown returning above his brow. Yes…what seems to be the problem, Dr Lorem?

Biodomes one and two have gone dark on Jupiter, three sealed itself off just in time, but…

What happened? his back straightens as he pulls his chair closer to the screen, his brows furrowing even deeper until his eyebrows cover his eyes, waiting for her response.

The R&D Department called over a week ago said they found something growing outside biodome one, after analysis it showed to contain a spore which unknown to the team released as soon as it entered the biodomes environment, thus making containment impossible. The fungus has been classified as a danger to public health…the spore in question caused a psychosomatic reaction in all who were exposed to it… Dr Lorem looks down at her lap, tapping on a separate screen before continuing, a member of the team believed there to be fire in their suit which resulted in burns appearing across his body and he died, this led to further incidents such as dry drowning, bee attacks and well…eventually chaos ensued. She sighs, saddened by the deaths of some of her closest colleagues.

Vox runs his hands down his face rubbing his eyes, looking to meet Dr Lorem in her dark-brown eyes. I am sorry, Lauren…what do you need us for? We’re all the way on Corinthia, it’s fourteen hours travel to Jupiter by Lightspeed. His attempt at sounding sympathetic is overshadowed by his gruff voice.

We sent a team down the moment Dome One went down, we initially believed the spore to no longer to be a threat since so much time had passed, it wasn’t until Dome Three sealed itself off and contacted us, by then it was too late, people were dying out on the streets, some were rioting and destroying everything in their path, we do not have a cure or treatment for what is affecting them… Her heavy silence makes it all too clear what she needs help with.

Vox simply nods. We’ll be there, Dr Lorem. She smiles sadly in turn before shutting off the call leaving Vox to stare at his reflection in the darkened screen, tapping his finger against his desk Vox takes a breath rising from his seat he heads out to the bridge of The Sentinel, just beyond the Commander’s door Anguis stood having listened to the private conversation of the Commander and Dr Lorem scuttles away around the corner as not to be caught eavesdropping, a cunning smile sits upon his face as he heads away to his personal quarters.

The bridge of The Sentinel was nothing short of amazing, from its polished panels to the Federation’s engraved insignia over the clear sight, each button and lever served its purpose, each crew member actively communicating and working as one. The Commander wasted no time in taking advantage of the empty bridge and sliding along to the Commander’s control deck in his socks, activating the broad communication system, it was with regret that Vox—and much to Anguis’s glee—announced that shore leave was officially over.

{3}

Back on Europa Phase One: Drilling had finally finished, and the crew of the Stella Primum were gathered around a very deep hole indeed, Gabby’s excitement slightly faltered as she peered into the depths of the underground lake, So…how long is it going to take for the pod to reach the bottom? she asks curiously.

Well, B.A.R.B should reach the bottom of the insertion point in about ooh thirteen hours, she’ll take the pod with her and that is where Phase Two comes in, Rhodes answers her, casually tossing the pod up in the air and catching it, enjoying the mild panic that Mal experiences every time he pretends to miss.

What’s Phase Two? taking a step back she places her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels, Mal who wanted nothing more than this to be over so he could go back in where it was warm rolled his eyes at the question.

Rhodes despite his curt nature shot him a look. Phase Two is what we call the Rooting process, which is what our lovely B.A.R.B was created for…she will spread her own ‘roots’ and hold the pod within her organic cavity here it will activate and begin sprouting. Once it is big enough to sustain itself, B.A.R.B will break down into her nano form and reassemble herself on the surface and wait for pick up or given the signal will join us if we’re busy. Rhodes presses the light green clover button on B.A.R.B’s front panel which opens up to reveal a small ecosystem of dirt, moss and a tiny waterfall like feature which will activate once she is at the underground lake, Rhodes carefully places the pod inside, sealing the small bots cavity up he taps another small green button sending the small robot on its way to the depths.

Wait! So, we’re just going to leave B.A.R.B! for how long? Gabby pouts, disheartened at the thought of leaving her robotic friend behind.

Three months give or take, it will send a signal to be picked up once it is finished with Phase Two, Mal answers stuffing his hands into the pockets of his red puffy coat, come on, let’s go back it’s freezing! already heading back to the ship, Gabby glances between the Second Lieutenant and the B.A.R.B, sighing Gabby gives a quick wave to the otherwise indifferent bot and runs after Mal.

Vita stood in the kitchen of the ship watching over a pot of stew bubbling away on the stove, occasionally stirring the pot her mind drifting aimlessly, one thought flittering away into the next, three hours had already passed since B.A.R.B began her descent, an audible sigh brings Vita back to her senses as she quickly looks down to the stew and then to the origin of the sigh, at the door Rhodes shook his head with a smile on his face. Where did you go this time Captain? He chuckles entering the kitchen he grabs a piece of partly frozen bread from the side tearing it apart and tossing it in his mouth.

Nowhere special Jenson, we’ll be returning home after this project is done… Vita’s eyes are distant.

Rhodes watches carefully, his own reasons to return to home were joyous, but for Vita going home seemed like a death-sentence. It’ll be alright; you know you’ve been gone for a while now.

Vita stops stirring offering up a small smile to Rhodes before pouring the stew into mis-matched slightly cracked bowls ready to serve up for her crew. I know, I just…my parents are such dicks. Her shoulders sag slightly. At that moment, Gabby bounds into the kitchen dragging a rather unenthusiastic Mal behind her.

Hey, Captain! What are we having today? Gabby’s usual cheerfulness fills the room.

Pork and cider stew.

Aww again? Mal and Gabby groan in unison, for the past week a variation of stews have been cooked up by the captain.

I’m sorry, but this is what happens at the end of our missions, we start throwing everything in together to make it last and to get it used up before we return home…plus we don’t really get paid much to have a wider stock of food… Vita shrugs her shoulders helplessly.

It sucks! We are the reason everyone can live on these planets and yet we’re looked down on worse than the space clean-up crew! Mal complains throwing his arms up in the air, before shovelling a spoonful of stew into his mouth and chewing angrily.

He’s got a point, Captain; the clean-up crew even get paid more than us, Rhodes adds, grabbing his own bowl and joining the others at the table. Vita sighs in response. They were right, of course they were right, but there was nothing she could do about it, hell, even requests to fix things around the ship were denied by the Federation.

Gabby, do you think you can work with what we have on the ship?

Of course, Captain, I had even less on Skaas, this should be no problem! The young engineers unwavering optimism to help her new family brings a smile to her face. Oh that reminds me! I fixed up the observation deck telescope using Mal’s broken magnifying box!

Brilliant! You and Mal go and enjoy your downtime there while Rhodes and I take over watch on B.A.R.B’s progress.

Nine hours pass since the small, orange bot began its solitary descent, the light from the biodome growing ever fainter. Gabby spins around on the chair connected to the large telescope on the observation deck waiting for Mal to join, sighing she heads over to the entrance looking for any possible sign of his arrival, Mal, are you coming or what! she calls to the empty corridor, a few