The Genesis Project

By Larry Payne

Earth was dying and the sleeper ship, Genesis I, was the first phase of The Genesis Project. She carried an advance party to C1789, a planet in what was deemed a habitable zone in the newly discovered Hemera system. Once revived, the crew would shoulder the responsibility of creating a new earth colony for Genesis II and the ships that would follow at yearly intervals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookRix
• Release date: May 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9783748740094

Book preview

Chapter 1

Max watched the big numbers of the countdown clock click down to zero. The starlines in the view port suddenly turned to a twinkling star field as the big sleeper ship dropped from hyper light drive.

Time to wake up, said the android pilot in a singsong voice as the lights in the cockpit flickered to life. He turned in his seat to watch the lights in the forward compartment flicker on. The sleeper ship’s fifty-year journey had entered its final stages.

Earth was dying and the sleeper ship, Genesis I, was the first phase of The Genesis Project. She carried an advance party to C1789, a planet in what was deemed a habitable zone in the newly discovered Hemera system. Once revived, the crew would shoulder the responsibility of creating a new earth colony for Genesis II and the ships that would follow at yearly intervals.

Max turned his attention back to the control panel in time to catch the first of the red sleeper pod lights blink four times and turn green. Life was about to return to Genesis I.

The android rose from his pilot's chair, left the cockpit and stepped through an adjacent hatch as a  white sleeper pod, marked with a big black number one on its end, hissed as its lid slowly lifted. He stepped up next to the open pod and quietly waited while Doctor Kenzi Sheppard’s eyelids fluttered open and she took in the sights and sounds around her. She blinked twice and smiled when her eyes focused on Max.

Welcome back, Doctor, greeted the soft-spoken android. He looked up at the numbers on the panel above the pod. Your vitals signs appear normal.

Thank you, Max, Kenzi replied, it’s definitely good to be back.

She sat up slowly, swung her legs over the side of the pod and waited for the wave of dizziness to subside. After a minute, Max held his hand out to her and helped her get both feet on the floor.

I expect you’ll  be wanting a big cup of hot coffee, said Max.

Kenzi chuckled. Yes, that would be nice.

Shall we? said Max and swept his arm toward the hatch.

Now I know how babies feel when they’re learning to walk, said Kenzi, taking a couple of unsteady steps.

Before you know it, you’ll be as good as new, said Max, walking behind the Doctor as she made her way toward the hatch.

They left the pod room and maneuvered down the long passageway toward the dining room. Max seated Kenzi at a long table with a long row of bench seats on each side and he disappeared through the swinging doors into the kitchen. He returned with a steaming mug of hot coffee. Black, if I remember right, he said and set it on the table in front of Kenzie.

You’ve done your homework, said Kenzi, smiling as she wrapped both hands around the mug.

I’ve had plenty of time, said Max.

Kenzi sipped her coffee and looked over the rim of the mug as Max sat down across from her. She wondered if the appearance of the ever-present smile on the android’s face was a hint at humor by its creator and his counterparts. She was curious to see if the androids piloting the following sleeper ships carried the same pleasant trait. She giggled softly as she took another sip of her coffee.

Did I say something funny? asked Max, cocking his head slightly.

Kenzi giggled louder. No, Max, it’s just nice to be up and about again.

In approximately thirty eight minutes the next pod will open, said Max. Your pod opened twenty two minutes ago and they are scheduled to open one hour apart. Everyone will need something to eat when they awaken. I’ll have to prepare a light meal.  He rose from the table and stopped midway through the double doors of the kitchen and turned back to Kenzi. Do you remember where sick bay is?

Yes I do, Max, thank you.

The android continued through the kitchen doors and Kenzi finished the coffee in her mug. She set the mug on the table and rose from her seat. You have work to do, Doctor, she reminded herself. Time to get a move on.

She turned left from the dining room and strode down the passageway until she reached the large MEDICAL sign. She placed her hand over the scanner next to the door and then stepped through the hatch when the door slid open.. She grabbed the white lab coat that hung on the peg on the wall inside the door and checked its large pockets to make sure her stethoscope was still there. Everything was as she left it and she slipped the coat on over her white jump suit. On the way to her desk in a corner of the room, she stopped at the sink near the desk and looked in the mirror.

You don’t look a day over thirty-five, she said, running her fingers through her brown hair. She didn’t really want to think about how old she really was.

She opened the top drawer of her desk and removed a watch. As expected the second hand had stopped, but she strapped it on her wrist anyway. At least it would make