The Environmentalist: One Man’s Fight for a Planet’s Future

By Ben Patterson

Evan Moreau has spent his life exploring alien worlds, mapping ecosystems, and charting the unknown to secure humanity’s future among the stars. His latest mission, Gemelo 3, seems like paradise—rolling meadows, fertile lands, and a world ripe for colonization. But beneath the beauty lies a delicate balance: herds of massive, ancient creatures roam the lands, their existence essential to the planet’s survival.
When corporate greed threatens to wipe them out, Evan must rally settlers, scientists, and marines to find a way forward. As alliances form and betrayals surface, the battle to preserve Gemelo 3 becomes a test of innovation, resilience, and humanity’s ability to coexist with the natural world. With time running out, can Evan convince those in power to do what’s right before it’s too late?
The Environmentalist is a gripping tale of exploration, survival, and the cost of shaping a new world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9781300807933

Book preview

The Environmentalist is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

The Story:

Evan Moreau has spent his life exploring alien worlds, mapping ecosystems, and charting the unknown to secure humanity’s future among the stars. His latest mission, Gemelo 3, seems like paradise—rolling meadows, fertile lands, and a world ripe for colonization. But beneath the beauty lies a delicate balance: herds of massive, ancient creatures roam the lands, their existence essential to the planet’s survival.

When corporate greed threatens to wipe them out, Evan must rally settlers, scientists, and marines to find a way forward. As alliances form and betrayals surface, the battle to preserve Gemelo 3 becomes a test of innovation, resilience, and humanity’s ability to coexist with the natural world. With time running out, can Evan convince those in power to do what’s right before it’s too late?

The Environmentalist is a gripping tale of exploration, survival, and the cost of shaping a new world.

The bar was dimly lit, a haze of blue neon casting long shadows over the cracked leather booths and scuffed tables. In the corner, a holographic jukebox hummed a melody from Earth—nostalgic and aching, like a memory just out of reach. At the bar, Evan Moreau swirled the amber liquid in his glass, watching as it caught the light like a dying star.

Five years is standard for a reason, he said, his voice low but firm. If we cut corners, we’re going to miss something. We always do.

Across from him, Harlan Drake, CEO of Frontier Horizons, leaned back in his seat with a sigh, his salt-and-pepper hair glowing faintly under the neon lights. Evan, you know we don’t have five years. Hell, we barely have five months before the creditors start pulling the plug on this whole operation. Gemelo 3 is as close to perfect as we’re going to get. Atmosphere’s breathable, water’s clean, gravity’s manageable. What more do you need?

Evan shook his head, setting his glass down with a soft thud. What more do I need? How about a detailed orbital analysis to make sure the planet’s axis doesn’t shift every ten years? How about soil samples to confirm we’re not planting crops in arsenic? And while we’re at it, maybe a survey of the local fauna to ensure they don’t see humans as a convenient snack.

Harlan smirked. You’re always so dramatic. Look, the data we have is promising. A little faith wouldn’t kill you.

Faith doesn’t stop a colony from dying in their second winter when the planet’s weather patterns shift unpredictably, Evan shot back.

Harlan leaned forward, his voice softening, though his tone remained resolute. Evan, I get it. You’re passionate. That’s why you’re the best at what you do. But Frontier Horizons is hanging by a thread. The board wants results, not caution. They’re already calling this your last chance to prove that these surveys are worth the investment. If you don’t fast-track this planet, they’ll replace you with someone who will.

Evan felt his jaw tighten, his fingers curling into a fist around his glass. It wasn’t just his job on the line—it was the lives of every person who’d one day call Gemelo home.

Do you know how many colonies have failed in the last decade because of rushed surveys? he asked, his voice low but edged with steel. Fifty-three. Fifty-three worlds that seemed perfect until they weren’t. Entire families wiped out because someone like you decided the numbers were ‘promising.’

Harlan sighed again, this time with less impatience