Rome looked down the aisle at the long rows of metal shelving that were used to hold the sarcophagi of Rei’s party on their extended journey to Deucado.
“It looks so much larger on the inside than the outside,” Rome said. She studied the middle section. A good portion of it was simply gone. “What happened there?” she asked, pointing.
“That was where MINIMCOM was, I guess, reborn,” Rei said. “That was where he was buried under the Ark. He had to slice his way out.”
Rome nodded. She turned and made her way forward, inspecting the metal cages closest to her which housed a second and more substantial set of shelves. Rome stayed away from the very front of the ship which had been sheared off in space, leaving razor sharp edges.
“Tell me again why there are cages?” she called out. She reached up and took a hold of the metal mesh fencing. She shook it with her hand. There was no give to it whatsoever.
Tomorrow, things start to fall into place as Rome starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
Entry 4-292: October 14, 2016
Gray and white
When Rome was underground with Bukky, he had read her a portion of the Deucadons history from a book called their Bible even though Bukky did not really know what that word meant. He had pointed out to her a phrase indicating that a schism arose between groups of his people and they called themselves the Grays and the Whites. At the time, Rome did not know what to think. It did not refer to their skin color or clothing. Now that she is seeing the Ark II up close, it begins to make sense:
“Tell me again why there are cages?” Rome called out. She reached up and took a hold of the metal mesh fencing. She shook it with her hand. There was no give to it whatsoever.
“The mission planners had to account for every scenario,” Rei replied. “It was possible that the Ark would not be able to land under its own power. So the sarcophagi in this section were especially hardened to survive a crash, even at terminal velocity. The cages were just to keep them from flying around too much just in case.”
Rome whipped around in place. “What color were these special sarcophagi?” she asked accusingly. “Yours was white.”
“They were gray,” Rei said. “Why?”
“Hmm,” Rome said. She turned and looked at the back again. “Bukky told me that when his Ark first arrived, his people split into two groups. They were called the Grays and the Whites. Based upon what he said, I now believe that refers to the color of the sarcophagus.” She looked back down the length of the Ark then again toward the front. She crossed her arms across her chest. “How were people selected to go into each group?”
“Do you want to know what they told us or do you want me to tell you what I really think?” Rei asked.
“What do you really think?”
“I think the people in the front were all military,” Rei said. “You saw how quick they were ready to go to war. Plus they knew about the weapons we carried.”
“Just like the Erklirte? The Ark Lords?” Rome asked.
Rei noticed that Aason was bending over to pick up a piece of metal. He cleared his throat and Aason got the message. He smiled at his dad and just batted his eyes.
“Maybe,” Rei answered his wife. “But from what you told me, the Erklirte were just bad dudes. The ones here, while they are kind of bloodthirsty, they seemed to have calmed down a little bit. The rest of us, the majority, we were just colonists looking to build a new world. I must admit, sometimes, I get the feeling we’re just their meat bags for doing the dirty work.”
“That’s what I thought,” Rome said, uncrossing her arms. “Let’s go to the cargo compartment.” She jogged back down the ramp. Rei picked up Aason so he could hurry down and follow her.
Tomorrow Rome makes a huge discovery. Not about something but about something that is not. I'm being cryptic but you'll see what I mean in the next post.
Entry 4-293: October 15, 2016
Rusty Spaceship 1
Yesterday, Rome and Rei paid a visit to the rusted out remains of Rei's Ark II. Rome discovered that about 20% of the colonists were packed into fortified and caged gray sarcophagi and the other 80% were interred in white sarcophagi. Rome now thinks this might be releated to the Bukky's forewarning about the Grays and the Whites. Having found this important clue in the front section, Rome decides to visit the cargo compartment for more clues:
“MINIMCOM,” Rome called out as she was walking, “can you contact my new OMCOM and have him send his livetar? I may need his help.”
“Of course,” replied her starship friend who was parked in a glade nearby.
They made their way along the rusting body of the Ark. It was massive. By itself, even without the propulsion module, the command module or the part of the front that was sheared off, it was still larger than the Algol. In total, Rei’s Ark when launched must have been bigger than any spacecraft she had seen. She stopped about halfway down the length of the cargo compartment and ran her finger along the hull. The orange-colored rust came off on her finger. She stared at it for a moment then showed it to Rei.
“I do not understand why your people, with all their advanced technology, would choose to build a spaceship out of iron. It is not the lightest of materials. Nor the strongest.”
“It’s pig iron, actually,” Rei said. “Not even steel. At least the top two thirds.”
“Why?” Rome asked, confused. “No one would build a spaceship out of pig iron.”
Rei set Aason down and put his hand against the Ark. Aason mimicked his father. Rei looked up at the top and shook his head.
“There are two reasons, actually,” he said. “One is trivial and the other is actually pretty clever.”
Tomorrow, Rei will enumerate the reasons why they did not build the spaceship out of more exotic materials like aluminum or titanium.
Entry 4-294: October 16, 2016
Rusty Spaceship 2
Yesterday, Rome and Rei had paid a visit to the rusted out hulk of the Ark II. Rome expressed surprise that anyone would build such a sophisticated machine out of such a pedestrian material. So Rei had to explain Rome that the Ark II was built out of pig iron for two reasons, one trivial and the other "actually pretty clever." Rome was intrigued:
“What are the reasons?” Rome asked.
“The trivial one is that when we got to our target,” he pointed to the ground. “The command crew had to do a spacewalk to split off the cargo compartment so they could land with the crew first.”
“How is that relevant?” Rome asked.
“Because nobody knew of any controllable propellant that would last for a few centuries.”
“Like our handjets?” Rome motioned with her hand, waving it up and down.
“Yeah. On our Ark, they had the solid rocket boosters for the SSTO module but nothing that could be throttled.”
Rome cocked her head. “So how does that relate to the pig iron?”
“Well, they knew that magnetic boots would always work. No need for hand thrusters. They needed a ferrous metal to stick. Like I did when I jettisoned the propulsion unit, remember?”
“Yes, I remember,” she said. “What is the second reason?”
“They figured when we landed, it might be a long time before we found and could mine ore. So by making the ship out of pig iron, they figured we could cannibalize it and make whatever we needed right away, just using the smelters. The lower third of the Ark is martensite, a kind of stainless steel. That was to be used for building shelters and what not.”
“Huh,” Rome said. “That is clever.” She looked up at the 21st century spacecraft. “But you didn’t need any of the metal, after all. That is why it is still here?”
“Exactly. Why cannibalize the ship when we have our friends the Vuduri? They pretty much give us whatever we need.”
What Rome and Rei did not realize is that if I had allowed the Essessoni to completely tear the Ark II apart, I would not hav
e the next scene wherein Rome discovers the missing data slab #20.
Entry 4-295: October 17, 2016
The Missing Slab 1
Yesterday, Rei provided Rome with an adequate explanation as to why the Ark II had not been completely torn apart by the Essessoni looking for building materials. This gave Rome an opportunity to explore the cargo compartment to the rear in her search for the mysterious (and missing) 20th data slab:
Rome smiled but it was a wan smile. Her eyes became defocused as she reconsidered the events that had occurred the previous evening. She didn’t have too long to think about it because the air shimmered in front of her and the new OMCOM’s all-white livetar appeared.
“You summoned me?” it asked.
“Yes, come with me,” Rome ordered and she charged ahead to the rear of the spacecraft.
The twin ramps used to unload the cargo compartment when the Essessoni first arrived were still in place. It was easy for Rome to make her way up into the huge vessel. OMCOM followed her with Rei making his way more slowly with Aason.
“It’s so dark in here,” Aason called out. He had his mother’s irods but he was just getting to the stage where he knew enough to be afraid of the dark.
“Allow me,” OMCOM said. His shoulders lit up and glowed with a bright white light, illuminating all the way down to the end of the vessel.
“Handy,” Rei observed.
Rome walked down the aisle slowly, stopping every few feet to look left and right. The cargo compartment looked messy and abandoned. Despite that, Rome could see how the sections were organized. There were labels on the walls but not much else. Outlines of whatever was stored here were etched in the dust. As they made their way toward the front end of the vessel, rows of storage lockers took up the entire left side. Each had a name tag above it. Rome realized that they were organized alphabetically. She quickly made her way to the aisle with the B’s and came to Rei’s locker. She pulled the drawer out and saw that it was empty.
“Pretty small, huh?” Rei said, coming up to her. “We weren’t allowed to bring much stuff. My music, straight razor, some books and a few changes of clothes were all.” Aason jumped up and down, trying to see what his parents were discussing. Rei bent over and picked his son up so he could see into the empty drawer.
“Hmm,” Rome said frowning. “I still may not have quite forgiven you for risking your life during your space walk just to retrieve your music.”
“But Romey,” Rei said plaintively. “It was for you, for us, for the trip. A year is a long time to go without music.”
Is Rei in trouble? It seems like so long ago and all’s well that ends well. We’ll see tomorrow.
Entry 4-296: October 18, 2016
The Missing Slab 2
Yesterday, examining Rei’s locker reminded Rome that Rei had taken an unauthorized trip, early on during their voyage from Tabit to Deucado. The incident occurred during Rome’s inspection of the cargo compartment of the Ark II. She decides to go deeper into the bowels of the spaceship to continue her search for the mysterious (and missing) 20th data slab:
“Hmm,” Rome said frowning. “I still may not have quite forgiven you for risking your life during your space walk just to retrieve your music.”
“But Romey,” Rei said plaintively. “It was for you, for us, for the trip. A year is a long time to go without music.”
Rome reached up, pulling Rei’s head down and kissed him. “I am kidding you,” she said, smiling. “It was very brave and very loving. I would do no less for you.”
Rei smiled back at her. Rome turned and walked further up the aisle almost to the very front. On the right were more shelves, cubby holes and lockers. She stopped and stared at a tall, thin compartment, labeled “Data.” Rome opened the door and peered into the empty locker. It had rails running up the side with slots built in.
“OMCOM, come here,” she said. The livetar came over to join her.
“What do you need?”
“How many data slabs would fit in this compartment,” she asked.
OMCOM put his hand inside and ran it along the bottom, the sides and the top. “Based upon the configuration, this compartment would hold nineteen data slabs,” the livetar said.
“Not twenty?” Rome asked, disappointment in her voice.
“No. Only nineteen.”
“That makes no sense,” she said. “I thought you said there was a 20th slab. Why wouldn’t they keep them all together?”
“They did, in a manner of speaking,” OMCOM said. He poked at the bottom of the locker at each of the far corners with his finger and a crack appeared. He tilted the piece of metal back and pulled it out, revealing a cavity.
Hmm. A mysterious secret cavity. I wonder what was stored there. If it isn’t obvious by now. I’ll tell you what it is tomorrow.
Entry 4-297: October 19, 2016
The Missing Slab 3
Yesterday, Rome, Rei and OMCOM were exploring the storage lockers in the rear of the cargo section of the Ark II. OMCOM discovered a hidden storage compartment within the locker. However, the compartment was empty. What do you think was stored there?
“They did, in a manner of speaking,” OMCOM said. He poked at the bottom of the locker at each of the far corners with his finger and a crack appeared. He tilted the piece of metal back and pulled it out, revealing a cavity.
“That is where they stored the extra slab,” OMCOM said. “No one would know it was there unless they knew it was there.”
Rei came over and took a peek. “That is so odd,” he said. “Why would they hide it like that?”
“Exactly,” Rome said. “Obviously, they did not want anyone to find it unless they were supposed to. They are keeping a secret.”
“Rome, I swear,” Rei said. “Those people are not like us. I’m beginning to think I’ll never understand their actions.”
Looking over Rei’s head, above the locker they just examined, Rome saw another, smaller locker. The label at the top said ‘S5 Vacc.’ Rome stood up on her toes and tried to open the door but it was sealed tight.
“OMCOM?” she queried.
The livetar reached up and ran his hands along the sides. One hand stopped moving and he seemingly pushed it into the compartment. Suddenly, the door popped open. He pulled his hand all the way out and stepped aside.
Once again, even standing on her tiptoes, Rome was too short to see in. “Rei, come look,” she said. “Tell me what you see in there.”
Rei studied the inside of the locker. “Nothing,’” he said finally. “Completely empty.”
“So what is a Vacc?” Rome asked, pointing to the embossed label over the locker. “I have never heard that word before.”
“That’s because vacc is not a word,” Rei replied. “Maybe it’s an abbreviation, for, I don’t know, maybe vaccine?”
“So you are saying this refers to an S5 vaccine?” Rome asked.
“I have no idea,” Rei answered. “Perhaps some sort of generic medicine in case we got space cooties or something.”
An S5 vaccine? If this doesn’t sound ominous to you, it should. Keep a look out for something like this:
Entry 4-298: October 20, 2016
Future General Hospital
Yesterday, Rome, Rei discovered a storage locker designated to hold a canister of S5 vaccine. Nobody knows what disease the S5 vaccine prevents. Yet. Rei speculated, jokingly of course, that it was for space cooties. But the actual reason behind it is far more sinister.
However, this raises the question of what will be the state of the medical arts in the 35th century? We know from both Rome's Revolution and Rome’s Evolution that the Vuduri don't really have doctors per se. Their medical professionals are more like medics. That's because the 24th chromosome has given them vastly improved immune systems and they just don't get sick. Of course there are accidents and people need splints and such but that's about it.
So
when Rei's back went out, it was OMCOM who had to come up with a cure. When Rei was paralyzed it was "Dr. MINIMCOM" who had to invent a VIRUS-enhanced surgery to repair the damage. We know that the Vuduri have hospitals. We saw one in Rome's Evolution and now in my new short story "The Invisible Man" which can be found in my new collection called The Vuduri Companion. But again these are mostly geared toward trauma and accidents and very little resources have been devoted to common diseases.
But what about novel diseases? We have diseases today that nobody heard of 100 years ago: AIDS, Ebola, Zika. Doesn't it seem possible that even more diseases will arise in the next 1400 years?
The answer is probably. But as I have claimed before and I will claim again, as a writer, I am lazy. I want to get on with the story so having to deal with such mundane topics as colds, the flu and other diseases seems boring to me. But this is where the S5 virus comes in. It is something the Vuduri have never encountered before and is the basis of the plot behind The Ark Lords. Stay tuned for a wild ride.
Entry 4-299: October 21, 2016
The Mini-nuke 1
It all leads up to this. I spent so much time preparing you with the bits and pieces such that when the time came you, as the reader, will buy all the elements. First, I introduced you to the concepts of mini-nukes, ostensibly for mining. They were constructed of a made-up isotope of thorium which had a nice, explosive pop, a half-life of 1700 years and also left no fallout or residual radiation. Next, I created a circumstance where it was necessary to place the Library OMCOM's memron storage structures deep, deep underground. I put Rei and Rome in the Ark II which is way far away from the Library so they were safe. Finally, I brought you a livetar of the Library OMCOM, a projection, into the cargo compartment of the Ark II, just as a foil for what happens next. So here it is:
“What are…” Rome’s question was interrupted as the entire cargo compartment shook. It felt like an earthquake. Both Rei and Rome reached for Aason. It was Rei who scooped him up in his arms. OMCOM’s livetar disappeared for several seconds before reappearing. Once it reappeared, the livetar phased in and out several times before stabilizing.