Eden's Chronicles (part 3 - Seasons): Takes place in New Pacifica, shortly
before their second spring. Devon is still in cold sleep.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++
Voice of Yale: "Life in New Pacifica is finally starting to follow a routine. For so many months, every day we encountered new roadblocks but now the bulk of the planning is behind us and life is more structured. The hospital is operational, Julia is quiet pleased. She believes Dr. Vasquez will find the modifications acceptable; he'll have to since there are no other options. Due to the re-engineering the crops from the seeds we took from the stations are thriving in their domes, while the fields with native plants are also doing well. The communal buildings, such as government offices, school, library and shops are also built. Housing is also in good shape due to some improvising and at the cost of some of the "luxury" items such as fitness center's locker rooms and laundry facilities. Devon had reworked several designs while we were in route, in order to be more ecologically friendly; once again the ops crew managed to improvise something so that her new designs were implemented. There are still some pods unaccounted for so there is still hope that additional housing units will be found. Unfortunately, the manufacturing plant, which combines recycling and production, is currently on hold since some of Devon's changes have proven a little difficult to implement with the current supplies. Allison Denner, the only member of the manufacturing plant with us in New Pacifica, has been working with Bess setting up some of the communal buildings while waiting for the plant to be built. We have also not given up hope for finding members of 3rd pod.
Terrian activity has been minimal; I guess that they hibernate during this period. I know that John is relieved that Uly has not been called for more training. Uly is still practicing lightening and is quiet good. He and True are also busy with helping Mazatl with the livestock. Although Mazatl is part of the Ops Crew and never suppose to set foot on the planet; he has a real affinity for it. He is especially good with the care of the livestock. One of the missing members was assigned this task but luckily Morgan and I have been able to find sufficient information to aid Mazatl with this endeavor.
Morgan has also been working with John to get the communication grid up and running. Now that we have the VTO, we lose contact with the scouts because the distance they travel is outside the gear's range. John and Morgan have managed to tap into Reilly's satellite to assist us in this area. At first they kept this information to themselves until they could determine if it was feasible. Since both men were concerned about using this equipment, only one set of gear was used to communicate with the satellite, until a filtration system which cuts off the transmission of information to and from other systems until it passes several virus scans, was in place to ensure that no virus could be downloaded. Morgan was able to access specifications for John to build hardware while he worked on the necessary software and procedures to ensure that new virus could not slip through. The work has paid off and now we are able to keep in touch with VTO.
Life on a planet never ceases to amaze me. On the stations, everything was artificial. Temperature, precipitation to crops, wind and daylight were all controlled carefully. Here on the planet, we are helpless to control the environment; the best we can hope for is to be able to take shelter during a storm and pick up the pieces when it is over. I continue to monitor orbital variations and recalled the previous year, when Morgan and Bess had brought about spring. I have to admit that I am perplexed that what amounted to manual intervention was required to bring about the changes in season. This appears to defy science; the rotation of the planet should cause the seasonal variations; no outside assistance should be required. If the planet needs help, then we could learn to control the environment just as we did on the stations; growing seasons could be extended; droughts and extremes would not occur. As attractive as these sounds, I believe that we would do harm to the planet if we were to pursue this; but I am not sure how we could prevent it. Another thing that surprises me is the amount of bones surrounding the pit where spring erupted. From the recordings that were taken the previous year; the amount did not seem to account for generations of seasons, although I must admit that we only had recordings from one section of the pit; the other areas may have been more abundant in remains.
I have carefully reviewed the records that were contained on the satellite; while interesting, they do not provide me much information. I need more data for my research and am hoping now that the colony, although not complete, is in good shape, that I will be allowed that luxury."
Danziger and Walman were in the library reviewing old blueprints to see if there were any housing designs that could be built with the miscellaneous supplies they had available. The units built from the recovered pods resembled a Condominium complex from the late twentieth century. So far 225 units had been built but the pods containing the remaining units had not been recovered yet.
"All we need is 25 units. Maybe 25 families will decide to go back on the colony ship." Walman stated.
"You're lucky Devon isn't around to hear you say that. Besides, we need more then 25 units." At Walman's confused look, Danziger continued. "25 more units will cover the families but not the personnel that is coming to support them or the Advance team. I think we're going to need closer to 75 units. "
"Man, we don't even have enough supplies to build the 25 units, no way can we stretch it to be 75 units."
"The invoices show 450 units. Devon never reduced the number of units when families started backing out. I guess she figured that they could be used for future growth. So even if we don't recover all the units, we could have enough. I wish that we could find the pod with the second VTO, then we could double the search effort."
"We've been pretty lucky so far so there is still some hope. Worst case, we double up until we can construct the units that the colony ship has." Walman returned.
"John, I have a favor to ask." Yale interrupted.
"Sure, anything." Danziger immediately replied. Yale seldom asked for anything yet was always willing to assist others. Danziger wasn't sure how he would manage the kids if it weren't for Yale.
"As you know, I have been monitoring the weather patterns. So far I have been fairly accurate." At Danziger's nod, Yale continued. "I have been using the surveys that we brought from the stations as well as the information I gleaned from Reilly's satellite. From this information I have been able to predict the cold fronts and severity of the winter."
"You were right on target with your prediction of a mild winter." Danziger replied.
"That's just it. How could I forecast the winter from reviewing data if manual intervention is required in order to change the seasons."
"I don't understand." Danziger responded.
"Last spring, Bess and Morgan brought the pollen from the flower to the pit thus invoking the change of the season. If this is true, I am surprised that the data I have reviewed would allow me to make fairly accurate predictions of weather patterns. That would mean that every year, every season, that pollen-carrying inhabitants would reach the pit in approximately the same time, year after year, in a cyclic pattern. That and the fact that a planet needs assistance just seem unnatural."
"Now that you mention it, it does sound a little strange. Does this have anything to do with the favor you wanted to ask me?"
"Yes, I was wondering if I could possible borrow Alonzo to bring me to the pit so I could monitor it for several weeks. This way I could gain data to help me understand the seasonal changes."
"So what's the favor? You don't need my permission to take a trip."
"Actually I do. You are after all the leader of this community, voted by the inhabitants."
"That doesn't mean I have control of everyone's life."
"I will need community resources to aid in my research. Besides the use of the VTO to transport me to and from the pit, I would like to borrow some equipment to help me monitor the pit."
"If Alonzo doesn't mind ferrying you to and from, it is ok with me. You know the other day I was scavenging parts and I came across the hoverscout. You know the broken thing that Bess traded with the Grendler for. I think I have enough spare parts to get that working. We can probably get it to upload to Reilly's satellite."
"That would be ideal, although I still would like to spend some time investigating at the pit."
"No problem, figure out when you want to go and we can ask Alonzo or Baines if they mind dropping you off. Do you think you'll be safe there by yourself or do you want to see if anyone is willing to go with you?"
"I'll be fine on my own. No need to take more people away from tasks so that I can satisfy my curiosity."
Alonzo when queried was more then willing to ferry Yale to and from wherever he wanted to go. Even Morgan when asked to assist in linking the hoverscout to Reilly's satellite readily agreed.
"You know we need to stop calling it Reilly's satellite." Alonzo stated.
"What else should we call it?" Danziger asked.
"Anything but Reilly's satellite. It really bothers Julia when she hears that name. So I don't care what we call it as long as Reilly is not included in the name."
Danziger quickly replied. "OK, I don't care what is called, as long as it doesn't contain Morgan, Martin, Bess, Horatio.."
"OK, ok, we get the picture." Morgan replied. He and Danziger's relationship had improved greatly. They were able to work closely together but never sought the other's company.
"Shouldn't contain the word Comm either, that way it can't be confused with the Comm dish." Alonzo offered.
After some discussion, Yale suggested that they call the satellite the Broadcast Satellite. This suggestion was acceptable to all.
A few days later, Danziger had the hoverscout working and Morgan was able to upload the information to the Broadcast Satellite. Yale had decided to give the children a few days break from their studies. Mazatl had accepted their offer of help caring for the livestock.
Just one week shy of the first anniversary of Bess and Morgan trip "North", Alonzo dropped Yale off in the vicinity of the pit with ample supplies to last 10 days. Immediately he set about setting up the camp and launching the hoverscout. The hoverscout allowed Yale to get a complete view of the pit on almost a constant basis, since it only required brief periods to recharge. Upon examining the data, Yale determined that the amount of bones scattered didn't account for the life of the planet. For several days, Yale stayed at the site, unable to draw any conclusion until the day after the anniversary of Bess and Morgan trip to the site, spring erupted from the pit; covering Yale in its pollen-like substance. Luckily, the hoverscout was not recharging at the time so Yale could confirm that no outside intervention was involved. He now had a new path to pursue.
After another day, Yale had formed a hypothesis and called Alonzo to retrieve him. He was eager to try his theory on the others. When he returned to the colony, the children were very impatient to tell them of all that had transpired while he was gone; his theory had to wait for a short while.
Finally as dinner was winding down, Julia asked, "Yale, were you able to come to any conclusion on your sojourn?"
"Yes, I have formed a theory. Since last year when Bess and Morgan initiated spring, I have been wondering at why a planet would need assistance to cause seasonal variations. Since we've landed, I've been using data to help predict the weather with a fair amount of accuracy. That fact that I could use data to predict the weather doesn't jive with the fact that an outside resource was required to invoke spring. While at the pit, I surveyed the scattering of bones in the surrounding area. There does not seem to be sufficient amount to cover generations of seasons or even just springs. Does that mean that if no outside source brings the pollen, then spring will not come? That does not make sense. The orbital variations should cause the seasonal changes. Everything I saw in the records downloaded from the satellite also showed a cyclic pattern. Finally while at the site, spring erupted without intervention."
"What? How could that be? Last year, Morgan and I deposited the pollen from the flower into the pit and immediately you could tell the weather was changing." Bess replied.
"I recall but I believe that even if you had not finished your quest, spring would have come in a day or so. I hypothesize that the symbolic nature of the planet, tries to involve all life forms in its cycle. But even without intervention, basic science would cause the seasons to change. Of course we've had just two springs, one where invention was involved and one where no invention was involved so it is to soon to say anything for sure. I would like to try and set up a permanent relay at the site so that we could monitor it."
"I'll see what spare parts there are." Danziger offered.
Soon everyone started to wander off. Bess looked a little dejected that her role is the changing of the season wasn't as prominent as originally thought. She really enjoyed having assisted the planet in changing.
Julia was intrigued by Yale's theory. "Yale when you have some spare time, I would love to discuss this theory with you and review some of the data."
"I would also enjoy that" the tutor replied. He glazed up into the stars for a brief period and then he too wandered off to bed.
Voice of Yale: "On 'old' Earth, there was a saying 'To everything there is a season.' Back on the stations, seasons had little meaning unless you followed fashion or sports. But here on our new earth, the seasons have a meaning, and that meaning we are still discovering."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++
END OF PART 3 For BR who always demanded an explanation for Flower Child. I think I got all the points that you disagreed with covered.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++
Voice of Yale: "Life in New Pacifica is finally starting to follow a routine. For so many months, every day we encountered new roadblocks but now the bulk of the planning is behind us and life is more structured. The hospital is operational, Julia is quiet pleased. She believes Dr. Vasquez will find the modifications acceptable; he'll have to since there are no other options. Due to the re-engineering the crops from the seeds we took from the stations are thriving in their domes, while the fields with native plants are also doing well. The communal buildings, such as government offices, school, library and shops are also built. Housing is also in good shape due to some improvising and at the cost of some of the "luxury" items such as fitness center's locker rooms and laundry facilities. Devon had reworked several designs while we were in route, in order to be more ecologically friendly; once again the ops crew managed to improvise something so that her new designs were implemented. There are still some pods unaccounted for so there is still hope that additional housing units will be found. Unfortunately, the manufacturing plant, which combines recycling and production, is currently on hold since some of Devon's changes have proven a little difficult to implement with the current supplies. Allison Denner, the only member of the manufacturing plant with us in New Pacifica, has been working with Bess setting up some of the communal buildings while waiting for the plant to be built. We have also not given up hope for finding members of 3rd pod.
Terrian activity has been minimal; I guess that they hibernate during this period. I know that John is relieved that Uly has not been called for more training. Uly is still practicing lightening and is quiet good. He and True are also busy with helping Mazatl with the livestock. Although Mazatl is part of the Ops Crew and never suppose to set foot on the planet; he has a real affinity for it. He is especially good with the care of the livestock. One of the missing members was assigned this task but luckily Morgan and I have been able to find sufficient information to aid Mazatl with this endeavor.
Morgan has also been working with John to get the communication grid up and running. Now that we have the VTO, we lose contact with the scouts because the distance they travel is outside the gear's range. John and Morgan have managed to tap into Reilly's satellite to assist us in this area. At first they kept this information to themselves until they could determine if it was feasible. Since both men were concerned about using this equipment, only one set of gear was used to communicate with the satellite, until a filtration system which cuts off the transmission of information to and from other systems until it passes several virus scans, was in place to ensure that no virus could be downloaded. Morgan was able to access specifications for John to build hardware while he worked on the necessary software and procedures to ensure that new virus could not slip through. The work has paid off and now we are able to keep in touch with VTO.
Life on a planet never ceases to amaze me. On the stations, everything was artificial. Temperature, precipitation to crops, wind and daylight were all controlled carefully. Here on the planet, we are helpless to control the environment; the best we can hope for is to be able to take shelter during a storm and pick up the pieces when it is over. I continue to monitor orbital variations and recalled the previous year, when Morgan and Bess had brought about spring. I have to admit that I am perplexed that what amounted to manual intervention was required to bring about the changes in season. This appears to defy science; the rotation of the planet should cause the seasonal variations; no outside assistance should be required. If the planet needs help, then we could learn to control the environment just as we did on the stations; growing seasons could be extended; droughts and extremes would not occur. As attractive as these sounds, I believe that we would do harm to the planet if we were to pursue this; but I am not sure how we could prevent it. Another thing that surprises me is the amount of bones surrounding the pit where spring erupted. From the recordings that were taken the previous year; the amount did not seem to account for generations of seasons, although I must admit that we only had recordings from one section of the pit; the other areas may have been more abundant in remains.
I have carefully reviewed the records that were contained on the satellite; while interesting, they do not provide me much information. I need more data for my research and am hoping now that the colony, although not complete, is in good shape, that I will be allowed that luxury."
Danziger and Walman were in the library reviewing old blueprints to see if there were any housing designs that could be built with the miscellaneous supplies they had available. The units built from the recovered pods resembled a Condominium complex from the late twentieth century. So far 225 units had been built but the pods containing the remaining units had not been recovered yet.
"All we need is 25 units. Maybe 25 families will decide to go back on the colony ship." Walman stated.
"You're lucky Devon isn't around to hear you say that. Besides, we need more then 25 units." At Walman's confused look, Danziger continued. "25 more units will cover the families but not the personnel that is coming to support them or the Advance team. I think we're going to need closer to 75 units. "
"Man, we don't even have enough supplies to build the 25 units, no way can we stretch it to be 75 units."
"The invoices show 450 units. Devon never reduced the number of units when families started backing out. I guess she figured that they could be used for future growth. So even if we don't recover all the units, we could have enough. I wish that we could find the pod with the second VTO, then we could double the search effort."
"We've been pretty lucky so far so there is still some hope. Worst case, we double up until we can construct the units that the colony ship has." Walman returned.
"John, I have a favor to ask." Yale interrupted.
"Sure, anything." Danziger immediately replied. Yale seldom asked for anything yet was always willing to assist others. Danziger wasn't sure how he would manage the kids if it weren't for Yale.
"As you know, I have been monitoring the weather patterns. So far I have been fairly accurate." At Danziger's nod, Yale continued. "I have been using the surveys that we brought from the stations as well as the information I gleaned from Reilly's satellite. From this information I have been able to predict the cold fronts and severity of the winter."
"You were right on target with your prediction of a mild winter." Danziger replied.
"That's just it. How could I forecast the winter from reviewing data if manual intervention is required in order to change the seasons."
"I don't understand." Danziger responded.
"Last spring, Bess and Morgan brought the pollen from the flower to the pit thus invoking the change of the season. If this is true, I am surprised that the data I have reviewed would allow me to make fairly accurate predictions of weather patterns. That would mean that every year, every season, that pollen-carrying inhabitants would reach the pit in approximately the same time, year after year, in a cyclic pattern. That and the fact that a planet needs assistance just seem unnatural."
"Now that you mention it, it does sound a little strange. Does this have anything to do with the favor you wanted to ask me?"
"Yes, I was wondering if I could possible borrow Alonzo to bring me to the pit so I could monitor it for several weeks. This way I could gain data to help me understand the seasonal changes."
"So what's the favor? You don't need my permission to take a trip."
"Actually I do. You are after all the leader of this community, voted by the inhabitants."
"That doesn't mean I have control of everyone's life."
"I will need community resources to aid in my research. Besides the use of the VTO to transport me to and from the pit, I would like to borrow some equipment to help me monitor the pit."
"If Alonzo doesn't mind ferrying you to and from, it is ok with me. You know the other day I was scavenging parts and I came across the hoverscout. You know the broken thing that Bess traded with the Grendler for. I think I have enough spare parts to get that working. We can probably get it to upload to Reilly's satellite."
"That would be ideal, although I still would like to spend some time investigating at the pit."
"No problem, figure out when you want to go and we can ask Alonzo or Baines if they mind dropping you off. Do you think you'll be safe there by yourself or do you want to see if anyone is willing to go with you?"
"I'll be fine on my own. No need to take more people away from tasks so that I can satisfy my curiosity."
Alonzo when queried was more then willing to ferry Yale to and from wherever he wanted to go. Even Morgan when asked to assist in linking the hoverscout to Reilly's satellite readily agreed.
"You know we need to stop calling it Reilly's satellite." Alonzo stated.
"What else should we call it?" Danziger asked.
"Anything but Reilly's satellite. It really bothers Julia when she hears that name. So I don't care what we call it as long as Reilly is not included in the name."
Danziger quickly replied. "OK, I don't care what is called, as long as it doesn't contain Morgan, Martin, Bess, Horatio.."
"OK, ok, we get the picture." Morgan replied. He and Danziger's relationship had improved greatly. They were able to work closely together but never sought the other's company.
"Shouldn't contain the word Comm either, that way it can't be confused with the Comm dish." Alonzo offered.
After some discussion, Yale suggested that they call the satellite the Broadcast Satellite. This suggestion was acceptable to all.
A few days later, Danziger had the hoverscout working and Morgan was able to upload the information to the Broadcast Satellite. Yale had decided to give the children a few days break from their studies. Mazatl had accepted their offer of help caring for the livestock.
Just one week shy of the first anniversary of Bess and Morgan trip "North", Alonzo dropped Yale off in the vicinity of the pit with ample supplies to last 10 days. Immediately he set about setting up the camp and launching the hoverscout. The hoverscout allowed Yale to get a complete view of the pit on almost a constant basis, since it only required brief periods to recharge. Upon examining the data, Yale determined that the amount of bones scattered didn't account for the life of the planet. For several days, Yale stayed at the site, unable to draw any conclusion until the day after the anniversary of Bess and Morgan trip to the site, spring erupted from the pit; covering Yale in its pollen-like substance. Luckily, the hoverscout was not recharging at the time so Yale could confirm that no outside intervention was involved. He now had a new path to pursue.
After another day, Yale had formed a hypothesis and called Alonzo to retrieve him. He was eager to try his theory on the others. When he returned to the colony, the children were very impatient to tell them of all that had transpired while he was gone; his theory had to wait for a short while.
Finally as dinner was winding down, Julia asked, "Yale, were you able to come to any conclusion on your sojourn?"
"Yes, I have formed a theory. Since last year when Bess and Morgan initiated spring, I have been wondering at why a planet would need assistance to cause seasonal variations. Since we've landed, I've been using data to help predict the weather with a fair amount of accuracy. That fact that I could use data to predict the weather doesn't jive with the fact that an outside resource was required to invoke spring. While at the pit, I surveyed the scattering of bones in the surrounding area. There does not seem to be sufficient amount to cover generations of seasons or even just springs. Does that mean that if no outside source brings the pollen, then spring will not come? That does not make sense. The orbital variations should cause the seasonal changes. Everything I saw in the records downloaded from the satellite also showed a cyclic pattern. Finally while at the site, spring erupted without intervention."
"What? How could that be? Last year, Morgan and I deposited the pollen from the flower into the pit and immediately you could tell the weather was changing." Bess replied.
"I recall but I believe that even if you had not finished your quest, spring would have come in a day or so. I hypothesize that the symbolic nature of the planet, tries to involve all life forms in its cycle. But even without intervention, basic science would cause the seasons to change. Of course we've had just two springs, one where invention was involved and one where no invention was involved so it is to soon to say anything for sure. I would like to try and set up a permanent relay at the site so that we could monitor it."
"I'll see what spare parts there are." Danziger offered.
Soon everyone started to wander off. Bess looked a little dejected that her role is the changing of the season wasn't as prominent as originally thought. She really enjoyed having assisted the planet in changing.
Julia was intrigued by Yale's theory. "Yale when you have some spare time, I would love to discuss this theory with you and review some of the data."
"I would also enjoy that" the tutor replied. He glazed up into the stars for a brief period and then he too wandered off to bed.
Voice of Yale: "On 'old' Earth, there was a saying 'To everything there is a season.' Back on the stations, seasons had little meaning unless you followed fashion or sports. But here on our new earth, the seasons have a meaning, and that meaning we are still discovering."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++
END OF PART 3 For BR who always demanded an explanation for Flower Child. I think I got all the points that you disagreed with covered.