Chapter 2 – The Awakening
Deep within the bowels of the cruiser, a computer screen flickers into life. It has spent the last 100 years in standby mode. An array of digits and information flicker across the screen. A stream of information processed by the hard drive.
A digitised voice crackles across the ships intercom.
"Gaia command system fully operational. Mission systems online. Preparing download of all tactical data. Star system XVFR 13 located. Planet number 6 in inner system fulfils initial selection criteria. Approximate time of arrival to planet orbit, 2 days."
"Initiating reanimation of all crew members."
In a darkened chamber nearby, 8 pods glisten in the low level light. The units contain the cryogenically frozen crew of the cruiser. There were 5 men and 3 women. Inside each pod lay a living, breathing human.
A warm, gel substance surrounding each individual kept the ambient temperature steady. Electrodes attached to the major muscle groups provided involuntary spasms to keep muscles toned. Breathing was regulated by a lung filtration unit. Heart rate was slowed to a few beats a minute, also metabolism. Food was delivered via injection and pumped into the stomach cavity.
Life had been slowed to its lowest rate. The rate of ageing had been cut, 1 day for every year in cryosleep.
The screen flickered again. Further data was processed.
"Initiating reactivation of all lifeforms.
Dr. Helian Markos – 59, grey hair, brown eyes, highly intelligent. Responsibilities; human physiognomy and disease control, life extension, analysis of potential indigenous xenobiology, treatment of all health issues and management of health and biology data banks. Also caretaker of human embryo and foetus banks for planet colonisation.
2. Flight Commander Wolf Delorian – 37, blue eyes, dark hair. Trained from age 5 as a space pilot. Has flown and commanded a wide range of space vehicles from Fox class fighters to medium size Panther class troop ships. Now in command of the Leviathan class colonisation cruiser.
3. Catherine Flask – 33, green eyes, brown hair. Bio-engineer. Responsibilities; cultivation and monitoring of all plant life and bio-material; development of hardy, disease-resistant plant life to harsh environments using genetic engineering techniques. Responsibilities also include maintenance of data banks for biology and also for animal/plant gene and foetus banks for colonisation.
4. Mission Technologist Lorna Grapaz – 34, grey eyes, blonde hair. Synthetic humanoid. Responsibilities; maintenance and functionality of all technological systems; data banks and online functionality; required for completion of tasks hazardous to human physiognomy.
5. Mission Caretaker Kevin Sukiyami – 43, Asian. Responsible for mission cargo and general maintenance/functionality of all mission cargo bays, docking pods, etc; requirements also include general maintenance and upkeep of all habitable ship quarters.
6. Project Assistant Linda Montgomery – 27, brown hair, brown eyes. Trained since her mid-teens at the Project Ark Academy. Knowledge covers all areas of the mission.
7. Theologian Kapesh Patel – 48, Indian origin. Spiritual guide. Has vast knowledge of human spirituality and religion.
8. Field Marshall Victor Gonzalez – 49, Hispanic. Military specialist. Diverse range of skills – combat, survival techniques and disciplines. Has understanding of the data banks on human military history. He is a proud graduate of the Earth Security Force. "
A podium in front of the cryo-units jumped to life. Lights spun around it. At the centre of the podium, a woman appeared.
Gradually, one by one, the pods flipped open. There was a rush of gas from each as the vacuums of their seals disengaged. Life support systems began to resuscitate each crew member as they awakened sluggishly from their 100 year slumber.