CH5 (86)
It was officially two months later:
The Moon Shines had returned from its mission to Earth. They had delivered the councils message and had gathered intelligence about Earth to conclude that Earth was not presently a problem and wasn't likely to be for generations to come.
A week after its return the council had made available to the general public what the Oracle had provided. It had been some time since the Oracle had provided anything, so each time she did was a major event.
The people of Tellus knew they had an army and a space navy even though it didn't look like they had anything to worry about. However the council had thought it prudent to have at least a token force.
Now it appeared that both branches would need to increase in size, substantially.
Captain Montgomery and the council had been a little off in their timing, they were all finding out. It was going to take a year just to build the facility required to manufacture the MAC cannon, let alone a year to build the first one.
Fortunately they had practice in building space ships and the space elevator was going to start to get heavy use it seems in the near future. It was still planned that each destroyer class would take 7 years to build. It was so big and so complex. Plus at least a year on the drawing board.
Captain Montgomery had already been gone almost 2 weeks in search of the next colony planet.
With the news of the weapons and the need for a much bigger military now needed, the Castle and Queller families were all gathered in one of the recreation domes.
There were only two places to hold this many people comfortably. The other being the dinning/kitchen area. This rec. area was a lot more appealing.
Emily was sitting with Alexis while Kali was sitting quietly in Madison's lap. Which was a shock. Keeping Kali quiet and in one place wasn't easy to accomplish.
Rick starts. "I know each of you have heard the news about what the Oracle on Tellus provided recently." To Rick it was just a ghostly person who talked occasionally. To the people of Tellus her presence was much more profound. If she had done this, then it was for a good reason and was to be taken very seriously.
"Captain Montgomery has already left on a mission to find another colony planet. The council wants to increase the population and have access to more resources. More people, more resources, means more ships, means a better chance at survival if we do end up fighting an enemy that wants to kill us." Rick tells them all.
"Captain Montgomery warned us that if he did find a planet, the council was likely going to ask us to set it up like we have already done for Ariel and now Athos." Kate picks up for Rick.
"Meaning you will be moving." Mrs. Queller states.
"We are likely to be asked, yes. It isn't required that we agree but Rick and I have already talked about it and we are going to accept." Kate tells them. "It isn't an ideal situation, but we understand the need to look at the big picture."
"It isn't something we WANT to do mind you, but we can see the need for more colony planets. And we've gotten to be good at it." Rick picks up the conversation after Kate stops.
"Naturally we don't know anything about the planet yet or even if Captain Montgomery will find one or how long it will take him to find one." Kate adds.
"We will be taking Alexis and the girls with us naturally. However Kate and I have decided that Alexis will only be there for the first year. Then we are shipping her off to Ariel to stay with my mother so she can attend a real school and meet people her own age." Rick tells them all. Mostly Alexis, who is hearing this for the first time.
"NO!" Alexis has taken exception to this plan. "Lucy can teach me at home just like she is now, and you need me. …. NO!"
"Sweetie we know this isn't what you want, but you need people your own age. It will take us at least 2 or 3 years to establish this new colony. Enough that we could leave it behind for others.
You'll be college age by then. …. Sweetie, when was the last friend your own age you've made since leaving Earth? ….. Name one." Kate challenges Alexis. "I took you away from all your friends when we left Earth and I'm not taking you away from any you could have this time either. …. After a year you're going back to Ariel so you can go to school and make new friends.
Besides, except for her monthly video chips we send back and forth you haven't seen Martha in years already. It's too big a sacrifice pumpkin, and I love you too much to do that to you." Kate pleads her case. Not that Alexis has a choice, since she doesn't.
Alexis looks to Rick to silently plead her case. "Who's going to watch Emily and Kali when you two go out hunting or are shuttling people and supplies up and down?" Alexis didn't think she had too many cards to play, but she was going to play them.
"I guess that is where the rest of us come in and have decisions to make." Mrs. Queller states.
"We're not asking that any of you come with us. You're not under any obligation. We can handle Emily and Kali. It would be nice to have built-in sitters but we'll manage. It's our family, not yours exactly." Kate answers not trying to insult anyone.
"Until you start getting more into construction I'm thinking it would be best if I stayed here. But I'll be happy to move when that time comes." Jim suggests.
"The only construction we'll be doing for the first year will be greenhouses and planting fields and doing surveys." Rick agrees.
"Until you start building your first city tower there is nothing for us to do. We might actually be in the way." Mrs. Queller comments.
"I'm sure we could find something for you to do. You'd be amazed at what needs to get done and what you can do when you need to." Rick contradicts her.
"Perhaps, but we're not young anymore and we've gotten use to our creature comforts." Mr. Queller counters.
"You're not old guys." Madison counters. Getting both of them to just smile convinced she is not correct.
"I guess that leaves the two of us." Shawn comments.
"You're going to need a doctor, however this place presently only has the two of us. If we can gain another I could come with you. Not sure what the beginning of a colony is like though it sounds rustic." Madison comments.
"And I came here because of the huge ocean and we're only just now getting around to exploring it. Not likely we will be doing any of that early on." Shawn wasn't sure what he would do if he went.
"You got here early and couldn't get out into the ocean and made do with other things. Helping Alexis in the greenhouse, and you've done a lot of study on hydroponics. It's only just now starting construction here. …. If we can get one of those early. ..." Madison counters not trying to force the issue.
"What type of planet Captain Montgomery finds I suppose would be critical for me. If it was more Tellus I would rather stay then move." Shawn wanted water, it's why he came here.
"I'm sure the council can find a doctor who would be willing to relocate." Rick offers to help prevent an argument.
"I'm not opposed to moving, I just prefer it have something for me to do." Shawn was willing to follow Madison but if he had nothing to do, would he start to resent following her?
Madison placed a free hand on his leg. "Then we wait for Captain Montgomery, but I'm willing to move no matter what he finds."
"When is Captain Montgomery due back?" Shawn asks.
"The system he is going to first is a little further out from Tellus, just not from here. … So one month out, and he is already 2 weeks into that trip. Almost 2 months back to Tellus to inform the council and then 1 month to us.
After that I don't know." Kate informs them.
"You're going to need cargo ships so you have someplace to live." Jim offers.
"Captain Montgomery will likely already have colonists on his ship while the others would come with a cargo ship." Mr. Queller offers.
"So we will need to be ready in about 2-1/2 to 3 months from now." Shawn tries to do the math.
"We're going to miss you, all of you." Mrs. Queller comments getting Mr. Queller to agree.
"We'll be back eventually, either on Ariel or here. We plan on having a home to go to in both places, and you are all welcome. Anytime, anytime at all." Kate tells them.
"I'm still amazed at where our lives have gone." Rick pauses. "I never thought Earth was all alone, but never thought I would be out in space, let alone on another planet. And here I'm thinking about being on my third alien planet." Rick chuckles.
"I was sitting at home writing books, living in a really big city, that I'm likely never going to see again." Rick huffs a laugh.
"And married an alien." Kate points out.
"Oh babe, you are most definitely NOT an alien." Rick leans over to kiss the side of her head.
"Well I definitely married an alien." Kate teases.
"So does that make Emily and Kali aliens?" Rick questions.
"I'm not an alien daddy." Emily takes exception. Getting the Quellers to laugh.
"I stand corrected." Kate relents easily since she was just teasing.
"How goes construction Jim?" Rick changes the subject since the main topic seemed to be done.
"Very nicely. The train station is done as is the rail between stations, here and the city tower.
The main dock area's are almost done and should start construction of the bigger ships soon. With your ship done in about 4-1/2 years from now.
The next three smaller trawlers should be done in about a year and then start building three more.
The dock area for them to tie up to is so far only completed for the three of them. The expansion of it is under construction. It should be ready for more and bigger ships within a year.
The mine is operational while the train station at that site has only just started as has the rail between it and the other stations.
The city tower has completed the installation of the pilings and the foundation should start soon. We've already got some of the material for the first few floors. Construction should be complete in about 5 years. Maybe 6.
All the greenhouses are up and operational. Farm area continues to expand based on what we find where. Only one silo is presently built. We are expecting material for at least 7 more over the next 5 years.
A site has been surveyed out on the west coast for the next city tower, after that we'll see." Jim fills them in.
"Kate is right, you are good at this." Mr. Queller is impressed. He did it all without looking at a pad that he has seen Jim walk around with almost constantly.
"How are things going with the city tower?" Rick asks Mr. Queller since he was the last to speak.
"Pretty good actually we think." He turns to look at his wife. "It is estimated to hold about 80,000 residences when completed. At the moment we have reservations for about a quarter of that number confirmed already.
We are going over each residence with the new owners via delayed optical chips. Most people however are selecting one of the already set layouts and color schemes that are available. We mostly work with those that want to make changes." Mr. Queller replies.
"Most of our time is working with the family that has already selected the very top unit. Even though they can't move in for close to 6 years from now. They are making countless changes to the one unit.
Which is smart actually. At this stage we can easily accommodate any change they want." Mrs. Queller adds.
Rick shakes his head. "I can't imagine living that high up. I'd die from oxygen starvation." Rick chuckles lightly.
"Well there aren't any balconies that high up, so as long as the windows hold they and the others will be fine." Mrs. Queller assures him.
"Oh but just think if we had wings, it would be great. …. I don't suppose we could undergo genetic manipulation so we could grow a large pair of wings! Then we, … could, …." Rick shuts up after he sees Kate glaring at him.
Mrs. Queller is laughing internally at Rick's fun while admiring Kate for her ability to manage him.
Mr. Queller however snorts at the antics of the two. They really were perfect for each other. Rick brought out the child and fun in Kate, while Kate kept Rick grounded. Most of the time.
Jim was just grinning at all of it, having seen it all before over the last year or more.