Quest for the Conestoga (Colony Ship Conestoga Book 1) (4 page)

“I am going over to the cafetorium and see if anyone has heard anything else,” Cammarry said.  

“Cammarry?” Jerome asked with a puzzled expression on his face. “How can anyone have heard anything more? Those adventurers just came back and we were some of the first people they encountered.”

“You knew they were coming back before I did,” Cammarry replied. “By the time I walk over there some of the information gathered may have already been processed. You never know what people hear.”

Jerome hugged her and kissed her. He did not share the thoughts that were going through his head, about how she was going there to share the information she already had and not to learn new information. One thing about Cammarry, she loved to be able to spin a good yarn and was able to do so with a minimum amount of information.  She was always accurate, but posed questions which did make the mind wonder.

Jerome walked down a different direction and proceeded to the educational center. He had a lot on his mind and wanted to be able to see some of the age-mate groups and perhaps he could read a story to the 10-year-old group.  He always found that a fun thing to do. He considered his own age-mate group and how many more there were in his group than there were in the new infant group or the five-year-old group.  These latest groups were down to only twenty-five age-mates, which did not bode well for the population of Dome 17. 

Walking past the nursery, Jerome looked through the windows and saw the bassinets of the newly gestated infant group. The attendants were busy nurturing; rocking, holding, and playing with them. Jerome smiled as he considered how this group of twenty-five infants would grow up together and be lifelong friends. Few people were ever closer than your age-mate group.

The twenty-five ten-year old students were just finishing an interactive lesson with biologist John. John was an older man, and being a biologist he mostly spoke about things from the ancient past. In a way, Jerome related to him differently than anyone else in the dome.  Jerome liked the old literature while John liked the old biology. The few aspects of biology in Dome 17 were all interconnected: human lifecycle biology, recycling of human wastes, and the biology necessary to make the food ration bars. The food ration bars were very simple biology, and human biology was often overshadowed by the medical facilities, and the population guidance procedures.  He knew John was actively involved in both of those areas as well as teaching the children.

Jerome leaned into the classroom to listen to what John was teaching.

“….  so yes children there were vast regions of water at one time covering a large percentage of the earth’s surface.  In some places that water was kilometers deep.”

There was a chuckling and laughter that emerged from the crowd of ten-year-old children. One of them commented under his breath. “This must be a fairytale. I cannot ever believe that there was that much water anywhere.”

“I heard what you said young man,” John stated with a wry grin. “And I certainly understand why you would say that. Currently there is no amount of water like that anywhere on the earth and we have to struggle to recycle as much water as possible.  Our efficiency and reclamation of water here in Dome 17 is very high but not quite 100%.  We do still extract a little bit of water from the outside atmosphere but that amount is less and less every year and involves every increasingly complex sterilization and cleansing. Our deep underground cistern system provides a small amount of water as well, but it too is hard to make potable.  When I was your age we got a much larger percentage of our water through extraction processes from the outside atmosphere and ground but unfortunately now we cannot do that. However, in the distant past the water system of this planet was very impressive.  Hydrology was a vast science and it is just fascinating. Let me have my personal AI show you an ancient visual recording. Rachel Carson?”

The artificial intelligence named Rachel Carson responded with a mechanical voice, “Yes John how may I assist you?”

“Rachel Carson please search the archives and display a video of one of the old Earth’s oceans while it was intact,” John instructed.

“Most of that information is only available in limited two-dimensional format. Will that be acceptable? I could extrapolate and make a three-dimensional presentation, however, that will not be precisely what was recorded in those ancient times,” the AI Rachel Carson stated.

“You are so lucky to have a personal artificial intelligence system,” one of the students muttered.  There were nods and comments of agreement from the other children.

“Yes, I am fortunate, not everyone has a personal AI. The Committee, senior-level staff, and all the adventurers have personal artificial intelligence systems.  You have ready access to the public education AIs as well as the archives, Dome 17 news, and all historical records, and the data sticks.”

“That is not the same,” grumbled the student, and a few others made similar comments. 

“You are correct.  It is not the same, but shall I have the view of the ocean shown so we can know it is not a fairytale?”  John winked at the inquisitive student and then looked over the class.  The bright and eager eyes of the ten-year-olds were on him and the student who had claimed all that water was a fairytale was now grinning from ear to ear. John then said, “Rachel Carson, the two dimensional original format will be fine. Please use the front wall of the classroom for that demonstration.”

The front wall of the classroom, which was made from permalloy, shifted in color and a wide vista of an ocean view was displayed. The ocean was a turquoise blue color with light wave action.  The sky was a vibrant blue color with white clouds.  There were birds that were flying past and over the beautiful, sandy, white-colored beach.

The students were quiet for a moment as they watched an ecological scene they would never see in their own world. Their eyes took in the scene in wonderment.

Then the same student who had called the water a fairytale asked, “How do we know this recording or whatever this is, is…. well… genuine?  Is it real or some prevarication? The world before the Great Event had lots of fairy tales and made up stories, right?”

John smiled at the young man. “You are absolutely correct. Literary fiction was quite popular then.  Fabricated entertainment was a very common thing for those masses of people.  There were also groups that did something called propaganda which was telling lies to large groups of people to try to achieve an agenda. So you are wise to question any information from that era. Our archives do meticulous work sorting out what is real from what was equivocation, fabrication or imaginary.  That enables you all to trust what the public record shows.  You may also note on any disputed issues, and there are many, there will be a disclaimer stating, ‘The records are inconsistent on this issue, and scholars are divided on this topic’ so you can know what we do not know.”

“So this idea of vast amounts of water, all lumped in one place, is real?” The student asked.  “So it did not boil away?  Or get all soaked up in dust?”

“The biosphere was so very different then.  Everything was in balance, sort of a perfect recycling.  Yes, just like shown in the records. A vast gathering of water was called an ocean.  Places where there were flows of water into that ocean were called rivers, streams, and creeks. There were also lakes, which were smaller than oceans but still held vast amounts of water.” John eagerly watched the student’s faces as he spoke about the water.

“And there were things in the water?” The student asked incredulously. “How did they keep the toxins and radiation out of the water? Water here goes through lots of purification processes.”

“Yes indeed our water does need that.  But back then freshwater was safe and drinkable as it came out of the ground, or fell from the sky.  There were two types of water, freshwater, and in the oceans and some lakes there was what was called saltwater.  While fish lived in both those water, people can only drink freshwater because it…”

Jerome smiled as he recalled how John had instructed his own group of age-mates.  He realized that there would be no time for him to interact with the students.  He stepped away from the classroom while the curious student was again asking John the biologist another question. That question had to do with some kind of animal that apparently lived in the water. Jerome knew John could lecture on that topic far longer than the students would tolerate listening. Even that curious student who was so filled with questions would tire before John got to the end of his speaking about fish.

The regular curriculum would involve learning all about the way the dome operated, how to make emergency repairs, and what to do to keep the systems running at peak efficiency.  That was mandatory training for all age groups. The educational system in Dome 17 was not just utilitarian, it also involved arts, music, and other topics. Jerome liked to stop by and do oral recitation of special stories to the children, however that was not likely to happen today with John there speaking about biology. John’s optimism and good natured love for his students overshadowed the impracticality of learning about biological systems that had been extinct for decades.

Jerome walked away pondering the future of Dome 17 and he hoped fervently for the children to have a good and safe place to grow up and grow old.  Jerome questioned in his mind, ‘Perhaps the next mission, when it returns, will offer these children more concrete things than just hopes and desires?’ 

2 Informal traumatic reports

Jerome awoke early the next morning.  It was morning for the alpha shift people anyway. The one room apartment he shared with Cammarry was quiet and still. Her breathing was deep and regular as she slept soundly. He watched her and the peaceful look on her face. His mind wondered about the documents that the team had brought back with them.  He reminded himself that the documents did not come back, but the information that those documents contained did. Jerome knew the paper of those books would never see the inside of Dome 17. But what information they contained, that was a mystery that Jerome’s mind could not release.  He also was a bit surprised that the other adventurer team had not yet returned.  Faraday would have notified him if they had. 

Without making much noise at all, Jerome slipped from the bed he shared with Cammarry. He pulled on a basic set of work clothes and slipped on some shoes. He wanted to do his morning calisthenics, and on many mornings he would have waited until Cammarry awoke, however on this morning he was eager to exercise.  His mind was busy, and keeping his body busy helped to maintain his wellness.

He also wanted to consult his artificial intelligence Faraday, but knew if he did that it would probably awaken Cammarry and so he waited until he left the tiny apartment.

In the hallway outside the apartment Jerome turned and went through his morning calisthenics routine. His routine did not take much physical space but involved many isometric exercises, stretching, and moving into positions which allowed his body to become more flexible, limber, and agile.  It also relaxed his mind. While he enjoyed an occasional game of ricochet ball, he much preferred solitary calisthenics. While he was doing those he called upon the artificial intelligence Faraday.

“Has there been any sign of the other adventurer team returning?” Jerome asked.

The AI Faraday responded, “I would have notified you had there been any perception of the team returning. That was what I agreed to, and I meet my agreements.  However, the monitoring system you have established is no longer functional.”

“What?  Why did you not tell me?”

“I did tell you, just now.  There has been no activity at the entrance to Dome 17 or in the decontamination areas.  The energy to your monitors was disrupted six hours, three minutes and forty-one seconds before you asked me the question.  I have been analyzing the factors regarding the loss of power. At this time, I cannot identify if was a deliberate act or an engineering failure. You did not build any redundancies into the monitoring system,” the AI replied. 

“Let me know when you find out. Has the information the team brought back from their Dome 9 excursion been made available?”

“Yes. The volumes which were recovered, were 91% already known to the archives. There were several pieces of what is called advertising which were previously unknown but each of those has been deemed as irrelevant. There were handwritten notes in one volume, and those are still being evaluated as to penmanship, content, and relevancy to the material in which they were scribbled.  There was another volume which was titled ‘Oh God. It Hurts!’ and relates a family memoir addressing the theodicy question.  That volume was unknown to our records until now.  There was another volume titled ‘The Collected Works of Mark Twain’ which has some previously lost novels.”

“Philosophy?  That could be interesting.”  Jerome had just finished the last of his stretching exercises. “So as to technology or direct applicability that entire mission was basically a bust.  A cake not worth the candle.”

“Becoming aware that Dome 9 no longer exists is not worthless information.  The reasons for the destruction of Dome 9, remain unclear. Perhaps when the other artificial intelligence systems analyze the information there may be further conjectures. Additionally, I am sure Brink will review the materials. The paper bound books which were surveyed and entered into our archives confirm what we already knew, so that too is not worthless information.  The additional philosophical work is not worthless, but you are correct it is not mechanical, engineering, or technological.” Faraday’s voice sounded almost indignant. “So in my opinion the cake was worth the candle, using your archaic idiom.”

Jerome began walking down the corridor heading for the cafetorium. He debated whether he should wait for Cammarry to awaken before he requisitioned his food and water ration for the morning, but rejected doing that. He wanted to return to his secluded spot in the upper levels where he could work to reestablish the monitoring system and watch for the approach of the missing adventurer team.  He knew not every team returned, but he hoped this one would.

There were only a few people in the cafetorium, none of them his fellow adventurers.  He nodded to Henry, who was a sanitation specialist and one of the gamma shift team leaders, but did not join him at that table.  He did not know personally anyone else there.  The gamma shift people were better known among their own community.  Jerome did not even know all the alpha shift people by name, even though he was among the alpha shift.

The cafetorium was one of the largest rooms within Dome 17.  The tables were arranged in such a way as to allow people to sit individually or in groups. Only about one-tenth of the seating potential was utilized. Most chairs still faced the side walls where a person could actually see out of Dome 17.  The strongest material ever invented, permalloy, had been made transparent while it was still liquefied, and then spun into windows.  Only a few places had transparent permalloy installed in the exterior walls.  The transparent permalloy was every bit as rugged and tough as was the solid looking version, however, few places in Dome 17 had installed those type of windows.  The cafetorium was the primary exception to that design guideline.

Outside the dome, the dull tan dust blew and blew.  It looked no different from here that it did from Jerome’s illicit monitoring spot.  Seen directly, or by viewing technology, the tan and dusty world was just an endless reminder of the lost ecosystems and biosphere that had once been humanity’s cradle of incubation. 

It was tan and lifeless.  Except for the transgressions into that toxic mess by the adventurers, nothing much ever changed in that tan swirling wasteland outside.   Around the windows, the opaque walls of the cafetorium were the same color as most everything else that was vertical, a dull white that had tan shading.

Jerome was able to get his ration bar and water allowance without waiting in line. He sat at an empty table and contemplatively consumed the nearly tasteless ration bar and drank the water. He was mulling over the bit of disappointment he felt in that there were few new books found by the previous team.  His hopes had climbed a bit and now were sliding back to their typical place. 

He finished the ration bar and water, then departed.  He began his usual morning walk which would cover about 5 kilometers. Faraday interrupted him.  “There has been an energy spike in the decontamination chambers.  I surmise the team has returned.”

“Thanks.”

Jerome walked on.  The route he took was almost always identical, as he liked the routine as it cleared his mine as he walked.

After about an hour of walking, while he was passing part of the engineering section, another adventurer came rushing up to him.

“Can you believe that Karen is dead!”  Ian asked.

Jerome was shocked.

“You did not know?”  Ian’s brown colored face was deeply saddened and his eyes were brimming with tears.  His usual happy grin was gone. His thin lips trembled a bit as he continued to report. “Paul and Jamie just finished decontamination. Someone broke protocol and broadcast openly that Karen died.”

“Do we know any details? Has the mission briefing been filed?” Jerome asked.

“I did not hear any other details just the fact that Karen died. I thought you already heard because of the fact that Cammarry usually is one of the first to hear these kind of things. I’m sure the details will get out soon enough,” Ian said with a resolve. “At least with this mission we may know why one of us was killed. It is always much worse when no one comes back at all.”

“On that you are absolutely correct.”  Jerome squeezed the shoulder of his fellow adventurer Ian. They then parted ways as Jerome continued on his ambulation schedule. He knew Cammarry would find out about Karen right away.  He did not trouble himself by wondering why he had not heard before Ian. By the time he finished his exercise regimen and got back to the apartment Cammarry would know all the details. Cammarry’s network of associates may have brought the news to her already.

Some time passed and Jerome pondered what had happened. He briskly walked around the well-lit, sterile, and tan tinted corridors of Dome 17.  He knew every corner, turn, slant, and doorway and their familiarity allowed him to move into less frequented, yet still approved areas.  The accustomed sights allowed him to ponder what had happened with Karen.  She was not the first adventurer to die on a mission, and he doubted she would be the last.  He knew no details, yet he felt angst about her death.  The hallways were quiet and still as he walked.  The other residents of Dome 17 were otherwise occupied.

Breaking that quiet Cammarry burst into sight.  The look on her face told him that she already knew about Karen’s death.  In fact, she had far more information now than Ian had had.  They met in the once quiet hallway. 

“I figured your AI might guide you to me,” Jerome said as they met.

“Yes, my Winchell led me here.  I am just shocked about Karen,” Cammarry said as she reached out and held Jerome.  “How many adventurers have we lost now?”

“Far too many.”  Jerome wrapped his arms about her.  “It seems like…”

Jerome was interrupted by a disembodied mechanical voice.  “I can give you a detailed accounting of all the adventurers who are officially listed as killed or missing, starting with Karen as the most recent.” Winchell’s mechanical voice was unique and different in many ways from the AI Faraday.  “Shall I list them chronologically or alphabetically?”

“Neither Winchell.  Store the information for now.  Analyze it for patterns, similarities, or other commonalities which might help us know what happened,” Cammarry instructed.  “Share it with any other adventurer who requests it.”

“That will be done,” Winchell stated.

“Jerome, with those data stick recordings… well… we need to be alone to talk,” Cammarry said in a hushed tone.

“What? You have heard more?”  He recognized an undercurrent in her voice.

Cammarry was shaken, but nodded.  She placed her fingers over Jerome’s lips.  “Do not speak of it.  Take me to your special place.”

Jerome, wondered what she had learned, so he led Cammarry back to the place where they could enter the maintenance shaft.  Climbing back to the upper level, Jerome felt uncomfortable, but knew from Cammarry’s expressions that they needed to get to somewhere which was out of the public’s eye.

“Cammarry I must inform you that you are entering a restricted area.  Trespassing is not permitted here,” Winchell her AI stated. 

“I know, but we need to be here.  I accept full responsibility,” Cammarry said.

They stopped near the illegal monitoring equipment he had installed previously. “So what have you heard?”

“Not what I have heard, what we have seen,” Cammarry said.

“Please do not make me dig the answers out of you. Usually you are very free in telling your stories, this must be very serious.”

“Those data stick records. That recording we all got!”

Jerome’s face told her he had no idea what she meant. 

“Jerome, you have not seen it?”  Cammarry’s small eyes grew wide in surprise.  “I thought you knew.  I can hardly speak about it. Winchell? Please rerun the visual recording about Dome 3 that I recently received.” Cammarry’s voice quivered a bit as she issued the command.

The mechanical voice of Winchell replied, “Here is the information requested.”

A three-dimensional presentation appeared in the maintenance shaft. Cammarry and Jerome watched. They saw Jamie, Karen, and Paul as they arrived to investigate Dome 3.  Then there were three separate channels, each from the point of view of the different adventurers.