Chameleon Ch 24

Cerebrus concentrated on the helm as Maria Mitchell neared Tau Ceti D. Those without bridge privileges watched the approach from the observation deck. Excitement ran hot from the bow to the stern as the planet grew larger in the windows enough to see some detail. Without an atmosphere to distort the image, at one million kilometers it appeared baseball-sized, a dark sapphire blue with topaz colored islands, and swirls of platinum clouds protecting the life on the surface from Tau Ceti.

With the star falling behind them, they approached from the daylight side, and with each kilometer they traveled closer, the details sharpened in a crisp focus. Continents, oceans, huge mountain ranges, and weather patterns were distinguishable. Jackson’s spirits lifted. Despite past experiences, a Goldilocks planet with a thriving civilization offered gifts unavailable on Maria Mitchell. 

“Do all planets with life look this way, like Kinnae and Earth?”

“No. Enceladus had life on the inside, and Europa, too. It depends on the kind of life. Even Earth was not so pretty when life began to emerge out of the ocean. It was a ball of ice once, too, like a big Enceladus, temporarily.”

“A ball of ice?”

“On the surface. Pockets of algae lived through it, wow, about six or seven hundred million back, before animals got a good foothold. But life it was.”

“How can they be so cold?”

“Remember your white people from the other side of Kinnae? They live where its cold, so they adapted to get more sunlight, with white hair and very little pigment. And I’m betting they had better UV vision than people who evolved at the more central latitudes. I could be wrong, but it seems likely.”

“I understand that. But even on Enceladus the middle of the planet was warm.”

“So was Earth. Still is.”

“I just answered my own question,” she said, a bit of enlightenment on her face.  They both stood in the bow, watching as Tau Ceti D appeared to grow larger.

“You said you were here before.” He nodded, taking a breath to calm the anxiety a few notches. It wasn’t the abundant minerals or resources on his mind. It was the thorium reactor, being bombed by Pegasi, and the pain of losing an emerging friendship, a bygone friendship, and a little bit of himself before the mission had come to its conclusion.

His heart raced a little faster, knowing the Space Admin’s coordinates for delivering the supplies weren’t far from the reactor site. A human colony had been established not long after that, but he’d never returned. A Pegasi colony, and a Kiian colony, had been established as well, a sort of financial center, as it became.

“This planet has a wealth of resources, and once they were discovered they were exploited. Now they have an infrastructure and administrating organization. But the humans there want human things, mostly Earth food, which I can understand.”

“This planet is like Earth, then, not like Kinnae?”

“No planet is like Kinnae,” he said with affection. He turned to leave the bow and she followed.

“Time to orbit, Mr. Rougeau?”

“They have a lot of junk in orbit, so ninety minutes to get there and another half an hour to insert.”

“Ok, I’ll be back in eighty. Anyone like something from the mess?”

“Coffee?” Cerebrus said. All eyes turned to the android. Jackson tried not to laugh but it was almost impossible. The absurdity was perfect evidence that his android had developed a personality.

“I’ll have Bailey bring some up,” he said with the same seriousness, stepping into the elevator.

“Why did you say that?” Rianya asked him.

“It’s a joke. You can see that. Cerebrus can’t drink coffee.”

“Maybe he meant it for the other officers.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. I guess I better have some sent up. Are you excited?”

“To get off the ship and breathe real air? Who wouldn’t be? Everyone’s excited.”

“Do you feel up to it?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Tom heard the dare in her voice, and wasn’t feeling suicidal.

“You’re right, I underestimate your strength. You survived Bubonic Plague; you’re a tough nut.”

“What’s the eco-system like down there? Jane and I going to find fun things to look at under the microscope?

“It’s an old world,” he said. They strolled into the mess to find at least half the crew bubbling among themselves, with smiles, chatter, plates of food and drink. Most stood staring out the two large windows where Tau Ceti glowed. Polarized filters and gold foil prevented any serious ultra violet radiation from torturing anyone’s retinas. But the show wasn’t over.

“Everyone,” the captain called. The chatter stopped instantly and the group turned in unison to his voice. “Go up to the observation deck!” The crowd broke up and quickly dispersed, random ‘thank yous’ as they passed by with drinks in hands. He turned to Rianya with a roguish smile, waving his hand at the buffet. “More for us.”  She had a giggle as they piled on the festive Danish rolls and savory French crepes filled with cheese.

“Why did Bailey make all these goodies?”

“We’re coming up on shore leave. Everybody is ready to get off. Usually our planets require EV suits, disguises, or they are frozen or volcanic. This one’s nice. And we can stay as long as we like.”

“Can we go first this time?” she asked.

“No, I have to make sure the supplies are offloaded and we rotate a skeleton crew.”

“Why are we always last? Shouldn’t we be first?”

“I have to make sure everyone else is taken care of before I jaunt off. Did you want to go with Jane and Roz?”

“No. I’ll wait for you. What about the children?”

“Bailey told me she and Keith would watch them.”

Rianya snapped her gaze from the food to Tom.

“Is that smart?”

“They’re both older now, not runaways. The creatures are domesticated, except for their toxic oxen. I’ll touch base with the Campbells before they leave, remind them.”

“No.”

“What?”

“I’m not leaving them with someone else. Both girls come with me.”

“They might get in the way.”

“They are our responsibility. If you think they will be a burden—”

“No, I don’t want them to get hurt.”

“Then I will stay here with them.”

“Lovely, you need a break from the ship.”

“We’ll come down later, when we won’t be in your way.” It was a fair suggestion, but Tom wasn’t sure if she was sincere or sarcastic. Perhaps, both.

“If that’s what you want,” he said gently.

Tom wandered into the galley and found four carafes of coffee, and another percolating. He selected one to take to the bridge.

“Bridge to the captain.”

“Jackson here.”

“I have contact with the Earth Compound Administrator, Leonid Varova. He would like to speak with you.”

“On my way.” He turned to Rianya. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Yes, you will.”

Jackson took his call in the doyen’s office where he could steal the first cup of coffee from the limited supply.

“Captain Jackson, how are you?”

“Mr. Varova, it’s good to meet you. Things are good. We’re looking forward to our visit.”

“As are we,” the man said. He was younger than Jackson, with a round, ruddy face, and thick, caramel-colored hair. “We have an approval code for you to enter orbit. The Central Space Committee will need that as you approach.”

“I remember.”

“I’ve arranged for thirty days’ recreation permits for twenty-five, and ten day permits for any crew members more than that. Will that be enough?”

“Are the permits transferable and do they have age restrictions?”

“Yes, transferable, no on age restrictions. But the days must be taken consecutively, not three days here and five days there.”

“Understood. It’s been a long time since I was on the surface. Just making sure I have the protocol right.”

“Of course!” Mr. Varova laughed. “We haven’t planned a reception or anything formal for your arrival, but there’s a festival planned for the city’s ten-year anniversary.”

“Ten Ceti years? Has the reactor been there that long?” Jackson wondered how much time had passed without his being aware. Ten of their ‘annuals’ translated to about eight and a half Earth years, if he remembered correctly.

“I never can remember their calendar,” Varova muttered. “Something like that.”

“Well, good, that might be fun. Weather good?”

“Stormy on and off, but otherwise mild. We’ve passed winter. Summer comes on quickly without much warning, cold one day, hot the next.”

“We’ll be there soon. Will you be at the landing site?”

“No, but a human will meet you and get you oriented to the omnibus and city plan. It’s changed a lot the last couple years.”

“Tell me, Mr. Varova, do you have much contact with the Cetians?”

“Personally? No, I’m busy here at the compound most of the time. But they’re well integrated, at least in the city. Out in the sticks, aliens aren’t welcome. That’s us.”

“What about androids?”

“We don’t see those much. Have you got one?”

“Yes, an Astronomite. He’s not allowed in the engine room. What’s the general radiation level?”

“We have very little waste. It’s a thorium reactor.”

“I remember. It’s the only reason this city’s still here.”

“A few humans work there. We have them check their dosimeters every 100 days. No one has ever had an overexposure. But it should probably stay in the alien compounds. It’s a mixed bag. Some Cetians hate the new technology, some love it.”

“It was a leap from oil lamps to nuclear power almost overnight. Can’t blame them.”

“See you soon, Captain.”

“Maria Mitchell out.”