Tara Read online

  TARA

  The Goldilocks Planet

  All Rights Reserved.

  Copyright © 2018 J.G. Possum

  v3.0

  This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

  This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Outskirts Press, Inc.

  http://www.outskirtspress.com

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2018904472

  Cover Photo © 2018 gettyimages.com. All rights reserved - used with permission.

  Outskirts Press and the “OP” logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.

  PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  FOR BARBARA

  56 Years, 4 Months, and 20 Days of Marital Bliss

  MY ANGEL

  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Acknowledgments

  A tribute to my loving family who is the greatest

  a man could have.

  Special thanks to my daughter-in-law

  Stephenie Possum, my friend Professor

  Jerry Coulter and my cherished friend

  Lois Howard who always encouraged me.

  Chapter One

  Alone eagle circled high above the canyon, gliding on the warm air currents in the American Southwest. The new space center located on the top of Mount Lemmon in Tucson, Arizona had been open for business for sixteen months waiting for the Aquarius spaceship to be completed. The center had been relocated from the east coast of Florida for security reasons. Lance Roberts sat at the control station in the command center. He had been assigned the position of commanding officer five years after NASA located the constellation of Aquarius back in 2026.

  It had taken ten years to reach this point in time, working night and day. It was now the year 2036. Lance was thirty-five on his last birthday. He had taken advanced studies in celestial mechanics and space navigation, but his real strength was his ability to deal with people and think on his feet with precise accuracy. He was six-foot-two, had dark hair, and hazel eyes; he was in top physical condition, a born leader, and well liked. Both of his parents had died in a car accident when he was twenty-one years old.

  He graduated from the NASA Space Academy at the top of his class in 2030. His co-pilot was Captain Ashley Butler, a thirty-year-old specialist in astrophysics and the origin of life. She was five-foot-six with dark hair and brown eyes. Her parents died when she was only fifteen from an unexplained explosion. NASA liked it that way. No strings attached. No family to leave behind. Ashley was a beautiful woman. It didn’t take long for Lance to notice her, and she fell for Lance. They were a perfect match. Life was good. Lance and Ashley were married two years after she joined the team, and they never looked back.

  The operations crew consisted of five men and five women carefully selected for their expert abilities, education, and temperament. They were married couples matched during their training over the past three years: Walter and Lois Walker, Jonah and Mila Johnson, Hikaru and Takeo Moto, Mike and Sue Adams, and Frank and Terry Warren. They were the key operation personnel for the mission.

  Operational training continued day after day as the ship was under construction. All systems were continuously being updated as new information was obtained. The ship was a state-of-the-art design. In addition to the operations crew, there was a total of two hundred support personnel consisting of one hundred men and one hundred women carefully selected over a twelve-month period from qualified applicants. Those chosen were between the ages of twenty and thirty years old, screened for health, psychological stability, motivation, education, special skills, aeronautical experience, and having no family to leave behind--total independence was required. All applicants wanted a chance to co-exist in a world that had clean air and fresh water where they could raise a family in peace without the worry of fanatics trying to blow them up. A fresh start with a new life and no restrictions.

  The two hundred support personnel were assigned to six specific teams relative to their education and experience. They reported to the operations crew for assignment.

  The mission support team consisted of sixteen scientific personnel, experienced in electronics, mechanical, chemical, design and systems engineering, anthropology, geology, topography, and specialists in business operations. They reported to Commander Lance Roberts and Captain Ashley Roberts.

  The security team consisted of twenty carefully selected trained military personnel having special forces combat experience in both defense and offense tactics. They reported directly to Lieutenants Frank and Terry Warren and were stationed throughout the ship.

  The medical team consisted of two doctors, four nurses, and four laboratory technicians. They reported to Doctors Jonah and Mila Johnson and assisted in supporting the health of the total crew in whatever was necessary. The Aquarius had full medical facilities.

  The maintenance team consisted of twenty personnel experienced with the ship’s intricate structure and operational systems. They reported to Lieutenants Walter and Lois Walker.

  The survival team consisted of fifty-four personnel, experienced in all forms of agriculture, including bio-farming, and hydroponics. They also prepared meals for the crew and reported directly to Lieutenants Hikaru and Takeo Moto.

  The construction team consisted of eighty specialists experienced in modern forms of building structures including bridges, roads, dwellings, power networks, and the use of heavy equipment. They reported to Lieutenants Mike and Sue Adams.

  All personnel were trained for specific jobs and cross-trained to assist in other jobs if required. Shared knowledge and cross-training made for a strong overall organization. Teamwork was the only way to survive, and it was constantly stressed. The total crew consisted of 212 personnel.

  This was one of several projects that were taking place all over the world with the objective of locating habitable planets. Earth was slowly overheating, and overpopulating, and a world war was on the horizon. NASA discovered a way to travel great distances, through the use of wormholes that bend space and time.

  For the first time in history, they had engines that could do the job, including recently developed hyperdrive and magnetic propulsion. NASA had the edge on technology. Humanity needed an escape, a destination, and we needed to get there first if humanly possible. Time was running out.

  NASA’s special project, The Search for Habitable Planets, found a winner in 2026, and it was verified in 2028.

  In the constellation of Aquarius, the third planet in orbit around the Dwarf Star Trapper was identified as Exoplanet T-3. T-3 was located
in The Goldilocks Zone. The Goldilocks Zone is the exact distance from a planet’s sun that is not too far and not too close to sustain life as we know it, not too cold and not too hot. T-3 was located 40 light years or 240 trillion miles from Earth.

  In the command center headquarters next to the launch pad, Lance walked down the long hallway into the operations room. Technicians were working on last-minute preparations for the launch in two days. He was pleased the time had finally arrived. He turned right and went into the training room lounge, where he found an empty table and sat down. He felt tired and overwhelmed. Captain Ashley, who was standing near an open port, spotted him and came over.

  “How’s it going?” she said.

  “Good as ever,” he replied. “They must have added fifty more people. There are new faces everywhere throughout the ship.”

  Ashley sat down next to him. “Did you see the latest coffins we’ll be sleeping in?”

  Lance looked at her with a frown on his face. “Don’t call them coffins,” he said. “I really don’t like the thought.” They both laughed. He held her hand in his and thought, You’re a lucky guy.

  The waitress came to the table. “Good morning. Can I bring you some breakfast, Commander?” she asked.

  Ashley remarked quietly, “She didn’t ask me.”

  Lance smiled, and ordered his usual, eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast, and strong coffee. Ashley ordered the same, except she preferred tea.

  Admiral Bartlett approached the table, and Lance immediately stood at attention, saluting him. “So, here you are. I’ve been looking for you. I’ll brief your crew tomorrow at 0700. Have a nice day, Commander; see you then.”

  Lance and Ashley took the shuttle to the launch pad. The great ship Aquarius stood as a silver disc against the horizon, and they paused for a moment to admire her. This ship would carry them all to a new world yet unknown. They went up the ramp into the ship, and the lift took them to Deck Three, where they entered the control center. Lieutenant Walter Walker came to attention, and announced, “Commander on board.”

  Lance saluted, went to the intercom, and notified the crew. “Attention: this is the captain speaking. We will meet in the auditorium at 0700 tomorrow morning for a final briefing. That is all.”

  Andy, standing next to him, asked, “Shall I attend, Captain?”

  “Yes, Andy, I want you there,” Lance answered. Andy never left the control center unless directed.

  Andy was an AIA, an Artificial Intelligent Android, designed to look like the average man, but having access to the main computer, for a brain. He was of average build, five-foot-ten, and had a kind, intelligent face. He reported directly to Lance but worked with the crew when directed. His motor skills were five times greater than those of a human, including speed and strength. He had a photographic memory, and he didn’t have an expiration date.

  The operations crew consisted of five married couples working as a team. They were all carefully selected, extensively trained and experts in their field. Walter Walker was the chief engineer, and an expert on hyperdrive systems and magnetic propulsion. His wife, Lois, was an engineer who specialized in system design analysis. She had a photographic memory, and excelled at organization and overall project concepts. Lois was considered one of the best trouble-shooters they had seen. She was five-foot-two with dark brown hair, blue eyes, a beautiful figure, and a great sense of humor.

  Walter was a close friend to Lance. He stood six feet tall, had brown hair, hazel eyes, and a winning smile. He was an all-around good guy. Walter and Lois were very much in love and enjoyed working together whenever possible.

  Doctor Jonah Johnson was the ship’s chief medical officer. He stood five foot ten and was a little overweight but quick on his feet and very precise. Jonah’s wife, Mila, was five foot four and in top physical condition, with fine black hair. She was a skilled surgeon and monitored the health of the entire crew. The ship had a complete medical facility and laboratory. Mila knew everyone and was everywhere.

  The crew loved Mila.

  Hikaru and Takeo Moto were specialists on bio-farming and agriculture techniques, covering all aspects concerning the production of food products. The ship had a 4000-square-foot laboratory for growing whatever they needed. Both Hikaru and Takeo were scientists that loved farming. They had the skills to grow anything, anywhere. Hikaru was six feet tall and in good shape; he never tired. Takeo was five-foot-four, with a lean strong body. She worked hard and was always happy and carefree.

  Mike and Sue Adams were in charge of all construction operations, and experts on survival procedures. They were trained using the latest construction techniques and materials. Mike was six feet tall and hard as nails. Sue was five-foot-six and strong for her size. They worked as a team and complemented each other. They loved their jobs and all forms of construction, from individual dwellings to intricate structures with unique designs.

  Frank and Terry Warren were military specialists on tactical operations necessary to defend the ship when needed. Frank was also in charge of security. He was a large man, six-foot-four, all muscle, no fat, and fearless. He was dedicated and took his job seriously. His men had a lot of respect for him. Terry was a big woman, a nicely proportioned five-foot-nine. She had dark red hair and a strong body, physically fit. They both spent months working with special operations and were weapons experts. They had years of experience.

  The operations crew were cross-trained in various systems throughout the ship required for emergency conditions. The specific teams from the support crew reported to them.

  Walter Walker was a meticulous engineer who always made sure everything was perfect. He could hardly wait for this adventure to begin; he enjoyed working on difficult problems. Walter had a lot of respect for Lance. He had worked with him over the past few years, going over repeatedly the specifics of the drive systems. Like the rest of the crew, he thought the idea of a new life in a new world starting from scratch seemed like a wonderful challenge.

  At 0700 the next morning the crew was assembled as requested. Admiral Bartlet stood on the raised platform in the auditorium. He was a sturdy individual, having a square jaw and steely eyes. He spoke with a strong voice. “You are about to make history. The goal is to colonize Exoplanet T-3. From this point forward, this planet will be known as Tara.

  “As far as we know, Tara is the closest thing to Earth we have found to date. It has the water and oxygen we need, and God willing, you will be the first to see it, and as you know, you won’t be coming back.

  “The Aquarius is the finest ship ever constructed, with the latest technology available. It has taken us ten years to complete. NASA decided a special trained crew has the best chance for survival. You are that special crew…. All hand-picked. You are the first to take such a voyage. Traveling forty light years has never been attempted before. Everyone here at NASA is counting on you.” You could hear a pin drop; everyone was in deep thought. “You may be humanity’s best hope. I wish I could go with you.”

  There was a long pause. The admiral turned to Lance and said, “Commander, the ship is yours. Take good care of her.” He shook his hand, touched his shoulder, and left the auditorium.

  Lance turned to the crew. He looked at them for a few minutes and said, “I know what you’re thinking. It’s hard to realize that we are about to embark on a one-way trip, travel forty light years to land on a strange planet we’ve never seen, and spend the rest of our lives there. We are a special team. That is exactly what we signed on for. I trust each one of you with my life, and I believe we will survive and find the peace and happiness we all want--a chance to start over.

  “After we leave Earth’s atmosphere, we will go into orbit and test all systems. We will then retire into suspended hibernation chambers. Andy will look after us, and Andy never sleeps. The ship will switch to hyperdrive. The master computer will guide us through three specific wormholes that will take us to the constellation of Aquarius, where we will switch back to magnetic propulsion drive. We will
then awaken from our sleep, and we’ll be in orbit around the Planet Tara.

  “I calculate we will have been in our chambers for approximately fourteen months. Please note we will not have aged. Doctors Jonah and Mila Johnson will assist us as needed; you all have trained for this. Andy will wake us when we arrive at our destination. We blast off at 0600 tomorrow. That is all. I’ll see you this evening at our party.”

  Lance left the auditorium with Ashley and walked down the ramp. The sun was starting to set in the west, and the sky was crimson red.

  Chapter Two

  It was the evening before launch. The entire crew was invited to a special party, formal dress required. Commander Lance Roberts and his wife Captain Ashley Roberts were early, to make sure they greeted everyone. The top brass were present, including the Vice President of the United States. The admiral kept him in close tow. He made a point to shake almost everyone’s hand and wish them safe passage. The president would have been there if he were available; however, he was in serious negotiations with world leaders. Word had it he was in ill health—politics, as usual. The world was on high alert, Condition Red. World leaders were ready for war, and the situation was deteriorating fast.

  At the space center, there was a full orchestra playing soothing music, also an open bar. World problems were set aside. It was a pleasant evening, and speeches were kept to a minimum. The night was cold but clear. The sky was full of bright stars. Lance and Ashley danced with the music but had little conversation. They were in deep thought and felt the pressure of the coming launch; at the same time, the fact that the waiting was over left them with a sense of relief.

  Lance looked at Ashley. “I love you, baby.”

  “I know,” she replied as she looked into his eyes. They continued dancing in silence. There was no need for further conversation. They knew each other’s feelings. The evening gradually wound down with one final speech, and everyone started to take their leave, two or three at a time. Lance could hardly wait to be alone with his wife. Back in their apartment, they held each other close with deep love.