HERE WE ARE TOGETHER

HERE WE ARE TOGETHER

WILLIAM D. HARRIS

This is a gripping account of a manned expedition to a planet in another solar system. The author skillfully guides the reader through the journey and the suspenseful discoveries encountered upon arrival. The expedition hoped there would be humanoid life forms on the planet. Whether humanoid or lower life forms, would they be welcome or greeted with hostility? Read this story!

About The Author

William D. Harris is a seasoned writer of science fiction. An author whose work is not only technically praiseworthy, it provokes thought. This excellent example has believable characters, understandable technical imagery, and perfect pacing grabs the reader's attention. The author is destined to be one of the foremost science fiction writers of this new millennium. A wonderful book!

e-BOOK

Maverick Publishing

HOUSTON, TEXAS

HERE WE ARE

TOGETHER

William D Harris

e-Book 2002

www.mittymax.com

HERE WE ARE TOGETHER

WILLIAM D. HARRIS

e-Book

Maverick Publishing

HOUSTON, TEXAS

HERE WE ARE TOGETHER

WILLIAM D. HARRIS

PROLOGUE

Your mission is to study the region and especially its living beings. You must study them long and thoroughly without them becoming aware that they are being studied or indeed that you are present. There has never been a mission like this and you are largely on your own. You will transmit information to the home planet on an almost continuous basis. Any time that the communications window is open, transmit information, even if it is just a repeat of an earlier message.

You know that not all messages sent will get home. The quantum field carrying your message cannot traverse stones or other objects that may be in its path. If such an object were in the path of your message, the energy of the quantum field carrying your message would be dissipated on it. The message would no longer exist. That is why it is important to send the same message many times.

What might you find when you arrive? You have seen the movies and videos. That is a good place to start. Most likely none of these were anywhere close to the reality you will observe.

Would you be regarded as a spy? A security risk? Very probable, even quite likely. Will the inhabitants want to destroy you? Very probable, even quite likely. Will they imprison you while they study your equipment? Very probable, even quite likely. Will they allow you to make the return trip home? Very improbable, not at all likely.

Will you ever get home again? That depends on your ability to infiltrate, gather information and exit without detection. There is nothing we can do for you once you depart. It makes no difference what the problem, how great the threat to the mission; you are on your own. If the messages stop coming, we assume you are lost or perhaps dead, but we will never know for sure.

And so he starts on the longest, most death-defying mission ever known. His chances of return are doubtful. But keep the information coming, more and more as you can. The more and better information you supply, the better chance of successful completion of the next mission, the next foray into a truly strange land.

If you are successful and return home as projected, this one trip will be your entire career. No one has ever had such an assignment, such an opportunity. No one ever shall. There can only be one first penetration into the unknown,

“It is a long journey. You will grow weary of it before you get to your destination. Once you have started, you cannot turn back.”—The words of the commandant at the briefing before he left. There were eight in the class but only he was selected. “We will be in constant contact. There is much for us to learn both on the trip and, of course after you arrive.”

He remembered those words though they were uttered a long time ago. It was a long journey. There were radio communications daily. The time delay between asking questions and receiving an answer grew. At this point, by the time a reply came, the question had been resolved or forgot. “You will be on our own. We cannot help you if you have trouble, regardless of the nature of that trouble.” “Troubles?” He did have to dodge asteroids on several occasions. Had one of those struck his vessel he may never have found his way. “We have provided every conceivable device to make your trip as comfortable and secure as it can be. Everything is state of the art.”

He had checked the constellations and watched then change as he traveled. Some did not resemble the constellations he saw at home at all. “We need the information you can gain. Do your best. Trips such as this will be commonplace in the next generation.” It was a long trip—a very long trip.

CHAPTER ONE

There it is. Destination is a mere two thousand kilometers away. Orbiting at this level will provide some time for study. Some orbits are needed at this level—maybe a few hundred. Later it will be necessary to orbit at a closer level---say at one hundred fifty kilometers.

With the information gathered then come back here at two thousand to evaluate the data. After assimilating all the data, especially the language, the maps must be studied. How else can a place be found to set the craft down. The real work of the mission will begin after the language is learned. Mapping is critical. The computer enhancements, wherein maps become clearer and better defined with each orbit, are essential.

The limited space in the capsule has had an effect. How long will it take to rebuild the muscles to withstand gravity? The gravity here is similar to that at home since the size and density of the planets are similar. Even the atmosphere, especially the nitrogen/oxygen ratio is similar.

The language is difficult. Studying at a lower altitude will ease the problem. He listened. The computer listened—and recorded—and played back. In these orbits he had time to study, to learn the intonations. More orbits at two thousand kilometers would be needed to really work on the language.

How long would it take on the surface to restore the muscles? How would he measure up to the humanoids on the planet? Could he mingle with them without detection? Would they welcome him if he were physically different? Would he be able to get the essential information if they were hostile? Only questions. Soon he would need to get answers. Would he be able to refuel his ship for the trip home? How long has it been? How long will it be?

It would take some time to grasp the reality of regular periods of daylight and darkness—day and night. There had been years of travel in the dim void not characteristic of either--the blackness with pinpoints of light showing infrequently. The occurrence was a welcome relief even though it did require some adjustment.

That problem was trivial when compared to the problem of adjusting to the gravity after all those years of weightlessness. He could scarcely maneuver his body. Even lifting his arms was a major effort. They seemed so heavy.

Perhaps they would find the ship and come for him. Even then there would be a problem. The hatch can scarcely be identified from the outside. They could not enter unless he operated the latch lever. He could not do that right now. He wouldn’t be able to until those muscles were rebuilt.

At a time determined by the computer his report was transmitted to the home planet. The communications window was only open a few seconds a day but the highspeed system could pack a lot of data into that time. The message was repeated many times. As time passes the older portion of the data is eliminated. More new information is added almost continuously. It is similar to reading from a scroll. If he ever got home, they will find all the data in the back-up disks in the computer files. That would fill in the gaps caused by blocked transmissions.

Would there be a return trip? It would be years after he left this planet before he could even get a guidance signal from the home planet. Yes, they would transmit a beam for him but could he find it in that vast void. Might he lock on to another signal from a different planet somewhat more remote in that vast wilderness called space. Surely his planet was not the only one in the universe that could venture into interplanetary travel. Would his ship’s directional equipment be strong and selective enough to ward off homing signals from a different direction? --A different planet?

He would learn the answers in time. Now his main purpose was to restore those muscles so he could maneuver under the influence of gravity. Supplies will be needed for the home trip. The main mission of the trip is to acquire knowledge for those that would follow. The study of the planet is the main purpose now. He must learn of its people, its vegetation, and its general ecology.

Ten years of no gravity had its effect on his muscles. There was an exercise routine on the computer. He brought it on board and started it.

“Push against the wall, One arm at a time, Now both arms at once. Relax. Push again. Harder. Harder. Harder. Now push with one leg. No, do not try to stand. That comes later. Push. Now the other leg. Push again. No, not both legs at once. That must wait a while. Lift one leg. Just a little. Let it drop. Lift the other. Repeat. Try alternating—one leg up and down—now the other. Just a few centimeters. Higher tomorrow. Soon the leg will be strong enough to elevate the body to the erect position, but now, back to the exercise. Back to the arms. Roll the body to the right. Back. Now to the left. Now clear over so you are facing the gravitational force. Now repeat the exercises in this position.

“Relax. That is enough for a while. Rest. Maybe even sleep. And when the rest is over, back to the routine. Push against the wall. One hand. Now the other, again and again and yet again. In a few days you will be able to open the hatch. You will want to get out, but don’t. The craft is high and you may not be capable of ascending the sides to get back in. No, just do more exercises.”

“You will know when you are strong enough to venture out and still get back into the cabin. When you know it is all right, that you can handle it, wait. Continue the exercises another few days then emerge. Leaving the capsule too early may be fatal. If you are unable to get back into the capsule, you may starve to death. If the surface weather is bad, you may suffer from exposure. If the animal and humanoid population is hostile, you will need the shelter of the capsule. If any of these things happen, the value of the mission is compromised.

Go through the exercises again. Push, pull, lift, roll. Push, pull, lift, roll. That’s the way. That is the only way to develop those muscles so the hatch can be opened. The tingling in your arms is due to the rush of blood carrying energy to cells that have been dormant for all these years. It will hurt at first, but after a few days, it will feel refreshing and exhilarating. Later, when you can go out of the capsule, you will have to learn to walk again. Next you will learn to run. Throwing objects and swinging tools will come later.

When that is done, you can proceed with the purpose of the mission. Make contact with the inhabitants and hope their curiosity is stronger than their insecurity. If the former, you will ultimately impart your knowledge and gain theirs. If not, your life will depend on your ability to avoid them while studying them. The capsule is your only safe haven. Depending upon their technology, the capsule may not be safe

The capsule may not be safe. There is enough fuel to blast off from here and head home. There will be course corrections. Will there be enough fuel? Is the technology of this planet advanced enough to provide fuel? Do they even have the raw materials? Do I dare even try the foods? Questions. Only questions. When will the answers come? Another question.

“Push, pull, lift, roll. Pull, pull, lift, roll. Relax. Push, pull, lift, roll.”

He followed the regimen regularly, not daily, but hourly. The hours stretched into days and then weeks. Standing up for the first time came as a surprise. One morning he could stand up. The hatch was within his reach with a little stretch. The muscles were developing. The severe forces of gravity were within his ability. He wanted to shout. No one would hear. If anyone did, though, that may introduce another problem. He reached for the latch cover. Yes, he could move it. A new exercise would be added to his program. Perhaps tomorrow would be a better time to try opening the hatch.

He climbed to each porthole and looked out. The capsule had set down in a bog of some sort—perhaps a shallow lake. The vegetation was green and profuse. The huge leaves on that vine are akin to the elephant ear philodendron. The flower on the vine climbing that tree looks like the kudzu. The philodendron is everywhere. Looking out excited him, so he turned to the latch again. The hatch did not open when it was rotated and he pushed it. It did not open even though he pushed hard. Suddenly, he felt very tired. His excitement abated. He lay down and slept for several hours.

As he lay on the bunk, he thought of many things. The trip had been so long that he had trouble remembering his age. He tried to review all the final instructions he had received before he left home. How jovial the comments of the operators at the base as his craft moved away--the humor in the repartee as he sped away? When he left the solar system, it took an hour for his messages to get home. “You’re getting a little slow on the responses,” one of the base operators had commented with a slight laugh. “You know the commander wants responses immediately!” The commander and everyone else would have to wait. There is no way they could reach him now.

The incoming messages are a few years old. He would be on the return trip before the messages he sent now reached the home receivers. They were probably still sending him messages. Somewhere out there would be his messages headed for the home planet. Likewise, there would be many messages for him. There would be a few thousand quantum-fields that were his messages. They would be separated, one from the next, by space equal to the distance light traveled in a day—approximately twenty five billion kilometers. His messages would travel through how many other quantum fields emanating from other parts of the universe—some of them destined for his receivers. They would continue on their trip, however.

It was late in the day when he woke up. He resumed the routine but now he added another exercise. He climbed the wall of the capsule to the top and then around to each porthole—three times around the capsule at porthole level. It was time to bring the ladder from the hold in anticipation of the approaching day when he would first leave the capsule—be the first person ever from his planet to set foot on a planet outside his home solar system.

He called on the computer for a review of instructions for emergence from the capsule.

“Open the hatch. Leave it open while you are outside. Check the terrain around the capsule thoroughly. Observe any animal movements. Be sure nothing, not even a plant, may be in the way of a hasty retreat to the capsule. Do not leave the vicinity of the capsule until you are capable of running, including running up the ladder to get back into the capsule. Once you are capable of leaving the area, close the capsule before leaving.”

“If there is animal life of any kind, it is a potential death threat. Do not attempt to destroy it. Avoid it. Be wary of any humanoids. Avoid them if possible until you are sure of your surroundings and the way back to the capsule. You are to study them. If you are lucky, they will want to study you. However, we do not know where they fit on the evolutionary ladder.”

There were humanoids and strong evidence of an urban society that were shown on the computer as he orbited. Though he orbited the planet a full year, at three different levels, there seemed to be no attempt to intercept him or even communicate with him. Was their technology so far behind that they didn’t have the capability? Still, he had heard radio broadcasts that imply a technologically developed system was in place. Indeed, these broadcasts, with the aid of his computer, had enabled him to learn the language. He knew the sounds and intonations. Before he made contact he must find printed language. Perhaps he could learn to write the language, but as a minimum he must be able to read signs and signals.

Forays outside the capsule had to be well organized. The prospect of hostility in the inhabitants was still to be determined. The next part of the process would be to establish a foothold, so to speak, though that is difficult while working alone. With the capsule sitting in this small bay on the north side of the lake, at least the south flank was somewhat sheltered.

Thor looked westward. The city appeared to be northeast of this location. His maps showed nothing to the west but forest. He ventured in that direction to find any life forms that may be present. He checked everything, leaving no stone unturned, for about a hundred meters. Being sure that area was clear, he returned to the capsule.

In the afternoon he explored in the easterly direction. Again he only ventured about a hundred meters. The area was heavily vegetated with the philodendron type vegetation. There were very few trees in this direction but the foliage was so thick that movement was difficult. On several occasions he got his feet wet. He stepped on pads that looked firm but gave way under the pressure of his foot. Several times his foot ended in the water of a small inlet. Returning to the capsule, he decided that was enough for one day.

In the morning he took the survival kit from the capsule and started to build a shelter outside the capsule. There were a lot of fallen trees in the western area that he had already searched. In two days he had cut and trimmed enough of the wood to build a lean-to. It would take another day or so to get it set up. The forest was dense enough in that area. The structure would not be noticed unless a being got within a few meters of it.

The daily routine was now established. It would begin with a routine check of the area that he had previously explored. This was now his foothold on this planet. Each day he explored a bit further both east and west of his previous explorations. Then he would return to the locale of the capsule and work on the shelter. Within a week he hoped to have the shelter done. He could live in the capsule, but after ten years inside it, a life outside would be welcome.

Days went by without any confrontation with the humanoids on he planet. He was sure there were some. The view of the planet from orbiting indicated several large communities. These communities were at least evolved to the point that they used tools to build buildings. The radio signals were heard while orbiting to the extent that one could learn the language from it. Therefore there had to be humanoids with well-developed technology.

The capsule was fairly well concealed by the forest on the north side but it could surely be seen from across the lake. Though he estimated that he was within ten Kilometers of a community no beings seemed interested in finding him. He had observed the animals across the lake but even they did not seem to care that he was present. He could see fishes in the waters and knew that soon they would be part of his diet.

Lifting the logs to an upright position for the shelter turned out to be more difficult than he expected. The logs were heavy. It is true that they would float on the water but still they were heavy. Building a jack would be necessary to get the logs in place. There was no jack in the survival kit. Fortunately, there were ropes and pulleys.

The tools included hammers and drills. He would have to use these items to create a jack to lift the logs. Drilling a hole in the logs was not easy but it had to be done. After drilling a hole in two of the logs he bound them together using a smaller log as a pin. He used some of the vines that were so readily available in the area to tie a third log at right angles to the joined ones. Now it was time to introduce the pulleys and rope to the project. A line was thrown over the branch of a large tree. A pulley was attached to it and then hoisted up the tree to a level above the height of the projected shelter.

Thor attached a rope to the point of juncture of the three logs. This was in turn passed over the pulley. The vine binding had to be secured several times during the lifting process. By the end of the day he had erected a tripod that would stand alone and support weight. It was a beginning. Tomorrow he would create a similar structure a few meters away. That would be his framework. Right now though it was time to get back in the capsule and get a night’s sleep.

Though he made quite a bit of noise in the process of creating that tripod, nothing came of it. If there were beings present they were being careful not to seen. In the morning the check of the area would include looking for footprints.

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