The Edge of the Map, Daniel Lucas [book club recommendations .TXT] 📗

Prologue


They had existed for so long that not even the oldest queens could remember where their home was. Only that it existed and that they were to wait. To wait for what exactly they could not remember.
They knew that it would come and, they would do something but again could not remember what it was. So life went on as it always did or so the queens had told them. They only knew a few things, to work the fields, to obey the queens, and that the queens were always right.

All was not perfect, there was a few that always knew that they were different. Although they did not know how different they truly were, that knowledge was reserved for the queens and, their consorts the elite. To what extent they were different was not even known to the queens only the elite knew and were plotting to use their knowledge…


Chapter first
October 3 2999

From early on lieutenant Rodregiez knew that this would be a most interesting flight. This being his first mission as commander, He had been in the United Earth Space Exploratory force, (U.E.S.E) for exactly three years. He felt that the time for his first solo flight has come two years ago but, U.S.E.S.’s regulations forbid him from flying solo until he had one thousand hours in training. He thought that this length of time was extremely unfair since he had been flying before he could see over the instrument panel. He chuckled at this because as far as he knew U.S.E.S. still did not know about his “early flights.” As these thoughts ran through his mind, he began his preflight instruction list.

As he began his final few items on his list he was beginning to wonder where his co-pilot was, he was over fifteen minutes late already well over the limit afforded to first day screw-ups. Rodregiez was in too good of a mood to chew him out over him being late besides it was no big deal. Just as Rodregiez reached his decision to go light on his navigator he showed up out of breath, sweating, and staggering under the duffel bag he was carrying.

Second Lieutenant Arther “Crash” Willson was startled when he saw the Lieutenant watching him he dropped his duffel to the floor with a thud. He snapped a picture perfect salute and, said “Second Lieutenant Willson reporting as ordered, sir”

“Ah, yes Second Lieutenant Arther “Crash” Willson, Winner of the Red Banner for the highest grade point average in three years, holder of the highly coveted Blue Star for perfect shooing in both riffle as well as the pistol. Last but certainly not least, holder of the chair of Evans in Cybernetics as well as programming. Did I remember it all? Oh, yes almost forgot part of the best and newest team in Exploration.” Said Rodregiez.

“No, sir. It’s all there.” Said Wilson “Lieutenant James Rodregiez, Winner of the Red Banner for highest grade point average in fifteen years, holder of the Blue Star in riffle as well as the pistol, and the laser cannon, which I missed by two points by the way. Holder of the Evans chair in Astrophysics and Stellar cartography. Now that we have introduced ourselves, can we leave? Otherwise I think that I’ll go unpack my gear.” Said Willson.
“Strap in Willson were leaving in two minutes, as you can see you really cut it close if I had to wait for you we would have been bumped to the wait list and, there would have been hell to pay.” Said Rodregiez

They finished the last of the preflight checklist and contacted Omega base flight operations.
“Control this is U.S.E.S. flight 1741”said Rodregiez

“1741 this is Control, go ahead.” Said the earphone on his head.

“1741requesting release of the docking clamps and a clear launch vector.” Replied Rodregiez.

“1741 docking clamps will be lowered and launch vector will be transmitted upon confirmation of your authorization code.” Said Flight Operations.

“Sending code now flight.” Said Rodregiez.

“Code received 1741 wait one moment please.” Said Flight

“I hate these waiting games they are always so dam useless.” Said Rodregiez to Willson.

Willson thought for a moment then said “Christ! Aren’t we going to be busy for the…”

He was interrupted by the communication gear,”1741 this is Flight.”
“Control this is 1741, go ahead.” Replied Rodregiez

“Code accepted and verified clamps will be released at your word transmission of launch vector will begin immediately. Good luck.” Said flight control

“Roger control thanks and…. Clamps off! We will see you in January.” Said Rodregiez.

“What were you saying Willson?” asked Rodregiez

“What I was saying is that we have seventeen planets to go over. It takes at least three weeks to do just one planet, let alone seventeen planets!” Said Willson.

“Look at it this way, it is job security,” chuckled Rodregiez, "but seriously it is a lot of work so let’s get on with it.” Finished Rodregiez.

“Time for our first jump.” Said Willson

“On my count, one, two, three…jump!” Commanded Rodregiez


The tiny ship was pulled into a whirlpool only the computer could understand they were shot out three hundred light years from Omega Station in less than five seconds. The first sight they saw was a huge gas type planet with twenty moons and five rings.

“Wow! That is the most beautiful sight that I have ever seen.” Commented Willson.

“Sure is.” Said Rodregiez

“ I don’t get it what are we doing here?” asked Willson

“There is a “B” type moon on the far side of this monster of a gas giant.” Said Rodregiez

“Oh, I see if that were the case shouldn’t I be picking it up on my sensors by now?” Questioned Willson.

“True, However it might be because of the gas giant.” Suggested Rodregiez.

“Well let’s go take a look at the thing.” Suggested Willson.

When the got within visual range they under stood why they could not find the planet on there sensors. The planet was decimated it looked like no place that either of them and ever seen or herd of.

“What the hell happened here sir?” asked Willson “I mean shit sir! This place is dead and, has been for a long time.” Said Willson.

“It does appear that way doesn’t it Willson, but we still have to go down and look the place over.” Said Rodregiez.

They landed the ship on the surface and donned their exposure suits to leave the ship. They went through the prescribed exploration protocols and then left the planet just as fast as they got there. They filled their reports and left the system. They proceeded to the next planet marked for exploration for possible colony sites.


Chapter Second
November 3, 2999


We find our intrepid explores returning from another decimated planet. They have seen this sight before and feel that they should report their findings to U.S.E.S. headquarters. Therefore, they leave the system in preparation to send a message tube to headquarters. As they gained position for the launch of the message tube, a thought occurred to Rodregeiz.

“I wonder what they will say?” Asked Rodregeiz

“Why? They should just acknowledge the tube and let us know when we get back isn’t that the way it is usually done?” Asked Willson

“Well I was just wondering if we should send the report this soon, that’s all
Nothing else.” Said Rodregeiz


“What do you mean this soon?” asked Willson.

“What I mean is that we have only seen three planets like this. If we are going to report this kind of thing we really should have some thing more tangible to send them don’t you think?” Said Rodregeiz.

“You could be right there but I still think it is worth telling them about. What we could do is send the message but, not high priority like we were planing.” Suggested
Willson.

“Okay, that sounds good let’s do that instead.” Said Rodregiez.

They sent their message off to headquarters. Once the tube was launched they returned to their assignment. What they did not know could not know was that on the tube journey it ran afoul of an asteroid and was destroyed instantly. They arrived at their next planet, which was relatively close to the sensor readings that stellar cartography had gotten from it. They orbited the planet for a few very short hours then landed the tiny scout ship.
When they landed they realized that they should get some sleep before they began the huge task of exploring this planet. As they slept they were oblivious to the visitor they had as they slumbered. As they awoke they were excited to begin a task the may not be as bed as they had feared. They began with the atmospheric surveys and the gravity investigations. As soon as these were completed they donned the gear and prepared to begin there first of many outside treks over the planets surface. As they lowered the ladder, they were amazed the view they got was tremendous. They were treated to a view of a spectacular waterfall.

“Those falls must go down a thousand meters at least.” Said Willson.

“At least if not more I think more like five thousand meters.” Said Rodregiez.

“Why don’t you put your dessert where you mouth is.” Said Willson

“Okay you’re on!” Replied Rodregiez with a smile and chuckle.

They climbed down the ladder and walked to the edge of the clearing. When they got there, they took readings of the surrounding flora. They were astonished to find that there was silicon as well as carbon based typed life forms existing in the same biosphere. They took samples of the local plant life to examine on the ship. As they returned to the ship Willson stumbled on a root and stepped on a flower that they had not previously cataloged.

“Shit, I guess that we had better find a new sample to catalog if we want to have this one too.” Said Willson.

“Why?”

“Well, I stepped on this one and it’s already dying.”

“How the hell did you do that?”

“I stumbled on a root and almost fell but, caught myself and this flower took the brunt of my fall.”

“Where they hell are we going to get another one?” asked Rodregiez. Looking around and not seeing another flower similar to the one in Willsons hand. “I think that we should call it a day and, start again in the morning.” Willson just nodded and followed Rodregiez to the clearing and bumped in to his back with a grunt.
“What the hell Rodregiez?” asked Willson.

“SSSHHHH!!!” Replied Rodregiez. He pointed to the clearing through the partially screening bushes towards the small ship. There was a small creature approximately two foot tall and half as wide. It walked on two legs and had dark green skin and no visible hair. His hands hang down to his knees as he stood there looking over the ship without any sign of fear of the alien ship. Rodregiez pointed to the stun gun that had appeared in his hand without Willson seeing it. He then pointed left and indicated that he was to go that way