AL Clark, Jonathan G. Meyer [the little red hen ebook .TXT] 📗

Al was feeling good. He now had a name and profession. The computer outlined his position and its requirements. However, it made no mention of who was to be in charge. Al assumed that he, like Chris, was a last-minute addition to the crew that someone had forgotten to add to the computer.

While Liz was busy doing repairs on the sensor array, he used a nearby terminal to find five security officers that met his criteria. He would discuss this with the captain, but Al thought a security team should be high on their list of priorities. It was not hard to find five men that were all experienced with exemplary records. Yes, he was feeling pretty good.

It made sense that he was security. The captain's statement explained many things: the uniform, the sidearm, the keys, and his high-security clearance. He thought that he was going to like this job, and was anxious to return to the orange section and set up his office.

Chris did what he could to assist the two hiber-pod technicians. It was not his field of study, but he was a good listener and followed orders willingly. They had awakened two more people; the first officer, and a helmsman. Both were now settling into their quarters.

The captain was recovering at a remarkable pace and was to be released to return to duty the following day.

It was Christmas Eve, and earlier in the day, the captain decided that a party was in order. He offered the use of the observation lounge, which was spacious enough for the number of people attending. After all, there were only ten of them. The group considered Robot Nine as one of them, and he was invited to play bartender and all around go-getter.

They gathered in the hub and practiced flying in the zero gravity until the captain arrived on a floating gurney with Doctor Cody driving. The makeshift crew was officially off-duty for the first time since their revival, and they were in the mood for a celebration.

Captain Effinger’s condition was much improved, and he radiated confidence for the future. “Maybe we’ll see something we recognize through large panoramic windows.”

It was the captain’s card that opened the door, and they entered one by one into the observation area. The sight of their lives awaited them. Silence ruled the moment as they were overwhelmed with what they saw out the large transparent window. The captain’s wish had come true, and they finally knew where they were.

Slowly circling below them was the most beautiful planet they had ever seen. Clear blue skies with a sprinkling of cloud cover hovered over the landscape. Land complete with mountains topped in white, green valleys, and massive rolling flatlands.

The oceans were immense and blue, reflecting the sunlight back to their eyes. There was not a hint of pollution, flat tracks of land, or even cities. What they looked down on could only be Avalon.

When the realization sunk in; pandemonium broke out. Everyone was talking at once, and except for the captain, was jumping up and down and yelling. Cody had to hold their leader down to keep him from following their example.

They took turns looking at the planet through the small telescope mounted in the lounge, and they toasted each other. They talked about their future and drank some more.

They toasted Christmas Day as it rolled around, and marveled at the fantastic present slowly spinning below them. Robot Nine served drinks while they danced and drank until the entire planet turned and displayed itself before their hungry eyes.

It was the best party any of them had ever been to, or would ever attend. All that was necessary now was to get down there, and a little later than planned—they would finally be home.

THERE WAS ALWAYS A price to pay for a party such as the one they had. Al was the lucky one because, after the first couple sips, he decided he probably didn’t drink. The party lasted until morning, and almost everyone else had a hangover to contend with the next day.

They continued bringing the ship alive, though, and soon the corridors were echoing with the sound of people, equipment, and habitat robots. With more humans now awake and settling in, the robots were in high demand.

Robot Nine seemed attached to Al and was always nearby. He tried sending it away to assist other people, but it always came back; awaiting his orders.

The original six individuals to wake first were assigned quarters close to each other and stayed good friends. Known as the First Six, most of the colonists considered them the saviors of Excalibur, and of the people inside.

With all the additional people to help, repairs on the computer and sensor array were completed, and repairs of the remaining shuttles were well under way. The captain scheduled planetfall for the following month, and with the help of the sensors, they accumulated data on the planet and picked the most likely landing sights.

“Computer, how long have we been at Avalon?” Al queried.

“Stable orbit was established ten years, two months and twelve days ago.”

Ten years wasted! It still shocked Al.

“Why was no one revived when we arrived?”

“The revival circuits were disabled.”

“Do you mean disabled...or damaged?” pressed Al.

“Disabled.”

“By a human?”

“Affirmative.”

“Do you know who disabled the revival circuits?”

“No data available.”

Someone or someone’s, back on Earth, had wanted this sleeping ship to circle their new home until it was inhabited only by the dead. Their final destination was only miles away, and yet—unattainable.

Why would anyone want that? Al wondered.

Later that day, the first six gathered at Liz and Chris’s quarters to talk about their day and unwind. Even though they were tired, they wanted the latest news before retiring.

“The ship was sabotaged?” Ana asked Al.

“It sure looks that way. I asked the computer in as many ways as I could think of and always wound up with the same conclusion.”

The possibility of sabotage was hard to imagine. That someone would want to doom over a thousand innocent people to a long, slow death, was beyond comprehension.

“There must be some mistake. I do not think it possible,” Cody proclaimed.

Al squirmed in his seat, “I find it hard to believe too. Still, there it is.”

Kayla spoke up, “I remember a group of people that were convinced the colony ship program was a waste of time, resources, and money. The group claimed the colony ships were for the conquest of other planets. They believed the lottery was rigged and only the wealthy and elite would be allowed aboard. They were a pretty powerful group and called themselves ‘Earth First,’ I think. They were always in the news feeds....Do you think they could have done this?”

After a while, the group decided it didn’t matter. They were here, and they were awake. The universe had intervened and made things right. After forty years, the settlers were now preparing to leave the ship and make a home on Avalon.

Al was in the shuttle bay settling a minor dispute when the captain came to inspect the now pristine and organized area. Over the affections of a woman, one of the subjects had become so angry; he took a swing at the other who promptly reported it to security. Al didn’t mind, if this were the worst he had to deal with, he could live with it.

The captain strolled onto the shuttle bay followed by a small entourage and went straight to the head mechanic. “How are the repairs coming on the shuttles?”

“We will be ready by planetfall, sir,” The man replied with confidence.

“Have you performed any test flights?”

“No sir, we didn’t feel it necessary just yet.”

The captain, not usually prone to anger, had to restrain himself as he said, “I want every shuttle