ScareScapes Book One: Phantom Limbs! Read online

  Landon shrugs. “What choice do I have?” he asks. “I could spend my days worrying like you know who.” He nods towards his sister then looks out the doorway. “Or be a jerk like Felix.”

  “Or never taking anything serious like the twins,” I add.

  “Or crabby like Bessie.” He nods. “But why? Where’s the fun in that?”

  “True.” I grin. “Thanks.”

  “For what?” he asks as we leave the mess and head for the area of the Scorpio set up as the school.

  “For giving me a little perspective on my birthday. And for calling Bessie crabby.” I grin. Then sigh. “But I’m thirteen now. Time to grow up a little.”

  “Nah, don’t do that,” Landon says. “I think 1013 is grown up enough, don’t you?”

  I nod as he gives me a playful nudge. We walk the passageways, passing the occasional plastiglass portholes showing the asteroid’s surface. Whatever star system we are in has the weirdest light. It’s like a purplish-green. Reminds me of a funhouse my parents took me to when I was little; right before they restricted movement on Earth and you could only leave your building in the safe suits.

  “What am I?” I ask just before we get to the school doorway.

  “What do you mean?” Landon says. “You’re the captain.”

  “No, no, what am I like? If Felix is a jerk and Bessie is a grump then what am I?”

  “Pretty,” Ajay says.

  I blush as I smile down at her.

  “Strong,” Landon says, moving past me into the school. “And pretty, too.”

  “See?” Ajay says, tugging at my hand.

  But I’m glued in place.

  He didn’t just say that.

  When I finally get my feet moving, I find Bessie standing just inside the doorway.

  “Grump?” she asks, her face pinched and red with anger. “Who do you think you are to call me a grump?”

  “I’m captain?” I reply, an apologetic look on my face. My apologetic look loses to her angry pinched look. “Sorry.”

  “Not cool, McNeal,” Bessie says. “Not cool at all.”

  She kneels down next to Ajay and whispers in her ear. Ajay’s eyes go wide and she looks up at me, her lip trembling. The next thing I know Ajay is yanking her hand from mine and running down the hall. She ducks into the classroom, the sound of sobbing trailing behind her.

  “What did you say?” I snap.

  “Just that you made sure our parents didn’t wake up,” Bessie says. “Because you’d do anything to be captain, even toss her out an airlock if you had to.”

  “You fruiting, little—” I snarl.

  “Girls?” Tutor’s voice says above us. “Is everything alright?”

  “Just fine, Tutor,” Bessie smirks as she walks away. “Ready for that refresher on Scorpio history. It’s gonna be great. Right, Isla?”

  “Yeah, sure,” I say.

  “Oh, and Isla?” Bessie says just before going into the classroom. “Happy birthday. I hope it’s just the absolute best.”

  Gee…thanks…

  Chapter Two

  The classroom looks just like the 22nd century classrooms I used to attend back on Earth. While it was over a thousand years ago, it feels like yesterday.

  There’s the holoscreen up front that projects images into the air, letting us study things in perfect three dimensional reality. The desks set up in nice rows with keyboard interfaces and touch screen surfaces. Walls lined with constantly changing posters and decorations telling us to “Hang in there!”, “Learn something new!”, “Always do your best!” and my personal favorite, “Never, never, never, never give up!”

  Someone got paid by the never to write that one.

  “Please have a seat, crew members,” Tutor says.

  That’s a nice touch, calling us crew members. Tutor could call us children or kids, or students, but she doesn’t. She knows that we work hard, and live a life that many kids have nightmares about, so we deserve some respect. I look over at Bessie as she takes her seat.

  Well, some of us deserve respect…

  “Shall we start at the beginning?” Tutor asks. “I don’t believe we have fully discussed Earth Colony Asteroid Scorpio in several months.”

  “You know how long, Tutor,” Bessie says. “Just say it.”

  “It has been five months and seven days since we last reviewed Earth Colony Asteroid Scorpio,” Tutor says. “But, Carlos was sick that day. Can you remind us why you were sick, Carlos?”

  “Because Enrico dared me to do a hundred somersaults in zero gravity,” Carlos answers. “And it messed with my inner ear thingy, making me seasick for days.”

  “Motion sick,” Tutor corrects. “We are not at sea, so you cannot be seasick.”

  “But ECA Scorpio is a ship, right?” Enrico says. “And you get seasick on a ship, don’t you? I mean, we use nautical terms like the Navy all the time.”

  “We are not at sea,” Tutor says again.

  “We’re at space,” Carlos says. “So I got spacesick.”

  “We are in space,” Tutor corrects. “Approximately, two million light years from Earth.”

  “If we’re lost then how do you know that?” Bessie asks. “There’s no way to know that.”

  “Earth Colony Asteroid Scorpio’s logs show us to be that distance from Earth,” Tutor states.

  “How’d we get this far?” Felix asks. “Even being asleep for a thousand years there’s no way we could go that far in that time. Tutor us that, Tutor.”

  “There are gaps in the data,” Tutor says. “But where there are not gaps is in the origin and mission of Earth Colony Asteroid Scorpio.”

  “Just call it ECA Scorpio,” Bessie says. “You don’t have to say the whole name every fruiting time.”

  “No fruit, sister,” Carlos smiles.

  “Fruit on, Ms. Sacher!” Enrico adds.

  “That doesn’t make sense,” Carlos frowns. “Fruit on? Just say right on.”

  “I thought fruit could be substituted for anything,” Enrico says.

  “Not anything.” Carlos sighs. “Then we’d just be saying fruit all the time.” He scrunches up his face. “Fruit to the fruit on the fruit, good fruit? Have you fruited the fruit over by the fruit yesterfruit? From whence does your fruit fruit, fruity fruit fruit fruit?”

  “Whence?” Ajay asks. “What’s that?”

  “Whence, an adverb meaning from what place or source,” Tutor explains. “Or from which; from where.”

  “Oh,” Ajay says looking at Carlos. “Fruit comes from the orchard. Everyone knows that.”

  “Yes, yes it does,” Carlos nods. “You get an A for today.”

  “You are not qualified to hand out grades, Carlos,” Tutor says. “If Ajay completes her work then she will be awarded the appropriate grade for the day which will be logged in her record.”

  “And get a cookie,” Carlos says.

  We all shudder, even Bessie, since cookies taste almost as bad as the fruit. Someone really needs to learn how to reprogram Supply on those things.

  “I don’t want a cookie.” Ajay shudders.

  “None of us do, A to the jay,” Carlos says, shaking his head and frowning deeply. “None of us do.”

  “Can we begin the lesson?” Landon asks, frustrated. “I need to be available to check on Security. It’s my responsibility, even if the AI does all of the work.”

  “Yes, Landon, we shall begin,” Tutor says and the lights go dim as the holographic display brings up a detailed image of Earth.

  “The late 21st century Earth,” Tutor says. “The planet has been ravaged by environmental catastrophes, leaving the land in either famine or flood zones. Coastal regions, where much of the population and economic strength lay, have been destroyed do to sea levels rising at a rate never before seen in Earth’s history. All predictions turned out to be grossly inadequate and the population of the Earth was faced with finding a radical new solution or extinction in less than a century.”

  The image shifts
out into the solar system and focuses on the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. One by one, twelve large asteroids are highlighted and pulled from the belt for close up display.

  “The Zodiac Asteroids,” Tutor says. “Each named after a sign of the Western astrological zodiac. The asteroids were chosen for their size, an average length of 15 kilometers and diameter of 20 kilometers at its midpoint, for their raw mineral content, and also for their stability.”

  The tenth asteroid is highlighted while the others fall back into the belt.

  “Earth Colony Asteroid Scorpio,” Tutor says. “Your home.”

  The image quickly starts to shift as time-lapse graphics take over and represent the retrofitting of the asteroid from space rock to spaceship. Structures are built, tunnels created, systems put in place. All leading to the final installation and activation of the primary shield dome which protects the asteroid from space debris and radiation. There’s a secondary shield dome that houses the environmental sciences area—meadows, orchards, forests, even a lake and river.

  “In the early 22nd century, 10,000 people were chosen for each Earth Colony Asteroid, all based on specific qualifications that would allow them to be useful once the asteroids found their destinations,” Tutor says as the other asteroids come to the forefront and join the Scorpio. They suddenly shoot off into space and the perspective zooms out to show a larger slice of the Milky Way galaxy. “The Scorpio has thirty-two plasma engines, with half positioned on the aft end of the asteroid. These engines can propel the Scorpio through the galaxy at the speed of light, sending it out on its 100 year voyage to find a new planet that can sustain human life.”

  “Yeah, how’d that work out?” Enrico whispers.

  Tutor ignores him and continues. “The 10,000 passengers were placed in cryosleep chambers and put into stasis for 100 years. That way the Earth Colony Asteroid Scorpio could reach its destination without the passengers depleting the resources during the journey.”

  “I miss Mommy,” Ajay says, grabbing onto Landon’s hand.

  He squeezes it tight, but keeps his eyes on the holograph. I look over at him and smile, but then see Bessie doing the same thing. We lock eyes for a second then turn back to the holograph.

  “Each Earth Colony Asteroid was equipped with programs so they could be run autonomously by the newly developed Artificial Intelligence protocols while the human inhabitants slept.”

  There’s a slight flicker to the holograph, and then the room’s power, and we all sit upright, gripping our desks until several knuckles pop.

  “Pilot? Report,” I order.

  “Captain?” Pilot responds.

  “The power surge, what was it?” I ask.

  “There was no power surge detected, Captain,” Pilot replies.

  I ignore the fact he isn’t calling me Isla and focus on the fact that he didn’t detect a power surge we all clearly saw. I look over at Bessie and her brows are furrowed with worry.

  “Systems?” she asks. “Pilot is saying there wasn’t a power surge. Please double check logs and verify.”

  A deep voice responds right away. “No power surge detected in the last twenty-four hours. Would you like me to investigate further back?”

  “Systems, we all just saw a power surge,” Bessie says. “Double check, please.”

  “Again, no power surges detected,” Systems replies.

  “Run diagnostics immediately,” Bessie orders.

  “I am sorry, but Security is currently running diagnostics,” Systems says. “For the safety of the crew and all passengers of the ECA Scorpio, only one AI diagnostics protocol can be run at a time.”

  “Pilot, please note in the log that the crew has visually witnessed a power surge and Systems is incorrect in its findings,” I say then look at Bessie for confirmation.

  “As soon as Security is done with its diagnostics then I want Systems to run a full regimen,” Bessie says. “Understood?”

  “Understood,” Systems says. “Will that be all?”

  “Yes, Systems, thank you,” Bessie says.

  Too bad she isn’t as polite to everyone else as she is to the Systems AI.

  “Shall I continue?” Tutor asks. “I do not detect any issues with my programs.”

  “Please do, Tutor,” I say. “It’s always—”

  “Boooooring,” Felix says. “Skip ahead to where the AIs all screw up and get us off course. Oh, and forget to wake everyone up. Then decide that only a bunch of kids should get kicked out of cryosleep, because, you know, who’s more qualified to run a fruiting spaceship than kids, right? And don’t forget the part where the AIs replace our pieces and parts with cybernetic pieces and parts.” He clacks his jaw a couple of times. “Can we just skip to that part?”

  “No,” Ajay says, glaring at Felix. To be honest, we’re all glaring at him. “I want to see the trees grow.”

  “Thank you, Ajay,” Tutor says. “I would like to see that also.”

  The holograph begins to show different parts of the asteroid as it is changed from barren rock to lush fields and forests.

  “Part of the mission of Earth Colony Asteroid Scorpio, is to come up with new ways to terraform alien planets if needed,” Tutor says. “But, thanks to the unknown anomaly that has caused all passengers, present company excepted, to remain asleep for 1000 years and counting, the AIs of Earth Colony Asteroid Scorpio had ample opportunity to perform environmental adjustments and experiments within the secondary shield dome.”

  The holographic image zooms past acres of cultivated farmland and into a dense coniferous forest of tall fir trees, cedars, and pines.

  “Due to the variables of space travel, only certain species could survive,” Tutor explains. “Leaving others to be adapted and evolved as needed until new species of plants and trees were created.”

  “Fruit,” Carlos says.

  “Fruit,” Enrico nods.

  “Fruit,” everyone else echoes.

  “Fruit,” Tutor states. “A hybrid mix of grapes, strawberries, apples, bananas, and gooseberries. Highly nutritious.”

  “And tastes like fruit,” Felix says. “Not good fruit, but fruit fruit.”

  “The fruit is only one of many edible plant species created,” Tutor says. “Some more palatable than others. But all part of a balanced diet created by Health and overseen by Supply.”

  “What about the aliens?” Ajay asks. “Talk about them.”

  “There has been no confirmed contact with any non-human life forms during Earth Colony Asteroid Scorpio’s journey,” Tutor says.

  “I’ve seen them.” Ajay nods, very sure of herself. “Outside the dome. Watching us.”

  “There are no aliens,” Landon says. “We’d know.”

  “I know,” Ajay says and crosses her arms.

  “How’d we get so far off course?” Felix asks. “Was Pilot asleep too?”

  “I was not asleep, Felix McNeal,” Pilot interrupts. “There were errors entered into my navigational systems. As well as other issues along the journey. I was forced to adapt as needed in order to keep this vessel from being destroyed by no less than six supernovas, two black holes, and a meteor storm that lasted six decades.”

  “Pilot, please leave the education to me,” Tutor says. “Thank you.”

  “Ooooooooooooooo,” the kids all call out, laughing.

  “I apologize, Tutor,” Pilot says. “I will withdraw from the conversation.”

  “Thank you,” Tutor says.

  “No, thank you,” Carlos mocks.

  “And thank you,” Enrico says.

  “Thank you,” Carlos replies.

  “Oh, but thank you,” Enrico responds.

  “Thank—”

  “Stop,” Bessie snaps. “Or I stop you.”

  They stop.

  The holographic image is complete and begins to zoom through the entire ship, showing all of the various cabins and passageways that cover the asteroid, as well as burrow deep below its surface.

  “Earth Co
lony Asteroid Scorpio is not only a safe environment for humans,” Tutor concludes. “But is a model for what can be accomplished once it completes its mission and finds a planet suitable for human habitation.”

  The power flickers, flickers, flickers then goes out completely, plunging the classroom into pitch darkness, except for the faint light glowing from Bessie’s hands.

  “Yeah,” Felix snorts. “Super safe.”

  “Landon?” Ajay cries out. “Landon!”

  “It’s okay,” Landon soothes. “Security emergency lights will turn on in a moment.”

  They all wait.

  “Uh, dude?” Carlos asks. “You were saying?”

  “Security is down, remember?” Enrico says.

  “Systems?” Bessie calls out. “Override Security and turn on the lights, please.”

  Nothing. Not even a response.

  “Systems!” Bessie shouts. “Override now and turn on the lights. At least the emergency lights!”

  Still nothing.

  “Great,” Felix says. “My day just got so much better.”

  “Can it,” I snap. “Pilot?”

  No response.

  “Bessie? Can you tell if life support is even running?” I ask.

  Ajay gives a little fear squeak.

  “I can feel something running,” Bessie replies in the dark. “Put your hand to the floor.”

  I do and am glad for the small vibration I feel.

  “Engines are still online,” Landon says. “And even if all life support fails, we would still have enough oxygen to last us a month or two. Right, Bessie?”

  “Yep,” Bessie responds, her voice and hands, moving slowly through the room. “Unless something goes wrong and vents the air out into space.”

  Ajay squeaks again.

  “Nice one. Can you try not to scare Ajay?” I say. Even in the darkness I can tell she’s shrugging. “And where are you going? You should stay put until we can see again.”

  A bright light hits me in the face.

  “Or I can find the emergency kit in the wall,” Bessie says, turning the beam onto Landon. “Which was what you should have done, Mr. Security Chief.”

  “Sorry,” Landon says. “You’re right.”

  “I know,” Bessie says, squatting by the wall. “Now someone hold this while I pry open a Systems panel.”