← Spaceship Earth: Table of Contents

Chapter 3: Life on Gaia

LOG: 2126, May 15 So, it has been more than 300 days since we first started on this impossible mission. That’s right, 300! Let that sink in. We continue to fly in this spaceship on our way to make history—or perhaps the future. It’s incredible how 1,001 people have managed to live comfortably on this ship. No chaos, no fights. Nothing really.

From the day we took off to the present day, there have been no glitches, except, of course, that very tiny bump we encountered with Harleen, who turned out to be who I thought her to be. She had nothing on Earth, no family, nowhere to live. She is a brilliant orphan looking for a family, a place to be a part of—no more, no less. She kept track of Gaia’s progress, and when the last supply ship was leaving Earth, she managed to dump some nonessential equipment, matched her weight to the ounce, as not to disturb anything, and hid on board the ship. This kid is spectacular.

I am standing in my office, peering outside the window. The sight that greets me is magnificent.

I never tire of looking at it. The massive asteroids coming out of nowhere seem as if they will knock my ship off course. But not to worry, the exterior of the ship has been designed to withstand such an impact. My team has thought of most everything—almost every minuscule thing.

Just five months after leaving Earth, we came across another hiccup. This was not an inside one that involved a possible stowaway, but one that could have engulfed the entire ship. We came across a black hole. You know, one of those giant things that sucks everything into itself. Yeah, we came across one of those and almost got sucked in.

We weren’t sure how it evaded our long-range sensors, or how it was even in our galaxy because there shouldn’t be one here, but had it not been for the quick thinking of Harleen, who saved our hides once again, we would finally know the answer to what’s on the other end of a black hole. An answer none of us wanted to find out, yet. She was working in the Z.P.E. lab and felt the most subtle pull on the ship drift from the starboard side, like a piece of metal being drawn to a magnet.

No one felt it, so how did she? Harleen dropped what she was doing and headed to the ship’s bridge immediately. On the way, via the neural net, she informed Marine what was happening, so as she got to the bridge doors, they dissolved open without needing any form of identification.

As she ran in, Jerel was waiting for her, and he slammed her to the ground. “I told you I’d be keeping an eye on you, kid.”

Harleen was more shaken than hurt. “Get off me, you big oaf!”

I had run in just behind the takedown. “Harleen! What do you think you’re doing?”

She ignored me and barked orders at the bridge crew, “FULL Z.P.E. PURGE, STARBOARD, NOW!” I was confused until she yelled again, “BLACK HOLE!”

Everyone in the room, including Jerel, turned to the monitors, and one of the crewmen opened the blast windows, and the most beautiful and terrifying sight any of us had ever seen was staring right at us.

Without hesitation, I confirmed Harleen’s command, and one of the helmsmen pushed a few buttons to confirm, “Purging Zero Point Energy, starboard, now!» Gaia shifted violently. Alarms began to scream to life, informing us that this was more than just a hiccup. Within a few moments, but what felt like an eternity, Gaia had escaped the gentle pull of the black hole, and we were steady and back on course.

The crew was shook, but I calmly got on the comms and told a little white lie.

“This is your captain”—something I really didn’t like calling myself, but those around me insisted. They told me people needed a leader and the title helped put people at ease. “I apologize for the alarm and the sudden jolt. We just completed a maneuvering simulation and are looking great. Again, I apologize for the disruption. Simon… I mean, Captain, out.”

Thanks to Harleen, we learned two crucial things that day. One, we need to check and recalibrate our systems constantly; that never should have happened. Secondly, what happens when you pit un- limited negative energy against unlimited positive energy? Positive wins. I remember thinking, how is it possible for that black hole to be here when it’s not? Unless, somehow, our Z.P.E. had something to do with it? I asked Marine to monitor and keep track of spatial anomalies in conjunction with the Zero Point Engine.

Thinking about that, only five months in, I realized this is going to be an exciting trip. Of course, after that, we had to celebrate. We had to. I mean, it is not like we need an excuse to celebrate, but come on, that called for one. We survived our first major obstacle. So, the team gathered in my office: Milton, Douglas, Irving, myself, and of course, the woman of the hour, Harleen. It was nothing too fancy. We just had rehydrated pizzas and fancy rehydrated cupcakes, but it was a token of appreciation.

As the party was winding down, I saw Irving pull Harleen aside, which is never a good thing. I was within earshot, and what I heard him say to her was simple and to the point.

“Harleen, welcome to the crew of Gaia.” He extended his hand, gave her a firm handshake, and left the party. Harleen looked at me. I just gave her a smile; she smiled back with a grin as big as the Cheshire Cat’s.

As everyone leaves for their quarters, I turn to the window and engross myself in the scenery that lays before me. I recall how almost one year ago, Harleen was caught, a stowaway, breaking into the Z.P.E. lab. Now that she has settled, it feels like she has been with us since the start, which technically, she has. Harleen is no longer the dirty, lonely girl I came across last year. She is vibrant and full of joy. It’s almost as if she has finally found the family she so badly wanted. Don’t get me wrong, she is still cheeky and always wants to outsmart her superiors, but that is just one of the things I absolutely love about her. Over the course of the year, Harleen has earned a special place in my heart, something that even my protégé Bailey could not manage to do. When I look at her, I see myself. Her confidence, the way she handles herself—it is strange to think I was ever like that, but that was indeed me.

Over the past year, Harleen stayed pretty close to me when I had the time. I took her on tours of the ship, shared with her my vision, my dream for this whole adventure. She shared with me her life on Earth, how she felt she never truly belonged there. She is an amazing kid.

I mean, don’t misunderstand me. I also adore Bailey, but I feel a kind of a pull toward Harleen. Maybe it is because she had no one, and Bailey has a family. Harleen is like a daughter I never had. Whatever the case, I am very grateful that she broke herself onto the ship.

Lost in my thoughts, I do not hear the knock on the door.

“Simon Gunslinger.” It’s Irving’s voice. “You in there?”

I shake my head as if to clear the thoughts that are floating around inside. I straighten up and return to my seat.

“Is it time for our weekly update already? Where does the time go?”

Irving strolls into my office and takes a seat. He gets right down to his briefing.

“Harleen is incredible,” says Irving. “You know I have been watching her work with the Z.P.E. engine, and even trying to teach her, when she’ll let me, but she is a genius in her own right. I think someday she will be teaching me. In fact, I think that moment has come already.”

I laugh at the look on his face. Irving is both in shock as well as awe. To be fair, back on Earth, he is considered to be the finest in his field. I nod my head in agreement.

“She can figure out some of the most complicated structures. The Z.P.E. backup we are working on, she just jumped right in, no questions asked. I tried to warn her of the danger, but in typical Harleen fashion, she just laughed.”

I smile, thinking, where did this girl come from?

“With her help, I think we’ll be done with the backup engine within the next two weeks.”

“She’s a valuable addition. The things she can do, it’s as easy as breathing for her,” I tell Irving.

“We are lucky to have her on board. Nothing new to report, all systems are five-by-five. If you have nothing for me, I better head back.”

“Thanks for the update, Irving. See you tonight at dinner?”

“Of course.” Irving heads out the door.

* * *

We are all in my office. It’s a pretty cozy situation, and I feel people are more at ease when they’re comfortable. My mind wanders once again. This is way better than the conference room, which we really should repurpose as something else. I refocus on the group of people sitting with me. Once again, I think this family is a pretty great one.

“I cannot believe it’s been almost a year since we launched,” says Douglas, echoing my thoughts from earlier today.

“We have come a long way,” chimes in Irving.

“It definitely took a minute for people to get in their groove. I remember seeing everyone’s faces as we passed the moon in the beginning,” I reminisce.

There is a flurry of activity as everyone sits up. You see, the trip past the moon was something of a milestone in Gaia’s journey. Leaving behind the familiar, Earth, the moon and journeying into the unknown.

“It was amazing,” says Harleen, her eyes as round as the moon we crossed. “I never thought I’d see the moon base this close.” She is referring to the carnage of a once beautiful and fully functioning moon base. It was an international moon base that was meant as a starting point to begin space exploration, but with an international moon station, came an international set of ideals and rules. Human- ity wasn’t ready for that many people with that many different ideologies to live together; it was a powder keg that eventually blew up. That was the moment the United Space Exploration Committee decided there was nothing past Earth, that we were alone.

“We tried, you know,” Milton says quietly.

“Tried what?” I ask as all eyes focus on Milton.

“When you spoke in front of the U.S.E.C.. We didn’t give up on Earth, Simon. We really tried, did everything in our power, but there just wasn’t a way to save everyone. As such, we focused on home, and tried to reassure the people.”

“Then why did you come with us?” I ask our elder statesman.

“I told them, if you succeeded, I would make sure they had a way to follow. They agreed to let me join you, and well, as far as Earth is concerned, I passed away just over 300 days ago.”

There is silence amongst the group.

Harleen chortles. “Don’t worry, old man, I died long before that.”

Harleen always has a way to lighten up a situation.

“Hey, think about how awesome our new history is going to be! It’s not even been a year, and we almost flew into a black hole.”

“We know, Harleen,” I say.

Everyone chimes in together, “You saved the day.”

“And I’d do it again.” Harleen grins her cheeky smile.

I can see the sassiness reflecting in her green eyes. There is something about her through which she makes other people feel lively and happy.

“The queen of humble bragging.” Irving winks. “We all know about your mighty brain. Now is usually when you remind us that you and Douglas figured out a way to adjust for day and night.”

Ah yes, one of the tiny things the team didn’t think of was day and night. In space, we cannot tell when it is night or day, so Harleen and Douglas came up with a creative solution. They installed an Advanced Lighting System that simulates daylight during normal Earth days and shuts down at night. Around 6 a.m., according to our time in space, the lights come on. Bear in mind, we are still going by the 24-hour clock notation, although it no longer applies here. So, at approximately 6 a.m., the A.L.S. activates, and the lights are “switched on.” In fact, the lights are soft, like the rays of the weak sun as it rises at dawn.

The lights continue to change color throughout the day. At noon, it feels as if you are sitting underneath the sun, although it does not get that hot…thank God! The A.L.S. blocks the view of what is happening in outer space, creating an almost fake blue sky. All those who want to view space can go to the designated spots that are not a part of this system. Throughout the day, the light adjusts itself to reflect the sunlight on Earth. At sunset, the lights slowly dim. When it is completely dark, the A.L.S. powers down and the LEDs in the spaceship are turned on to represent the nighttime. We found out early on that simulated nighttime makes people a bit more comfortable than staring into actual space.

“I think everyone appreciates that,” Milton says, forcing me to pull away from my thoughts.

I sometimes get lost in my thoughts so completely that I have to be reminded where I am.

“Okay, sorry to bring down the mood, but I think it’s time to talk about progress and organizing our functioning democracy.”

“I think it’s definitely necessary.” Irving turns to address Harleen. “Harleen, I think it’s time for you to get back to work.” She is more than happy to leave. Politics will, for sure, get messy, and she doesn’t like a mess.

“Get down to it. My beautiful mind doesn’t play well with political agendas.” She leaves, and we all just smile.

“Anyway,” I say, over the din of the voices. “Update time, most of the housing units are complete. Hospitals, schools, they are all complete with just a few more minor things to be sorted out.”

“The furniture has been installed,” Douglas adds.

“Lighting, heating, and food have also been taken care of.”

“Excellent work, people!” I tell my team.

I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch.

“Now, what remains is the issue of allocation. We need to look into that. Has anyone gotten any ideas?”

We move to the center of my office, and I tap a button on my desk. Immediately, the entire plan of society appears in front of us.I walk around it.

“As you all can see, the hospitals, schools, fire departments, they are all complete.” I point to a few buildings.

“So people should live close to where they work? Make the small commute even smaller,” Irving prods.

“Absolutely,” I respond. I thought about this. “Our doctors will live here.” I point to a quadrant. «Construction here.» I point to another and continue, “Teachers, agriculture, science, water supply, and sanitation.” I finish assigning the remaining living quarters to the various crew and call Marine.

Marine appears and is instructed to giving living assignments to the crew. I’m sure everyone will be relieved to sleep in their own homes. Dorm living was definitely a drag for most of the crew, especially the ones with family. Since all living situations have been accounted for, houses were built with a four-person family in mind and are all pretty similar in design.

Once inside, they can choose the color of their homes, and the nanotechnology that runs throughout the ship will let the homeowners choose the interior and exterior colors, all for that individual touch. It should look pretty impressive.

“With all that fun stuff out of the way, I trust you’ve all gone over future politics on board?”

“I’ve given this a lot of thought,” says Irving slowly, a thoughtful look on his face. “There will be a problem with the governing council. So, having a captain in this, our current situation, is the safest bet. Whether you like it or not, it’s already your title. You may as well keep it, if even just for a sense of normalcy.”

“I agree. I have been thinking the same thing,” Milton says.

“At some point, I’m not going to be here. Then, eventually, Bailey won’t be here. Etcetera. It becomes a monarchy, and I don’t think that ever really works,” I explain.

They don’t really agree with me; this was my vision, my plan; I should be in charge, and that should be passed down, as I have begun with Bailey, and so on.

“I can see the look on your faces. You don’t agree with the whole democracy thing. My plan has always been, train my successor, and she would then create the democratic system.” I didn’t get where I am by just being charismatic. I am a good judge of character and can read people. My biggest strength is that I listen and adapt.

“How about this? A committee. A governing body of six people.”

Milton chimes in. “Like the Council of Seven?”

I quickly respond, “Nothing like the Council, we will only have six.” I smile. “This council can be chosen by the people, and a seventh member will have controlling veto power. So, we get a council by the people, for the people, with someone at the head who will be part of my original process. First, it will be Bailey, and then she will choose her successor.”

I knew this would be a complicated process, and I don’t think this is something that needs to be decided in a day.

“We can decide who will be on this committee through open elections. People who want to be a part of it can nominate themselves. People can vote, and the committee can be decided easily,” Milton suggests.

I take a seat, very happy with the way things are going. This will be a long process, but in time, we will have a fully functioning society.

We adjourn for the night, and I head back into my quarters. One would think that I live like a king, but my kingdom is no bigger than an average-sized walk-in closet. I have a bed, a bathroom, and a beautiful view. I climb in my bed—an ecstatic man.

* * *

We have reached Mars! The Council of Seven was so full of doubts. Where did it lead them? On a planet that is rapidly dying.

I ask Marine to give me an open channel to the entire ship, and I address everyone in my best pilot voice.

“This is your captain speaking. If you look out any window, you will see the lovely planet known as Mars. We will be making a brief research stop. If you want to stretch out your sea legs and get on some terra firma, a schedule with departure times and safety measures has been sent to your inboxes.” I break character, “It’s freakin’ Mars, people!”

I am super excited. We are the first generation of Gaia to walk on Mars. I look at Yuri, a small man with horn-rimmed glasses; he is the head of our education and welfare system. He, and Takio, a very put-together Japanese man who is responsible for the construction of everything so far, are taking charge of today’s mission.

We safely land on the surface of the red planet along with two other shuttlecraft. Surprisingly, not a lot of people wanted to come. Others couldn’t join us due to work responsibilities, but they will get extra time off upon our return.

We gear up, putting on our helmets and zipping up our suits, before we head out to explore Mars.

Here is a fun perspective game for you. You all want to know how big Gaia is at this moment? As I prepare to disembark from the shuttle, I look up, and I can see a faint silhouette of the ship, like a baby moon, floating in the sky. That’s pretty big.

We all head down the ramp of our shuttle, as do the rest of the visitors, but strangely enough, none take a step until I do. They honored me with the first step on Mars. Honestly, the thought never crossed my mind. I take the first step, and after a beat, the rest of the crew follow suit.

As I look out, all I see is red dirt. Not the kind of red that is pleasing to the eyes. It looks haunted, dead. Even the air we walk through feels heavy and thick, like walking through water. It was long thought that Mars could be our next stop after Earth, but this is no place for humanity. We have all trained to walk on the surface of Mars back on Gaia. One of the fun rooms on the ship can simulate various planets’ gravity. It’s a great way to exercise and a great way to feel the effects of weight on different planets. The gravity simulation room also has a greenhouse built into the far corner of the massive room.

In the greenhouse, we can control the gravity in localized spots in order to see the effects of various gravity levels on growing plants, fruits, and vegetables. The planet has only one-third of Earth’s gravity, so we have to be extra careful when we walk here.

“Right this way, folks,” Yuri speaks in his helmet, which has an open channel to everyone on Mars.

We hear him perfectly. All of us trudge forward through the thick air. Within minutes, it becomes impossible to see ten feet ahead of us because of the nasty sandstorm, which came out of nowhere and is kicking up red dust everywhere. Harleen grabs my hand as we march forward, like a daughter holding onto her father’s hand when they get scared. I think she is afraid of being lost.

“Stay close to your partner. In the event you get separated, just stand still and activate your suit’s beacon.”

I nod to Harleen as we move east. After about thirty minutes, we stop, and I kneel down, picking up a handful of red dirt.

“Simon,” says Harleen, “I don’t like it here. I think we should go.”

“I think you’re right. There is nothing for us here.” I get on the comm.

“Alright, people, this place is getting a bit depressing. Let’s all head back to the shuttles. It’s time to go home.”

I look at Harleen. She is very sweaty and panting for breath. I ask if she is okay.

“I’m tired, Simon.”

“We are almost back to the shuttle . . . hang in there, kiddo.”

We make it back to the shuttles. I see other people are also returning to the ship. It is the younger generation having a harder time coping with Mars’ gravity. While we are 37% lighter on Mars than on Earth, it appears that the young need to exert more energy than adults to move around.

I make sure Harleen reaches our shuttle safely and head back to find Milton and the rest. They managed to trek a good way and were examining the surface.

“Guys, we gotta go.”

Irving straightens up.

“This place, it’s horrible.”

“Unlivable,” interjects Milton. “We need to send a message back to Earth. If they are planning to ever leave, to save time, and avoid Mars.”

“Will do, Milton. Let’s get back.”

Back on the ship and in my office, I’m finishing up a dictation to send back to Earth. “So, if you’re planning a nice trip to try and colonize Mars, don’t. I’ve sent the video documentation of the experience, as well as our soil sample findings. It will take too long to try and colonize this planet, and if you do accomplish colonization, you will just need to try and find a more suitable home during the process. It’d be a waste of resources. We will contact you again. Be safe.”

I stop my recording and ask Marine to send the message and materials via the Z.P.E. system. It turns out we can use Zero Point Energy for a lot of things, like sending signals back to Earth within seconds, maybe a minute, depending on the message. But way faster than the three to twenty-two minutes it would typically take without Z.P.E. or approximately the amount of time it took what was left of the U.S.E.C. to respond.

I am floored by what I hear. I need to take a seat. I am not surprised, just surprised that it took less than a year. I ask Marine to my quarters.

“You need to erase this message from all systems.”

“But don’t they have a right to know?” Marine is a bio-holographic AI, so she has feelings, thoughts of her own. She is real artificial intelligence.

I sit and ponder this dilemma, as it’s my burden to bear.

“Delete the message from all systems. No one must ever find out. It will derail morale, kill this mission, and I would not be able to deny people their natural instinct to help others.”

“But, Simon?” She doesn’t want to.

“All systems, Marine. Even your own.”

I am so beyond torn, but for the sake of this crew, this family, it has to be.

“Delete, now.”

Marine’s eyes shutter white for a moment, and she returns to normal.

“Awaiting a response from Earth.” She sees I am upset. “Simon, is everything okay?”

“I’m fine, Marine. Can you please bypass standard protocol and send all Earth replies directly to me?”

“Acknowledged, Simon. Is there anything else?”

“No, Marine, I’m tired. I’d like to get some rest now.”

I lay back on my bed and close my eyes, placing my hands on my tear-filled face. I hear a noise in one of the room’s vents and look up. I know Harleen is there; she always likes to crawl around in the vents. Through my tears, my voice cracks, “Please, don’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t, Simon, I won’t.” She quietly slinks away, and I am left alone with my thoughts.

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