Prequel 4

Sorry it took so long today, my own website security locked me out. Now I was in the middle of a story- where was I? 🤔

Oh yes, the origin story of how humans came to be on NewEarth….

After the environmental alert sounded, disrupting the meet and greet between partners; everyone found cover, used their masks and fortunately almost everyone survived. The sweepers and medics came through after the all clear and while the dead were removed, injuries and burns were tended. Aside from some awkward jokes about their last alert on earth, meetings among partners continued as they were finally able to see and assess the goods that the other was contributing. Seeing it in person is very different from viewing it on screen.

Drones carried out the transport containers and delivered them to the designated loading area. Couples rushed over to locate their assigned number and stuff as much as they could in the limited space. With tense jaws and clutched hands they kept one eye on the internal scale monitor as the containers filled up.

Like an ocean wave, a news alert hit everyone’s PCD, personal communication device, causing a cacophony of dings, beeps and music; while at the same time an announcement came over the speakers and also dinged their PCD’s asking all passengers to separate from reporters and stay in the designated loading areas. Reporters were told to leave.

The first alert was a news story: human rights advocates were seeking an injunction to stop EarthCorp from enforcing their compact with the settlers and pioneers, hoping to delay their departure. The passengers knew it was a human rights violation, but it was a chance, a real chance to escape to clean air, water, and a healthier life. The chances of EarthCorps being able to hold future generations to the same compact they signed was unlikely, and they were willing to give the Corp half of what they found and made as long as it left them enough to live on.

While most of the would-be pioneers had few resources, some had consulted lawyers to go over the contract. They had been sharing information among one another since the first list came out, so they were all informed. However watching the reporters leave made them all very aware that all their plans and investment could be devastating if the human rights activists had their way.

Every one of them had known that their earth money would be useless on a new planet, so they had invested everything they had on supplies, from seeds to tools, they were as well supplied as possible. A few had kept back enough money to pay for things on ship, but not enough to fund a delay. The cost of hotels and meals could run up very quickly.

What were they going to do if an injunction went through, and departure was delayed? How were they going to survive?