Noah's Ark

158 Pages·2016·7.34 MB·English

by  Schartz Vijaya

Chronicles of Kassouk

Prequel -- The Beginning

Noah's Ark

By

Vijaya Schartz
Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc.
27305 W. Live Oak Rd #424
Castaic, CA 91384

http://www.DesertBreezePublishing.com

Copyright © 2012 by Vijaya Schartz
ISBN 10: 1-61252-155-X
ISBN 13: 978-1-61252-155-8

Published in the United States of America
Publish Date: April 1. 2012

Editor-In-Chief: Gail R. Delaney
Content Editor: Gail R. Delaney
Marketing Director: Jenifer Ranieri
Cover Artist: Jenifer Ranieri

Cover Art Copyright by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc © 2012

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Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination, or are
used in a fictitious situation. Any resemblances to actual events, locations, organizations, incidents or
persons – living or dead – are coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.
Dedication

To my readers who requested the story of how people from Earth ended up in Kassouk.
Here it is. I love you for requesting this novel.
I greatly enjoyed writing it for you.
Chapter One

3055 C.E. starfreighter Noah's Ark,
Somewhere in jumpspace

A lone tear warmed Trixie's cheek as her father's face scowled at her from the hologram
hovering over the desk of her ready room.
His last recorded message repeated in a loop. "I will never forgive the shame you brought
upon our influential family..."
He'd never understood her. He'd imposed upon her a husband of his choosing. He'd
shattered her dream of love and turned it into a nightmare... but she'd finally obeyed her fierce
need for independence. Sorry, Dad. It's better for everyone this way. I'm out of your reach
forever.
A jolt shook the ship and Trixie glanced up. The room lights flickered on the titanium
desk and the drab bulkhead. She rose, waving the hologram out of existence, and tapped her
collar com-badge. "Bridge! What the wraith just happened? Talk to me, people."
"Checking on it, Captain." Tom's baritone voice came over the intraship system.
They shouldn't have dropped out of jump space for another month, ship time. Trixie
wiped her last tear and straightened the belt and hip gun over the freighter-gray jumpsuit. No
fancy uniforms and no rank insignia on this trip, with its motley crew of outlaws and fugitives.
Exiting the ready room, she marched toward the command bridge through the narrow
corridor with brown paint peeling off the bulkhead. The faint trace of ionization in the recycled
air and the tight coil in the pit of her stomach confirmed her suspicions. The ship had stalled.
What the wraith possessed her to volunteer to command this antiquated bucket of bolts on
this ludicrous voyage? A starfreighter of all things, renamed Noah's Ark for this expedition.
Ancient indeed! But she knew exactly why she'd volunteered. She wanted to escape the
suffocating clutches of her far reaching family. Well, she'd succeeded.
She raked back her short blond hair and composed herself as the hatch slid open with a
huff of compressed air. On the oval bridge, the crew sat at their stations set in a horseshoe
pattern. All spoke at the same time, acknowledging working systems, verifying life support. No
"Captain on the bridge" announcement, no salutes. This wasn't the well ordered Fleet of her past,
but it was freedom.
"Well? What happened?" Trixie dropped into her captain's chair at the apex of the
horseshoe. The safety straps wrapped and locked around her athletic frame with a click.
"Damage report?"
"No damage, Captain. All systems operational." At the engineering station, the tall ebony
man she knew only as Tom straightened his red beret and shook his head, jostling long
dreadlocks encrusted with beads and jewels, like some space pirate. "All functions optimum.
Everything's working just fine, Captain."
"Wraith! Give me some answers." It made no sense.
Tom's black brow furrowed as he stared at his screen and his bejeweled fingers flew over
the console. "We slipped out of jump space as if this was our destination all along."
"Well? Is it our destination?" Trixie hid her impatience behind a neutral tone. She hated
riddles. "How could we have gotten here early?"
"According to calculations, we traveled..." Tom hesitated. "Farther and faster than
expected, Captain."
Trixie knew of only one speed in jump space... jump speed. Although she'd heard rumors
of wilder rides from drunken space jockeys. "What do you mean faster?"
"Much faster..." Tom straightened and smoothed the dagger sheathed at his waist, a thing
he did when nervous. "Looks like we overshot our target exit."
"By how much?" Trixie struggled to wrap her mind around that impossible fact.
"Not sure, yet." Tom tapped more keys on his console.
"Can we backtrack to the correct coordinates?" Seemed to Trixie the logical course.
"We could... but first, we have to figure out where we are."
A large 3D virtual image came to life in the center of the horseshoe, showing a revolving
field of stars.
Trixie had no doubt they would soon pinpoint their location. Then they could plot a new
course and resume their voyage. "The onboard computer can triangulate."
"Not without a point of reference, Captain." The whites of Tom's eyes widened. "So far,
our databanks fail to recognize any of these stars."
"Keep computing." Trixie stared at the black dotted field, and did not recognize any of
the star systems either. As a child, she had nightmares about being lost in space. Her heart raced.
Her chest heaved in the restraints of the safety straps. "How could we have traveled so far away
from charted space?"
"Captain?" said a short, pudgy man at Navigation, named Kenny. "There is a planet in
close range. Looks like an M-class," he said with a lisp.
"Finally some good news." Maybe the inhabitants could help them find their way back to
known space.... if they proved friendly. "On screen."
The central image zoomed in on a white orb with a blue atmosphere. A pink aura, like a
fuzzy ring, delineated the blurred line between night and day. The daytime zone showed
mountain ranges, peaks, valleys, and vast plains.
"The planet has two moons," Kenny explained, wiping a sweaty brow. "It orbits two stars
locked in a close embrace."
"A binary sun... Why is the surface white? Snow?" Trixie shivered at the thought.
"Mostly ice, Captain." Kenny's lisp hung in the air like a condemnation.
"Temperatures? Atmosphere?" Trixie refused to let the circumstances get her down.
Kenny brushed his console with pudgy fingers, staring at the scrolling data. "Clean,
breathable air. Arctic temperatures, except for two areas of microclimate that seem much warmer
than the rest."
On the 3D image, two continents separated by vast oceans, seemed linked across each
pole by an enormous ice cap. The warmer zones now showed a red outline, one in the northern
hemisphere in the daylight area, the other near the equator in the deep shadows of night.
"Any signs of civilization?" Trixie didn't expect much in that climate, but a few races did
thrive in the cold.
"None visible at this distance, Captain."
"Cheng, get us into orbit to take a closer look," Trixie ordered, anxious to find answers.
"Aye, aye, Captain." The young Asian pilot straightened as he spoke, all clean-cut and
regulation-like.
Trixie almost smiled at the formal response and wondered whether Cheng once served in
Fleet. He certainly acted and spoke like a Fleet officer.
The impulse drives purred as the ship set on its new course. By now, the passengers in
the cargo holds would realize they'd dropped out of jump space and their representatives would
start asking questions.
Trixie needed answers before then. Chief Geneticist Ian McLure, in particular, the only
one onboard flaunting a last name and a pedigree among this bunch of outcast crew and settlers,
would not take kindly to any change affecting his pet project.
"Communications?" Trixie swiveled her chair left, toward the com specialist console.
"Si, Captain." Dolores, a young woman with lovely curves, long dark hair and liquid
brown eyes came to attention.
"Send out a wide range signal to any ship in the vicinity, requesting assistance with star
maps. In binary code. I doubt anyone around here understands standard Terran." Trixie
remembered her early dreams of exploration squashed by her father. Would she finally get a
chance to make first contact with an unknown race?
"Approaching orbit, Captain." Cheng's clipped voice.
"Shields up." Trixie always placed safety first. "Scan for signs of civilization, cities,
technology."
"Only ice, so far, Captain," Kenny lisped.
"What about those two warmer spots?" They would be preferred locations for a
civilization to develop.
"No structures in the tropical zone, Captain, only forests." Kenny's sweaty hands kept
brushing the keys. "Wait! I see something in the warmer spot of the northern hemisphere."
"On screen." Finally, some answers.
The central 3D viewer zoomed to the planet surface. At the base of a steep mountain
range, overlooking a vast plain, spread an extensive complex made of the same dark rock as the
mountains. The square angles and geometric layout clearly indicated constructed structures. As
large as a city... a fortress, like a citadel encased between thick walls.
When the viewer zoomed onto to the large complex, the rectangular buildings came into
focus. The streets stood empty.
A deep gorge separated the citadel from the plains. On the plain itself, closest to the
citadel, the ground, devoid of trees, looked as if it had been cleared for fields. Farther south,
thick forests covered with snow filled the space between straight roads, all leading to the fortified
city. Whatever civilization lived there wouldn't be of much help if they still relied on the wheel
and thick walls.
"Life signs?"
Kenny shook his head. "None larger than a rodent on the entire planet, Captain."
"No population at all?" There went Trixie's hopes of making first contact or finding out
where they'd popped out of jump space. She turned to Tom. "Still no point of reference?"
Tom hissed, baring diamond-incrusted teeth. "None of these stars matches anything in
our database."
She turned to Dolores at the com station. "Any response to our signal?"
"Nada, Captain. Is awful quiet out here." Dolores' luscious lips pouted as she shook her
head slowly.
They were truly lost. Trixie sighed as her mind churned with unsavory possibilities.
"Then we definitely have a situation. Assemble crew and civilian representatives in Cargo Bay
Three immediately."
"Si, Captain."

*****

Kostas slowly rose from the bunk of his private cabin and slipped his survival fatigues
jacket over the black-ops tee shirt. First time anyone summoned him to a meeting since Noah's
Ark departed from the Mars Colony, with its contingent of misfits, desperados, outlaws on the
run and Terran refugees.
No last names, no questions asked, the ad said, just like in the pre-space days of the
French Foreign Legion. The only requirement, beside expertise in the field, is to be eager to
make a new start on a virgin planet with plenty of fresh air... and that's what Kostas wanted.
Why the recruiters, who selected him for his survival skills, made him a representative
remained a mystery to him. Kostas always preferred actions to words. He'd only accepted the
extra responsibility for the lure of private quarters during the long voyage, but he'd do his office
justice.
Force of habit from past missions, he'd studied the ship's schematics, and knew exactly
where to find Cargo Bay Three. Leaving his cabin, he opted for the service ladder rather than the
stairs or the elevator. He climbed down two decks, then jogged the fifty meters along the dingy
brown corridor toward the stern. By the Halls of Montezuma, this long voyage would sabotage
his tip-top shape. With all the cargo holds full of equipment, people, and livestock, he had no
room to exercise on this decrepit freighter.
The door to Cargo Bay Three stood wide open. Inside, a few crew members in freighter
grays waited for the others to arrive, standing in small groups or sitting on piles of titanium
crates. From the quality of the brand new crates, the equipment they contained must have cost a
fortune. The simple settlers, who'd recruited Kostas for protection and survival, couldn't have
financed a voyage of this magnitude. Not his business. No questions asked went both ways.
More representatives arrived. Kostas nodded to those he'd previously met in the galley at
chow time. Two dozen or so, men and women, each represented a group of about a hundred
souls. They sat on crates in an approximate circle. Kostas chose to sit at the outer fringe of the
circle. Casually, he pulled the knife out of his right boot and proceeded to groom his fingernails.
He preferred to observe from a distance.
The man who just entered, tall, slender, with long dark hair in a tail, fit the profile of the
wealthy sponsor. Clad in a cobalt blue silk suit, he strutted like a rooster, as if he owned the ship.
To think of it, he probably did. Maybe Kostas would finally get some details on this mission. Not
that it mattered. He'd already achieved his main objective the millisecond the ship crossed the
jump gate from Mars. Now he could relax and enjoy whatever the future held.
The settlers' representatives looked rather bland, except for the mustached leader of the
equine tribe. Kostas never forgot a face or a name. This man was Tabor. Tall and lean, dressed in
red, long black hair loose over the shoulders, he swaggered in high fancy boots with the bowed
gait of a rider. Knives and even a sword hung from his wide leather belt.
Kostas smiled inwardly. Most warriors had a fondness for blades, even in space.
Somehow, he had the feeling that particular swordsman was skilled in the art of the sword. But
beyond the romantic notion of warring blades, survival on an isolated planet often relied on
simple weapons for hunting, and on riding horses.
A young, athletic woman in freighter gray stepped out from behind a stack of metallic
crates. She had short blond hair, pale skin, lush lips, and clear eyes as deep as a glacier lake, even
in this shabby light. And oh sweetness, she carried a side-arm, a slick sonic blaster. Fleet issue...
not a Space Marine, but a woman after his own heart nevertheless. She looked like an avenging
angel.
She walked resolutely to the center of the circle of seated representatives, then climbed
up to stand on a container. He could sense in her a strong will, and a captivating vulnerability.
These freighter grays didn't do her body justice. Strong calves filled the military boots, firm
round ass. She definitely worked out. He'd have to ask her where she'd found a gym on this
wreck.
By the Halls of Montezuma, Kostas couldn't afford to let lust rule him. He'd sworn off
women altogether. He couldn't afford this kind of mistake. Not if he wanted to live.
She looked like top brass issue, so she would be out of reach anyway. That reassured him
a little. From the top of her container she smiled, and her angelic smile warmed up the entire bay
like a wildfire. Kostas sighed and forced himself to focus on grooming his fingernails.
"I am the ship's captain, and my name is Trixie," the angelic woman enunciated in a
clear, musical voice, with a hint of clipped accent. High class Earth society. But Trixie?
Probably a nickname. On this one-way voyage, most passengers and crew were running
from something and hid their true identity. Still, Trixie sounded fun and full of life. Good thing
she was the captain. He'd never see her again after they reached destination. If he remained in his
bunk for the duration, he might avert temptation.
"I have good and bad news." Trixie made eye contact with many in the audience, like a
true leader. "The bad news is, we dropped out of jump space into an uncharted area of space, and
we are still trying to find our way to our original destination planet."
A gasp and a murmur rose over the representatives. Kostas kept quiet, waiting for the
good news.
"You mean your ineptitude as a captain got us lost in space?" The rich, gaunt man's
disdainful set of the mouth and his patronizing tone wouldn't earn him any points with this
crowd.
The lovely captain held up one hand. "Let me finish, Professor McLure. The good news
is, we are orbiting an M-class planet devoid of intelligent life, and so far, it seems perfectly
suitable for our expedition."
Trixie pressed a small remote in her hand. The 3D hologram of a white planet revolved
above their heads. The representatives whispered among themselves.
"It's cold," Trixie went on, "except for these two areas of temperate microclimate outlined
in red. These zones offer suitable conditions for human life."
"Looks just as cold as the rest. It's white," a woman's voice among the representatives.
Trixie smiled "Only because it's still winter in that hemisphere."
"You really think just any planet will do?" McLure's voice rose a few decibels. "This is a
very delicate experiment. It took me a decade of preparation. How dare you ruin it by getting us
lost in uncharted space!"
"I assure you, Professor McLure, there was no mistake on the crew's part. We are still in
the process of determining what caused this incident, but preliminary observations indicate that
we traveled at ten times jump space speed and overshot our target."
"Impossible! There is only one jump speed." McLure's superior tone had the power to
frazzle nerves.
Even a trained soldier's nerves... Kostas shook his head and refocused on his fingernails.
"So we thought." The captain's voice remained even and neutral. "But obviously our
notion of one jump speed needs to be revisited, as clearly demonstrated by our present
predicament."
"Your lack of professionalism is simply unacceptable." McLure accompanied the insult
with a sneer.
Kostas wanted to throw his knife at the man's throat and be done with him, but he
controlled the impulse.
Trixie sighed. "Do you have a valid, positive suggestion, Professor?"
"I will need to study this planet before making any decision."
"Of course. We have ample time to decide." Trixie nodded. "We have plenty of rations
and fuel to stay in orbit as long as we need to. Our shuttles can take trips dirt-side and study the
planet surface. But we have to consider the possibility that this might be our only option. Even
returning to our solar system may not be possible."
Another murmur rose from the representatives.
Trixie's last words triggered the survivor gene in Kostas. He didn't want to go back,
couldn't afford to. He sheathed the knife in his boot and rose then stepped toward the center of
the circle and cleared his voice to call attention. "You folks have to realize that if we traveled so
far that we can't get our bearings, we are on our own, pretty much as we would have been at our
planned destination. I suggest we study and explore this planet, and consider it our best chance of
survival... until proven otherwise."
McLure rose, his face puffed and red with outrage. "My hard earned credits financed this
entire expedition. Only I can decide on this important matter."
"'Fraid not." Kostas raised his voice just enough to shut up the peacock. "We are on a
ship and space regulations are clear on who's in charge." Kostas nodded to Trixie. "Captain?
Care to explain?"
Trixie looked as if she tried hard not to grin. "The lives of the twenty five hundred people
aboard this ship are at stake. As captain, I, and only I am responsible for their welfare. I propose
the representatives report to their various tribes on this issue. We'll reconvene in four hours,
hopefully by then we'll have more information, and possibly other options."
McLure stepped forward. "This riffraff shouldn't have a say in decisions affecting my
scientific experiment. A project of this magnitude--"
The equine leader, rose, hand on his sword hilt. "My name is Tabor, leader of the equine
tribe. I strongly suggest Professor McLure shut up. In my tribe, we have ways of getting rid of
scientists who talk too much."
McLure's eyes widened and his face froze.
"Thank you, Tabor." The captain's eyebrows furrowed prettily. "If you prefer, Professor
McLure, I can scrap your scientific experiment altogether and jettison your precious cargo. Your
credits have no sway here. My foremost concern at this juncture is the survival and welfare of the
passengers and crew in my charge."
A mumbled approval floated over the representatives. Heads bobbed in agreement.
Kostas couldn't refrain from grinning at the sour expression on the arrogant professor's
face. Well spoken, Trixie.
"Listen." Trixie paused and the bay quieted. "Instruct your people about the situation.
When we reconvene, we'll have more information about the planet itself. Let's hope it's all good
news. Dismissed."
The captain jumped lightly off her crate. Kostas straightened, heart beating like a drum.
Tabor approached her. Trixie offered a handshake. Tabor kissed her fingers. How dare