Kolonie

PART I

CHAPTER 1

Kolonization Program Office

3021.02.02

Earth

Dr. Jack Herschel, the department head of the Federation’s kolonization program office, was fidgeting with his right ear, and he had good reason to be nervous. On his desk was a proposal that would occupy most of the human race for the next one-hundred and fifty years; would not be fully implemented for 25,000 years; after that it would be another 25,000 years before the Sol system was informed that the Kolonie had reached its destination. That’s more than 250 human life spans, he thought. At least no one will blame me if it fails, but how do I go about convincing the Congress to authorize such a project?

‘Congress’ was the Federation Congress, a body consisting of two members from each of the federated states on the home planet; a proportional number from each of the kolonized planets in the home system as well as a representative number from the inhabited moons, asteroids, and comets of the Sol system. In the last 500 years the human species had spread into six relatively near-by solar systems, but these were not a part of the Federation, and were not represented in Congress.

The Kolonies, as they were referred to, were independent entities from their inception. They owed their very existence to the Federation, but no repayment of this debt was ever expected. This was in part due to the altruism of the human race, which had dedicated itself to the imperative of kolonizing the stars. More to the point, there was the practical matter of the distances involved. The nearest Kolonie was ten light years away, ‘breaking news’ from that system was ten years old when received. Not exactly conducive to ‘chatting’. In the science fiction of the second millennium these vast distances were ameliorated by the literary inventions of ‘warp’ speed, and sub-space communications. These two handy little inventions allowed both ships and radio waves to exceed the speed of light by whatever degree an author required. Alas, the speed of light (399,791,819 meters per second) answers only to the laws of physics, and not to the laws of literary license. It was possible, however, for a ship to closely approach the speed of light (say 99.4%) by using the constant acceleration of nuclear ionic engines in open space. Radio waves propagated at the speed of light as they always had. A message from a kolonie twelve light years away, took twelve years to reach Earth.

Kolonie ships were gigantic spherical vessels capable of accommodating three thousand kolonists in relative luxury. They were ‘home’ to the kolonists for years of interstellar flight, and then provided the core infrastructure for the pioneers on their new home world. They were essentially self contained cities, and they were constructed in high Earth orbit. Every fifty or sixty years a kolonie ship would break orbit and begin its journey to the stars. The trip outward bound from the Earth to the orbit of the first gas giant planet was considered the ‘shake-down’ cruise during which the kolonie flag ship was joined by similar, but smaller, support ships which had been assembled in the asteroid belt. After that the Kolonie was considered to be completely autonomous. It was not exactly; . . . don’t call us, we’ll call you, but the distances and accelerations involved made anything else impractical. The ion engines took two years or more to accelerate the ships to near light speed (NLS), and then as they neared their destination, the engines would take an equal amount of time to decelerate the ship prior to planet fall.

A sailing also meant one other thing: It meant a system wide, month long holiday. After that; it was back to work on the next kolonie program. Kolonie Seven (K7) was scheduled to break orbit in less than two months, just seventy-one days.

Jack Herschel thought, work must begin in a hundred and seven days on the next kolonie program. Ordinarily this would not present a problem. Work would simply begin using the standard kolonie ship plans. The same configuration had been used for every kolonie ship since before Jack was born. There were always changes and improvements, but with fifty to sixty years of construction time these had never delayed a start date. Jack pulled at his ear. This time it was different. This time there was nowhere to go! At least nowhere within 150 light years! That was the reason for the proposal on Jack’s desk.

Selection of suitable solar systems for kolonization had become a highly evolved science in itself, with its own set of inviolable rules:

1.   The system had to orbit a single yellow star 5-10 billion years old;

2.   The system must be ‘standard’ i.e., terrestrial planets in a ‘habitable zone’ closest to the star, gas giants farther out;

3.   The system must contain at least one Type ‘A’ planet; i.e., O2/N2 atmosphere, with a minimum 14 percent O2;

4.   Most importantly, there must be no existing sentient life within the system.

The office of kolonie site selection maintained two observatories on the outer edges of the comet cloud. This placed them at a distance from the sun that took advantage of gravity lensing. Gravity lensing was a phenomenon which increased the magnification factor of their optical telescopes, permitting initial surveys of all star systems within 150 light years. The initial survey easily determined if conditions 1 and 2 were met, and gave strong indications as to the possibility of meeting condition 3. When strong candidate systems were identified, probe ships were launched. The autonomous robotic ships traveled at the same speed as a kolonie ship, 99.4% light speed, and carried hundreds of robotic planetary probes. The probe ship then served as a relay for the information gathered by the planetary probes. Again the delays of interstellar travel and communication complicated the problem of solar system surveys. If the system to be surveyed was a mere 25 light years distant it might take the probe ship nearly 28 years to be in position to launch planetary probes. This included two years to accelerate to near light speed, 24 years in transit, and another two years to decelerate. Add another year to thoroughly survey the system, and 25 years to return the data via radio telemetry. It might then take another year or more to evaluate the data and make a selection if the system satisfied all four conditions, and only one out of eight systems did. All this adds up to 55 years to make a selection, and that’s for a relatively near-by system. Suitable systems seemed to be getting farther and farther away.

Jack scanned the reports for the hundredth time, and tugged at his earlobe for the thousandth time. The System Selection Office had nothing out to eighty light years. Probe ships had been launched to systems between 80 and 150 light years, but these were all in transit. No results would be available for 90 to 200 years. The program simply could not be shut down for that amount of time, the Federation’s entire economy was dependant on the building and launching of kolonie ships.

There were two star systems that met three of the four requirements, but Jack knew that the risk of attempting kolonization on either of these was simply too great. The two systems had otherwise clement and habitable planets, but the wrong kind of atmospheres. Ships could land on these planets, and the kolonists could survive: as long as they remained in the ships. That was not kolonization in Jack’s opinion and he would not recommend it as an option to Congress. He would inform them of the possibilities, but would not make any favorable recommendations. It would be several hundred years before a kolonie of three to five thousand souls progressed to the point of being able to significantly modify such a planet’s atmosphere, and that’s the only way humans could live on these planets. Jack believed that they never would reach that point if they were primarily confined to their ships. He reached for the comm set, and placed a call to the prime minister’s office.

Prime minister’s office, Harriet’s cheery voice announced.

Hi Harriet, this is Jack Herschel is the PM available?

He’s on a call right now Jack. He should be off by 9:45. Would you like for me to give you a call back?

Actually, Harriet, Jack said. "I really need to see him. How soon can you get me in?’

I think he could see you at 10:00 this morning, there is nothing pressing on his calendar today.

Jack paused for a second, mmmmm… Yes, that would be fine. I’ll leave here right away.

Okay, Harriet said. If something comes up before that, I’ll call you.

Jack added, Harriet, carve out a couple of hours for me if you can, this is important; . . . besides, he said sotto voce, . . . perhaps I can score lunch on the PM" He’d forgotten that the line was still open until he heard Harriet laugh softly.

Maybe you’ll need someone to take notes over lunch, she laughed and broke the connection.

The Federation Government functioned like a well oiled machine. The prime minister, generally known as the PM, was the only elected administrator. He was elected by the congress for an indefinite term. The members of congress were elected by the citizens of their states throughout the solar system: planets, moons, asteroids, and comets for limited terms. They represented nearly every walk of life, but many were from the sciences. This was because the vast majority of citizens worked in the sciences. Congress met once each year, usually the entire month of July or when called into special session by the PM. They served without compensation, but received expenses when in session.

Agency administrators were federal officials ranking just below the PM; they were appointed by him, and commonly referred to as ‘Heads’ of their respective agencies. The major agencies were:

1.   Kolonization

2.   Interstellar Survey

3.   System Trade Commission

4.   Research and Development

5.   Health and Education

The states, including off-world states, asteroids, moons and comets were autonomous and as such were responsible for their own administration, revenue collection, and infrastructure. Without exception, state governments were also very streamlined and non-partisan. There were only vestiges of law enforcement, court or military organizations: there was just very little need for such entities. There were firefighters (most were volunteers), and local constabularies/justices to settle domestic disputes. Attorneys would have starved if not for the constant litigation in the asteroid belt and land use cases on the inhabited moons.

Prime Ministers’ Office

3021.02.02

Earth

Go right in Dr. Herschel, he’s expecting you, Harriet said as soon as Jack stepped through the double doors of the outer office.

Thanks, Jack replied, letting himself into the PM’s office.

Jack! The PM greeted him.

Mr. Prime Minister. Jack replied.

Please call me Cal, Jack; we’ve known each other for over forty years! The PM grasped Jack’s hand in a firm, friendly handshake. I just got your text. What the hell do you mean: ‘ . . . we have no place to go’?

Calister Rayne, the prime minister, was one hundred and twenty-seven years old, and beginning to grey a bit at the temples. He had once had Jack’s job in kolonization, and had now been PM for more than twenty years. He motioned toward a comfortable leather chair (Jack had sat in it many times before) and said, make yourself comfortable, Jack. He eased himself into an identical chair not two feet away. What the devil is going on over at Survey? He tapped his communicator, Harriet, would you bring us some coffee? . . . and, Harriet, see if you can get Bill Boyd over at Survey on the line. No, on second thought get Bill over here for lunch if he can make it. He cast an enquiring glance at Jack; Jack nodded. Harriet, we’ll all have lunch in my dining room, why don’t you come too? He turned his full attention back to Jack. I’m guessing that the thick notebook in your hand is not a family album, you have a plan: what are you going to propose we do?

Jack grinned and handed him the proposal. The PM scanned the abstract, and riffled through a few pages. He let out a long breath; Jesus Jack!

Prime Ministers’ Dining room

3021.02.02

Earth

Bill, glad you could make it on such short notice, the PM said, taking Bill Boyd’s hand.

. . . always room on my calendar for you, Mr. Prime Minister. Bill replied, as he shook the PM’s hand. To tell the truth, I had been expecting your call. The survey reports have not been very promising, and I’m afraid we won’t have any new surveys completed for several years.

The PM shook his head, but he smiled when he said, . . . damn the laws of physics! Everyone chuckled, and moved to take their seats. Harriet came in and took her seat at the one remaining place setting. As she moved her chair closer to the table she tapped a button on her wrist communicator. Immediately two android stewards appeared from the galley with shrimp cocktails in silver bowls.

The androids were top of the line models. They had dazzling gold skin, and were dressed in crisply starched white uniforms, and they were identical twins.

As the prime minister was served, he leaned back and said, Thank you Rolf, these look delicious!

Fresh from Io this morning Sir, system trade sent them over. Io, one of the moons of Saturn, had a burgeoning seafood industry and the System Trade Commission was aggressively promoting it on Earth.

The PM grasped a shrimp by the tail, dredged it through the sauce, and popped it into his mouth. Mmmm, delicious, he said. He turned to Rolf and said, You may serve the wine now, Rolf

After the main course, Filet-of-sole (also from Io) and asparagus spears, the dishes were cleared and dessert was served. Dessert consisted of cherry cheesecake, a small glass of Port and coffee. The prime minister held up his glass of Port and said, To the Kolonies. It was a traditional toast, and everyone raised their glass in silent salute.

Life in the Federation was good, it was a rich society in which everyone worked and everyone shared. Perhaps not equally, but amply, in the fruits of that labor. The engine that drove the economy was the kolonization program. The human species had developed a drive to kolonize when they began to move outward from Earth to settle the solar system. They had moved first into the asteroid belt, then to Rouillé (long ago called Mars) meeting the challenge of a dead world in need of rejuvenation. By the time the species had moved to the moons of the gas giants and the comets of the Ort Cloud the drive to kolonize had become a racial imperative. The stars beckoned, and mankind answered. A great deal of patience was required to send kolonies to the stars. Everything, not just the voyages themselves, seemed to take years; indeed, decades. But somehow the human race learned patience, and now there were humans living in six relatively near-by star systems. The calendar was revised. Each year consisted of ten thirty-six day months; each week had six days; and at the end of each year a five day holiday brought the calendar into sync with Earth’s solar year. Every fourth year this holiday was extended to cover six days: the leap year holiday. The only thing that hadn’t changed was the week-end, it was still two days; which meant that the typical work week was four days. Vacation accrued at the rate of four days per month; and you could take your vacation each month, or save it up and take as much as 72 days at a time. This calendar revision permitted everyone in the Sol system to use the same calendar regardless of where they were, or how long it took their home to revolve around the sun, this greatly facilitated commerce. It also facilitated the recording of dates in a decimal format. For example the current date would be recorded as 3021.02.02 this would be interpreted as: 4th millennium, 21st year, 2nd month, 2ndday. In practice it was still the 2nd of February, 3021. Another benefit was that the days of the week always fell on the same day each month. For instance the 2nd was always a Monday regardless of what month or year it was, and the 3rd was always a Tuesday, and so on.

The PM finished his cheesecake, picked up his coffee, and eased his chair back from the table. Time for a little business, he said. Jack, tell us what you have in mind? And what we’re going to have to do to make it happen.

Jack Herschel pushed back his chair, and then stood behind it. It has become increasingly apparent, he started, that we will have no clear direction for the next kolonie program when K7 launches two months from now. He cleared his throat, reached for his cup, and took a sip of coffee. However, this is not a total show stopper. He paused to let everyone have time to consider this. There are several things that we can do to keep the program moving forward. We can for instance, go ahead with the next kolonie series and send it out to one of the existing kolonies. This makes perfect sense, but as you are all aware, all six of the existing kolonies are on record as opposing this. It is, I believe negotiable, but negotiation time could be on the order of fifty years; . . . or more. He stopped to let this fully register. Also, we might have to repeat this process several times, until a favorable survey is available. He took another sip of his coffee. We could concentrate on building cargo resupply ships in the asteroid belt, and sending them out virtually unannounced: sort of a ‘manna-from-heaven’ approach; and I suggest we do a certain amount of this in any event.

Or… , he drained his coffee cup and took a deep breath. ". . . We could send a kolonie to another galaxy. That is what I propose we do, he waited, . . . silence, then continued; . . . we have most of the needed technology to accomplish this in the next hundred to one-hundred and fifty years, any technology that we do not now have we can develop. We can do it!" He sat the coffee cup on the highly polished table, and stared at its reflection on the table for a moment.

Bill Boyd suddenly came to life, . . . another galaxy? Unless my memory fails me the closest one is 25,000 light years away. It would take… he scribbled on an electronic note pad, "even taking into account the time compression due to relativity; it would take between 85 and 90 generations of kolonists just to get there. The ship would need to be several times the size of our current kolonie ships!"

Yes Bill Jack said. "Those were my first thoughts too… , but what if we sent 10,000 frozen embryos instead of a normal kolonie complement? The ship could be crewed by androids. Which, by the way, would be powered down for most of the trip. In addition there would be robotic units to keep the ship in repair; something is bound to need some attention in 25,000 years! These would also remain powered down for most of the trip."

Androids? Robots? Embryos? All of those are in direct violation of the Kolonie Charter, Jack! Bill’s voice rose in pitch and volume as he spoke, . . . you know that! Bill took a few deep breaths, and calmed somewhat. "Since the earliest days of the interstellar programs there have been: no embryos; no cloning; no genetic material; no complex type-1 robots; and more recently; no androids! It’s the law Jack, you know that better than anyone!" Bill emphasized.

Jack raised one eyebrow and said calmly, Yes I do know that Bill, but we’ve never gone to another galaxy before. I’m willing to take my chances that in 25,000 years I might be forgiven. He smiled, and the tension evaporated.

The prime minister, who had been listening quietly, now said. I think this is something we need to do. If the science is sound, and I believe it is, we should do it. I also believe that interstellar kolonization must go on, but apparently we need a hundred to a hundred-fifty year breather, so this may be just what the doctor ordered, he paused, smiling: Only a minor pun intended Doctor Herschel. He turned toward his secretary, Harriet, we’ll want to get to work right away on a special session of congress. I want to have it within one or two months. We may not be able to gather all of the Ort Cloud members, but make sure they all get the call. And make sure everyone gets a copy of Dr. Herschel’s proposal. I want everyone here that possibly can be. I want them to know that this is historically very significant. he paused. Bill, do you have anything to add.

No sir, aside from the fact that I still believe that there are ethical questions involved, but I’m willing to let congress sort those out. He turned toward Jack, I will get the telescopes located at the gravity lens points started looking at the nearest galaxy; I don’t suppose you’re willing to wait 50,000 years for probe data! His little joke got the desired response, and the meeting dissolved.

Hall of the Federation Congress

3021.05.17

Earth

All rise, the sergeant-at-arms intoned, then watched as the Speaker of the Congress walked to his seat behind the central dais and sat down. The Federal Congress of the Sol system is now in session. There were few empty seats in the great hall; it had been that way since congress convened in special session more than a month ago.

The Speaker, struck his gavel twice on the desk in front of him, and the hall went suddenly quiet. Would the honorable Dr. John Herschel, Head of Interstellar Kolonization please assume his seat before the assembled congress?

Jack walked briskly to the chair he had frequently occupied during the last month.

Doctor Herschel, do you understand that you are still under oath? the Speaker asked.

I do, Mr. Speaker, Jack replied.

Adopting a fatherly tone the speaker said, I hate to make it sound like you are on trial Dr. Herschel, but I understand that for the first time in many years we have two attorneys as members of this congress. We’re trying to make them feel at home. There was general laughter, including that from the two attorneys.

Having put everyone at ease, the Speaker proceeded to address Jack. Dr. Herschel, we have heard your proposal in detail, and we must say that the prospect of establishing a kolonie in another galaxy is exciting to say the least. There are, however, a few questions that must be put to rest before this congress can give you your own private galaxy. Again, there was a ripple of laughter in the hall. "I would ask that you try to keep your answers as straight forward as possible; no heavy science if possible. After all, I’m just a simple farmer, and there are those two attorneys."

I’ll do my best Mr. Speaker, Jack said when the laughter had died down again.

You have satisfied this congress concerning the need to consider sending a kolonie to another galaxy, and in this matter the congress seems to be in agreement. The Speaker poured himself a glass of water, and took a drink. There are legal issues, and I believe, ethical questions which need to be resolved by the passage of specific laws should this mission be given a full go-ahead. The issues of transporting kolonists as frozen embryos, and the inclusion of robotic maintenance technicians, both seem to make sense given the extreme length of the mission. The Speaker took a long sip of water. The android issue is much more problematic. I have to tell you Doctor Herschel, this is a very contentious issue. Androids have for years been considered to be self-determining sentient beings. We cannot treat them as slaves, or as a part of some bigger machine. I have had an android cook for over thirty years. She receives the same salary and the same vacation benefits as a human cook would. There is a feeling in this congress that the robotic units can accomplish all the tasks that might be required for the success of the proposed mission," the Speaker concluded.

Mister Speaker, Jack began. I am fully aware of the high regard that the human species has developed for androids, and I share that sentiment. I assure this congress that no android will be sent on this mission without being fully aware of the dangers and the extreme duration of the service required. Just as there has never been any shortage of human volunteers for the kolonies, I don’t expect any shortage of android volunteers for this mission. Jack paused, there was an expectant hush in the hall. You are correct in your assessment that robots are capable of performing virtually any task required on this mission, Jack continued. However, more than capability is required for several of the tasks that I believe are critical to the success of the mission. There was a low murmur in the hall. The kolonists will all be born on their new planet; infants in need of all the care and love that any infant needs. We plan to develop android couples to fill these needs; they will be mothers and fathers; teachers and professors; friends and mentors. Jack’s voice rose in fervor as he warmed to his subject. We want the first face an infant kolonist sees to be a warm, soft, friendly face; we want their first words to be ‘mama’ or ‘dada’. At this point, Jack resumed his seat. This time the murmur that ran through the assembled congress had an approving tone, and there was more than one moist eye. Jack knew he had his androids, and he knew that he had his program.

Congressional Hall

3021.05.34

Earth

All rise, the sergeant-at-arms’ baritone rang out, then as the Speaker of the Congress reached his seat behind the central dais. The Federal Congress of the Sol system is now in session. There were now even fewer empty seats in the great hall than when congress had gone into deliberation almost three weeks ago.

The Speaker, struck his gavel twice on the desk in front of him, and the hall went suddenly quiet. The Speaker rose to his feet, and cleared his throat. Into this nearly perfect silence his words rang out clearly. The citizens of this Federation long ago chose to go to the stars, a slight pause, then, . . . and now, they choose to go beyond into another galaxy! The silence of a moment before was replaced by tumultuous applause and the signature cheers of many worlds.

The Speaker remained standing as wave after wave of cheering exultation confirmed the popularity of his announcement. When the cheering had subsided enough that he judged that his gavel could once more be heard, he rapped twice more on the dais. "I am pleased to announce this kolonization program, which has been designated Intergalactic Kolonie One, was not only approved, but resoundingly approved in the final vote! In fact for the first time in the more than five-hundred year history of the Federal Congress there was not a single dissenting vote! He went on without pause, now shouting to be heard because the cheering had already started to build once more. Yes, the vote was unanimous, and not only that, every single member voted! Everyone voted, either in person or by secure radio communication." Anything more that he might have to say would have to wait, the tumult from the floor was now deafening, and completely beyond reasonable control.

Every Media Unit

3021.05.34

Throughout The Sol Federation

Media units of the era scrolled headlines, generally local headlines, but sometimes system wide. If something caught your interest you had only to say, ‘Stop. Show story’, to receive the full details and any available Vid. Now, almost from the moment that The Speaker of the Federation Congress made his historic pronouncement, screens began to scroll:

. . . . Intergalactic Kolonie approved . . . . Humans to make Historic Journey to Another Galaxy… . Congress Votes Unanimously To Go Beyond The Stars… . Intergalactic Kolonie approved… . Humans to make Historic Journey to Another Galaxy… . Congress Votes Unanimously To Go Beyond The Stars… . Intergalactic Kolonie approved… . Humans to make Historic Journey to Another Galaxy… . Congress Votes Unanimously To Go Beyond The Stars…

This text and only this text crawled across virtually every screen on Earth. Seconds later it began to crawl across screens on the moon, and minutes, hours or days later, depending on the distance, on screens everywhere in the solar system. Radio messages sped off at the speed of light to the six interstellar kolonies. The nearest would hear the news in about ten years.

On Earth, and the nearby satellites, those who requested the story behind the headline feed were likely to see the image of an excited newsperson against the background of the pandemonium in the congressional hall. The initial ‘on-the-spot’ reports showing the infectious exuberance of the federation congress were replaced by ‘in-studio’ anchors with details of the resolution to send a kolonie ship to the nearest galaxy. Then predictably there were interviews with the prime minister, the ‘heads’ of all the major governmental agencies, and finally with randomly selected private citizens.

Federation Broadcasting System

3021.05.34

Earth

The Federation Broadcasting System anchor, Benjamin Collins, was commenting on the resounding passage of the Intergalactic Kolonie Program; rapidly becoming known to everyone as ‘IGK-1’ Today the Speaker of the Congress, Alexander Corrigan, announced to a capacity crowd at Congressional Hall that the proposed mission to another galaxy has been approved. His comment that the decision of congress was an unprecedented unanimous decision was nearly lost in the thunderous applause; it seemed that every member of congress was on his, or her, feet cheering. Turning to his co-anchor, Susanne Shashenka he said, I understand Susanne that the Speaker actually apologized for the length of time that it took to reach that final vote.

That’s right Ben, Susanne said. This was a special session of congress, and the prime minister had expressed a desire that every member cast a vote.

Ben joined in, I believe that the radio conferences with some of the members in the comet cloud went on for days because of the transmission time delays.

Apparently the delays were worth it Ben, Susanne responded, Think of it. Arguably the most momentous decision in the history of the human race and it has the full, unanimous support of every state in the federation!

Now let’s take a look at the provisions of the measure that was just passed so overwhelmingly. Ben spoke directly into the camera. Two weeks ago the only point of contention was the inclusion of a number of androids on the crew. In fact, androids were to constitute the primary crew. This represents an unprecedented departure from policy, previous kolonie missions have been specifically forbidden to include any androids or Class A robotic units. The reasoning behind this, from the very earliest kolonie days has been to assure that the kolonists enforce strict self-sufficiency. He paused, and looked in Susanne’s direction.

Yes Ben, Susanne picked up the thought, . . . and I believe that it has been a wise decision. At least it has been for the interstellar kolonies. Each of these kolonies is small, five to fifteen thousand, and must be able to stand on its own. She paused only briefly, . . . but in the case of this mission I think the Congress realized that these kolonists would not be able to stand alone for at least two generations. Dr. Herschel really clinched the argument when he reminded the congress of an infant’s need for love, and loving parental care.

The cameras cut now to Ben. Needless to say, this kolonie program will be different in many ways from those we have seen in the past. First of all, its length boggles the mind. It will be more than twenty-five thousand years before the first kolonist utters his, or her, first word: ‘Mama’, if Dr. Herschel is to be believed. He took a deep breath, Twenty-five thousand years. He let out his breath. One-hundred and twenty-five lifetimes from now, and yet virtually every human in the system is joyous over the prospect of seeing the great ship depart.

That’s right Ben, Susanne said, "and I’m certainly one of them! I can’t imagine anything more exciting, or anything more evocative of the Imperative to Kolonize the Stars."

Again the camera segued to Ben. The congress, in providing their usual minimalist guidelines for system selection, set down the following: As Ben spoke a graphic appeared as an inset on screen.

1.   If possible, the system chosen to establish the Kolonie shall orbit a single yellow star of suitable age to have established a ‘habitable zone’.

2.   If possible, the solar system should be ‘standard’ i.e., terrestrial planets inboard, gas giants outboard.

3.   The system should contain at least one uninhabited Type ‘A’ planet; i.e., O2/N2 atmosphere, min. 14% O2,

4.   If possible, there must be no sentient life within the system, and definitely none on the planet to be kolonized.

5.   Android use shall be discontinued by attrition, and no instructions for android replication shall be included in the technical data provided in the ship’s databases.

6.   Similarly, robotic systems will cease to be used within 800 years of the birth of the first kolonist, and all robot technology shall be destroyed at that time.

7.   An android congress shall be convened, as required, to deal with any questions/problems which may arise prior to the maturity of the second generation of kolonists. Any android on the crew may be called to perform this function, and all androids shall have these seven guidelines permanently implanted into their neural networks.

As you can see, Ben pointed out, "The first four directives are very similar to the inviolable rules for system selection for our interstellar kolonies. The primary difference being that they are not presented as dictates, but rather as strong guidance. The words, ‘If possible’ giving in each case considerable latitude, he continued; . . . and you can see that the congress, although conceding that android and robotic support is a necessity, remains sensitive to their presence on the mission."

They seem to be saying, ‘ . . . you can go but you cannot stay’. Susanne interjected.

Yes, Ben replied. They seem to have made that quite clear. Although, one cannot help but wonder how significant that will be 25,000 years from now in a galaxy far, far away, he chuckled, and Susanne flashed a million dollar smile at the camera.

While the camera remained on her, she said, Now, Ben, it’s time to welcome our first guest. Here he is, the man of the hour: Dr. John Herschel, Head of the Kolonization Program. Both anchors stood to shake Dr. Herschel’s hand as he entered and took a chair between them.

Welcome Dr. Herschel, Susanne greeted him.

We’re certainly glad to have you here with us tonight. I hope you won’t mind answering some questions for the few billion people who are watching all over the Sol system. Ben said.

Thank you Ben, Jack smiled, I’ll be happy to answer what I can.

We thought you handled the questions the congress posed on the 17th very admirably; you certainly established yourself as the right man to lead this program. Susanne said.

Describing the look that passed between Jack and Susanne as ‘interesting’ would definitely have been an understatement.

How did you come up with the idea for such an ambitious program, Susanne asked, regaining most of her composure. Do you lay awake at night dreaming of kolonizing other galaxies? God, that was lame, she thought.

If I lay awake at nights from now on, it will probably be dreaming about you, Jack thought. What he said, was. To tell the truth, I was out of options. There was no system selection data available, and none would probably be available for years, maybe a hundred years or more.

Couldn’t we just wait for such data? Ben interjected.

"That really wasn’t an option Ben; it is surprising how dependant the economy of the entire system is on sending out kolonie ships regularly. When K-7 departs; which it will now on the 1st, and after the month-long holiday is over work must begin on a follow-on program, Jack added. . . . as you probably know, and as I testified before congress, they were other things that we could have done, but it just seemed like the time to make the big jump."

It certainly is a ‘big jump’, Susanne said. No ‘small step’ for mankind! What is wrong with me? She thought.

Does this mean that the kolonization program as we have known it, that is interstellar kolonization, is at an end? Ben interjected.

Not at all, Jack responded. The IGK-1 program will require two to three times as long as a regular kolonie program, perhaps 150 years, but after it launches we will go right back to the interstellar programs. By the time our remote descendents hear from the galactic kolonie, we should have thousands of kolonies, and a thriving interstellar trade, in our own galaxy. Jack said.

Speaking of the holiday following Kolonie 7’s departure, will that be the last holiday of that nature that we see in our life-times given that the IGK-1 won’t depart for 150 years? Susanne asked.

Jack chuckled, "I suspect that Congress will come up with something to keep the citizens from getting