Life on Mark II

System Shutdown

Chapter 12

System Shutdown

The next weeks were filled with frequent visits from and to the Earth Two settlement. The visits were mostly by the commanders but group "field trips" were not uncommon. Commander Meena came to use the communications array to contact the home base. Each time the operator looked slightly nervous and agitated. They payed little attention to this detail because information needed to be transferred. 

New viruses had been discovered and isolated. Food sources had been found. The cure for cancer was coming along steadily and could possibly be sent back to Mark one to help those afflicted. 

One morning the Commanders went to send a communication to home base. When they entered the computer room and began the start up sequence the screens remained blank. 

"Maybe we're out of fuel." Suggested Commander Kamal 

"The lights turned on and the hydraulic doors opened." Argued Commander Halin. 

They called in Shaniqua Johnson, one of the computer experts in Commander Raven's group. She tried every boot up method they knew, and some she created. Nothing at all would start up the monitor array.

"It's happening again." Said Commander Meena almost to herself. 

"What do you mean 'happening again'?" Asked Halin, getting in the Meena's face. "Did this happen to you? Huh!? Did you do this!?" Halin was yelling now. Raven and Fiona grabbed their fellow commander by the arms and pulled her away from the Earth Two leader.

"I think you should explain what you meant." Commander Dasya' said in a calm voice. 

"I was going to before little miss pugnacious got all confrontational" Fumed Meena, glaring daggers at Halin. 

"It's obvious that she was the catalyst for this development. It happened to their group and ever since she started operating our monitors the director and the operators were looking agitated. I bet you didn't even notice that." Halin's rant was on a roll and didn't show any signs of ending. But the monitors did that for her. 

A loud siren arose from the speakers and headphones while the monitors flashed in a spectacular array of colors. The Commanders had to look away and cover their ears or risk going deaf and blind . 

"THAT WAS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO TELL YOU!" Shouted Commander Meena. "THIS HAPPENED WITH OUR COM SYSTEM AS WELL! IF THIS IS A REPEAT OF LAST TIME, THERE WILL BE A MESSAGE FLASHING IN A FEW SECONDS!" 

As if on cue the sirens turned into a low beeping noise and the screens went black for a second then turned a blood red with white words scrolling across the screen as if they were watching it being typed in real time. 

"COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IS NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR THIS EXPEDITION. INFORMATION TRANSFER IN PROGRESS. . . . . . TRANSFER COMPLETE. COMMUNICATION WILL NOW BE IMPOSSIBLE WITH HEADQUARTERS. YOU HAVE ONE MARK II DAY TO REMOVE ALL BELONGINGS OFF OF THE SHUTTLE. AND DEPOSIT ANY MATERIALS BENEFICIAL TO MARK I IN THE STORAGE BAY AND SECURE THEM." 

With that the transmission shut off and the shuttle was once again silent. By the time the ringing in everyone's ears went away and the shock had worn off the Commanders realized there was a group of students standing at the entrance to the monitor room. It wasn't surprising, a cacophony of that caliber was sure to attract attention. 

The Extra Earth expeditioners whispered to each other then started to leave. Instead of getting off of the shuttle, they went to each part of the shuttle and started unloading all of the extra provisions and materials from Mark I and began putting some of their cures and notes in the storage unit. 

When the Commanders asked what they were doing one of the group simply said "Don't worry we made several copies of everything just in case." And went on sorting notes alphabetically by topic. 

Along with the research notes, the students also wrote letters to their families and the people of Mark I. They detailed their good health and happiness that they were helping both Mark I and Mark II move forward and thrive. They also wrote of their lament at losing communication with them and a promise that they would create the means to come back and visit. These were placed at the front hatch so the Headquarters could not miss them. There were letters sent by the Earth Two expeditioners as well on the development of their civilization and discoveries. 

By the time everything was set to go the sun was just brushing the horizon as it set and everyone was back to work. 

One hour before the shuttle was to return to Mark I there was a final sweep to make sure all items were accounted for. When everything was where it was supposed to be they locked the hatch. Sure enough, at the same time the next day the boosters kicked up and propelled the shuttle into the atmosphere. The students watched as their lifeline to the first world they had ever known disappearing into the clouds.