Ark II: Life on Gaea - 5. Let's Talk About the Weather

They went back to Poseidon’s Gate. Leif and Steve were very happy with the approval they had gotten.

“We’ll begin going over plans to build Atlantis,” Steve said.

Hank frowned, “Is it odd that we rely so heavily on the myths?” He asked everyone and no one.

“We’ve done that for millennia,” Joel shrugged. “On Earth we named the planets after the gods Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mars...” He smiled. “Then we did it again here with Zeus and Aphrodite. We named our new home Gaea!”

Hank grudged a nod, “I got that. We’re even naming a ship from literature.” He waved at the Nautilus.

“Myths and the stories inspire dreams,” Rita explained. “Atlantis was a larger-than-life continent that sank taking a seemingly magical city with it. The Nautilus was a submarine before there really were submarines! Why not name it Nautilus?” She looked at the ship. “It’s unusual as it doesn’t seem to be made of metal.”

“It isn’t,” Leif said simply. Then he grudged a concession. “Well, it is and isn’t.” He chuckled at the confusion he saw. “It is one form. It is melted metal and yes, boron nitrate.” His eyebrows waggled up and down. “That miraculous substance is in everything now.”

Steve nodded his agreement, “It’s not only heat resistant, but pressure resistant. It was not welded, but the form came down whole.”

“You have to plan the ship first!” Leif pointed out. “The hatches and propulsion ports, view ports. Done in the weightlessness of space and carefully brought down to Gaea.”

“It makes people think of the possibilities,” Joel said simply.

“I understand,” Hank admitted. “I don’t understand why Atlantis.” He hurried on, “They have Poseidon’s Gate. Why build Atlantis? It doesn’t seem like we’re doing it because we can? Is there a need?”

Joel nodded and shrugged, “Maybe.” He admitted. “We live on a planet that is just over eighty percent water. We’re doing a lot to bring life from Earth here. Much of that life will be underwater. It just makes sense to expand down there.” He waved at Leif and Steve, “They are all about the water. They use Poseidon’s Gate as the launching point, but they need a place underwater where they can work surrounded by the ocean.” He smiled, “We have guests coming and need to get ready for them. We need to get the guest quarters ready.” He accessed Athena and saw where the Harpy Stinger was located. “We have the time and space.”

Joel did go back to Elysia using an A1 and A2. He helped more with the people there, but he was neither an engineer nor a scientist. He didn’t stay long. He showed them how to keep track of the Harpy Stinger with Oracle’s help. Athena was following the course with no problem. He was pleased to also see some children there playing games with Oracle. His holographic form wore the coverall for the colony. He also noticed some were looking at Oracle with other thoughts of a more carnal nature. Oracle was a handsome Greek man. He wondered if anyone had him appear nude. He knew the male anatomy would be there if Scott and Anthony had to do with it. He thought of Rob and Apollo. Had anyone asked to see their anatomy? That was Human.

Sara Beth had seen that the guest quarters were arranged with many flowering plants. Food for the eye she claimed. She would never approve of cut flowers. The flowers were whole plants that would live and bloom long after the guests returned to Elysia.

Joel’s connection with Athena told him when the Harpy Stinger was entering the upper atmosphere. He got Hank and the met in the ground hanger. This would also be an experience for the three guests. They would see Joel and Hank but also see Joel’s and Hank’s android bodies.

The Harpy Stinger lowered to a stop and the hanger doors closed silently.

Joel and Hank entered the Stinger making sure the air was breathable.

Again, Joel and Hank as androids didn’t breathe, but the Elysians did when out of stasis. Joel activated the stasis pod and heard the gas enter the pod. He knew the short time it took and smiled as Anderson was the first to open his eyes with a blink to focus. The others quickly followed him.

“Now,” Joel said pleasantly. “As my wife would tell us every time. You need to stretch.” He demonstrated with his right arm. “You’ll be stiff if you don’t.”

Wilma looked confused and sat up, “We just got in. We’re not on Gaea.”

Joel chuckled, “You are!”

“We said that all the time!” Hank admitted. “A month or a century, it was always the same.”

“Sara Beth explained it once as the body just stops,” Joel explained further. “It stops blood flow, and the revival gas restores the blood flow. The stretching increases the blood flow to the muscles and tissues.” He shrugged. “Only once did I not stretch enough, and I did get this heavy feeling in my legs. It wasn’t pain, but just sore.”

They were each doing arm stretches and lunges for the legs. They did the twists and turns.

“Oh,” Joel said remembering. “As none of you are used to being,” he did air quotes, “outside uncovered, you might be uncomfortable at first. We have no covering over New Charleston. It’s open to the sky. If it gets too uncomfortable, we’ll take you inside. Okay?”

Anderson looked at Joel and Hank, then to the android bodies of them, “You are the real Joel Nesmith and Hank Cavill.”

Hank nodded, “We are.”

“Amazing,” Wilma said in a near whisper. Taking the underground tunnel to New Charleston, they took the steps up and emerged in the city square near the Angel Oak and fountain. Joel was so pleased by the collective gasps all three of the guests gave seeing all the grandeur. Yes, most of the attention was t the sky! They saw the scattered white clouds against the blue sky. There was the bird or two that flew overhead. The gaze went to the square itself with the many people going to where they needed to go. There were no children out now as they had school. They did see the squirrels, butterflies and they saw an A2 walk by who looked at them and gave a nod, “hello.”

“This is beautiful!” Wilma said quietly and reverently.

“Thank you,” Sara Beth walked up with Rita. Joel introduced his wife and Hank’s wife.

“It’s like what we see in those movies or television shows,” Anderson added.

“This is real.” He pointed at the sky. “I believe we are on Earth!”

“That was the aim,” Joel said. “Gaea is Earth’s twin.” He shrugged, “It is very much a work in progress, but the life was brought from Earth, and it’s watched very carefully.”

“Balance,” Sara Beth said. “Our job is to maintain that balance. We started with the plants, then insects and the balance is watched carefully.”

Joel turned to them, “You had breakfast before you left how long ago?” “About five hours ago,” Paul answered.

“That’s Terran hours,” Joel nodded. “It’s time for lunch.” He touched his stomach. “It is for me.” He smiled. “We will show you everything...after lunch.”

The Elysians were taken to Rainbow Row to the Communal Dining Area. It wasn’t too long and the children from school burst in to have their lunch.

They were followed by the many puppies and kittens that were with them.

Anderson’s eyes widened, “You have artificial pets?”

Hank nodded, “Our children need support emotionally. We had robotic pets added to help with that.” He grinned at Joel. “We have gotten them spoiled. If we bring dogs and cats that are real...they will shed, poop and piss.” He shrugged and waved at the many “pets” that were acting like the real animals they are but listened and obeyed what they were told. They sat next to the people and didn’t bother anyone. “They are controlled by Athena.” He brightened. “You will meet Lightening and some real horses.” He looked at Joel, “Has the other colts been given names yet?”

Joel shrugged, “They may have, but I don’t know the names yet. We have several adult horses that are androids you can ride as we show you around.”

“Dad!” Was heard as three boys came to their table happily.

“These are our sons,” Sara Beth bragged happily. “Kevin, Jim and Ian.”

The eyes of their guests grew again when Robbie lumbered into the Dining Area.

“And this,” Joel waved at Robbie. “Has been my friend, playmate and confidant for almost thirty years! Robbie!” He smiled as Rob came in with Apollo. “This is Rob. Another version of Robbie with Apollo, the Cavill’s android Robot.” Then in came Robot.

“I know him!” Anderson said quickly. “From that television show from the nineteen sixties!” He pointed at Robbie. “He was in another movie!”

Joel smiled, “Yes. Lost in Space,” he waved at Robot, “and Forbidden Planet.” He waved at Robbie.

“You have other more sophisticated androids and robots,” Wilma pointed out. “These are not.”

“These are comforting things,” Joel argued. He shrugged, “Robbie is that comfort for Ian now.” He laughed, “More than a teddy bear. He is a comfort.”

“What you’ve built here is fabulous,” Anderson said.

“What you built on Elysia is truly fabulous,” Joel corrected. “Your parents and grandparents when faced with a horrible situation, left your Ark and quickly settled Elysia.” He raised the finger, “If fact, you not only survived, but thrived! What I saw in the underground world you created is truly fabulous.” He sighed, “I know there were deaths. You overcame that.”

Paul shrugged, “What choice did we have?”

“We couldn’t go back to Earth,” Wilma agreed.

Joel nodded, “You didn’t give up!”

Sara Beth chuckled as she suddenly jumped and rubbed her swollen abdomen, “Our daughter is awake and kicking.” She blew a breath, “I’ll be glad when this is over.” She laughed lightly. “Having you here is to show what we as Humans can do. Building a world takes dedication.”

“We have technologies we never thought, except in dreams,” Hank nodded with a smile.

“We have new agricultural technology and farming techniques,” Sara Beth said and waved at the surroundings. “Right now, more traditional farming is more than adequate for a population of a couple of thousand. Soon we will have more people and a need for more crops. I, and a few others in the biology and botany departments have some new vertical farming ideas. Some engineers have a new farm proposal. A multilayered farm,” she nudged Joel, “No more worry of over farming an area of land. The soil and land can be replaced.’

Joel grinned, “My wife is all about what is natural and is not natural.”

“As we grow.” Sara Beth ignored her husband, “Which we will, the need will be greater. Each community will be able to grow what they need.”

“Even out underwater communities,” Joel said happily. “You did it underground!”

Robbie suddenly spoke, “All students finish up and return to class. We have more lessons.”

There was a collective groan from the many students.

“It could be worse,” Hank said. “You could have to walk a long way.” Joel grinned, “Uphill in the snow!” He added.

“Both ways!” Hank nodded.

Jim frowned, “I know you didn’t walk to school.”

Kevin nodded grinning, “It didn’t snow that often even in Asheville.”

“It did in Ontario,” Hank said smugly.

“Which you never walked to school in,” Rita smirked.

“It’s a tradition!” Hank argued, “The older generation is always telling the younger generation how tough it was to get them to see how fortunate they are.”

“By telling them lies,” Sara Beth chuckled.

“Like Hank said,” Joel shrugged, “It’s tradition. We’ll be showing our guests around,” Joel stated. “We’ll all go and see Lightening.” He looked at Ian.

“Have you given the new colts names yet?”

“Sure,” Ian nodded. “They know them, too.”

They took them to the fields where they grew the crops of New Charleston.

Joel liked seeing Wilma revert to a child. At least a childlike person as she walked through the grass and looked at the open sky doing the slow turn to take it all in.

“This is like...” Wilma began softly, “is like an oasis! An oasis of life on a lifeless rock!”

“That’s right,” Joel nodded. “From here it will spread to other parts of the planet and beyond.”

“The cycle of life must be started,” Sara Beth stated. “We are jumpstarting the process. Once it takes hold it will be impossible to stop.”

Wilma smiled, “I know we’ll be seeing some horses. Are there other animals you raise?”

Sara Beth nodded, “We have some. We brought with us on the Ark cows, pigs, and chickens. We really don’t eat them.”

Joel grudged a nod, “I love pulled pork barbeque! That requires pigs.”

“If he wants it,” Sara Beth smiled. “He kills the pig. Not Athena or a robot.”

“I never had to kill to feed my family,” Joel shrugged.

“You never hunted?” Anderson asked.

“Why?” Joel asked. “We had grocery stores. All meats were provided.”

“If they had it,” Hank qualified. “I like a sirloin steak.”

“Porterhouse!” Joel added happily. “Cooked outdoors and just...” he kissed his fingertips, “perfectly seasoned! Delicious!”

“Most of our people traveled so long to preserve lives,” Hank said. “Bringing life here to kill and eat...it isn’t necessary.”

“They find they don’t want to,” Rita explained.

“Hunting is fine,” Joel said. “It’s a great game, but until they arm the deer, it’s not really fair.”

Paul’s head went back slightly. He waved in a direction, “I know you have a lake. You have fish, right?”

“We do,” Joel answered. “We do not fish from it.”

“Leif would have a fit!” Hank declared. “You haven’t met him, I don’t think.”

“He’s our aquatic life expert,” Joel chuckled. He nodded, “The hunter and gatherer Human evolution is blurring. We don’t have to be predators anymore to survive.” He held a cautioning hand. “Our supplies are dwindling and when it’s gone, it’s gone. Doctors Manu and Andrea Taika are working hard to find a good alterative.”

Hank nodded, “And when he finds it and makes something that looks and smells like a porterhouse steak, I’m there!”

“Or a ribeye!” Joel added. “I love those.”

“The poor cow!” Sara Beth rolled her eyes and groaned.

Joel pointed at his wife, “She has all these rules. Like, in your quarters are flowering plants Not just the flowers but he whole plant! Prune but never cut the flowers.”

Sara Beth stared at Joel, “You cut off their means of reproducing! Why? Because it’s pretty!? What if I cut off your means of reproducing?” She looked harder at Joel. “We respect life! Even plant life.”

“The plant lives, honey.” Joel argued.

“As you would when I cut you penis and scrotum off?!” Sara Beth said firmly.

Their three guests were smiling at what they saw.

“We’re coming,” Rob’s voice said to Joel as a warning.

“We?” Joel asked. “Whose we?”

The three guests didn’t hear the warning, but they looked curious.

“Ian, Kevin, Jim, Chloe, Rachel, Lunga, Adam and Xolani,” Rob provided.

“We’ll be at the corral in a few minutes.”

Hank did hear Rob and so did Rita. Rita touched Hank and reminded him. She turned his face to look at her, “Let it go.” She looked at the three guests.

“He is still watching Lunga and Chloe carefully since...” she left the sentence unfinished.

All three began nodding with understanding.

They walked to the corral and Joel was pleased to see there was more people with the many animals now. Now there was a few other animals such as goats and sheep. The people of the Ark were spending time with the animals. However, the colts were the most popular at the present time.

“You’ve already started with the other animals,” Wilma pointed at the colts who were happy to see them.

Sara Beth nodded, “Yes. The thing is, we’re not raising these animals to be consumed by us.”

Joel smiled, “As I explained. The people here traveled to get life here. They aren’t willing to eat them.”

“But you are raising them,” Anderson reasoned. “For what? We domesticated them for the purpose of eating them.”

Joel nodded, “We got tired of hunting.” He shrugged and held his and up. “I consume more than my share of meat. I’m not a vegetarian yet.”

“Our son Ian is vegan,” Sara Beth confessed.

“We are going that way evolution wise,” Hank shrugged. “It just seems right.”

“Becoming a vegan or just a vegetarian is a personal choice,” Joel said and then looked disappointed. “I’ll miss craw fish and shrimp.”

“He’s a great cook,” Sara Beth said.

Rita smiled, “My daughter Rachel is becoming a great chef. She will no doubt come up new dishes to enjoy.”

They looked and saw Humans and robots working not far away, but fixed on a location.

“What’s happening over there?” Paul asked pointing in the direction.

Sara Beth brightened, “That will be our new farm.”

“You have a farm,” Wilma said looking back at the rows of corn and various vegetables.

“Yes,” Sara Beth nodded and waved at the group working. “We will have to rotate where we plant to keep the soil at its peak. This way we can keep the soil at top levels without rotating the crops.”

“Storm approaching,” Athena’s voice said where everyone could hear. “Activation of the shield will commence in six hours.”

The three guests looked at Joel a bit worried.

Joel smiled, “We had a solid dome, but we have a shield to keep away attacks...even from weather.” He nodded as he admitted, “You’ll be here for the first test.”

They walked to the corral as Ian arrived quickly. Lightening was being petted by a man but when Lightening saw his friend, he left the man and raced to the fence doing the left tun and then the right as he snorted happily in excitement.

“We have seasons,” Joel began explaining. “Gaea’s orbits once a year…” he grudged a shrug. “A bit longer than five hundred Gaean days, our orbit catches up with Zeus, our biggest planet and Zeus’s enormous gravity will pull Gaea closer to it. That causes a sort of elliptical effect on Gaea’s orbit. That pulls us farther away from Ran, our sun. That causes the temperature to drop a little and that causes hurricanes…”

“Hurricanes!?” Wilma repeated horrified. “There’s a hurricane coming?”

“We’re just getting the lower end,” Sara Beth said assuring. “It will pass north of us.”

“Hurricanes are dangerous!” Wilma said urgently.

Joel nodded, “They are very dangerous...normally.” He grinned. They had never even seen a hurricane. “I’ve lived through a few. The city of Charleston on Earth was destroyed by a hurricane.” He waved at the clear sky above. “It’s beautiful now. The animals on land are secure. The many birds can come and go. They will come to roost as the storm gets closer. I’m told it will be a category four when it arrives.” He nodded, “On Earth people would be boarding up their homes and preparing for floods because of the tidal surge. We have a shield that keeps the wind and rain out.”

“You don’t have rain?” Anderson asked.

“We’ve had rain,” Hank nodded. “But not as hard and fast with this hurricane. The shield will keep it out.”

“We are approaching the apex of Zeus’s pull on Gaea in five weeks.” Joel explained. “The temperature will drop about ten degrees, but it won’t be too cold.”

“Then as we pass,” Sara Beth smiled. “It will be about five weeks as the pull lessens, and things calm down.”

“We’re prepared,” Joel said reassuringly. “We’ll be fine. You will be fine. We have a nice evening planned for tonight and a party day after tomorrow for the people with birthdays and anniversaries.”

“Since the shield is transparent,” Hank began. “The sky will look dangerous, but you will see and feel nothing. I promise.”

Sara Beth let out a soft, “Oh.” She touched her swell and caressed gently.

Joel looked a bit startled and touched the swell, “Are you alright?”

“Fine,” Sara Beth smiled. “Daylia’s just moving. Shifting around to come out headfirst.”

Joel smiled as he felt a kick, “Giving birth is a miracle. That was a good kick!”

“How far along are you?” Wilma asked with a smile.

“That’s tricky,” Sara Beth grumbled. “Over a century. She was conceived in 2330 near Earth. We’ve been in and out of stasis so often. Biologically, I’m thirty-six weeks and two days.” She looked at Joel, “You know what this means. She’ll be coming soon.”

Joel chuckled and nodded, “None of my children were good about following the rules. Kevin was almost a week late. Jim was early by a week...”

Sara Beth nodded with a smile, “Ian had to be turned as he was breech. He was on time, but wrong side down.” She sighed, “Or up, he was not headfirst. Motherhood is such an adventure.”

Joel said, “Matt and Mark have the artificial egg...”

“No!” Sara Beth said quickly, “You know how I feel about those artificial anythings.”She grudged a nod, “Yes, they have created a way to have offspring without a womb. A Human child needs a real mother. I will be glad when this is done.” She rubbed the swell, “Just a few more weeks, honey.” She said to her baby.

“There were no complications with stasis?” Wilma asked.

“None,” Sara Beth answered. “She’s at two point two kilograms, or five pounds...all fingers and toes are there.” She looked down and said to her baby, “Just a few more weeks, honey.”

Joel smiled, “The tub is ready.”

“Tub?” Anderson smiled. “You’re having your baby born in water?”

Sara Beth nodded, “All my children were born in warm water. It relaxes my muscles and eases the contractions.” She shrugged, “The baby is less traumatized.”

“There are nerve blockers that help with the pain, the muscles will act as the would normally with less pain.” Joel said and grudged a nod, “Or so I’m told having never had a baby.”

“The baby doesn’t drown?” Paul asked.

“The baby doesn’t breathe until stimulated,” Sara Beth smiled. “She’s still attached to me so I breathe for her.” She held her finger up, “Ian was a bit different. My water broke and before I got in the tub, he had to be turned like I said. Then I was in the tub.”

“Okay,” Anderson said, “Back to the hurricane. The shield barrier will hold back all the wind and rain.” He said to be sure. “I’ve read about them, and I’ve seen them in movies and on other media...”

“We’ve had storms on Elysia but we’re underground,” Paul said. “It hasn’t bothered your space ladder?”

“It’s weathered all the others,” Hank replied.

Wilma looked as Lightening was chasing Ian, “I see that horse is chasing your son. You’re not worried he’ll hurt Ian?”

Joel chuckled, “Not a bit. Those two love each other.”

Lightening caught Ian and shoved him forward in a “tag, you’re it” move. Then he raced off as Ian ran to catch Lightening.

“Ian is getting a lot of exercise,” Sara Beth smiled. “Lightening is just about sixteen months old, so not fully grown.”

“I took the boys to Alaska and a member of the Yup’ik Tribe there said Ian had the gift.” He chuckled. “Even at three or four Ian was never afraid of horses. The biggest horse would run up and Ian just stood there, never ran and was never scared. The horses knew Ian was no threat. Scared the shit out of me, but Ian was fine. Walter, the Yup’ik elder said Ian had the gift of talking to horses. Ian does it and they respond to him positively. Ian sings to Lightening and Lightening calms down.”

Sara Beth laughed lightly, “As a mother, I worry more that Ian will fall and hurt himself. I’m not worried about Lightening.”

Lightening could easily outrun Ian but held back to give Ian a chance.

“It’s a beautiful horse,” Wilma confessed.

Joel had to agree. Lightening had a black mane that was growing longer and a tail that was also black. He also noticed the birds overhead were coming to roost in the trees for the evening. It was still early evening, but they seemed to know there was a hurricane approaching.

They all headed back to town and gathered in the dining area again for dinner.

Joel looked out the window as the sky was darkening and wind was picking up.

“Shield activation commencing,” Athena’s voice said quietly.

There was a quick beeping sound followed by a hum that started, and the wind suddenly stopped. Even the sound was quieter.

Joel reached as a three-dimensional image of New Charleston appeared in the air. The dome of a shield covered all of New Charleston. The walled area was covered at full strength. He looked at the guests, “My concern is not just New Charleston, but Poseidon’s Gate. That structure is outside the wall and really more exposed to the hurricane. It has its own energy barrier.” He explained and looked again touching the area outside the wall. Poseidon’s Gate grew and showed the energy barrier over the gate and nearby water. All life would be protected for wind, rain, tidal surge and rouge currents underwater. It looks fine.”

The fireflies did make their appearance to the delight on everyone including the guests. There was almost no wind. The sky above the dome shield was growing rough. Yet not a single drop of rain came. The rushing wind outside was making sounds, but not much came through.

“You don’t allow rain?” Anderson asked as the gathered out for entertainment in the Ampitheater near the center of town.

“It’s not that we don’t let it rain,” Sara Beth began to explain. “Our plants get more than enough water from irrigation. The grass is watered, the flowering plants and trees...”

“Who wants to get wet going to work?” Hank asked.

“You have those underground tunnels to everywhere,” Paul said. “Even to the stable and farming area.”

“With trams that can go faster than a man can walk or run,” Joel nodded. “There aren’t that much of a schedule here. Most people would rather walk more leisurely to where they have to go.”

Rita grimaced, “I had a date...” she looked at Hank, “Sorry, it was before you. I was dressed nicely and before I was picked up, there was a sudden downpour, and I was soaked. Forget the makeup and my hair was soaked. I could have ended up with him!”

Hank smirked, “God was telling you no! Besides, you would probably be dead!” He held his hands out, “No, wait! You would be dead from old age if not here!”

Rita nodded, “It was fate.” She smiled.

The evening music began. Ian was first. It was getting late, and he had a busy day. It would be bedtime soon. He played Beethoven’s 14th Piano Sonata.

“He’s just six!” Wilma claimed in disbelief.

“Yes,” Sara Beth nodded.

“He plays with such feeling!” Wilma balked quietly. “So much maturity.”

Joel nodded, “I believe that is what the horses feel from him. That is what makes them listen.”

“All the children of the Ark are brilliant.” Sara Beth waved at Rachel and Chloe. “Rachel, I believe will make a brilliant chemist. She’s a great cook! Chloe is a mathematics genius.” She waved at Lunga, “Lunga is a prodigy on the piano. Ian became his student and also is a prodigy. Jim is a genius with robotics, computers...”

“He helped our robots taste and did wonders with the gravity field that keeps our Harpies floating,” Joel bragged. “Kevin is proving to be a natural leader.”

“Genius parents produce children who are geniuses,” Sara Beth stated.

“They have wonderful teachers who don’t pressure them,” Joel said.

“Those teachers are among you,” Anderson said questioning.

Joel waved at Robbie, “Robbie, Rob, Robot, Apollo, and Athena. They give individual attention to each student.”

All three were widening their eyes hearing that.

“But they go to school,” Wilma said.

“Yes,” Sara Beth said nodding, “To learn social skills as well as other subjects. It’s an important lesson.”

Then Adel walked up, “Hi, everyone.” She was draped in a black robe from shoulder to the floor. “I was asked to perform this again.” She smiled, “I think it is the irony that drove that. I was born male.” She was nodding at the audiences’ response to that. “I perform as a woman, who pretends she is male pretending to be a woman! From Victor/Victoria, La Jazz Hot!” She began, tossing the dark robe away and showed she was a woman with all the curves under her tight garment; once again did very well as she sang. The vocal run near the climax went from very low to very high in one smooth note. She got a standing ovation from everyone! There were hoots, applause and catcalls.

Once everyone calmed down, another dark caped person with a dark hat came on stage. Joel knew the character played by the white mask that covered the right side of his face. It was Brice that was the Phantom of the Opera. The music started and Brice sang softly, hauntingly, “I have brought you to the seat of sweet music’s throne...where this kingdom where all must pay homage to music...music...” The phantom was tortured and shunned as Brice sang. When he got to the verse “Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar!” The echoing of that note was telling. “And you’ll live as you’ve never lived before...” was also haunting as it echoed. At the end of the “Music of the Night” there were not many who weren’t in tears. Again, there was a standing ovation.

“That was incredible!” Wilma said as she was clapping.

“That’s Adel’s husband!” Sara Beth said nodding. “They are both incredible.”

“He’s a brilliant botanist and biologist,” Joel added. “She is a brilliant physicist, astronomer and radio-astronomer! She’s the reason we can communicate so far away from each other. She and Brice are expecting their first child.”

“She said she was born male!” Paul objected. “How can she have a child? Does she have...” he lowered his hand and pointed at his own crotch, “a womb?”

“No, she doesn’t,” Sara Beth acknowledged. “I don’t know how they do it, but Matt and Mark took half of her DNA and combined half of Brice’s and created a new life. Their son and he is healthy.”

“They met while they were both in their late teens and twenties touring the world doing theater,” Joel explained. “They did many duets from Camelot to Romeo and Juliet. They were in college when they married. They were both highly praised and famous back at the turn of the century.” He laughed, “That was the twenty-fourth century.

“There are some talented people among our group,” Sara Beth smiled as they still applauded, and Brice bowed.

“I wish all Elysians could be here,” Wilma had a touch of sadness in her voice.

“I know you have many talented people on Elysia,” Joel began. “You and the others on Elysia can see and hear ours by the Communications Link. Ours can perform here and by the link see them live as holographic images.” He smiled, “With Athena and Oracle, the backdrops and scenes will also be created. You will see the Phantom of the Opera with all the backdrops. Lunga did a wonderful performance with the background of Norway when he played Evard Grieg’s famous piano concerto in A minor.”

Sara Beth nodded, “He played with wonderful scenes from Norway.”

“A Norway that we’ve lost much of now,” Joel said sadly. “We should never forget. That’s why we’re out here.”

As exciting as it was, the day was over. Joel looked at the weather and saw the hurricane was passing as predicted just north of them and they were getting the southern half of the storm. He saw the rough water churning, but New Charleston and Poseidon’s Gate remained untouched. Why was it hurricanes always seemed to hit at night? He also knew the hurricanes had long lives and often took more than a day to pass through. The barrier was holding the wind and rain back and a lot of the noise.

They showed the three Elysians the quarters they would share. There were four bedrooms, so no problems. They also saw many of Sara Beth’s flowering plants such as roses and other flowers...uncut and thriving! They were also shown where to bathe and shower and where Athena would provide clean clothes to wear.

Joel was taking the three to breakfast. It was there Joel saw a young couple squabbling about something where the woman stormed off. They were part of the biology team under Sara Beth. Both were in their late twenties. He was Carl Abernathy, and she was Karen. Everyone in the dining area saw and heard them.

Sara Beth frowned and shook her head sadly.

Joel leaned in toward his wife, “Do you know what that was about?”

Sara Beth sighed. Joel was Commander and he needed to know, “She’s pregnant.”

Joel sat back, “What’s the probl...” he realized why, “That’s what she’s supposed to do. The problem with that is because he’s not the father.” He said to confirm.

Sara Beth looked surprised at her husband, “You got that too quickly.” She nodded, “That’s exactly the problem.” She looked at Carl. “They found out two weeks ago. They both have A positive the same blood type, but the baby doesn’t have the same blood type, B positive and Carl knew what that meant.”

“Oh,” Joel said.

“We could be looking at our first divorce,” Sara Beth said sadly. “Leah and Cindy are dealing with Karen, while Nayef and Tom are counselling Carl.”

“If they do divorce,” Joel speculated, “They will still be here. If they separate, they will still be together on Gaea.”

Sara Beth nodded, “That’s why they are getting counselling. I hate that any family breaks apart.”

“Wait,” Joel said. “If she’s carrying another man’s baby, that means another couple is affected. Do we know who the real father is?”

Sara Beth nodded, “Everyone has their DNA on file. Yes, we know who the real father is.”

Joel sighed, “That happens with Humans. Let the Soap Opera begin.”