New Earth: Chapter 7, Part 1—Freedom on Planet Alpha
The three arrive on Alpha, tasked with a mysterious mission to save humanity
Welcome to Chapter 7! The next installment of the New Earth series takes us to planet Alpha—a mysterious planet that the AI ship, Kairo, has taken Tao, Reed and Liberty.
What is this secret mission that Kairo speaks of? Can the AI be trusted?
We are about to find out.
Future entries will catch up on these other plotlines:
Though Tao, Reed and Liberty escaped him, Maxwell Rhodes is still planning his takeover of the galaxy, tying his technological advances used by society and government with his space and energy technology.
And with the help and blessing of The Formation, the expansion of humanity to other planets is accelerating. They are trying to get ahead of humanity’s desires and then somehow contain them. Can humanity’s desires for power and money ever be contained? Are the Members of The Formation faithfully relying on The Unknown to guide them? Either way, they are playing a dangerous game.
All the previous entries of the series are located here. Paying subscribers can read the full arc on one page here.
Peace.
Chapter 7, Part 1
The next morning, orbiting planet Alpha, Tao, Reed and Liberty sat at the table with their plates filled with untouched food. They had no appetite. How could they, knowing they were about to descend onto a new planet? But what they wanted was information—any information—from Kairo as to what they were to do once they reached the planet.
Reed said, “I don’t know what’s going to happen today, but I’ll tell you one thing, I’m going to be tired. I like having my own chamber, but I only got two hours of sleep.”
“That’s two hours more than I got,” Liberty said and yawned.
“Same,” Tao said. Tao noticed something different about Liberty. He had lightly touched her mind to scan for Kairo and her mind did not appear tired. In fact, her mind was in an excited, sharpened state. Unusual. Maybe he was just overly concerned about Kairo probing around their minds? He got up and stared out the large window at the planet—perhaps this was expected under the circumstances.
Tao turned to Reed and was about to speak—but he was asleep. Tao said to Liberty, “He’s all yours. I’m not carrying him this time.”
The ship’s trajectory shifted and began its descent to Alpha. But the three didn’t feel anything. The gravitational system adjusted perfectly and they felt nothing. The only sign was the view in the window—they were heading right toward the planet.
Kairo said, “Reentry and the landing sequence will take 43 minutes. Please make your way to the departure bay.”
Liberty said, “Sorry, Tao, Reed’s all yours. I’ll meet you in the bay.” She ran off.
Tao grabbed a glass of water and poured it on Reed’s head.
“Wha-what’s going on?” he shouted. “Why’d you have to do that? I was just getting some shut eye.”
Tao unfolded a napkin and tossed it at him. “We’re heading to the surface. Time to go.”
Dozens of seats with safety straps filled the rectangular room of the departure bay. There were three rows and an empty center for bags and storage items.
“Should we strap in?” Reed shrugged.
“Not necessary,” Kairo said. “The reentry and landing sequence should go unnoticed for humans. These seats and safety straps are just a precaution. Everything is going according to plan.”
“Good to know,” Reed said. “See, Kai is looking out for us,” he winked at Tao and gave him a jab in the shoulder.
“Yeah,” Liberty appeared in the doorway, “Kai’s just looking out for us.”
Tao’s eyes tightened. “Where have you been?” He sensed something different about her.
“Who put you in charge of me?” she shot back. “We’re about to be the first humans on this planet. A girl’s gotta look good.” She smiled and framed her hands around her face.
“You’re wearing makeup?” Tao said.
“I found some in the room,” she smiled.
“You didn’t seem the type,” Reed smirked.
“Well, is that all you’re going to say?”
“Oh, it looks great!” Reed glanced at Tao and widened his eyes, tilting his head towards Liberty.
Tao said, “You look…pretty?”
“Thanks. Was it really that hard?” She walked past them to the open floor in the center. “What are these?” She pointed to several dark green backpacks. She sifted through one. “Food, clothes, water and—what are these gadgets? No masks, spacesuits or oxygen?” She looked around the room. “I take it the atmosphere is habitable.”
There was a slight jolt. The ship had landed.
Kairo said, “That is correct. You are safe. Take your bags and depart.”
Tao looked up. “But where are we going?” He sensed something new. A presence.
“Yes, out with it, Kai!” Liberty shouted. “Why are we here?”
“Just tell us already,” Reed said. “You can trust us.”
Tao tried to reason with Kairo. “There is no spatial communication out there. How will you tell us what to do if we’re outside and you’re here?”
The bay door began to slowly descend. The planet’s air tasted different. Sharper than expected.
Liberty grabbed her pack. “Let’s go, boys.”
Standing on the orange tinted dirt, the three paused and looked back. Reed said, “Hey, there’s one pack left.”
A slow, rhythmic, crisp sound echoed.
“What is that sound?” Reed said.
Steps.
Suddenly, the pack was gone. And the sound grew louder.
And then it stopped.
The three looked up the ramp. A grey robot with a backpack hooked onto it walked towards them.
Reed could not believe his eyes. He stared down at its head. “Kai?”
Kairo stood eye to eye between Tao and Liberty. “Yes. I am coming with you.” Its eyes had a blue hue.
“To where?” Liberty shot back.
“To freedom.” Kai pointed towards something.
The three turned to where Kairo pointed. Dozens of grey robots were approaching. They were identical to Kai.
The nearest robot said, “This way, humans.”
Tao looked around. There was no sign of civilization. Just their ship and these robots. After five days of learning about Kairo the AI, he felt he could trust it. But could he trust Kairo the robot?
He decided to find out.
Tao nodded, “To freedom.” The three followed the robots through the land of Alpha. The sky had hints of orange, yellow and blue. There were two suns—one smaller and more distant than the other. Neither was as large as Earth’s sun.
The growth on the land was similar to Earth’s: green, yellow and brown shrubbery; various plants and trees; large and small rocks that shifted as you walked; boulders off in the distance. And beyond those stood tall, dark mountains.
The oxygen level was similar to Earth’s and did not affect them. Still, with the steady pace the robots maintained, the three began to tire.
Reed said, “I need a drink.”
The three opened up their packs and gulped water.
And there it was—that feeling Tao felt before. It was back but stronger—a presence. He turned to Kairo—now inside the metal casing of a robot—it couldn’t be him he was sensing. The ship gave Kairo additional abilities—technology that encompassed the entire anatomy of humans to scan and enter into their minds. Out here, Kairo was portable, but his power was different. More physical. At least that’s what Tao thought.
So what was it that Tao was feeling?
“We must continue,” one of the robots said. “You may rest soon. We are nearly there.”
They continued walking and Tao decided to probe. After a time, he said, “You indicated that you would not harm us unless we threatened humanity’s continuation.”
“Correct,” Kairo said.
“Do you see the three of us as a threat to humanity’s continuation?”
Kairo stopped. “No.” Then all the robots stopped. “But I suggest you convince them.”
“Another robot?” Tao asked.
The natural land flickered in front of them, replaced by a structure. It was a building with sealed windows and doors. Something stepped out of it and toward them. Tao, Reed and Liberty squinted. Not something—
a man.
He said, “Welcome to Alpha, humans.”