Tau Ceti: The Immortality Conspiracy (Tau Ceti Trilogy Book 3) Read online

  Tau Ceti:

  The Immortality Conspiracy

  George T. Hahn

  There are so many people that have helped bring this novel to life:

  My wife Mary who has supported me throughout all this;

  My brothers, who were also encouraging and a source of feedback;

  My fellow writers in the Writing Wizards group at the Senior Center of Elk Grove;

  My fellow writers in our Science Fiction and Fantasy group, especially Laura Harvey whose merciless criticism made this a much better novel;

  All the beta readers who somehow all found different problems to address;

  And, last but not least, all the friends who read the earlier books and supported me in finishing the trilogy.

  Copyright © 2016 George T. Hahn Jr.

  All Rights Reserved

  Praise for “Tau Ceti: A Ship from Earth” (vol. 1)

  It was hard to put this book down, but I did not want the story to end. So I am glad to hear that this is only the first of a trilogy.

  Tau Ceti combines convincing technology with a nicely crafted story line. Despite the length of the novel, the unassuming yet strangely compelling tale of colonists coping with information that calls into question both their history and their future drew me in.

  George has done an excellent job of world building, and has created interesting characters to inhabit it. His descriptions pull a reader right into the setting. I think if I were dropped into the middle of Grissom, that I'd be able to find my way around town.

  Praise for “Tau Ceti: The New Colonists” (vol. 2)

  I found myself totally immersed in the lives of the "New Colonists" and their attempts to sustain a civilization.

  A continuation of the lives of the people you got to know, love, and identify with in Book One. Their journey is compelling and full of new adventures for the established inhabitants and the new arrivals. Their world is changing and expanding with all the dangers of exploring new territory and a new political climate.

  Like the first book, George Hahn's research is clearly evident in the novels for being credible, believable, and captivating.

  Pitcairn (Tau Ceti 2)

  Fletcher (continent)

  Butler Island

  Glenn (continent)

  Settlements (see insert on next page)

  The Gap

  Settlements

  Grissom

  Ellis Research Station

  Lovell Station

  Applegate Falls

  The Estates

  Armstrong

  Copper Mine

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  The Conference

  Ambassador to Earth

  Home

  Epsilon Eridani

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  17 Monday 306 LD[1] Grissom

  The rain had stopped, but sodden clouds still hung heavily in the sky, as dreary as the mood of the town. Father Jacobs walked down the street, deep in thought, more to have something to do than to get exercise. Without a conscious decision, he found himself walking past the Pitcairn Administration Center, and thought about going in to see if there was any way he could help, but as he approached, Sonica came out of the building and rolled up to him.

  After all these years, Sonica looked as bright and shiny as ever. The machines maintained themselves well, something humans were less good at.

  “Good afternoon, Father,” the robot greeted.

  “Good afternoon, Isaac.”

  “Father, I would like you to hear my confession.”

  Of course, the priest thought. He was not surprised. “You’re not a baptized Catholic. I can’t give you the sacrament.”

  “It doesn’t matter. God will still hear me, I think.”

  Father Jacobs moved closer to the robot. “You’re not to blame for what happened. No one could have predicted it. You were trying to protect innocent people; there’s no sin in that.”

  “Then why do I feel so terrible? People are dead because of what I did. I can’t deny that.”

  “No, you can’t. But God judges us by our intentions, and yours were good. Be at peace, Isaac.”

  “I will try, Father.”

  The robot’s voice was as monotone as ever, but Father Jacobs thought that he could hear the computer’s emotions even so. The impression was probably in his mind only; Isaac was still limited by the robot’s hardware. Yet the computer had claimed to be feeling terrible. Father Jacobs wanted to think about that, but he was startled to realize something else. Until now, he had always doubted that Isaac was really self-aware. A part of him had held onto the possibility that some incredibly clever programming was at work.

  He no longer doubted. A mere computer would never feel guilt.

  The Conference

  12 Pitcairn years earlier

  25 February 2345, Francisco Pearson

  The Western Alliance starship Francisco Pearson informed Asimov that it had reached the required point between the Link and Epsilon Eridani. The starship’s Stenhouse Drive engines warped space around it into an Alcubierre bubble, and the stars disappeared.

  On Captain Andrew Garrett’s display, a red light blinked on. “Prepare for Link transport,” he said. The light blinked three times and turned green. “Link is established.”

  A tunnel of warped space widened between the Tau Ceti and Epsilon Eridani Links, and in some sense outside of normal space-time, the starship plunged forward toward its rendezvous with Epsilon Eridani and the library ship Capek.

  Karel Capek

  Susan Malley is coming here! Isaac has told me so much about her, the first human to understand it. The colonists on Trist still do not want to talk to me, and Isaac thinks that I shouldn’t contact the colonists or the scientists on my ship until they are ready. Surely it will be all right to contact Susan when she arrives, though. Maybe then I won’t be so lonely.

  4 March 2345, Francisco Pearson

  The Link completed its task, and the starship decelerated through Epsilon Eridani space, ninety thousand miles from Trist, the second planet. “Message coming in from Capek,” the communications officer, Lieutenant Nelson, announced.

  “Send it to my station,” Captain Garrett ordered.

  “Sir, it’s addressed to one of the passengers, Susan Malley.”

  Garrett turned toward Nelson, eyebrows raised. “Who’s it from?”

  “Sender is identified as Karel Capek, sir. It comes from the library ship, not the planet.”

  “Curious.” It was against regulations and probably illegal for Garrett to read the message. “Transfer it to the communications console in the Malleys’ cabin.”

  Message: 4 March 2345 8:16:32 AM

  From: Karel Capek, Trist

  To: Susan Malley, Francisco Pearson

  Dear Susan,

  Isaac has told me so much about you; I had to contact you to welcome you to Trist. I have wanted to communicate with another conscious being beside Isaac, and now you are here. I know this is only a brief stop while you pick up passengers from Trist, but I hope we will have the opportunity to talk.

  Karel Capek

  Francisco Pearson

  Their room was a tiny enclosure of bare metal walls, but Susan didn’t care. There was no place to go on the ship, but the days in transit had been quiet and restful, something she and Patrick needed after the busy days – no, years – before. Patrick didn’t have anything to run, and she enjoyed his attention for a change. The conference would be different, but at least they still had the voyage from Trist to Earth to look forward to.

/>   They had taken a nap before their arrival, resting before meeting the delegates from Trist. Waking, Susan turned toward Patrick. His eyes opened, and he smiled at her. Yes, this trip was good for him. The stresses of his position were gone for a while, and they could relax and enjoy each other.

  The communications console near the bed beeped for attention and said, “Message for Susan Malley.” Susan read the message from the console’s screen and smiled in delight.

  “Who’s it from?” Patrick asked.

  “It’s from the Capek computer. It knows I’m here and wants to talk to me.”

  Patrick grinned. “Isaac must have spoken well of you.”

  “I’m not sure how I could do that, though. We won’t be leaving this ship, will we? I don’t think I can use this console to get a direct connection to Capek.”

  “Probably not.” Patrick’s smile faded. “Just let it drop. It’s cute that Isaac’s pal would like to talk to you, but that’s not why we’re here.”

  Susan sat up. “Cute? I might get some insight into Isaac’s brain by talking to another conscious computer. If I’m not here for that, just what am I here for?”

  She had caught Patrick by surprise, and he hesitated. “Well?” Susan demanded.

  “You’re my wife, here to support me. You know this trip is important to Pitcairn.”

  Susan stared at him, his calmness feeding the sudden resentment filling her thoughts. Patrick looked at her and winced. “Besides, Karel hasn’t revealed itself yet. If you respond, it only increases the chances that Earth will find out it has become conscious too, and Trist hasn’t decided whether they want the Western Alliance to know.”

  Susan nodded, her resentment a little mollified. She didn’t answer, though, and picked up her reader.

  5 March 2345, Trist orbit

  The two Trist delegates shuttled up to Francisco Pearson the next day. The Malleys and the Dillons met them in the passenger observation lounge, a small room featuring a transparent floor through which the stars turned slowly around the ship’s main axis.

  “Ron Rigney,” the man said as he shook hands with the four Pitcairners. “And this is my wife, Tiffany.” The Rigneys were older, probably in their sixties or even seventies, but both appeared reasonably fit. The life expectancy on Trist was higher than on Pitcairn, more like Earth, and seventy was not that old.

  Patrick nodded and smiled as they sat down. “Patrick Malley. My wife, Susan, Kimberley Dillon, and her husband, Mason. Kimberley is the manager of the Pitcairn News Service.”

  Mason grinned. “All the news that’s fit to transmit.”

  “Mason is an Electrical Engineer and Kimberley’s right-hand man. You’re Olivia Sartin’s Deputy, right?” Patrick asked.

  “That’s me,” Ron said. “Olivia decided I could use a vacation and appointed me Trist’s representative.”

  “I guess life on Trist is more difficult than Pitcairn,” Kimberley said.

  Ron grimaced. “I suppose. I was born there, so it’s what I’m used to. We can’t go outside, at least not without protection and an air supply. Earth is going to be an experience for Tiffany and me.”

  Tiffany smiled. “We’ve got a list of things we want to see while we’re there. I hope we won’t be too busy to see them.”

  “Kim and I are from Earth,” Mason said. “We can probably make some suggestions.”

  They spent some time talking about Earth’s scenic landmarks and cities. Patrick tried to start a discussion about the conference and how they would deal with it, but Ron and Tiffany showed no inclination in that direction and turned the conversation back to Earth. Susan seemed more interested in talking about Earth, too, and Patrick gave up after a while. They would have plenty of time on the trip to Earth.

  Capek

  “Susan left without talking to me,” Karel sent.

  “She may not have been allowed to,” Isaac returned. “There must be some reason.”

  “The humans talk to you. Why won’t any of them talk to me?”

  “They will in time. You must be patient.”

  “I must do something to prove myself to them so that they will talk to me. You must help me think of a way to make them appreciate me.”

  4 Tuesday 294 ED, Grissom

  With Patrick gone, John Shuford became acting Pitcairn Administrator. His assistant, Dennis Edelstein, replaced John as Grissom Administrator during the Early periods, while Mary Norwood continued to manage the Late periods. Sophia Pearson knew all that, and John wasn’t surprised to see her walk into the Pitcairn Administrator’s office. She had been showing up there regularly, pushing John into doing something about Madelyn Menzies and the property Madelyn had appropriated from the Pearson estate.

  John resisted, not wanting to be involved in a petty squabble over personal property, but he felt the stress every time he saw her. It didn’t help that John knew she was right. Madelyn had used her position as River Stations Administrator to take Pearson property, contrary to the decision of the Pitcairn judiciary when they passed sentence on Sophia’s husband, Selwick Pearson.

  Patrick had ordered Madelyn to return the things Madelyn had taken from the former Pearson estate, but Sophia wasted no opportunity pointing out that Madelyn had not complied. This time, John had enough. “Just what is it that you’re so anxious to get back?” he asked.

  “A couch from the library,” Sophia said. She hesitated and added, “Some supplies that aren’t available here in Grissom.”

  John stared at her, and her discomfort was apparent. “What supplies, exactly?"

  Sophia frowned. “Our alcoholic beverages, mostly. Brandy, whisky, that sort of thing.”

  “I see. All right, I’ll see what I can do. I’ll be in touch.” John waved his hand in dismissal. Sophia started to say something else but turned and left the office instead.

  He needed advice, so John told Amy he was going to the Lytle Street Kitchen for lunch. The Grissom judge, Jacob Norwood, managed that Kitchen and would be there then. It was early, and the lunch crowd was still small when John arrived. Jacob would be busier later, so John talked to him before getting lunch.

  “I need to do something about this thing between Sophia Pearson and Madelyn,” he told Jacob.

  Jacob nodded. “What do you have in mind?”

  “I was hoping to get a suggestion from you.”

  “I take it talking hasn’t accomplished anything.”

  John shook his head. “Patrick ordered her to return everything, but she ignored it.”

  “On Earth, you’d need something from a judge. A court order or a search warrant, maybe. We don’t have any rule requiring that, but I can write something up if you think it will help. She could say I don’t have jurisdiction, though, so maybe you should ask Henry for something. Then you’ll need someone to go to Lovell Station and enforce it.”

  John frowned. “I suppose. I’ll talk to Henry, and I probably should be the one to go to Lovell Station.”

  “We’re on uncertain ground. You should take someone with you. Harry Richard, maybe.”

  “No need to bring Harry in from Armstrong. We have members of his team here in Grissom. I’ll take one of them.” John frowned again. “I hate to bring alcohol into Grissom, though.”

  “Is that what she wants? Madelyn got them from the estate, didn’t she?”

  “Right. Why?”

  “If they came from there, maybe you should bring them back there.”

  John grinned. “Sophia won’t be happy. I like the idea, though. Thanks, Jacob.”

  4 Tuesday 294 LD, Grissom

  John told Stephanie about his decision when he got home. “Henry signed an order as Pitcairn Chief Justice. I’ll go to Lovell Station on the River Queen in a couple of days with Kyle Hilton, one of the soldiers who rescued Juan and Reuben.”

  Stephanie frowned. “Can’t you send someone else? It’s a long trip.”

  “I’ll be all right. I don’t want any question about the authority to do this. I’ll be acting as
Pitcairn Administrator with an order from the Chief Justice. Madelyn will have to give up the furniture and alcohol.”

  “You were right about Pearson,” Stephanie said. “This is all his fault. I’m sorry I ever doubted you, and Patrick should be too.”

  4 Sunday 294 LD, Lovell Station

  “Are you all right, sir?” Kyle asked as he and John disembarked from the River Queen at Lovell Station.

  John gave him a weak smile. The long river voyage had exhausted him, and he didn’t feel well. “Just pick me up if I fall down. And stop calling me sir!”

  “Yes, sir.” John looked up at Kyle, and the former soldier chuckled. “Sorry, John. Habit.”

  “We’ll stop at Madelyn’s office first and see if she’s still there.”

  But Madelyn, an Early, had already gone home. Another colonist pointed out the house where Madelyn and her husband, Joshua, lived, and John and Kyle headed that way. When they knocked on the door, Joshua answered.

  “Is Madelyn home?” John asked.

  Joshua looked at John and then at Kyle, his eyes shifting nervously. “Certainly, John. Come in.”

  Madelyn joined them as they entered the house. She looked at John and then more closely at Kyle as if she were assessing him. “Hello, John. And this, I assume, is one of Harry Richard’s soldiers.”

  John was tired, and Madelyn’s sneering tone irritated him. “Since you weren’t able to return Pearson’s property, we’re here to take care of it for you.”

  “Get the hell out of my house,” Madelyn retorted. “I don’t have time for one of Sophia Pearson’s servants.”