The Cosmotix 2198 Read online

  For all those who dream...

  THE COSMOTIX 2198

  billy purnell

  The Cosmotix 2198 by billy purnell

  Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

  ISBN 978-1-7340098-0-4

  This is a work of fiction. Though the work contains references to modern-day public figures and entities, all characters and events are fictitious and not intended to represent specific places or living persons.

  This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part

  without permission of the author.

  For information, [email protected]

  www.billypurnell.com

  Special thanks to all my family, friends and beta readers who have helped me immensely throughout this project. Jer and Tony, rocstars! Thank you, Mom, for giving me the inspiration to write, and brother Joe for listening. And a big thank you to Erin Metz for your editorial guidance.

  D&R, you’re always there, thank you!

  Yolanda, muy agradecido mi querida!

  -billy purnell

  Also available in paperback

  Introduction

  The year 2197 wasn’t lacking when it came to Solar System news. It started with a climate shield failure on Martian Pier Four in January, which killed over six thousand people and destroyed three major interplanetary businesses. On March 11th a rogue asteroid struck Jupiter’s moon Ganymede and penetrated its ice layer, sending a wall of ice and water vapor into two of the more populated orbiters. Twenty-one people were killed, and the cleanup cost billions of euros. Why no one saw it coming was a hotly contested issue in the Outer Rim Senate for some time.

  April saw the beginning of the protest marches in the lunar city of Copernicus and the surrounding areas. Though mostly peaceful, tension escalated as the people of Central Moon awaited the outcome of the territorial dispute between Copernicus Metro and the greater Carpatus Mountain Water District. The people of Copernicus would face a significant water shortage if CMWD was able to claim sovereignty over nearby Lake Lovell. CMWD wanted to keep the water for the Rima Draper area, who they considered a better customer. Cooler heads prevailed when the World Tribunal invoked a First Denial Referendum, which meant that price could not be a factor when it came to water rights. The threat of a governmental price freeze helped push the ensuing local vote in favor of those in need, and the water was ordered to be split until a new source could be found.

  The new USRA president, elected in November of 2196, was a big part of the success of that litigation, but it would be his only major accomplishment for the entire year. He did manage to escape an assault by a lone wolf attacker in June, with the help of his Service agents. As scary as that was, the news played out like a bit of a joke, with people asking why anyone would want to kill a president who hadn’t done anything.

  He soon got his chance. December brought a shock wave that stopped world leaders in their tracks. Humankind was looking at a fleet of space-borne vehicles on a trajectory for Earth/Moon. Was it a migration? An invasion? There was no way to know at first. How the reigning powers eventually dealt with that dilemma…well, that’s one for the books. You just can’t make this stuff up, but the story is documented here. We begin with the original transcripts from the night of the discovery…

  Internal transmission log

  Solday 359/2197 22:40- 23:04 Earth Standard

  Norad Corporation, Colorado Springs CO

  Australian Megascope Wollongong NSW

  Martian Rovee Orbiter Classified

  DSO Moon Headquarters, Lunar Pier 2 Area 55

  Real-time on-premises and Telcom feeds

  Originally encrypted using Global DX

  Sparks: There it is again, commander…it’s E5.

  Commander: This is with the bump?

  Sparks: Yes, sir. When I heard the distortion, I went to the TCB right away. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be seeing this. There, right there.

  Commander: I see it. Magnify.

  Sparks: On it…that’s it for visual, sir. Still just a blob.

  Commander: That blob has dark spaces, and they look to be uniform. Pull back one/ten.

  Sparks: Pulling back.

  Commander: There. Sharpen. What do you think?

  Sparks: Could be exposure ghosts, sir.

  Commander: At this mag? I don’t think so, Sparks.

  Sparks: I’m getting fluctuating readings on velocity.

  Commander: Go off-axis and see if we can get a contrast.

  Sparks: Roger that…nothing. Should we bring in New South Wales?

  Commander: Yes, get Raker.

  Sparks: Raker? Not Poulter? Just asking, sir…

  Commander: Tom Poulter, yes, good.

  Sparks: Telcom, Wollongong, Australian Megascope.

  Telcom connected.

  Sparks: Tommy Poulter, face.

  Connecting.

  Poulter: Hey, mate, how ya goin’? I know why you’re buzzing!

  Sparks: Oh, you do? Well then you know we got a bite. Are you in the shop?

  Poulter: No, but I’m walking now. Sparky, last time I talked to you I was flat out like a lizard drinkin’. Regrets.

  Sparks: No worries, my friend. But that after-party is documented, you know that, right?

  Poulter: You know I don’t love you, right?

  Sparks: Oh, I’m pretty sure you do…how’s [Verana]?

  Poulter: She’s a joy and a handful. Just guess how old.

  Sparks: What?

  Poulter: Guess how old she is.

  Sparks: Oh, moons, um…got to be a year.

  Poulter: Eighteen months yesterday. What, you’re not paying attention?

  Sparks: Ha…I have learned that children grow at an exponential rate because they are not actually from this planet. Not even this solar system.

  Commander: Sparks, cut the chatter, is he at his desk?

  Sparks: Sorry, sir. Tommy, we need to send you some data, can you analyze when you are at your desk?

  Poulter: I’m here now, send it.

  Sparks: Sending.

  Poulter: Looking good, mate…I see it…hmm… What do you show for distance?

  Sparks: We’re showing a blue shift at four lights, copy?

  Poulter: I confirm that. Hello there… Speed?

  Sparks: My friend, I need you to tell me. What I show isn’t normal.

  Poulter: Ok, cueing up. Looks inconsistent, let me switch over. Are you seeing shadows?

  Sparks: Yes we are, and I’m thinking they don’t look random.

  Poulter: Diego Sparks, Maker Me!

  Sparks: What? What do you see?

  Poulter: Those shadows are symmetrical. And mate, this thing is just under light speed.

  Sparks: Light speed? Are you saying-

  Poulter: I’m not saying anything. Mars is in Quad 2; I’m going to commission Rovee. Give me a minute.

  Sparks: I’m here. Merry Christmas, Tommy!

  Poulter: Telcom, Martian Orbiter Rovee.

  Telcom connected.

  Poulter: Science and Observation.

  Connecting.

  Poulter: Kunar Nindra, face.

  Message: This is Nindra. I am not here because I am on Earth in South Africa! Please leave a message for me or-

  Poulter: Transfer.

  Connecting.

  Jackson: Rovee Orbiter, Science Officer Krall Jackson, how may I assist you?

  Poulter: Science and Observation.

  Jackson: Here you go.

  Iza: Science and Observation, this is Dr. Iza.

  Poulter: Dr. Iza, this is Thomas Poulter at the Australian Megascope. I need your eyes on something, please.

  Iza: Mr. Poulter, I am in a meeting, but let me put you through-

  Poulter: Dr. Iza, this is a Priority One call.


  Iza: Yes, ok, I… [tell them we are done for tonight.] Mr. Poulter, declare.

  Poulter: Galilea template, sector 24 lateral, 13 vertical, grid E5.

  Iza: Give me a few seconds… Ok, we’re in.

  Poulter: We think we are seeing-

  Iza: Whoa… What have we here? [Tell Chen to get in here.]

  Poulter: What do you see, Dr. Iza?

  Iza: I’m not sure, Mr…Poulter, yes?

  Poulter: Yes, Tom Poulter. We met last year at the Cydonia Science Academy Fundraiser. You spilled your drink on my shoe.

  Iza: Yes, you are Kunar’s friend, yes I remember. With the crazy hair!

  Poulter: That’s me, mate!

  Iza: Kunar is on holiday again. Seems he’s never here anymore! That was an enjoyable evening, and I’m sorry again about your shoe. [Mr. Chen, what do you see?]

  Poulter: Dr. Iza, can you hear me? We saw a solid with non-random shadows. We thought they might be spaces, but we don’t have DME. It’s…not a solid, is it?

  Chen: [Looks like a formation. Let me adjust…here, doctor.]

  Iza: No. Those aren’t shadows, Tom, you were right. Whatever this is, it’s a group, in formation. It could be a group of rocks, ok, but…we will take it from here, and thank you for your service, Mr. Poulter.

  Poulter: Roger, mate. Take care and good luck. Sparky, Merry Christmas to you too, I’ll keep you in the loop, ya?

  Iza: Telcom, UE Science, Earth.

  Telcom connected.

  Iza: Deep Space Observation, Admiral Watts, face.

  Connecting.

  Emmet: Admiral Watts’ office, Petty Officer Emmet speaking.

  Iza: Mr. Emmet, this is Dr. Iza at Martian Rovee Cydonia. I need to speak to Admiral Watts, please wake her if necessary. This is Priority One.

  Emmet: Yes, Dr. Iza. She is asleep, give me a minute.

  Watts: This is Admiral Watts.

  Iza: Admiral, this is Dr. Iza at Martian Rovee Cydonia. We have a Priority One finding. I am sending all data to you as we speak. It is some sort of cluster on trajectory for Earth/Moon, traveling just under light, four lights out.

  Watts: Say again, just under light speed?

  Iza: That is what we show, Ma’am, that’s why we are sending it to you.

  Watts: Thank you, Dr. Iza. I’m sending you a seventy-two-hour code for my personal swipe. Please let me know if you see anything else on your end, but we have it here. And thank you for your service.

  Watts: Telcom, United Earth, The Hexagon.

  Telcom connected.

  Watts: Secretary of Defense, face.

  2

  THE COSMOTIX

  “There are over eighteen thousand people here tonight at the Darl Marswood Complex in Los Angeles Upper; it’s a sold-out show under the stars and the air is buzzing with excitement. Good evening, I’m Nako Tribune…”

  “And I’m Wendy Ellen-Four, reporting for the Planetary Entertainment Network and BBC Concerts.”

  They were the most popular entertainment reporting team on Moon and were making their American debut. They were hand-picked by the record label not only for their popularity but for their flashy appearance, cheesy style and close ties with the band.

  Nako was sporting a holofit that rotated between a business suit, a guru-collared onesie, and a Japanese kimono. Wendy wore a Vennavici flowdress with sparklers, an Eiffel Tower headpiece and two beautiful amethyst pendants that orbited her neck.

  “The Timetables have just finished their awe-inspiring performance and you can hear the noise of the crowd beginning to swell as we count down the minutes to the return of everyone’s favorite rocstars! Wendy, is this the most beautiful crowd you’ve ever seen or what?”

  “I’m telling you Nako, every fashion and hair color imaginable is decorating the amphitheater tonight as selfers flash, holodrones hover and drinkbots float by; this is going to be the concert of the year!”

  “Wow, check it up…this bufu buzzing the crowd on a skycycle, how did he ever get that in here? Oh, shite! He’s naked as a clam!”

  “Love the glowing green skin, don’t you, Nako? And look at his back…a movietat of Corey Jagger-Seven singing. Now there’s a fan!”

  “He may be a fan, but I think this guy’s got his particles scrambled. He’s swooping down way too close to the crowd.”

  “Yes, well apparently they aren’t jisting it. Even you at home can hear the chorus of boos and whistles, I’m sure.”

  A yellow beam of hard light shot into the arena from overhead, locking on to the skycycle. It retracted upward toward a waiting skytow, taking the man and his machine with it. The audience let out a loud cheer.

  “Well, I guess he had his fifteen seconds of shame!”

  “Here you go Nako, the UE Marine Jettrooper team is descending on to the stage, as the flag of the American Republic lights up in front of the Western Telcom Moon. All wrists are lit!”

  “So much excitement, hivol anticipation! Surely it must have been like this when that band from Liverpool stole the world’s heart centuries ago. Tonight will be a performance to be remembered from Earth to the Outer Rim because tonight is opening night of The Cosmotix Coming Home tour.”

  The house lights went to black, and the madness began.

  “And here we go!”

  “Here we go, Wendy! Maker Me, that is thrust loud! For PEN and BBC, I’m Nako Tribune…”

  “And I’m Wendy Ellen-Four, enjoy the show, everyone!”

  It was a rumble, a thunder, like planet quake, topped with the piercing high-frequency wail of screaming girls. It was the kind of sound that forced you to adjust your ear settings or it might just pop the comlink out of your teeth. Brilliant beams of trilite lit up the crowd, lit up the stage, and burst out into the starlit California sky, miles above Los Angeles Upper. Then the first haunting tones began streaming from the stage overheads, from the flying drone speakers, from the floor itself. It was the chorus of a thousand artificial voices swirling through the summer air. A low vibrating hum buzzed the seats as three musical icons took their places on the platform.

  Rumble patch, thought Corey as he checked the mirror one more time. That Titan is a BEAST on the board. The screaming intensified as the drums began with random fills and a deep thud of the kick drum, pat-a-pat, pat-a-pat, pat-a-pat... boom boom boom. Corey knew it was time for his triumphant walk through the backstage corridor of industry people and friends that led to the stage. Hands patted his back, voices shouted his name, and admiring faces pumped up his confidence. It was showtime.

  Two large men in suits paved the way, and two more followed behind. As Corey glanced upward, he saw himself on one of the many posters on the wall, from the cover of RocStar Magazine. Moon Roc, it said under his picture, and he smiled and picked up the pace. High-pitched bass riffs joined the chorus, and the crowd got even louder. Corey could feel the pounding, hear the chanting grow stronger as he approached the stage. Co-rey, Co-rey, Co-rey!

  A voice boomed from above.

  “People of Los Angeles Upper”…the screaming intensified, “Corona Marciano, la cerveza mas fina en la Tierra, Luna y Sistema Solar, and Marswood Entertainment, in conjunction with Roc Amazon and the SRA Music Group, proudly present…from Tranquility, Moon…The Cosmotix!”

  Corey stepped onto the stage. Deafening. Exhilarating. On their feet.

  Boom, Bap…Boombap, Boom, Bap…Boombap came the explosive crack of the kick and snare drums. Corey ran forward to the front edge of the stage with outstretched hands, yelling at the top of his lungs, “Los Angeles Upperrrrrrr!!” The response was instant and intense.

  Three tribeams slashed the moonlit air and lit up Corey’s mic as it lifted off the stand and twirled across the stage in a spinning cartwheel. It landed with a thud into the left hand of Earth’s most famous person, and the familiar words of a number one hit song brought the deafening shriek to a new plateau:

  We gonna party like it’s twenty-two, twenty-two, twenty-two

  hundred and five…no
better reason to be alive

  The pulse of the bass line got the crowd fist-pumping and pogo-hopping, and an ear to ear smile stretched the lips of Corey Jagger-Seven. He spun around like a Callistoan street dancer and jumped into the swirl of nanoplasts shooting up from the floor, and they scattered into the crowd, exploding with every color of the spectrum. A ball of plasma fire streaked down from an overhead FX drone and smashed to the stage in sync with his landing, and Corey went to his knees and yelled to the crowd, “are we gonna have a good time?” They screamed even louder.

  Corey hopped to his feet and made a sweeping gesture with his left arm, pointing an extended finger at his lifelong bassist, “You all know brother Pel, yes?” Another crescendo of noise burst from the crowd. Lanky fingers plucked at tensed bass strings, belching an electronic growl into the summer air. Corey ran to his brother’s side, put an arm around his neck, and raised the mic to his lips, “SING ALONG WITH US!”

  We gonna party like it’s twenty-two, twenty-two,

  twenty-two hundred and five…

  He tossed the mic into the air and grabbed the stinger from its stand. He ducked his head as he adjusted the strap to his shoulder, then started in on an intense cascade of hard-edged notes with a tone that could cut the pins off a T70 ore digger, a grinding two-octave spread of high midrange, hard-edged rhythmic violence. Fists were pumping, feet were stomping, and the crowd chanted, “Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey,” which brought a spotlight to the drums for a sixteen-bar breakdown.

  Corey joined in with the audience, “Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!” through this beautifully crafted drum solo, and he ruled the front of the stage for the remainder of the song, jumping high and hard to the floor with the final thud of Jonny Rhythm’s drums. It was a wild ending that sent even more manic shouting into the open sky. Song one was over, and the crowd was on its feet.