GIFTS OF DAWN

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The Gifts of Dawn Book 1

"Voyage of the Legacy"

By Linda A. Scott

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Forward

  My story begins in a different future where race is no longer a problem.   Talent is, every child at birth is tested and if the child is found talented then child is put in a control collar, all for the protection of the world. The untalented population feared the talented with their amazing abilities to be able to read minds, even in some cases control minds.  The Jacobs family was among the most sought after and enslaved of the talented.  They were the first to gain power and trust among the talented.  Each generation of Jacobs was more talented the pervious and all wore control collars from birth.  At Jim Jacobs’s birth a control collar was put around his small neck and he felt the pain a cry went out from his mother it was so loud every talent on Earth felt the cry.  It killed her and everyone tending her in the hospital room, accept him and his father they escaped and went underground and a movement was started.  Talents would no longer be enslaved to humanity they had rights.

 Thus began the talent wars. Tragically, many died, but in the end talented people prevailed.  No longer were they tested and rated, unless they wished to be. No longer did they have to wear the control collars around their necks.

  They were free. Admiral Jim Jacobs, (TJ’s grandfather) of the United Earth fought in may battles to gain freedom from the collars; he had won them all but at a large cost. Many wearing the collars were brain dead in the end. He suffered from headaches himself. He and others were alive because of an invention that went between the skin and collar wrapped back over it, uncomfortable to wear but it broke the signal by 75%, allowing them to function and to fight.

 United Earth had been at peace for many years now. Miners were mining asteroids in space. They had space stations and Moon bases but the population on earth really did not know for sure because they were a secretive lot.

  Whole families lived and worked in space never seeing land much similar to gypsies of old they moved all the time.

 A group of very talented people developed a way to cheaply mine the asteroids; they had formed a group and rented a ship to give their proposition to the miners.

  The group consisted of 10 people: ErleenThe ship they had rented was found adrift empty. Once the ship was found the Miners counsel claimed that they hadn’t heard from the group, and refused any attempt to search for them in their own facility. 

 Dose, Robert Randolph, Joseph Gregory, James Goofall, Gina Room, Joe Graves, William Hagen, George Fordan, Julian Zandul and Mary Rudolph all rated 10 on the talented scale, and all never heard from again.

They had now been missing for 60 years, and at this point presumed dead, no one had received even a simple path from any one of them and all were capable of pathing back to Earth. 

  Erleen Dose was capable of teleporting 1000's of miles at a time, with luggage. Gina Room could cook a meal in her kitchen while driving home from work. William Hagen and Julian Zandul could send sonic sound waves that could shatter glass.  George Fordan could fill containers with water out thin air.  Mary Rudolph could levitate objects weighing 1000’s of pounds.  Julian Zandul could send a cargo pod to the moon or bring one back.  Mary Rudolph could feel and pinpoint minerals.  James Goofall could teleport objects large and small. Joe Graves could crush rocks with his mind alone.  Robert Randolph could extract minerals from things leaving them hole but hollow.  They all had talent rated 10's, of the highest degree; many felt their loss.

  The Miners also found an alien ship adrift in space, 15 humanoid adults and 4 children, 3 males and 1 female (Classified as L231). They were found to be more talented then the talents they had captured.  The miners found evidence the alien ship had been adrift for many years.

 All attempts to clone the aliens failed, so they went with the old fashion way of breeding them. That to failed.  The female child and the smallest male child were separated and sent to the mining ships to work with the clones there.  This infuriated the aliens and they called fourth colored lights filled with energy the entire moon base was destroyed and the aliens minus the two children left our solar system.

 United Earth had a plans, to send colony ships to the stars, many were under construction. One such ship was the Legacy.  It was built at 25% scale however it was still a huge ship. It mirrored the larger ships in every way; its purpose was to test out a new Warp Core.  It was capable of traveling eight times the speed of light. The Legacy would test the Warp Core, Bio-garden and Medical Units to full capacity and beyond. They would test the Cryonic Sleep Chamber, and the special healing Medi Units, which were designed for major injuries and illnesses. These healing units would heal the body through a cryonic sleep however no freezing was involved. The Legacy would be self sufficient by mid journey complete with raising its own crops and animals for food, in addition the ship had two large tanks for fish both salt water and fresh, for the crew to eat.

  The crew was not military but pioneers young and strong, couples some with children.  It was the greatest hope that others not married would marry and produce children this phenomenon would be studied by the medical team as well.

  If they should come upon a habitable planet, they could deploy the 10 townships and start a colony. Therefore sending the Legacy back to Earth with a skeleton crew to give reports and bring back more colony members  

Chapter 1

  Captain Tj Timothy Jacobs newly appointed to the Legacy and his two young children Natalie 12 and Kirby 8.  Were home to say goodbye to his parents and tell the family about the ship he and his children would be living on for the next five years or so.  His appointment to The Legacy as Captain was his first major assignment.  In the past he had accepted only assignment where he could take his two children along with him.  

  After dinner the family sat drinking coffee by the fire. Tj began to tell his family about his new ship.

 "The Legacy is a prototype colony ship, it has been designed at 25% scale of what will be built. After the new Warp Core, has been tested they will pick up speed on building the larger colony ships."  

  Tj went on to say. "It has a state of the art bio-garden; that will be able to feed the entire crew for the five years, the voyage could last.  There are two doughnut shaped water tanks that open up in the bio-garden, one is salt water the other fresh water Dr. Norm Durkee PHD is in charge of the Aqua section, he has a crew of 12 aqua techs and is one of the older married couples.  His wife is the lead chef with a staff of six.  They have twin daughters Natty’s age and a son around Kirby’s age.”

 “It is planed to add many small animals to the habituate, dogs and cats at first he pointed to the cat sleeping in Natalie’s lap. That is Luna, Natty named her, she is a Persian kitten, and she was given to us last month so we could bond. She is 10 weeks old now, it is felt, if started in space as babies they will grow and mature normally, for more stability on the trip, Luna here going to get about 15 lb." Jack explained to his family while Natty petted the sleeping cat.

Nora, Tj’s mother said, “I don't like how long you and the kids will be gone, but it does sound exciting."    

 Tj continued on with his story, telling about the Medical Unit, Dr Tom Monsor, Dr Taz Parks and Dr. Norm Durkee PHD each have 3 intern doctors and medical teams, each having different avenues of research.  Dr Monsor is lead doctor in charge of all the team and also will run the medical team working with the human crew, Dr. Parks will add animals and work with the bio-garden team headed by Ruud Farms, together they plan to introduce live animals in stages during the mission, the ship needs to be self sufficient, by mid journey, I am told it is almost there now. 

 Tj went on describing the Legacy, "It is a prototype of a small colony ship, and mirrors the larger colony ships in every detail. It even has 10 townships to start a small colony if we find a habitable earth type planet. Many of the crew has expressed interest in colonizing after the mission is done. It is hoped that the new Warp Core design, will improve space travel time. We have 200 cryonic Freeze units to test, as well that will be one of the focuses of all three medical teams.

 The Ship has three main floors and a mid floor.  The first floor is for shuttle bay with 4 shuttles each could hold up to 50 people and 24 fighter craft.  Directly under the Bio-garden will be the township tubs each 200 yards each long.  The cargo bay is large area for livestock breeding of animals each having its own pin.  The cargo bay also has a ramp.

 The second floor is the main living area, and crew quarters run along the outside rim, all around the ship with a total of 320 cabins, the galley can serve over a 300 people at a time and has a patio viewing area. Its head chef is Ruth Durkee; she has a team of 6 cook and she is said to be one of the best cooks in space, her team specialize in scratch cooking, probably gain a few pounds while we’re out there Mom."

 "The top floor houses engineering, with the open revolving terraces bio-garden levels for crops, and ending in the ships bridge.  The bio-garden team are housed on the mid level for easy access to the terraces every 12 hours the terraces come together under an enormous grow light cutting out most of the light to the decks this will simulate day from night to help the crew stay in tune with Earth’s 24-hour clock.”  Tj went on with his story, with a fresh cup of coffee.

 “The ship is oval in design for arrow dynamics, it is a real beauty to see in space the Bio-dome is clear showing the ships plant life, from inside you see the stars."   

 When Jack had finish with his synopsis of the Legacy his whole family was quite impressed.

 "You'll will do fine, my son." His mother came over to hug him and whispered in his mind Your father must be proud of you, he did not assist in getting you the appointment, you did it all by your self, I to, am so very proud of you.

 "Will there be very many talented on the ship, that you know of?" His mother asked.  

 "Yes, quiet a few, in the ships crew and teams are at least two thirds talents rated between five and ten, for the first time in my life I will be only one of many talented people, like here at home mom.  The kids won’t stick out, that’s the best part there are at least 30 children on the ship, and most have talent.  The Crew has four teachers assigned to the ship for the journey.  The Legacy has room for the children to run and play, that will be a first for these two there is even a football field and 4 play yards.  The main bio-garden floor has dwarf fruit trees average height of 15-20 feet tall built in a 4 foot tall root box, two feet of the boxes is in the floor.”

~*~

 Later after everyone was tucked into to bed, Tj could not sleep he was so excited about his new ship and what adventures he and his children might have. He new his life was about to change, for the better he hoped.  He missed Jenny so much; it was times like this when he would be boiling over with things to tell he.  He often wrote long letters to her about the children and there achievements, but tonight he was lost.  

 Luna sat on his shoulder, purring softly in his ear. He wished he could sleep but his mind would not stop thinking, congress was in session, and wasn't about to adjourn yet.  

 He put Luna on the bed and changed into his swimming trunks grabbed a towel and went to his family’s pool for a swim, then a long soak in the hot tub. It worked and he fell asleep dreaming of his new ship, in his dream there was this beautiful woman with golden blonde hair and rainbow eyes. He had never had a wet dream before, but she was nice. Funny though she had a tattoo on her left cheek L231. As dreams go he did not know what to make of it, he awoke to "Jack I need you, help me, please!"

  ~*~ 

  He dressed and went down to breakfast all but his mother were off to there day's work, Natty and Kirby were last minute shopping.  They spoke at length about his ship; she had a lot more questions for him. He tried to answer them all. Then she said "I hope you meet that young lady you dreamed about last night, she is perfect for you.  You should move on Tj, Jenny has been gone for many years now the kids could use a new mother.  Don’t get me wrong we all loved Jenny and she loved us but she is gone, son and you must move on sometime."  

"You saw my dream?" Jack started to blush.

"There is not much I don't see in this house, you were rather loud last night, woke your father too." She said laughing at him, he had forgotten how it was in a talented household you had to double shield your thoughts at all times or they would be heard.

Tj and his mother had a full day planned he had some legal papers they would need to have signed.  That took most of the morning.  Sitting across from each other in a lunch café by the bank.  He had just given his mother power of attorney, just incase something were to happen him or the children. She would monitor his investment and adjust if things as were needed. They had finished lunch and his mother reached across the table to squeeze his hand, a loving gesture; she did often. 

  It hit them like lightning, sharp and clear, terrified, then blackness. Timothy, hear me please I'm afraid, I'm cold and alone. My children I cannot touch my children only their minds they are so alone and afraid, too. Help us Please!!! Then her mind was gone.

 Tj looked in his mother's eyes as a tear ran down her face, "Timmy, she is real and out they're somewhere lost and alone. We need to find her and the children, but where to look?"   

 "She is in space, mom, the cold on her skin is what you feel putting on a space suit, the black is like the visor on the helmet coming down, mom."  

  He held his mother for a while as she cried, she was touched so by the vision they had both seen; he to was quite shaken.  That night after dinner the whole family joined their talents, his father most people said was at lest an 11 on a talent scale of 1-10 and his mother also a 10.  His father now an Admiral like his grandfather and was known for his ability to sense what was around him for miles he always new when one of his old ships was close to moon base and who was on it.  His mother could path news from home as far out as Jupiter she always new when to call him.  Natty would be at lest a nine most likely a ten she had a gift to see into the body and know what was wrong, she could also talk to animals.  She would make a good doctor or vet when she got older.  Kirby was gifted like his father he always new where he was and what was around him for miles.  So their combined talent was nothing to laugh at, Luna even joined her paws in but they could not reach her they could not find L231, she was gone.

~*~

 Tj and the kids left the next morning at 0500 to meet the shuttle, it had been sent by the Legacy to bring him and his children home to the ship.  

 Frank was sent as the shuttles pilot he was also the lead pilot of the Legacy and had been with the ship for a year now.  His wife Beth was an RN in sickbay; they had a 14-year old daughter named Janet.  

 It took Tj and his family 18 days longer to reach the Legacy than had been planned but his stop at home for three days had been well worth it. He was not sure when he would get a chance to see his parents again in the next five years or so. His thoughts were still plagued by L231, she was still silent as if he had never heard from her, but he new he had.  Before leaving, he made his mother promise to keep pathing for her, but he new she would anyway.

 As the shuttle got closer to the ship the new Captain asked Frank to fly around the Legacy. The Ship was so beautiful, with the Bio-garden lighting the top of the ship like a diamond all sparkly mounted on a black platform in the sky; Frank agreed with him on that, “She is rare beauty.”   

 "Have you been with the ship long, Frank" Jack asked, he already new how long Frank had been on the ship but he wanted to make conversation. The tall Blonde haired pilot, he looked to work out often, he was around 32 years old he answered back "About a year, she is a great ship wait till you taste Ruth's cooking, she bakes her own bread, I jog around the second deck every morning before breakfast and oh does it smell good, gets your appetite going, he patted his stomach and I've gained 10lbs.  You know my daughter Janet and your girl there are about the same age and Ruth and Norm’s twins, Sara and Joy, Captain your two kids should fit right in, space is a lonely life for children, no room to run about not so on the Legacy.  The bio-garden has 3 play yards just for the children with swings and monkey bars Farmer made himself."  

  Frank had a nice laugh; Jack felt he would be a good man to work with. As they made the final approach to the ship, landing in the shuttle bay, Jack tried to think of things to say to his new crew. He would walk about the ship and get a feel for her before he spoke to the crew at dinner, no plan some times that was the best plan.

 As Captain Jacobs and his family stepped out of the shuttle and onto his new ship he heard, "Captain Jacobs, welcome aboard. I am 1st Officer Dan Hickens and these are Lieutenants Rick Dames, John Jones and Debbie Hickens, my wife. We arrived last month to take charge. The ship has finished with its Warp Core upgrade and is ready for your inspection, Sir." He said as he saluted his new Captain. 

  "Thank you, it is a pleasure to meet you, first I would like to have a walk about the Legacy, a lone with my children. Lt Hickens please inform the crew and Bio / Med teams I want to meet everyone at dinner tonight I plan to walk the ship today and see all the different departments.” "Yes Sir, Captain I will see to personally."

 ~*~  

 The Captain and his children walked the full length around the ship, then they walked around the bio-garden it was spectacular.  They were met by two large spotted cats he reach out his hand to pet each one as they shovel nosed his legs almost knocking him over, he herd a hearty laugh and looked up at one of the largest men he had ever seen, wearing coveralls the man reach out his hand to shake "Names Ruud, but folks just call me Farmer" Tj returned the hand shake, Farmer reached down and scratch one of the Ocelot cats this is Taweena and that ones Tweeze both females Doc and I though it would be easier starting out with females of each of the species, we wanted to bring aboard.  

 "I'm Captain Timothy Jacobs but I think I just want to be call Captain or Tj, this is,” pointing at his daughter “Is Natalie and my son Kirby, this will be along cruse to stand on to much formality."  Tj spoke at length with Farmer about the bio-garden, and then he started to smell something good cooking. 

 Farmer clasped his hands together and said "Lunch, and I'm hungry." Tj thought well I'm hungry too and he and his family follow Farmer into the galley. Not a fancy room but big and clean, it had a window looking out into space, and a patio lounge above the main eating area.  Round tables that sat ten people each comfortable. 

  "Captain,” Farmer said, “this is the heart of a the ship, a good cook keeps a good crew sane and healthy." He had to agree. They talked over the best meal he'd had in long time, Ruth came out of the kitchen to say hello and to say she had a special meal planned for tonight she smiled at both of the Captain’s children handing them each a warm cookie fresh from the oven.

~*~

 After lunch they parted from Farmer, saying they would see them at dinner.  The Captain’s small group continued on to the sickbay unit to meet the medical staff, he was impressed with the unit it was organized and clean he looked at smiling faces of the nurses and medical staff. A nurse stepped up to him and asked if he needed to see the Doctor, he said yes if he's not to busy, "Never to meet the new Captain," Beth said with a smile.  

  Her name was Beth Simms, the pilots wife one of the many nurses the medical unit had, she pushed a button on the wall and asked "Doc" to come meet the new Captain, they herd over the intercom. "On my way." 

  A moment later Dr Tom Monsor lead doctor in charge of the Legacy’s medical teams walked into the room. He was a tall, dark haired, light brown skin man, of African American decent, he stood at lest 6'2", he was neatly dressed in a white medical coat buttoned up over dark blue scrubs. He put his hand out and said "Doc's, what everyone calls me" He had a big friendly smile; the Captain liked him in an instant. Just like Farmer he new his job and enjoyed every minute of it.  

 "Captain or Tj is what I wish to be called" they shook hands; took a tour of the three medical facilities, once again he was impressed.  At the back of sickbay was a pen full of puppies, Beth reached in and picked up a funny looking puppy it had a light brown body with a black face and a corkscrew of a tail. Beth said, “this is a pug puppy and she is the only one without a home, yet.”  She looked at Kirby and asked, “Do you have a dog, every boy needs a dog to play with?

 Kirby looked at his dad then at the puppy, then back at his dad, in a please I want her look.  Tj rubbed his sons head and asked what her name was? “I’m going to call her Puggy Sue, it will be Puggy Sue and Kirby from now on.”  He lovingly took the puppy from Ruth saying “thank you.” She also gave him a pamphlet on how to care for a puppy on the Legacy.

~*~

 They went and saw the gym, the library and the class rooms and were headed back to their new quarters when Luna strolled up, Natty picked her up and carried her the rest of the way while she purred "Dad, I like our new ship, the people here all seam nice and friendly, I personally will enjoy having real friends not just computer friends."  Natty said to her dad.  They talked quietly all the way to their new cabin.

 He had seen pictures of his quarters but they did not give it justice, it was Enormous, with windows open all around the living area. Wow, this was his family’s new home, there was a king size bed in a separate cabin 2 bathrooms one off his cabin with a shower and one off the living area with a sunken tub, he wondered if the crew was aware of his cabin, there was a kitchen, and a full wet bar stocked with only juices (talents never drank it was like poison to them). 

  The children each had there own room and five more bedrooms besides plus some kind of butler quarters off of the kitchen area.  He told the children to settle in and he would like to go and see his ready room it was on other side of his living room; it was furnished with a long table accompanied by 12 plush chairs, at the head a larger chair, for him, nice touch.  Computer screens lifted out of the center of the table or a 3d image could be displayed above it.  He took the elevator at the back of the ready room, taking him to the bridge, what a view.

 "Captain on the bridge" everyone came to attention he said quietly to return to stations 1st Officer Hickens stepped up to him and asked if he'd liked his tour. "This is an amazing ship Mr. Hickens please come speak with me privately."  

  Dan Hickens followed the Captain into the elevator to his ready room and then on into the Captains apartment. He let out a whistle "this is quiet a place"  

  "Sit I would like to get to know you, coffee?  Dan pleases call me Tj or Captain, this is not a military ship and we will be together a long time. This is more of a family vacation, a 4 or 5 year vacation, how do you feel about the ship?"  Tj poured Dan a cup of coffee and they sat in the Captains new living room talking about all the different departments on the ship.  

  "From what I have seen of it I can find no problems anywhere we are on time with the Warp Core installation, it has acted normal in all tests, Lt Jones is impressed with it performance, we are ready for the first three month burn when you say so."

  "Good lets go ahead and set a course that will take us out past Jupiter and the asteroid belt, at best speed, please inform the crew of our heading and I will see you at dinner, Dan" He stood up and held his hand out for a shake "Thanks, Captain" He turned and went back to the bridge. 

 Alone again, he sat and looked out at space, thinking about what he would say to everyone at dinner. This was going to be a great cruse and a fine adventure he could feel it in his bones.