CHAPTER 17 – A CHANCE AT A NEW LIFE
15:13 (Paris Time)
Tuesday, October 4, 861 C.E.
Passenger shuttle on approach to the Toulouse Tower
Human Expansion post of Toulouse
‘’Ladies and gentlemen, we are now on final approach to land on top of the Toulouse Tower. Once landed and inside the hangar, please proceed with your luggage to the arrival lounge, where guides will be waiting for you. We hope that you enjoyed your trip and wish you a good stay in Toulouse.’’
The announcement by the head stewardess of the passenger shuttle, who was like the rest of the crew an ex-employee of the now defunct Alpha Space Lines of Alpha Centauri A-IV, didn’t raise a single cheer among the 117 passengers. The faces in the passenger cabin showed only a mix of sadness, anxiety and resignation, rather than joy or anticipation. Jan Fong also stayed silent, watching absentmindedly on the forward viewing screen of the cabin the Toulouse Tower grow as they closed in on it. A 25 year-old professional musician, Jan could only think about all that he and his little family had lost with the destruction by the Morgs of Alpha Centauri A-IV. Now, he and his wife Lita, his three year-old daughter Mirta and his five month-old son Yoni were supposed to rebuild their lives on an Earth that was said to be totally alien in most aspects to what they had known in the Human Expansion. As their shuttle was about to land on one of the designated landing spots of the wide platform topping the Toulouse Tower, Jan couldn’t help contrast the tower itself with the adjacent medieval city, something that would actually have been called a mere big village in the 41st Century. At least, the region around it looked fertile enough, with vast forests and cultivated fields all around it. The landing spot, which was also an elevator platform, started going down inside the hangar complex of the tower as soon as the shuttle’s skids rested on the surface. Jan briefly saw another loaded shuttle about to land on the adjacent landing spot before his shuttle disappeared inside the hangar complex. He knew that quite a few shuttles loaded with other refugees from Alpha Centauri A-IV were due to arrive in Toulouse today, to start populating the giant tower. That thought made him wish that the other members of his old band had survived the catastrophe: reforming their band would certainly help give back a meaning to his life other than simply surviving with his family. Time had however been too short since he had been awakened on the MARCO POLO and then was reunited with his wife and two children and he had not yet had the chance to consult the list of refugees embarked on the exploration cruiser. That was certainly something that he would have to do soon in the near future.
The stewardess finally told the passengers that they could now unbuckle their seat belt and exit the shuttle, which the men, women and children, including 41 infants, did with little conviction. Carrying each no more than a single bag, all that they still possessed now, the passengers walked down the access stairs and went inside the arrival lounge adjacent to the hangar, where a number of people greeted them with reassuring smiles and then guided them to a big amphitheatre situated on the same level but located near the center of the huge saucer section supporting the landing platform. With over a dozen shuttles arriving at a quick cadence, the amphitheatre filled rapidly to half its maximum capacity with over 1,300 people. A medium-built man in his early fifties then got up on the stage, along with a tall young woman with long black hair, and addressed the crowd with the help of a microphone connected to a sound amplification system.
‘’Welcome all to the Toulouse Tower, good people. I am Ben Corbin, General Manager of the Toulouse Tower, your new home on Earth. With me presently is Doctor Ann Shelton, an historian and sociologist by profession who is the plenipotentiary envoy of the Human Expansion in Toulouse. You must undoubtedly be both confused and sad after having been either awakened from cryogenic sleep only yesterday or having been reunited with your spouses and children for a few days at the most. You all know by now the tragic fate that befell our home world at the hands of the Morgs. We have however survived this disaster and we now have to rebuild our lives on the Earth of the Ninth Century. I, as general manager of this megastructure, am committed to doing everything to help you adapt to your new situation and to make life as easy and pleasant as possible. Thankfully, this megastructure was built in modular form with the original goal of assembling it on Mirphak III, thus came fully equipped and stocked. You will find your respective apartments fully furnished, with all the amenities that you were accustomed to back on Alpha Centauri. However, the food situation is at present still being worked on, so I will urge you to show restraint in the first months and avoid any food wastage. Also, while the stores in this tower came supplied with full inventories, it will take us up to a year or more before our people can rebuild an extensive industrial base in New Zealand and Australia. Thus, what we have in our stores now may dwindle quickly before we could get replacement stocks. Fortunately, parts of the extra supplies loaded aboard our fleet before its departure from Alpha Centauri included large quantities of civilian clothing. Some of those stocks were brought here in the past couple of days, so you will be able soon to get some extra clothing to supplement the little you were able to carry with you.’’
Those last words were greeted with a few approving comments, as many present had at most two sets of clothes with them and precious little else. Corbin thus paused briefly before continuing.
‘’Now to the main subject of interest to us all: how to rebuild your lives here in Toulouse. In terms of finding new jobs to support your families, there are lots of positions open presently in the various offices, stores, shops and farming facilities of this tower. There are also more positions to fill in the open air market place that we built on the Right Shore of the Garonne River and in the various plants surrounding it. My staff will help you choose a suitable job during the following days, but take first the time to install yourself and your family and to learn about the Earth of today. Doctor Shelton has prepared a video documentary describing the present state of Human civilization at large, with an emphasis on the situation in and around Toulouse and what is presently called Western Francia. I urge you to pay close attention to this documentary, which will now play, so that you know what to expect outside of this tower.’’
The lights in the amphitheatre then dimmed down as Ben Corbin and Ann Shelton stood to one side of the stage to let the newcomers watch the main viewing screen at the back of the stage.
The documentary was relatively short, at a duration of eighteen minutes, but it shocked many in the audience with its descriptions of what was to Centaurians a violent, barbaric and primitive world. Jan Fong and his wife Lita were as shaken as the others around them, they being mild mannered and peaceful persons. Ann Shelton then walked to the center of the stage and looked somberly at the crowd of refugees.
‘’Ladies and gentlemen, while the main message of this documentary you just saw was to exercise caution when outside of our possessions in Toulouse, I can assure you that there are plenty of decent people in and around the city of Toulouse. Much will depend on how we build a friendly, constructive relationship with the people of this century, so I will urge you to treat the local people in a polite, friendly manner. While they are quite ignorant by our technological standards, that doesn’t mean that they are stupid, far from it. They have the same basic preoccupations than you do, but have to deal with much harsher living conditions than those you now experience, which is why you may find them a bit rude at times. Local children will attend school with your own children once we open our various schools next week, while many local people are already working in our various plants and aboard our two fishing vessels, which are presently out fishing on the high seas. You will thus have plenty of occasions to interact with the people of Toulouse in the next few days. A word of caution about the general sanitary conditions outside our territory and in Toulouse: assume that most of the foodstuff offered on sale will need to be disinfected before consumption, so be careful about what you eat or drink in town. Especially, do not drink the local water, which is untreated and heavily contaminated with bacterias and parasites. You will also find out very quickly that the local streets are in a rather disgusting state, while relieving yourselves may involve using some repulsive facilities, when there are any. As well, the streets of Toulouse are not lit at night and some quarters should be avoided when dark, as street crime is still a problem, like in all medieval cities. I am however working with Count Raymond, the titular holder of the county of Toulouse, on improving those various points. Hopefully, you will be instrumental in bringing in those improvements, thanks to your various competences and specialties.’’
At that point, Jan couldn’t help himself and he raised a hand to ask a question, attracting the attention of Ann.
‘’Yes, mister?’’
‘’Uh, my name is Jan Fong and I am a professional musician. One of my concerns is about how relevant my skills will be around here. Would you have any use for a musician here and around Toulouse?’’
Ann gave him a benevolent smile before answering him with a question.
‘’What instrument do you play, Mister Fong?’’
‘’My specialty is the electronic keyboard, but I also play the electronic guitar and the accordion.’’
‘’Mister Fong, I can assure you that your talents will not be wasted here. Our people will be in need of some entertainment to help get over our collective losses. As for the local people of Toulouse, know that they enjoy any entertainment they could get in the course of their hard lives. You in fact would be perfect for a position I had in mind. Come and see me later at my office once you will have had time to install your family.’’
‘’I will certainly do that, miss.’’ Said Jan, encouraged, before sitting down and whispering to his wife. ‘’I hope that they do have an electronic keyboard here.’’
‘’They probably do, Jan. That Mister Corbin did say that this tower and its stores came fully equipped and supplied. There must be at least one music store in this big tower.’’
‘’You are probably right, Lita.’’ Replied Jan before listening to Ben Corbin, who had just started explaining the process they would follow for getting an assigned apartment.
Fifty minutes later, after having been processed by a small army of secretaries and clerks, the Fongs were able to go to their new apartment, Unit 29-S-09, situated on the 29th level of the tower. Jan, like Lita, felt better at once on seeing their new home: it was a three-bedroom apartment arranged on two levels, with the bedrooms, a study, two bathrooms and a laundry room arranged in a loft on the upper level, overlooking a large, high ceiling living room and dining area. A private office, a small kitchen, a washroom and a storage room were situated on the lower level, under the upper rooms. The furniture and appliances were all modern and brand new, while large bay windows gave a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside, with the mountains of the Pyrenees visible in the distance, to the South. Jan glued himself to Lita’s back and enveloped her and their little son with his arms as they admired the outside view together, their small daughter at their side.
‘’I think that we will do well here, dear. Our children will be able to grow up in safety here.’’
The couple then exchanged a tender kiss, with little Yoni still asleep in Lita’s arms.
17:04 (Paris Time)
New market place, Toulouse
‘’So, what do you think, guys?’’
Ranulf, son of Bertrand, grinned as he and his companion carpenters admired their finished work, a new playground for children built in the center of the wide new market place.
‘’I can tell you that my kids will sure love to come and play here, boss.’’
His ‘boss’, carpentry foreman Fidel Ramirez, nodded at that while smiling. His crew of local workers had just completed twelve wood, rope, plastic and foam play modules set in the middle of a large sand box, itself situated in the center of the 200 meter-wide new market place, a square, paved expanse surrounded on its four sides by long, low and shallow wooden buildings housing over sixty vending stalls, boutiques and shops, plus four warehouses. Behind the rows of stalls and shops, a perimeter road connected together the back of the shops and long rows of stables meant to shelter the horses and oxen of the merchants and visitors to the market. At the moment, the stalls and shops were empty, but this was going to change very soon, hopefully. Fidel eyed with appreciation the nine local carpenters that he had been supervising and also teaching to. While all illiterate men at first, they were far from stupid and had proved surprisingly good with their hands and with basic, manual tools, even though they had at first been completely unfamiliar with the notion of exact measurements. They had however learned quickly, with a couple of mnemotronic sessions to each of them used to teach them both modern English, basic arithmetic and geometry, something that had done wonders to simplify Fidel’s job as their supervisor.
‘’Well, guys, before I pay you for this day’s work, I have an important announcement to make. The schools inside the Toulouse Tower will be opening next Monday, now that qualified teachers have started to arrive, along with other new occupants. Doctor Ann Shelton has decreed that the schools will be opened to the children of the local people of Toulouse, along with the children of my own people. Special classes will be available to allow the older children to learn the basic curriculum, while your younger children will directly mix with our own younger kids. Schooling will be free and breakfast and lunch will be served as well for free to all the kids attending school. Priority will be given to the kids of those who have been working for us, meaning you and the others who worked on this market place. You will have until tomorrow to discuss this with your wives and decide if you want to enroll your children in our schools. Think well before making a decision, guys: this represents a better future for your children. Some may tell you negative things to discourage you from signing in your kids, but be wary of what they say.’’
Fidel did not have to specify to Ranulf or the others to whom he was alluding to: the various churchmen in Toulouse had been rabidly condemning with harsh words the newcomers for days, telling their parishioners that the people of the Human Expansion were blasphemers, atheists and sorcerers of the worst kind and enjoining them to stay away from them. Many in Toulouse had listened to the churchmen at first and had kept their distances, but that was quickly changing by now. The friendly attitude, openness and generosity of the people from the Human Expansion had already persuaded many that the accusations from the Church were baseless and were in reality meant solely to preserve the grip of the Church over them, rather than to protect the souls of the citizens of Toulouse. On his part, Ranulf did not hesitate one second and raised his hand at once.
‘’I will want to enroll my children in your schools, Boss.’’
To Fidel’s satisfaction, all of his carpenters quickly joined suit with Ranulf.
‘’Thank you, my friends. You will not regret this decision, I promise you. When you will come back to work tomorrow morning, I will have someone here to register your kids and give you some information about the school opening day. Now, let’s proceed to the paymaster’s counter.’’
Cheers greeted that announcement: compared to the wages the carpenters had been accustomed to get before in and around Toulouse, the people of the Human Expansion were paying over double the usual salaries, on top of providing a free lunch to their workers, lunch that was simple but solid. Just yesterday, Ranulf and his comrades had enjoyed parts of one of the biggest fish they had ever seen, a two meter-long codfish that had been caught in the North Atlantic by one of the two fishing vessels based in Toulouse. That fish, seasoned with salt and pepper, had proved excellent, on top of there being plenty of it. The men had even been able to bring home the leftovers, something their families had much appreciated.
Going to one of the shops and offices on the east side of the square, which were reserved for Human Expansion sales offices, warehouses, shops and businesses, the nine carpenters lined up at the entrance of the office of the market place’s manager, which also served as a pay office. As they patiently waited in line with other local workers employed in the stables of the market place, they saw one of the two fishing vessels based in Toulouse appear in the western sky, approaching at a fair speed. After a couple of minutes, it slowed down once near Toulouse and came to a hover above one of the storage silos of the fish processing plant established just south of the market square, along with a meat processing plant, a food processing and packaging plant, a sawmill, a sewage treatment plant, a water purification plant and a thermonuclear power plant. Work was still being done to prepare the foundations for yet more plants and facilities that would add more products and goods to be sold or exchanged at the market. Watched by the local workers, the fishing vessel opened one of its belly traps, making an avalanche of fish fall into the waiting storage silo. Once its first hold was empty, the vessel then slowly hovered to another storage silo to empty its second hold. It repeated that process a total of six times, filling the storage silos of the fish processing plant with what had to be hundreds of tons of fresh fish.
‘’Wow!’’ Exclaimed Ranulf, ‘’That’s a lot of fish! I wonder what kind of fish they caught today.’’
Fidel Ramirez smiled on hearing that question and discreetly placed a call to someone he knew at the fish processing plant. He soon had an answer for Ranulf.
‘’Well, according to the fish plant senior foreman, the FLYING FISH just delivered 360 tons of codfish, 310 tons of salmon and 275 tons of shrimps. Our other fishing vessel, the DOLPHIN, is on its way back with sardines, mackerel and tuna.’’
‘’Your people in that big tower can’t possibly eat all that fish, Fidel.’’ Said Bernard, one of Ranulf’s co-workers. ‘’What happens to that mountain of fish?’’
Fidel’s expression changed to a sad one then as he explained.
‘’We do have a lot of mouths to feed, Bernard, but most of them are not here: they are on another continent where the large majority of our people is being resettled. Right now, we have a bit over two million people to feed, but that number will eventually grow to eighteen million, once all our refugees are awakened from cold sleep. I thus can assure you that none of that fish will go to waste.’’
The foreman forced a smile on his face after that to cheer himself up by giving away a good news.
‘’I can also tell you that some of that fish will be used in a new program about to be started soon. Doctor Shelton has received authorization from her superiors to organize a system of mobile flying canteens that will help feed the refugees made homeless by the Vikings across the kingdom. As for the next project you guys will be doing with me, I will show you how to build prefabricated house elements that will then be shipped to those same homeless refugees.’’
Ranulf, like his comrades, nodded his head in approval at that: the people of the Human Expansion were demonstrating yet again their compassion and generosity towards the people of Western Francia. That was certainly going to help further discredit the bad words proffered by the Church against them. Ranulf made a wry smile on thinking that the bishop of Toulouse, Hélisachar, was still not back from Arles, where he had fled with the treasure of the Basilica of Saint Sernin on hearing that the Vikings were coming.
Ranulf’s turn at the paymaster’s wicket came a few minutes later, with a young and very pretty woman from the Human Expansion noting down on her machine, which she called a ‘computer’, his work hours and his salary. She then counted six shiny new silver deniers of the type now mass-produced by the people from the stars, giving them to a happy Ranulf while flashing a warm smile to him.
‘’Here are your six deniers, Mister Ranulf. If you may go to the next service wicket, you will be able to take a container of meat and fish home to your family.’’
‘’You are too kind, Miss Watanabe. Thank you!’’
Collecting his six silver coins and putting them in his belt purse, Ranulf then went to the next wicket to his right, where a young man gave him two large, sealed transparent plastic bags, themselves kept inside a larger bag containing ice cubes, to help preserve the food longer. Ranulf grinned on weighing the bags: they contained a good two kilos of meat and maybe three kilos of fish filets. There was as well a smaller plastic bag inside the biggest bag that contained granulated salt. And the Church was wondering why its credibility in Toulouse was going down every day!