Chapter One
New Krypton Deep Space Vessel: BlackWind
The next day after leaving Earth’s solar system, Clark made his way to the ship’s lounge. Sitting at one of the terminals, he called up one of the history learning modules. He was determined to grasp as much of the language, culture, and history of New Krypton as he possibly could.
An hour had gone by when Counselor Trey entered the room, no longer wearing the black uniform that had seemed to Clark ill-suited for him, but instead a flowing white robe edged in black. The counselor stood in front of the younger man and addressed him with a patronizing tone. “My Lord Kal-El, the time has come for lessons about the history of our people and your role of First Lord.”
Not at all happy with this interruption, Clark answered, “Trey, I thought it would be best if I learned on my own.”
Trey seemed disappointed by the younger man’s dismissal, yet he forged on. “Do you not have queries about Krypton as it was?”
“I have a lot of questions about my birthplace. The tiny ship that brought me to Earth had a device … a globe. My father created a hologram of his and my mother’s final efforts to save me. It also spoke of Krypton’s geography but unfortunately, it never revealed anything else.”
Trey nodded approvingly, “Jor-El, an astute man, was always planning ahead. Sadly, he obviously didn’t have enough time to explain everything or add a comprehensive library of Krypton. Please, allow me to elaborate. For millennia we had known our world to be in danger of destruction from the planet’s volatile core and because of that, our council took aggressive steps to preserve our culture.
“How?” Clark was clearly fascinated, “Did you send explorers to other planets?”
“No. At first, we sent robot ships - AI drones really - into the galaxy to search for a new planet we could call home. Such exploration took nearly a hundred moon cycles, but a suitable world with a breathable atmosphere, gravity our bodies could easily adapt to, landmass, and oceans teeming with life, and a red sun was finally found. We called it NK47, with the optimistic hope of finding at least one other planet to support an additional colony. But sadly, that was not to be.”
Clark, now hugely interested in Trey’s narrative, asked, “Why?”
“Because our planet’s core was unstable, and thus time for additional exploration was curtailed. And so all efforts were now focused on colonization of NK47. Once NK47 had been discovered, a government program was initiated to construct a fleet of twenty ships. They would be immense enough to carry all the technological, medical, agricultural, and personal needs of several large colonies. Those ships held the brightest minds our world had to offer. It was their responsibility to establish a stronghold on NK47, and to alter I believe your scientists use the term … ‘terraform’ – the planet’s ecology would be altered to sustain life for the next wave of colonists, and for all of us that would survive.”
Trey, now lost in his narrative, became enthusiastic and spoke in a rush. “Ah, Young Kal-El, those were heady days! Krypton, as a whole, rejoiced when over five million individuals boarded those massive vessels and were launched into space. For several moon rounds, all of us held our collective breath and waited to hear of their arrival. When our satellites received the signals that they had landed successfully and were pursuing their objective of colonization, the planet-wide celebrations were indescribable! Nonetheless, this first wave of colonists had a monumental task ahead. Despite the probe’s initial reports and planetary surveys, the new home world was a wild planet which demanded much attention if it was to be tamed and cultivated into a world fit for Kryptonians to inhabit.”
Clark said, “That must have been a relief for everyone. But I’d gotten the impression that Krypton’s government and scientific community were determined to send as many as possible to the new world. What happened?”
“Unfortunately, our scientists’ calculations as to precisely when the final disaster would occur were not accurate. Who would be egotistical enough to foretell the day of a planet’s demise? Your father did dare to predict that we did not have the luxury of time. He warned us that only a fraction of the populace would escape.”
Clark swallowed. “When … when did it all come to an end?”
The older man’s voice dropped some of its earlier elation. “Krypton’s final death tremors did not occur for twenty years. During which time our engineers constructed a vast fleet of ships great enough to transport nearly thirty million to New Krypton. Considering our overall population was close to three billion, this was but a small percentage of the number originally projected to make the voyage across the stars.”
“That must have been terribly disappointing for those forced to remain behind,” Clark said bitterly.
“When the first wave of colonists had departed from Krypton years before, our world was still thriving and vital. Initially, some of these colonists were to return to share firsthand what they had learned about their new home. Sadly, upon discovering time was short the Convoca on NK47 chose to dismantle most of the original colony ships and use them as additional building materials for the twelve main cities to be constructed on NK47.
Clark nodded in agreement, “A wise use of resources. What about the ships from the second wave of colonists?”
“Of the one hundred and fifty vessels, twenty were kept in geosynchronous orbit around the planet. Medical facilities, farming, and heavy industry were done there until they could be established on New Krypton. It allowed the colonists time to concentrate on first landing and then dismantling the ships which brought us there. From those materials, the first twelve cities were built. Afterwards, we turned our attention towards re-shaping the planet to our best benefit.
“Twelve cities?”
“Ah well, yes. There were the first cities and as the population grew, smaller outlying warrens and agricultural holdings came into creation. Those first cities are the capitals of their respective provinces. All are ruled by the First Estate located on the island of Kandor II, which is the capital of New Krypton. That is where the government is centralized and where the First Lord and his family reside.”
Clark looked into the older man’s eyes and felt his heart tighten. “My new home?”
Trey bowed at the waist. “Yes, my Lord Kal-El. Home.”
