After an afternoon's rest, Nireem and Ecurben walked to the Community Center refreshed and rested. The sun was setting, and the evening air was invigorating.
“The sun is definitely setting earlier, and the evenings are chilly,” Ecurben observed.
“Yes. Very different from the seasons on Tridon.”
They entered the large half-dome and saw it was already nearly filled. Many colonists greeted him in the traditional Tridon arm-across-the-chest manner.
But Nireem thought: is it friendship or politics?
Then Gregin and Enaida pushed through the crowd, and Nireem noticed Gerg's leg had improved. His limp was barely noticeable.
“Commander, for days, we didn’t know if we would ever see you again. But you rescued us, and we will be forever grateful, Enaida said emotionally.”
“I was lucky to have stumbled onto a patrol Ecurben sent. I see your leg is better, Gergin, and I sense you and Enaida have some news,” Nireem replied warmly.
“Yes, sir. We can talk about our news later. All of the crew want to thank you tonight.”
“We’ll talk more later.” The Commander then spotted Nevetsin heading for him.
“Sir. Everything is secure. We picked up three of those guards and are holding them with Salguodir's men. There are still a few who prefer staying in the woods. A cold, hungry night will change their minds.”
“Thanks. I haven’t decided what to do with them. We can discuss that tomorrow. You men can guard them tonight?”
“Yes. We can work out a relief schedule in the morning.”
That was when Retepin hurried over to the Commander.
“Sir, we told the colonists you would speak tonight. Now would be a good time. We can stay and talk after the meal.”
“Good point Retepin. The colonists will want to talk later this evening among themselves.”
The Commander stood on a chair near the front of the semi-circular open space. All eyes were upon him, and the cacophony of a hundred conversations quieted.
“We left Tridon desperate to find a new home and save our species from extinction. The government of Tridon gave me the responsibility of leading our settlement on this planet. Recently, a small faction lusting for power tried to take control. I ended that mutiny with the help of men from the second settlement.
The fact that the second landing here was successful, and a second settlement is only a few days distant is good news. Together, we are stronger and more likely to survive.
I want everyone to know that the policy I set before the mutiny will continue. Specifically, everyone from Tridon on this planet is equal. We need everyone's skill and effort to prosper and succeed here.
I learned the mutiny leader started using the limited food reserve we brought from Tridon. That will not continue. Our survival depends upon local food. We are entering a new season and don’t know how long it will last or how severe it will be. We must build food stores to help us get through times when local resources are unavailable. Each of you is responsible for doing that.
Tonight, we celebrate surviving what I believe was the first serious threat to our community. In the days ahead, I will seek your suggestions and ideas. Together, I know we can grow and meet the challenges of our new world. Enjoy your evening.”
There was widespread approval of the Commander's remarks, but some Rabizut and Mamlaka felt disadvantaged. Still, nearly everyone had confidence in the Commander. After the meal, the colonists left in small groups for their quarters.
Everyone who came with Ecurben and the Commander from the second settlement stayed to spend time with the crew members released earlier. They talked about what happened when Salguodir took power and what the Commander had done after learning of the coup. It was a night of camaraderie and celebration.
The Following Morning
Ecurben and Nireem sat in the large half-dome's gathering space. They sipped a hot, spicy-flavored protein drink called Semtac. It was hot water mixed with a powder from packets brought from Tridon.
“We need to find local food more suitable for breakfast,” Ecurben observed.
“I confess, after drinking Semtac for years, it's become a favorite, but we are already halfway through our supply,” Nireem responded.
That's when D^Lanoden, the food scientist, and Solracin, their biologist, walked over to their table.
“May we join you?” asked Solracin.
“Sit down. I was going to visit you this morning,” Nireem said.
“Sir. Remember our discussion about changing seasons?”
“Yes.”
“Well, we’ve noticed more pronounced changes. D^Lanoden and I have been taking walks through the woods. We have seen flocks of birds that fly in and are gone a few days later. We think they are flying to a warmer region.”
“You’re concerned about seasonal change?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I am concerned about what it means for us. I asked Gergin to make some measurements before the mutiny. I’ll check with him and get back to you. Now, a food science question. D^Lanoden, do you know how they make these packets of Semtac?”
“No, but I’ll try to find out. I have a digital reference that may have the answer,” D^Lanoden said.
“Thanks. Any clues would be helpful. We must find ways to preserve food. And it would be nice to create flavors we enjoyed on Tridon.”
“Yes, sir. We’ll work on it.” D^Lanoden responded.
The two scientists were relieved the Commander took the danger of cold weather seriously. They were anxious to see what he would do.
Nireem was also struggling with what to do with Salguodir and his lieutenants. On Tridon, the government would quietly make traitors disappear. But that could wait.
“It's time to have a leadership meeting. Nireem ordered. “
Both men made calls on their communicators, summoning the group. Gergin and Enaida arrived first, and Nireem smiled, thinking: those two are always together.
“Sit down and join us. We need to address the climate issue.”
Across the room, the pilot and flight engineer were weaving between tables and chairs toward them.
“We can get started without waiting for Nevetsin. He's checking on his men doing guard duty. Changing the subject, Gergin, you were making some measurements.”
“I set up the equipment to monitor the energy we get from Jua – what everyone called the sun. Then, last night, I reviewed the logs. The pattern is obvious. Each day, we are getting less radiant energy. And it's not just from the shorter days. During daylight hours, the energy flux is less. It's much less than I expected.”
“Are we moving away from the sun?”
“Sir. I can answer that.” It was Retepin. “We are moving closer.”
“How can we be getting closer and receive less radiation?” Nireem asked, puzzled.
“It's the tilt of our axis of rotation. Our hemisphere is currently tilted away. Further along in its orbit, our hemisphere will be tilted toward the sun,” Gergin explained.
“So how cold will it get and how long?”
“When we landed, our planet was about halfway between the perihelion and aphelion,” Gergin replied.
“Please! Speak plain Tridonian,” the Commander interrupted.
“Sorry, sir. Perihelion is where the orbit is closest to the star, and aphelion is the farthest point. Based on the days it takes to make a complete orbit, we are about 40 days from the nearest point. So, I estimate the next 80 days will be the coldest.”
No one said anything. Then Nireem frowned and asked, “ How much colder?”
“Based on the decrease in radiant energy, I estimate there will be about 60 days near or below freezing,” Gergin answered quietly.
“Crocit! That's colder than ever experienced on Tridon,” Ecurben reacted.
“And the habitats were never designed for temperatures that low,” Eteppon frowned.
“We can’t survive for long periods below freezing, “ Enaida groaned.
“OK, we have a challenge. What do we do?” the Commander asked.
“We need shelters where we can have a fire inside for warmth.”
“Can we do that in the half-domes?” Ecurben asked.
“They don’t have much insulation or ventilation,” Eteppon replied.
“And we will need a food supply for even longer. Nothing grows when it's freezing.”
“Good point, Ecurben,” Eteppon said.
Nevetsin joined the group, breathless from running. “Why's everyone looking so depressed?”
“Gergin just briefed us on the cold weather ahead. He expects close to freezing temperatures during the next 80 days,” Retepin explained.
“We need a plan and need to get working fast to survive. Ecurben added.
Nevetsin nodded. “OK, we need to do some serious hunting and food gathering. The T^Nesiwa provide lots of meat we can preserve by drying and hides for warm blankets.”
“That's part of the challenge, but the half-domes will be freezing.”
“We will build log huts with fireplaces. Up in the hills on Tridon, it gets cold and damp. Not freezing, but huts with a fireplace will keep us warm,” Nevetsin said confidently.
“Can we get everyone into two or three large shelters?” the Commander asked, thinking aloud.
“Large shelters are more difficult to heat,” Retepin answered.
“Sir. Can the huts be designed to be a home for four people? I am thinking about couples with children. Living in the half-domes isn’t conducive to starting families,” Enaida said with a smile.
“You mean permanent houses? Do we have time for that? Gergin asked.
“If we build them all the same, it's feasible. But we might have to start small and increase their size later,” Eteppon said.
“Our people will like having their own homes. That might make it easier to get everyone involved,” Nireem said, nodding. “And we need children to survive.”
Enaida just smiled.
“OK, Here's the plan. First, Nevetsin will show us how they built these huts. Then, Eteppon will recruit work teams and streamline the process. See if any of the power tools from the ship can help,” the Commander ordered.
“I would like to see how you build these huts. Can we talk later today?” Ecurben asked. “I need to get back and get my settlement started. ”
“Eteppon, Gergin, Retepin, Enaida, and Ecurben, get with Nevetsin and his best builders. Let's work out the house plans today. And Retepin. Spread the word. I will talk to everyone tonight after we eat.”