CassaStorm Read Free Page B

Most important, he would at last see the rows of pods that that had carried his ancestors to Tgren. The videos they’d viewed in class were not enough. Bassan wanted to experience it with all of his senses.
    Bassan recalled his father’s previous warnings regarding class trips. At least he didn’t tell me not to touch anything this time, he thought, closing his eyes.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
    “This was one of the last rooms in Section Five we were able to access.”
    Officer Mevine’s usual soft voice cracked as he projected it over the shuffling of feet. “However, this containment area and corresponding control room has provided us with the greatest opportunity to learn from the race that sent intelligent life to Tgren.”
    Standing on his tiptoes, Bassan strained to get a better look at the pods. He bumped the boy to his right and received a hard elbow in the shoulder. Losing his balance, he grasped the shoulder of the classmate ahead of him. The boy turned around, his dark curls all but obscuring his eyes. Shaking his head, the boy grasped the front of Bassan’s shirt.
    Get up here before you hurt yourself , the boy thought, yanking Bassan forward.
    Propelled with great force to the front, Bassan’s feet barely had time to catch up with his body. He regained his composure and gasped as he caught sight of the pod room. The capsules emitted a vibrant, green glow, symbolic of the life they once carried. Bassan swore he could see the lights pulsating like a heartbeat. The numerous rows stretched far into the darkness.
    There are thousands , he thought, shielding so only the boy who’d pulled him to the front could hear.
    My father said there are fifty rows of a hundred and each one carried a person.
    Tearing his gaze from the glow of the pods, Bassan glanced at his friend. Drent’s eyebrows were raised and he offered a brief nod. Upon hearing Officer Mevine clear his throat, both boys turned their attention to the senior science officer.
    “When this ship launched from its point of origin, each capsule carried an embryo,” said Officer Mevine, his voice no longer strained. “The capsules were filled with a liquid that provided oxygen and nutrition, and they were monitored by computers located in the control room.
    “From our calculations, the people inside the capsules were almost adults when the ship arrived on Tgren. They were released and exited the ship through a supply room located at the far end.”
    Officer Mevine pointed toward a corner of the room that lay shrouded in darkness. Bassan let his gaze wander across the room. He could almost see the thousands of confused Tgrens staggering on shaky legs to the beckoning exit. How strange the desert landscape of this world must’ve appeared to eyes that had only viewed the darkness of sleep.
    “Are there any questions?” said Officer Mevine.
    “Sir, what was in the supply room?” someone asked.
    Officer Mevine straightened his thin frame, clasping his hands behind his back. “According to the records we’ve deciphered, the supply room contained basic clothing, food, water, and simple tools required for survival on this planet.”
    That makes sense, Bassan thought.
    “Officer Mevine, how did they know how to use those items?” a girl to his right asked. “Wouldn’t they have been like a newborn baby? Helpless?”
    Bassan’s position placed him within close proximity of Officer Mevine, and he sensed a surge of excitement from Drent’s father. The science officer smiled and lifted his chin even higher.
    “Every person’s brain was connected to a computer that fed them information over the duration of the trip. They were taught behavior, motor skills, language, and the basics they needed to function, survive, and procreate.”
    A ripple of humor arose in those closest to Bassan. He ignored their childish thoughts. If the occupants of the pods were fed information, how did the data come to them? Were visuals involved?
    “Did they