Category : Stories

Sub Category : Science Fiction

We'd just broke from the atmosphere headed for the Donora XII, where I and the rest of the 5,000 people aboard USS Noah would now call home. I was one of a crew of four pilots it took to fly this train. 15 train cars  Very much similar in appearance to that of a mono rail train, Noah, as well as 9 other trains were modified for space flight transporting of 150,000 people. The trains were the length of 6 train cars with the last 2 cars of each train carrying select crops and various forms of domestic stock.
The course for Donora XII was set into the onboard. I sat back in my pilot seat, raising my arms to stretch. My eyes turned to the view screen as Ryan switched cams to view the other trains. Then I saw my co pilots eyes as he stopped the cam. We both stared at the screen, finding it hard to believe. Once a bright vibrant blue ball. A so full of life planet called Earth, now a dying gray ball.Over time, the ozone was 70% disolved and still slowly fading, bringing radiation from the sun. The once welcomed rain falls and snow falls had become a thing of dread with radiation. Climates had changed. December brought summer while the 4th of July was celebrated protecting ourselves from harsh winters. Earth was slowly becoming no longer livable. Countries banded together. People, once devided by race, religion, and gender had come together united as one in the effort to save mankind. But even in the greatest effort in the history of our planet, not everyone could be saved. My mind drifted to the millions left to die on that now lifeless ball. I'd heard of families celebrating various holidays a few months early. Mainly Christmas and Hanukkah. Having Passover Seders and Easter. Celebrating Thanksgiving.
After about 3 months journey, Donora XII was finally coming into sight on the view screen. It needed very little terra forming. The oxygen was found to be breathable after 4 months of testing. After about 8 weeks of testing the soil and vegetation, we found that only 10% of the planet's vegetation was consumable. The soil, we found, was only suitable for growing 70% of the crop specimens we'd brought with us. 70% out of 100. Well, better than nothing. The planet held no indigenous life forms of any sort, so once our stock are fully adult and breeding, we at least have that for our food source. That, of course depends on the success rate of animal breeding in this new atmosphere.
I adjust my ear piece and microphone. "USS Noah to all trains. Acknowledge and prepare to begin landing sequence"
"St. Peter, ready," they began to acknowledge over the comm. 
"Exodus, ready."
"Lazarus, ready"
Revelation, Genesis, Magdaline, Iscariot, Moses, Joseph.
I sent the call over the comm to the planet surface.
"This is USS Noah, JD Rogers commanding. All 10 trains have arrived, safe and accounted for. Terra Caravan ready to commence landing sequences."
"Acknowledged. Noah, you are first in line. Initiate landing procedure now."
"Rodger that, Control."
Nova entered the atmosphere smoothly. More and more of the planet came into view as we slowly ascended. How different it appeared, compared to the images in the datagraphs. Beyond the colony, forestry and woodlands for miles. Unlike back on Earth, I could only hope that we'll preserve as much as we can while building our cities. 
We had just touched down on the landing bay with the other trains following close behind. I stepped out onto the loading ramp and took my first breath of new fresh air. A treat for my lungs after months of breathing in a filtered artificial environment. 
"It's about time you got here."
I smiled, turning my attention to the soft familiar voice. I turned and welcomed my fiancee into my embrace.
"As I promised I would be, Madam President NeVille"