Chapter 3

As the review team came off the plane, parents were spotted and nothing was holding them back. Ann and Jan hit Robert at full force. The girls were now thirteen and eleven, and still thought Robert was the reason for their living. Eleven four and five year olds came running to their mothers. They did not care if it was their birth mother, as all of Robert's wives were considered mom. The same with every other parent that was on the trip. Their kids were the most important thing to them at this moment.

The cheering was still going on and Robert was led to a raised stage and podium. It was small, so the team stood behind him on the ground. Robert started "By God it is good to be home. It seems we have been gone forever and that was too long. It appears there are many more people than when we left. Tom, I knew you liked the sea, but that ship tied to our pier is quite a yacht, is it not a little overkill". The roar of laughter was relaxing to everyone. "I have been handed a note that says the people of Antarctica are watching via a video link, and I think that is great. Sandra and Alexander Cummings, wave at your friend in the south to show we have not starved you". The Cummings waved and a shout was heard through the PA system. "I heard a rumor that Roberto had a lapse of his accounting skills and obtained several new aircraft. Wonder who we will have to pay for the purchase of those"? Once again the laughter was loud, and people realized their Monarch was one of them. "I would like to welcome the citizens of Initium Novum that have arrived from the Arctic Circle and Eastern California. I guess that is your hotel tied to our pier".

"The team is a lot smarter than when we left and we have seen a lot, however the emptiness of the world without people is a lonely place. The Review team has put together a presentation that will be presented in three days here on Initium Novum. We will set up an amphitheater for the presentation, and it will begin as soon as the day light fades enough to see the presentation. Sandra forgot to duck or something, as she was volunteered to be the presenter. No, Sandra, I will not fill in for you. After the presentation, every person eighteen years old and over will have a 3" X 5" card and will be asked to indicate your choice for an area to establish the beginning of the rebirth of the human race. The exception will be the people that were with me, they will not vote as they will have voted twice on the recommendation they are presenting to you.

I will not vote, as I will be one of the people counting the votes. Agnes, please come up here. This young lady will be the spokesperson for the group, as she has had experience counting and reporting the results for the votes taken while we were gone. I believe we have about twenty young people between the ages of eleven and seventeen. If there are more, we will use as many as possible so they have a part in the selection process.

Finally, I would like to have Selma, Penelópe, Braden, Marcy, Agnes, Angelina, Audry and Andrea to step forward. Selma and her daughter Penelópe joined us while we were in Portugal. Braden and his four sisters, along with Marcy, joined us while we were in Chile. Everyone should congratulate Braden and Marcy, as of last night I performed a very delightful duty and married them. Our legal advisor said it was OK and legal for me to do so, so I did it." The crowd cheered and gave the newlyweds a standing ovation. "Finally, as I see Ann giving me the hurry sign, the future is ours and only we can make it better than what we had a few years ago. There will be some things coming in the near future that will, I hope, bring us all closer together, and that we will be one family".

Robert stepped away from the podium as the crowds in both locations gave him a standing ovation. Many carts appeared to take the review team and their families to their homes. When Robert and his family were at their original home, Roger said that a condo had been prepared for Braden and his family, while a suite here was ready for Selma and Penelópe. Robert asked if there were rooms for Agnes, Angelina, Audry and Andrea here, as he was sure Braden and Marcy would like some alone time. Roger said no problem, and then said Braden and Marcy should eat with them as they were not in the system for food yet. It seemed as soon as Ann and Jan met the two new girls, it took seconds to get the four girls heading for the swimming pool.

Sofia headed for the kitchen to see about dinner, and was shocked that it was ready except for the steaks that needed to be cooked. Sara followed the two women into the kitchen, telling Sofia if she thought she was doing anything in the kitchen tonight she had better think again. This was her first night home and until tomorrow she was a guest. Sofia said "Fine, but just remember this is my kitchen, and beginning with breakfast tomorrow I am taking it back." Sara and Sofia began laughing as they hugged each other, glad to be back together. Sara was wondering about Selma when Sofia said that Selma had been trained in some of the best cooking schools in the world in France, Italy and Portugal. Sofia then told Sara "You should see the cookbooks she has. I saw only two, but Sarah said she has four or five large suitcases crammed with more. I cannot wait until we get to them." Selma was a bright red as she blushed at Sofia's comments, telling them she only cooked for Penelópe and her husband before he died in the sickness.

Sara was having a wine with Robert and asked him if he wanted Roger or Clem to do the steaks that night. Looking hurt, he asked her if she did not like his cooking any more. Seeing the twinkle in his eyes she told him she could hardly wait for one of his steaks.

After dinner, Braden asked where they got the fresh beef, as it was the best he ever had. Laughing, Tom Fitzgerald told him they were near the end of the meat they stocked before lockdown, and they needed to see how many Bison they needed to butcher before they got to their new home. Robert asked if the chef from Antarctica had arrived yet. Tom said she was aboard the Allure and inventorying what could be saved and what had to be dumped. Robert said he would like to meet with her the next day.

As comfortable as the bed on the A380 was, Robert thought his bed was better. The twelve of them slept like newborn babes, and woke feeling better than they had in a couple of months. Robert was trying to sneak out of bed when Carolyn looked at him, wanting to know where he was going. He told her for his run and a swim. Carolyn said she would meet him at the pool in thirty minutes. As Robert stretched, Braden appeared, asking Robert if he was going for a run and if he could tag along. Robert was glad to have a running partner and they took off. Returning to the house, Robert asked Braden if he swam and had trunks. Yes, he swam, but no trunks.

Robert found a set of trunks for Braden and they headed for the pool. Carolyn, Brad and Roberto were already there ready for a swim. The five hit the water with Robert and Brad in the #1 and #2 lanes. They started with warm up laps, then Robert started to power swim. Twenty-five minutes later Robert started the cool down laps, and was surprised that everyone was still with him. He saw Ann and Jan standing at the edge of the pool and knew what was coming. Robert slowed down and Ann landed on his back. Brad had slowed and came behind Robert, and Jan was on his back in a flash. The two girls had grown a lot over the years, so the two men completed only two laps before rolling over. As they reached the steps they grabbed the girls and threw them into the middle of the pool. It was good to be home.

As normal, Malissa came and told the swimmers breakfast was on the way and to shower off and come eat. Breakfast was great, there were eggs, bacon, potatoes and fresh bisques. Brad, Braden and Robert cleaned their plates twice and were looking for more, when Sarah and Amy told them enough, as they would spoil their lunch. That got a laugh from everyone. Robert asked Braden how long he had been swimming. Braden said he had been competing in triathlons for several years, and missed the swimming component most of all. Marcy said "Do not let him kid you, he had won the last five competitions in his age group that he had entered. Fortunately, his strong suit was running and cycling, even though he was a good swimmer."

Robert met with all of his advisors and included Sandra Cummings as the Antarctica representative. The first topic on the agenda was an inventory of food at all locations. Tom had a book and consulted it, to say on the island except for meat they had about four months supply of most things. Some of them like to have items which were in the warehouses on the mainland, but no one was complaining yet. As for the mainland warehouses, those in the far North were mostly empty, and if that was not recovered it would be no great loss. Those on the west coast were about half full, and a lot of the items should be saved. The warehouses in the Asian areas had not been touched, also those in Europe were untouched. They had a five to eight year supply of the things they had during lockdown.

"Julie, what is the power situation?" Robert asked. She said that the generators should be taken off line within six months for major overhaul. Looking at Tom, Malissa and Julie, he asked what it would take to arm the Mississippi, and how long. Tom looked worried, but said eighteen months to two years. However, Robert would be better off looking at one of the operating CGNs that were in operation at the time of the germ release, and to leave the Mississippi here as a generating station.

"Sandra, any issues on Antarctica?" She said "The staff were ready to leave as soon as possible, as they had been on station much too long, and some were beginning to have some physiological problems better known as cabin fever. I would say that within three months they need to be elsewhere."

Turning again to Tom, he asked if there was any frozen meat in any of the warehouses on any of the mainlands. Leafing through another book, Tom said there was a warehouse in Borrow, Alaska that was all meat. bison, beef, pork, turkey and chicken, a total of fifty tons. However if they wanted any of it, they needed to get the TK17 on the way straight away.

Brad had been gone, but got a quick update from the staff and said the only thing that was really happening was about eighty women were due to deliver in the next thirty days. As for medical supplies, there were some items that Tom was bringing in the next few days.

Robert then said he wanted a committee with at least three people living on the cruise ship now, the officers that will operate the ship, the chef and any other necessary people, and especially someone that understood cargo. And he wanted to begin meeting that afternoon.

"Sandra, I would like a list of people that should be off Antarctica, and provide it to Dr. Amy. We need to find a way to move them so no one knows why they are being moved, other than they are needed to prepare for the move to our new home. If there is a doctor you can trust down there, consult with him with a ninety day window for everyone to be on the ship.

"Tomorrow the review team and some of the IT people will be tied up getting ready for the presentation. I want a G650 on the ground in Antarctica with ballots before the presentation, and on the way back with any teenagers to insure all ballots arrive, and they will be on the counting committee.

"One last thing, let's think about a departure date from here, and the sooner the better. Let's make it happen."

Lunch was hot roast bison sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy. Robert and Tom were relaxing on the veranda when Tom brought up the subject of the Captain of the cruise ship. Tom said he had been away from sea command too long, and suggested that Lenora be appointed as the Captain. She had brought the ship from Seattle to here, and had the least amount of downtime from sea command. All Robert said was make it happen.

Soon people started arriving, asking where the ship committee was meeting. Robert had Ann and Jan show them the big dining room. There were about thirty people around the table when Robert walked in. The first thing Robert asked was, where the chef for this joy ride was. That brought a chuckle from the group. A woman stood, saying "I, Bonnie, am the hash slinger and a damn good one, and don't you forget it." For the people staying on the ship they applauded and cheered. Robert said that he liked her already, and how much staff would she need to feed six thousand people for the maximum of forty-five days. She asked sit down or buffet. Thinking, Robert asked which is easier to keep the hot food hot and the cold food cold. Bonnie said that there were ten eating areas and they could seat about three thousand at a sitting. The buffet would be better, as it would cut staff by about seventy percent. Of the people already on the ship, she had about half of the staff she would need. What she really needed were cleanup people. Since this was not a luxury cruise, people would have to take their dirty dishes to the carts provided, and clean the tables they ate at. For those who are VIP's, they would ... Robert said to stop. There would be no VIPs. Everyone would eat at the appointed times or do without. If possible they should make snacks available for the smaller kids. Bonnie said there were spaces available where that could happen.

Robert then said "The Captain for this joyride will be US Naval Captain Lenora Fitzgerald. She will have complete command, even over me. Lenora, since you have already been at sea with the ship, tell us what we need to know."

"As with any ship, this ship is a mechanical machine" she began "the engines are practically new, as they had only been in service eighteen months before they were shut down. When I went to Seattle I took some help with me in the form of the available Warrant Officers that brought up the Mississippi. We trained a good crew of people to operate all the below decks equipment. We will still need people to help staff the engine rooms. The bridge will require a different set of skills. Sheila Fitzgerald, Malissa Callahan and Colin Osborn will be Officers of the Deck/Watch. They are all experienced and can instruct as required. I am leaving the galley to Bonnie, as all I want is my meals. The fuel tanks were full when we left Seattle with 333,333 barrels, or 1,400,000, gallons of fuel oil. We will have to stop in LA or Panama to top off the fuel tanks, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. We have the cargo which will be the responsibility of CWO5 Little." Early Little said that he had a lot to learn before he could comment.

Lenora then turned to a man Robert did not know nor had seen before that day. "Igor Babikov, we have talked and you will be the Chief Engineering Officer. I guess when you tell me it is time to go we will be ready to go. The only thing I ask for is no surprises." With that Lenora turned it over to Robert.

"Tomorrow everyone will hear from the review team and a ballot will be submitted. Within two days from now we will hopefully know where we will be heading. Lenora, I will provide you with two names, and I would like you to plot courses with a stop at Antarctica, taking the least amount of time. Bonnie, please start your list of food stores for a thirty day cruise and six thousand people. Tom will advise if he has any warehouses where we can resupply along the way. Other than that, everyone should plan on a worst case scenario of thirty days aboard ship. People, have a good evening and enjoy Initium Novum, as our days here are numbered."

The sun rose on presentation day with much anticipation to hear the report of the review team. After breakfast Ed Cunningham asked Robert if they could start the presentation at three PM, as it would be ten AM the next morning at Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. Robert asked about the light on the viewing screen. Ed said they would use the underground theater for the first half of the presentation, then take a break and complete the presentation outside. Robert said to make it happen.

The review team arrived at Robert's home at ten AM. He told everyone to relax, as everything was perfect and ready. The people at Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station had been notified and would be ready for a ten AM start. Sandra looked nervous, as she had never made a presentation before six thousand people.