Blue Planet

Native Settlement History - Terra Firma

2115

After the Calypso crash and the decision to colonise other parts of Poseidon to increase the chances of survival, 200 humans and 10 dolphins leaven Haven for another archipelago, Endeavour Islands, across the New Pacific.

After several weeks of travel, the fleet discover an island several days off course. The island has not featured on any of the satellite maps, and the colonists are curious about it. Confident and well supplied they inform Haven of their change of course and in a few days time reach a large, lush island. This is where they make their new home for the next year.

2116

The colonists remain to study the fascinating and alien flora and fauna of the island. They are in no rush to reach the unexplored shores of the Endeavour Islands. The geolgists make a strange discovery - they have no yet found bedrock in their explorations, just more vegatation. Unfortunately, this is because the colonists have unwittingly made their new home on a large, old and now stationary Sargassum Island. Awoken from hibernation by deep-sea tectonic activity and heat, a mated pair of hungry giant sea biomes notice the stationary island. Instinctively, the swim up to it to feast...

The giant underwater beasts kill most of the colonists and destroy their temporary homes and technology in the few mouthfuls. The fleeing survivors manage to get on board one of the boats, taking what they can in the hurry. They number just 50 souls out of over 200.

Amongst the lost technology is the primary communication device that allowed the colonists to communicate with Haven. As there is no global satellite network on Poseidon like the colonists have on Earth, and without the equipment which boosts their body-comp signals, the survivors are cut off from the rest of the colonists on Poseidon. The only computer they have rescued contains navigation equipment and maps which shows that there is a small island within reach. Beyond that, their fuel and food would run out, so the survivors set course further south.

After many days of travel the survivors reach the island. With the memory of the surprise disaster and the "fake" island still clear in their minds, they name the island Terra Firma. The island is rich in strange flora and fauna, providing more wonders to study and resources with which to survive.

The island is dwarfed by a huge forest of Poseidon Mangrove growing on the West side. The survivors build their new homes on the East side by a beautiful lagoon which facilitates easier interaction between them and the dolphins. Over the next few years, the survivors explore the island and the huge mangrove forest, and learn to suffer their grief and re-build their lives. Few search for ways of re-contacting Haven for help, knowing that resources there are minimal and a rescue team unlikely.

The island is tropical, with high temperatures at night-time and during the winter-time. During summer, constant storms rush over the surrounding oceans, and invigorate the island. The xenobiologists are fascinated by the complex ecology of the mangrove forest, but its dangers are soon evident when hunting parties get lost in there and carniflora and poisonous insects kill the unwary.

2118

One night, the community of islanders see a large, bright meteor shower. One of the astronomers realises that they are in fact seeing debris from a large ship. It could only be the Cousteau.

The destruction of the ship that brought the colonists to Poseidon increases the sense of isolation they all feel. Not only are they cut off from Haven, but they are cut-off from Earth too. Many colonists believe this may be for good.

2122

During the summer an extremely violent storm sweeps over the island. The resident astronomer has recently noted the proximity of the two moons, and speculates that the combined gravitational force may cause seasonal storms of great magnitude. But even she does not guess how powerful the cyclone is to be, and is one of the many islanders killed when it consumes their settlement. All of the children bar one are lost. The storm rages for weeks across the island and surrounding ocean.

Had the colonists built in the shelter of the mangrove, they would have survived. Every 11 years the moons move into a position that incites this great storm. But next time, the survivors are prepared.

The remaining 12 islanders re-build their new home taking advantage of this natural shelter. They refuse to give up, and staunchly continue life. Virtually all of the remaining technology is lost, so research grinds to a halt. The islanders concentrate their energies and resources on survival and careful planning of reproduction so as to ensure the full use of their small gene-pool an avoid inbreeding.

2142

The islanders loose children and loved ones again when a virulent disease kills 70% of the islanders. The dolphins have been surviving well however, and now number above 50.

The children are taught by surviving islanders and by an AI teacher called "Synopsis" who is run via the rescued computer. Luckily, the computer contains many terabytes of information, enough to teach the children a variety of academic, scientific, medical and engineering skills, as well as providing a library of Earth literature, history, art and philosophy in addition to combat, laboratory and cultural full-immersion-simulations.

2186

A hunting party of 10 are lost in the mangrove forest. The forest in typically a source of fear and gratitude for the islanders. Its dark, dangerous depths are mysterious and uninviting, but it is abundant in resources - edible animals and plants, dyes, medical and recreational drugs and other raw materials used in the construction of clothes, houses, boats, nets and tools. But on this occasion, so many are lost that many of the remaining islanders are overcome with rage and fear and grief. Encouraged by personal differences, and the belief that the next closest island can be reached, almost half of the islanders declare that they are leaving. Resentful of the dangers the island still poses, and of injuries and grief it has dealt them, many islanders decide they've had enough. Spurred on by the building of a large boat and stocked supplies of food, the colony splits into two halves. Many of the dolphins offer their support and leave with them. None are ever heard from again. It is expected that either these islanders and fins were killed by great sea creatures on their journey, or that they don't have the resources or inclination to give word of their safe arrival.

2199

17 years after the split, the island settlement still numbers only 23 human souls. The dolphins number around 300, and their religion has a profound influence on the younger islanders. Only one person from the original Haven team has survived - a black meterologist from Georgia USA, called Molly Cleaver. She is 133 years old, kept alive by good health, a strong will and the longevity treatment she had on Earth before she left for Poseidon. She has survived all that the planet, the ocean, the island and the mangrove forest have thrown at her. She has great, great, great, great, great grandchildren and has lost many lovers, friends and decedents. She also has a deep and broad understanding of the surrounding oceans seasons and changes, and those of Terra Firma. Looking forward to the future, and paying careful attention to reproductive couplings she sees that the island village may prosper.

Having long ago given up any hope or expectation that people from Haven or Earth will ever recontact them, she is aware that the rest of the islanders now feel that this place is home. With their own unique culture and beliefs, the islanders are not anticipating any discovery. Indeed, their matriarch believes that it is possible that even Haven may be gone. For all that they know, they may be the only people still alive in their whole species if a disaster really did befall Earth and if the Haven colonists failed to survive. Are they truly alone in the universe?

Such questions are asked before bedtime, after the fishing and food gathering and chores of the day. Such questions are part of the islanders education, the sharpening of keen and curious minds. Such questions are asked under the expansive star-lit sky of Poseidon, and are only ever answered in the dreams that come with the deepening night.

Then one day in the near future, the fins will hear a large boat on the horizon...

More Blue Planet:

Links to Other Games

Please consider making a small donation to keep this site ad-free.