The Earthrise Trilogy by Colin Owen

he."  
    "He sure did, we have the most advanced technology ever invented."  
    "You won't say that when the Martians arrive," Steve joked, and the two men laughed. "Bill, you've given me an idea. I think it would be a smart move to set up quarters in Lark. Then, if a disaster did happen, we wouldn't be stuck on the surface."  
    "Good idea," Bill agreed, "there are plenty of smaller caverns down there that will do nicely."  
    "Right," Steve nodded, "I'll get some folks working on that tomorrow. While we're here Bill, a couple of things came up that you might be able to shed some light on."  
    "Shoot," Bill said, and winced.  
    "Clare mentioned some vents in cavern three and thought they may be for venting oxygen to the surface."  
    "Smart lady," Bill said, "she's exactly right. Hammond tried to plan for our future, so he put in place a couple of things that would be needed later. Plant and oxygen growth will reach a point where the caverns will not be able to contain them. When that happens the plan is to start releasing both to the surface. There are already signs that air and moisture are present on the surface, though only in isolated pockets."  
    "The green mould," Steve said.  
    "Right, the mould. There will come a time when we will be able to live on the surface without suits, but no one knows exactly how long that will be."  
    "Clare says about twenty years."  
    "She's probably right, but it will depend on conditions continuing as they are now."  
    "Roland asked about the sealed section on the power level."  
    Bill thought for a moment. "Hmm, that's the biggy Steve, the final frontier if you like. In order to maintain an atmosphere you need gravity, and the Moon doesn't have enough of it. The sealed level contains an experimental system for creating gravity. Vinkle's idea, but he never got it off the ground so to speak."  
    Steve smiled.  
    "Word is that the theory is sound, but it may take some years of development before we can try it."  
    "Well," said Steve, "time is on our side. One other thing Bill, did Hammond provide any transport? Those caverns are huge."  
    "Of course he did, I told you he thought of everything. There are several electric vehicles on every level."  
    "I'm humbled Bill, this man was a true genius."

    The next day, Steve called everyone together and told them about setting up quarters in Lark. The idea went down well and a team was detailed to make a start on it.  
    "We'll need labs down there too Kay," he called to her. "And a school house Lisa." Preparations were made to move the main food stocks too. The work began, and time passed.  

Chapter Eight

    Chapter 8.  

     
    The Alarm Sounds

    Several months had passed and everyone had settled into their roles in Moon Base Alpha. Steve restarted the work he was engaged in at Star Labs, and Clare continued her research into hybrids. Life was good, and slowly, the brown planet was forgotten.
    It was mid afternoon and work was going steadily when an alarm sounded. It was loud and obviously not meant to be missed.  
    "What in tarnation is that?" Steve cried out, running for the command centre.  
    "I don't know," Bill said, a little panicked, "let me check."  
    Steve watched as Bill began scanning the system, the look on his face was not good.  
    "What is it?" Steve asked, starting to get panicky himself.  
    "It's trouble Steve, we've got to move fast."  
    "What do you mean, move Bill?"  
    "It's a solar flare, an enormous one, and it's heading straight for us."  
    "How long have we got?"  
    "About four hours, and then everything on the surface will be toast."  
    "Right," Steve said, "start transferring control to Lark, I'll tell the troops."  
    He left to do it.  
    "Listen everyone," Steve shouted at the top of his lungs, "we have to evacuate the surface, there's a solar flare coming and it'll be here in about four hours. You all know what that means...Radiation. Let's snap to it folks, Lark is about to fulfil its