Great North Road Read online

  This one’s for Lizzie, Tim, Judith, and Alan.

  For all that quiet support down the years.

  Timeline

  2003

  Kane North injured by IED in Iraq.

  2004

  Kane receives honourable discharge from US Army. Moves to Edinburgh. Uses family trust money to recruit geneticists. Cloning programme begins.

  2007

  Brant North born, first clone of Kane North successfully carried to term. Large number of mental and physical defects; lives three years.

  2009

  Cicero North born. Severe learning difficulties, serious metabolic deficiency; lives to 2022.

  2010

  Forrest North born. High-spectrum autistic, lives to 2065.

  2012

  Augustine, Bartram, and Constantine North born.

  2027

  Wan Hi Chan presents his theory of trans-spacial connection.

  2029

  First ‘connection’ made at Princetown, 800m across campus. USA forms National Interstellar Agency (NIA).

  2030

  Europe forms European Trans-Space Bureau (ET-SB). China forms National Interstellar Transport Corporation (NITC). Russia, India, Israel, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Pacific Alliance, North African Coalition, and the Asian Federation all create agencies to begin interstellar exploration programs.

  2031

  NIA opens connection to Earth’s moon.

  2032– 2038

  Various national test programs produce 12 trans-spacial connections across solar system. Gateway technology perfected.

  2034

  Augustine, Bartram, and Constantine found Northumberland Interstellar Corp, using family corporate resources to fund gateway systems manufacture.

  2039

  NITC opens gateway to Proxima Centauri. Age of interstellar exploration begins.

  2041

  NIA opens New Washington for settlement.

  2044

  NIA opens gateway to Orleans.

  2044

  ET-SB opens New Brussels for settlement to EU citizens.

  2045

  India opens gateway to Kolhapur.

  2045

  NITC opens gateways to Taiyuan and Wuchow.

  2047

  Russia opens gateway to Nova Petersburg.

  2047

  Israel opens gateway to Ramla.

  2047

  US Senate expanded to take in ten new states from new worlds. Passes Federal Independent Landowner Act. Enforced off-Earth settlement of all long-term welfare recipients.

  2048

  Japan opens gateway to New Tokyo.

  2048

  France opens gateway to Rouen, for French citizens only.

  2048

  Earth economy stalling due to investment shift to new planets.

  2049

  Germany opens gateway to Odessa, for German citizens only.

  2049

  USA passes Illegals Dispersal Bill. All illegal immigrants in original states on Earth deported to the territories on new US planets.

  2049

  Saudi Arabia opens Riyadh for settlement, for Muslims only.

  2050

  ET-SB opens Minisa for ‘all’ Grande Europe citizens. Subsidized immigration begins for unemployed, later developing to ‘opportunity immigration’ policy, transporting millions of poor and jobless out of GE states on Earth.

  2051

  Northumberland Interstellar opens gateway to Sirius star system, discovers earth-giant planet, named St Libra. Cleared for human immigration.

  2052

  Brazil opens gateway to Sao Jeroni.

  2052

  North African gateway to Accra.

  2053

  First bioil algaepaddies established on St Libra. Start of bioil export to Earth. Massive investment into St Libra algaepaddies begins, establishment of Eight Great bioil companies in addition to NI.

  2055

  The Independencies founded on St Libra, constant mid-level immigration by GE dissidents, and other political refugees from across Earth.

  2055– 2070

  Establishment of seven more human settled worlds. Earth’s population in decline; its economy contracts. Enforced exodus of jobless instituted by most nations.

  2063

  Kane North dies, age 83.

  2083

  Rumour of True Jerusalem, a planet linked by a secret gateway from Ramla.

  2087

  Constantine North and Bartram North resign their directorships of Northumberland Interstellar. Company resources redistributed. The bulk remains with Augustine.

  2088

  Constantine North launches Jupiter habitat; 8,000 tonnes of cybernetic manufacturing equipment, and a 3,000-tonne mineral/chemical refinery all delivered to asteroid in Jupiter orbit via Newcastle gateway + 25,000-tonne life-support hostel. Several hundred supporters and all C Norths follow him there.

  2089

  Town of Abellia established on St Libra by Bartram. Bartram founds North Biogenetic Institute, begins serious research into human regeneration/rejuvenation.

  2092

  Zanthswarm on Accra.

  2093

  Accra evacuated, gateway closed. Estimated human deaths: 8.2 million.

  2093

  Formation of Human Defence Alliance (HDA) to defend human race from the Zanth.

  2094

  Brinkelle North born.

  2095

  Large-scale trans-stellar financial instability as HDA budget approved. Bioil price increasing, reducing consumption. Markets falling.

  2096– 2111

  Trans-stellar recession, affecting all worlds.

  2111

  Northumberland Interstellar-led cartel releases glut of low-price bioil, bankrupting many futures market speculators. Stability returns to bioil market. Trans-stellar share prices start to rise again.

  2119

  Zanthswarm on New Florida. Evacuation declared successful, deaths estimated at 108,000.

  2119

  Trans-stellar market downturn, lasts until 2123 – officially not a recession.

  2121

  Bartram North and his household slaughtered. Angela Tramelo convicted of mass murder, receives life sentence.

  Principal Characters

  The 2143 St Libra Northern Geogenetic Expedition

  Charmonique Passam Commissioner for the Grande Europe Bureau of alien evaluation

  Griffin Toyne Major, HDA, head of expedition security

  CAMP WUKANG

  Vance Elston Colonel, Alien Intelligence Agency (AIA), Camp Commander

  Antrinell Viana Captain, AIA, executive officer

  Administration

  Jaysukhlal (Jay) Chomik

  Norman Sliwinska

  Forster Wardele

  Bastian North observer

  GE Legion squad

  Pablo Botin Lieutenant

  Raddon Sergeant

  Paresh Evitts Corporal

  Hiron Corporal

  Privates

  Mohammed Anwar

  Atyeo

  Ramon Beaken

  DiRito

  Leora Fawkes

  Dave Guzman

  Hanrahan

  Gillian Kowalski

  Omar Mihambo

  Marty O’Riley

  Peace-Davis

  Audrie Sleath

  Josh Justic

  Xenobiology team

  Angela Tramelo civilian adviser

  Marvin Trambi

  Roarke Kulwinder

  Tamisha Smith

  Miya

  Smara Jacka

  Iyel

  Esther Coombes

  Camm Montoto

  Zhao

  Helicopter pilots

  Lorelei

&n
bsp; Garrick

  Juan-Fernando

  Ravi Hendrik ex-Thunderthorn SF-100 pilot

  AAV flight team

  Ken Schmitt chief

  Davinia Beirne technician

  Chris Fiadeiro technician

  Mackay technician

  Medical

  Dr Tamika Coniff

  Mark Chitty paramedic

  Juanitar Sakur paramedic

  Engineering teams

  Helicopters

  Tork Ericson

  Erius

  Camp systems

  Olrg Dorchev

  Dean Creshaun

  Lance

  Ground vehicles

  Leif Davdia

  Darwin Sworowski

  Microfacture

  Karizma Wadhai

  Ophelia Troy

  General support personnel

  Luther Katzen supervisor

  Madeleine Hoque

  Fuller Owusu

  Lulu MacNamara

  Winn Melia

  Newcastle police

  Sidney Hurst Detective

  Royce O’Rouke Chief Constable

  Ian Lanagin Detective, surveillance specialist

  Eva Sealand Visual interpretation constable

  Ralph Stevens Special investigator, AIA

  Abner North Detective, forensics specialist

  Ari North Constable, data management specialist

  Aldred North Northumberland Interstellar security director, legal liaison

  Hayfa Fullerton Detective, Gang Task Force

  Kaneesha Saeed Detective, retired, Chief of Gang Crime Office

  Tilly Lewis Northern Forensics Corp, Grade-A team manager

  Chloe Healy O’Rouke’s media officer

  Saul Howard Surfer and store-owner, St Libra

  Contents

  Sunday 13th January 2143

  Monday 14th January 2143

  Tuesday 15th January 2143

  Wednesday 16th January 2143

  Thursday 17th January 2143

  Friday 18th January 2143

  Saturday 19th January 2143

  Sunday 20th January 2143

  Monday 21st January 2143

  Monday 28th January 2143

  Thursday 31st January 2143

  Friday 1st February 2143

  Sunday 3rd February 2143

  Wednesday 6th February 2143

  Thursday 7th February 2143

  Friday 8th February 2143

  Monday 11th February 2143

  Monday 18th February 2143

  Friday 22nd February 2143

  Saturday 23rd February 2143

  Sunday 24th February 2143

  Monday 25th February 2143

  Thursday 28th February 2143

  Friday 1st March 2143

  Tuesday 5th March 2143

  Thursday 7th March 2143

  Sunday 10th March 2143

  Monday 11th March 2143

  Tuesday 12th March 2143

  Wednesday 13th March 2143

  Thursday 14th March 2143

  Saturday 16th March 2143

  Sunday 17th March 2143

  Monday 18th March 2143

  Tuesday 19th March 2143

  Wednesday 20th March 2143

  Thursday 21st March 2143

  Friday 22nd March 2143

  Saturday 23rd March 2143

  Monday 25th March 2143

  Tuesday 26th March 2143

  Wednesday 27th March 2143

  Tuesday 2nd April 2143

  Wednesday 3rd April 2143

  Thursday 4th April 2143

  Monday 8th April 2143

  Tuesday 9th April 2143

  Wednesday 10th April 2143

  Thursday 11th April 2143

  Monday 15th April 2143

  Thursday 18th April 2143

  Sunday 21st April 2143

  Tuesday 23rd April 2143

  Sunday 28th April 2143

  Tuesday 30th April 2143

  Thursday 2nd May 2143

  Friday 3rd May 2143

  Saturday 4th May 2143

  Sunday 5th May 2143

  Monday 6th May 2143

  Tuesday 7th May 2143

  Wednesday 8th May 2143

  Thursday 9th May 2143

  June 2152

  2377

  Sunday 13th January 2143

  As midnight approached, the wild neon colours of the borealis storm came shimmering through the soft snow falling gently across Newcastle upon Tyne. It was as if nature was partying along with the rest of the city, providing a jade and carmine lightshow far more elegant than any of the fireworks which had been bursting sporadically above the rooftops since Friday.

  Detective, third grade, Sidney Hurst watched batches of late-night revellers staggering along the frozen pavement, calling out greetings or challenges depending on how toxed up they were. Ice, snow, and slush played havoc with the smart dust embedded in the tarmac, blacking out whole sections of the metamesh which governed the city’s roads and therefore making driving with the vehicle’s smartauto a dangerous gamble. Sid was steering the unmarked police car manually, but with the auto managing wheel torque on the slippery road. Their snow tyres provided reasonable traction, adding to stability and allowing him to make a decent thirty-five kilometres per hour along Collingwood Street past the cathedral. Radar kept throwing proximity symbols across the windscreen, designating a warning for the long filthy dunes of snow which the civic snowploughs had thrown off the centre of the road.

  It had been snowing for two days now, and with the midday temperature spike sticking stubbornly below ten degrees there had been no thaw, allowing the elegant stone Georgian buildings of the city centre to become cloaked in Dickensian Yuletide splendour. Another proximity warning flashed scarlet, outlining a man running across the road directly in front of the car, laughing and jeering as Sid veered sharply round him. One last obscene gesture, and he was claimed by the swirling snow.

  ‘He’ll never last till dawn,’ Ian Lanagin claimed from the front passenger seat.

  Sid glanced over at his partner. ‘Just another two-oh-one file,’ he agreed. ‘Welcome back, me.’

  ‘Aye man, some Sunday night reunion this is.’

  It was crazy so many people being out in this weather; though for once Newcastle’s traditional nightclub dress code of T-shirt for the boys and short skirt with glitter heels for the girls had vanished under thick ankle-length coats. It was that cold. He’d even glimpsed a few sensible hats, which was almost a first in the fifteen years he’d been with the Newcastle police. Even now – married with two kids, a career that wasn’t quite as dynamic as he’d originally envisaged – he was slightly surprised he was still in Newcastle. He’d followed a girl up here from London, where – like every twenty-something law graduate – he’d been arrowing down the smart and fast career path, alternating jobs between police and private security as if he were an electron bouncing between junction gates. To consummate the grand romantic gesture he applied for a transfer to the local city police, where the career track was equally valid for a couple of years, and the nights could still be spent in bed with Jacinta. Now, fifteen years’ worth of Siberian winters and Saharan summers later, he was still here, married to Jacinta (which at least showed good judgement), with two kids and a career that had taken the kind of direction he’d always sneered at during those long-distant university years when he had passion and conviction and contempt for the way of a world screwed up by the current generation in power and the omnipresent lurking evil of the Zanth. Now, experience and its associate wisdom had flicked him onto the more rational track of time-serving and networking to make the final career switch which would see him through the last twenty years before retirement. Fifteen years of hard labour had taught him real life had a habit of doing that.

  ‘They’ll all sober up by tomorrow,’ Sid said, switching his gaze back to the road.

  ‘In this town?’ Ian challenged.

  ‘We’ve all got jobs now.’

 
; Sid had been as surprised as anyone on Friday morning when Northumberland Interstellar had finally announced they were awarding contracts for five new fusion stations to be built at the Ellington energy complex north of the city. They should have been built years ago, but such was the way with all big projects that decade-long delays were built into corporate decisions as standard. And that was before regulators and politicians started to intervene to prove their worth. It meant the ageing tokamaks at Ellington that currently powered the Newcastle gateway to St Libra would have to be coaxed along way past their original design lifetime. Nobody cared about that, though, and euphoric Geordies had spent the weekend rejoicing at the announcement. It meant a new surge in the monumental tide of money which already coursed along the city streets, money which was channelled at every corner into St Libra, to be rewarded by the return flow of indispensable bioil back to the old motherworld. Bioil which kept cars and lorries moving across Grande Europe’s still powerful trade arteries; valuable derivations allowing planes to fly and ships to voyage. This contract was nothing more than a ripple on that tide, to be sure, but even so it promised additional revenue for the ancient coal town’s manufacturing and service industries, which would devour the digital cash with clever greed to fuel runaway expansion curves on the corporate market graphs. That meant there would be job opportunities at every level. Happy times were officially on their way.