Stars

Part III (continued) - Sol

Colonization was going well. The process of adapting from the predictable life on board the Ark to the chaotic environment of the planet took it's toll, but the price was small. No major mishaps had occurred. The colony was taking on the shape of a real community. Land had been cleared at the Southeast corner of the village and the first crops had taken a firm hold. A large pasture had been set up for the dairy and beef herds. A spring landing had not been specifically planned, but it had added distinct advantages for the colonists. They had a full growing season to begin to supplement their winter supplies. The animals they had brought with them had a chance to acclimate themselves in the sun of a gentle summer season.

The Botanical Team had begun introducing Terran vegetation to the colony with only a few minor setbacks. The vegetables, particularly the tubers, took well to the new soil, but the grains seemed stunted, when they germinated at all. Fortunately, much of the indigenous vegetation seemed compatible with Terran digestive systems. A sub-group of the team was looking into nutritional issues, while the Orthonological Team began studying the insect life to determine which Terran species to introduce.

The fishing industry began to expand from the river out into the great lake itself as craftsmen learned to use the local resources to build the large vessels required to safely navigate the rough waters of the lake. Aquatic life was naturally in abundance and the introduction of their transplanted varieties seemed redundant.

The scientific teams had yet to be transplanted. They had so much of their equipment on board the Arks that it was more convenient for them to reside onboard the ships. In fact, a great deal of the work took place in the orbiting laboratories of the great vessels. Samples could be called for without actually going down to the surface. The huge shuttles were running on a regular schedule and it had become common place for them to be used to deliver the gathered specimens to the waiting arms of the researchers. It wasn't common knowledge, but only a small percent of the scientific team had actually been to the colony. 

The centuries in space had nurtured an unfortunate, if predictable societal rift. It had been necessary to control the education of the new generations as they developed. It wouldn't due to arrive at the new world with a preponderance of farmers and ranchers and no planetary biologists. Likewise, a large population of computer scientists would be useless without manufacturing engineers to build new components.

Considering the relatively small citizenry, it had been planned that careers would be guided by the Balanced Occupational Service Administration. It was the responsibility of BOSA to ensure that key trades were kept supplied with appropriate apprentices. Aptitude testing began at an early age and continued periodically throughout a child's education. That education was tailored to suite his or her abilities along with the projected needs of the colony. In this way, the future success of the colony was more certain.

As succeeding generations advanced, a natural separation of classes began to develop. The craft and agricultural orders gravitated together, as did the academic and managerial castes. This division of culture took root in the residential areas of the ships as people became accustomed to their careers. The result was two distinct societies on board the Arks with almost no physical contact between them. The longer the schism existed, the deeper it became. Twelve hundred years is long time and the fissure soon became a canyon. 

By the time the ships had reached their destination, the two barely knew of the other's existence. It should have come as no real surprise that, as the colonists made their way to the surface of the new world, the support staff would choose to remain aboard the Arks. They were simply more comfortable separated from the rest of the community.