Dear Reader
Time Since the Comet Carpenter Choo left the Kuiper Belt: 14 Days
Distance Travelled: 125,000,000 Miles
Distance to Earth: 4,160,714,291 Miles
Estimated Time To Arrival on Earth: 1 Year, 3 Months and 9 Days
Tashi delek, thank you for visiting, welcome and I hope this finds you in peace and serenity. As we try to piece together the truth behind the comet Carpenter Choo, we have gone back to its discovery and are investigating all the events which took place up to our present time of February 2278 to try and find out why things aren’t as they seem with this comet. Our present time of February 2278 is a tipping point in human existence, but before I explain why this is, my monks and I have to explain to you all which has occurred up to this point. Our journey has brought us to 6 October 2277. To help keep track on the passing of time, I will include vital data on the comet’s progress at the top of this and every update going forward.
As we go forward, 6 October 2277 is a very interesting day in our research. This is the day when Helios P Stephem met Daniel Dane, the President of the GN (Global Nations), alone. The GN President is elected by other members and has influence on the dealings and activities of the GN during their four year term in office. They met in the Oval Office situated in the historical White House, which is Dane’s official residence, when not at GN headquarters.
It seems we missed the beginning of the conversation. All conversations involving GN members, particularly the President should be automatically recorded from the beginning. But the start was missed which may be down to a number of factors including technology such as recording equipment and microphones out of range. We do believe the conversation was focussed on Stephem’s plans to terraform Mars now Carpenter Choo is definitely on its way to Earth. What we have recovered is included in this update as a transcript.
President Dane – “Helios, they won’t let you do it, without exploring all the options. Only after the options have been explored and exhausted will they agree to entertain your suggestion. But agreeing it is a different matter.”
Helios P Stephem – “Dan. It’s been two weeks since it left the Kuiper Belt. It has travelled 125 million miles. It’s 125 million miles closer to Earth. Eric Carpenter and Andy Choo have studied its path and there is now a general agreement this thing is heading towards Earth. Its path is constantly altering to maintain that collision course. Surely this looks to you like a collision course which will need us to take some type of action?”
President Dane – “I agree Helios. But I cannot unilaterally make a decision to go and totally change the face of Mars, with the hope – I don’t mean it that way – this thing will eventually crash into the Earth, You know what I mean, don’t you? I can see what you’re offering the world but it’s up to every nation to vote and for there to be a consensus before we take such a drastic step.” (Thich Hanh Tu – while listening at this point, we could hear the President’s frustration with Stephem)
Helios P Stephem – “Yes, Mr President, I know.”
President Dane – “Besides, it would take decades to terraform Mars with current technology and resources and we haven’t started.”
Helios P Stephem – “Umm, well Mr err President that’s not strictly true.”
President Dane – “Please tell me it’s the decades bit that’s wrong and not the ‘we haven’t started yet’ bit, Helios.” (Thich Hanh Tu – we could sense desperation in the President’s voice)
Helios P Stephem – “Well the decades bit is wrong – don’t look too relieved yet. The other bit is also wrong.”
President Dane – “I knew it! I want to know everything you’ve been up to.”
Helios P Stephem – “I’ve been gradually raising the surface temperature for a while now, which does constitute terraforming. We have also been working on raising the oxygen level too. Oh, and it will take a lot less time to complete the terraformation.”
President Dane – “Why am I not surprised? I knew you would do something like this, against all treaties and agreements. Explain to me what you have done.”
Helios P Stephem – “Well, we discovered this by accident, during one of our survey missions on Olympus Mons. There is a large amount of pumice stone in the region and just like here on Earth, Martian pumice has a high level of porosity, number of holes, which allows the ambient atmosphere to infuse at a very high concentration due the incredibly high surface area of pumice. Just by accident, we needed to clear a path and one of our rovers used its laser to make a path and we discovered this one action split the carbon dioxide and extracted oxygen. We took the process further and created a barometric pressure chamber environment which contained large amounts of pumice. We pumped in carbon dioxide at a very high pressure and began firing the mixture with lasers and to our surprise created oxygen. We have been doing this for a while and gradually replacing the CO2 with oxygen and the results are very encouraging.”
President Dane – “Damn, Helios, that’s incredibly clever, but why haven’t you told anyone?”
Helios P Stephem – “Because it’s my process and I don’t want anyone to copy it, before it’s fully protected. It’s called MARS – the Mars Atmospheric Reclamation System.”
President Dane – “MARS. You and your damned fractal acronyms. So what happens to all the blitzed pumice stone?”
Helios P Stephem – “Well that’s a beauty of the process. We have reduced the power of the laser so it still does the job but keeps the rock intact. There’s no wastage and the pumice is reused over and over.”
President Dane – “And now you’ve told me, I’m an accomplice. You’ve got it all worked out haven’t you, Helios?”
Helios P Stephem – “No, not at all Dan. I didn’t expect this comet to drop in and say ‘hi’. But we’re lucky it did, in a way. Surely my work can be harnessed?”
President Dane – “Why did you start to terraform Mars against all the treaties we have in place?. You didn’t know this comet was on its way.”
Helios P Stephem – “Dan, I’m the richest man in the history of the planet, I need challenges; something to strive for. I have done just about everything else on this planet there is to do. This seemed like a challenge, not just the terraformation, but how I announce it to the world. It looks like the comet did that for me. You know you’ll have to work on the GN delegates. Get them to approve terraforming. They will never have to know terraformation has begun. Even if they did, they should be grateful I seized the initiative and we are ahead of this thing. You know, if the human race is split between two planets there is almost zero chance of extinction. For continued existence we must be a spacefaring race and I believe we have started this evolution with LunarLab.”
President Dane – “Or they could think it’s all been staged.”
Helios P Stephem – “Yes Dan. I journeyed to the Kuiper Belt, grabbed this comet and told it to travel to Earth. It’s intelligent, you know.” (Thich Hanh Tu – They both laugh at this point and Stephem continues) – “Terraformation is just a contingency. Hopefully, we never have to consider the relocation of the population.”
President Dane – “Helios, what if we do need to colonise Mars?” (Thich Han Tu – They both return to a serious tone of conversation)
Helios P Stephem – “Terraformation and colonisation of Mars. The thought has crossed my mind on various occasions, Dan. We have looked at the options. There are three. One, do nothing, accept the consequences. We could possibly go the way of the Dinosaurs. Two, try and change its path. It’s better to try this sooner rather than later. Third, blow it out of space, although the goody two shoes scientists tell me this could be bad for two reasons. One, ethics and two, once blown up we could have millions of little comets travelling to Earth after the explosion, assuming each of those parts continue on their curved paths. I had a meeting last week with Juan’s team. They haven’t arrived at any decision on viable options yet. But I think the deflection approach may be their preference. The trouble is this thing will still be loose in space after deflection, with every chance it may return to its path, heading straight for Earth. So Dan, why don’t we try and get the GN to approve the terraformation of Mars as an option, while other avenues can be tried, such as deflection and interception?”
President Dane – “I can see your point, Helios, but how can I influence the decision, while avoiding their anger at your actions on Mars?”
Helios P Stephem – “I’ve given that plenty of thought, Dan. This world is far from ideal. True, we have come a long way since the 20th and 21st centuries. We no longer ravage the Earth for our benefit. The trend of planetary destruction has been reversed. The world is beginning to heal itself, but very slowly. The global population has now reached 9 billion. Our land masses have decreased and fertile land is at a premium. We are finding it very difficult to sustain life here on Earth. Although we are the most technologically advanced we have ever been as a race, think of the human tragedy which has accompanied that evolution. We now have millions of displaced families. Land which was borrowed by corrupt governments of developing nations to, in their words, grow crops for the growing global population. We know what was really going on and although a stop has been put to it, the ripples are still cascading through humanity. Luckily, we in the West regained world dominance. Had we not stopped the uncontrolled explosion from the East and the developing nations with all their corruption, I’m sure we would have been finished. Dan, maybe this is a blessing in disguise. We don’t know what Carpenter Choo really is, but it may be the catalyst which brings us as a race closer together, not to mention a fully terraformed refuge, to which we can escape at any time.”
President Dane – “A lottery system has been mentioned as we cannot accommodate 9 billion people on Mars – or (M)Earth. What will happen if we need to resort to a lottery system if the threat becomes significant? Do you know what that will do to global relations Helios? How do you control 9 billion people all suffering from mass hysteria? We would normally rely on law enforcement. That’s usually not a problem and if it is, we bring in the army. You have to realise law enforcement, the army, the navy everyone will be subsets in that global group suffering from panic and mass hysteria. What do you do when the very people on whom we rely to maintain law and order then become looters and murderers? You see Helios, these people have families as well. They want the best for their children and spouses, their parents, brothers and sisters. What do you tell a mother who has been assessed and as she possesses valuable skills as a surgeon, she has been ordered to report to a POLAR facility to start a journey to Mars, but she must leave behind her husband who is a flight instructor and baby who has been diagnosed with an insignificant illness, which will make them ineligible for relocation? It’s not a black and white world, Helios. We’re dealing with people here; with real lives. What do you think that mother and wife, not surgeon, mother and wife, will be thinking as she makes the two day ascent? We’re not talking a five minute blast into orbit. She won’t be thinking how pretty everything is below her. She’ll be thinking of her husband and child down on the surface. She’ll maybe catch a glimpse of your ingenious SolAd and realise they only have a few weeks to live. Why are most of them showing a countdown clock Helios? Why can’t they still show advertisements? What’s your obsession? While you’re not advertising you’re losing money. Anyway, she has to move to a new world and fight to keep people alive, in line with her Hippocratic Oath, knowing the people who gave her a reason for living will soon be decomposing bodies on the Earth’s surface, being eaten by scavenging animals and insects, which survived the comet’s impact. Who’ll bury them Helios? Nobody.
How lonely do you think that ascent will be for her, despite that fact she will be surrounded by thousands of ‘lucky’ lottery winners? Her mind wonders. She remembers the first time she met her husband, when their eyes met. She remembers the first time they kissed, the first time they made love. She remembers hearing the news that she was finally pregnant. Their perseverance paid off and finally she was pregnant. She carried the baby for nine months, becoming more paranoid for its safety as every day passes. Every night before she goes to bed she says a silent prayer, thanking God for not taking her baby that day, begging to keep her baby tomorrow. This ritual continues through the pregnancy. Then the nine months are up, she gives birth and there they have their bundle of joy. Everything is perfect.
She remembers the nights she stayed up with her baby daughter as she fought off the routine, but unpleasant ailments; how she would fall asleep with her baby in her arms. In the morning, her husband would come into the room and look at his two princesses, cover them up and tiptoe out of the house on his way to work. These are real people Helios.”
Helios P Stephem – “But Dan, how do you know that’s going to happen?”
President Dane – “Read this” (Thich Hanh Tu – The President opened a message he received the previous day from the woman in his scenario). “There are idiots putting self assessment apps online and this lady, just happened to complete one and this message is the result. You haven’t answered my question about your SolAds.”
Helios P Stephem – “Dan, you can’t control this. You cannot make their pain yours. It’s not right. Do you realise what that could do to you? You won’t survive. It’s true that it’s sad, but that’s life. We had disasters throughout time. Do you grieve for victims of earthquakes, floods or hurricanes. Do you become part of their lives? Do you mourn with them? Well?”
President Dane – “No.”
Helios P Stephem – “Exactly. Of course not. And why not? Because you’re human, too. Do you think that woman in the message or anyone else would care about your losses? Of course not. Rather you than them, I bet. You have to think of Number One, Dan – yourself. You have family too. Should you not think about what you would do to guarantee their safety and wellbeing too?”
President Dane – “I can see your point of view, Helios. Let’s hope it will never come to that.”
Helios P Stephem – “Dan, the other day I was asking about your campaign?”
President Dane – “Give me a break, Helios.” (Thich Hanh Tu – The President seemed irritated at this statement from Stephem)
Helios P Stephem – “Well, I may have a solution for you and funnily enough, it fits in with this comet.”
President Dane – “Go on then.”
Helios P Stephem – “This approach will have two benefits, at home and internationally. I think we’re agreed this situation could end in a very bleak future for the Earth. Correct?”
President Dane – “Correct.”
Helios P Stephem – “Forget the involvement of the GN and JÖRD for a moment. Don’t you think we should be doing all we can to mitigate the consequences of this entity?”
President Dane – “I suppose so.”
Helios P Stephem – “As you now know, I have begun the initial processes which will result in the terraformation of Mars. I know you need to gain public support. As I said before, we’re living in a world littered with disparity, when it comes to rich and poor. The number of homeless is an issue, making up a proportion of our population and internationally too. Now I’m not saying you can solve the global problem, but you can make a considerable dent in the national homeless numbers and abroad too.”
President Dane – “I’m interested, Helios. Tell me more.” (Thich Han Tu – we could hear the interest in the President’s voice at this point)
Helios P Stephem – “My third phase of Project (M)Earth will require a lot of construction and easy but important jobs. These may not be fulfilled with our current workforce. I don’t see why you cannot make use of this resource by allocating them to me. I’ll find meaningful employment for them. Additionally, they will stop the financial drain on the nation. You will be seen as a politician who is finally solving a situation by providing the solution to another. I think you will eventually be regarded as a forward thinking leader whose example and social reform model will be replicated around the world.”
President Dane – “Helios, that’s genius. Absolute freaking genius. Do you want a job on my campaign team? I bet once word of this initiative becomes known, every tramp will want a piece of the action. Hang on. How do we locate enough of them to start making a difference? They’ve dropped off the radar. They don’t want to be found.”
Helios P Stephem – “The CHIPs don’t lie, Dan.”
President Dane – “You’re right Helios, CHIPs. Why didn’t I think of that?”
(Thich Hanh Tu – The President’s elation ended abruptly) – President Dane – “What if they don’t want to be a part of society again, Helios? You know they have left it for a reason, don’t you?”
Helios P Stephem – “They will, Mr President.”
President Dane – “I don’t want a modern day Press Gang on my hands, Helios.”
Helios P Stephem – “Leave it with me, Dan. The fact you are taking homeless people off the streets will be sufficient. Other details and arrangements are not important. Agreed?”
President Dane – “Agreed.”
Helios P Stephem – “I’ll need you to raise the issue of terraforming at the next GN meeting. When is it?”
President Dane – “In four days. We’ve had to call an impromptu meeting to discuss the comet. I think I can eloquently state the case; even if it is just a contingency.”
Helios P Stephem – “Thanks, Dan.”
President Dane – “Helios. I have never thanked you for all you do for me and this great nation of ours. We’re all in your debt. You have proven to be a loyal and trustworthy friend and business associate. You manage to remain focussed when those around you seem to lose theirs.”
Helios P Stephem – “Not a problem, Dan. Thanks for your help as well. With your sanction, I hope we can start to build a refuge on Mars.”
President Dane – “Don’t you mean (M)Earth?”
Helios P Stephem – “Exactly.”
We had to listen to this conversation a few times to fully take in what was said. Both of these men are ambitious, but is it achieved to the detriment of others? Their motives are selfish in the short term, but does the success of each man then benefit all mankind? This is a point we discussed for a while and are still not entirely sure. We will need to wait and see how this threat from space plays out and what effect each of these men’s actions have on the human race. The actions of Stephem to begin terraforming Mars we think shows a disregard for rules and regulations, but his willingness to use the planet as a refuge in the face of the threat shows a level of compassion.
The referral to the homeless by the President as ‘tramps’ was disappointing to hear, but we cannot judge his motives just yet as he is under extreme pressure and this was said during a private conversation. Also Stephem’s insulting comments regarding the East and developing nations is definitely opposite to the face he shows the world. They mentioned the use of chips, which I have been informed by my learned brothers are tiny devices placed in thousands of food items, almost like additives. Their function is to pass through the human body, gather and transmit data which is transmitted to the host’s Doctor or medical companies for realtime health status updates and early diagnosis of illness. These will be explained in the additional information section of this site.
According to the president, meetings were scheduled soon after this conversation with Stephem and we will investigate those and update you. We will also continue to monitor the unauthorised terraformation of Mars, the actions of Helios P Stephem and Stephem Enterprises. Our search for the truth and to bring it to you continues.
Jeh Yong.
Thich Hanh Tu.
What is Project (M)Earth? 