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mining collieries were reopened, drained and repaired after Tyther and Fathom scientists pointed out, that under the coal, some of which had once driven the Industrial Revolution and two World Wars, was an enormous tonnage of zinithium. Using new techniques and the greater technology of the Zeinonians they had bored new mine shafts and were now bringing up significant tonnage of zinithium, quantities that would have only ever been dreamed about when the coal industry was in its heyday. Everyone was growing rich.
    This never ending supply of the powerful raw material brought about a considerable leap in the Earth’s technology – previous deserts were dusted with the zinithium and within weeks flowing grasslands appeared. The Sahara became a rich land for farming and Africa was one part of the world that saw an immediate impact on its quality of life due to food shortages becoming a thing of the past. Plentiful food was not the only success as medical enhancements leapt forward. It was a unique moment in Earth history when cancer was eradicated, as a new X-ray like scanner pumped zinithium into the body killing the diseased cells with very few side effects. On the days leading to the launch of the Expeditionary Task Force the Zeinonians had started on enhancing humans’ ability to travel by teleporting. This was not a straightforward task with the huge volumes of people – they had started with small groups and hoped to increase numbers with time.
    Tyson looked at the still half a sleep and slightly stunned faces of some of the previously sedated civilians, who had been nominated for the journey. Some of the greatest minds from all fields were on this ship. There were biologists, civil engineers, physicists and geologists to name but a few of the professions supporting the quest.Chosen from a wish list of the Inner Council the majority had put away their fear of the unknown to have a chance to see a new galaxy and alter mankind’s destiny.
    Someone slapped Tyson on the back. ‘Hey, dreamer how are you?’ It was Hechkle and beside him was a grinning Bronstorm. Tyson’s face lit up and he gave them both a firm handshake and a manly clasp around their shoulders.
    ‘See you have put a bit of weight on, big fella,’ said Bailey to Hechkle.
    The giant of a man leaned forward as if to hit him and Bailey briefly flinched, at which point Hechkle roared with laughter and good naturedly rubbed his still very firm stomach and said, ‘Well Bailey, I am like you, I needs my food, boy.’
    ‘Look at that?’ said Gemma, pointing out into space, ‘Hi Tyson,’ she added with a long appraising look at him. Amelia saw the look and hooked her arm protectively around his as they joined her. Gemma just shrugged her shoulders and turned her attention back to what had caught her attention. Separating them from space was the floor to ceiling of specially toughened glass. The vision gave them a wonderful, clear view of their surroundings outside the ship.
    They stared out in amazement at one of the ships providing escort duties, which since they had entered their cubicles prior to launch, they hadn’t seen in all its glory. The ship was a quarter the size of the Elanda , with its beautiful sleek hull making its serene way though the cloak of blackness that surrounded it. The ship name, Manhattan , glistened in black italics on the side of the silver hulk named in honour of the New Yorkers who had lost their lives. They could only guess how impressive the much larger Elanda looked to those on the Manhattan . The other ship which flanked them on the other side and was hidden from their view was named Brooklyn .
    Behind the ship the depths of space stared back at them, deep, never ending and mysterious. The friends looked out in awe, slightly intimidated by what they saw. None of them could have expected to experience what they were seeing now with their own eyes. The noise around them grew as more of the third deck personnel sleepily awoke