Book One - Prologue

“The dreamworld is but another kind of reality, waiting to be discovered. Open your mind to the possibility of this, and the door will open of its own accord.”

- Caedmon O’Tuathail - Recollections IV, year 2519

Date: Year 2530 according to the Galactic Calendar

Location: Unknown Planet - Mid Risk Zone - MUD Territory - Galia

Caedmon O’Tuathail stood at the navigation console Clann Aodha’s Fimbul BYOS Tankship. The Clann’s flagship.

He looked out through one of the square windows at a small planet, which was centred in the view.

The look on Caedmon’s face was one of rapture and awe; his eyes glittering with an almost childlike excitement. He was a handsome man of medium height and a powerful physique. He had a square jaw, which was covered by a thick grey beard, piercing blue eyes, bushy eyebrows and shaved pate. If it were not for his grey beard and eyebrows, no one would have guessed that he was in his late seventies.

Caedmon breathed in a deep breath and turned away from the window, his expression changing to one of seriousness. There were a couple of other occupants in the room who were physically present, but the majority were present as flickering holograms. The holograms comprised the head and faces of the fourteen other Clann Leaders. The room presented an eerie scene as thirteen disembodied and slightly glowing heads bobbed in the air. Caedmon had turned back to a loud argument between the heads of Darragh Finegan, the Clann leader of Fir Li, and Diarmait Mac Conboirne, the Clann leader from Clann Tomaltaigh.

“We do not even know if life is possible on that planet,” said Diarmait sourly. “And the astronomical cost that would be required to terraform an entire planet would likely bankrupt us all. And for what? So that we can satisfy the whims of a delusional old fool plagued by mushroom induced visions. The Ireland of old is gone and so is the Irish Traveller spirit with it. We should accept this and move on.”

“Firstly,” countered Darragh. “There already is life there. Admittedly, it is all single cellular organisms, but they are living nonetheless. Secondly, it is a very small planet as far as planets go, so the cost would not be as astronomical as you might think. Not to mention Clann Aodha has proposed to front the initial terraforming costs on their own if need be and recoup the funds at a later date once the colony is established. So financial considerations should not be an obstacle to joining for your Clann.

“Thirdly, Clann Aodha’s research teams have already confirmed that the requisite conditions for life exist on the planet. Specifically, conditions necessary for human life. We would be able to grow all the old Terran plants, crops, trees we wanted with such atmospheric conditions and long extinct animals from ancient Ireland would once again have a home. The chances of finding an uninhabited and unclaimed planet that has almost the exact atmospheric and gravitational conditions that we require is statistically absurdly unlikely. And yet there it is, waiting for us. I do not understand your reticence, Diarmait.”

“Well, it has two moons. Earth had only one moon,” complained Diarmait. “And the nearest star is much closer than the sun was to Earth. We could never recreate our long lost Ireland as she once was on Earth with such different conditions. Plus, by all reports, it is actually quite poor in valuable mining resources.”

Darragh sighed loudly but before he could respond, Caedmon spoke up and said, “If it is okay, I would like to respond to the statements made. The purpose is not to recreate Earth exactly as it was. That would be practically impossible. The intention is to create a home-world for our remaining people. The extra moon will not impact the living conditions or the viability of the planet as a home world. It will definitely have some impact, but not in any significantly detrimental way. In fact, I quite like the idea of having two celestial guardians orbiting around us instead of simply one.”

Caedmon was now striding back and forth whilst he spoke.

“As to your comment that the sun is relatively closer to this planet than the sun was to Earth and therefore as a consequence I assume you imply that this would somehow impact the conditions for life, I can with absolute confidence say that this is incorrect. Our scientists have determined that the much stronger magnetic field surrounding the planet counters the greater exposure to solar radiation resulting from closer proximity to the nearest star. The reason for this is that our scans have indicated that an extremely dense metal, which generates a powerful magnetic field, composes the centre of the planet. The significant density of the core also explains why, despite being a smaller planet, the gravitational force is surprisingly similar to that which once existed on Earth.”

Caedmon halted his march and quickly pivoted around to face the crowd of holographic heads.

”Finally,” he resumed. “Whilst the planet is relatively poor in precious metals and rare mineral resources, which we know typically garner a higher price in the marketplace, it does have many large deposits of industrial metals, which are important resources for construction and ship manufacturing.”

A few moments of silence passed as the gathered leaders processed this information.

Another voice spoke up, a female voice, which belonged to Orla Conroy, Clann Leader of Clann Fearghaile. “Have we scouted out the neighbouring regions? Is it truly unclaimed? Is it wise to create a home planet at this location given how close to the border of the medium-risk zone and the high-risk zone we are right now?”

Caedmon responded, “We have sent scouts to explore all the four other planets within this solar system. None of them are inhabited, and none appear to have been mined or visited. At least not recently, as far as we can tell. Whilst scans have indicated the presence of mineable resources on the planets and their moons, none of the other four planets are suitable for establishing a home world. This planet before us is the only one with the perfect conditions we require. I would also point out that at least one neighbouring planet has been found to contain moderately large deposits of rare metals, which once claimed we would be able to mine exclusively.”

“But why hasn’t this planet ever been colonised before if it is so perfect for human living conditions?” asked Orla.

“This location is off the path of frequently used shipping lanes, which would explain why it has remained undiscovered for so long. That being said, it is still within the medium-risk zone, which would decrease the chances of rogue pirate attacks. But pirates would not be an issue if we made this our home world. It would be very unlikely that pirates would choose to attack such a heavily protected and fortified location. We would, in effect, rule this entire solar system.”

“But Jorvik pirates may attack us as we leave the planet or on our return journeys,” said Orla.

“Just in the same way that they may attack you on any given day at present,” snapped Caedmon sharply, an edge of anger entering his voice. “You currently travel through Galia in small, poorly protected fleets of merchant ships. Every day as a space merchant is a risk. This will forever be a risk for our people as we have specialised in the business of freighting merchandise across Galia, however, I do believe that having an official nation state with treaties, foreign alliances and a single, powerful and coordinated national military that could provide the proper escorts needed for our merchant fleets, would in fact reduce these risks.”

Caedmon turned back to the window, his hands clasped behind him. He looked out across the intervening space between his ship and the planet, and his expression immediately softened. A moment later, he began speaking again.

“But the main reason we need a home world is so that we can provide the majority of our Clanns’ populations with a better life. A sanctuary world of sorts. A world that would be protected from the harsh realities of space life by a mighty national military force. A place to live and prosper in. We have the opportunity to manifest a beautiful, natural world of our own creation. The nature of old, the nature that our ancient Gaelic forefathers once lived in harmony with.”

He now turned back to the room. “Clann Aodha has retained all the genetic coding for all the flora and fauna that once lived and thrived on the ancient Terran island of Ireland prior to the 17th Century AD, according to the old Terran calendar system. I have had many visions of recreating such a paradise for our beleaguered people. We know we are likely the last remaining descendants of the Irish Travellers. The same wandering spirit that urged our ancestors to roam endlessly lives on in us, and it is precisely because of this spirit of exploration that our forefathers, along with the other MUD humans, left the then dying Earth so many years past.

“But I also believe that it is once again time for us to find our own home world, our new Ireland, an island within space upon which we can forge a new destiny and reconnect with our past. With our traditions. With that which makes us who we are,” he paused, his voice filling with sadness as he continued, “for I see that with every passing generation we lose a little more of ourselves and if we continue on this trajectory, we soon will not be any different from any of the other MUD humans in Galia.”

Caedmon scanned his eyes across the room, trying to engage with the holographic faces of each of the gathered Clann leaders.

He resumed speaking. “I therefore implore you, my brethren, my kin, my fellow Gaelic Clannsmen. Let us take a leap of faith and secure a future for our people. Let us deliberate no further, for enough time has already been wasted. I have been led to this day by a vision that has haunted me my entire life. This is our destiny. Clann Aodha will create a new world upon this planet, of that I am certain, and we would love for all the other Clanns to join us. This new world will be called Bohemia, for this word encapsulates all that is beautiful, creative and free within the Irish Traveller spirit, whilst also acknowledging the importance of accepting change and the power found in new beginnings. It is this nomadic Gaelic spirit that will give life to all that Bohemia will one day become.”

The silence was palpable in the wake of his long speech.

“So who will join Clann Aodha in creating the new world of Bohemia?” cried Caedmon, punching the air with his right fist, the clarion call of his words echoing through the room and into the flight decks of fourteen other ships.

A chorus of voices spoke up all at once, each pledging their Clann to the grand vision. Orla of Clann Fearghaile was the last to call out her Clann’s name, her voice hesitant and wavering, but call it out she did.

But one Clann leader had not spoken up; Diarmait Mac Conboirne of Clann Tomaltaigh.

Caedmon turned to the hovering holograph that depicted Diarmait and asked, “Friend Diarmait, will you join us in recreating paradise?”

The response from Diarmait was immediate. “I am no friend of yours, Caedmon O’Tuathail of Clann Aodha,” he spat. “You and your wretched cronies can go settle on a cold, desolate, alien planet if you wish, but Clann Tomaltaigh will have no part of it. The only Ireland that has ever existed and will ever exist was the Ireland on Earth, which is no more. Your vision of a new pagan Ireland filled with false gods is an insult to our ancestors.”

Diarmait’s voice rose significantly in volume at this point. “You may have poisoned the minds of my fellow kin, but you have not fooled me. I look forward to coming back here one day to pillage the remains of your failed utopia. I will laugh as you cry over the ashes of an unholy world created from your own hubris. May you never have a hearth to call your own!”