>>>>>
>>>>> Then don’t. You don’t have to be disloyal to the legacy
>>>>> at all—expand it.
>>>>>
>>>>> Look, the changes in the Ministry have partly come
>>>>> about because of his protests. People listened. Things
>>>>> were done. Now it’s time to move forward from here.
>>>>> You get a chance to be part of that. I really don’t see a
>>>>> problem here.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyway, you know the explosion seems to have been
>>>>> serendipitous, right? The chemicals splattered in the
>>>>> Shaft are having certain effects over time. It’s given
>>>>> terraformers so much data to work with. Aunt Alyssa
>>>>> always says so, and she thinks they’re on the right path,
>>>>> making the best of that disaster. There might eventually
>>>>> be an atmosphere on the Moon because of it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 13 January 2096, “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> From: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>> maec.gov.sg>
>>>>>> Sent: 13 January 2096, 8:47 am
>>>>>> To: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What to do?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> How he feels isn’t about his own situation, it’s about
>>>>>> what they did to the Moon. You can compensate him
>>>>>> for his arm—and anyway, the prosthesis is hardly
>>>>>> noticeable. But you can’t compensate the Moon for the
>>>>>> Shaft. It was a stupid plan from the beginning, and Pa
>>>>>> told them so. He said over and over that we had to stop
>>>>>> applying cowboy politics to space exploration, but they
>>>>>> did it anyway.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I agree with Pa, and I agree with you. Times have
>>>>>> changed, the administration has changed. But history
>>>>>> hasn’t. I don’t want to be disloyal to Pa’s legacy.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 13 January 2096, “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> From: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>>> Sent: 13 January 2096, 8:39 am
>>>>>>> To: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>> maec.gov.sg>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What to do?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I am mad.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You still didn’t answer my question. What more do
>>>>>>> you want? It’s a new minister—one who’s clearly
>>>>>>> quite keen to have you aboard—and a whole new
>>>>>>> administration. What’s the point of “how Pa feels
>>>>>>> about MAEC”?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 13 January 2096, “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> From: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>> maec.gov.sg>
>>>>>>>> Sent: 13 January 2096, 8:39 am
>>>>>>>> To: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: What to do?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Whew. You took a while to answer. Thought you
>>>>>>>> were mad.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 13 January 2096, “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> From: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>>>> Sent: 13 January 2096, 8:38 am
>>>>>>>> To: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>> maec.gov.sg>
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: Re: Re: What to do?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Aiyoh. A betrayal? Really?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> You and Pa… Why do you still hold onto old
>>>>>>>> grudges? What has it been, 35 years since the
>>>>>>>> explosion? Look, they compensated him as best
>>>>>>>> they can, and he’s lived a long productive life.
>>>>>>>> What more do you want?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 13 January 2096, “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> From: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>>>>> Sent: 13 January 2096, 8:11 am
>>>>>>>>> To: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: Re: What to do?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Not worried about jinxing anything. I’m not
>>>>>>>>> pantang you know. I know it’s unlikely he has a
>>>>>>>>> whole year left in him. I understand the timeframe
>>>>>>>>> and know the offer “fits”—he’d be gone before
>>>>>>>>> my departure for the Moon, one way or another.
>>>>>>>>> (Sorry to be crude.)
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> It’s the other stuff. You know how he feels about
>>>>>>>>> MAEC. If I work for them, is that a betrayal?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On 13 January 2096, “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> From: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: 13 January 2096, 8:10 am
>>>>>>>>>> To: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>>> maec.gov.sg>
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: What to do?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hey, just do what you feel is best for your career.
>>>>>>>>>> I’ll make sure Pa is well taken care of. Honestly,
>>>>>>>>>> I don’t think he’ll make it much longer. He’s
>>>>>>>>>> going downhill fast. That last infection really
>>>>>>>>>> took its toll.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Please don’t say I’m jinxing anything either.
>>>>>>>>>> I’m just trying to be honest about the situation.
>>>>>>>>>> Pa’s condition shouldn’t hold you back.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Don’t overthink it.
>>>>>>>>>> A
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On 13 January 2096, “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> From: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: 1 September 2098, 12:19 pm
>>>>>>>>>>> To: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: What to do?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Dear Ani,
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I’m back from SG now. As I already knew
>>>>>>>>>>> before I went, the job is a perfect fit for me.
>>>>>>>>>>> Don’t know what to do though. It doesn’t
>>>>>>>>>>> quite feel right, with Pa being…you know.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> What should I do?
>>>>>>>>>>> F
On 17 October 2098, “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
From: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
Sent: 17 October 2098, 12:16 pm
To: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: dates are set
Send four. I didn’t want to tell you until you were on your way.
Afraid it might make you hesitate.
Love,
Ani
> On 17 October 2098, “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
> From: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
> Sent: 17 October 2098 12:15 pm
> To: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
> mnmmail.com>
> Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: dates are set
>
> I dug out this old thread and was just reading through it again,
> laughing about it. I miss you already, and we’ve only left Earth
> a few hours ago.
>
> Sayang the kids for me, and tell them there’ll be three moon
> rocks on the way as soon as I get there.
>
> Love you guys,
> Fil
>
>
>
>> On 1 September 2098, “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> From: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>> [email protected]>
>> Sent: 1 September 2098, 8:36 pm
>> To: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>> Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: dates are set
>>
>> Facts, facts, facts.
>> Why you think I’m an art teacher?
>>
>> The kids send their love. And they are asking you to send a
>> moon rock.
>>
>> Love you, Di. And we’ll miss you,
>> Ani
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 1 September 2098, “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>> From: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>> gov.sg>
>>> Sent: 1 September 2098, 8:32 pm
>>> To: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>> mnmmail.com>
>>> Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: dates are set
>>>
>>> Sigh.
>>>
>>> http://www.space.com/18566-pluto-distance.html
>>> http://www.universetoday.com/103206/what-is-the
>>> distance-to-the-moon/
>>> http://web2.0calc.com
>>>
>>> Check your facts lah, Jie.
>>>
>>> Fil
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 1 September 2098, “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> From: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>> [email protected]>
>>>> Sent: 1 September 2098, 8:28 pm
>>>> To: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>> Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: dates are set
>>>>
>>>> Di,
>>>>
>>>> Ha!
>>>> Well, when it comes to the distance, might as well be Pluto.
>>>>
>>>> Ani
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On 1 September 2098, “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> From: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>> maec.gov.sg>
>>>>> Sent: 1 September 2098, 8:26 pm
>>>>> To: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>> Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: dates are set
>>>>>
>>>>> Don’t be silly.
>>>>> http://www.universetoday.com/85749/is-the-moon-a-planet/
>>>>>
>>>>> Fil
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 1 September 2098, “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> From: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>> Sent: 1 September 2098, 8:16 pm
>>>>>> To: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>> gov.sg>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: Re: Re: dates are set
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Di,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Planet, moon… Very different meh?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Love,
>>>>>> Ani
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 1 September 2098, “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> From: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>> maec.gov.sg>
>>>>>> Sent: 1 September 2098, 8:14 pm
>>>>>> To: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: Re: dates are set
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Jie,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Rubbish. It’s not another planet. It’s the Moon. Not
>>>>>> like I’m going to Mars, okay?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So kua zhang—like always!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Love,
>>>>>> Fil
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 1 September 2098, “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> From: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>>> Sent: 1 September 2098, 7:57 pm
>>>>>>> To: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>> maec.gov.sg>
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: dates are set
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Di,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It won’t be different? Siow lah, you! You’re going to
>>>>>>> be ON ANOTHER PLANET!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> But I’m proud of you. I know this is what you want.
>>>>>>> And you’re good at it. I doubt they could find anyone
>>>>>>> else to do the job half as well.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Love,
>>>>>>> Ani
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 1 September 2098, “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> From: “Filipe Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>> maec.gov.sg>
>>>>>>>> Sent: 1 September 2098, 12:19 pm
>>>>>>>> To: “Anna Marie Monteiro-Ng”
>>>>>>>> [email protected]>
>>>>>>>> Subject: dates are set
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Jie,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> posting to the Moon. I leave on 17 October. I know
>>>>>>>> what you’re going to say—why not after Christmas?
>>>>>>>> But after Christmas, there’s New Year, then CNY…
>>>>>>>> You know how it goes. I think I’m figuring something
>>>>>>>> out: there’s no perfect time to leave home for such
>>>>>>>> a distant locale, especially when the posting specifies
>>>>>>>> “and beyond”. It’s one thing to fly around the planet,
>>>>>>>> because you always know you can get home in a
>>>>>>>> day or so. It just feels different, somehow, going to
>>>>>>>> the Moon. Who knows when I’ll be back?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I wonder if this was how explorers and colonists
>>>>>>>> long ago felt? They set out knowing they might
>>>>>>>> never see their homes again. It must have been
>>>>>>>> worse for them, because they couldn’t communicate
>>>>>>>> so easily across those great distances like we can
>>>>>>>> now. At least we’ll have email, calls, video, holos
>>>>>>>> and WeChat. I’ll send lots of pictures. It won’t be
>>>>>>>> that different from now, really. We haven’t lived in
>>>>>>>> the same city since you got married anyway.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Love,
>>>>>>>> Fil
Adi took the spanner from Ping’s hand, noticing the wedge-shaped wrinkles between his dark eyebrows as the pilot-engineer thought.
“Anything wrong?” Adi asked.
Ping shook his head. “I don’t think so, mate. Everything looks fine. I’m not sure what’s been causing the bumpy ride these past few days.”
“Maybe we can take a week or so to give her a thorough check when we reach Phoebe. I could help with that before I got started on my mission. The ship’s always top priority.”
“Yeah.” Ping shrugged inside his space suit. “Rhea’s rings were visible to the naked eye just this morning. I guess that means we’ve just got a couple of days until we reach Phoebe. Looks like she’ll hold together for that long without any problem.”
Adi pointed towards the hatch and said, “Then you go in and I’ll get this closed up before I follow, alright?”
“Sure. Sorry to have disturbed your nap for nothing.”
“Running diagnostics isn’t nothing,” Adi replied, “even if nothing turns up.”
Ping laughed. “You should have time to finish your nap over the next couple of days. Abhilasha and I have some plans to make before we land.”
When the hatch closed behind Ping, Adi turned back to seal the access panel over the circuit board. When that was done, the droid turned to look for Rhea’s rings. He hadn’t dared check to see if they were visible when Ping mentioned them. He knew that would have been an invitation for constant teasing about “the daydreaming droid” and such nonsense.
Launch Pad Page 10