by S. E. Smith
“Because it isn’t the planet that we want to explore,” Julia replied in a soft voice. She raised the remote and clicked to the next slide. “My father was looking in the direction of Gliese 581 for planets. Instead, he found this.”
Julia watched as each member of her audience frowned and sat forward. Their gaze was glued to the image, or rather, the strange, unnatural object in the image. She clicked to the next slide. This picture was taken just six months ago by a new Russian space telescope. It was slightly smaller, but more powerful than the aging Hubble.
“What the…?” Ash exclaimed, rising out of his seat.
“What is it?” Josh demanded, glancing at Julia briefly before turning his gaze back to the slide.
“It looks mechanical,” Sergi exclaimed.
“It is too symmetrical to have been made naturally,” Mei whispered, sitting forward in excitement.
“We don’t know, but we are going to find out,” Julia replied. “This is our destination. The Gliese 581 is almost complete. A select group of top scientists from all over the world have been working day and night for years. This project was too big for just one country and if we find what we suspect is out there, it will affect every person on this planet. This could be the answer to where we came from… and whether we are alone or not in the universe.”
Mei glanced at Julia. “If word of this spread to the public, there would be world-wide chaos,” she stated in concern.
“Yes,” Julia agreed. “In addition, the President thought it best that the launch occurred before the new presidential elections to prevent the project from either being canceled or publicized. That is the reason for the short window of time.”
“Good ole politics, ruling the roost again,” Ash muttered under his breath. “I’d like to send a few politicians on this one way trip.”
Julia bit back a chuckle and nodded. She turned and watched as Josh stepped forward toward the screen. His face was chiseled into a hard mask. She turned to stare up at the screen. It didn’t matter how many times she gazed at it, she still felt that yearning deep down inside to know if the object in these images her father took were real, and if they were, why were they there?
“How long will it take to reach it?” Josh asked in a quiet tone.
“Approximately thirteen months,” Julia replied. “The object is twice the distance from the Earth to Jupiter.”
“Thirteen? What type of propulsion system does the spaceship have?” Ash asked in surprise.
Julia smiled when she heard the curiosity mixed with a touch of wonder in Ash’s voice. “A new combination ion-solar propulsion system that was a joint effort between China, Russia, and the U.S.,” Julia answered, “The scientists in China and Russia are just as curious as we are to see if it works. Of course, due to the nature of this mission, it is for a different reason. They believe we are going to Mars.”
“This is why my father is backing this project. He has always believed that it was possible to go to another planet. Does he know about the true nature of this mission?” Mei asked. “Does he know that I have been chosen to be a member of the crew?”
“He does now. That is one reason I was delayed. Your father’s company, and his standing with the Chinese government, was imperative to the success of this mission. I met with the President and your father last night. You are one of the most qualified members of this project to slide into the position. I needed the clearance to not only tell all of you, but also meet with your father. He has agreed to continue to offer support and to remain quiet about the true destination,” Julia replied. “I admit, there was some hesitation about allowing you to be a part of the crew because you have a family. Your father wanted me to assure you that he is very proud to have you as a member.”
Julia drew in a deep breath and braced herself for the question that she knew was bound to be asked. It was a question she and the original crew members had discussed numerous times over the past several years. She briefly closed her eyes when she heard Josh draw in a deep breath and she stiffened her shoulders.
“None of us have a family, that was why we were chosen, isn’t it? There is an expectation that we won’t make it back. Why?” Josh asked.
Julia opened her eyes and gazed back at the expression of hesitation and suspicion in Josh’s eyes. A rueful smile curved her lips at the corner, but didn’t quite reach her eyes. Now was the moment of truth, would everyone still agree to the mission or would they decide they didn’t want to take the chance.
“Because my father and I suspected that it might be a gateway. New data continues to support that possibility. If it is, there is a chance we might activate it,” she whispered.
“Are you saying like a Stargate of some kind?” Ash asked.
Julia looked back up at the blurred circular object. “Yes,” she replied.
“Well, shit,” Ash muttered, stepping over to stand near Josh. “I always knew following you was going to get me into a world of trouble. I just never expected it to be out of the solar system.”
Josh grimaced. “Isn’t that the truth,” he muttered under his breath, staring at the image again.
Julia turned at the small group. “So, do I tell the President that it is a go?” She asked in a slightly tense tone.
“Go for me,” Josh replied, turning to look at her.
“It’s a go for me,” Ash said with a nod.
Julia turned to look at Sergi. He was frowning up at the screen before he turned and gave her a crooked grin. She returned his smile.
“Someone has to figure out how to make it work,” Sergi replied with a shrug. “I can fix just about anything. I will go.”
“Mei?” Julia asked in a soft tone. “Out of all of us, you have the most to lose. You have your family.”
Mei glanced at the others before rising and taking a step closer to the screen. She was silent for several long seconds before she turned with a serene smile on her face. Her eyes glowed with determination.
“My family will understand,” Mei said. “My father has always been proud of my achievements. He would never have backed this project if he did not believe in it. It is an honor to go.”
“Thank you,” Julia breathed in relief.
Chapter 4
Eighteen months later:
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
“The first umbilical tower has separated,” Launch Control stated.
“Copy thirty-eight,” a woman’s voice echoed in the background. “Auto-sequence has been initiated.”
“Roger, twenty seconds and counting,” Launch Control responded. “The final umbilical tower has now separated. Engines have fired with maximum thrust and we have liftoff from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 1:42 a.m. on their way to Gliese 581.”
“Good first stage performance,” Josh said sixty seconds later into the microphone attached to his helmet.
“Roll pitch is nominal,” Ash stated. “All systems normal.”
Josh breathed in and out, in calm even breaths, as the Soyuz rocket went through the different stages necessary before breaking through Earth’s orbit. He followed Ash’s self-assured movements over the controls as he monitored their flight path and the systems.
“Welcome to the twilight zone, boys and girls,” Ash said as they exited the outer atmosphere.
Josh kept his eyes focused on the paper in front of him. This was their second trip into space. The first had been a year ago. That was when he caught his initial glance at Gliese 581.
It had been one of the most magnificent pieces of technology that he had ever seen. He remembered Sergi and Mei teasing him and Ash. It was at that moment when he knew he had made the right decision.
“So, you think we were going to travel through space in a tin can?” Sergi had asked him with a grin. “If it helps, my friend, I felt the same way when I first saw the Gliese. She is a magnificent ship, is she not?”
“She had better be! She has some of the most advance technology known to man aboard her,” Me
i replied.
Sergi rolled his eyes. “Mei’s father’s company supplied a great deal of the technology being used,” he murmured, before wincing. “She didn’t want anyone to know that, though.”
“There is no keeping it a secret with you telling everyone. My father has always had a fascination with space,” Mei growled in exasperation before she grinned. “Besides, every time Sergi tells someone, it gives me a chance to hit him.”
Sergi gave him and Ash a pained expression. “I should never have shown her how to fight,” he muttered in pretend resignation.
Mei and Julia’s laughter filled the cockpit. Sergi and Mei’s constant picking on each other had become a source of entertainment among the crew. They were both intelligent and enjoyed the banter, which made it even more fun to watch as they tried to outdo each other.
“Mission Control, turning over control for core rendezvous and docking sequence,” Ash said, jerking Josh back to the present.
“Copy,” Mission control responded.
“We can see the pictures. Three hundred meters and closing. Begin fly around,” Ash responded.
“We see thrusters are working and we are moving to docking assembly. Copy,” Mission Control responded.
Josh watched on the screens as the docking mechanism came into view. Mission control continued to give them information as the two docking assemblies lined up. A few minutes later, there was a soft jerk and the sound of the docking assembly locking.
“Locking assembly has engaged, Gliese 581. Welcome aboard your new home,” Mission Control stated.
“Copy that, Mission Control,” Ash responded with a grin as he finished the final shut down and prepared to open the connecting hatch. “Let’s go take a look at our new home.”
*.*.*
Five days later, Josh stood in front of the huge virtual window, looking down at the Earth. Two of the crew members from the International Space Station had departed an hour before with the capsule that had brought them here. The two cosmonauts would dock with the outlying structure that had been used as a base during construction of the Gliese 581. They would release the last of the tethers. The remaining base would be joined to the International Space Station. At the moment they were waiting for final approval from Mission Control to begin a voyage unlike anything man has ever done before.
“It is good to know that the artificial gravity works,” Julia commented as she gripped the handhelds near the doorway and lowered her feet to the floor before stepping inside the main control and living area. “Though, I have to admit floating is fun.”
“It is more than fun,” Mei laughed as she came up behind Julia. “I missed this part of being in space.”
“Not as much as I missed watching you bounce off of things,” Sergi retorted with a grin.
Mei turned and pushed Sergi backwards when he tried to come into the control room. Grabbing the handheld, she nimbly lowered her feet to the floor and stepped into the area with the artificial gravity. She glanced over her shoulder and grinned when Sergi stumbled.
“It is not as easy as it looks,” he grumbled, flashing a quick grin.
Mei tossed her braid over her shoulder and laughed. “You are just clumsy,” she retorted, darting out of Sergi’s reach when he started to grab for her braid. “And slow.”
Josh couldn’t keep the amused grin from escaping. He wondered if those two would be like this the entire journey. Turning back, he stared down at the Earth again as the others slowly made their way over one at a time to join him.
“I wonder if we will ever see it again,” Mei asked in a soft voice.
“I don’t see why not,” Josh replied, shooting a glance at Julia’s calm face. “We get out there, find out what the object is, and come back.”
“Almost three years in space, a trillion million miles from any other living soul, and totally self-reliant on a massive piece of equipment that looks great on paper, but has never been put to the test,” Sergi reflected, rubbing his chin before he dropped his hand and shrugged. “It will be a piece of pie. I would say we have a billion to one chance of making it back in one piece.”
“It is a piece of cake,” Mei growled, turning and punching Sergi in the arm. “I’m going to go check on my plants.”
“What?! What did I say this time? Mei!” Sergi groaned. “Chinese women are too difficult to understand.”
Josh watched as Ash hastily moved aside as Mei swept past him. Ash’s eyebrows rose when Sergi quickly followed. A grin curved Josh’s lips when he saw the expression on Ash’s face. It wouldn’t be long before his friend joined in the fun.
“What’d I miss this time?” Ash asked.
“Mei asked if we would ever see Earth again,” Julia replied before Josh could say anything.
“And Sergi’s answer was…?” Ash asked, glancing back at the other two members of the crew who had disappeared through the doorway.
“A rundown of how far we are going in a prototype spaceship with no backup if something were to go wrong,” Julia answered with a brief glance at Josh. “I have some tests to run before we get too much further away. Please, excuse me.”
Ash and Josh watched as Julia disappeared in the opposite direction. Each person had to deal with the reality of their decision. It didn’t matter that they had been training non-stop for the past eighteen months for this mission.
In the end, all the talk, all the planning, couldn’t quite prepare them mentally for what was ahead. If something happened, there wouldn’t be a damn thing anyone on Earth could do to save them. The knowledge that they would have to depend on each other, and a never-before-tested spaceship on a maiden voyage into the unknown, was unsettling and it would take time for each person to come to terms with it.
Josh understood this. It was one of the things his dad had talked to him about before each mission. For the first time in his life, he could finally appreciate what his father had been trying to tell him. His father’s quiet voice rang through his memory.
“Every mission could be your last, son,” Edward Manson said. “You can’t go into it thinking about that. You focus on what needs to be done. In the back of your mind, there is always the thought of what could go wrong, that is why we train for it, but we don’t let it consume us. If you do, if you quit, then you are doomed to failure and failure in space means death.”
Josh jerked back to the present when he felt Ash touch his arm. He pressed his lips into a firm line and nodded. He turned when he heard the sound of the communications console chime.
“Call the others,” he ordered. “It’s time to go.”
Chapter 5
Gliese 581 – Eighteen months; twenty-three days; four hours: 928,081,020 km/6.2 Astronomical Units (AU) from Earth.
“I won’t even say the words running through my head,” Ash murmured, standing next to Josh and looking at the virtual wall. “I know this is what the mission was about, but damn if I really thought we’d find anything.”
“We’ve been observing it for the last two months, why would you think it is not real?” Sergi asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I don’t know. It could have something to do with the huge yellow dancing globes that you programmed into the computer last month,” Ash retorted, thankful his dark skin prevented the slight flush he still felt at being caught unaware of Sergi’s latest prank.
Sergi chuckled. “It was Mei’s idea. She saw you playing the game in the recreation room,” he replied with a grin that faded as he grew serious. “This will require numerous space walks, you understand that, don’t you, Josh? I need to be able to get up close to study it.”
“I know,” Josh replied. “Not yet, though. I want to evaluate the situation before we do anything that could compromise any member of this ship or the Gliese.”
“It does not look like a ship,” Mei reflected, her gaze moving over the large circular structure.
“The new photographs indicate there might be more than one,” Julia replied, coming up to stand near the others. “I
believe they are lined up in a row.”
“A row? Can you bring up the photographs for us?” Josh asked with a frown.
Julia nodded her head. “This is the last photograph that was taken an hour ago. I didn’t notice there were others at first. They are in perfect alignment,” she responded, touching the tablet and bringing up the image to the upper right of the screen.
Josh studied the grainy image. They should reach the object in another few days. He had been in contact with Earth through the communication beacons that they had deployed as they moved away from the earth. The technology for it had been developed by Mei’s father’s company. The return messages from earth had been clear, do whatever was necessary to document the object, retrieve it if he could, and return to Earth as soon as possible.
“Have you been able to determine if there is any activity?” Josh asked Sergi.
“No,” Sergi replied. “Nothing yet. I need to get closer.”
Josh nodded. “How soon until we are close enough to do a spacewalk, Ash?” He asked, not taking his gaze off the image in front of him.
“Two days,” Ash replied.
Josh turned away from the screen. “I want everything ready for a first contact. Sergi, you and Mei make sure the equipment for a spacewalk is ready. I also want the escape pods checked. Julia, when we are close enough, I want you to send out the ROSV.” He waited for Julia to acknowledge his reference to the Remotely Operated Space Vehicles they had on board before he continued. “We will need all the information we can get. I won’t jeopardize anyone. Until we have a handle on what we are up against, then I’ll make a decision on the next step. Ash, I want you to work with Julia on the ROSV.”
“I’ll double check all the equipment and tethers to make sure everything is working correctly,” Julia replied in a quiet voice, her eyes glimmering with excitement.
“Proceed with caution,” Josh said, turning to look at the image again.
“This is a piece of pie,” Sergi said with a grin.