by Russell Fine
“We do have another problem. I don’t think we have enough money to build it.”
“That really is not a problem. When you ask the Trade Council for permission, make sure you tell them that you will need investors to help with the financing. There will be a lot of people eager to help you, including myself.”
Jeffery looked at Debbie and said, “Do you really want to do it?”
“We need to think about it for a few days. I think we need to know what NASA’s plans are for the Star Rover before we make that decision.”
Garlut said, “I already know what your next mission will be. Do you want me to tell you?”
“Yes, the more we know the better prepared we’ll be for our meeting with Max.”
“Max told me they have made some progress on building a communications system. The first implementation of the system will be between Earth and Coplent. When completed, it will allow us to send messages in either direction in fifteen days. That is half the time it takes for a ship to get here. The Star Rover will be assigned to place relay stations in space between here and Coplent at one light year intervals. After you place the relays, you will have to insert carriers into the system. The carriers will be traveling between the relays at five hundred times the speed of light. I am certain Max will give you a more detailed description of your task at your meeting.”
“That sounds like a pretty boring task.”
“It will not take that long. You only have to go half way. Coplent ships will be completing the other half. I think you can probably complete the job in one hundred and fifty days.”
The following morning, Jeffery and Debbie arrived at Max’s office a few minutes early. The door was open, so they walked in. Jeffery said, “Hi Max, it’s good to see you again. It’s hard to believe it has been more than two years since our last meeting.”
“Good morning. It’s nice seeing you as well. Garlut told me a lot of the details of your mission, but he wasn’t always with you, so I suspect there are things he doesn’t know. I’d like you to fill me in.”
Jeffery handed Max a written report of the mission and said, “It’s all in here. I think the only thing Garlut isn’t completely aware of is the effect of the radiation exposure on Procolt 2 has had on us and the race of intelligent squirrels we discovered.”
“Garlut told me about your discovery of the remains of a human on Procolt 2 and a little bit about the squirrels. I appreciate the written report, but as I said, I really want to hear it directly from you.”
Jeffery spent the next several minutes giving Max a synopsis of the mission. When he finished Max thought for a while about what was just said and then asked, “Do you think the radiation that increased Mr. Brown’s life span is also responsible for the intelligence of the squirrels?”
“I’m certain of it. We haven’t found the source of the radiation, but we think it’s local to the area where we set up the habitat on our first visit. There’s no evidence of obvious genetic mutations in any of the other indigenous animals on the planet. Debbie and I spent three months on Procolt 2. I have no idea if it has increased our life span, but both of us are significantly stronger after exposure to the radiation. Cathy and Sheila, who have been on the planet longer, are stronger than we are.”
“I think we need to get a team of geneticists to Procolt 2 to study the radiation, but right now we have a more pressing need for the Star Rover. We’ve developed a communication system that will allow us to transmit messages at five hundred times the speed of light. That’s still nowhere near as fast as we would like, but it’s better than anything else available currently. The system consists of pairs of relays that are one light year apart. The relays create a wormhole between them. We insert carriers into the wormhole that travel around the relays at twenty-hour intervals. The carriers pick up messages from one relay and take the message to the relay at the other end. It takes a carrier seventeen and a half hours to travel between relays. The relay at the other end sends the message to the next carrier and the process continues. Using that method, we can get a message to Coplent in less than fifteen days.”
“That sounds impressive, but I think you should speak to Commander Streb about it. He told me yesterday there’s a rumor Crosus has developed the ability to travel much faster. If that’s true, your system could be obsolete before the first message is sent.”
“I think you could be right. We’ve already spent over two billion dollars on the prototype. If there’s even a small chance this thing will be obsolete before we’re finished, we should stop right now. Did Commander Streb have any details?”
“No, he said Crosus doesn’t share its technology with other members of the trade group. But he got to Earth as quickly as possible because he wanted to be here in case the rumor was correct and a fleet of Crosus ships suddenly shows up.”
“This situation with Crosus has the World Council worried. We all realize you did nothing wrong. If fact, President Winters said he would have done exactly the same thing. You should be aware the public doesn’t know about the Coplent warship. They know a ship is here, but they don’t know any of the details. Apparently, the World Council is concerned that if the people knew Earth might be in danger, they would want to terminate our membership in the trade group.”
“So, let me ask you something, Max. I assume our next mission was going to be placing the relays for the communication system. If that’s not going to happen in the short term, can we go back to Procolt 2?”
“I can’t answer that yet. I’ll have to discuss this with Brandon Simpson. He’s the engineer who designed the system. I’ll let you know as soon as I can. By the way, I thought you should know that in two weeks, construction will start on the Star Explorer. It will be our second interstellar vehicle. They expect it will take eighteen months to build and a few months for testing before it’s ready for its first mission. The plan after the Star Explorer is completed is to start building interstellar transport ships. That way we’ll be able to deliver the products we sell. Right now, ships from Coplent deliver most of our products. All of our new ships will have the time stasis field generator, so they’ll be able to travel at five hundred times light speed.”
“So, my ship will be obsolete in couple of years?”
“I don’t think so. I’m sure we could retrofit it. You and Debbie should take a few weeks off. Go someplace nice and just relax for a while. I’ll call you as soon as I know what we’re going to do about the communication system.”
“Okay Max, I’ll be waiting for your call. Can I give the rest of the crew some time leave, as well?”
“I don’t see why not. Give everybody two weeks.”
“I’ll do that. None of them have been paid since we left. Can you make sure they’re paid before their leave starts?”
“I’ll make sure that their funds are available by tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks, Max.”
Jeffery and Debbie left Max’s office. As they were walking to the shuttle landing area, Jeffery asked, “What do you want to do now?”
“I’d like to visit my family. Don’t you want to see your parents too?”
“Yes, I’d like to do that. So, let’s spend a week with your parents and then a week with mine. Then we can come back here and press Max for an answer about our next mission.”
“That sounds good. I’ll make some calls.”
After all of the arrangements were made, they went back to the space station. They had dinner at the hotel restaurant and called Mike, asking him to send the shuttle over to pick them up.
The following morning, Jeffery made an announcement to the entire crew that they had two weeks of leave starting the following morning. He also told them they had been paid overnight so they would have plenty of money to spend while away from duty.
Over the next half hour, crew members except Ron stopped by to thank Jeffery. As they did, he reminded each crewmember they had to be back aboard right after their leave was over as he was not sure when they would b
e leaving on the next mission.
Jeffery was about to call Ron to ask why he had not come by yet for an update or to check in with the duty roster, when he walked into the dining room not looking particularly amused. Jeffery handed him back the duty roster, signed, and asked what was wrong. Ron said he didn’t want to talk about it now. He also asked if it was okay if he stayed aboard the ship. Jeffery said he had no objections and Ron turned and left without saying anything.
Jeffery asked, “Debbie, do you have any idea what’s wrong with Ron? I know his wife was killed in an accident about a year before we left, but I thought he had a daughter he’d want to see.”
“I have no idea. Perhaps Frank knows what’s going on. I’ll ask him.”
Debbie left the dining room. She returned fifteen minutes later, walked slowly over to the table and sat down next to Jeffery, and said sadly, “I am sorry to have to tell you this; Frank told me that Ron’s daughter died while scuba diving in Hawaii. Frank didn’t know the details, but apparently she was Ron’s only relative.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Jeffery said as he caressed her hand. “I wish I’d known earlier. Knowing him as I do, he will likely bury himself in work now as a way to handle the grief.” Jeffery stopped to think about how it would be to be alone in the universe. “He is a terrific officer but I feel he may need to talk to someone soon.”
“I agree, I wish there was something more we could do to help him,” Debbie pondered.
“I’ll speak with NASA’s psychology department. They may need to speak with him about some grief counseling under the circumstances. He may not be able to return to space until they sign off on him.”
The following morning, Jeffery and Debbie left on the first shuttle to the space station. They took a shuttle to New York and from there went to visit Debbie’s parents. As planned, they spent a week there and then a week with Jeffery’s parents. Neither gave any thought to the fact that they were now celebrities. Nobody recognized them until they were on their way back to the space station. Apparently, somebody from the company that ran the shuttle service had notified one of the television networks. When they arrived at the shuttle terminal, they were surrounded by reporters and video camera operators. They arrived an hour before the shuttle was scheduled to depart so they spent most of that time answering questions. They didn’t mention anything about Gordon Brown, the squirrels, or Crosus. It all went rather well, and the interviews were seen worldwide for the next few days.
When they arrived back at the space station Jeffery received a call from Max.
“I wanted to tell you that you both did a wonderful job with the interviews,” Max said. “I also found some information regarding Gordon Brown. He was part of the D-Day invasion in France that occurred on June 6, 1944. He disappeared five days later and was never seen again. He was twenty-three years old when he disappeared. So, the age estimates you received from the doctors on Coplent were off by about fifty years.”
“Garlut told me he’s fairly certain how Mr. Brown managed to get to Procolt 2. He said the race of aliens responsible for all the reports of flying saucers that occurred during that time frame took him there. Also, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but Ron Rice’s daughter died while scuba diving. She was his only living relative. Ron appears to be depressed. He’s an excellent officer. I think Ron needs a psyche eval before we return to space, it might help with his grief process. I also thought about offering him some extended leave. I just not sure how to handle it though.”
“It’s a tough situation, I think you should speak with him and then let me know what his thoughts. You should know if he’s going in for evaluation, he’ll have to miss the next Star Rover mission. All of the psychological profiles will last at least a few months. We can’t have our people out there and feeling this way about their home life. The jobs they do are far too important. Additionally, we got your earlier recommendation for him to be promoted to Command a new ship. I have taken this into consideration in lieu of the psyche eval. If he clears that, he will be on my short list. Also, I’d like to have more information about the aliens who kidnapped Mr. Brown. I’ll ask Garlut the next time I see him.”
“Sounds good Max. Thank you. I’ll discuss it with him but only when I get back to the Star Rover.”
“Okay. Please let me know his feelings as soon as possible. By the way, there’s still no decision on your next mission.”
“I’m not surprised. I’ll call you as soon as I’ve spoken to Ron.”
As soon as Jeffery and Debbie were in their cabin aboard the Star Rover, Jeffery called Ron and asked him to come to his cabin.
The door to the cabin was open, so when Ron arrived, he walked in and asked, “Hi, did you guys have a good vacation?”
Debbie said, “Yes, it was very nice. We spent a week with my parents and then we spent a week with Jeffery’s parents.”
“I saw the interview you did. I noticed you were very careful with the information you gave out.”
“I admit it was difficult not to say anything about the situation with Crosus, but we were told that information was not to be made public. Ron, we heard about your daughter. I know you didn’t want to discuss it, but you have our deepest sympathies. If there’s anything we can do to help you, please let us know.”
“Thank you, but I’m all right now. I just have to try not to think about it too much.”
“If you would like to take some time off, I’d be happy to approve it.”
“I would prefer to work; it helps keep my mind busy.”
Jeffery replied, “I understand. I wanted you to know that construction will be starting this week on the Star Explorer. When it’s finished, NASA will begin building a fleet of interstellar cargo ships. You’re being considered for the position of command on one of the new ships. Would you like that?”
A small smile appeared on Ron’s face, then he said, “Yes, I would. Did you have a hand in that, by any chance?”
“I did mention to Max that I thought you were qualified for the position.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it. Is there anything else?”
“Before you can start the training for that position, you know NASA will want to conduct a psych eval on you. And since you just lost your daughter, it will be extensive. But, if you pass that with the flying colors, and I know you will, then you will be selected for command training. You won’t be able to go on our next mission. All of the candidates will be going through an eighteen-month training program.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Do you know what our next mission is?”
“Not yet, but I expect to find out in the next few days.”
Ron thought for a few seconds and said, “Please tell Max I’d like to be considered for a position as commanding officer on one of the new ships. I do understand the psychology profile needs to pass first but realistically; I really have no reason to stay on Earth anymore. May as well explore the stars. Right?”
“I completely understand that, Ron. I will pass the news along.”
Ron left the cabin. As soon as he was gone, Jeffery called Max and let him know Ron was interested in becoming a captain of one of the new ships and that he would undergo the psyche evaluation first.
Coplent Warship
August 4, 2122
Commander Streb was sound asleep in his cabin when the battle station alarm rang. He was up in an instant and was about to call the bridge when his communicator beeped. He answered the call by saying, “Why did the alarm sounding?”
“Commander, four Crosus ships appeared two hundred thousand units away. They are about to disappear behind the moon,” the duty officer replied.
“Send out two armed shuttles to follow them. Make sure the shuttles have their shields at maximum. I realize using the shields on the shuttles will make it obvious somebody is watching, but unless they know we are here, they will probably think the ships are from Earth.”
“Sir, with all due respect, if the shuttles are using their sh
ields, they will not have sufficient power to fire their weapons.”
“Noted. Of course, I am aware but if the shuttles report suspicious activity, we will take care of it. Before we leave Earth, we are scheduled to procure some of their power modules so the shields and weapons will be able to function at the same time.”
“I will order the shuttles to leave immediately, sir.”
“Good, I will be on the bridge shortly.”
The shuttles left the warship and went behind the moon as ordered. Only moments after they moved to the dark side of the moon they were fired upon. The shields did their job and the ships were undamaged. Since the moon blocked communication, the shuttles decided to split up. One of them went back so they could update Commander Streb. The other ship continued forward.
When Commander Streb was told the shuttles had been attacked, he ordered the warship to leave orbit and go to the far side of the moon. As they approached their destination, he contacted the shuttle that was watching the Crosus ships. The officer in charge of the shuttle told him three of the four Crosus ships had landed. They appeared to be unloading a large piece of equipment.
Commander Streb had a good idea what the equipment was capable of doing. He was certain the Crosus plan was to destabilize the moon’s orbit. That could cause the moon to crash into the Earth and destroy it. However, it was more likely the moon would go flying off into space and would cause devastating problems with earthquakes, flooding of low-lying areas, and other catastrophic consequences. He told his communications officer to try to reach the commander of the Crosus ships.
The only result from their attempt to communicate was the Crosus ship began firing their weapons at the warship. The warships shields prevented any damage, but with them activated he was unable to return fire. He contacted the shuttles and told them to fire their weapons at the Crosus ship. The weapons on the shuttles had relatively low power, but they could still inflict damage.