Straus took the package of the “Commander Mick ‘Straus’ Strausser” action figure and said, ‘That does look kinda like me. Immortalized in plastic. Why?’
‘McKay came up with the idea and worked with the Public Relations group to lease the rights to one of the major toy companies. They just came out and they’re flying off the shelves faster than they can make them,’ explained Tómas.
‘What’s my percentage?’ asked Straus.
‘Well... The general budget is getting 40% but I suppose we should get a piece of that.’
‘Dang right we should,’ he said handing the package to Darla to take a look at.
‘Oh... how cute. Where’s mine?’ she asked looking in the box.
‘You’ll be in Series 2 along with the Ninja and Galleon. Should be out in a couple of months,’ said Tómas.
‘So what’s next... movies? video games?’ asked Straus.
Tómas cleared his throat and said, ‘Well, actually the documentaries are next. Arrangements are already underway to bring a National Geographic film crew onboard.’
Straus rolled his eyes and said, ‘Just... great.’
_ _ _
The next morning the Straussers entered the conference room to find Tómas and Bernie already waiting.
After exchanging pleasantries, they jumped right into the meeting. Darla presented the information from the Pentagon briefing and then Straus spoke up.
‘I’d like to take the Adamant out there with Phoenix squadron along with two transports rigged for towing and stocked with extra DEP. Bernie, what’s available?’
‘Well... that might be a problem. Other than our passenger transport, all of our transports have been converted to ore hauling and are making runs out to the two mining outposts. It would take a week to convert a couple to use. We do however have two new transports coming online in the next few days that you could have, but we’ll need pilots.’
‘Ok, we’ll go that route. Get with Engineering and have extra DEP containment vaults installed into the holds. I’ll work on coming up with the pilots. Darla you and your people work on being able to defocus the graviton beams.’
‘In regards to the transports...’ added Bernie, ‘The pilots have requested being able to name them instead of just having them numbered. I thought about it and instead of a bunch of random names, I’d like to establish a naming convention. I was thinking we could name them after major rivers of the world.’
‘Yeah... I like that. Make it so. However I’d like the passenger transport to be named the Thames,’ said Straus remembering back to when Juliet explained that she was raised within sight of it as it flowed through London.
‘Will do.’
‘I’ll tweak production to put a priority on finishing up those transports with the required modifications,’ said Tómas.
‘I’m going to head planet-side with Captain Burke to evaluate transport pilots. They should already be on their way to the U.N.,’ said Straus as he set down his device.
The meeting broke up and Straus walked Darla toward her lab and stopped short of the door.
‘I will see you tonight Doctor, Mrs. Strausser,’ he said as he embraced her.
‘Looking forward to it Commander, Mr. Strausser. I love you,’ she said pulling his face down to kissing range.
Straus proceeded to the transport launch bay and found Burke standing by in the passenger transport. After launching they set course for New York. Just over thirty minutes later they landed on the helipad on the roof of the United Nations building.
The auditorium was again packed out with prospective pilots hoping to get into the fight against the Drone Armada. After addressing the group, Straus began the one-on-one interviews with Captain Burke present to help with the selection.
After three hours they had selected ten pilots that they both felt would make the transition to life on the station and flying transports.
‘Just one more person I want to take a look at,’ said Straus to the staff sergeant waiting at the door. ‘Send in Lt. Chadwick Browning.’
A few moments later a U.S. Navy lieutenant entered and saluted, saying, ‘Lt. Browning reporting.’
‘Have a seat Browning. I see that you’re a third generation Navy man, like myself. Your father served on the Kitty Hawk and was there to see Apollo 14 recovered... and your grandfather was instrumental in nursing the Yorktown back to port after the Battle of the Coral Sea in World War 2. So tell me... why leave the Navy to come work for us?’
‘Uh... the pay is better?’ he asked with a wry smile.
‘Just what kind of smart-ass are you Browning?’ asked Burke.
‘There’s more than one kind, Sir?’
Burke was about to rip into him, but Straus held up his hand and said, ‘I’m going to put you down as the plucky comic relief type.’
‘Thank you, Sir. To answer your question Commander... it's because of my dad and grand-dad, and my father-in-law. They made a difference where they were, and I don’t feel that I will as a C-130 pilot flying cargo from here to there. Sometimes I just feel like I work for one of those big package delivery outfits. What with the drone threat... I think I can make my mark in the family out there.’
Straus nodded while making some notes on his electronic slate and said, ‘Says here your call-sign is Points.’
‘Yes, Sir. As in “Brownie Points”. I didn’t get to pick it.’
‘One seldom does. I think we can find a spot for you Lieutenant. Grab your gear. We’ll be leaving shortly. Dismissed.’
'Thank you, Sir,' said the lieutenant with a stunned look on his face. He stood, saluted, and left, closing the door behind him.
‘With all due respect Commander... What the hell?’ asked Burke.
‘His record isn’t that bad... besides, I owe a guy a favor. I want you to get McCandless, Lewis, Altman, and Browning up to speed in three days for a special mission.’
‘Three days? That’s not much time, Commander. I usually spend three weeks with them,’ complained Burke.
‘Do whatever it takes, Captain,’ said Straus as he picked up his things and left the room.
They gathered the pilots and led them up to the waiting transport. Once they were underway, Straus explained life on the station and fielded the questions that they had. After another twenty minutes they arrived and were led to the auditorium to begin orientation.
_ _ _
Three days later the new transports were ready and Straus called a special meeting of all personnel connected to the mission to assemble in the auditorium. He was up front standing on the dais and with him were Darla, Dr. Townsend, and Dr. Hamilton.
‘Thank you all for coming, we have a priority mission. There is at this moment a three mile wide asteroid hurtling through space past Uranus and approaching the orbit of Saturn. Unless we get out there and do something, it will destroy all life on Earth in about eight months.’
Everyone had been listening with riveted attention, but the room erupted with hushed chatter as people came to grips with the information and Straus held up his hand for quiet.
‘We’re taking a science team out on the Adamant to assess the situation. We are also taking transports Colorado and Amazon with the hope that we can tow the asteroid off it's present course. Captain McCandless and Lt. Lewis will fly the Colorado, and Captain Altman and Lt. Browning the Amazon. Get your gear together. We leave in two hours. Dismissed.’
Turning to the others on the dais, Straus said, ‘Darla, if you can show our guests to the Adamant, I’ve got a few stops to make on the way. I’ll see you onboard.’
‘Of course. Right this way, gentlemen,’ she said leading the way.
Straus met with Bernie in Flight Ops, then stopped by Station Ops to check in with Tómas. He found Harrison studying the Production facilities screens.
‘On your way?’ asked Tómas.
‘Yeah. Listen Tómas, I just met with Bernie about this, but wanted to tell you as well. If the drones really did launch this rock at
us, then they’re probably not going to sit idly by as we pull it off course. If we run into trouble, be ready to send in the cavalry.’
‘I’ll be leading the charge myself,’ assured Tómas.
‘I was hoping you’d say that.’
‘While your here... I thought you might like to see this. Check it out,’ said Tómas pushing a few buttons on a display.
The screen showed what looked like a giant circular spider web spun off the side of the central structure of the space complex. Straus’s first thought was that it looked like the drone antenna array that they discovered on the moon.
‘Some kind of long range antenna?’ guessed Straus.
‘It does kind of look like that, but, no. That’s the foundation of the domed park,’ explained Tómas.
Straus took another look at it, smiled and said, ‘Awesome.’
‘I’ve already made arrangements to haul up the hundreds of tons of rock, gravel, and soil. Now we need to decide on what kind of plants and animals we want.’
‘Guess we can talk about that when we get back. Is that the diplomatic wing?’ asked Straus pointing to another screen.
It showed a new section about the size of an aircraft carrier protruding at ninety degrees from the main section opposite the park. It was completely framed and already partially covered in hull plating.
‘It is. Should be completed in a couple of months. Then we can move the diplomats out of their temporary quarters and offices.’
‘Say, you know how we used Sections 30 to 35 as the basis for the mining outposts? Did we get it rebuilt again?’
‘Yes we did. Why?’
‘I was thinking if we could tack on a Production unit and cut it loose, we could move it into high orbit on the opposite side of the Earth, so we don’t have a blind spot. We can expand it into an entire second station... Corvus Bravo, or something.’
‘That’s a good idea. We don’t want anymore surprise incursions,’ said Tómas with a half smile.
‘Funny. Well, I’d like to stand around and chat, but I’ve got a planet to save,’ said Straus turning to leave.
‘Good luck and stay in touch.’
Straus headed to the docking collar where the Adamant was docked to the station. Once onboard he took the lift to the bridge. Everyone was in their positions and working through their pre-flight procedures.
‘Lt. Bell, put me on intercom,’ said Straus.
‘Ready, Sir.'
‘Attention all personnel. We’ll be departing in ten minutes. If you’re not coming along please make your way off the ship. All sections make ready to get underway.’
Straus checked in with the other positions on the bridge and after ten minutes began their departure. The docking collar was retracted and the Adamant backed away from the station using thrusters, then turned onto the heading to intercept Asteroid 2015EJ3.
‘Lt. Bell, notify the Colorado and Amazon that we’re ready to depart,’ ordered Straus.
After a moment she turned from her console and said, ‘They report they are ready as well, Commander.’
‘Notify Flight Ops,’ said Straus.
‘Corvus Departure, Adamant Task Force ready to get underway,’ said Bell.
‘You’re clear for departure, Adamant. Godspeed.’
‘Captain Burke, take us out,’ said Straus.
‘Aye Sir,’ said Burke as he activated the engines and sped away from the station, accelerating toward light speed. Once they were up to speed Burke added, ‘ETA... two hours, Sir.’
‘Very good. You have the conn,’ said Straus stepping into the lift.
He headed for the Pilot’s briefing room, to meet with the three flights of Phoenix squadron. Seeing that they were all present he jumped right into the briefing.
‘Once we arrive at 2015EJ3, I want to set up a zone defense. Flight One you’ll stay close to cover the Transports. Flight Two, I want you to set up a perimeter patrolling around us and the asteroid. Flight Three, I want you furthest out patrolling the outer perimeter. If the drones did launch this rock at us, then they may try to stop us from interfering with it's trajectory. Questions?’
‘Anything more on that Beetle drone?’ asked Capt. Hartnel, leader of Flight 1.
‘No, we’ve only seen the one so far. However if you do encounter one, be sure to target it first and steer clear of it's projectiles,’ said Straus.
Seeing no more questions, he said, ‘Be ready to launch in about ninety minutes and stay frosty. Dismissed.’
Straus left the briefing room and headed for the labs toward the aft end of the ship. He found Darla and the two visitors in the lab and she was giving them a virtual tour via the wall screen and explaining some of the alien technology. She paused when she saw him enter the lab.
‘We’ll be there in about ninety minutes,’ said Straus.
‘Amazing,’ said Hamilton as he shook his head.
‘We don’t have room on the bridge for you all to come up, so I’ll establish a conference link and send you the images and data.’
‘That should be fine,’ said Darla.
‘In the meantime I thought we could grab some lunch. Once we arrive it might be awhile before we decide to take a break,’ said Straus motioning to the door.
They proceeded down to the mess hall which was serving up soup and sandwiches with a side salad. They sat together and discussed the situation, but the conversation rolled around to life on the station and what it was like dashing back and forth across the solar system. After lunch Straus headed for the bridge while the doctors headed back to the lab.
‘Detecting an object ahead, Sir,’ said Co-pilot McGuinness.
‘Slow to point-one and put it on screen,’ said Straus, ‘As we fly past, bring us around onto a parallel course. Keep us about ten miles away. We don’t want to influence it's flight path yet.’
‘Aye Sir,’ said Burke.
‘Bell... establish a split screen conference with the lab and pipe down all the images and sensor data.’
‘Yes, Sir,’ replied Bell going to work on the console.
The connection was established and the comm screen showed Darla and the two visiting doctors gathering to watch.
‘Coming up on it now,’ said Straus to the trio.
The screen showed a dark red spot that quickly grew into a large tumbling, roughly spherical mountain that was the color of dried blood. It was rotating at about one rotation per minute and gave the impression that it was rolling through space.
The Adamant slowed and as the asteroid sped by, they circled around and the three ships caught up with it and established a parallel course.
‘Bell, connect me with Flight Ops,’ said Straus.
‘Go ahead, Sir.'
‘Lt. Caplan, have Phoenix squadron launch.’
‘Aye Sir.'
Straus turned back to the main screen and was watching the asteroid and asked, ‘What’s up with that color?’
Dr. Townsend spoke up first and said, ‘The theory is that it's a mixture of water, methane, and nitrogen ices with a top coat of tholins. Tholins are formed from exposing the ices to enough solar radiation over millions of years to sort of cook them into various organic compounds. If we could collect a sample of the surface material it would advance our understanding by decades.’
‘We could start with some spectrographic analysis,’ suggested Hamilton.
‘Mission first gentlemen,’ said Straus. ‘First we determine it's exact trajectory, and decide on the best direction to deflect it. We’ll have plenty of time to study it later.’
‘Yes... of course,’ said Hamilton.
‘Computer analysis confirms that it's on a collision course with Earth. The next step is to determine it's mass,’ said Darla.
‘We usually do that by watching it's trajectory for several weeks,’ offered Townsend.
‘What if we use one of the transports and tug on it in one direction with a calibrated amount of force, and see how much we’ve actually changed it's course?’ a
sked Straus.
The three doctors discussed that for a few moments and Darla said, 'That’s a good option.'
‘Bell, add the transports to the conference link,’ said Straus.
Once the links were established, Straus said, ‘Gentlemen, we need to perform an experiment. Altman, position the Amazon behind the asteroid about ten miles and record it's exact trajectory. McCandless ease to within a mile of the surface and establish a tow link with the graviton beam. Slowly bring the beam up to full power as you balance engine power to maintain separation.’
Corvus Prime: Escalation Page 7