CLOSE PROXIMITY

by Marshall Huffman

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The team fell into a comfortable routine over the next week but background logging and cross checking is tedious and requires a great deal of concentration. By the end of the week James was becoming more proficient and Abigail was starting to trust his judgment more the longer he worked with the scope.

  One person could have done both but with the new telescope being so recently added even Abigail had to work diligently. The new telescope gave them the ability to see further than ever before with more clarity. That presented both a blessing and a curse. The blessing was obvious but the curse came in the form of the increased background clutter.

  “You’re getting pretty good on that thing,” Abigail told James just before the end of their shift.”

  “I feel like I’m getting better. I don’t have to look down quite as often to make adjustments.”

  “Believe me, by the time we are finished this will be second nature to you,” she told him.

  “How much longer do you think it will take on just the background readings?”

  “Two weeks if we can stay on schedule. Then the fun part begins.”

  “Where are we going to start looking?” James asked.

  “From the asteroid belt on out. I am convinced that the tenth planet was either between Jupiter and Mars and some external force broke it apart or Jupiter and Saturn. Some of it was flung off into space; some undoubtedly was sent hurling toward the sun and the rest? Maybe in the belt or who knows? That’s what a large part of this is all about,” Abigail told him.

  “We pretty much know where all of the large chunks of rock, or asteroids are now. They are tracked by stations all over the planet,” James said.

  “Really? Then how do you explain the one that just crashed into Russia? No one saw that coming. We were all fixated on DA-14 that passed within 17,000 miles or so of Earth. We sure weren’t ready for that.”

  “Well it wasn’t all that big either. Sure it did some damage but nothing like if the asteroid Ceres hit the Earth.”

  “You have to factor in more than mass. Speed and angle can make a huge difference. Ceres may be the largest asteroid that we know about but you have to realize we are still talking about the ones we do know about. What if another is lurking out there that is twice or three times the size of Ceres? Ceres is approximately 600 miles across. Consider one 1800 miles across. It would be hard to fathom what such a strike would do to the Earth,” Abigail replied.

  “What about a planet?” James asked.

  “There are a number of unstable planets floating through our universe but the chances of one even coming close to Earth are 1 in 100 million. That’s not what I am worried about. If the tenth planet broke up and is on a vast elliptical orbit and has gone undetected then it is quite possible it could intersect with the Earth’s orbit at some point.”

  “Still. Someone would have figured that out by now.”

  “Why?”

  “What do you mean?” James said frowning.

  “Everything is easy to discover after someone has figured it out. I mean look at Einstein’s equation of e=mc squared. Everyone knows it now. You even see it on T-shirts. But no one figured it out until Einstein did. Sure energy equals mass times the speed of light squared but who in the world even thought about using the speed of light. More than that, squaring it. It seems so simple now.”

  “Well, granted, that is true but here we are talking about a physical presence that is not an abstract mathematical formula. This is something you can actually see,” James retorted.

  “Like the one in Russia.”

  “Okay, okay, one got by but nothing the size you are talking about.”

  “Actually I hope you’re right. Hopefully the thing exploded into a billion pieces and nothing is lurking out there yet to be discovered,” Abigail said.

  James was just about to ask another question when Ruth and Jeff came in.

  “Hey guys. We are right on time. By the way, you probably already know this but it’s going to get really cold in the next couple of days. You might want to wear something heavy. It gets pretty cold in here,” Jeff told them.

  “Thanks for the heads up. I was a little chilly tonight so I’ll definitely dress warmer tomorrow,” Abigail said.

  James went over the previous shift's log and by the time he was finished Abigail had already gone. He packed up his stuff and headed out. When he got to his car a note was on the windshield.

  Went for breakfast at the Sunshine Coffee shop. Care to join me?’

  A.

  Okay, what the heck was this about now? She didn’t say anything negative during their shift. He got in the car and started it. The Sunshine Coffee shop? Where in the heck was that, he wondered?

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Louis Mendoza rubbed his eyes. He had been looking into the Antu Telescope at the Cerro Paranal site in Chili, South America. That is but one site that makes up the VLT or Very Large Telescope array located at 2635 meters above sea level. It gives an unprecedented look into our universe.

  There are four huge telescopes at this particular site that are state of the art and can be used independently or as a group. The VLT is part of the ESO or European Southern Observatory system. Fifteen different countries, all in Europe, operate under the ESO agreement.

  Louise Mendoza was in charge of the Cerro Paranal site. A world renowned astronomer, he had many discoveries and credits already attached to his vita. For the past year he had been looking into the vast universe, and cataloging celestial bodies as far as 4 billion light years away.

  Tonight, Louise was just thinking of calling it a night. Seven hours was long enough. He glanced through the view finder one more time and then took his eye away. He stopped and quickly looked back. He had caught something but now, searching the same area, it was either gone or his eyes were playing tricks on him.

  Louise was tenacious about most things but this time he decided it was nothing more than his tired eyes acting up. At sixty-one they were not what they used to be. This was getting to be a younger man’s game. He sighed and shut everything down for the night.

  The last thing he did was note the location of the object and some thoughts about what he might have seen. He would look at that area again tomorrow. He was tired and he dreaded the long drive back down the mountain and across the valley to his home. When he stepped outside he couldn’t help but look up and marvel at the Milky Way that was visible from this altitude. It was always an inspirational sight. He never got tired of the view.

  He threw his briefcase into the back of the Land Rover, started the engine, and just sat there looking out of the front windshield. He was certainly enjoying the view but most of all he was waiting for the heater to kick in. Soon a trickle of warm air started filling the cabin and he put the Rover in gear and started down the mountain.

  Even with the clear night, the road seemed to eat up the headlights. Every twist and turn made him squint into the darkness. His night vision had been deteriorating for years and it was getting so that he hated to even drive at night. Halfway down the mountain he ran into a dense bank of fog. He was forced to slow down even more.

  He made up his mind that from now on he would wait until sun up to drive down the mountain. Of course this was at least the hundredth time he hand made that decision but this time he was positive he could stick with it.

  An animal leaped onto the road just in front of him. Without thinking he yanked the wheel and slammed on the breaks. The Rover fishtailed and the back shot out to the right. He knew he was in serious trouble. It was still 1500 meters or more before the road leveled off.

  The Rover skidded, trying to find purchase but it was no use. He felt the nose of the vehicle start to tip down. He yanked the Rover into reverse and gave it gas but the rear wheels were starting to lift off the ground. He could hear the rocks pounding into the undercarriage.

  Everything seemed to suddenly take on a surreal slow-motion effect. The nose pointed down. His briefcase smashed into
the windshield. The headlights pointed off into space. He was pushing back in the seat with his hands on the steering wheel but his brain told him it was a losing endeavor.

  The Rover angled even further down and then the noise stopped for a second. He could feel his rear come up off the seat. Almost instantly he felt his head press into the top of the vehicle. It seemed so strange. He could see shards of glass flying by, his briefcase spill open and the contents being ejected. As if by magic the microphone attached to the CB suddenly rose up in the air and hit right by his head.

  Then the noise rolled over him. The pace seemed to pick up with glass shattering, metal being crushed, and plastic breaking. He felt his head hit hard against the side window almost knocking him out. And then that sickening feeling of free falling.

  There was nothing he could do at this point. His life didn’t flash before him like they always say it will but he did have a brief thought of what he thought he saw in the telescope just before he stopped. He wished he had left notes for someone.

  And then it ended. No sound, no feelings, and no thoughts.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “No, no, no. This cannot be true.”

  “But it is. The Carbineros have confirmed the identity. It was Mendoza’s Land Rover.”

  “This is terrible. How did it happen?”

  “No one knows for sure. He may have fallen asleep going home. The reason is less important than making sure the current experiments are controlled. We will have to appoint a replacement immediately,” the General Director of the ESO, Dr. Fassbinder, said.

  “That is always a delicate decision. Every member nation feels like they should have the director be someone from their country.”

  “Could you prepare a list of potential candidates, Dr. Basilone?” the director asked.

  “By all means but you know no matter who is picked, the others will fuss about it,” Basilone replied.

  “I suppose they will but what are we to do? Having no one in charge will lead to chaos and infighting. We will just pick the person we feel is most capable and that will have to do.”

  “Do you intend to get the entire board involved?”

  “I would rather not. It will take a month if we start involving them in daily operational decisions,” Fassbinder replied.

  “I don’t profess to know all the rules but are you certain this is a decision you can make on your own?”

  “My dear Doctor Basilone, I am not going to make the decision alone.”

  “Then…”

  “Why you of course. We will place our necks in the noose together.”

  “I shouldn’t have asked,” was all Basilone replied.

  “Not to change subjects, but changing them nonetheless, we need to notify all the members of the ESO membership and the Americans. I know he spent many years in the United States and I feel it is our duty to let them know.”

  “They are not members.”

  “Yes doctor. Still it is the courteous thing to do. He was a friend to many of them.”

  “Fine. I will take care of that as well,” Basilone said.

  “No. That is something I should do. I know many of them myself and I think it would mean more if I personally offered my condolences,” the Director General replied.

  “Very well, then I will attend to the list. I will have it to you by noon today,” Basilone told him.

  “That would be greatly appreciated.”

  **

  “Abigail,” James said, walking up to the table.

  “I was just about to give up on you,” she said smiling.

  “I had no idea where the Sunshine Coffee Shop was located. I had to ask directions three different times,” James replied.

  “You actually asked directions? How emancipated of you. I thought men never ask for directions. It is something about their DNA not having the asking directions gene,” she said.

  “I do if it is important enough.”

  “And this was?”

  “Obviously. You’re my boss. If the boss isn’t happy I could find myself on the outside looking in,” he said, finally sitting down.

  “James, James, James. Goodness young man. You should have more confidence than that. I never choose a person to be on my team unless I am sure they are not only smart and dedicated but a good fit with the rest of the team,” she assured him.

  “So this isn’t about my performance?”

  “No. You’re doing just great. I mean it. You are operating at a level higher than I had even hoped for.”

  “Wow. That’s pretty high praise,” James said, relaxing somewhat.

  “Do you want coffee?” the waitress asked, interrupting the conversation.

  “Hot tea,” Abigail replied.

  “Diet Coke if you have it.”

  “Pepsi okay?” she said.

  “No. In that case, hot tea is fine.”

  “Okay, I’ll get those and be back for your order,” she said and scooted away.

  “So, I am curious about what this is all about,” James said.

  “A couple of things. One is how all of this is working out with you having another job? It has to be dragging you down.”

  “Does it show?”

  “Just around your eyes. I’ve seen them get darker and darker circles under them lately.”

  “Crap. I guess I need to get some makeup so you won’t notice.”

  “I’m more worried about what it is doing to your health,” she replied.

  “I’m okay. Really. Work sucks, excuse me, I mean is a pain, but there isn’t much I can do about that. I need the money to live on.”

  “And that brings me to my next question. How is this affecting your social life?”

  He laughed and put his hand over his mouth.

  “Social life? What’s that? I’m not even trying to have a social life right now. That can come later. Now it is about my quest for knowledge and getting a great job in the field I love at some point. Everything else is on hold.”

  She looked at him for several seconds. She was just about to say something when the waitress sat two cups on saucers down. She placed two small tea pots on the table and handed each of them a tea bag.

  “Ready to order?” she asked immediately.

  Both ordered the Sunshine Special and off she went again.

  “James, I know this project is important to you. I realize you see this as your big chance but believe me, you are going to be successful no matter what happens here and now. You can’t get down sick and you have to have some kind of social life. Without it, you lose perspective of what the world is really all about,” she told him.

  “Abigail you work just as long and hard as I do. Harder if the truth be known. What about your social life?”

  She did a quick laugh.

  “I’m fifteen years older than you James. A social life isn’t as important when you get older.”

  “Oh give me a break. You are an amazing woman. Half the guys on campus stop and watch you as you walk by. Don’t tell me you don’t notice,” he said.

  “Hah. They would watch a female squirrel walk by. Guys just like to ogle. It’s in their wiring. Anyway, that’s not the point. We are talking about you.”

  “Not so fast Abigail. You’re ducking the question. Are you telling me you don’t have a social life of any kind?”

  “James, my students are my social life. By that I mean they make me feel alive. When I teach something and I see that light bulb go on I get a charge out of it.”

  “Well I still think…”

  “Oops, hold on to that thought,” Abigail said taking out her cell phone.

  “Dr. Montgomery speaking. Certainly. I am. Go ahead. What. No way, that can’t be true. Oh my God. When? How? But he has been down that road a thousand times. Oh dear this is terrible,” she said, her eyes starting to tear up.

  “No. Thank you for calling. When is the funeral? Yes. I’ll get a flight out tonight. No, I couldn’t possibly miss it. Thank you Doctor Fassbinder,” she said and
closed the phone.

  James looked at her but she was a thousand miles away at the moment.

  “I assume that was bad news.”

  “Yes. Louis Mendoza died in a car crash sometime last night. Louis was my mentor while I was in school. He took me in when I graduated and imparted knowledge that advanced my career immeasurably. Without him I doubt I would be where I am today. I’m sorry James but I need to run. I want to get on the first flight to Chili. I simply must pay my respects to Louis. Here,” she said taking some bills out of her purse and shoving them at James.

  “You go. I’ve got it,” he said.

  “God. Louis. He was a giant in this field. I will miss him terribly.”

  She hated to leave the work load on them but Louis had been so valuable in getting her off on the right foot. Without his guidance she would have never come this far. He saw the raw talent in her long before she ever realized it was even there. Now he was gone. She cursed herself for not have calling every once in a while and thanked him. At least she should have touched base with him to see how his work was going. Instead she had been caught up in her own little world. Now he was dead.

  CHAPTER TEN

  It is a little over 5,300 miles from Phoenix, Arizonian to Santiago, Chili. A long twelve hour flight if you can go directly. Abigail hadn’t been quite so lucky. By the time she reached Santiago she had spent fourteen hours in the air and another seven on the ground waiting for connecting flights.

  She had been fortunate enough to get a room at the Hotel Plaza De Armas. It was just after 2:00 a.m. when she disembarked at the Arturo Merino Benitez Airport. Clearing customs took another forty-five minutes. By the time she had found a cab and got to the hotel it was going on 4:00 a.m.

  Exhausted, she managed to get her clothes off and take a shower in tepid water. She flopped down on the bed and closed her eyes. The next thing she knew someone was opening the door.

  “Housekeeping,” a voice shouted.