Robby shrugged. “That is the question of the day. Atmospheric pressure is a little low, but yes, if you were a native Himalayan Guide, or a good acclimated mountain climber you could breathe it. That carbon dioxide level is still high enough to give you a good headache though. We figure most of the gases have thawed and mixed into the atmosphere now. From the latest images you can see things are really starting to fog up as some of the water ice is melting. Atmospheric temperature is climbing and around the planets equator it is probably above freezing all the time now. As the planet approaches perihelion things will really heat up. The clouds will trap more heat and within a couple of years almost all of the ice will melt except for the extreme northern latitudes at the poles. The planet has almost no axial tilt in relation to its expected orbit around the sun. As it settles into its orbit, the climatologists predict that conditions will be tropical at the equator when it is at perihelion and pretty moderate when at aphelion. Up to a latitude of fifty degrees or so it would be a very pleasant place to live.”
“Do we know what the chemical makeup of the ocean is going to be like?” asked Peter.
“That one is still up for speculation,” replied Robby. “There are some theories based upon spectrographic data that it may have a much lower salt or sodium chloride content than terrestrial oceans and a higher potassium salt content. We really can’t say for sure without someone taking some samples,” said Robby.
“I am not sure that is not going to happen very soon,” sighed Peter. “Have you seen that other new star in the night sky, the one that is starting to get bigger and brighter? The closest approach of the Dwarf Star is only a little over six months away. It is finally starting to get people’s attention in a big way.”
“Oh really?” joked Robby “Is that why there are all those reports of people hoarding food, and all the end of the world nuts are out and about? What a bunch of idiots they are. The Dwarf is going to pass by and leave, but Elpis is staying with us. Are people too stupid to see the opportunity that is getting thrown to us? This is a whole new world that just might work out to be ripe for colonization.”
Peter laughed out loud. “Hard to get excited about something that you can’t reach out and touch when something even bigger is getting ready to reach out and touch you and make your world shake, rattle, and roll. It could get pretty exciting around here. The Dwarf is approaching the outer edge of our solar system as we speak. I hope those guys up there on watch in Space Force are awake. There is no telling what the Dwarf is going to drag out of the Oort cloud and toss our way. The latest images of the Dwarf are really impressive to look at.
Speaking of images, there is a couple from the probe I wanted to ask you about.” Peter flipped though the latest data and then sent to his wall screen. “Do your photo recon specialists have any idea what that is in the middle of that plateau? The entire plateau is almost perfectly flat or rolling hills except for these three or four objects right smack in the middle where they stick out like a sore thumb. It is almost like somebody built something in the dead center of that plateau. Nature can do some funny things, I guess.”
Robby gave Peter an evil grin. “That, my friend is why I was coming over. Everybody on the team was thinking the same thing about those images. That is why we took some more images at different angles and had our photo gurus look more closely at them. There are actually five objects there in the middle of the plateau, and the recon guys all agree. Nature did not put them there.”
Peter looked up. “What?”
“Here are some more images of the same area from different angles. It is a shame that the best imager was on the broken instrument boom on the probe. That imager could have read the hull number off the ship.” Robby transferred four more images to the wall screen.
“What the hell?” asked Peter incredulously.
Robby stood and went over to the screen. “This object right here, our experts agree, is some type of ship, or lander if you chose to call it that. These two smaller domes are flat on one side…very similar to the way we would build a warehouse or a hanger. The smaller square shaped thing has left some gouges or tracks behind it if you look closely. It is amazing that they are still there after thousands and thousands of years. The largest object you see is another building,” Robby lectured with a huge smile on his face. “It seems that someone has beaten us to Elpis.”
“Who?” asked Peter. “Surely, we would have known if the Chinese or Russians had launched a mission to the planet?”
Robby shook his head. “Peter, for being so smart you can be really dumb. Didn’t you hear me? Those objects are old. We are talking at least thousands of years old. I would wager they were not put there by humans.”
Peter stared at the images. “Who has seen these?”
“Everybody on duty today.” replied Robby.
Peter’s mind was racing. If what Robby’s recon gurus were saying was true… Peter tapped his PA. “This is Peter Rockwell, JPL Director, Identification number 442387312. Initiate Facility Code A4S. This is not a drill.” In about four seconds the overhead communication system made an announcement and small yellow lights starting blinking above every door.
The buildings public communication system came to life. “The facility has had a security breach. All personnel are to initiate Code A4S precautions. The Facility is on lock down. Access to the facility is restricted and all personnel are to remain on station. This is not a drill.”
“What the hell are you doing?” asked Robby.
“Nobody from your team goes anywhere or talks to anyone, do you understand?” Peter said. “I want this data locked down so that only personnel level four and above have access. Now, get down to your control room and wait there with your people. Go!”
Robby looked at Peter like he had lost his mind but jumped up and ran back down the hallway.
Peter took a deep breath and tried to work out in his mind what he needed to do. He tapped his PA again. “I need a maximum encryption channel with Mike Banscott.” While he waited for the channel to be set up he looked again at the photographs. The discovery of the Brown Dwarf and its captive planet was until now probably the most important event in human history since the human mastering of fire. That was no longer true. The proof that there was another intelligent species in the universe that had managed to land a ship and erect buildings on a planet that came from God knows where was going to make the discovery of the Dwarf pale in comparison.
His PA beeped and announced, “Mike Banscott on maximum encryption.”
“What the hell is going on over there, Peter? I was just notified you are on a security lockdown,” Mike said.
“Mike, my friend; did you ever see that old movie from the last century? I think it was called ET the Extraterrestrial or something like that?” Peter asked.
“Well yes, I saw that movie as a kid a bunch of times. What has that got to do with security at JPL?” Mike replied.
“Our probe in orbit around Elpis just found ET’s space ship parked on the surface of the planet, that is what!” exclaimed Peter.
There was about fifteen seconds of silence on the other end of the encrypted channel. Finally Mike spoke. “Inform security that I am coming in by chopper. I will land on the roof pad. Meet me there.”
“Encrypted channel has been closed by the other participant,” Peter’s PA said. Peter just sat and looked at the images on his wall screen. “Finally, after all this time…” was all he could say.
Chapter 49
December 17th, 2042
Space Station Alpha
General Seale was met at the docking hatch by Colonel Ellis, Space Station Alpha’s commander, when he left the Mag-Rail shuttle. Colonel Ellis saluted. “Welcome back to Alpha, General. The ship’s crew is assembled and in the large briefing room in A-Ring.”
“How are the preparations for launch coming?” General Seale asked.
“The ship is prepped and ready to go. The…ah…emergency medical supplies are in the special pod be
ing attached to the cargo struts as we speak.”
The General nodded. “Very well Colonel, if you will lead the way to the briefing room. I just want to stop at the nearest head on the way if that is ok. I have never liked trying to take a leak in zero- G. I usually end up getting piss all over myself.”
After the short pit stop, they proceeded to the briefing room. “Attention on deck,” Colonel Ellis announced as General Seale entered the briefing room.
“Be seated, all of you, please,” the General indicated. Colonel Pierce, commander of the USSF ship David Honstein was looking at him in surprise. The General nodded at him. “Good to see you were available for this mission, Colonel Pierce. I guess this is your first trip without your sidekick Lt. Colonel Hanks?”
“Yes sir, Lt. Colonel Hanks is on his way back from Mars now with the Paula Montgomery. It was his first trip as her commanding officer.”
The general looked over rest of the assembled crew of twenty men and women. Two of the crewmen were obviously twins. Some of the crew looked very young. The General looked at Colonel Ellis with an obvious question on his face.
“General, your orders were for the launch of the Honstein in three days. We had to mix and match to come up with a crew on that short a notice. Many of the Honstein’s regular crew is on their last leave Earth side before the encounter. As all further leave is being canceled until after the encounter period is past, it was impossible to get them all recalled in time. We had to add some brand new academy graduates to the crew.”
The General looked at the one of the twins, a young First Lieutenant that was sitting next to Colonel Pierce. “What is your name and your position on the David Honstein, son?”
The young officer stood up. “Jason Greco, First Lieutenant Sir. I have been assigned as co-pilot on the Honstein sir.”
“How long have you been out of the academy, son?” the general asked.
“Only two months sir, but I have passed certification as flight crew on the Montgomery Class ships sir.”
General Seale looked at Colonel Pierce. “You did have to scrape up a crew didn’t you? Are you going to be ok with the crew assignments, Colonel?”
“They have to learn sometime, sir. I am sure we will be fine.”
The General looked at the other young First Lieutenant that had a remarkable resemblance to Jason Greco. “Are you related to the co-pilot son, you two could easily be twins?”
The young man stood and spoke. “Actually, we are twins, sir. I am First Lieutenant Allan Greco. I am the remote pilot of the lander and the airship.”
“What lander and airship?” asked Colonel Pierce in surprise.
Several crew members, including Colonel Pierce were looking at him in consternation.
The General held up his hand to silence the young Lieutenant. “Colonel Ellis, will you shut the hatch now please.” The Colonel turned and shut the hatch. The General noticed that he had the full attention of the entire crew of the David Honstein now. “I am sorry to interrupt you Lt. Greco, but you are probably the only person here besides Colonel Ellis and myself that is aware of the true purpose of this mission.”
Colonel Pierce spoke up. “Begging your pardon sir, we have all been told that there has been an accident at Phobos base and we are to do a delivery of emergency medical supplies as soon as possible.”
The General nodded. “That is indeed the story that has been given to the press and everyone else in the world. Only a very select handful of people and those in this room know, or will shortly know the true purpose of the David Honstein’s next mission. The mission you are about to be briefed on is of the utmost secrecy, and security regulations are being strictly enforced. None of you assigned to this crew is going to be allowed to speak to anyone else before you leave this station. No communication to friends or family will be allowed before the Honstein leaves orbit except through security screened written or recorded messages. Any attempt to bypass these regulations will be dealt with very severely, including loss of rank, dismissal from service, and the potential for prison time. Is this perfectly clear to everyone?” The room was deadly silent. The General noted he really had their full attention now.
“Approximately eight days ago JPL received the latest data and images from the probe that is orbiting the newcomer planet Elpis.” The General nodded to Colonel Ellis who turned down the lights and switched on a large view screen behind the General. The general picked up a laser pointer. “These images are from a plateau on the planet Elpis. There are multiple images taken from several different angles. What you are looking at here is three buildings of unknown purpose. We believe the large one is some sort of habitat or bunker; the two smaller ones are probably storage hangars. This object here with the grooves in the ground beyond it is some type of land vehicle similar to an excavator or bulldozer. This last object, the large oblong one resting here, we belief to be some sort of space ship or lander. The David Honstein is being sent to Elpis to investigate this site. The cargo pod that everyone is being told contains emergency medical supplies actually contains a very sophisticated lander and airship that were originally going to be sent in several years’ time to study the planet. Due to these recent findings, the prototypes were rapidly prepped and sent up to orbit for this mission. Lt. Allan Greco will control these from orbit and use them to try and explore the site.”
“Excuse me General,” said Colonel Pierce. “Why all the hush hush and secrecy? Obviously whoever beat us there will see us coming. There is really no secret to keep. What are we trying to determine? Why don’t we just ask if it is the Russians or the Chinese? I would have thought we would have detected anything that they had launched. All that construction equipment would take at least five or six ships the size of the Honstein to deliver there, why all the secrecy now?”
“Colonel that is the real reason that this crew was assembled so rapidly and the Honstein prepped for immediate departure. Neither the Russians nor the Chinese have any type of launch capability that could have moved the materials and men to build those facilities. It is the opinion of our best image specialists that the facilities that you see here have been there for thousands of years at a minimum. What you are looking at was not built by human hands.” If the room had been quiet before, it was hard to describe what it was now. No one was even breathing as the General let what he had said sink in.
A female crew person in the back raised her hand. “General, are you telling us that what we are looking at here was built by an alien race?”
“That is precisely what we believe at this point. That is the reason you are being sent for a closer look from orbit. Hopefully, First Lieutenant Greco can get his lander down close enough so that we can positively determine they are not of human origin. The brains over at NASA and JPL have traced the path of the Brown Dwarf back down its present trajectory. Approximately nine to ten thousand years ago the Dwarf passed very close to another G class star about one hundred and seventy light years away. Given what we know of the planet Elpis and its makeup, it is very likely that the planet Elpis was ripped away from that system by the dwarf and captured. Now our own Sun is stealing Elpis away from the Dwarf Star and it is settling into orbit in our solar system. We believe that the origin of the race that built the artifacts you see could have come from that star system. We have focused all of our best radio telescopes on that particular system and have detected no electronic signals, so this is still pure speculation at this point.”
The General looked around the room. “Mankind has dreamed of meeting another intelligent race since we first started thinking about going into space. Confirming that there is another intelligence out there that has the technological expertise to build a spaceship and land it on another planet is going to rock humanity as much as the Dwarfs passing is going to. You, the crew of the David Honstein, if all goes well, are going to get that proof. Until we have un-disputable proof, the President does not wish to divulge our findings to the general public. It could cause panic, which I want to rem
ind you is the last thing we need as we start the encounter with the Dwarf. Also, at the moment, we are the only nation that still has space flight capabilities. If Elpis turns out to be inhabitable, the United States will get a jump start on its exploration and possible colonization, as well as the chance to be the first ones to examine these alien artifacts. After the encounter with the Dwarf Star is past, the President will determine when and how to make this discovery known.”
“General, a question please,” Colonel Pierce said. “I take it from the way you are talking that we believe this artifact, or alien site to be deserted?”
“We do, Colonel Pierce. That planet has been frozen solid for at least nine thousand years. The buildings that we can see could not have possibly contained enough food or materials to keep anyone alive for that long.”
“General, from the looks of these images, this looks like some sort of outpost that was being built. Have we seen anything else on the planet that looks like it was constructed by an intelligent race?”
“No Colonel. As far as JPL and NASA can determine, the planet has never supported any life. There is very little erosion evident and no signs of any dead plant life. The only thing the probe in orbit around the planet has seen is ice, water, rock, and this one site. We believe that it was some sort of outpost that may have been abandoned when the planet was pulled out of its previous orbit. The planet was probably in a very distant orbit from its parent sun and has always been frozen.”
“I was just asking, General, if we were expecting a welcoming committee from whoever built that ship. I have to say it is a relief that we will not have to worry about that,” said Colonel Pierce.
“All right people. To wrap this up, you now know why all there has been all the secrecy and urgency to get this mission launched in a hurry,” General Seale summed up. “I will be sending the officers on board a full briefing package before your departure. Colonel Pierce, please get your crew on board and ready to depart. We are going to be launching a replacement interdictor on auto-pilot to Phobos base at the same time you depart. Anyone watching from Earth will hopefully think that it’s the David Honstein in route to Mars. Your trajectory will take you around the moon as if you were a lunar transfer tug. As you swing around the moon, you will accelerate and loop into a new course to arrive at Elpis as it nears its closest approach to Earth. It should take you about fifty days to get there at maximum acceleration. You will have no more than three weeks in orbit there before you must depart and head back to Earth. The planet Elpis will not be in a good position for us to reach with another manned ship for about five years after that. This is our best shot to get there and see what there is to see. Good luck to all of you.” The General turned and departed as the crew stood.
Dark Star Rising Second Edition (Pebbles in The Sky) Page 32