Wanda

by carl smothers

  “She truly captured the theory behind dark energy and dark matter and its role not only in the creation of the universe and its galaxies, but in its current accelerating expansion. Not only that, but she permanently put to bed that theory of an oscillating universe creation. I can tell you, her work will have as big an impact on Earth science as Einstein’s relativity theory. It is that important. Once her work is fully understood, it’s going to change your science, including all types of transportation systems,” Tarnak said. “Someday dark matter and dark energy will be far more important to you than nuclear, conventional or solar energy ever was.”

  ~~

  “All hands man your duty stations. We’ll be arriving at PC5 in two hours. Knuckles, take us to quarter reaction.”

  “Aye, Captain … quarter reaction.”

  The end of the wormhole loomed straight ahead. Harry thought is It was strange, to say the least. It was sort of like looking out of a weird fish eye lens. He sent a message to Wanda and Pepper.

  ‘We are about to egress the wormhole. Wish us luck with the telescope. H.’

  Wanda and Pepper both replied.

  ‘We’re with you, Tiger. Good luck. WnP.’

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve just made the first successful trip through a wormhole and survived,” the Captain announced. “Congratulations to the Mission Control team and the Orion crew for a job well done. Mission Control, I’m now going to put Orion into an orbit around AC5 and make preparations to launch Outpost.”

  “Roger, Orion,” Marc replied. “Congratulations. Everyone here is ecstatic. We’ll reinitiate the wormhole and talk to you again after Outpost’s in orbit.”

  “Knuckles, park us in a station keeping orbit 100,000 kilometers above PC5.”

  Harry observed PC5 from the Astro lab. The gravitational tug of the star system had created a terrain scared and broken with crevices running over the surface for miles. Deep craters and other pockmarks covering large parts of its surface indicated there had been enormous meteor strikes creating a dead, ugly, barren world.

  Well, the easy part’s over, Harry thought.

  Chapter 32

  Starship Orion

  PC 5, Proxima Centauri

  4.4 light-years from Earth

  “Dr. Podoski, this is Captain Starling. Please finalize preparations of Outpost and Sentry and let us know when you’re ready to depart. Tex, this is the captain. Please provide Dr. Podoski with any engineering help he needs to complete his task?”

  “Aye, Captain,” the Chief Engineer, responded. “I’ve already assigned engineers to help him.”

  “Thank you.”

  The captain never relaxed when his men were on away missions. Too many things could go wrong and usually did.

  Harry completed his data analysis and hurried down to the cargo bay. Outpost was the most advanced telescope ever designed by man. The data sheets indicated its sensors spanned the complete electromagnetic spectrum, including IR, X-ray, UV, RF, nuclear, cosmic particle detectors and the latest sensor fusion processors. The technology suite also featured a new planet detector, sun tracker and star-tracking cameras. The optics was so robust it was capable of withstanding a direct hit from micrometeorites without damage. Any optical issue could be compensated in real-time by the on board super computer to eliminate distortion effects. The power system would last one hundred years without service.

  The PR on Outpost is right on the money, Harry thought. If this goes off well, it should give our researchers a new and exciting capability. I bet the Astrophysics community will have to form a prioritization committee just to control its time slots.

  Outpost and Sentry were loaded in the Pegasus and the launch team made the last minute preparations for the upcoming orbital insertion as Harry entered the cargo bay.

  “Hey, Ivan, how’s it going?”

  “I think we’re about ready to put these two bad boys to work.”

  Familiar with the test and launch procedures, Harry wanted to participate in the launch. He fretted for a moment before he spoke. “Ivan, I’ve been thinking. I’d like to go with you in the shuttle.”

  Ivan stopped and turned and replied immediately. “Harry, if it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be on-board. I know many congressional people thought we were trying to horn in on your project and complicate matters. I’m also aware you and Bill Hart convinced Secretary Robinette that Outpost would complement your efforts. For that, I am eternally thankful. Can you go with us? Of course! As a matter of curiosity, are you EVA (extra vehicular activity) certified?”

  “I am.” Harry smiled, nodded and winked at Ivan in appreciation.

  “Welcome to the team.”

  The captain held the prelaunch meeting in his conference room.

  “Ivan, what’s our status?”

  “The birds are loaded and ready to fly. We’ve run complete diagnostics on all systems and we’re ready for launch. It’s text book so far.”

  “That’s what I wanted to hear. I understand Dr. Stevenson is going with you.”

  Ivan responded with authority. “Yes, Captain, he is. Harry’s responsible for us being here in the first place, and we think he’s earned the right to participate.”

  The captain smiled. “So do I. The launch team will consist of Dr. Stevenson, Dr. Podoski and Lt. Jones. I’ve asked Knuckles to pilot the Pegasus. He participated in several satellite and telescope orbital insertions, including the Cosmos XV, so I think he’ll provide excellent support. The orbital mechanics and details for both systems are in the computer. Ivan will be the away team commander. Harry, although it’s not planned, have you had any EVA experience?”

  Harry grinned. “Not in space, Captain. This is my first trip. I did spend four weeks training in the International Space Agency (ISA) antigravity facility during the early stages of the wormhole project. I understand the mechanics of working in zero gravity and using EVA suits, but I’m no expert. I do have an EVA certification. Also, I underwent the DNA procedure before we left.”

  “That should be sufficient. Well, gentlemen, good luck, and please know we’ll be here to back you up.”

  The Pegasus

  The team was aboard the Pegasus and ready to go. “Orion, this is Pegasus. We’re ready for launch. Please open the hanger bay doors,” Knuckles requested.

  “Roger, Pegasus. Evacuating the hanger bay deck now. Stand by for launch.”

  Harry heard the loud thumping noise of the huge pumps as they evacuated the oxygen from the hanger. Green lights flashed on the pilot’s console indicting GO.

  The computer then announced:

  “Attention all personnel. Oxygen has been evacuated from Hanger Bay 3. Do not enter without an environmental suit.”

  Harry watched, slightly intimidated, as the doors opened exposing an ominous black sky permeated with thousands of pinpoints of light.

  What an awesome sight, he thought. So many stars, and so beautiful. It’s hard to believe I’m 4.4 light- years from Earth getting ready for a mission to put a deep space telescope in orbit around an alien star system.

  Knuckles flew the Pegasus off the hanger deck and slowly maneuvered it towards the open launch portal. As they exited the ship, Harry could see PC5 on the main display as well as the red dwarf. It was easy to identify its two neighbors, Alpha Centauri A and B.

  The ride to the orbital insertion point was smooth and efficient. Knuckles looped around PC5, and then maneuvered the craft into the Lagrange point, Outpost’s new home. Ivan told Harry they had chosen the Lagrange point because it represented the optimum orbit. The gravitational pull between the stars and the planet were the same at the Lagrange point, so they could sustain the orbit with minimal energy, and the craft could easily retain a constant position between the binary stars and PC5. The spatial orientation they had chosen would give them the optimal viewing and observation angles. Using Outpost’s tri axial thrusters, they could change the angle, as directed, from Earth via Sentry.

  As they approached the launch
position, Knuckles announced, “Opening the cargo bay doors. Please let me know when you’re ready to release Outpost.”

  Ivan was at the control console running last minute checks. “Orion, this is Pegasus,” he said. “We have arrived at the orbital insertion point and all systems are responding correctly. Request permission to launch.”

  “Pegasus, this is Orion. We acknowledge. Dr. Tarnak concurs with your readings. Proceed at your convenience.”

  “Roger, Orion.”

  Knuckles activated the cradle that held Outpost in place. The cradle slowly elevated to an incline of 45 degrees. He tapped the thrusters to fine-tune his velocity, and then released the electro mechanical bolts.

  “Outpost is free,” he announced.

  “Roger. Let’s put this boy in orbit.”

  Ivan activated Outpost’s tri axial thrusters and the immense telescope slowly and accurately lifted itself out of the cargo bay, away from its cradle. Once clear, he transferred control to the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS). The ADCS took over, and as directed by its on-board computer, precisely positioned the telescope to its correct spatial orientation.

  “Outpost is stable and in position,” Ivan announced. “Readings look good.”

  “Moving to clear Outpost,” Knuckles said. He maneuvered Pegasus away from Outpost to prevent Pegasus from acting as a gravity tractor, which could influence the orbit. “Pegasus is clear.”

  Tarnak issued the final commands from the Orion, and after a few more bursts from its thrusters, Outpost completed its final orientation maneuver, at home in orbit and ready to commence work. The entire teams on the Pegasus and the Orion cheered.

  “You know, Harry, I feel like a proud new parent.”

  “I’m sure everyone does, Ivan.”

  “Thanks. You know, Harry, I’ve spent ten years designing Outpost. This was a lifetime achievement. It’s nice to savor this, even if just for a moment.”

  “Congratulations on a job well done.”

  “Pegasus, Outpost’s orbit is stable and we’re receiving GO data for all on-board systems,” Tarnak reported. “The ADCS is responding to all commands. All sensors are calibrated and working. The star tracker, planet finder camera, sun tracker and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) metrics are all black. Good job.”

  “I think we’re ready for Sentry,” Ivan replied.

  “Pegasus, this is Captain Starling. The whole Orion team wants to congratulate you for a job well done. Please proceed with Sentry launch and good luck.”

  “Thanks, Orion,” Ivan replied. “We’re proceeding to the orbital insertion point. We’ll notify you as soon as we get into position.”

  At Ivan’s nod, Knuckles flew Pegasus to the orbital insertion point that would allow Sentry to maintain a communication link with both Outpost and the predetermined bearing of the wormhole central axis. The launch went like clockwork. As Sentry settled into its new stationary polar orbit above the star, Ivan made a final tweak of its position with the Reaction Control System thrusters. The ADCS then took over and the task was complete.

  “Orion, Outpost and Sentry are talking,” Ivan reported. “The new systems in place and working like a hose.”

  “Like a what?” Harry asked with a confused frown on his face.

  “It’s an old Russian saying,” Ivan responded. “It loses something in translation.”

  “Orion concurs,” Tarnak said. “What’s a hose?”

  “I’ll explain later,” Ivan replied, chuckling at their responses.

  “Orion, this is Pegasus. We’re returning to the mother ship.”

  “Roger, Pegasus. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you, Orion. See you on-board.”

  “Orion, this is the MCC,” Marc said. “We’re receiving visuals from Outpost, and Sentry is rock solid. Good work. We’re going to work with Outpost, as scheduled, before we deactivate the wormhole. Talk to you when we reactivate.”

  Harry gave Ivan the thumbs up.

  “Let’s go home, Knuckles,” Ivan said cheerfully.

  Harry was extremely pleased. Everything had gone smoothly.

  Knuckles gently pushed the throttle forward. The shuttle responded, and with a simple banking maneuver, he headed back.

  Starship Orion

  As they approached the starship, the hanger doors opened and Knuckles flew the shuttle in for a soft landing. The doors slammed shut without a sound. The pumps hissed routing oxygen back into the hanger deck. A green light blinked on, and the computer announced:

  “All clear. Oxygen levels Hanger Bay 3 has been restored. It is safe to enter the hanger bay without an environmental suit. All Pegasus personnel may now disembark.”

  It was good to be back on the Orion. As soon as they arrived on the bridge, Ivan approached the captain.

  “Captain, we need to run a final check on Sentry and Outpost.”

  “Good idea, Doctor, please proceed.”

  Tarnak came over to greet them. “Welcome back, guys. Looks like a perfect mission.”

  “I hope so,” Harry replied. “We’ll know shortly.”

  The three of them sat down at the science console, and after numerous attempts, were unable to get Sentry to respond. Tarnak ran through the diagnostics. “None of the systems are responding!”

  Ivan glanced at Starling with a worried look. “Captain, Outpost is responding to our query, but Sentry appears to be dead.”

  “Have you tried the diagnostic routines?”

  “Tarnak just completed a check. It was working when we put it in orbit.”

  Harry reluctantly said the obvious. “We have to go back out there.” Shit, I knew things were going too smooth.

  “I know,” Ivan agreed.

  Tarnak walked up to them. “Guys, I’ll go along, if you want. I’m EVA certified.”

  Harry thought for a moment. “I’d feel much more comfortable if you stayed here to back us up. There’s no telling what we’re going to run into.”

  Knuckles was in the pilot seat when they entered the shuttle. He grinned broadly then asked, “Ready for another joy ride?”

  “If we must,” Harry replied, wondering if he’d made the right decision.

  Chapter 33

  The Pegasus

  EVA missions were always risky, and Harry fought his nervousness. It was one thing to work in an AG facility on Earth, and quite another four and a half light-years in space with no simple stop exercise command if anything went wrong.

  “Okay, team. We’re here. Suit up and let me know when you’re ready to EVA,” Knuckles said. “Please keep in constant touch and be careful. It’s a long walk home.”

  As they donned their suits, Ivan commented, “Harry, this is no different from the AG facility. You’re a scuba diver, right?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Remember your training? Stop, think and then act? Well, use that before you do anything. Your training will take over and guide you through this. We need to stay in constant communication.”

  “I guess my nervousness shows.”

  Ivan patted him on the shoulder. “I’d be worried about you if you didn’t feel a bit apprehensive.”

  “Thanks. That helps,” Harry replied with a shallow grin.

  Each man checked the other’s suit connections, oxygen gages and power levels.

  “Ready to go, Harry? How about you, Lieutenant?”

  “I guess so. What do you think the problem is, Doctor?”

  “I’m not sure. I bet it has to do with the antenna power leads. We may have taken a micrometeorite hit. I suggest we check that first. Is everyone else ready?” At their affirmative responses, he went on. “Well, let’s go. Computer, enable outer egress door. Knuckles, we’re going out.”

  The computer initiated the pumping sequence, and the green egress light came on. Ivan pushed the egress button, and the hatch opened to the blackness of space.

  Harry stared, without blinking, at the vast, ominous void filled with innumerable stars. He felt intimidated, te
rribly small, insignificant … and vulnerable. His pulse raced and his mouth was dry — not a drop of spit to wet his throat. The AG facility training was one thing … but this? The black void was scarier than he could have ever imagined.

  What a hell of a way to get ones first EVA experience, he thought. I feel like I’m stepping into the mouth of some giant monster. He fought to control his panic.

  As Ivan stepped out, he gently activated his thrusters and moved forward. The lieutenant followed. Their EVA experience was obvious. Harry’s pulse raced as he reluctantly went through the hatch. The enormity of it all was overwhelming. The only redeeming feature was the plethora of pinpoints of light and the planet beneath them. He fought his paranoia that told him he was going to fall.

  No training had prepared Harry for this. The quiet blackness, with no up or down disoriented him. The lack of gravity triggered queasiness. For a moment, he thought he might throw up, but worked through it. He still had the fear he would fall and that astounded him. He remembered: stop, think, then act, and it helped stabilize him. Harry’s first attempt at using the thrusters caused him to oscillate and move erratically. After a few minutes, he learned to operate the suit pack thrusters more efficiently and was able to control his orientation. He hoped no one had seen his clumsy attempts to use his suit pack.

  He focused on Sentry to help the disorientation. Ivan’s movements were fluidic and precise. As they approached Sentry, Ivan activated his thrusters and slowed his approach, stopping at the large antenna. He waived the lieutenant to the other side. “Lieutenant, check the back side of the antenna, and see if we’ve taken a hit or something,” he commanded through the helmet comm link.