Close Proximity

by M. W. Huffman

  “Just about there. We are re-torqueing the cover bolts to your specifications. Are you sure you need so many bolts to hold this thing on? I’m not being critical but it just seems over engineered a bit,” James asked.

  “Oh, heavens no. I didn’t need all of them but I had that many so I decided to use them all rather than have them just lying around.” Fritz replied.

  James and Brian just looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They had long ago realized that many of the pieces on the E-PEG were nothing more than what Metzler had on hand or thought he might need. It was over engineered by a good fifty percent.

  “After we get it buttoned up then what?” James asked.

  “We will have it moved to the test site, load it onto the sled and strap it down. No easy chore I can tell you. Then we give it a test shot at low power and take readings.”

  “Then we can compare the two systems to make sure they are in sync?” James asked

  “No, that isn’t likely to be the case. We will have to link them much like you do propeller props on a twin engine airplane. I’m sure it will take some tweaking,” he replied

  “When are we going to build that part so we can try to sync them?” Brian asked.

  “I’ve already done it while you two were working on E-PEGII.”

  “Awesome,” James said, tightening the last bolt on the outer cover.

  * * *

  “Only 3.68 degrees? Heck that isn’t so much,” Dan said.

  “Really?” Abby said.

  “I don’t know. It doesn’t sound like much to me. I mean if you said fifteen or twenty degrees I would probably react differently but 3.68?”

  “Let me put this way. It would be like you jumping in the ocean and trying to move a Navy super carrier 3.68 degrees. See the problem?”

  “Are there sharks in the water?” Dan asked.

  “Very funny but really it is about the same thing. Add in that the carrier was going at 30 knots and you had to do it before it got past you.”

  “Yikes. That sounds impossible.”

  “It may well be but what other choice do we have? All we can do is give it our best shot. The rest is up to a higher authority,” Abby replied.

  “I take what I said all back. So, the 3.68 degrees will do what?” Dan asked.

  “Move it enough so it will just miss the moon by a few thousand miles. Probably no more than 5,000 miles but in this case a miss is okay. The good thing is that the gravitational pull is only a third of the earth’s. The.68 is kind of our safety net factored in.”

  “So anything more than that 3.68 is actually better.”

  “Absolutely,” Abby agreed.

  “And if it’s 3 degrees or less, boom.”

  “Pretty much. We won’t hear anything here on Earth but it will be apparent and we will see it hit.”

  “How much time to we have?”

  “Thirty-six days. Everything has to be in place and ready.”

  “Man, that’s cutting it pretty close.”

  “Tell me about it,” Abby said.

  * * *

  “Mr. President, here is what we have,” Admiral Kincaid said handing Strong a paper.

  “Really? Well that’s excellent. So the private concern will take up one of the machines and the French ship, Horizon la Bleu, whatever that means.”

  “The Blue Horizon,” General LaForge said.

  “That makes sense. Anyway I will convey my deepest appreciation to them for helping us at this time.”

  “We are all helping each other. Others said they would change their launch dates but these were our best options,” LaForge told him.

  “Are all the details in place?”

  “Absolutely. The C5-A are already on the ground at Groom Lake. They will load the cargo into two separate planes just in case something should happen to one. They will depart just as soon as the test they are conducting is finished. They will fly one to France and the other to Texas.”

  “How will all of this be controlled? I mean, who will actually have control of the things once they are in space?”

  Kincaid looked at LaForge.

  “Well, we just figured that Doctor Montgomery would be the person best suited for that. She knows more about it than anyone,” Kincaid finally said.

  “Then I guess it would be a good idea to let her know don’t you think?”

  “Yes sir,” they both said.

  “Okay gentlemen, get it done,” he said dismissing them.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  “Of course I’ll do it but I think Metzler may be more qualified.”

  “Not really. I mean he should be there with you but you should be the one that controls everything.”

  “Then I need to have everything at my disposal. That means to be really accurate I need instant feedback on KA5, the power of the E-PEG’s, resulting movement and a few other things. Something I can totally rely on to give me accurate and instant information.

  “Yeah. I thought about that. How about the VLA in New Mexico?”

  “They just work on deep space observation.”

  “I’ve talked to the director. They can give you exactly what you want within a matter of meters and at any time. The total uplink and down link is less than a second. They will turn everything over to you and help with the technical aspect. I know this is jumping the gun again, but the President talked directly to them because we were getting a little static. I know we didn’t inform you first but there it is,” Dan told her.

  “No problem. This is one time I’m glad he did. So what is the time frame now?” Abby asked.

  “The two units are already on their way to the rocket sites. They will be loaded aboard within the next seventy-two hours. You can get everything you need and I will get you to New Mexico so you can get acclimated with their equipment and everything in place.”

  “Good. The more time I get there, the better it should go.”

  “You will be linked to the two space shuttles so you can position the devices and aim them exactly where you think they should go. They will be under your command.”

  “Boy Mr. Fowler, you really know how to show a girl a good time,” she said, chuckling.

  “Nothing but the best for my ladies,” he shot back.

  “Ladies? That’s plural.”

  “Oops, my bad.”

  “I’m not too worried. There is always Metzler if you don’t shape up.”

  “Ouch. That hurts,” Dan said, grabbing his heart.

  “Good.”

  * * *

  NBC NEWS –

  Riots broke out in cities all across the country last night as backyard astronomers were able to catch a unobstructed view on KA5. It was the worst outbreak of violence that this nation has experienced since the Civil Rights and Vietnam War protests in the 60s and 70s.

  The worst hit areas were most of the usual hot spots during times of adversity. LA, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and New York were ransacked by huge crowds of mostly young groups.

  Fires are still burning out of control in LA and Detroit. Fire fighters in Cincinnati and Cleveland were able to save most of the downtown section as long as they had police protection. Police in New York City fought with rioters for several hours resulting in fifteen police being injured, two seriously. Two hundred and forty-one arrests were made and over a thousand treated for injuries.

  LA had one police officer killed and one fire fighter seriously injured by a sniper. Sixty-five police officers were injured and four hundred and twenty arrests have been made so far. Fifteen hundred people have been treated for various injuries. Several are in critical condition.

  * * *

  The road was dusty and it leaked in the window flaps on the Hummer as they rode out to the control center for the Very Large Array. Abby had been there once as a young girl when the family had gone to the Southwest to ‘see what the old west was like’, according to her father.

  She looked at the giant antenna with amazement. Just t
he sight of them gave her a little shiver.

  “This is really cool,” she said.

  “And you said I never took you anyplace cool. Don’t you feel bad now?”

  “Not particularly. This is the President's doing.”

  “You have no appreciation for what I do. I am totally insulted,” he said with mock hurt.

  “Sure I do. You can carry my briefcase for me.”

  “See how you are?”

  The driver looked in the mirror several times to see if they were serious. When they got to the control center, the director, Cameron Swayze, met them and guided them inside.

  “How was your trip?” he asked after the introductions were finished.

  “Very nice. Not a hitch,” Dan told him.

  “This is where you will be working. We have already established a link up with the other facilities and will have a direct link to the shuttles once they get into space. We also have link ups to Chili, per your request, and to the Canary Islands. Is there anyone else you think we should link to?” Cameron asked.

  “Only the White House if they want to know what is going on in real time,” Abby said.

  “I’ll find out,” Dan replied.

  “Yes, I can see the need for that,” Cameron conceded.

  “Other than that, I believe you have arranged for everything I need.”

  “We are tracking KA5 and this screen shows it's current position, direction, and speed. From what I have seen of your projections, they are very accurate indeed. Well done,” he said.

  “Believe it or not, it was actually one of my students who worked most of it out.”

  “My, my. That is very impressive indeed. If he needs a job, we can always use someone of exceptional talent.”

  “I’ll pass that along.”

  He introduced everyone in the control room and gave her a quick tour. Abby and Dan were taken to their quarters. Dan’s was in a block building with six beds. A small divider was located between each one. A small chest, a light and a chair were the only things in the room except for linens and blankets. Austere, to say the least.

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  Abby spent the next three days working with the equipment, testing links, and making sure of timing. It would be critical that the power was on at the instant she wanted it and for as long as she wanted it. The wobble would dictate much of what she had to do.

  Location of the two E-PEG’s was another critical element. She had to be sure that they were at the right angle and distance to move KA5 the distance required to make sure it didn’t impact the moon.

  She continued to monitor the distance and angle, receiving an almost constant stream of information. The rockets were in the launch window and ready. After checking everything for what must have been the hundredth time, she gave the signal for the launch sites to release the rockets when they were ready.

  Two hours later the first rocket was up and in established orbit. The shuttle commander was in direct link with Abby at this point. She gave him the preliminary data so he could maneuver to a safe but nearby location. A hour later the second ship, StarRiserIII was also in space and linked to Abby.

  At this point the activity began to escalate. Abby was directing the two space craft, getting constant feedback from the control room and updates from Chili and the Canary Islands. Dan sat in the corner and watched. She never once seemed to be rattled. It was amazing for him to watch her in action.

  “Horizon, I need you to move the E-PEG 1000 meters. StarRiserIII you are almost perfect, nudge it another 75 meters and you will be set. Horizon, you’re almost there. 50 more meters should do it. Then I want you both to get back onboard and maneuver at least 10,000 meters away, copy?”

  “Horizon, copy.”

  “StarRiser, copy.”

  “Thank you both, well done,” Abby said.

  “Our pleasure,” came the reply.

  “KA5 is 40.65 seconds from target zone,” the controller told Abby.

  “Copy. NTT how are we looking?”

  “Right on the beam.”

  “Amiée?”

  “You think I would miss this?”

  “I’m glad it’s you. Everything we can do is ready,” Abby told her.

  “Good luck my friend and God bless you,” Amiée replied.

  “Sorry to interrupt, I have uploaded the commands to the E-PEG’s, they are being switched to your control… now.”

  “Copy.”

  Abby moved the power level and saw the needles jump immediately. She slowly reset them.

  “31 seconds on my mark. Mark.”

  “Copy 31 seconds,” Abby replied.

  Abby closed her eyes trying to envision every step. She had to be right on the money. The margin for error was almost nonexistent. She rolled her head from side to side, working out the tension knots in her neck and shoulders.

  Dan, watching her every move wanted to go to her and message her back and neck but knew this was the wrong time. She needed space, not someone hovering over her.

  “20 seconds.”

  Abby moved the power levels up to 30 percent on the E-PEGS.

  “God be with you,” she heard the President say breaking the silence briefly.

  “Thank you Mr. President.”

  “10 seconds to target area,” the controller in the VLA reported.

  She did a last mental check. There was nothing more to be done at this point. It was either going to work or there was a good chance the world would be severely damaged if not rendered extinct.

  “Copy. Amiée?”

  “On the beam.”

  “Count down please,” Abby said.

  “8… 7… 6”

  Abby brought the E-PEG’s up to 75 percent power

  “5… 4”

  “Full power.”

  “Zero. Target zone penetrated.”

  “Degrees readings. Continuous please, and duration,” Abby said.

  “10 seconds, no change”

  “15 seconds, no change.”

  Everyone was holding their breath. The only thing audible was the call out and the hum of the air conditioner.

  “30 seconds, no..wait. 5 degrees.”

  Abby exhaled for the first time it felt like.

  “40 seconds. 5 degrees”

  “50 seconds. 08 degrees

  “60 seconds. 1.0 degrees”

  Abby did some quick calculations in her head. Unless the E-PEGs could produce more power, it would not be enough.

  “Metzler, what is the maximum power. Is this everything they have?” she asked.

  “I could boost it from this end maybe another ten percent but it may destroy them.”

  “Do it.”

  “Are…”

  “Do it now,” she said, only raising her voice slightly.

  “Okay, done.”

  “80 seconds 1.5 degrees.”

  She knew it was going to be so close. Closer than she had hopped. Time was running out. KA5 would only be in the target zone another thirty seconds and then it wouldn’t matter.

  At one hundred seconds it was at 2.0 degrees. She knew then that it wouldn’t be enough.

  “Mr. President, we are going to be a little short.”

  “You did all you could. It is what it is.”

  When it exited the target zone it had been moved by 2.75 degrees. Nothing could change it impacting the moon at this point. Abby walked over and sat down beside Dan.

  “Abby, you did everything possible. Now we can only hope for the best. You said it needed to move 3.68 degrees to clear safely. 2.75 is pretty close.

  “Not this time. It will hit, there is no way around it.

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

  “You want to go outside and watch the sky?” Dan finally said.

  “Sure, why not. I’m not good for much in here,” she said taking off the headset.

  She thought to herself that Amiée would certainly have a front row seat to the main event. Actually millions probably had a better view than she did. When the
y stepped outside she instinctively looked toward the moon. She could see the huge giant ball hurling toward it at over 30 kilometers per second. What would follow could mean the loss of life of many here on Earth.

  Dan wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. She let his warmth seep into her body. She was glad he was there with her. She needed his strength right at this moment.

  “Man, I guess I didn’t realize you could see it this easily.”

  “Well, a few minutes ago you would have had an even better view.”

  “Actually Abby, I had the best view. Watching you was amazing. You are one cool lady,” he said squeezing her.

  There was little more to say as they stood there watching the moon.

  * * *

  History recorded that at precisely 20:14.565 the asteroid KA5 impacted the moon. The collision ripped off a section of the moon but due to the glancing blow, the damage was much less than it would have if it had hit at just a half of a degree more. KA5, due to its softer composition, lost approximately 12 percent of its mass. The moon, it is estimated was at a loss of less than 2 percent.

  Debris was thrown in all directions. The initial blow caused the moon to lose approximately ten percent of its gravitational pull due to the loss of momentum in its orbiting rate. It also caused the moon to tip slightly, offering views never seen by man on the ground before. Because of the impact spinning it back, little could be seen of the impact area. It was now behind the moon. The long term effect was yet to be determined.

  Over the course of the next month, a continuous rain of meteors entered the atmosphere. Over one thousand were observed on a single night. Larger impacts took place in the US, Mexico, Canada, Greenland, and the Scandinavian countries.

  For months, whales, birds, and other migratory animals became disoriented and thousands of dolphins, sharks, and other large fish were found on beaches all across the world.

  The loss of life from the meteors was devastating. During the first month alone over 800,000 people had been killed by impacts. More would happen as time went on.

  The orbit of the moon had changed as well, being pushed further away from earth caused a change in tides. Fourteen satellites were either destroyed or knocked out of orbit. A few were actually turned into meteors and they plummeted to Earth.