by Don Viecelli
As Dave walked back to his place, he thought about work. It had been a very intense summer and he had worked very hard trying to complete the UFO crash investigation in Milwaukee. They were nowhere near completion. The spacecraft had been reassembled as best as the engineers and scientists working on it could do. They had learned a lot, there was no denying, but there was also a lot they did not understand. The metal, for example, was an alloy they could not reproduce on Earth. It was composed of materials they could not identify and was produced by a process that was not yet invented, probably in the weightlessness of space.
The propulsion system was another mystery. It looked like a type of externally powered fusion engine that used ionized plasma from space. JPL scientists were theoretically aware of such possibilities, but this was on a scale undreamed of. It was possible that the data from the Tularians on how to build a solar magnetic shield would help solve some of the mystery; for one of the byproducts of such an engine was the creation of a magnetic field similar to the Earth’s magnetosphere that protected the planet from the sun’s cosmic rays. NASA was already using this data to build a small magnetic field generator on the International Space Station to protect the astronauts from radiation exposure and provide solar power.
The communication and computer intelligence systems aboard the spacecraft were a complete mystery to almost everyone. The only one who had a clue to how it worked was Bill Murphy from JPL. They were glad to have him back from sick leave. Somehow, he seemed to understand how the aliens communicated with the computer systems on board the ship, but the actual technology used was unknown. The computer chips were not made of the same materials as computer chips on Earth and they seemed to operate on a sub-molecular level using an electrochemical process for neurocomputing similar to brain functioning. Everything was miniaturized to a degree thought impossible by current technology.
Tissue samples from the dead aliens were analyzed over and over again. There was no doubt. DNA tests proved that somewhere in our distant past, we were related to the Tularians. It was almost equal to the match with our closest primate, the chimpanzee. No one was sure how this could be. The best answer was we all had a common ancestor. The religious community didn’t know what to say. The theological issues were immense and they weighed on the minds of religious leaders around the world. They searched for explanations and the masses waited. If nothing else, the missionary zeal of the most religious just increased exponentially as they imagined the number of new worlds and races that needed to be converted.
All the astronauts who were aboard the International Space Station during the solar storm had been rotated back to Earth. Commander Bonario, Major Helms and Alex Vladamir were working with NASA scientists analyzing the data provided by the Tularians. Commander Bonario was already tasked with the responsibility of commanding the crew who would build the new solar magnetic field generator in space. The solar shield would be assembled near the ISS and launched toward its final position in space between Earth and Mars when it was completed. Major Helms would be second in command and would concentrate on the medical and physical safety of the new crew. Alex had the most demanding job of helping the scientists interpret and design the solar shield from the plans provided by the Tularians. Alex had spent almost two months with Commander Orlutinion on board the mother ship and was taught how the shield worked and how to operate it. They were currently building a prototype device on a much smaller scale to be tested on the ISS. NASA presented preliminary budget estimates for building the shield at 10 trillion dollars and taking up to ten years to complete. No one knew for certain the final cost. But time was a critical factor since the data from the Tularians predicted another massive solar storm would erupt on the sun and hit Earth during the next Solar Maximum in eleven years.
President Tom Maxwell immediately presented a proposal to build the solar shield to the United Nations and asked for their support. Vice President Irene Bossell was appointed head of the new Space Shield Commission to champion the project and raise the necessary funds. NASA would oversee the whole project.
Defense Secretary Harry Patterson presented his own proposals to repair and replace the damaged satellite communication and defense systems in space from the recent Solar Storm. It would cost billions and take over two years to complete. The President understood the need, but his first priority was to repair the electric utility power grids and find a way to shield them from the effects of the magnetic storms sure to follow.
Before Dave left for vacation, General Anderson called him in for a meeting at the Pentagon. General Walton was present. They both offered him the new job of Chief Project Administrator for building the solar shield. He would be promoted to brigadier general and report to the NASA Chief Administrator. They felt he was the best man for the job and the Secretary Patterson concurred. They asked him how much time he needed to make up his mind. Dave didn’t hesitate at all. He accepted the job on one condition. He wanted to visit the ISS during construction and be present in space on the ISS when they launched the shield toward the sun. It had always been his dream to go into space and this was the only chance he would get. They agreed. He had a new job in Washington DC when he returned from vacation.
Dave hadn’t told Kaye yet. He would tell her today when he picked her up at her folk’s beach house on Kure Beach, which was just up the road from his place. He promised her sailing lessons this week. They had waited the whole summer to be together in North Carolina. They had visited each other every other week over the summer. Usually, Dave would drive down to Chicago and take her out to dinner. They explored the city together. It was a fascinating town and he understood why she liked living there. They were both very busy with their jobs and it was difficult to find time to be together. Kaye was the new co-anchor at the Channel Two News station in Chicago. She had invited her brother and his two friends on her TV show and interviewed them about their experiences with the Tularians. Then she interviewed the three astronauts before they made their rounds on the TV talk shows. Kaye was invited to many talk shows on her own and was quite the celebrity in town.
They had fun times when they were together. Dave had fallen in love with Kaye and he was certain she felt the same way about him. He decided he couldn’t live without her any longer. He planned to propose to her this week and see if there could be a future together. It would be hard since he would be working in Washington, DC and she was in Chicago, but he would give it a try anyway and see what she said.
When Dave reached his boat, the sun was beating down on his shoulders. He went below to store his donuts and put on sunscreen lotion. He changed into swim trunks and went back up on deck. He checked his lifeboat, which was a small, two-hulled rubber boat with an outboard engine he towed behind his sailboat when he needed to use it. Then he started the engine and while it was warming up, he untied his boat lines. He backed the sailboat out of its berth and headed up the inlet waterway towards the beginning of the island where the Atlantic Ocean met the Intracoastal Waterway at Snow’s Cut Pass. As he motored up the channel, he noticed the pelicans sitting on pier poles that stood by themselves in the water near the shore. The boat docks the poles once held were washed away during hurricanes that pounded these parts every year or so in the fall. The pelicans just watched as he motored by.
Soon Dave reached the end of the inlet channel and turned right into the ocean. Sunlight was bouncing off the rolling green water as far as he could see. When he was clear of the beach he turned right again and turned off his engine. He hosted his sails and grabbed the helm. The wind was blowing from the east at ten knots. It would be easy sailing along the shoreline. He passed a shrimp boat heading into shore with his nets hanging from the side booms attracting scores of sea gulls and other birds trying to feed off what the crew was cleaning and throwing into the sea. He waved to the men working on the boat. They waved back. He was sailing just off shore along Carolina Beach. He could see the early morning sunbathers and brightly colored umbrellas on the beach. A few sw
immers on bogie boards and surfers braved the high surf pounding the beach. He saw the lifeguards in red swimming trunks doing their morning workouts.
When Dave passed the Kure Beach fishing pier he keep his eye out for the blue and white trimmed beach house that belonged to Kaye’s parents. It was a two-story house with a white balcony on the second floor. He finally picked it out from the others and headed for shore. He could see three people standing on the balcony, as he got closer to the beach. He waved to them. It was Kaye and her parents, Ed and Woodie Weston. He had met her parents once already in Chicago. They were very nice and he enjoyed talking to them over dinner at their home.
Dave brought the sailboat as close to shore as he dared and put down the anchor. He jumped in the lifeboat and started the engine. He sped to shore and ran the boat right up on the beach on top of a wave. He jumped out and pulled the boat away from the waves. Kaye came down the back stairs to the wood sidewalk that crossed the protective sand barrier to the beach. The sand dune was covered with sea oats that prevented the wind from blowing the sand away in a storm. They reached each other on the beach. Kaye jumped into his arms and they kissed. She had on a light blue swimsuit with a wide straw hat on her head and a dark blue silk scarf wrapped around her body. She was so excited to see him. “I thought you would never get here, Dave. My parents want to say hello before we leave. Come on up for a drink.”
“You look lovely, Kaye,” Dave said and she did look great in her outfit. They walked up the sidewalk to the steps leading up to the balcony. Ed said hello and shook his hand. Dave kissed Woodie on the cheek and she asked if he would like some cold ice tea. He said yes. They sat down under the umbrella to enjoy the view and talk.
“How’s work going, Dave?” Ed asked interested. He tried to keep up with what was happening since the visit by the aliens and Dave knew better than anyone else what was really going on.
“Just fine, Ed. We’re learning a lot from the crash investigation. We’re making good progress on predicting solar flares and work on the solar shield is beginning.”
“That’s good news. When do you think they’ll be ready to build the shield?”
“We should be ready to start building in two years. We’re working on the design now.”
“Are the aliens still here?” Woodie asked.
“No, they left after they brought Alex Vladamir, the solar physicist, back to the ISS. We’re not sure when they will return.”
“I can’t believe this really happened, Dave,” Woodie said. “You must feel proud to be involved in all this.”
“I certainly do. I’ve been very fortunate, but then so has your daughter. She was just as involved as I was when this all started.” He looked at her and smiled.
“Alright, let’s stop talking about work. We’re on vacation now and Dave promised to take me sailing today,” Kaye said.
“Teach you sailing. You’re a student now and I’m the teacher. Class starts in an hour.”
“I’m ready. How hard can it be to learn to sail?”
“It sounds like fun. I could never get Ed to buy a boat. He says it’s too hard to keep up. When you’re done teaching Kaye, maybe you could take us sailing.” Woodie said.
“I would be happy to, Woodie. Ed can bring the beer. We can try fishing if you like.”
Ed didn’t look too happy. “I get seasick on boats,” he said, “but I’m willing to try on a calm day.
They finished their ice tea and Kaye went to get her beach bag. When she came back they said goodbye and Dave promised to have her back by midnight. Kaye promise to call at dinnertime on her cell phone to let them know how they were. Then they left the house and walked down to the beach.
They pushed the lifeboat into the surf beyond the waves and then jumped in. Dave started the engine and sped back to the sailboat. He helped Kaye climb into the sailboat. He tied the lifeboat to the back with enough slack to keep it away from the boat. Then he hoisted the anchor and raised the sails. They waved goodbye to Kaye’s parents as Dave took the sailboat into deeper waters. He headed north. He would keep the shoreline visible and just enjoy sailing until lunchtime. The weather was perfect and the sea rolled gently as they cut through the waves. Kaye was standing beside him at the helm and held on to his arm. They looked at each other and smiled. He kissed her. He had dreamed about this moment for weeks, only this felt better. It was real. He could feel the wind and the spray from the ocean on his face and smell the salt water. He looked at the sun in the sky and thought about the future. He glanced at Kaye. She looked so happy. She had been thrilled when they made plans to meet here on vacation and now they were finally here.
They sailed for an hour and then Dave anchored near shore for a quick swim and to have lunch. After they dried off in the sun, they went below to fix sandwiches and eat. They talked about their jobs and what was going to happen next. Dave asked Kaye about her brother. “How’s Ryan doing?”
“He’s great. Ryan, Tom and Jason were on TV again last week on some talk show in town. They’ve made enough money to pay for their last two years of college. Ryan plans to become a reporter like me. He’s working at my station helping Kurt and Debbie out. They’re getting married this fall, you know.”
“I didn’t know they set a date. Are you invited?”
“Yep, and you’re coming with me if you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t mind. I like weddings. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to one.”
“Well, we don’t want you to feel left out, do we?” She kissed him and smiled.
Dave decided he better break the news to her. “Kaye, I have to tell you something. I’ve accepted a new job when I get back from vacation. I’m been offered the Chief Project Administrator job for building the solar shield. I’ll be based at NASA’s headquarters in Washington.” He looked at her face to see if the news made her sad. Instead she looked happy. He felt dejected and wondered if Kaye was glad to see him go.
“That’s great news. Don’t look so sad. You should be happy.” She looked concerned.
“We won’t be able to see each other as often. You know I love you, Kaye. I thought you would be sorry to see me go.”
Kaye kissed him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you too, Dave, and I’ve got some news for you also. I was going to tell you tonight. I’ve accepted a new anchor spot on a national news show in Washington, DC. I start in two months.”
Dave kissed her back. He couldn’t believe it. They would both be working in the same city. It was wonderful news. Kaye broke him out of his daze. “This doesn’t change what you promised me today. You owe me sailing lessons before I pay you. He could feel her body pressed against him. He was getting excited. He knew what she meant.
“We better hurry then. I like getting paid for my work.” Dave wished it were dark outside. Maybe a storm would appear, he thought. Not a chance. He helped her clear the table and they went up on deck. It was beautiful outside. He spent the next hour going over the boat explaining how everything was rigged and how the sails worked. It was not a large boat, but it was complicated enough to a novice. Kaye seemed genuinely interested in everything. She was also a quick learner. She must have been reading sailing books, he decided. He was ready to take the boat out for another hour of sailing. He let Kaye take the helm and steer a steady course. He didn’t want to overload her on her first day.
They sailed up the coast as far as Wrightsville Beach, which was seventeen miles northeast of Carolina Beach and turned around. It was late afternoon when they entered another inlet channel to the Intracoastal Waterway just below the beach. He took the sails down and started the engine. He let Kaye steer the boat while he pointed out landmarks along the way. The waterway would take them straight to his place, but he planned to anchor near a private cove he knew of to have dinner first. He had a surprise in store for Kaye.
It was still light out when he found the cove and dropped anchor. You could hear other boats passing by, but you couldn’t see anyone. They stripp
ed off their bathing suits and went for a swim in the warm water. Kaye had a lovely body and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. They kissed each other in the water. Neither of them could wait any longer. Kaye whispered in his ear. It was payment time. They made love in the boat before dinner. It felt magical. The gentle swaying of the boat almost put them both to sleep. It was hunger and thirst that drove them up from the bed. They threw on some dry clothes. Kaye called her parents as she promised and told them where they were. She told them not to wait up for her. She would see them in the morning after breakfast.
Dave broke out the wine. He pored them each a drink and told her to relax while he made dinner on the small stove. They were going to have fresh boiled shrimp with white rice and assorted vegetables. They were hungry and ate everything up quickly. He cheated on dessert and pulled out a frozen lime pie. After dinner they went out on deck. It was dark outside and the sky was completely filled with stars. They hung in the air and seemed so close you could touch them. There was no light to interfere with the view. The moon wasn’t out yet. You could see the white, glimmering edge of the Milky Way. It was beautiful, but that wasn’t the surprise. Dave pointed to the northern sky. A pinkish light began to emerge.