Proxima

by Chase Hildenbrand

  Liam had one more to call to make before completing his final day’s work from his office. As busy as he’d been he still managed to call Ann every night. She was growing more restless as time went on. She missed him and felt without purpose while her ship waited to get underway. She was anxious to get back to work, especially on Proxima.

  She answered the video call on her wall-screen in her room. She smiled at him while drying her wet hair with a towel.

  “Fresh out of the shower?” he asked.

  “Weak water pressure. You should fire somebody for that. Are you ready for your flight up tomorrow?”

  “Very. Although I’ll miss my couch-turned-bed in my office.”

  “Trust me, your office will end up being better than our room on The Hawking. I can’t wait to join you.”

  “Once we’re safely away from Earth. I can’t wait to see you in three dimensions again.”

  “Ah, what every girl dreams of hearing.”

  They laughed together. Ann wrapped her hair in the towel and began applying moisturizer to her skin.

  “How are your friends?” he asked. Weeks ago she told him about some friends she made and even introduced them one night over a video call while they were hanging out in her room playing a card game on her tiny table.

  “Ray is a smartass as usual. Salena is my saving grace. We’re quite alike.”

  “Really? I wouldn’t have pinned that. You, from rural Tennessee, and her from such a wealthy Middle Eastern family.”

  “I know. But we’ve really hit it off. We’ve even been teaching each other our interests. I’m practically an energy engineer at this point. And she has learned how to keep a houseplant alive without killing it. Progress.”

  “I’m glad you have people up there to spend time with.”

  “Me too. I fear I’d lose my mind if I didn’t. You’ll like them when you meet them on Proxima even if you want to punch Ray the first time you meet him.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  She rose from her seat and walked out of frame. Moments later she returned wearing a yellow shirt.

  “How on edge are people down there on the surface with the alien fleet only days away?”

  “Do you not watch the news?”

  “I actively avoid it. For the most part I’m trying to stay out of Earth’s current affairs. It will be easier to leave it.”

  “I understand.” He considered what to tell her. “The people are putting on a brave face. They feel confident that the nuclear missiles will put an end to any possible threat they might pose.”

  “Oh, really? That’s good.”

  “No. Sorry, I can’t lie to you. Truthfully, the public is a mess. People are scared the nukes will fail. Crime and looting are at all-time high. Militaries around the world are bracing for a global assault. I didn’t want to distress you.”

  “I get it. I feel terrible for them.”

  “Me too. Early survivor’s guilt, I suppose.”

  “That’s why we have therapists on board.”

  “Not happening, Ann.”

  “Fair enough. Listen, I’m beat so I’m going to bed. Safe flight tomorrow. I love you.”

  “Goodnight. Love you.”

  With a wink to the camera, she ended the call.

  The next day Liam leaned against a Z48 shuttle watching the last assembly rocket climb through the atmosphere. He traced the trail of smoke up until he could no longer see its source. Almost six years of hard work coming to an end. Within minutes he would board the Z48 and leave Earth forever. He’d been to The Hub only once before shortly after it was completed four years ago. This would only be his second trip to space. He was surprised to find himself nervous. Perhaps it was just knowing he wouldn’t be coming back. Where he stood now would be the last bit of earth he’d ever stand on. He knelt down and slid his hand across the grass, feeling each blade glide across his palm and in between his fingers. With eyes closed he breathed deeply. Who knew when he would breathe non-recycled air again? The sun beamed down on his skin, warming him while he listened to birds chirping. An ant crawled across the back of his hand while it was submerged within the grass. He watched it as it walked aimlessly on his flesh. Resilient creatures, he thought. He brought his hand to his mouth and blew the insect off.

  “Where’s your luggage?” a voice asked from behind him. He stood back up and turned around to face Debra Sizemore, gesturing down to his two duffel bags by his feet.

  “I travel light. Good to see you Ms. Sizemore. I didn’t know you’d be piloting me up today.”

  “You should read your flight manifest, sir,” she said with a smile.

  The two shook hands and he grabbed his bags while she keyed in a code on an electronic panel near the front of the craft. The cockpit door unlocked and swung upward to allow them access. She stood aside gesturing for him to enter first.

  “Throw your bags in the compartment behind the co-pilot’s seat. You can sit up front with me if you like.”

  “Thank you. Is this your final trip up?”

  “No. I will be assisting with the lottery winners. The more pilots flying the faster we can get them all up. There are about fifteen thousand of them after all. That’s a lot of trips.”

  “Of course. I’m finding myself somewhat nostalgic. I didn’t think I would, but here we are.”

  Debra considered him as they each buckled into their seats. She hadn’t pegged him for the nostalgic type and told him as much.

  “Usually I’m not, you’re right. But I’ve also never left an entire planet before.”

  “And hopefully you won’t have to again.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  Debra systematically went through her checklist and initiated take off. The craft hovered straight up ten feet off the ground then began accelerating forward in a steady incline. The trail of smoke from the rocket launch appeared more translucent as it began to fade. To the right was the south gate. Even now, months after the lottery, at least two hundred protesters rallied outside the fence amongst the many tents that dotted the landscape where they slept. To his left was their own version of a tent city where the lottery winners lived. Their tents were much larger, capable of sleeping a hundred people each. Thousands of civilians walked around the campus getting exercise and fighting off boredom.

  The craft flew higher. The skyscrapers of Orlando still stood, though most were vacant. The city was just a footnote compared to a hundred years ago when millions of tourists flooded the city’s borders visiting the numerous theme parks. In the distance sunlight reflected off the round centerpiece of what was once known as Epcot—Spaceship Earth.

  Thirty miles away was the new coastline. Waves crashed amongst half submerged buildings poking out of the shallow water. So many homes and businesses lost when the water steadily invaded town after town. Somewhere underneath them was the old Cape Canaveral. The space race was born underneath the ocean.

  Within minutes the blue of the sky gradually faded to the blackness of space—clouds replaced by stars. Lingering in the void, several miles away from them, was The Hub. Debra and he kept their distance in orbit while the assembly rocket docked with The Hub.

  “How long will we be waiting for clearance?” he asked.

  “The process will take them about twenty minutes. It’s best to stay clear until then.”

  He could barely make out the assembly crew propelling themselves around the outside of the ship preparing to install the final pieces. A small object floated across his vision inches away. He grabbed it and looked around at other objects floating around the cockpit.

  “Just do it. You won’t have a chance on board The Hub or The Hawking,” Debra said.

  He smiled, unbuckled himself from his seat, and floated out of it. He turned himself around to face the empty cargo hold, gripped the tops of the two seats in the cockpit, and pushed himself into the area.

  Half an hour later, Liam reluctantly stood back on his own two feet and walked into The Hub.
Each of the STS ships had their own docking bays, but the standard procedure for all new residents was to check in at The Hub where they would be subject to the final mental and physical health checks. Although he doubted any of the doctors on board The Hub would turn anyone away no matter what they found. He went through the process carrying along his two duffel bags as he visited each physician’s station. After the turn-your-head-and-cough routine, he was on his way.

  The corridors featured colored LED lights that lit the way toward each ship. His destination was at the end of the blue light trail. Up three floors and at least a half-mile walk later, he found himself at a docking port to at last grant him entrance aboard the ship he was responsible for for half a decade. He had to duck to squeeze through the five foot doorway, but was able to stand again through the slender tunnel to the other side. One last duck at the next doorway and he was officially on board.

  Chapter 11

  A SURREAL CALMNESS in the bridge. They were less than an hour from detaching from The Hub and beginning their one thousand year journey through the empty void. All final checks were being conducted. Captain Jameson stood proudly at his post overlooking his dozen crewmembers.

  At any moment President Foster was expected to address the world. Jameson dedicated a large monitor by the front window bay to watch the broadcast. Liam silently joined him. While on the ground, he was the man in charge. Up here, however, Jameson called all the shots. Mutual respect allowed him the privilege of joining the captain on the bridge.

  The monitor came to life with a stand-by message on the screen. Foster appeared seconds later looking impressively presidential.

  “Fellow Americans and those watching from nations across the globe. The day has come at long last. Decades of scientific research, ingenuity, and breakthroughs have led us here. Thousands of men and women dedicated their lives for this day. Many lost them in the process.

  “The alien fleet that caused us to abandon three of our own STS ships have still made no contact with us. They are nearly to the moon’s orbit. Russia and ourselves have aimed our entire nuclear arsenal in their direction. Within hours they will launch assuming the lack of communication remains. We are prepared for anything. Our own STS fleet will be well on their way when we launch. If the nuclear weapons prove unsuccessful, every military on Earth is ready to defend you all should they counterattack. We are prepared, we are brave, we are strong.

  “Humanity does not end today. It is only the beginning of a new chapter. To those watching on the five ships above us...we may not be with you, but know we are in spirit. Your journey will take you places we could never fathom. You will be missed by us on Earth, but we wish you the best. You carry our torch to the future. The flame keepers of humanity.

  “Everyone else, stand proud. Proud of our friends and family who depart today on such an important mission. And proud of each other. Today may be hard, but tomorrow will come. I promise you.

  “Good luck to you all. God bless America, our fleet, and the world.”

  Ann turned off her wall-screen and collapsed on her bed. Despite months of advanced warning she still found it hard to believe that her species would be launching a nuclear strike against an alien civilization. Her ship, The Christensen, was far from The Hub. They were ready to head out on the opposite side of Earth from the direction the alien fleet was approaching. Currently, only The Hawking was still docked with The Hub as they finished their final supply stock.

  She thought of Liam. Months apart and he was still thousands of miles away. In a few short days they would be reunited and she could not wait. She missed him more than she thought possible. She wanted to share ideas with him, laugh with him, and be safe with him. Even though she tried telling herself otherwise, she was scared. The future was filled with so many unknowns.

  A knock on her door.

  “Screen on,” she said to the always-listening computer interface.

  Her wall-screen blinked to life again.

  “Doorway cam.”

  The video feed from outside her doorway showed Ray and Salena. Ray looked at her camera and lifted an eyebrow. She rolled her eyes.

  “Allow entrance.”

  A click from her door and it slid to the right disappearing from view behind the wall. Her friends entered and the door slid back into place.

  “Hi, guys. Sorry if I don’t get up.” She beckoned them in while not lifting her head off her bed.

  “You okay?” Salena asked. Her friend sat beside her on the edge of the bed. Ray stood by the wall-screen now displaying an empty corridor. He pressed a button and the feed changed to show the view from outside the ship.

  “Yes. I’m worried, but what else is new?”

  “Liam?” Salena asked, concerned for her friend.

  “Yes. But also the entire Hawking ship and everyone on Earth.” She sat up on the bed, put her head on Salena’s shoulder.

  “We all are. We have to trust that Captain Jameson can lead them to safety and the rendezvous point in a few days.”

  Ray chimed in. “And I’m sure Foster is itching to annihilate those alien sons of bitches. If the nukes don’t kill them, our militaries will.”

  “If the nukes don’t stop them, The Hawking will be our closest ship in their range. If they attack us, they’ll take the brunt of it,” Ann said.

  “It’s best not to worry about it. At least, try not to.”

  Salena was right, Ann knew. Worrying would not make a difference. Of course not worrying was easier said than done.

  “Hey, do you guys want to head to the observation deck? It looks like The Einstein is on approach,” Ray said.

  Sure enough, a ship could be seen in the distance on the wall-screen. The Christensen, The Linwood, and The Newton were all three waiting together. STS Four, The Einstein, was almost to them, then The Hawking would finally be on their own way. The four ships ahead of them would start their journey as soon as The Einstein joined their ranks. They would travel at half-speed giving Liam’s ship time to catch up. Once all five ships were together, Ann would board a Z48 shuttle and join Liam on The Hawking. It would then take the ships two weeks to reach maximum velocity. Not long after it would be time for the Big Sleep. A thousand years later they’d wake up together looking out at a brand new world in a foreign solar system.

  “I think that’s a great idea. I could use the distraction. Salena?”

  “Sure. Let’s check it out. Also it may be our last chance to see Earth.”

  The three left Ann’s room and went to the nearest elevator that would take them eight stories up to the observation deck.

  The trio joined a hundred other passengers already inside the U-shaped auditorium. The vibe throughout the crowd was a mix between fright and despair. Ann leaned more toward the former. Despite her worries, she was struck with amazement at the view of the Earth. Many around her were crying. She didn’t know if it was because of the marvelous beauty of the sight before them or if they were crying for more personal reasons. Perhaps both?

  She looked around, noticing the diversity of the people. All races and cultural backgrounds were present on the ship. They were no longer divided by petty differences. They flew under the banner of a united humanity. Her ship carried twenty-five thousand people on board. One thousand were crew members, fourteen thousand were scientists and doctors of all backgrounds, and the rest were passengers made up of different cultures from around the world.

  She tried not to think about her father—abandoned down on the surface. She hoped he was safe. Instead she reminded herself of all the wonderful achievements that the planet had seen. Everything humanity accomplished starting with the invention of the wheel and the discovery of fire all the way to the invention of rocket ships and the first space flights in the twentieth century had led to where she was standing. Every birth of a new baby for hundreds of thousands of years resulted in her and the thousands aboard these ships—off to a distant unfamiliar world on board the modern arks of Noah. On these arks resided one hund
red and twenty-five thousand people and the DNA of every living organism on Earth with the technology to recreate these species on Proxima. They were the guardians of life.

  Looking out through the curved window, The Einstein was closing the distance. The ship was a wonder to behold. All five ships featured the same design, but that did not dissuade the awe inspiring sight of seeing one soaring through space. The mile long vessel was hundreds of feet tall—higher if you include the bridge tower. About a third of a mile from the front of each ship a tower jetted up from the top like a fin. The tower’s width allowed for a bank of three elevators that transported the bridge’s crew an extra two hundred feet up. At the top was the impressive three-hundred and sixty degree bridge where the captain and crew had an unobstructed view of the ship’s surroundings.

  Spaced out among the sides of the ships were four docking bays—two on the port side and two on the starboard. Each docking bay was filled with Z fleet crafts waiting for action.

  At the rears were a series of giant thrusters that powered the ships through the stars. Smaller thrusters littered the sides of the ships to enable steering.

  She wondered again about Liam—if he was thinking the same profound thoughts she was, or if he was bracing himself for a fight that may or may not come. She pulled out her cell and called him on video. After several rings his face appeared on her screen.

  “Hi, you,” he said, smiling.

  “Hey. Are you looking at this?” she asked, gesturing to Earth looming behind her out the window.

  “Beautiful isn’t. The second most beautiful thing in space.”

  “And you’re the corniest,” she said, making him laugh in the way she loved with his eyes crinkled up in the corners.

  “Where are you?” she asked.

  “On the bridge. We’re detaching now from The Hub and we have about thirty minutes until, well, we fire twenty nukes into space. I wish I was there with you.”

  “Liar. You know you want to be where the action is. That’s why you’re on the rear ship of this caravan through space. Besides, I’m huddled in a group of a hundred people crying for lost memories. Plus, you have Percy over there. He’ll need you.”