Solar Express (52 page)

“What's our distance from the sun?”

DISTANCE FROM THE SUN IS NINETY-ONE MILLION KAYS.

Almost three days after leaving the Solar Express, Recon three was still some twenty million kays inside the orbit of Venus.
Because you couldn't accelerate any more because you had to save fuel in order to decelerate.
There wasn't much point in arriving sooner going faster if he had no way to slow down, and if he'd used gravity braking around Earth, he couldn't have bled off enough speed, given his approach path, not to have required more fuel than he would have had remaining in order to decelerate enough not to go flying by Earth.

The proverbial catch-22.
As he thought that, he wondered from where that particular expression had come.

CO2 LEVEL IS NOW AT FOUR POINT ONE PERCENT.

As if he needed the reminder.

There was a backup CO2 removal system, a single lithium hydroxide canister, that could theoretically scrub the air in the ship for six hours. What the documentation didn't show was how much the level could be reduced during that six-hour time period, except that it could drop the level by fifty percent during its six-hour life span, but the instructions didn't say from what level. Tavoian judged that meant it could remove half the CO2 in the ship's air at a five percent concentration, since five percent was considered a threshold for impairing human performance.

It was a relief of sorts to see the colonel's message arrive, followed immediately by one from Alayna. Tavoian read the colonel's message. The text was as brief as it usually was.

Request update on CO2 levels and outcome of adjustments.

Would appreciate sending additional images and data not previously sent, within transmission procedure limitations. Use your discretion in selecting the most appropriate images to convey the sense of the alien artifact.

Appropriate for what? Justifying a mission to investigate?

Request ETA L1 area.

Tavoian's reply was brief, if slightly longer than the colonel's message.

CO2 levels continue to climb. Now at four point one percent [4.1%]. Have adjusted air heat recharge levels to the maximum recommended level. Are there any other emergency CO2 removal means besides the one lithium hydroxide canister? Any other possible adjustments to the atmosphere system?

Additional images and data attached.

Among the images Tavoian had chosen were several that showed the artifact and the larger Sinese ship, because he thought the colonel might appreciate that, as well as find it useful, and because the Sinese vessel, for all its size, looked tiny in comparison to the artifact, which it was.

Present ETA is 1830 UTC, 5 December 2114.

Of course, more than a few things could change that, but most that could would probably result in his not arriving at all. He didn't think mentioning that was exactly wise. He dispatched his reply and turned his attention to Alayna's message.

His smile was wry when he read the line about her hoping the rest of his return was less eventful than his departure from the artifact. He hoped so as well, but he had his doubts. He read the quote about Galileo twice before he even thought about replying.

She's quite a woman.
His second thought was,
and you're just realizing it now?
Even Kit had noticed it.

When he finished his response, he read it over a last time.

Dear Alayna,

Your message just arrived. I do appreciate your thoughts and the considerate and, I suspect, personal choice of that quotation. I also agree with its substance and spirit.

I would like very much to tell you about the alien artifact—in person. When I will be able to, or when you will be able to be there to hear what I have to say is, I fear, not exactly in either of our hands. You have a tour at COFAR to complete before returning to Earth, and I have no idea at present what awaits me upon my return. That doesn't mean I don't want to or won't tell you in person. I do want to and will. The timing just isn't in my hands.

In fact, at the moment, all I can do is sit/float here before the controls and trust that the systems around me will continue to operate. So far, so good.

Did I ever tell you that I almost didn't apply for the Space Service? I always dreamed of being a pilot. I wanted to go to the edge of the solar system, beyond the Kuiper Belt and out into the Oort Cloud. When I learned that most pilots just flew fusionjets between Earth orbit stations and various lunar stations, and only infrequently to Phobos or Deimos, it didn't seem that exciting. But then I realized that if they did pick a pilot to go farther, they'd pick one from among the existing pilots. So I applied and was fortunate enough to be accepted and good enough to become a pilot. Well … I haven't even gotten to Mars, but I got about that far out from Earth, and I've gotten to see and explore, if through remotes, the very first alien artifact. And I met an astrophysicist as well, which, in retrospect, almost seems fated.

It's strange, because I feel that I've known you far longer than I have, as if you've been a part of my life for longer than the year, or not quite a year, that it's actually been. Then maybe it's because … except I really can't put words to the reasons, only that's the way it feels.

I've enclosed a few images. They aren't the same as being there, or being able to tell you in person, but for now they'll have to do.

My quote for you is inspired by your efforts to discover what lies behind multi-fractal mini-granulations, although I realize that they are small only in comparison to the sun itself:

Those who can find satisfaction only in having more, experience wonder in only the physically overwhelming, and are astounded by accomplishments solely in the grandiose, and who cannot find marvels in the smallest of things, those individuals are the destroyers of civilization and all that is good because both life and civilization rely on the interplay of the smallest of elements.

I'm still learning this, and you have been vital in helping me understand.

He decided against saying more and sent off the message.

Less than ten minutes later, the AI announced,
CO2 LEVEL IS NOW AT FOUR POINT TWO PERCENT.

Another “small” thing that may become very important.
Tavoian could only hope that it didn't happen soon.

 

74

HOTNEWS!

1 D
ECEMBER
2114

[Image Deleted For Off-Earth Transmission]

Remember those missing Sinese force projection ships? They're still missing, and Sinese Head of State Qining is threatening to “disappear” a few Indian ships and a lot more, if the Indians don't own up to “their treacherous deeds.” The Indians told Qining that the ships entered a typhoon and were likely destroyed in a storm that saw waves of seventy meters. Qining's going to raise bigger storm than that if he doesn't get the ships back, or an abject apology along with the immediate capitulation of all Indian military forces and the Dyaus space installation. We'd bet even all that won't satisfy him. Sautéed Earth, anyone?

[Image Deleted]

Former child sex star Eriana D'Bleu—or rather the woman whose image was illegally co-opted by Andrus Entertainment in their realie-sensie breakout
PaniSex
—has declared that she'll be using that MASSIVE settlement she received for her campaign war chest in her quest to replace Senator Johnstone Swallow in 2116. Swallow opposed the settlement and was quoted as saying “entertainment is entertainment, not life.” Looks like entertainment is coming to Utah and Senator Swallow … as part of life.

[Image Deleted]

The Yates Administration still doesn't seem to get it. Noram Prexy President Dyana Yates keeps calling for calm. Repping words don't stop storms. Her own DOEA Secretary was most likely assassinated with bio-weps. Was that to leave the blame on him for the Space Command militarization? Or a Sinese act because that militarization just might crimp their dreadnaught plan? Words aren't going to stop five hundred Indra missiles. Or stealth subs, or the rumored Sinese fire-eye. Maybe those refitted fusionjets will … depending on their refit gear.

[Image Deleted]

A bad week indeed for EC Chancellor Rumikov. Alceste Ciorni, who was acting Chancellor in Rumikov's absence, revealed yesterday a series of separate flashset conversations between Rumikov and unnamed third parties from the Sinese Federation and India. Not only was the double-dexed man double-triple teaming his amorous partners, he was doing the same with the Federation and India. Remember that ADS contract for long-range multispectrum detection systems … it was signed right after a flashset that promised that the EC would not back India. Or what about the huge BAE integrated systems support for India's stealth subs. Another flashset promise … You have to give the man credit. He will do anything … with anyone.

[Image Deleted]

As for Indian Prime Minister Ravindra … no one's seen him in days. Not in person. His image, certainly, but not his body, as if he had a body worth watching. Can you spell secret bunker in the Himalayas? He's going to be where he can launch all those Indra scramjet missiles. Whether they'll find and penetrate Sinese Head of State Qining's also secret bunker is another question. Shouldn't we be in the bunkers and those two out in the open?

[Image Deleted]

Astronomers across the globe, and even out in space, are reporting higher temperatures in the sun's photosphere in the past few days. Climatologists just reported that the remaining ice sheets and glaciers in Greenland are calving—that's falling into the ocean, by the way—at a record rate, even this late in the year. One pundit even blames the Solar Express for it all. It's not even a comet. Some people will blame anything …

 

75

D
AEDALUS
B
ASE

1 D
ECEMBER
2114

Alayna was up late on Saturday night, December first, working with Marcel to refine the calculations for the exact time of perihelion for 2114 FQ5. That wasn't nearly as easy as it might have been because even with months of observations, the artifact continued to accelerate more than could be determined accurately from those past observations. Getting the time as accurate as possible was necessary because she wanted images with both the main optical array and the solar array. While the solar mirror wouldn't be that much of a problem, since it would be focused on the sun in any case, the main optical array was another question, but Alayna needed the main optical array for another, very simple reason. The solar mirror wouldn't pick up 2114 FQ5 as more than a tiny black spot, if that.

Even with the main optical mirror, the artifact would still be a tiny image, barely more than a dark point against the blazing disk of the sun. But since the main optical array was booked for most of the time, Alayna didn't want to have to divert it for any longer than necessary.

Because there will likely be hell to pay … even if you're right.
Especially if she happened to be right, because she couldn't explain what she thought she might see. From the logical point of view, one of three things could happen. The artifact could pass through perihelion untouched, which, from the data and observations she'd gotten from Chris, seemed the most likely. Or it could be torn to bits by the combination of heat and solar gravitation. Or it could literally fly into the sun, although that seemed highly unlikely, if not impossible, given the increasing rate of speed at which the artifact was traveling.

As she sat there waiting, she thought about his last message, and especially about what he'd said about becoming a pilot. He'd just said how he'd felt, but he'd never said much about his feelings before, and he'd emphasized how much he wanted to tell her things in person. And the last lines …

She smiled, a smile that faded too soon as she considered where he was and where she was.

At 2323 UTC, for what seemed the hundredth time, she asked, “Marcel, what is the best estimate for the time of perihelion?”

“At present and anticipated rates of speed, perihelion will occur at 0143 UTC on December second.”

“The current distance?”

“It is calculated at three million kilometers.”

“At 0100 UTC, train the main optical array on 2114 FQ5.”

“That time is booked, Dr. Wong-Grant.”

“Make it a priority override.”

“That is so noted.”

Meaning that you're really on the hook.

Alayna fixed herself another cup of coffee and tried to sit down to wait. She had two sips, and then stood up. “Make the time for focusing on the artifact at 0030. We don't want to miss what will happen if the artifact speeds up more than calculated.”

“That is noted. The main optical array will focus on the artifact at 0030.”

Alayna had more coffee. She walked to the aeroponics bay and checked the system. Then she checked the cargo lock seals.

When she came back to the COFAR control center, she composed a message to her father, reassuring him that she was indeed physically safe.
Not necessarily occupationally safe, but that's your own doing.
She revised the message several times, then finally sent it.

Waiting was hard.

Finally, a little after midnight, she began to study the images from the solar array, but could not detect any sign of 2114 FQ5, although it was little more than a solar radius away from the sun.

“Can you enhance 2114 FQ5 on the solar array display?”

“Image is enhanced and enlarged.”

With the enhancement, Alayna could see a white-edged point, seemingly less than the radius of the sun away from either the edge of the solar disk or the point of perihelion. “It's moving faster.”

“2114 FQ5 is now traveling in excess of four hundred kilometers per second.”