2041 Sanctuary (Let There Be Light) (50 page)

‘Do you see what you were part of now, Professor Steiner?’ Bic said. ‘The goliath that you helped create.’

‘Professor Steiner?’ the astronaut said, astonished.

Steiner didn’t respond and he gave a nervous glance at Brett, whose brows furrowed in response.

‘It is you,’ Tyler said, leaning forward, ‘you don’t remember me, do you?’

Steiner shook his head, fearing the worst.

‘We met once, you and I, at a ceremony. You presented me with a GMRC bronze star for services to the planet.’

Steiner didn’t recall. He’d been to many such occasions and presented many such medals and awards.

Tyler suddenly looked fearful. ‘This is some kind of trick, isn’t it? You want to bring me in, you want me dead!’

Steiner stepped forward. ‘No! No, of course not.’

‘But you’re you, you
are
the GMRC.’

Steiner didn’t know how he could prove he was no longer part of the organisation the man feared. He had an idea and unbuttoned his shirt. ‘Does this look like the body of a man still working as an administrator for the GMRC?’ He shrugged off the garment.

The astronaut looked shocked by the extent of Steiner’s dark bruises and stitched cuts.

‘Professor Steiner is no longer working for the GMRC,’ Bic said, ‘you have all our words on that, Tyler Magnusson.’

Steiner put his shirt back on, wincing in pain as Eric assisted.

‘Commander,’ Brett said, ‘who is Professor Steiner?’

‘You don’t know?’ Tyler looked confused. ‘Surely you must know?’

Brett moved forward, her expression eager. ‘Tell us.’

‘He’s the Director General of the Subterranean Programme, the most powerful man on the GMRC Directorate, the most powerful man on the whole damn planet.’

Chapter Sixty

Professor Steiner saw the looks of disbelief on the faces around him, disbelief mixed with fear, shock and awe. He looked away in discomfort. The truth was out and his fall from grace complete.
Perhaps I should put an advert in a national paper
, he thought wryly before the reality of his situation returned to crush his amusement. He was a convicted criminal, sentenced to death by his peers. There was nothing funny here.

‘I
was
the most powerful man in the GMRC,’ Steiner said, ‘there’s a big difference. And considering my current position, that power was far more tenuous than I knew.’

The NASA astronaut’s expression was one of shock. ‘What happened?’

‘We don’t have time for extended tales, Pilot Commander,’ Bic said, ‘and considering your dwindling air supply, neither do you.’

‘Wait!’ Tyler said. ‘There’s something else.’

Steiner’s stomach tightened in anxiety. What else was this man about to disclose? Steiner considered terminating the transmission, but he knew Bic would be able to counteract any attempt to do so.

‘We are all ears, Tyler Magnusson,’ Bic said.

I bet you are
, Steiner thought.

‘I’ve found something.’

‘Found what?’ Steiner said, wary.

Tyler held up a hand and floated out of shot before reappearing. He lent forward and detached the camera, the picture jolting in response. The NASA astronaut manoeuvred to an oval window and the image he showed them made Steiner catch his breath. The Earth hung in the blackness of space below, its surface hidden by the swirling mass of the all encompassing dust cloud. Since the impact of AG5, Steiner hadn’t been in a position to see the extent of the immense shroud. To see the planet so blighted made the fragility of their situation seem even more profound. Nothing could be seen of the great oceans and their dazzling blue greens. The great forests, mountains and deserts, everything had been hidden from the rays of the sun which blazed bright in heaven’s endless ’verse.

Even through the video feed, the solar system’s yellow star made the eye squint at its majestic power. Steiner’s heart glowed with a safety and warmth he’d long forgotten, the starlight beautiful to behold.

‘Can you see it?’ Tyler said.

Steiner searched the vista with his eyes. ‘See what, Commander, the Earth?’

‘No.’ The astronaut’s hand came into view and pointed between the planet and the sun. ‘There,’ he said, ‘against the light.’

Steiner moved his attention to the area Tyler had indicated. He couldn’t see anything.

‘I see it, Pilot Commander,’ Bic said.

Eric moved past Steiner. ‘See what? That black speck?’

Steiner looked again. Eric was right; there was something there, a tiny patch of black against the flaring fire of the sun.

‘It’s hard to see at the moment,’ Tyler said.

The scene changed back to the interior of the ship and the astronaut’s face reappeared. ‘I’m sending you some photos I took of it yesterday. They’re the best I could get with the equipment on board.’

The commander disappeared again before a static image popped up on their wallscreen.

Steiner moved closer. The photograph showed the sun rising above the Earth’s horizon and, despite the colouration of the dust cloud, the fringes of the planet’s atmosphere still reflected light, making it shine white. Framed against this clarity, a black shape could be seen. The image magnified.

‘It’s a ship,’ Eric said.

Steiner adjusted his glasses. ‘That’s no ship, it’s a space station.’

The picture zoomed in further.

‘I ran a spectral analysis on it,’ Tyler said, coming back on-screen. ‘From what I can work out it isn’t just black because it’s in silhouette, but because it’s made up of black panels. Furthermore, its angular design indicates it has stealth capabilities.’

Steiner frowned. ‘A stealth space station?’

‘It appears so,’ Tyler said. ‘Have you ever heard of such a thing?’

‘Never.’

‘The only reason I was able to see it at all is due to the depth of my current orbit. Lower orbits, where all other space stations operate – did operate – would not be aware of its presence, especially as its path seems to be designed to avoid detection. I’ve seen it change its trajectory multiple times already to avoid the prying eyes of other satellites.’

‘Have you been able to see any markings on it?’

‘None, but I believe its last manoeuvre will enable me to make a close pass. I may even be able to use my remaining fuel to dock with it.’

‘That’s good to hear, Tyler Magnusson,’ Bic said.

Tyler made a face. ‘My chances are slim, but it’s all I’ve got. Although, if I am able to get to it, I might be able to refuel and return to the surface.’

Depending on who’s operating it
, Steiner thought. He didn’t want to bring it up, although he was sure the astronaut must have already considered it, but whoever built and operated this craft had gone to a lot of trouble and expense to keep it hidden. That they’d been able to do so was a monumental feat, meaning only a few culprits could be responsible for its existence. It was either a secret military project devised by the Chinese, the Europeans, the United States or Russia; or – more likely – a collaborative effort between all four. The only other option was one he didn’t want to entertain, but considering the accusations Tyler Magnusson had just made, the GMRC could well be behind this craft that drifted unseen in the darkness of space. What it was for, God only knew, but its presence was disturbing on more than one front.

‘When will you know whether it’s in range, Commander?’ Steiner said.

Tyler pressed a button and glanced to his right. ‘About seven hours from now. I’ll make sure to document what I see on approach and transmit my findings when I’m able.’

The NASA astronaut’s image distorted and a crackle came through the speakers.

‘Your signal is breaking up, Commander,’ Steiner said.

Tyler twisted some dials above him and the picture cleared a little. ‘I’m drifting behind the planet, I don’t have much time. I’ve just sent you a recorded message for my wife and children. Did you receive it?’

Steiner looked to Bic who nodded in confirmation. ‘We did, Commander, we’ll get it to them for you.’

‘Thank you. They’re due to enter USSB Steadfast in a few months time when the final protocol is enacted. If you can get it to them before then—’

Steiner suppressed a groan. He couldn’t bear to tell the man Steadfast was no more and that his family wouldn’t be provided with an alternative.

‘Pilot Commander,’ Bic said, his tone urgent, ‘what were the intercept missions you spoke of? What were they to intercept?’

‘You haven’t told them, Professor?’

Steiner held his breath as the transmission warped again.

‘… incoming … of …’

‘Repeat your last, Commander Magnusson!’ Bic said.

The fuzz and crackle of static came through the speakers as the image faded and broke.

Silence followed, before Tyler’s final words came through the speaker system like the death knell they proclaimed. ‘… intercept … next wave of asteroids heading for Earth.’

Chapter Sixty One

The final message from the NASA astronaut hung in the air. The secret was out and the cyber terrorist had what he’d always wanted, the truth of all truths. Steiner shut his eyes and heaved a sigh. Curiously, the only thing between all out chaos on the surface and a war with those sheltering beneath was the one man who’d been pivotal to Steiner’s current nightmare of a reality. Malcolm Joiner and his GMRC Intelligence Division would have to suppress any information Bic managed to release into the public domain. The problem was, the hacker was a law unto himself and there was no telling what plans he had to disseminate the terrible information he now held.

Eric looked around. ‘Did he just say
next wave of asteroids
?’

Steiner opened his eyes to see Bic staring at him from the wallscreen.

‘That is
exactly
what he said, Eric,’ Bic replied. ‘Professor Steiner, do you care to elaborate for us? Or should I just go viral with what I have?’

Steiner held Bic’s gaze.

‘There are more asteroids?!’ Jessica said, her expression wild. ‘How many? When will they hit?’

Steiner shook his head, sat down and put his head in his hands.

‘Bullshit!’ Brett said. ‘There are no more asteroids.’

Jessica gestured to the wallscreen. ‘Are you deaf? We all heard it!’

Brett laughed. ‘It’s a trick; all of this is a trick. It’s just this terrorist playing games with us.’

‘Games?’ Eric said, fronting up to Brett and tapping his temple. ‘
DU BIST EIN DUMMKOPF
!’

‘What did he just say? What did you just say to me?!’

‘He said you’re a fool,’ Jessica said, ‘and he’s right.’

Brett grabbed Eric’s arm. ‘Say it again, you little bastard and I’ll knock your teeth out.’

‘
Du bist der Dorftrottel
.
Du blöde Kuh
!’

Jessica stepped between them as Bic joined in the argument.

Steiner put his hands over his ears. His head pounded with a headache.
This is too much
. The shouting continued until he could stand no more. ‘QUIET!’

The room fell silent as he stood. ‘Yes, there are more asteroids. Do you want to know how many? Six. There are six more heading for Earth. Four arrive next year and two more in 2045. And the final two are far bigger than the one that’s already hit.’ He faced Bic. ‘Do you know why we kept it a secret? Do you know why no one should know? Because the surface is at an end. Nothing can stop them.’

Bic stared at Steiner, his expression unreadable.

Silence ensued before Eric broke the impasse. ‘What about the intercept missions?’

‘The Space Programme has tried for decades to land craft on them,’ Steiner said, ‘or shunt them off course. It started with AG5, but they all failed.’

‘Perhaps they didn’t fail,’ Bic said, ‘perhaps whoever destroyed the intercept missions also made sure AG5 would hit.’

Steiner made a despairing gesture. ‘Perhaps so, I don’t know anything anymore.’

‘What happens to everyone on the surface?’ Jessica said in a quiet voice.

Bic blinked, stunned. ‘They die.’

Jessica looked at Steiner, her eyes begging it wasn’t so.

‘The Subterranean Programme was only ever designed to take a finite number of people,’ Steiner said. ‘There is no way we could cater for nine billion souls, no matter how much we wanted to. Hard decisions had to be made. It’s not about right or wrong. The future of the species was at stake. Nothing else matters.’

‘What a crock of shit!’ Brett said. ‘This man is a convicted criminal and you’re listening to him like he’s some kind of prophet. I can’t stand any more of this – this lie!’ She stormed from the room.

‘Some people take the news better than others,’ Steiner said, watching her go.

‘That’s why all the resources are going; you’re pulling up the drawbridge.’ Jessica slumped down onto a chair. ‘Oh, my God, it’s going to be anarchy.’

Eric sat down next to her. ‘There must be something we can do?’

‘There’s nothing,’ Steiner said. ‘What will be, will be.’

‘All those people,’ Jessica said, ‘there must be a way, there must be something—’

‘If we could have saved everyone we would have,’ Steiner told her, ‘but it’s not possible. What we’ve achieved so far, some said couldn’t be done, but we did, against the odds. When humanity unites, it can achieve the improbable, but not the impossible.’

‘You’re responsible for the deaths of my colleagues,’ Jessica said. ‘Your GMRC, that astronaut said. You helped create it, helped run it. You’re responsible for all the deaths of those that sought to expose the lie. You’re more of a monster than Brett thinks.’

Steiner shook his head. ‘No, you have my word, I had no hand in the ways the Intelligence Division went about their work. I always counselled restraint and voted against such practices. You must believe me. I found a great many things the GMRC did – does – as repugnant as you do. I may have been on the Directorate, but I was still one of many. There were thousands more from around the world, each with as much a say as anyone else.’

Jessica stood to pace around the room. ‘The people deserve to know.’