Farthest Reef (19 page)

“What’s the building for?” asked Mary.

Tony grinned. “Administration mostly. And a hangar.”

It took a while for the audience to assemble. Finally, Johnny stepped to the lectern at center stage and raised both hands. “Greetings everyone,” he said. His voice, amplified over the ship’s public address system, echoed down the length of the great cylinder. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Johnny said. “Welcome to the Lalande system!”

Thunderous applause and cheering rose from the crowd. When it faded, Johnny spoke again. “As most of you know, I’m Professor John Baltadonis, assistant chairman and acting commander. You’ve been asked to assemble here to view, firsthand, the entire crew of this amazing ship. Hi, everybody!” He waved enthusiastically to the crowd.

More cheering and applause followed, during which a small group of people entered the stage from the rear. Among them was a man in a wheelchair whom Alex recognized immediately as Professor Stubbs. Alex was shocked to see him, almost as if he had seen a ghost. After all, the last he’d heard the aging Professor was effectively deceased, awaiting heart replacement after arrival at Lalande.

Stubbs’ wheeled chair was pushed to the lectern by a tall female in white coveralls. She left him beside Johnny and stepped offstage. When the cheering died down, Johnny leaned toward the microphone again to speak. “It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the REAL commander of the
Goddard
, Doctor Harry Stubbs. And I hereby officially, and more than gladly, relinquish command.”

During the applause that followed, Stubbs wheeled himself closer to the podium and shook Johnny’s hand enthusiastically. He turned his chair and smiled the audience. Johnny removed the microphone from the lectern and handed it to him.

“Thank you, Johnny,” said Stubbs. His voice sounded strong and confident, not at all what Alex expected from a man who had been in stasis for several weeks and was about to receive a new heart. “And thank you everyone for taking part in this assembly. It was my idea to call this meeting so that all of you could see the entire staff of the
Goddard
. Welcome, everyone!”

Mary sat on the grass next to Alex with her head resting on his shoulder. “He looks good,” she said. Indeed, the gentleman looked and sounded fit, but they were judging this from a distance. And the Commander’s complexion looked paler by far than Johnny’s, now seated behind him.

Stubbs lowered the microphone and surveyed the crowd as if looking for someone. He whispered something to Johnny, who pointed in Alex and Mary’s direction. Stubbs smiled and put the microphone to his lips again. “Behind me on the large screen is a picture of our destination, the planet Lalande 21185b. Like Jupiter, the planet has a spot. Our mission is to explore that feature and determine if the forces that put life in our solar system are common to other systems as well. Specifically, this one, an ancient star.” Stubbs surveyed the audience. “Are we alone? That question has been on men’s minds since the dawn of civilization. That’s why we’re all here. With your help we may soon have that answer.”

Sporadic applause rippled through the audience, which by now had settled down and was listening intently. “Before I go on,” continued Stubbs, “I want to bring to the stage a group of people who are essential to our mission. They are the crew of
Diver
, the ship that discovered Jupiter’s Reef. Alex and Mary Rose, Doctor Anthony Sciarra, Commander Constance Tsu … and, of course, John Baltadonis … would you all please join me?” He surveyed the crowd surrounding the stage. “I hope you can hear me out there.”

Amid thunderous applause, Alex, Mary, Tony and Connie climbed the steps to the stage and joined the two men at the lectern. Alex was stunned by the enthusiasm of the crowd. Some of the spectators called his or Mary’s name, whistling and applauding. Mary blushed for the first time since he’d known her. “Jeeps,” she whispered to Alex as they crossed the stage. “This is too strange.”

“I know,” answered Alex as he waved to the audience.

Reaching the two men at center stage, Alex shook Stubbs’ hand enthusiastically; Mary followed suit along with Tony and Connie. Alex happened to look up and saw himself projected on the giant screen. He nudged Mary and pointed it out to her just as the image shifted to a close-up of her face. Mary studied the image for a moment, then smiled and waved at the audience. Cheers followed.

Stubbs watched it with amusement, wearing a smile like an impish schoolboy smirk. He was clapping as everyone gathered around his wheelchair. “Congratulations, you two,” said Stubbs, squeezing Alex and Mary’s hands. He nodded to Tony and Tsu and saluted. “Splendid job, both of you.”

Stubbs faced the audience again. “It’s a pity that those on Earth who supported this mission can’t view our proceedings today. Barely two months ago we embarked on a mission to another stellar shore. All of you, each and every one, represent mankind. You stand today as representatives of a thousand years of the hopes and dreams of mankind. I hope all of you will remember this during the difficult days to come.”

The auditorium grew still and Stubbs turned to Johnny. “Please sit down, all of you. I have a few more words.” Stubbs looked at the audience sympathetically and smiled. “If I don’t think of all of you as family now, I’m sure I will by the time we return to the solar system. I look forward to that happening. But I also look forward to the discovery that now lies ahead.” Stubbs took a deep breath and hung his head for a moment, then he looked back at Johnny and smiled. “I have one last thing to say about our mission. This is a maiden voyage, for the ship and for mankind. Until we get home,
Goddard
is all we have. It is our lifeboat … our ark, if you will. This, too, is part of our mission. This is going to be a long and sometimes grueling mission. It may even require, God forbid it, great personal sacrifice of each of you. Now that we are here, I can’t ask you all to do service for my sake, or the sake of these fine people on stage, or even Earthcorp, who sponsored this mission. I ask you to serve each other for your own sake, with patience, tolerance, and hope. Thank you.”

The applause rose to a cheer as Stubbs wheeled himself away from the podium. It continued as his aide, Ned Binder, took the microphone returned to the lectern. It was left to him to continue the proceedings, which included introducing all the department chiefs and to issue some updated details about the mission. He reported that the
Goddard
was decelerating as planned. All thirty-six engines were functioning well, and they expected to be in orbiting Bubba in a week. He reminded everyone that once the ship was safely in orbit, it would become fully operational, and it would become a space base for the exploration of the planet. The three shuttles aboard, including Alex’s ship,
Diver
, would be used for the exploratory missions.

“What that means in plain language is that the lake will be full in a week!” Ned announced enthusiastically. “Now for a little unusual entertainment.” He pointed skyward. “Introducing the Superlight Squadron … and the
Goddard
Sky Dancers!”

Scores of brightly colored parachutists were diving toward the ground. Nearby, arcing in lazy circles, drifted three gossamer airplanes with broad wings, like the gliders used on Mars. As one of them swooped close by he could see the pilot or pilots lying prone inside the fuselage. Alex realized it was a jet powered ultralight. He could even hear the hiss of the engine as the plane gained altitude.

Mary spotted something near the giant lighted column and pointed it out to Alex. He squinted but couldn’t see anything. “What?”

Ned Binder, watching with the rest of the multitude, provided the answer. “Some of you may be able to see another unique event going on. Seven hardy souls are testing a new sport and the recreational opportunities in our cylindrical world.” He looked at the crowd and leaned closer to the microphone. “Not only will we offer glider classes for those interested, but we also have sail-chutes of all sizes.”

“What new sport?” called a man near the stage.

“Ah,” replied Ned. “Those are chutists who’re testing an idea, to jump off from one end of the cylinder and try to make it to the other end before the coreolis effects force them down. No one can make it the whole distance, of course,” he added. “The game is to see how far they can get.”

All eyes in the audience were now glued skyward, but the lighted column was too bright for most people to watch. Only Mary seemed able to keep an eye on the daredevils. “They’re not making it very far,” she said, slipping on sunglasses. “Four are already coming down. The others are still up there but slowing. Air resistance, I guess.”

When it was over, all the skydivers had executed their falls perfectly and an enterprising young lad named Quentin Thompson had somehow managed to beat the laws of physics and reach nearly to the halfway point on the great column. His flight was telecast over the ship and displayed on the large screen above the stage.

Alex and Mary decided not to take the bus with the others back to their house. They both agreed the walk would do them good. Others were also choosing to walk, following the tree lined edge of the great metal lakebed.

As they strolled along, taking note of the benches, picnic tables, and comfort kiosks, it was clear to see that
Goddard’s
planners had provided as natural a setting as possible. The dome-like kiosks were blisters of plastic, spaced every hundred meters or so along the shore. The doors on opposite sides were marked for gender, and inside were all the gender based amenities. But what had Alex wondering was the strange gully that surrounded each one, perhaps a meter deep with a rounded bottom that was painted black and completely encircled the dome, except where the pathways led to the two doors.

After using the facility, Alex and Mary looked it over carefully and discussed the mysterious trough surrounding it. Alex thought she would have a ready answer, but she found the structure equally perplexing. He hailed a man and woman nearby and asked if they knew the gully’s purpose. The couple introduced themselves as Peter and Kate Glaze. Peter, a computer technician in his mid thirties, studied the structure and shrugged. “Got me.”

“Maybe it’s a nighttime urinal,” suggested his wife. Peter laughed.

A man walking by noticed the group examining the structure. “The fountains will be turned on as soon as the lake is filled,” he called out. “If that’s what you’re waiting for.”

“Fountains,” said Alex. “Of course.” He laughed.

“Are you Alex Rose?” the man asked, wide-eyed. “You’re just … out here walking around?” The man, whose position was unclear because he wore civilian jogging togs and a bulky shirt, seemed awestruck as he checked all his pockets. “Dingers,” he said. “Not a pen on me. I was hoping for an autograph.”

“You’re a miner,” observed Alex. “From Io?”

“Yeah … Iocorp. Hydraulics,” said the man, nodding. “Tom Walters, the name. I helped rig these fountains.” His eyes settled on Mary and he blushed, then he looked back at Alex. “I’m sorry. Not to intrude.”

Alex took the man’s hand. “Intrude? Crappers. Miners are bro. No?”

Tom smiled. “I was hoping for an autograph but …”

“Look, mate,” said Alex. “We’re folks like you.”

“I know that,” said Tom. “Hell, ev’body knows that. But you did somethin’ great, and you did it alone. No Corpies lordin’ o’er everything.” He looked at Kate and Peter. “No offense.”

Peter shrugged. “You’ll get no argies from me on that, mate.”

Alex forced a smile. “We’re in another star system, mates. Here we’re all heroes, right?”

Tom smiled and lowered his eyes. “I guess …”

“You mentioned fountains,” said Mary. “What fountains?”

“This fountain.” He pointed to the structure Alex had been puzzling about. “When it turns on the whole building will be under the fountain. Except the doorways, of course. They’re to keep the humidity up.”

“I noticed the drains,” said Peter. “They’re under the walkway.”

The group walked together for a while, discussing their new surroundings, then they went their separate ways. Finally Alex and Mary reached the causeway that led to their house. “Only another five klicks,” said Alex, jokingly.

A siren began to wail, echoing through the cylinder. It lasted for a few seconds, then the voice of Commander Stubbs said: “All hands to general quarters.” His voice echoed strangely. “This is not a drill. Tactical staff to your stations. Double time, please!”

Mary and Alex started running.

4
By the time they reached their house it had already lowered to the one story position. The computer urged them to go to their bedroom dome, which snapped quickly shut as they hit the unmade mattress. Their overhead screen was already flashing messages. “PREPARE FOR JUMP. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. TACTICAL RADAR HAS DETECTED A CLOUD OF PROTO-COMETARY MATERIAL …”

“Honest to God, dingers,” said Alex.

“We’re made of polycer mesh,” said Mary. “It shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“Come on, Mary, we’re talking virgin comet stuff,” said Alex. “P … Planetary …” His voice shook as his chin quivered slightly. “Freakin’ incoming,” he breathed.

“Computer,” Mary said. “Patch us into Master Control.”

The control room appeared on their dome. Alex watched the helmeted heads at the consoles, seeking some clue to what action they were taking. Projected holographically in the center of the room was the Lalande system, with its red dwarf sun brooding at the center and Bubba showing as a purple dot at the corner of the screen. “Computer, display the tactical view on our dome,” he ordered, wondering if the computer possibly could do that. Suddenly they were in virtual deep space. Grids were floating everywhere, all in different colors and arrayed with little numbers and symbols changing constantly.

“Okay,” said Alex. “That’s too much. I’m not Tach Tech. I just want to see the threat!”

Wordlessly the computer cleared the data from the screen. What remained was a view of space as seen from the nose of the ship. Since it was still primarily a tactical display, the numbers that showed speed and ship’s coordinates stayed visible. Alex noted that the
Goddard’s
speed had slowed to a little under 90,000 kilometers per second.