The Prometheus Effect (5 page)

“
What do you want me to do, call it in. Houston, we have a problem, Coffey is hallucinating, send up emergency measures.”

Corrigan pushed himself away and back down the shuttle into the cockpit.

“
Asshole.” Coffey muttered whilst pressing his nose once again at the window.

Roger Coffey was not usually part of the current seven man team. He was drafted in at short notice, it was a rare case. Astronauts were kept in quarantine before a flight to prevent sudden illness but Coffey was not a replacement for a sick navigator, he was the replacement for a dead navigator.

Paul Niemechek was found in his quarters with a makeshift noose around his neck. It was a shock to all. Astronauts were not only physical supreme specimens but also psychologically fit. It appeared inconceivable that the teams of top clinicians could have missed a deep depression that could have culminated in suicide. Coffey knew Niemechek, he did not seem the sort to take his own life. He had a good life, a wife and two children who were doing well in school. He was the archetypal American family man, a solid dependable figure. It was a conundrum that no one could seem to figure out.

Coffey did not seem to be accepted as readily by his new crew. He guessed that Niemechek's absence was still lingering in their thoughts as every action Coffey took was analysed and compared their lost mate. There was a peculiar atmosphere among his colleagues that did not sit right. Coffey only hoped that as the excitement of the mission unfolded, then the tension would dissipate.

The Destiny was the first of a new line of shuttles conceived as part of the 'Rebuild' project. After the disastrous economic downturn of the last decade when all appeared to be lost in terms of the space program, there was a newly rekindled enthusiasm for NASA and its projects. The recent election brought about a wave of euphoria across the nation, a new president signalled a new hope, and a new budget for the space program which was bolstered considerably.

The 'Prometheus' mission was in the main, a scientific research project centring around the release into orbit of a new data gathering satellite bearing the same name. Due to the short nature of Coffey’s preparations for the mission, he was undeniably ignorant of the crews tasks in carrying it out. He knew nothing of the technical capabilities of the Prometheus satellite; in a sense, apart from getting the shuttle up into orbit and back again, his role was hugely diminished by his 'stand in' stature. As the hours rolled by, his self worth appeared to be devalued by the minute as he stood by and watched with only a curious interest. The crew were in no mood for conversation or sharing their workload. Coffey felt on occasions that NASA should have canned the mission due to recent tragic events, but perhaps out of character, they charged on without delay. Following the demise of previous missions, NASA had become super sensitive where safety was concerned. It seemed almost bizarre that they should put a crew in mourning into space. Prometheus must surely have been of some importance and its dispatch into orbit greatly time sensitive for such a procedure to go ahead.

The hours passed until the shuttle was in the prescribed position to offload its cargo. A carefully orchestrated space walk was required in order to properly release the payload. Coffey sat in the cockpit as he watched the others in the cargo bay perform their choreographed routine.

It was the first time he had really seen the Prometheus satellite, and as it was unloaded and positioned, its appendages extended and placed into position, it struck him what an odd looking bit of kit it was. Something else was apparent but seemingly not discussed prior to the event, the orbital position of the satellite seemed in-congruent to common sense. The team of highly skilled and trained astronauts appeared to be setting the device to inevitably fail. Their orbit was shallow, they were not in the proper satellite band, it seemed a foregone conclusion that this machine, forged by the greatest minds in science at the greatest cost, would very likely and sooner rather than later, enter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up, possibly within a matter of days. As navigator, it stood to reason that any irregularities would have been shared with him, indeed it seemed odd from the very start when the schedule of events was first presented to him. So fine were the margins that in a matter of hours, the shuttle itself would begin to surf the searing heat of the re-entry. NASA did not train astronauts to be sheep, there was something extraordinary going on here and roger Coffey intended to find out.

Coffey waited until the team had returned safely to the shuttle and gotten out of their suits. Corrigan led them into the cockpit and they began to ready themselves for re-entry.

“
What the fuck is going on here? Why don't you people talk to me?”

There was a cool silence as none of the crew felt the need to answer him with any haste. Finally Mahindra answered, she was the dark skinned Science Officer who had been short with him from the start.

“
What do you want us to say?” She asked obtusely.

“
Well, I'm pretty sure that something is seriously amiss here and I am obviously the only one who is out of the loop. Is anyone going to give me an explanation why we just dumped a billion dollars worth of hardware on a crash course for the Pacific?”

There was another silence as the team did not care to look at the enraged navigator and began their re-entry check-lists.

“
Is this some kind of 'need to know' bullshit mission, if so, just say and I’ll shut my mouth.”

Mahindra looked up and spoke sharply.

“
You said it, now get your shit together Commander.”

Coffey slumped down on his seat. He might expect something like this in the military but he had never been wilfully kept in the dark on a space flight before. It was hard to believe that NASA would send up a crew that were all working from a different page. Coffey signalled to Kallowitz to strap him in and he obliged in rough style. Being left out in the cold was one thing but the open hostility was something else. For the first time in his career as an astronaut, Coffey wanted with all of his heart to be back home. Back on Earth, back to Florida.

CHAPTER SIX

The Royal Standard Hotel, Islington

19:39 November 11
^th
2020

Joshua sat on a plush brown leather sofa in the quiet lounge bar of his hotel. Supping a Gin and Tonic, he clutched a small digital Dictaphone which he had set to record at the push of a button. He intended to secrete it in a loose pocket somewhere on Jimmy's arrival. He wanted Jimmy to be open with him and feel at ease. Shoving a recording device in his face was not the way to go. Indeed, it was unlikely that they would stay in the public bar. Joshua's room was spacious and contained a nice seating arrangement around a tray of tea and coffee making facilities.

Joshua grew concerned that Jimmy had stood him up. Joshua's punctuality was legendary and thus many had fallen foul of his high standards in the past. The reporter had to give him some leeway though, the London traffic was always bad. If it was not road works then it was an accident.

Joshua perked up as he caught a glimpse of a very sheepish looking man peering through the large windowed fascia. A brief wave was enough to confirm he had got to the right location and as he walked in, Joshua realised that Jimmy had gone to some length to ensure that his usually bedraggled appearance was cast off in favour of a leisure suit jacket and some corduroy slacks.

“
Looking good Jimmy.” Joshua said as he stood to greet his source.

“
Well, I don’t come to these posh places very often. Thought I’d make an effort.”

Joshua shook Jimmy's hand firmly and asked him what he would like to drink. Jimmy hesitated as if embarrassed by his regular brew.

“
A pint of bitter please.”

“
Any particular?”

“
Nah, anything thanks.”

Joshua watched Jimmy from the bar. He could not help but feel sorry for the cabby, he was indeed a fish out of water and he fidgeted incessantly on the luxurious chair as if he felt he did not deserve the privilege to sit there.

Joshua placed the frothing vessel before Jimmy who swiftly whipped it from his grasp and chugged a third of the glass before Joshua had the chance to sit back down.

“
I'm very glad you came. It sounds like you have quite a story to tell. I just want you to know that at this stage I’m just gathering information. I can't guarantee anything you say will be put into print, however, if you are OK with it, I may use your account in detail, is that alright with you?”

Jimmy nodded, never looking away from his pint. Joshua could detect his unease and decided to take it easy at first.

“
So Jimmy, You've been a taxi driver for a long time then?”

“
Yup.” The answer was short and to the point but Joshua would need more than monosyllabic answers to his questions if he were to progress. Joshua tactically altered his tack.

“
I bet your taxi cab was a bit different when you started out eh?”

“
Hmm, yes, very different. Drove like a tank, cold, uncomfortable ride, although that never bothered me. I'm into classic cars from the 60's and 70's, they didn’t have air conditioning in those days did they?”

Joshua smiled and nodded. He knew that at heart, Jimmy was a conversationalist, all he needed to do was dissipate the nervousness. Joshua decided then that he would not even mention the reason why he was there until after dinner and a couple more drinks. Best to fill Jimmy's stomach then tackle the issue at hand.

Jimmy certainly took Joshua's hospitality and ran with it. Unable to resist the mixed grill, Jimmy chose the most expensive meal on the menu and then gorged himself on a platter of well cooked meats whilst washing them down with a quantity of ale. Joshua hoped that the end product would be worth the hit to his pocket, he was not on expenses yet. As the beer flowed and the desert menu was offered, Joshua could barely get a word in edgeways as Jimmy bent his ear about the state of the London highways, taxi politics and a dispute with his neighbour concerning a tree that overhang his garden fence. Joshua knew that if he didn't get him upstairs soon that he would talk, eat or drink himself into a stupor and be a lame duck in terms of a productive interview.

One chocolate torte later, Joshua invited Jimmy to his room with the enticing lure of a bottle of single malt which the journalist had cleverly bought earlier. Jimmy came across as a good fellow, not the brightest but the 'salt of the earth', a well meaning loner who had seen better days. As the taxi driver swirled the pungent whiskey around in the glass, he looked up to the ceiling, his eyes were glazed. Joshua could tell that this was going to be a big ask on Jimmy, he had obviously been emotionally traumatised by his experience in whatever manner it transpired. Joshua pulled his striped tie away from his collar and took a seat opposite. The room suddenly fell unnervingly quiet as they realised they were at the business end of the evening.

“
I know that you're not going to believe a word I tell you.” Jimmy started. Joshua expected this, his subject was not wrong. Joshua was always sceptical to begin with and offered the chance to be proven incorrect rather than the other way round.

“
Obviously I have to begin with an open mind. It is up to you to convince me that your telling the truth, I can't help you with that. I would not have invited you over if I did not believe you had something important to share would I?” Joshua tried to remain open to suggestion.

Jimmy started slowly at first. His explanation was erratic, he would jump forward and backward in time, his recollection of times and dates was poor yet Joshua could soon tell that this event had been impactive on the cabby to the point that it had altered the way he led his life. Jimmy had become fixated on anything printed or broadcast concerning UFO's, alien sightings or abductions. He had become quite an authority on the matter and Joshua suddenly felt that his knowledge on the subject was rather shallow.

Jimmy visibly trembled as he recounted the abduction itself. His memories of the pain appeared to be a lot less vague than if he was recounting an accident or something less sinister. His description of his 'abductors' was a familiar picture, the classic 'Grey', the same image portrayed across the globe in media, video games, literature and comic books. Joshua certainly had the feeling that Jimmy was being truthful, at least as far as he genuinely believed what he was reporting one hundred percent. To fake the emotions which he displayed in recalling the horror would take a piece of acting genius seen only in the best Shakespearean theatres. By the climax of his story, Joshua was transfixed by the compelling account and had many questions. Jimmy was visibly exhausted by the release and wisely, the journalist called a brief halt to the interview and called down to reception for a couple of stiff espresso’s. Joshua was not overly enamoured by the instant coffee sachets provided in his room.