Read The Return of the Manhattan Online
Authors: Lee Ecker
“They did it!” David opened his weekly executive council meeting with those emphatic words. “We got another message from the Pathfinder crew. They struck oil! Apparently it’s a huge oil field and they should have no trouble filling our tanks.” The Excalibur was still about one light year from O-2113, and slowing through Warp twenty. “I guess that means the discovery occurred at least a year ago so they will have plenty of time to pump out the oil we need. They say the planet is almost identical to Earth geologically and climate wise and has abundant resources with food sources readily available. I suppose by this time, they have already established some sort of farming.”
“It will be good to eat normal food again!”
The entire council was excited as David made the announcement throughout the entire ship. When he finished, he asked, “Roger, how are we doing on our trajectory?”
“Not bad considering our ETA is a year away, but we need to make a correction or we will not be able to stop until we are about a half light year beyond the planet. I think we should do a wide swing around the planet as we are decelerating, and then we wouldn’t have to increase the G loads. We probably could increase the G loads slightly, but it’s not necessary. Maybe we weren’t able to pinpoint our positions as accurately as we thought. However considering the distance involved, that error is not large.”
David turned to Dr. Baker, “How about it Warren, can we do that safely?”
“I think we could. The acceleration deceleration forces haven’t affected anyone adversely and we are now used to the higher amounts. But if it’s not necessary, I would rather we didn’t.”
“Okay, Roger, make the wide swing.”
The remaining time fled by as the entire crew was busy cleaning up last minute details. Those who had opted for the deep sleep mode were now being slowly reawakened except for their prisoners who would remain catatonic until returning to Earth. The passengers who joined them at Juliet were digesting the latest information reported from the Pioneer crew and were planning their colony establishment. It seemed that the planet had been uninhabited from a human standpoint, but there were many different types of animal wildlife that were similar to species on Earth.
Dr. Baker was quick to warn against possible diseases that could devastate their colony before it got started. He, assisted by his medical students, planned exhaustive tests to determine how healthy the planet would be. He would be bestowing advanced degrees upon many of his students, some of which were planning to remain on the planet.
They were well below Warp one when the planet became visible as a small speck in the sky and two way communications were established. At first contact, the communications center patched David into the link with the Pathfinder leader. David opened the communications, “Pathfinder, this is the Excalibur. Greetings from Earth. We have been receiving your regular transmissions since, well it seems like forever. Over.” The distance was still considerable and each transmission and reply had a built in delay of several minutes.
After the delay, the message came in loud and clear, “This is Mike Wells of the Pathfinder. It’s good to hear another voice from Earth. Welcome to the new world. We knew another ship was to follow, but we were at a loss as to how long it would take. We have an abundance of oil. Is the situation still desperate at home? Over.”
“Situation still desperate. However, our ship is large enough to fulfill requirements for several years. We also bring you a group who will establish a colony that is if the planet is big enough for you and them too.”
“Enough and to spare. The mountains are majestic; the water is clean although we have already despoiled part of this pristine world by drilling for oil. If we don’t spoil it entirely, it will be a thing of beauty for a long time. It’s paradise! The temperatures are moderate except at the poles and there are few natural disasters. We have seen evidence of earthquakes or should I say planet quakes, but storms are mild. I hope you plan to spend some time with us.”
“We will be there only long enough to unload our cargo and passengers and to take on the maximum oil that our tanks will hold. That could be several months.”
On her seventh birthday, David allowed Laura to join Kevin in the cockpit of one of the shuttles that would carry the first party to the surface. She made the most of it and Kevin let her do much of the flying. “Just like the simulator,” he said. And it was except she thought it was much easier. She orbited the planet from lower altitudes at high speeds sending sonic booms reverberating through the mountain valleys. They enjoyed the scenic view, but for posterity and future earthbound researchers, everything was recorded with high resolution cameras and all sorts of probes for temperature, winds, pressures, and sensors to determine the presence of all known elements. As the scientists from the Pathfinder had indicated, the atmosphere was ideal, almost identical to that on the earth with the same balance between, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and most of the other inert gases. In sharp contrast, the only exception was that they found little pollution.
Kevin and his crew of pilots immediately began to shuttle the empty containers to the surface and return full loads back to the ship, a process would go on around the clock for several weeks. Most of the remaining crewmen were pressed into service moving the full tanks from the hangar deck and securing them in the various storage areas throughout the ship. Kevin organized the group rotating schedules to allow for ample rest and relaxation, and for all who desired to spend off duty time on the planet. Laura flew many of the trips under Kevin’s direct supervision. He reported to David that Laura could fly the missions by herself, but David wouldn’t allow that much latitude even though Laura pleaded again and again to be allowed to fly solo. He was adamant and finally quieted her by handing out his ultimatum. “If you don’t quit that incessant begging, you will not fly at all! I don’t want to hear anything more about it. I must admit, you have the skill, but you lack the years of experience that all the other pilots have. You will have years to become a pilot like your mother was. Enjoy your flying with Kevin.”
Within the fenced in boundaries of the colony established by the crew of the Pathfinder, everything was safe and civilized. It was like living on the western frontier of the United States in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. There, the colonists fled to safety behind stockades from wild animals and the ferocious Indian tribes that were often on the warpath. On this planet, there were no known natives to contend with, although much of the planet had not been explored. However, there were uncharted continents with many unknown species of wild animals, large and small, but some of the colonists regaled them with tales, describing their encounters with wild beasts as ferocious as lions and tigers and compared their temperament with that of grizzly bears. Most of their tales were grossly exaggerated, but the forests were alive with insect infestations which were more of a nuisance than a hazard, although there were many bee-like insects with venomous stingers as long and hard as thorns. They were not a problem when left alone, and undisturbed.
David spent as much time with Laura as he could visiting various areas around the planet observing and photographing animals in their natural habitat when he could pry her away from flying with Kevin. There were vast canyons, majestic mountains, and broad winding rivers, but look as hard as he might, he found no signs of civilization. He knew he was keeping one of the shuttle craft and a pilot from the work of loading the Excalibur, but he thought the exploration and photography expeditions would be invaluable when he returned to earth and reported on the planet, and it allowed the off duty crewmembers to see much of the planet. He was not a naturalist, but he was becoming proficient with the camera, while using their shuttle craft as protection from the elements and wildlife. Many of his crew and colonists accompanied them, and they spent hours in the evenings around a campfire reminiscent of wagon trains of the old west where they circled the wagons and spent the nights in the protection of the ring of wagons.
David enjoyed these expeditions and the encounters with nature, but that was secondary to his interest in the reactions of Laura and the other children to the new world of enchantment. He lamented the fact that he hadn’t had the foresight to bring explorers and photographers from the National Geographic along, but there was always the next trip, and he didn’t think it would take much convincing to get them to come along.
They spent hours observing the antics of a colony of monkey-like creatures who after the first few moments of alarm, ignored the human trespassers and went about their life as usual. Laura was fascinated and wanted to know more about them, and kept asking how they compared to monkey colonies in Africa. David became more and more aware of the isolation of deep space, which was the only world Laura knew that could not be seen on a computer screen or visual computer output. But he was glad Laura showed interest in something other than flying.
This world, he vowed, would remain as pristine as possible avoiding the pitfalls of the industrial revolution that had plagued the earth as the development occurred with the resultant waste of natural resources. This world would never know the sweat shops that plundered the innocence of children and spawned the violence of the emerging labor unions, and the modern world as he knew it today. It wouldn’t be a Utopia with complete absence of crime and violence, but he hoped they would benefit from the lessons of the developing civilizations of the Earth.
He would have been thrilled to remain and insure those high ideals would become reality, but that was not his destiny. He had chosen his mission which would change history. He wanted to stay out of the politics of establishing the new world, but he was realistic enough to know his report back to the President would have to include specifics on the needs of the colony.
Roger spent hours in the lab working on his time project until he solved the problem of initiating the time sequence without first being at and beyond warp one. He took Laura’s advice and soon began to send the device back and forth to himself a couple hours in the future. Under laboratory conditions, he could control to the precise minute when the object would arrive although he had no idea how long it took for the object to travel to the new time. He was proficient at it and it was like playing ping pong with himself. Only then did he relax and spend more time on the surface with David for the remainder of their stay.
President Albee welcomed David and Laura into the oval office. “David, I am most impressed with your success. The oil you brought back should be sufficient for several years if we use it conservatively. You accomplished your mission in less time than I imagined, but it’s a long haul for any crew. Admiral White would be proud. I must ask, do you think I should send the Excalibur back for another load?”
David thought carefully before answering. He didn’t want to disappoint the president, but he didn’t want to make another trip either. “Thanks, Mr. President, for your confidence in us. I don’t think you have much choice and you need to send the ship back. The ship performed flawlessly, and I think we need to support the colony on that planet even if we didn’t need more oil. The Excalibur could carry an enormous load of passengers and supplies especially if they were placed in the sleep state Dr. Baker perfected. The planet is ideal for tourism or permanent settlement.”
“Do you really think voyages of that magnitude on a regular basis are safe for those kinds of enterprise? Not to mention the economic cost of such ventures?”
David kept a straight face as he replied, “Enterprise… . that ship was from Star Trek. We were on the Excalibur!” The president only grinned, so he continued, “Not exactly safe, but it’s bound to get safer as we gain experience. The probability of a catastrophic accident in deep space is a reality; however I consider it safer than any voyage taken by the early Apollo missions to the moon. My concerns are not as much for the voyages as to the governing or managing of the settlements and those that will follow. As for the economic impact, I’m not an economist, but when I look back at all the benefits of the space race from the beginning, I see far more benefits than cost. And of course, traveling at multi light speeds opens up the possibilities for even wider exploration of other solar systems.”
The president smiled, “I will take that under advisement. Do you want to command a return voyage?”
“No sir!” David replied promptly and emphatically, “Once is enough for me. I’d like to work on another project. Roger Dorn and I have some ideas which may provide a better solution in the long run.”
“Oh, care to share them with me?”
“Not yet, but if funds are available, we will make it worthwhile.”
“Good enough. I have every confidence in you and Roger. I will appoint you to manage the project and give it the secret code name, ‘Manhattan II Project.’ Bring me your recommendations as soon as practical.”
David could only stammer, “Yes Sir!”
“Okay, but I do have conditions… . I am concerned with your daughter’s education; the reasons are all important and will soon be apparent. She must be in school, and I think I have the perfect solution. I know a young woman who could be of great help… Brenda Kay Brockway. She lives near your mother in law in nearby Springfield, Virginia and is more than willing for Laura to stay with her if she wants to go to school in Washington. There are plenty of great schools in the area for gifted kids. Laura could then spend some time with her grandmother too.”
David had already been considering placing her in a good school but had been undecided. He looked at Laura, seeing the doubt and dismay on her face, “Laura, what do you think?”
“But Dad,” she protested, “you need me! Face it; you wouldn’t know what to do without me.” Eleven year old Laura sensed she was facing a losing battle, but she would not give up without a fight.
David looked at the President hopelessly, “I don’t know. She could be tutored privately, and she has been deeply involved in our project from the beginning.”
The president spoke gravely with a purpose not to be denied, “David, if you want to head up this commission, you, like me, have little choice. I need you to take some time by yourself and get your life back in order. Your social life is sadly lacking and spending all your time with Laura doesn’t help, and it doesn’t help with Laura’s development either. She needs a mother figure. But, the choice is yours.” He turned to Laura, “Laura, will you give her a chance? Let me tell you about Brenda.” They both nodded and he continued, “She was an astronaut and flew a shuttle like your mother and knew your mom in the early days. She will be available to shuttle either of you back and forth to your project, as often as is practical and I think she might even be able to teach you, Laura, how to fly, if you like. Although she works directly for me, her first priority will be to support you and your father’s mission.”
“But, I already know how to fly!” Laura was on the verge of throwing an uncharacteristic tantrum.
David was troubled, not wanting to leave his daughter for any length of time, but he desperately wanted to head up this mission. He asked, “Why would this Brenda, what’s her name, want to do this? What’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing! She’s perfect for both of you. She lost her husband and child in a tragic accident which she is not at liberty to talk about. I told her about Laura and I think she would be very good for Laura. No child, not even Laura can make up for her great loss, but it would help. Brenda left NASA, but she has the required clearances, knows the details of your project, and is dedicated to your success. As a favor to me, please consider her.”
David looked doubtful and began to wonder what was going on. How could anyone know the details of Roger’s project? Was there another leak? He was afraid someone tied close to Marie’s former life would be too difficult for him, let alone Laura. He didn’t know if he wanted Laura to take flying lessons from anyone. But the president would not relent, “David, as I said, you don’t have much choice. Why not meet with Brenda and talk it over; then you can make your decision. As I understand it, your project will not require your full time presence on site. You will need to spend time in Washington since many of the people you will consult are here and have already been working on similar solutions. And you could help me get a crew ready for the Excalibur to return.”
David protested, “She couldn’t know the details of our project.”
The president smiled, “Things aren’t always what they seem. Believe me when I say she can help you immensely.”
David looked at Laura who with bowed head nodded with resignation, “All right, we’ll try it. When can we meet her?”
“She’s waiting outside.” He buzzed his secretary asking her to send Brenda in.
Brenda, a tall young woman with closely cropped dark hair walked in. She wore glasses with thick black frames that hid her upper facial features. When she opened her mouth to speak, they could see a couple of her front teeth were larger than normal and slightly crooked giving her a lisp when she spoke. She stopped and stared at both of them for a moment as if she couldn’t help herself and then walked over to Laura, smiling, “Laura, you look just like I pictured in my mind. You look a lot like your mother did when we first met.”
David gaped for a moment thinking he saw a ghost of Marie until she opened her mouth, and turned away at the mention of Marie, but Laura perked up, “You knew my mother when she was my age?”
“Yes, we were neighbors. I was younger, but we hung out together. When she joined the astronaut corps, she was my idol and I wanted to do the same. Without her, and her inspiration, I probably would not have chosen that lifestyle. We could have some great times together. Would you like to go to my house and check out the neighborhood?”
“Are there any kids my age?”
“Probably. And lots of kids your age going to the same school.”
“I have never known very many kids. There were a few on board the Excalibur, but they didn’t associate with me very much.
“Well, you’ll have your chance.” She turned to David and spoke quietly and carefully, “David, I’d love to care for her while you are busy, if you approve?”
David felt some strange emotion nagging in the back of his mind wondering how she already knew of the project when he had just been appointed himself. He could see Brenda was different than Marie, but she had an uncanny resemblance if she didn’t open her mouth. Her hair color and what he could see of her eyes was different too, but there was something about her besides the president’s ultimatum, that drove him to accept her offer. “All right, Brenda, I guess I don’t have much choice, but… .” He became deadly serious, “You’d better treat her well and… . Love her!”
“I will care for her as my own daughter when she is with me and I won’t interfere when she is with you. The president will make sure of that. I’m not going to mollycoddle her, but she will have a loving home while she is with me.”
Laura left her father with the president and went with Brenda. As they closed the door behind them, Brenda whispered, “Don’t tell your father, but I think he’s handsome.”
Laura giggled, “I think you’re pretty too, but why didn’t you get braces when you were younger and have your teeth fixed?”
“Well, aren’t you the most straightforward young lady? I like your openness, but we’re going to have to work on your lack of tact. You’ve got to learn to be a lady if you’re going to work with your Dad on the time project.”
Laura’s face showed only a little embarrassment, “I’m sorry, I just blurted that out. I will try not to ask so many personal questions.”
“No problem. Ask as many questions as you like. My teeth weren’t like this when I was young. I had a little accident while flying and it’s been like that ever since. It doesn’t bother me anymore and I consider myself lucky; I wasn’t scarred in any other way. Actually it’s my disguise. Without it, I would look too much like another lady I know.”
They reached the transport car in the lower part of the White House and Laura observed closely as Brenda punched in their destination on the control panel. When underway, she asked, “Can you really teach me to fly? You know I already know how. I do pretty darn good in the simulators, and with the shuttles, but you’re talking about a different type of flying, aren’t you?
“Yes to both questions. I have access to an antique airplane that must be five or six hundred years old, and it’s probably been rebuilt more often than I would like to count, but it’s fun. It’s a Piper J3 Cub and it’ll probably be around another five hundred years. We’ll start with that and then you can graduate to more complex aircraft. You haven’t really learned how to fly without wings and aerodynamic controls. I suppose we could do it all in the simulator, but it wouldn’t be near as much fun.”
“But, weren’t those models powered by gasoline engines? How do you get fuel?”
“Hey, I thought you were cooped up on that space ship all these years. How do you know about all that?”
Laura looked indignant, “I may have been isolated, but I can read. Besides the computer libraries on board the Excalibur have excellent historical reference to almost every aircraft ever built, and I’ve looked at all of them.”
“Touché! However the J3 we will be flying is not quite original. It is, except for the engine and even that has a close resemblance. Unless you look under the cowling, you can’t tell the difference. It has an electro magnetic rotor, but it simulates the real thing. You have to treat it like the original and even the sounds are authentic. If a pilot from the twentieth century didn’t know about the engine, he would even think he was in the real thing. I hope you will learn to love that airplane as I do.”
Laura beamed with joy, “Oh, I’m going to have fun! When can we go flying?”
Brenda laughed, “Let’s stop at home first and get something to eat and then maybe we can introduce you to the real world of flight later this afternoon. The weather is great and we might as well take advantage of that. We’ve got to get you enrolled in school soon though. Tomorrow night, we are supposed to attend a dinner at the White House in honor of your father and his crew so maybe we should do some shopping in the morning.”
“Don’t you have to go back to work? I thought government workers had to punch the time clock.”
“Well, not all of us. You and your father and the time machine are my work! My job is rather different and how much I have to do will depend on your father since he will be the mission director. It’s something I want to do, particularly since the president requested me for the job. The government has provided me with all my needs since my husband’s accident so I don’t need to work.”
“What happened?”
Brenda’s smile vanished, “Sorry, I can’t talk about it. Maybe someday, I can tell you all about it. It’s just that it happened when we were working on something top secret.”
“I understand; Daddy has drilled into me that same level of security on our project. I’m glad I can talk to you about it though.”
“So am I honey. So am I.”
Brenda’s home was actually a modest sized apartment in a large complex. She apologized as they entered. “It’s not a grand estate or anything like that, but it’s comfortable, cozy and convenient. It’s not easy finding a place anywhere near Washington these days.”
Laura never lived anywhere off the Excalibur and anyplace on solid ground suited her fine. “It’s great and I will have my own private room. Thanks Brenda, for everything.”
“You’re welcome. And maybe you already know about your grandmother’s home. It’s a real gem and I know you’ll like it there.”
“Oh, I’d almost forgotten about her. Will she accept me or, I mean, what is she like?”
“She’s the most wonderful woman I know who has been waiting years to see you again. You stayed with her for a time before you left. Of course, she misses your mom, but she’ll never let on how much it hurts. I don’t know if your Dad will want to visit her or not, but they used to have good rapport.”
She skipped alongside Brenda excitedly as she replied, “You sure seem to know a lot about my family. Sounds like you know more about them than I do.”
“President Albee made it my business and I have spent quite a bit of time with your grandmother preparing her for your return. Until a few months ago, she had given up hope of ever seeing you again. The news of your mother’s accident was a real blow to her.”
“Maybe we should go see her today and give up on the flying?”
“Can’t, she’s not home; she went to a beauty shop. She wants to look her best when she sees you and we will go over there later tonight.”