***
The shuttle made its final turn and lined up with the runway.
***
“Reliance, you are on the mark, ninety-seconds to touchdown. You are looking good.”
“Looks good from up here too Houston.”
“Reliance come in.”
“Reliance here.”
“Reliance, we have life functions from the lower deck coming on line. Can you advise?”
“Christ, it ‘was’ a computer malfunction.” Phillips said loudly. “Mary, what do you read?”
“Life signs have come back on line and are rising. Almoooossssst!” Mary was holding her breath. “Life signs are normal!” she shouted.
“What a time for the computer to quit screwing around. I’ve got twenty-seconds to touchdown, do you copy Houston?”
“Roger Reliance, you are on the mark.”
“Houston, everything is normal here, fifteen-seconds to touchdown. Twenty feet, ten feet, five, touchdown Houston, Reliance is back.”
***
As the tires of the shuttle smoked from the contact with the pavement, the Reverend Hollsworth proclaimed, “We are all doomed!”
And his troops wailed in support.
***
“Mary, call downstairs please!” Phillips asked, as Reliance rolled down the runway, slowing.
Major Thomas punched an icon. “Major Ackerman, do you read me?”
“Yes, Major, loud and clear. Are we about ready to land?”
“Major, we have landed. Where have you been?
“We’ve been right here, of course.”
“I know that, but we lost contact with you. Is everyone okay down there?”
“All smiles down here, but our board went dead for a few seconds.”
“Only seconds?”
“Yes Major, maybe fifteen, twenty at the most, why?”
“We lost you guys for at least two minutes. We were worried.”
“Why Major, I didn’t know you cared.”
“Knock it off Ackerman!” Commander Phillips cut in. “We lost your vital signs, that’s what had us so worried.”
“Some kind of computer glitch, Sir.”
“We realize that now, but at the time we thought you were all dead.”
“I was very relaxed Colonel, but not that much, I can assure you. Anyway, we are all fine and happy to be back. Congratulations on a successful mission Ladies and Gentlemen.”
“Thank you Major, Commander Phillips out.
Phillips looked over at Thomas. “Mary, this computer thing doesn’t make any sense. Why wouldn’t the readings just jump back when the glitch was fixed?”
“We didn’t fix anything, it all came back on line by itself. And you’re right, I’ve never seen a program go from nonfunctional, then gradually rise to ‘on line’.”
“Well, what ever caused the problem, it’s okay now, thank god. Got any ideas?”
“Not a one, but we’ve done our job, so let the computer boys figure it out. It should keep them busy for a while.”
“Reliance, this is Mission Control, you are all stop. Congratulations on a very fine mission.”
“What?” The question was addressed to someone back in Mission Control. “Reliance, wait one.”
Mission Control was off the air for five-seconds. “Reliance, please advise us on the status of Donald?” Mission Control asked.
“What?”
“Please, what are your readings on Donald?”
“What do they want that for?” Phillips asked Mary.
“Oh damn! Jerry, I wasn’t paying any attention to Donald. The Alpha Waves are gone.”
“What next!” He touched an icon. “Houston, Reliance here.”
“Go ahead Reliance.”
“Houston, the Alpha Waves from Donald have ceased. Do you copy?”
“Yes, Reliance, we copy. We have the same situation here. Do you have an approximate time of signal loss?”
“Just a minute Houston.” Phillips turned to Tomas. “Mary?”
Mary Thomas reached up and punched some icons and waited.
“Houston, the computer says the Alpha Waves from Donald quit at touchdown, mark, minus eight minutes, forty-two seconds,” Mary said. “Which would put signal loss in the blackout period.”
“Thank you Reliance. Ground crew is at your location. You are in their hands now. Mission control out.”
“Goddamn Thomas, has this been one or what?”
***
Reliance had come to a stop, and trucks were speeding out to meet her. Many of the gathered multitude backed away from their stations next to the waterways, but still kept their eyes on the sitting shuttle, trembling with anticipation and fright. A deep cordon of military were quickly assembled, surrounding the shuttle.
***
Night had fallen before the shuttle’s doors finally opened, but the vast crowd had not dispersed. Most of them were silent, waiting. No apparitions materialized as the crew walked down the stairs that had been rolled up to the hatch, and still the mass of Doom-sayers sat waiting.
Only when the massive cargo bay doors on the top of the shuttle started to swing open, did a moaning chant arise from across the swamps. A crane was moved into position, as the excitement increased within the Reverend Hollsworth’s disciples. When the crane lifted the silver cylinder from the belly of the space plane all discipline broke down. Hundreds could be seen fleeing, trying to get as far away from the event as possible. But there were perhaps a hundred that headed into the water, not considering any of the dangers to get as close as they could to what they imagined as the end. The Doom-seekers were efficiently dragged off by the soldiers as they struggled out of the water on the far side.
Chapter 16
“HOLLSWORTH MUST BE OFF SULKING SOMEWHERE,” - Mac snickered, watching his television with Carl, Kenny, Dennis, Spencer, and Marge Grimmer.
“Yeah, his prediction kind of fizzled,” Carl added, as the camera panned the grass lands that the day before had held thousands upon thousands, and now only had their garbage to prove they really had been there at all.
“I can’t imagine what all those people expected?” Kenny threw in his piece.
“Oh, they hoped the doors would fly open and flames would shoot out,” Dennis said. “That’s the only scenario that would have made them happy.”
“Poor smucks!” Spencer cried. “Their lives are so miserably ordinary and redundant that it took the Devil to liven them up, and now they have to crawl back into reality.”
Mac gave him a curious look. “The next time you say something stupid, I’m going to wonder why.”
“Okay people, congratulations to everyone,” Mac continued with a relieved look on his face. “First: I can’t tell you how great it will be to get a good night’s sleep, and second, let’s get down to business. Now that the circus is on it’s way to the next town, what have you got for me?”
“I’d say, we maybe dogged a bullet, but I don’t think there was one headed our way in the first place,” Kenny started off.
“Kind of looks that way, but with all the attention we were getting, it sort of warps your prospective,” Denny threw in.
“What did Hollsworth have to say this morning?” Mac asked.
“Not much. He’s still purporting the Devil did come down, but maybe he needed a good night’s sleep too,” Carl said.
“Well, it’s too late for him to rejuvenate the fear,” Spencer said. “Nothing came streaming out of the shuttle and it will be forgotten.”
“Okay, on to business at hand,” Mac said, turning to Dennis and Marge who were sitting to one side. Mac lost his smile.
“Great systems we’re working with,” Mac snarled at Dennis. “We are supposed to have continuous contact, with all of them.”
“We’ve gone over them twice. The techs are going over them again, and will do so until we find out what happened,” Dennis said.
“And you!” Mac turned on Marge Grimmer, “I’m sure sorry we let those n
ew programs go up, until we were sure.”
“I can’t find anything to prove that they didn’t work properly,” Marge defended herself.
“I just got the autopsy report.” Mac held up a folder. “Astronaut Donald has been dead since day one. Nothing to indicate that he could have been sending anything to us. The program was flawed, Mrs. Grimmer.”
“I don’t see how?” She tried to vindicate herself again.
“I don’t see how it could be anything else. Until you come to me with something concrete, my decision will remain the same,” Mac told her.
Grimmer gathered her stuff and headed toward the door.
***
“Gezz Mac, I think you were a little rough on her,” Carl said after the door had closed.
“I don’t,” Mac responded.
“I don’t either,” Kenny added. “We run a tight ship, and there is no room for questionable systems, and especially people that can’t run them properly.”
“Aren’t you glad it turned out to be nothing?” Carl asked, looking at Kenny, and then Mac.
“What are you referring to?” Mac asked.
“Donald,” Carl responded.
“I’m glad I can concentrate on something besides him, yes,” Mac said, sitting back in his chair, swiveling it back and forth. “And, by the way, Alice Smithers,” Mac sat, still swiveling, looking at Carl.
“Yeah?” Carl asked.
“We don’t need her anymore.”
“Oh, she’ll be pleased.”
“I’m not running a popularity contest here. We don’t need her input anymore and she’s not to investigate anything pertaining to this agency, in anyway shape or form.” Mac stopped swinging the chair and sat forward, planting his feet on the ground. “You got me.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Carl said, getting up to leave.
“Carl, don’t go away mad,” Mac chuckled. “I need you to get another press conference together. Make sure the public is assured that all this speculation has been put to rest. I’m counting on you because you have the silver tongue. I expect to have this all old news in a week or two.”
Chapter 17
CARL RAISED HIS HAND - to settle the room down. It took a few moments, but when everyone was quiet, he looked down to his notes and started.
“Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming. I guess more than one of you would like to hear me say that I am relieved.” Carl looked out over the gathered press. No one commented. “But the fact is, we never considered the Donald accident a failure in any way, nor did we allow any additional mishaps to befall us. That would have diminished the sacrifice he made for us all. I am grateful to his family and friends for supporting us in our necessary firmness, allowing us to prepare for his successful recovery. We have now accomplished that and can get on with business.
Lieutenant Colonel Donald will be laid to rest in the National Cemetery at Arlington in three days. Preceding that, there will be a National Day of Mourning and a Vigil on the Mall, in Washington, in two days. We have prepared a schedule of events that is included in the press package.
Lieutenant Colonel Donald will be greatly missed and his accomplishments greatly appreciated. The brave men and women that go out into the unknown, do it for the betterment of all our lives. We are a curious phenomenon on this world, and that curiosity has allowed us many great strides and that curiosity will continue to stretch the horizons. Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen.
“Now for any questions, I turn you over to Mac McMillian.” Carl gestured to Mac who was in his customary position, slightly off to the side. Mac slipped to the middle of the podium as every journalist began shouting, wanting to fire their charges, camouflaged as questions at Mac. Mac took a deep breath and pointed out, choosing the first accuser.
“Adrian Spurrier, London Daily. “When did Donald die and how?”
“Lieutenant Colonel Donald died instantly when his suit was puncture, as was reported.”
“You’ve seen the autopsy,” Spurrier came back quickly.
“I have, and it definitely corroborates the earlier findings.”
“What caused his death, exactly?”
“He was subjected to, no, let me restate that,” Mac paused. “The environment necessary to keep him alive in the rigors of space, namely his space suit, were compromised, next.”
“What exactly killed him?” Spurrier didn’t let loose.
Mac’s face turned red as he clenched his teeth. “His air was vented.”
“So he was asphyxiated?” Spurrier pounced.
“Yes!” Mac was angry. “I can assume that who ever hired you, assumed that you had a basic knowledge about the dangers involved in working out there.” Carl was headed quickly back, as Mac pointed to the ceiling.
“I resent the—”
Carl cut the journalist off. “We are trying to be considerate of the feelings of the family and friends, and are not trying to duck your questions. The autopsy report will be made available this afternoon.
Mac retook his spot, but it was evident that the altercation had shook him up.
“Next,” he pointed, his voice still slightly strained.
“Yes,” a very good looking young woman, looking more like a hot, young model than a hard nosed reporter, stood. “Julia Fairbanks, National Inquirer,” she said.
When Carl heard National Inquirer, he stayed close.
“It is important to get a clear picture,” Julia continued, “to the public, pertaining to the speculations concerning the . . . the aberrations—”
“Do you have a question?” Mac interrupted.
“I was getting to that,” Julia said snippily. “I was wondering if the autopsies of Astronaut Donald revealed anything to explain the . . .” Julia hesitated, not sure how to structure the question.
Carl quickly stepped in again. “If you’re referring to the suppositions about Donald after his death, there is nothing to them. They were rumors and nothing more.
Julia remained standing for a moment, but then realized that she had been torpedoed and sat down.
Carl stepped back again, letting Mac take his place. Mac didn’t look too happy, pointing out to the audience again.
Another woman stood, but this time she was a refreshing sight to Carl, who was again staying close. He was relieved to see someone he knew and he trusted not to take any unreasonable shots at poor, strained Mac.
“Helen Williams, The Daily Post. Do you have any statement to Reverend Hollsworth, something to ease his mind, now that hell seems to not have materialized?”
“The good Reverend was only trying to protect and serve. I for one can appreciate that, but am relieved that he was wrong.” Mac seemed to be lifted somewhat by his coherent answer. “One more,” he said, pointing to one of the journalists he liked.
“Max Shimelman, USA Weekly. “What are you fellows going to do to protect the astronauts so this doesn’t happen ‘again’?”
Oh, oh, thought Carl.
“Ah . . . ” Mac hesitated again. “We have certain risks that we must accept, but we’ll look into it.” With that he hurried of the stage.
***
“Don’t you ever make me look like a fool again, do you read me?” Mac snarled at Carl as they headed through the hall.
“Gezz Mac, he was just trying to help.” Dennis tried to smooth the situation as he caught up to them.
“Enough, I can take care of myself, and you all remember that!” Mac shouted rounding the corner fast.
Carl and Dennis slowed.
“What the hell’s wrong with him?” Dennis questioned.
Carl was just shaking his head.
“The problem’s over,” Dennis continued. “It could have been one hell of a nightmare. What would he have done then?”
Chapter 18
“MAC, ALICE SMITHERS HERE.” - Alice had called Mac in his office.
“Yo, Alice, how’s it going?”
“Well, to be honest, I’m a little peeved.”
“Oh, don’t take it personal, the problem solved itself.”
“It did not!”
“Yes, it did, and as far as we’re concerned, it is no longer an issue.”
“Aren’t you curious at all?”
“Of course I am, but I get paid to deal with the issues at hand and the Donald thing is settled.”
“It didn’t go away as far as I’m concerned. I didn’t get any answers.”
“Did you consider that there might not be any answers?”
“That’s a cop out Mac.”
“Not from where I stand Alice. Look, the thing with Donald is over. There is no longer a problem. There is no longer a need to answer any more questions. I can tell you that in the order of importance, the Donald incident has no status.”
“And that’s it? That’s the end of the whole thing?”
“Yes, Alice, that’s the end of the whole thing. Don’t misunderstand, all the people here appreciate your services, and if anything ever comes up within your expertise, you will be the first one called.”
“It’s sure sad to see what the bureaucracy can do to intelligent people.”
“Now Alice, cut that out. If you had my job you’d understand, I’m sure of it.”
“Oh, I’m not criticizing you personally Mac, you’re probably a good man. It’s just what the system has done to you.”
“I work within the system, it’s not perfect, but it’s the best one we’ve got.”
“You’re defending your position with cliches Mac.”
“That’s why cliches were penned Alice.”
“That’s it then?”
“That’s it. I hope you returned all the info, and of course there were no copies made?”
“I can read Mac! I don’t want you gov types crawling all over my butt.”
“Well, I hope you took that agreement ‘that you signed’, real serious?”
“I did Mac, I did.”
“Good, so as far as you’re concerned, the Donald thing is finished, right?”
“Can you shoot me for wondering about it?”
“Only if you wonder out loud. If you’re wondering comes up with anything, call me first.”
“Oh sure Mac, you’ll be the first to know.”
Chapter 19
REVEREND HOLLSWORTH WAS SEATED COMFORTABLY, - in a TV studio, but the interviewer, Robyn O’Connell, a noted Evangelist in his own right, didn’t look so well adjusted to the present situation. Hollsworth had deteriorated further from his Washington and Florida stints, his clothes the same loose black garb, but looking even shabbier. His hair was not as long as the first time he had came on the scene because it had been cut and would take time to grow out. It had not been washed recently, and by the looks of O’Connell’s constant nose crinkling, either had the Reverend. His teeth still looked good though.
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