Blakeley looked thoughtful. Thompson and Crawford remained silent, interested, onlookers.
‘I tend to agree with Tom,’ said Blakeley finally. ‘Kohei, I admire you immensely and would not usually buck your opinion, but I firmly believe we have to rely upon Endeavour’s nudge rather than an unreliable Jupiter and her two moons coming to our aid!’
Kohei was unfazed.
‘I too agree Niles san. But you never really know what the forces governing the universe will do next. If the asteroids sail past Jupiter and enter the orbit of Mars, that will be the time to act. So be prepared. The next 24 hours will be crucial in determining what has to be done.’
Chapter Eighty Nine
December 19, 2012 dawned as Endeavour drew serenely away from the docking point on the ISS with astronauts Tom Howard and Niles Blakeley aboard. The asteroid stream had streaked past Jupiter overnight without any indication of being drawn towards the surface of the planet or to either of its two moons. Earth still remained under a blanket of impenetrable clouds; its populace fearing worst was to come.
***
The final decision to utilise Endeavour in a nudging manoeuvre was taken after hours of consultation between NASA staff and the crew members aboard the ISS. President Clifton gave his enthusiastic approval after being thoroughly briefed by NASA’s Administrator. Clifton’s decision was finely balanced between approving an extremely hazardous attempt by the crew of Endeavour to avert the destruction of Earth, and that of ensuring the population of the United States would not point fingers of blame at him when the his re-election becomes due in a year’s time which, of course, would be irrelevant if December 21, 2012 proves to be the day when Earth ceases to exist!
Already under tremendous pressure because of the havoc caused by tsunamis on the east and west coasts of the United States, Clifton’s advisors urged him to demonstrate strong, dependable leadership qualities. Good advice. The question was how could these qualities be demonstrated nation-wide when every form of media was unavailable!
***
Tom Howard and Niles Blakeley were alone aboard Endeavour. Photographs taken prior to the space shuttle’s departure from the ISS showed the asteroid stream passing through the orbit of Mars. The photos were shocking and yet challenging: shocking, because of their amazing, disturbing clarity, and challenging since they showed, unequivocally, the size of the task facing the two astronauts.
Prior to exiting the ISS there had been discussion back and forth as to whether Temaki, Thompson or Crawford, or all three, could or would be of assistance if aboard Endeavour.
‘Leave it to us,’ was the response of Blakeley. ‘We have practised the nudge manoeuvre over and over again. If it isn’t successful the resulting adverse publicity will be less if it’s just me and Tommy who are involved.’
Blakeley paused for a beat and then grinned.
‘But when it’s successful we want all the glory!’
***
The asteroids entered Earth’s orbit on December 20. Endeavour was positioned below their projected path. The objective was to move up to the front edge of the leading asteroid, match its speed, and then commence the delicate nudging manoeuvre.
Temaki, Thompson and Crawford were in voice contact with the shuttle.
‘You have approximately 10 minutes and 15 seconds until the lead asteroid is positioned immediately above and slightly to the rear of Endeavour.’
James Thompson was speaking into his microphone; being an American his instructions could not be misconstrued by his fellow countrymen aboard Endeavour. Temaki and Crawford were content to maintain a watching brief but were prepared to intrude if something unexpected occurred.
‘Five minutes and 45 seconds to rendezvous,’ said Thompson, his voice, quiet, calm and authoritative.
The minutes ticked by, slowly, agonisingly.
‘Two minutes and 5 seconds. Confirm you can see the target approaching.’
Blakeley’s voice reverberated around the Cupola.
‘Copy that. Lead asteroid in sight.’
‘Increase your speed and height now. Do you read me?’
‘Copy that. Adjustments to speed and height underway.’
‘You are looking good,’ said Thompson. ‘Maintain that position until you confirm your speed and height match that of Scooby.’
‘Scooby? Who the Hell is Scooby?’ came the prompt reply.
‘Oh it’s just my pet name for the lead asteroid,’ answered Thompson. ‘Now, steady, steady, steady, looking very good. You are immediately adjacent and in the perfect position to carry out the manoeuvre. Good luck, you are now on you own.’
The view from the ISS was breathtaking. Endeavour looked miniscule alongside Scooby. The distance between the two objects gradually lessened until they gently touched. The long-awaited nudge, the object of the entire exercise, was then carried out.
Thompson, his eyes fixed on Scooby and Endeavour, yelled victoriously into his microphone.
‘It worked. It damned well worked, you crazy, manic, bastards. You’ve done it.’
Temaki joined in the applause and then spoke his voice unusually sombre.
‘It is good the asteroids have been diverted and will not strike Earth... ’
He paused and pointed towards Earth which could be seen, still shrouded in voluminous grey-black clouds, through a window in the Cupola.
‘... but there’s a major calamity taking place down there and there is nothing we can do to help!’
Chapter Ninety
The waters began to recede as the 21st of December dawned around the world. The all-encompassing clouds were slowly dispersing allowing an occasional glimpse of a crimson sun and a glorious, beautiful blue sky. Sadly, millions, perhaps billions, of lives have been lost. Only those with the ability and the opportunity to move close to the summit of mountain ranges and higher ground survived. Among the millions of survivors were Richard Moss, his wife Julia, and their son Alexander.
Richard and Alexander were recipients of a dream which prophesied how the end of a cosmic cycle would result in a Golden Age, a reformed Earth, its inhabitants sharing the same beliefs, the same God, The Creator. The dream made clear that their future lay not on Terra Nova but on New Earth. It emphasised that Richard’s power of persuasion remained intact and should be utilised to create a world where the deadly sins that had prevailed previously would be expunged. A world where every person was important, where love, compassion and understanding were the bywords. The dream ended with a message:
This is the very last chance for humanity. If, at the close of another 5,125 year cosmic cycle, the inhabitants of New Earth repeat that which has gone before, the End of Days will result.
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