Launch

by Richard Perth

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  Fog enveloping the ranch the next morning did not burn off by noon as forecast. They needed to get back to NASA, and David told Claire they were going to make a zero-zero takeoff. Even as an experienced instrument pilot, she did not feel qualified to takeoff with no forward visibility. But David was a much more experienced pilot, and again, she trusted him.

  With Claire in the left seat of the rented plane, he taxied the full length of the grass strip and turned the plane around. After double checking the instruments and flight controls, he began what she felt was a very spooky takeoff. Nothing but fog was visible over the nose when he pushed the throttle in to full power. The ground she could see on the left side disappeared when he raised the nose, and instantly they were flying blind. The wings remained rock steady, and instruments told Claire that the plane was flying straight. She knew that if a wingtip hit a tree or the hangar lurking beside the runway in the fog, it would be a short flight.

  They broke out on top of the fog layer in clear air and brilliant sunshine. David lowered the plane’s nose to accelerate to normal climb speed. “Your ship,” he said.

  Claire took the controls and said, “My ship.”

  Chapter 18

  The Primary Crew Selection Committee consisted of NASA administrator Dr. Perry Wright, Team Thunder astronaut training manager Jim Baldwin, two training psychologists, and the director of the Quad Fusion Thunder Program. They began evaluating the training records of Team Thunder astronauts in January of 2050.

  All six Team Thunder astronauts qualified to be primary crew, but Cougar Flight’s maneuvering simulator scores were the highest by a wide margin. On combined scores of all measures, Claire was rated first and David was second.

  On Monday, February 6, the committee met for primary crew selection at NASA headquarters.

  Dr. Wright said, “To me, the choice is clear. Does anybody have any reason why Cougar Flight should not be primary crew?”

  After a moment of silence, a training psychologist said, “I’ve got a problem with that stunt Dr. Archer pulled four years ago. I’ve never seen anything as terrifying as a video of a cougar snatching its cub from her hand with the Grand Canyon in the background. I think she took a foolish risk, and it reflects adversely on her judgment.”

  Jim Baldwin said, “Rescuing that cougar cub is one of the reasons we chose Claire Archer for Team Thunder. It would be inconsistent of us to reject her now for one of the reasons we chose her then.”

  The psychologist shook her head. “Climbing down into the Grand Canyon to rescue a cougar cub with no equipment and no support was reckless. I voted against choosing her for the team and I don’t think she should fly Origin.”

  The director of the Quad Fusion Thunder program said, “Claire had training and experience in mountain climbing. She was fully aware of the danger and her abilities. In her judgment, she could rescue the cub. That she did it successfully is evidence that her self-confidence was justified. That she attempted it is evidence of the courage, initiative, and vigor the primary crew must have to successfully complete their mission.

  “Another incident demonstrated she’s qualified to be part of the primary crew: less than two months before she came to NASA, she risked her life to treat accident victims trapped by fire. For that, the Air Force awarded her the Distinguished Flying Cross.

  “Finishing first in Team Thunder’s class shows that she’s a highly competent, responsible person who cares about our mission.

  “Despite our preparations, the first interstellar flight will undoubtedly face many threats, and I think Cougar Flight is clearly our best choice.”

  “Sounds like a nomination to me,” Dr. Wright said. “Do we have a second?”

  The other training psychologist said, “Second.”

  Dr. Wright said, “All in favor of Cougar Flight as the primary crew. . . .”

  Everybody at the table voted “Aye,” except the training psychologist who had raised the objection about Claire. After a brief hesitation, she made the vote unanimous.

  Chapter 19

  That afternoon, Team Thunder and the rest of the world were notified that Cougar Flight was chosen to be the Primary Crew for Origin.

  David called Michael, “We made the cut.”

  “No doubt it’s all Claire’s fault.”

  “She was first in the class. Remember when you told me I should be so lucky?”

  Michael laughed.

  David said, “We need a good attorney to prepare a living trust to manage our finances while we’re gone. And we would like for you to be co-trustee. There’s nobody we trust more.”

  “Thank you, David. The attorneys who handle my affairs are rated excellent and have high integrity.

  “Okay.”

  “They’ll be in touch asking some questions to see what you want,” Michael said.

  “Great! Claire and I will be looking forward to seeing you and Joanne at the signing.”

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  Many people stopped what they were doing to watch the two NASA Winddancers land one behind the other at Van Nuys Airport. Joanne and Michael watched the two jets park with military precision. After hugs and handshakes, Joanne said, “Those are nice little hot rods you ride around in.”

  “Thank you,” Claire said. “We enjoy them.”

  Michael had a helicopter waiting, and they flew to his attorneys’ offices in Century City to sign the trust. Afterward, they flew to Michael’s estate and had lunch on the patio where they had first eaten together almost four years earlier. The Chinese chicken salad and iced tea were perfect for the warm, spring-like sunshine.

  Joanne said to Claire, “You haven’t said much about your training.”

  “It’s a challenge.”

  “Nothing like bubbling over with enthusiasm,” Joanne commented.

  Claire took a sip of her tea and shook her head as she put the glass down. “We have a grueling schedule. It’s hard to stay enthusiastic when you’ve been working a long string of twelve-hour days.”

  “I just can’t believe you’re going,” Joanne said sadly.

  Michael asked, “Do you worry about what you’ll find when you come back?”

  David said, “The last five hundred years have seen great social and technological progress. We think it’s reasonable to expect that the current world problems will be overcome and progress will continue. Fusion power plants should solve many problems and contribute to economic growth.

  “Anyway, we’re not unique. Most immigrants who came to America before the twentieth century left their homes forever to start over in a new land.”

  “Those who did it voluntarily were brave souls indeed,” Michael said. “But their trip was only a few weeks long, and they weren’t alone.”

  “We’ll be together,” Claire said, “and we may be able to have three or even more children who could have a bright future.”

  Michael grinned. “Start your own population explosion?”

  “We want a family,” she said. “One way or another, the population explosion should be over by then. We can only hope that billions of people won’t die in preventable agony.”

  It was quiet around the table for a minute. Then Joanne lightened the mood with a comment: “I understand the Hawaiian word for pregnant is spelled h-a-p-i. I hope you will have a very hapi return.”

  After lunch, they went to Michael’s study to discuss investments. “If your trust holds up, you may well become the richest people who ever lived,” he said.

  “We can live with that,” David said.

  “I hope so,” Michael said. “Having that much money could be a problem.”

  “What do you recommend that we investment in?” Claire asked

  “Since you’re going to be gone for a long time,” Michael answered, “I think you should put your money in investments that benefit society and have a long term potential for high yields.”

  “Anything specific?” David asked.

  “We’re considering a start-up co
mpany with a contract to develop a computerized flight control system for a new, small, civilian aircraft. It’s so unstable it can’t be flown manually by a human pilot. The system will be similar to fly-by-wire systems on fighters and airliners, but it’ll be even more automated,” Michael said.

  “If it’s that unstable, why bother?”

  “It can fly as efficiently as a fixed-wing airplane, and it can takeoff and land in a car parking space.”

  David raised his eyebrows. “Something like that might replace cars.”

  “Exactly. The first version will be very easy to fly: a point-and-fly aircraft, like a point-and-shoot camera. The pilot will simply choose speed, altitude, and direction. The flight control system will take care of everything else. Version two will require a fully automated air traffic control system that will be integrated with the flight control system. That will allow any person, even a child, to select a destination. The system will then take them there with no further inputs, like a self-service elevator.”

  “Sounds good to me. What do you think, Cougar?”

  “I trust Michael’s judgment,” she said.

  “What’s the name of the company?” David asked.

  “Elf Corporation,” Michael answered. “Elf will also be the name of the product. The company wants to project the image of a tireless, magical servant.”

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  Khyla Tyne, Michael’s co-star in Porgy and Bess, was opening a new show in Las Vegas that evening. Claire and David had accepted Michael’s invitation to fly to Las Vegas in a chartered jet.

  The phone rang in the study. Michael answered it, and after a short conversation he said, “Bad news. The plane scheduled for our flight has a problem that can’t be fixed today, and the company doesn’t have a replacement.”

  Claire said, “We have a couple of spare seats.”

  Michael raised an eyebrow. “Will NASA allow that?”

  “We’re authorized to carry passengers at our discretion.”

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  On the way to the airport, Joanne asked, “David, aren’t you a flight instructor?”

  “Was. My certificate isn’t current now.”

  Her expression was one of disappointment. “I was hoping you could give me a lesson on the way to Vegas.”

  “A Winddancer is a hot airplane for a first flight, but I could give you a demo lesson.”

  Joanne smiled. “Yes, please!”

  David took Joanne slowly around his plane as he did a preflight inspection, describing each part of the plane and how it worked. His explanations were simple and clear and she paid rapt attention. Then he buckled her into the front seat.

  Following David’s instructions, Joanne took the controls after takeoff. He talked her through straight and level flight, gentle turns, climbs, and descents as they made their way across the desert to Las Vegas.

  Claire had no experience or training as a flight instructor and flew to Vegas on a routine instrument flight plan with Michael in her back seat. They were waiting on the ramp when David parked. Joanne was smiling broadly as David helped her out of the plane. She ran to Michael and threw her arms around him. “I want to do that! I want to learn to fly!”

  Michael appeared to be surprised, but he recovered quickly. “Okay,” he said. “We’ll find a place for you to learn next week.”

  “I’d rather have you teach me,” Joanne told David, “but NASA’s already got you. I’ll have to settle for somebody else.” She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, David. That was absolutely fantastic.”

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  They were escorted to Khyla Tyne’s dressing room after dinner. Michael introduced Claire and David.

  “I’m proud to meet you,” Khyla said. “I’m going to introduce Michael at the beginning of the show. Do you mind if I introduce you, too?”

  “That’s fine,” Claire answered. “NASA likes for us to be seen.”

  Khyla handed a cordless microphone to Michael. “‘Bess’ after ‘Crystal?’”

  He grinned and nodded. “You got it.”

  The dishes were cleared away after dinner and before the house lights dimmed. Khyla’s voice hushed the darkened room as she began the show offstage with “Summertime.” Slowly she moved from behind the curtains. The spotlights gradually came up to full strength as she reached center stage.

  She finished the song and welcomed her audience. “A few months ago,” she said, “I finished a remake of George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with the incomparable Michael Bedford. We’re fortunate to have him here tonight with his lovely wife Joanne.”

  Spotlights illuminated Michael and Joanne. He stood up and bowed to the audience as they applauded.

  Khyla continued. “Michael has always traveled in good company, but tonight he’s outdone himself. Sitting with him are the astronauts who will fly Starship Origin five hundred years into the future. Ladies and gentlemen, Doctor Claire Archer and Colonel David Archer: Cougar Flight!”

  The spotlights expanded to include Claire and David. They stood and acknowledged what became a standing ovation.

  Khyla continued the show with songs from Porgy and Bess. After she sang “Crystal,” the orchestra played the overture to “Bess.” Michael then used the cordless microphone and began singing the song from the table. A spotlight picked him up, and Khyla’s voice joined Michael’s in the duet.

  Claire felt a thrill as she was immersed in a world of musical magic.

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  For the flight back to Los Angeles, Joanne rode in the back seat of Claire’s plane, and Michael rode in the back seat of David’s. He apologized to Michael for not being able to give him a lesson. “Too dark.”

  “Not a problem,” Michael said. “I’m quite happy to let the pros do the flying.”

  David transmitted to Air Traffic Control when they were 100 miles from Los Angeles. “Center, Cougar Flight requests descent direct to Cajon Pass. We’ll cancel when we get to minimum.”

  “Roger Cougar Flight. Cleared as requested. Descend to and maintain one two thousand. Is Cougar One on frequency?”

  Claire transmitted, “Affirmative Center. Cougar Flight is out of flight level four zero zero for one two thousand.”

  “Roger, Cougar One. I just wanted to say hello, ma’am.”

  “Howdy, Center.”

  “You just made my day, ma’am. My wife and kids are going to be thrilled when I tell them I talked to Cougar One.”

  “It was my privilege.”

  Michael asked David on the intercom, “What’s with the accent?”

  “She picked it up from other pilots who’ve been imitating Chuck Yeager’s West Virginia accent since he broke the sound barrier in nineteen forty-seven.”

  “Claire seems to be quite popular.”

  “Air Force One is about the only flight that gets better handling from Air Traffic Control.”

  “She flies very well,” Michael said.

  David nodded. “She does everything well.”

  Chapter 20

  Final preparations for Origin’s launch began in April of 2050. Team Thunder arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base and began intensive starship flight training using a new and complex maneuvering simulator. When the astronauts were not flying the simulator, they were in classrooms learning to anticipate every possible flight situation. They also monitored the final assembly and checks on Origin. Cougar Flight, or whoever might replace them as primary crew, needed to have a full understanding of and confidence in the ship.

  Joanne and Michael owned a house in the mountains near Santa Barbara, and they invited Claire and David to stay there. To avoid long drives to and from Vandenberg every day, Cougar Flight chartered a helicopter. It was expensive, but it was the last time they would ever spend with their friends.

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  Origin’s first test flight was scheduled for the morning of Friday, May 4, 2050. Claire and David made sure the pockets of their flight suits were empty before leaving their bedroom. Then David picked a quarter up from t
he top of the bureau, said, “Call it,” and flipped the coin.

  She called heads while it was in the air, and it was heads up when it landed on their bed.

  “Your choice,” he said. “If you fly today, I’ll fly the second flight, and so on.”

  She smiled. “I’ll fly today. Thank you, Buni.”

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  Under clear blue skies, a crew bus dropped Cougar Flight off beside Origin, and then drove off, leaving them alone. Being alone was part of their test. They would be completely alone for years in interstellar space.

  Because of the noise Origin would generate during launch, it sat on a pad off by itself near the Pacific Ocean. Midmorning sun threw the top of the giant pyramid’s shadow onto ocean waves. The starship’s triangular base and the pad it sat on were bigger than several city blocks. Three fusion engines extended over pits that would channel the intense exhaust heat away.

  After Claire and David entered the nearby door in the middle of a down edge, she closed and locked it. They ignored steps that seemed to go up forever and stood on an elevator platform that lifted them up the stairway to an airlock. They passed through that, through a storeroom passageway, and through another airlock to emerge into the cabin. Everything was familiar. It was like the quarters they had lived in for more than two years.

  Claire lifted the red safety cover at the shirtsleeve control console and flipped the master electrical power switch from ground power mode to all systems available. The console lit up, and the ship seemed to thrive, as if anxious to leap into the cold, dark vacuum of space.

  Cougar Flight completed their initial tasks. Then David spoke to NASA for the first time, “Ground checklist complete.”

  A controller responded, “Roger. We concur.”

  Claire and David went into their maneuvering control compartments behind the shirtsleeve control compartment and helped each other into their spacesuits. After final suit checks, they belted themselves into their individual maneuvering control couches. Claire used her console controls to close all doors, including the door between the maneuvering compartments. Each would be physically alone during launches, landings, and during critical maneuvers in space. Isolation of each compartment from the other was a safety feature. If one was damaged, the other could still function.