by Jack L Knapp
Ending the call, Chuck went back inside. A new announcer was reporting.
“Japan has asked the UN to convene an emergency session. At this time, we have no confirmation that the UN will do so. Our Beijing reporter attempted to contact someone authorized to speak for the government, but no one has returned our calls. One man, speaking anonymously because he had no authorization from the government, denied that Chinese aircraft participated in the alleged attack on Japan. When we showed him copies of a video taken during the attack, he pointed out that there were no visible markings on the aircraft. He said that a number of nations have similar aircraft, some sold by China, some by Russia, or possibly resold by a previous buyer. He also suggested that the planes might belong to NFI, but when our reporter pointed out that NFI is not known to use jet engines, he ended the conversation. Back to you, Graham.”
Chuck cleared his throat. “I’m needed at the office, honey. I’ll get back as soon as I can.”
“What’s the matter, Chuck?”
“They need someone to authorize repairs, some modifications too. You know Giant was damaged, there’s also decontamination that needs to be done...”
Lina looked at him suspiciously, but Chuck’s expression was bland.
“If you have to go, I guess there’s nothing to be said. Bobby will miss you; he needs to see more of his father.”
“Just as soon as Base Australia is finished, baby.”
#
The secretary-general faced a dilemma.
Japan had demanded an emergency session, and a quiet canvassing of members from south Asia and Africa showed that they supported Japan. But Russia, China, and the United States in rare agreement threatened to veto any attempt to hold China responsible. The Secretary-general waffled, unable to decide. Should he allow the empty gesture to go forward, meaning that once again the UN would be revealed in all its toothless futility? And at the same time anger the big three, who provided most of the UN’s operating funds?
While he dithered, other nations acted, quietly. An unanswered attack of this magnitude was a clear threat; if the UN would not even consider the matter, other solutions must be found. Conversations ensued, envoy to envoy. Chuck would have been gratified had he known; the consensus was that while NFI had profited, smaller nations around the globe had also benefited. China, on the other hand, had aggressively pressed their own interests to the detriment of their smaller neighbors.
The European Union’s ambassador listened, but said little. Like the others, he had no doubt regarding which country had attacked Japan. He remained neutral, while noting how many other representatives reached quiet agreement. If the UN would not or could not act, they would refuse to lend support to the big three. Should it come to that, the small nations would ally to protect themselves. India and Indonesia separately reached the same conclusion; if China was bold enough to attack Japan, would she hesitate to do the same to them?
The US president knew none of this. If China or Russia heard the rumblings, they ignored them.
Japan quietly made overtures to a number of nations. Israel agreed to sell fighter planes and tanks, as well as export versions of their Iron Dome anti-rocket system. Israel also decided to beef up her own forces; money from the sales would pay for that.
#
Chuck deplaned from Lina and walked to where Pete waited.
“How’s it going?”
“Another hour, maybe two. The guys have worked their asses off.”
“Tell them thanks, Pete. I need a cup of coffee. How about you?”
“I could use one. You’re really going to do this?”
“Yeah. I can’t ask anyone else.”
“You might be surprised, Chuck. Just be careful.”
“I intend to.” The two men drank their coffee in silence. Half an hour later, there was a knock on the door. “Pete, can I talk to you?” Pete set down the cup. A few minutes later the two left. Chuck finished his second coffee, then stood. Three framed pictures stood on a small table. He looked at them for a moment, then gently turned the pictures face down.
He found Pete outside the hangar. “Colossus ready?”
“As ready as she’ll ever be. Last chance, Chuck.”
Chuck nodded, but said nothing. The hangar seemed cold, but he wouldn’t be here long. Climbing the steps, he pressed the button by the hatch. It closed behind him as he walked into the crew cabin.
“What are you doing here? I said no copilot.”
“You can fire me when we get back,” replied Frodo. “Let’s go.”
Chuck shook his head and sat down in the pilot’s seat. Frodo was already wearing his shipsuit; Chuck hadn’t removed his after the flight from Brisbane. A glance at the telltales was sufficient; the lights glowed a reassuring green. “You’re dialed in, Chuck. Let’s go.”
“Anybody would think you wanted to be a commander, the way you’re giving orders.”
“Maybe I will be, if we come back.”
“When we come back, Frodo. Think positive.”
“I’m positive this is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.”
The big ship lifted on autopilot, then cleared the hangar door. Moments later it transitioned for altitude and headed for the sky.
“I guess it’s time to give them a call. I’ll do it.” Frodo nodded as Chuck pressed the transmit button.
Colossus began descending soon after crossing the north pole. “How are you going to do this?”
“Piece of cake. All we have to do is hover, then see if Pete’s fix works.”
“I was busy. What did he do?”
“Installed two sets of grapples in the cargo bay. They came off a pair of trash trucks. The hard part was adapting them to Colossus’ hydraulic system, the one that operates the clamps. There’s a false floor too, so we can double-stack the trash cans. You guide the grapples using the bay camera and pick up the trash bins. Just push them onto the floor, let the new ones push the older ones back. As soon as we’re loaded, we head for space and launch the cans toward the sun. It’s probably the weirdest thing we’ve done, but who cares? I just hope the shielding is good enough.”
“It hasn’t failed before.”
“This is probably the biggest load we’ve ever hauled. More radiation, too, but I think we’ve got a chance.”
“Yeah.”
Two hours later, Colossus loaded, they headed for space. Frodo glanced at the dosimeter, but said nothing. There was really nothing to say.
Behind them, ambulances began arriving. Two of the Japanese workers had collapsed. There would be others.
#
The pickup was televised live, and the broadcast was transmitted around the world. Lina watched as Colossus moved from container to container, sinking until a plastic bin was hidden, then lifting to repeat the process for the next one. From the outside, nothing could be seen; the grapple forks were hidden by the ship’s sides. It seemed almost magical.
In Tokyo, pedestrians stopped to stare at the huge screens that usually showed advertising. The crowd grew, choking off the streets. The police did nothing; they had joined the watching throngs. In time, the screens resumed their usual programming. People slowly drifted away.
Colossus launched her unlikely cargo as soon as she cleared the satellite belt. The collection of plastic containers sailed on; already past escape velocity, they would eventually be absorbed in the photosphere. Colossus turned back and moved into a high orbit near the drifting Giant.
“Now what, Chuck?”
“Now we wait. You didn’t know NFI had a junkyard, did you?”
“I can’t say I did. We probably ought to get checked out when we get back. You do have a way for us to get home, don’t you? We picked up some radiation, but I don’t know if it’s enough to make us sick. Depending on how much we’ve already picked up during earlier flights, I mean.”
“Good idea. I like you and all that, but I don’t intend to spend a few weeks up here with you, twiddling my thumbs.”
“
So how are we going to get home?”
“This is the hairy part. I’ve been meaning to try this, but we just never got the chance.”
“Try what?”
“Take a look out the port window.”
“Is that Farside?”
“Yep. Ever done a spacewalk?”
“No. You?”
“I never had the time.”
“No safety rope?”
“Not unless there’s one in the cabinets behind us. I’m not going back into the cargo bay to look.”
“Can’t say I blame you. So we just suit up and go?”
“Except that when we go, we go careful. Farside’s what, about five kilometers away?”
“Close enough. Just take it slow when you push off. She’ll pick us up if we drift off course.”
“Momma told me there would be days like this.”
As it happened, Farside remained in place. A lifter picked up Frodo, then Chuck, transferring them to the ship. Chuck glanced out the portside window to where Colossus floated a short distance behind Giant.
“Chuck, can either one of those be salvaged?”
“I honestly don’t know. Time will help; the short half-life elements will decay pretty quick. The others aren’t as dangerous.”
“That’s a lot of money. How much did they cost?”
“Two of them? Together, at least a quarter billion dollars. Probably more.”
“Wow.”
“Easy come, easy go,” said Chuck.
#
Farside’s pilot turned and grinned at them. “I’ve got my orders, Chuck. You two are going to a hospital for a checkup.”
“Orders from who, Wolfgang?” asked Chuck.
“Frenchy and Lina. Will got in on it too.”
“I’m outnumbered, then. Where are we going?”
“Tokyo. They probably know as much about radiation sickness as anyone.”
“Probably,” agreed Chuck. He buckled in and leaned back against the seat back. Conversation lagged.
Two ambulances waited at the airport. A gowned and masked attendant scanned them carefully. Satisfied, he wordlessly indicated that Chuck was to enter one of the ambulances, Frodo the other. Chuck was soon lying on a gurney, belted into place. The gurney was short; his heels hung over the end. The rising and falling sound of the warning siren accompanied them on their way, dying away as the ambulance turned into the hospital. Attendants surrounded the gurney, soft Japanese instructions directed the unloading. Moments later it rolled through the entrance. Chuck glanced to the side. A few people stood, then bowed deeply. Moments later, they turned and faced away. Curious, he thought. But it didn’t seem important. He closed his eyes and let the attendants take him where they would.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chuck remained hospitalized for almost a month.
He was too miserable during the first two weeks to want visitors. Frenchy stopped by during the third week, and there had been another visitor before that, a mysterious deliverer of gifts.
Frenchy explained why Lina hadn’t come. “You’re going to be a father again, Chuck. Lina’s three months along. She wasn’t certain when you left, but she is now. There was nothing she could do at this point, so we decided she should stay home and I would visit. She sends her love. I’ve been handling things as your replacement, and it’s been routine up to now.”
“No more attacks?”
“Not a hint. It’s all been quiet, but I authorized the move to Australia. We’re keeping the bases in Rovaniemi and Reykjavik as emergency landing fields, they’re already under lease, but everything else is being done now from Base Australia. By the way, there’s a petition being circulated to name it Chuck Sneyd Base.”
“Absolutely not. Maybe Frodo Baggett field. I could go along with that.”
“No more nausea?”
“Not for the past week. Have you seen Frodo?”
“He’s doing well, and he’ll probably be released before you are. He’s younger, so the treatment worked better.”
“Do you understand what they did? I was pretty out of it for a while. I think I puked up last year’s dinners.”
Frenchy chuckled. “They did a number of things. There were several transfusions, a protein to stimulate your marrow cells to replace the damaged cells, and maybe some other things I didn’t hear about. Whatever they did, it worked. You look a lot better now.”
“I feel better too. Make sure Frodo is taken care of, Frenchy. I never intended to use a copilot, I figured the autopilot would hold the ship steady while I operated the grapples.”
“It was a brilliant idea, I’ll say that. Was it your idea or Pete’s?”
“Both of us. The hydraulics were already there, we just unbolted the lockdowns that clamp the rods in place. Pete’s guys welded in a mount and attached the trash-truck forks.”
“You saved a lot of lives. Getting that stuff to space, it makes the rest of the cleanup much easier.”
“What happened to the men who shoveled up the dirt.”
“They died, Chuck. Some right away, a couple lasted about three weeks. They’re all gone.”
“Damn. You know, I saw them doing that. I couldn’t stand by.”
“I understand. Hold that thought, Chuck. You’re scheduled for a press conference.”
“The hell you say!”
“I say. We need the good publicity. Who brought the fancy gown and the swords?”
“I don’t know. I asked, but nobody will say. One of the nurses had her son look up the kimono. He said it was very old, more than a century. Frodo got one too. I’m not sure about the swords, but they’re traditional.”
“Are they old too?”
“No. I’m told they’re modern, but made in the traditional way, by hand. Each one is made by a master team, led by a swordsmith, but there’s a guy who designs the hilt, the tsuba is made by a different master, another does the polishing. They’re beautiful.”
“So who do you think brought them?”
“They won’t say, but the doctors and nurses bow toward them when they come to the room.”
“You think it was the emperor? Or maybe one of his people?”
“It wouldn’t have been the emperor himself. He’s pretty reclusive. But he’s done things like this before, given people special gifts.”
“Special indeed. Do you want me to take them with me? I could have them delivered to Brisbane.”
“No. I think the hospital staff wants them here, in my room. It means something to them. Not the samurai stuff, but their code of bushido. Maybe later.”
Chuck looked at the twin stands, one holding the kimono, the other resting on a table. Two sheathed swords rested in wooden mounts, the laquered wood gleaming.
“So we’re going to have a baby! Frenchy, it’s just as well. The doctor tells me...well, there’s a chance that I can’t father children now. Even if I could, I probably shouldn’t. He won’t say no, but he feels there’s a chance that Frodo and I caught some genetic damage.”
Chuck’s expression brightened. “Anyway, when is this press conference? The hospital hasn’t told me they’re releasing me.”
“It will happen here. I’ll stick around if you want.”
“Absolutely. I wouldn’t have it any other way. They should see that we’re not all crazy!”
Chuck was dressed in a robe that apparently held some significance. Not the kimono, that was still there in its place of honor, but a padded robe that hid the signs of radiation. Chuck had lost nearly forty pounds, and it showed. His face was thin, almost emaciated. Most noticeable of all, he was totally bald. The staff raised the upper part of the bed until he was almost upright, then backed away. A disapproving doctor entered, looked around, then barked something in Japanese. Chuck had begun picking up a word here and there, but he understood none of this, at first. Moments later, attendants brought the two swords and laid them carefully along the edges of the bed. Moments later, the newsmen entered and waited by the door. A photographer too
k several shots, bowed, and left.
The doctor spoke clear, if accented English. “Fifteen minutes. No more.”
Two of the newsmen, Japanese, bowed assent. The other was probably American, maybe Australian. He nodded, a gesture that was almost a bow in itself.
“Thank you for seeing us, Mister Sneyd.”
“You’re welcome, but you should probably speak to Mister Baggett. I only flew the ship, he was the one that picked up the bins and stored them.”
“We interviewed him two days ago. He told us you were in charge. You are really the director of New Frontiers, Incorporated?”
“Well, it’s actually chief executive officer. But yes, you could say I’m the director.”
“You knew the risk was considerable?”
“I expected we would survive. This was not a suicide mission. The real heroes are the men who cleaned up the worst part of the spill. We couldn’t have done anything if it hadn’t been for them.”
“They have not been forgotten, Mister Sneyd. You may be sure of that. But they are Japanese, their families are here. You are a very rich man, some think the richest in the world. Your company may also be the largest in the world. Why would you risk your life?”
“Well, I didn’t really risk my life,” Chuck shrugged uncomfortably. “I knew there was danger, but I had a lot of faith in my people. It was the old men that did it; I knew they were killing themselves. I couldn’t just let it go for nothing. Anyway, it was a team effort. Another ship picked us up in space and brought us here. The hospital people have been great too. I’m grateful to them.”
“We will not forget, Mister Sneyd. The medical staff reflects the will of our people. You left your ship in space?”
“Well, yes. There was no other place to leave it, and we needed to get away as soon as possible. The cargo bay is contaminated.”
“This was one of your larger ships, is that true?” The questioner this time was the westerner.
“Yes,” agreed Chuck. “There are two of them in orbit now. I don’t know if they can be decontaminated. I hope so. They’re expensive.”
