The Return of the Manhattan

by Lee Ecker

  Roger sighed, “I suppose. I don’t really have anything pressing for the next couple of hours so keep talking.”

  “Dr. Dorn, what do you consider the most pressing problem facing America today?”

  “Anybody except those fools in Washington knows the answer to that. We have squandered our sources of raw materials. We have wasted our natural resources for centuries. Hundreds of years ago, there were warnings, but nobody listened.”

  David asked for a refill before acknowledging, “I believe you, I just recently returned from Mars with a cargo of uranium.

  “Ya, but that isn’t the most critical raw material?”

  “Oh! And what is?”

  “Fossil fuels and oil in particular!”

  “Why?”

  “Other materials are available within our solar system even if they are expensive, but not oil. We have not found any sign of life in the solar system except on Earth, and without life, there cannot be any fossil fuels.”

  David changed the subject, “I heard the assignment you gave your students. Do you think it’s possible to travel faster than the speed of light?”

  “I shouldn’t answer since few agree with me, but yes I think so.” His gaze centered on some distant object out the window as he paused. “Someday, I’d like to prove it.”

  “I don’t think you will.”

  “Why not?”

  “I must tell you this information is classified, but if you have any interest, we may be able to talk. I can’t tell you much more unless you at least make a commitment to advise our group.”

  Roger was hooked although he didn’t want to admit it. “I have my family to think of and a mission of that magnitude would mean considerable time away from home. I’m not that interested.”

  “I know you’re married, but I checked and know you have no other immediate family. Believe me, that’s not a problem. I’m married too, and I have a little girl that was born on our last space cruise. Both will be an integral part of this mission.”

  “Are they going with you?” Roger’s interest jumped up another notch.

  “Going where? Who said anything about a trip? You’re jumping to conclusions which I can’t and will not deny or confirm.”

  “How can I make a decision if I don’t know any details?”

  “All I have to know is, are you interested and will you consider my offer? That’s all.”

  “All right, you have me hooked and you know it.”

  “I thought so. I was particularly looking for someone like you interested in the Theory of Relativity and the speed of light. We are talking of a voyage of over one hundred light years and we expect the round trip to be less than fifteen years. As a minimum, we need a man of your expertise to check our theories and plans.”

  “All right I will be your man!”

  “Good, now I can tell you that an advance expedition left a few years ago and radio reports are beginning to come in; they have exceeded the speed of light!”

  CHAPTER 5

  Thomas White returned from an equally profitable recruiting venture getting a renowned medical doctor for the voyage. Doctor Warren Baker had been a flight surgeon assigned to NASA for several years. He made two voyages within the solar system and was eager for another. Marie was immersed in her quest for pilots, but was having little trouble getting enough qualified applicants.

  Dr. Baker’s specialty involved placing human subjects in deep sleep close to coma states which had been successfully achieved for short durations. Warren was anxious to pursue his research under the operational conditions in deep space. Most of the crew had no required duties during the high speed portion of the voyage and would be given the option of deep sleep where they could remain young or at least not age physically. For those choosing the opposite, time could be utilized to attain university level degrees, or to branch out with on the job training in many specific fields where systems were in use aboard ship. Spaceships like the Excalibur were proven to be ideal laboratories with the sterile environment and low gravity conditions, and individual research avenues were available to match one’s interest and abilities. As with major universities with a few quality professors who made cameo appearances in many classes, Dr. Baker and Dr. Dorn would both teach classes during the voyage. David and Marie both intended to pursue advance degrees in their respective fields, but would also take courses in medicine and physics taking advantage of the celebrated members of the crew.

  The months passed as the preparations and final plans were completed concurrently with crewmember procurement and training. The only remaining tasks were the final modifications to the propulsion units and the outfitting of the cargo bays with the tanks capable of holding the crude oil. Most of the supplies they would deliver to O-2113 were stowed onboard. They carried a huge supply of farming equipment and the equipment to set up industrial factories on the planet, as well as the latest fashionable clothing.

  Their skeleton crew was small compared to those operating similar ships, but they were scheduled to pick up a load of passengers at a small space station on the fringe of the Solar System who would settle on the remote planet to establish a colony and a maintenance base for further exploration of that solar system. The planet was believed to be rich in natural resources with earthlike climate and atmosphere. Up to this time, it was believed to be uninhabited, based on limited data received from a deep space probe launched centuries earlier.

  David’s previous experience had been aboard heavily armed ships where the hangar bay left home port with over 100 starship fighters with a typical mission of maintaining a semblance of order within the solar system. Only once had he seen any significant action against a far inferior force of a rebel army with 20 or 30 state of the art fighters. After a show of force, the rebels broke off and scattered. The starships of the United States were seldom challenged, but smaller isolated single ships without star fighter escort occasionally were intercepted, hijacked, or destroyed. The Excalibur’s success, on this mission, depended on secrecy and deception. They would carry a token four fighters and twenty shuttle craft for the entire mission, but would carry a complete squadron of starfighters which would leave them when they left the solar system behind. All but three of the shuttlecraft would be left behind on the remote planet.

  One evening, as David made his way through the vast interior of the hangar decks of the Excalibur making his final walk through, he almost missed one tank that was not quite lined up with the rest. He stepped closer bending at the knees to investigate when someone attacked him from behind hitting him on the head and slamming him to the deck.

  CHAPTER 6

  Marie was lined up synchronizing her shuttle to remain stationary with relation to the Excalibur waiting with her load of tanks to enter the starship. This was her last shuttle for the day, and she planned to be back on earth with her mother and daughter for the night. Her private com button on the control panel lit with an accompanying buzz. She pushed the button responding, “Ashton.”

  “Marie, we have a problem.” Tom’s voice quavered slightly alerting Marie to a sense of disaster. “We are giving you priority and will maneuver you directly into the hangar deck.”

  “What’s wrong?” Marie couldn’t keep the alarm out of her voice.

  “David’s been in an accident. We don’t think it’s serious, but you should be here. Dr. Baker is checking him out.”

  Marie guided her shuttle into position and waited for the tractor beam to take her through the hatch into the ship. Marie shutdown her engines and waited as the massive pressure doors to the pressurizing chambers slowly and methodically opened and closed in sequence keeping the ship’s environment intact.

  She wasted no time exiting her craft, making her way to the hospital ward. Tom met her at the entrance, “We don’t know much yet, but Dr. Baker is hopeful. Some idiot was running amuck on the hangar deck and struck David. He’s in a co
ma, but Dr. Baker says all signs are positive.”

  “Can I see him?”

  “Come on in.” He opened the door allowing her entry.

  Warren Baker glanced up for a second and went back to his monitor for a moment before looking back to Marie. He smiled and spoke cheerfully, “Marie, I think he will be okay. You can hold his hand and talk to him.”

  Marie moved over to the bed and took David’s hand and squeezed. After no response, she looked at Dr. Baker. “Is he really okay?”

  “We don’t know for sure, but his vitals are good. There is no pressure on the brain, and our scanners have found no major physical damage. I think he will recover soon, but don’t be discouraged if it takes a little longer. He may be able to hear you, so just talk to him.”

  “All right. David, honey, it’s Marie. I’m with you and Dr. Baker says you’ll be okay. I love you. Please wake up and talk to me. Squeeze my hand or blink your eyes. Please don’t leave me now,” she begged. She continued to plead telling him how much she loved him.

  After several minutes, Dr. Baker took her hand pulling her away. “Sorry Marie, but my monitor doesn’t show any response. Either he doesn’t hear you or can’t respond. He probably just needs time to recuperate.”

  “But doctor, I thought you were an expert in this field.” She had a little sarcasm in her voice. “Concussions are not that rare!” Her voice grew louder, “Dr. Baker is there something you’re not telling me?”

  “Marie, please! Doctors are human and the human brain is far too complex for us to understand completely. We know when the brain responds and we can relieve pressure, but for the most part, the brain is one of life’s greatest mysteries.”

  She calmed a bit, “But, what is your best prognosis. I want the facts as straight as you can give them to me.”

  “I don’t know! I’ve seen similar cases where patients have remained in a coma for years. Usually, it only lasts a few minutes or a few hours. When he comes out of the coma, he will probably be completely normal. If he doesn’t recover on his own soon, we could give him something to help the body repair itself, but those drugs aren’t usually effective in cases like this. All we can do is wait. Be positive, especially when near him. Other than that, all you can do is pray! Now why don’t you go with Tom? I think he would like to discuss the problem before elevating it to the president.”

  Marie left the ICU and followed Tom to his command module near the front of the starship. Tom’s office was a large room elegantly furnished with comfortable seating arrangements around a small conference table. The office also had an excellent exterior view directly to the front with large screen TV monitors which could be selected to view any exterior area. The optics were so good that it was difficult to tell which was real and which was the image.

  Roger entered giving them a rundown on the situation. “We have the intruder isolated on the hangar deck. The team responded quickly and has sealed off the area. I don’t think David was the target, but he inadvertently caught the intruder in an act of sabotage. The incident was recorded on camera and seen by the security team monitoring the area.

  Marie listened intently before asking, “Why would anyone want to sabotage the ship. I thought this was a top secret project. Who knows what’s going on?”

  Tom answered quietly, “The president has kept the number of participants to a minimum. The five of us, David, you, Warren, Roger and I know but the remainder of those on board don’t. Of course, we can’t load the number of fuel tanks like we’ve done without someone getting some idea of the scope of the mission. The president said this project was approved by a Congressional Committee, so the leak could be there. The oil industrial complex has always had a strong lobby in Congress and anyone in that area would be prime suspects. We’ve got to double our security, but if they’re determined, somebody is bound to get through. Once we get underway, we’ll be gone so long that no one will remember us until we get back. But for now, the question is, what are we going to do if David is unable to go? Warren may not want to clear him for the voyage. What would you do in that case, Marie?”

  Marie hesitated only for a moment, “I desperately want to go, but I can’t leave without David, or my daughter. I’m sorry, but it’s not fair, and I wouldn’t be any use to you, and probably wouldn’t be safe flying under those conditions. I won’t go without him!”

  Tom continued, “I appreciate your honesty, and I anticipated that. Considering the circumstances, my answer would have been the same. However, if we have to replace both of you, it could delay the mission for months. I suppose we ought to get on line with the president and give him the bad news.”

  Roger spoke up, “Don’t be too hasty Tom! I see no reason why Warren wouldn’t let him remain on board. Our facilities are as good as any hospital and the low gravity conditions are good for him. Marie, you wouldn’t have any objections to that would you?”

  “I don’t think so. I might as well be working as sitting around home waiting for his recovery!”

  A low frequency chime sounded on Tom’s desk and Warren’s voice was projected into the room, “Tom, David is recovering rapidly. He is out of danger and his reactions are normal. He will have a headache for a few days, but no other side effects. He must have a hard head! Marie, you can come back and see him now.”

  Marie returned immediately to the ICU unit and the meeting broke up. Roger went to check on the security team while Tom made a call to update the president. David was lying flat on his back not making any sudden moves. Other than the pain, his only obvious condition was the large goose egg on the back of his head. Marie wrapped her arms around him, kissing his eyes, mouth, and any other exposed facial area, repeated her declarations of love she had made a few minutes earlier.

  The intruder was captured a few minutes later, but nothing they said could convince him to talk. By his demeanor, it was obvious that he feared reprisals from his employer more than any threats from any security forces aboard the Excalibur. His identification indicated he worked for ArkTex Oil Company but that was all they could determine. That didn’t mean much considering the large number of fuel tanks provided by ArkTex. David was irate, and uncharacteristically, he ranted and raved about how he wanted some time alone with him and he would get the truth out of him, but it didn’t do him any good as Tom turned the culprit over to the FBI and he was transported back to earth for trial. The matter was closed as far as the crew of the Excalibur was concerned.

  Marie made one more shuttle trip and brought Laura back with her. She said her tearful farewells to her mother and left without relating how long she would be gone. In truth, she didn’t know. Laura remained aboard the Excalibur while David recovered allowing her augmented crew of shuttle pilots to complete the task of loading the oil containers.

  After a few days of recovery and light tasks for David, the executive council met again in conference at Roger’s request. This time, Tom, Marie, and Roger were joined by David and Warren. There was an air of excitement and anticipation in the room as the long awaited date of departure drew nearer. Tom began, “We have almost completed our preparations and we should be ready to depart one week from today. Is that enough time for the rest of you? Roger, I know you have something to spring on us so I’d like to get reports from the rest of you first. Marie, how is your pilot force? Are you ready to bring them on board?”

  “As good as can be expected. All the shuttle pilots will be involved in the airlift of the fuel tanks for about two more days. Most of the tanks are already in orbit and docked at the space station. The Starfighter pilots are ready and waiting orders to board. We’ll be ready whenever you give us the go ahead.”

  “Good, David, how about your end of the mission?”

  “Everything is going well. The power plant workers and navigation specialists are probably the most technical and are in place. The defensive forces who control the on board phasors and the protective shields remain in
place from the original crew. They did take some time off, but they are back for the duration. Many of the workers who have been installing the tanks have been recruited for loading duty at our destination. I’m not so sure about keeping them since they are suspects as far as I’m concerned, especially those who worked for ArkTex Oil. However, we are ready!”

  “Sounds good! But how do you feel?”

  “Couldn’t be better. I’m angry, but that little episode gave me the rest I needed.”

  “Okay, that leaves you, Roger. How are things going with the technical end?”

  “Very well. We have the latest and most powerful propulsion units ever developed. If they can’t push us beyond light speed, I don’t know what will. They are capable of accelerating more rapidly than our bodies can physically withstand over long periods of time. On this first leg to Juliet, we will accelerate using maximum sustained g forces until reaching the half-way point and then immediately begin to decelerate, and that will give us enough data to project our ultimate speed and duration to our final destination.

  After we leave the solar system and begin to accelerate, the real test for our propulsion system and the navigation computers will begin. Even a minute change in direction would result in missing our target destination by light years. Any course deviations will have to be made by computer, or we would probably collide with another body we couldn’t see in time to avoid. Our biggest threat involves large asteroids. Our on board telescopes and detectors will be constantly feeding the computer with new data which the computer is capable of analyzing and using to alter our course, if they can be detected early enough. A glancing blow on the atmosphere of a small moon or asteroid would be like hitting severe turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere. We could expect severe injuries and perhaps fatalities. At multi light velocities, a direct hit on any object of size would be catastrophic and the entire ship would be destroyed. In effect, it would be similar to a nuclear blast. On the whole, however, distances are vast and there is little to avoid between Solar Systems, and our route will not take us near any other solar system until we get close to our destination when our velocity will be reduced. Like on earth, with the big sky theories on aircraft collision avoidance, all I can say, is it’s a big empty universe for the most part.”