Leaving Earth Vol. 1 (Leaving Earth Omnibus)

by Kaal Alexander Rosser

  'Right you are boss.'

  The next line of attack was on the various governmental agencies: NASA, each of the service branches, and even the high-profile bases were all wanting a piece of this particular pie. In their case, it appealed to a certain kind of mind to be able to spend a trillion dollars on power sources which could last two hundred years, and be buried ten miles underground without ever stopping. So profit was available there. But every unit which was produced for those bodies would hamper the commercial production rate.

  Even if the current three collider's-worth of output were left unchanged, and the output from all four of the new colliders were put to the purpose of supplying the government, it did not quite cover it.

  It was Grum's turn to remember something they had missed: competitor demand. There were other commercial space companies — especially the space tourism companies — which were being held off with a big stick, so keen were they to have better emergency power sources. Definitely profit to be had there.

  They factored it in. Adding the various percentage output splits which they could model, the different sizes and classes of generators and pods for which they had market demand figures, and the types of client with their own mark-up. It was possible to get a positive figure. Barely. Over twenty years. But possible.

  That brought the discussion back to Stew's point about Space Division. Nevada's AM power output was not just about profit alone. It was an enabler of profit throughout USSMC. Taking a longer view than twenty years, you could certainly see the future becoming that much brighter because of the investment now.

  Chapter 4

  GRUM and Stew had managed to stop for a quick drink at the work's bar, but just the one.

  On his way home, Grum found that this had been a good thing. His taxi had barely left the block the bar was on before Grum got a message from Vann. It told him that Amy was taking Stew out for dinner that evening, so Grum and Vann would be looking after Clait for the night. It was a last minute, spur-of-the-moment thing, so Grum diverted his journey to stop at Stew and Amy's place. While Grum and Vann were still in the same apartment they had moved into after Nevada, Stew and Amy had tried the suburbs for a year, then given it up as a bad job. When they wanted to move back to the city, the old apartment had been let, so they found a town-house on the Upper West Side.

  He arrived just as Stew was getting out of his own ride. It struck Grum, then that this was a strange habit. All four of them worked in the same office, and yet they each, mostly, took separate journeys home. It would be trivial to all meet up at the bar or in the office building foyer, and do a two-stop trip. The ride home, though, had become a little bit of extra alone-time that he suspected the others found as precious as he did. He paused the journey and got out to follow Stew up to his front door.

  'Er, hi,' said Stew, when he turned to see Grum walking up the steps behind him. 'Again.'

  Grum just waved and motioned him on.

  Stew unlocked the door and they went in. Amy had apparently beaten them back to the house, as the child-minder was already getting her coat on to go. Amy proved this to be the case by walking in to the hallway holding a well-wrapped Clait, and beaming at Grum. Stew was looking a little flummoxed at this departure from routine.

  'Surrender unto me your first born son!' intoned Grum.

  Stew spun to face Grum. 'What did you just say?' Then poor Stew became even more perplexed as Amy did so. 'What?! Are we..? What?'

  'Do you need anything?' asked Amy, ignoring Stew.

  'Don't think so,' said Grum, thinking if they had enough of the standard supplies. 'Oh. Is he still into those fake cheese things?'

  'Yes. I'll grab a couple. Not too many, mind.'

  'No, ma'am.'

  Amy disappeared towards the kitchen and Grum, holding Clait, turned to regard his friend, mildly.

  Stew now appeared to be caught in between exasperation and mirth. 'We have a night off?'

  'Vann and Amy arranged it. What it entails, I have no idea. Nor any do I want!'

  'Perv.'

  'Hardly.'

  Amy reappeared with a few of Clait's currently favourite treats, and they parted. Grum headed back to the taxi which was waiting with mechanical patience by the kerb.

  Clait was well enough used to visiting Uncle Grum and Auntie Vann's that there was no issue, yet it was infrequent enough for him to stay over that it was akin to a treat in itself.

  The boys were little trouble when they were together. The occasional squabble over priority, but no major fallings-out. They had reached the best point in the evening, when both children were just tired enough to be playing quietly — separately, but within each other's space — but not tired enough to start grizzling. That would no doubt come later, normally it was just before bed time. Quite often because of bed time.

  However, just for the moment, Grum was enjoying watching them play not-quite-together, while keeping half an eye on the news.

  'Do you want more?'

  Vann's question broke into his peaceful contemplation, causing him to jump a little. 'Buh,' he said, with feeling. 'What? More?'

  Vann inclined her head briefly towards the boys. 'More.'

  'Oh. I hadn't really thought about it.' And he honestly had not.

  'Hence the question.' Vann smiled at him, but was clearly still expecting an answer.

  Grum gave the question some thought. He was not sure on the subject, and the phrasing of Vann's question told him that she was still undecided, although she had obviously given it more thought than he had. If Vann had wanted one thing or another, definitely, then she would have stated it: "I want more children" or "I don't want any more". 'I think, I hadn't really considered it because it still seems soon and new, as well as being the only way life could possibly be. It'll take more than a moment's thought, I'm afraid.'

  'I know. I wanted to talk about it, though. It really isn't that soon, you know. Ju is four, now. Arguably, in some circles, the ideal time to make an addition. But if we do decide to do this, we will have to prepare, so I am starting the discussion.'

  That was very true. Both about Ju's age and having to prepare. Vann had not had an easy pregnancy, to say the least, so another would take some planning. 'When they are like this, it doesn't seem hard, but there are times…'

  'Yes there are. It wouldn't be exactly the same, but we could see if we could borrow Clait for an extended period, to test what it's like.'

  'How would that work?'

  'I think that Amy is going to strong-arm Stew into taking a holiday. We could babysit and give them a proper break.'

  'That would be… Extraordinary.'

  'Maybe. It depends. I have heard of newish parents going away for a while every so often.'

  'I suppose. Let me just check that I have read the situation right, please, love. You are undecided yourself, right?'

  Vann chuckled a bit. 'Yes, love. I would benefit from testing the water as much as you. I am also balancing risk and reward on an emotional level. The idea of going through what I went through before does scare me a bit, but if I came to feel that I really wanted another child, then that fear would not stop me.'

  'OK, then. So we find ways for us to test the waters and provide evidence on one side or the other.'

  'Agreed.'

  'I still think that it's unlikely Stew and Amy will agree to a loan, though.'

  'We'll see.'

  Vann sent him a message just before the end of work the next day, confessing her failure to talk to Amy about the idea of borrowing Clait. Grum replied that he had failed as well, but that he and Stew were due to go out for a beer, so he could bring it up at the pub. That got him a high-five and kisses in response.

  Grum and Stew went straight to the pub after work. Although they were working collaboratively on the viability report for the board, they were doing so from their own offices, so they had not spoken much all day. As it was a nice day, they had elected to walk to the pub rather than get a taxi, but the busyness of New York's st
reets around five thirty was not conducive to conversation.

  Neither had made a move toward the pool table, and neither had spoken much above a monosyllable until the were sitting at a table with beers in hand.

  Grum took a sip of his bitter and wondered how to start such an odd conversation as borrowing Clait.

  Stew spoke first, setting his glass down. There was rather more than a sip taken from the top. 'We want to go on holiday, Grum. I know it's not a great time, but when is it ever?'

  'You and Amy? How long for?' Yeah, sure, great! Can we borrow Clait? No, not exactly the best opener.

  'The family, for a proper break. At least a couple of weeks.'

  'I don't see a problem. Neither of us is completely indispensable. We're not that stupid. You're taking Clait with you?'

  Stew blinked, noticeably. 'Er, yeah, sure. Why not?'

  'Oh… To be honest, Vann twigged that a holiday was probably on the cards, and we were wondering about being able to borrow Clait for a trial run to see if we're ready for more than one child.'

  Stew laughed. 'I'm sorry, mate. I love you and everything, but this is to be a family holiday. You two haven't decided on more kids or not?'

  'Not yet. You have?'

  'Oh, absolutely. We've spoken about it several times. Before we had Clait, and after. We wanted one while we were young, but neither of us feel the urge for more.'

  'Well done, you.'

  'Sorry, mate. You two are welcome to babysit any time, you know that, but not for this holiday. Maybe another time. I'll talk to Amy about it.'

  'Thanks. That would be appreciated.'

  'Still OK with he holiday request?'

  'Oh, don't be daft! It was in no way contingent. We just thought there might be an opportunity.'

  'Fair enough. More beer, then pool?'

  'Sounds like a plan.'

  The report for the board was nearly complete.

  Grum had taken Stew's advice and reviewed the latest information on the augmented third generation nuclear reactors. They were good. Not quite as good as the "true" fourth generation reactors would be, but better than the original third generation, and far in advance of the ancient second generation.

  It was looking likely, now, that UMBRA would use a mixture of fourth generation and upwards types of reactor to provide even greater energy security. It would take time, but being able to kick start a bunch more fourth and fifth generation programmes would help.

  Some of the information available was entirely speculative, but exciting nonetheless. It was also possible that the fifth generation reactors would be small enough, flexible enough, and clean enough to genuinely be used as power generation units in manned space-flight. The AM generators were still better for things like the Mars Shuttle, but any serious long term exploration would need a supply with more grunt.

  He had feelers out to every company already involved in renewable energy in the state of Nevada, and preliminary talks had happened with a few of them. Investment and any new technology that USSMC could provide would be welcome, of course, for the existing projects. Several of both the largest and smallest players were open to the idea of expanding existing solar arrays or opening new ones. The rest of the renewable energy power sources were following in a similar vein.

  It should be enough to convince the board, if Grum could get Hank on board for the last bit. He took a trip to the outer edge of the building where the Space Division was mostly located.

  Hank had someone in his office and was looking very serious, so Grum went for a wander. He had rarely had the opportunity to wander around the offices. Normally he went to see Hank, and that was it. He spotted Vann and Amy huddled over a standing-desk which was strewn with blueprints. Obviously, Space Division followed their leader in not having everything on a screen.

  'Hello, you two,' said Grum as he walked up to them.

  'Hey, Grum,' said Amy, while Vann wiggled her fingers over her shoulder at him. 'Here to see Hank?'

  'Yup. Seems a bit busy right now, though. What are you two working on?'

  'He's had one or two of the older engineers ignoring Vann's designs and trying to incorporate the old chief's design flaws. Only they don't see them as flaws, just "sensible solutions".' Vann stood up, then, as Amy finished speaking.

  'He's having a word before we take it to disciplinary,' said Vann.

  'That's bad. Especially if they've been around a while.'

  'Yes,' said Amy. 'Worse still is that they have been mentoring some of the younger engineers, which makes it all the harder.'

  'But that isn't what you came here for, is it, Grum?' said Vann, clearly not comfortable, and understandably so. As the new Chief Engineer, it was her authority which was being undermined. 'You want to see if there's anything we can do to strengthen your pitch for the Nevada power plans, yes?'

  Grum was happy enough to move away from the previous topic, as this was exactly what he was here for. 'Yes, absolutely. Have you two had any idea, before I talk to Hank?'

  Amy looked about to speak again, but subsided when Vann straightened and took a half-step forward. 'It's tricky, Grum. You pretty much know everything which has been on the drawing board. There is not much new on those fronts, and nothing which can bolster the need for more pods.'

  Grum nodded. He had expected as much. He was still hoping to persuade Hank about taking on the UMBRA research, under his cost centres, but he had not expected that there would be anything miraculously new which demanded a massive amount of antimatter in any form. 'Not much? Anything might tip the scale.'

  'Well,' said Vann, hesitantly, 'We were looking at the long-range exploration ships…'

  'I didn't know you guys were actually planning those. I thought they were in the pie-in-the-sky, wait-until-UMBRA-is-running pipeline.' That would be a massive boost for Grum if they had moved up the schedule.

  'Not planning, exactly, and not exactly further up the schedule, but… There are several steps before building those ships. You know they are to be designed to never land? Never even enter atmosphere?' Grum did and said so. 'Good,' continued Vann. 'The plan for those is to capture suitable asteroids, mine them until they're hollowed out, and use the metal obtained to build out the rest of the ship. Or, at least as much as possible. The shell of the asteroid forms much of the outer body of the ship. It acts as both an ablative shield against space-borne particulates and other dangerous bodies, and as a partial low-energy radiation shield.'

  'OK. I knew most of that already. I don't see…'

  Vann cut in, grinning at her husband, but with a wink towards Amy. 'How many asteroids do USSMC have?'

  'Well… None… Ah,' said Grum, getting an inkling of where she was going.

  'Right. None. Critical Path Analysis. Before we can do this we need asteroids. Before we can use the most suitable asteroids, we need to test every element of the process. That includes capture, processing, even just the initial search — which would be better done by fully-automated ships. Everything that is less than a full on exploration or colony-generation vessel would — or could — need AM power.'

  'You utter…!' Grum began, but remembered where he was. '…human being. You said nothing new!'

  'It's not new, just following through on the prerequisites for the ship designs. As ordered by our boss, who is… Now free, I think.'

  Grum turned and saw Hank's door standing open. A thunder-faced individual pointed a sour look in their direction and stalked off. Grum felt a hand on his elbow and looked over his shoulder.

  'He would probably appreciate a visit. He hates having to do that,' said Vann, giving his elbow a squeeze.

  Grum walked into Hank's office and shut the door.

  Hank's expression, matching that of the errant employee, changed instantly. 'Grum! I have good news for you!'

  'Vann's just been filling me in.'

  'Has she indeed! Well then. I intend to make it known, to anyone who has not yet worked it out, just what these prerequisites entail and how they should be po
wered. That should work very much in your favour. Plus, the move cannot be gainsaid as the programme directly requires skills from elsewhere in USSMC — Mining, Exploration, and Medical, for starters — and will feed technologies and resource back into those departments. Of course we'll funnel all the scientific and engineering resourcing through SyncDep for a suitable fee.'

  'That's brilliant, Hank. I do appreciate that help. Would you mind if I ask for a double portion of your life's flesh, though?'

  'Sorry, Grum. All my portions belong to my boyfriend,' said Hank, with a lusty gleam in his eye.

  Grum bit back a laugh, and ended up snorting. 'Thankfully! But, about the power stations for UMBRA…'

  'Anything UMBRA belongs entirely in my bailiwick, I completely agree. As does a fair portion of the earth-bound R&D costs for fourth and fifth generation nuclear work. Will that do you?'

  'Perfect, Hank. I'll get on with finalising the board submission.'

  'Good luck,' said Hank, waving him towards the door. 'I'll see before the board on Monday.'

  Chapter 5

  THE short version was that the board approved everything asked of them. The longer version was that they added provisos to every request which was approved.

  Grum's expenditure on the Nevada Antimatter Power Facility: approved. Provided that commercial and governmental confirmed orders be prioritised over USSMC internal ones. Grum suspected that this was a deliberate dig at Hank by the rest of the board over the announcements he had made of beginning implementation of the preliminary phases to support the deep space exploration programme.

  Grum's Renewable Energy Programme for the state of Nevada: approved. Provided that the required technology sharing was kept to the minimum necessary to achieve the goals. The Fourth and Fifth Generation Nuclear R&D plan was approved, so long as Space Division was sincere in picking up its share of the tab and delivering on UMBRA in a timely fashion.

  Kelvin's request to the board — wearing his CEO hat — for discretionary monies to support lobbying activities, was tentatively approved, so long as the board had yearly reports on those activities.