Asteroid Crisis

by Kevin J. Anderson

  “Just don’t try to shoot me down,” JJ said into her helmet radio. “I’m in control here—sort of.” She didn’t want to try anything fancy, but the starfish ship flew and spun. This vessel had traveled from the Moon to Earth in only a few hours, an amazing speed! But she wanted to remain in the vicinity of Earth.

  Fortunately, the controls didn’t really require her to think like an alien. With a lot of trial and error, JJ figured out how to guide the starfish ship. She found herself feeling giddy. At the speed she was going, the planet below and the distant space station moved at a blur, and it made her lightheaded. She decided to take a trip around the Earth, orbiting above the clouds and continents. She had no way of knowing how much fuel the craft had, but surely the Kylarn pilot must have expected to fly back to the Moon. This little side trip should be nothing by comparison.

  She watched the view through the screens, studying her lovely home planet, with its peaceful wisps of clouds, the familiar outlines of Africa, Europe, North America. Traveling westward, opposite the direction of the ISSC orbit, she saw the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, then Australia. She had never been to Australia, but there it was, below her. She decided that this flight beat any vacation anyone else had ever taken. Laughing with delight, she transmitted updates of her flight. By now JJ supposed the whole world might be watching.

  She flew around to the Earth’s night side and saw city lights twinkling down in the population centers. She raced along until the glow of sunrise lit up the rim of the planet. It was such a beautiful home, full of life and natural beauty, yet also fragile. If the oncoming asteroids weren’t deflected, they would smash into Earth like cosmic cannonballs.

  The thought diminished her joy and wonder in the flight, and she decided to return to the ISSC. No use taking chances—it was her responsibility to bring the Kylarn ship back intact, now that she had discovered some of the basics of its operation. The physicists, engineers and pilots would swarm over it.

  The Space Station Complex gleamed before her. Its array of mirrorlike solar panels and cylindrical modules connected in three dimensions, like some child’s toy model.

  By now JJ had a good feel for how the alien ship worked, and an optimistic confidence in the automated systems. “I’m coming in again. Everything’s intact—I’m fine. Now if only I can dock safely.…”

  Colonel Fox sounded tense and harried over the suit radio. JJ was sure she’d get a stern lecture once she got back aboard the ISSC. She had been impulsive—people had often criticized her for making rash decisions because she was anxious to make progress or accomplish a goal without “thinking it to death.” But as Commander Zota said, sometimes it helped to be bold. Because she’d been willing to follow her intuition, she now knew how to fly the alien ship. That was certainly an argument in her favor, wasn’t it?

  She activated the docking controls. The starfish ship took over, slowing its spin and aligning itself to the same airlock hatch in the node room. “I’m coming in,” she said.

  The soft metal beneath the ship extruded again with odd metallic noises, forming like lips around the airlock hatch, sealing tightly, then hardening. The bottom hatch opened, allowing JJ to exit the alien ship. Shaking, but grinning and very pleased, she pulled herself back down into the node room.

  Over the helmet mike, she announced, “Mission accomplished.”

  ***

  Eleven

  That afternoon, JJ and Dyl worked with Pi in Central, as two more rocket launches from Earth carried cargo up to the space station—the last components of engines that would propel the detached modules to the oncoming asteroids. Tracking screens showed launches from six major spaceports on Earth, reactivated launching zones that had been expanded over the last few years since the Kylarn threat was identified.

  Song-Ye assisted Dr. Romero, giving thorough medical examinations to the astronauts who would soon depart on their long missions to the asteroids. King and Tony suited up, going outside with Captain Bronsky and Colonel Fox to receive the new cargo and help install the propulsion systems.

  JJ wanted to do some hands-on work herself, but Ansari chided her. “After your excursion in the alien spacecraft, Cadet Wren, you’ve had enough outside activity for one day.”

  “Put it in perspective,” Dyl told her when he saw his sister frown. With a gentle nudge, he drifted across Central to reach another station. “You’re aboard the space station. Is that really too dull?”

  JJ couldn’t argue with that. “You’re right. There’s plenty of work to do right here.”

  Keeping their secret had weighed heavily on her. Despite Commander Zota’s admonishments, she felt uncomfortable hiding things from Ansari, Fox, and the rest of their friends from the future. How much more did she dare tell them? The Kylarn invasion fleet was the obvious threat to humanity. JJ had been taught to work with others as a team, and she and her friends could accomplish more if they had the same goals as Ansari and Fox. Commander Zota’s original purpose for the Star Challengers was to reignite public interest in space and science so that the human race could be prepared for the danger he knew was in store. It was not a goal that any one person could accomplish alone.

  Captain Bronsky and Colonel Fox wanted all the Star Challengers to have experience working in space outside of the station, and Tony and King had been assigned to the EVA operations. For a while JJ watched the spacesuited workers drift about the three modules. She heard King singing softly to himself something about “Ground Control to Major Tom.” With all the bustling activity both inside and out, the ISSC finally looked like the futuristic space stations in the movies Dyl watched.

  Dyl and JJ were assigned to double-check inventory lists on a couple of computers. It was less interesting than the other tasks they’d had on the station—nothing like starting up a Kylarn craft or helping with an alien autopsy. But it was extremely important that the crew know what supplies were on hand as the new weapons arrived. Still, they watched the arrival with great interest from Central.

  The clusters of nuclear warheads were delivered to orbit under strict security. The atomic weapons contained enough explosive force to shove the rogue asteroids off course like a cue ball hitting another ball on the side. For the month-long trip, the warheads would be firmly anchored to the outside of the modules. Thrusters and large propellant tanks were attached to the rear of each cylinder. Each mission module looked like a hodgepodge collection of tacked-on parts.

  Regarding the operations, Dyl said, “Those sure aren’t as sleek and streamlined as ships on Star Trek.”

  “But they’ll work,” JJ said. “There’s no air in space, and no aerodynamic drag, so a spaceship doesn’t have to be streamlined.”

  “We don’t have time to worry about cosmetic appearances,” Stationmaster Ansari said. “We just need to get the job done. Our three missions are due to launch in two days.”

  Just then, one of the ISSC’s long-range telescopes detected activity on the Moon. “Two bogeys heading our way at high velocity,” reported Security Chief Napali, as alarms began to sound throughout Central. “Kylarn starfish ships.”

  “But King and Tony are outside—Colonel Fox and Captain Bronsky, too!” Dyl exclaimed.

  JJ said, “We need to get everyone to shelter.”

  At a nod from Ansari, Dyl shot over to the comm controls and turned on the stationwide intercom.

  Ansari said, “This is the Stationmaster, issuing an immediate recall. All teams get back into the station!”

  “Wish I’d tried out the weapons on that captive ship,” JJ said. “Stationmaster, maybe I should launch. It might give us at least some defense.”

  “And let them shoot you down, Cadet? No matter how good you are, the aliens have a lot more experience.”

  Streaking into Central, her face flushed, Security Chief Napali positioned herself at a defense station. “I’ve been waiting for some target practice.”

  “We should have Tony in here—he’s the best at videogames,” Dyl said.


  “This isn’t a game, Cadet Wren.” Napali frowned. “Those aliens intend to destroy us one way or another.”

  Colonel Fox’s distinctive voice came over the speakers. “We’re pulling the crews together now, Stationmaster, but there won’t be time for us to cycle into the station. We’ll take what shelter we can.”

  A pair of sleek starfish ships hurtled in, transforming from fast-moving blips to whirling attack crafts. They streaked in close to the space station, but Napali was ready with the ISSC’s new defenses. The security chief launched two explosive rockets from the battery that had been mounted below the equipment module.

  “They’re targeted,” Napali said. The rockets soared forward, aimed at the two alien ships. JJ and Dyl held their breath, watching, hoping.

  “If we miss, it might provoke them,” Ansari warned.

  “They’re provoked already,” JJ said. “The squidbutts came here with mayhem on their minds.”

  The rockets arrowed toward their targets, but the whirligig alien ships flitted and zigzagged. The first rocket zipped past, missing the closer starfish ship. The second one also scraped by, and the other alien craft danced out of the way.

  “This is a problem. It’s like throwing a rock at a dragonfly,” Dyl groaned.

  Everyone in Central remained tense. Alarms continued to sound throughout the station. JJ worried about the crew who remained outside and vulnerable, although the station could just as easily be damaged by blasts of the Kylarn weapons. No place was safe.

  But the alien ships did not open fire. Instead, after nonchalantly dodging the missiles, they circled the ISSC, studying, mapping. They flitted close to the three separated modules and the spacesuited work crews still clustered around them.

  “Shall I launch another rocket, Stationmaster?” the security chief asked.

  Ansari contemplated a long moment, then shook her head. “No, you might hit our people.”

  The starfish ships zoomed around the complex, flitted back and forth as if taunting the humans, then split in opposite directions and streaked away.

  “That was … weird,” Dyl said quietly.

  “What was that all about?” JJ was sure that the Kylarn, with all their firepower, could have attacked anytime they liked.

  Napali shook her head in disbelief. “I have no idea. Maybe the missiles scared them off,” she said, but even she seemed to doubt that answer.

  “I’d be freaked out by nuclear missiles flying at me, but would the squidbutts?” Dyl asked. His voice wobbled as he spoke.

  JJ glanced at her brother. She was scared too. This Kylarn activity was different from every other encounter they’d had with them. It didn’t add up. JJ fixed her eyes on the strange alien vessels. A moment later, the two starfish ships raced back toward the Moon.

  “They were just checking us out,” Dyl said. “I guess we did scare them!”

  “Maybe,” JJ said. “But I’m pretty sure they were trying to freak us out. They’re not afraid of us. At all.”

  ***

  Twelve

  Everyone aboard the ISSC remained on edge after the near-miss with the Kylarn. The aliens could come back at any time—and this time they might not be content just to snoop around.

  After a long day of work aboard the space station, the Star Challengers were ready for a few hours of rest. The Stationmaster had found sleep stations for them, which proved to be no simple task. With the significant increase in the ISSC’s security and construction crew—not to mention the crowding caused by removing three modules for the asteroid missions—personnel had to sleep in shifts. On their previous visit, the friends had been given private cubicles for sleeping, but back then, the station had been half-empty. Now the orbiting complex was on an emergency footing and fully crewed.

  Song-Ye looked skeptically at the sleep unit—about the size of a small shower stall—she would share with two other people on rotating shifts.

  JJ tried to reassure her. “It’ll be cozy—just like camping.”

  “My parents have never taken me camping,” Song-Ye said, and JJ wasn’t surprised.

  After slipping into the sleeping bag that was attached to the wall, and drawing the small cubicle door shut, JJ found herself drifting as she tried to go to sleep. Soon, they would finish gathering the information Commander Zota wanted, and then they could use their pingers to return home.…

  JJ awoke when the next shift came in and needed to sleep. She heard someone rapping on the compartment barrier, and JJ groaned, slid it open to see a lean, brown-haired woman. “Snooze time’s over, kid. I don’t know what your daily duties are, but I need a nap if I’m going to be functional for my next rotation.”

  With a yawn, JJ pulled herself out and drifted into the public area of Hab Module 1. Her friends emerged from sleep cubicles, also rubbing their eyes. “Rise and shine,” Dyl said, nudging Song-Ye. Tony’s curly hair stuck out in all directions, and he looked like a scarecrow.

  Together, they hauled themselves through the connected modules to Central. Colonel Fox was in charge while the Stationmaster caught a few hours of sleep. Over the past several hours, the third-shift orbital construction crew had finished installing the spacedrive engines on the three modules that would travel to the asteroids.

  At their arrival, Fox showed a hint of a smile beneath his mustache, though his eyes remained intense and alert. “Timing is critical, Cadets, but there is reason to be optimistic. Food supplies are loaded, life-support tanks charged. For those of us on the mission crew, it will be an austere couple of months there and back again, but if the alternative is to let the Earth get pounded”—he shrugged as he drifted—“we can put up with a bit of discomfort.”

  Captain Bronsky’s voice came over the intercom, indicating his excitement. “Ready to test propulsion system number one, Colonel Fox. Fuel tanks full.”

  Fox responded, “Hold up, Captain. I’m sending a couple of the Cadets down your way. Put ’em to work.”

  “Understood,” Bronsky replied. He sounded a little annoyed at the delay.

  “You two. Get down there,” Fox said, pointing at Song-Ye and Dyl, who quickly made their way down to the cargo area where they could suit up and join the construction crews that had been working outside. Captain Bronsky was aboard the module.

  “Cadets, use that a pair of computers over there to monitor my power levels and life-support systems,” Bronsky said gruffly.

  Dyl smiled. Monitoring life support was something the Enterprise crew always did on Star Trek.

  “We’re on it, Captain,” Dyl said. Captain Bronsky rolled his eyes at Dyl’s casual demeanor.

  “Let’s move forward,” Colonel Fox said from Central. “Try not to waste fuel, Captain.”

  The Russian made a scoffing sound. “If the plasma drive works as predicted, we will have plenty of fuel. Better to test thoroughly now than to make repairs en route.”

  “Not much chance to call a repair truck all the way out there,” Dyl agreed.

  Back in Central, Fox looked convinced. “Quite right. Prepare for the first test thrust.” He looked at JJ, King, and Tony. “The new engine design was invented in the early 21st century for a possible manned mission to Mars, which was canceled due to cost overruns and scientific challenges. We hauled those spacedrive plans out of storage and put them to use. The design uses considerably less fuel than previous models and greatly reduces the travel time. We could send a manned mission to Mars in less than forty days.” The British officer had a wistful look on his face. “I’m afraid such dreams will have to wait until this crisis is over.”

  “Firing thrusters now on Module One,” Bronsky said.

  JJ swam over to Centrals observation window. At the rear of the cylinder that had been Hab Module Two, she saw the faintest breath of vapor being exhaled from the engine nozzles. “It may not look like much,” Colonel Fox said, “but in space, that steady thrust will push the module along. It will pick up speed all the way out to intercept the asteroid. Each mission has a separate t
rajectory and a precisely timed rendezvous. There is no room for error, because if even one of those asteroids gets through, the devastation will be unthinkable.” He paused to shake his head.

  Bronsky finished the propulsion test. “Everything checks out for Asteroid Mission One, Colonel. Ready to depart on schedule—whether the aliens want us to or not.”

  Remembering the assignment Commander Zota had given them, King spoke up. “Sir, do you have a full schedule of the asteroid missions? We need the rendezvous dates and coordinates, so that.…”

  King looked to JJ for help. She drew a deep breath, knew that her friends were watching her. “We’d like to help where we can. But because this future is already different from ours, we need to know as much as possible.”

  “Specialist Pi, please show our friends the mission plan,” Fox said. “The Kylarn may have flown close enough to spy on our activities here, but they can’t possibly have learned any of the specifics just from a glance at us.”

  From his station, Pi called up drawings on a screen to display orbital traces of the three tumbling asteroids that were on a collision course with Earth. Colored arcs described the paths of the three individual asteroid missions. “These are the times and coordinates where we intercept the asteroids. Obviously, the farther out the asteroid is, the less of a deflection we need to make.”

  JJ wanted to make a copy of the files since she couldn’t possibly remember the coordinates, but the computers at home were more than a century too old. How could they get this detailed summary back to Commander Zota? She looked to her friends, stumped by this high-tech problem, and then thought of her brother’s habit of note-taking. Dylan hadn’t come back up to Central, so it was up to JJ. She removed a scrap of paper and pencil from a jumpsuit pocket and jotted down the information. Shrugging at her friends, she grinned. “Pencil and paper! Sometimes simple solutions are the best.”