Luigi nodded. "About a million clicks out give or take a few meters." They watched the display.
"I heard a rumor that it is going to impact Mars." Benny sat down on the edge of the desk looking at his boss.
"You peeked at the course?" Luigi asked, turning to him with a slight raised eyebrow.
"Hit Mars?" Julia asked suddenly alarmed.
"Settle down," Luigi ordered. He waved to Doctor Zubrin. "Looks like the cats out of the bag boss."
Zubrin shrugged. "Not much we can do about it now, the plasma jets are out of fuel. I hope it works." They watched as the asteroid passed and the plot changed.
"Bring up the plot and zoom it out," Zubrin ordered. The image changed to one of the inner solar system. The asteroid's projected path dotted along an arch to Mars.
"Will it endanger the crew?" Benny asked, suddenly concerned. So much for keeping a low profile and not getting anyone else pissed at them.
"No, well, we don't think so," Luigi replied. He knew he was going to catch six shades of hell over this. From the family as well as the hill and public.
"Luigi, this may not be a very bright thing, you know you’re playing with fire," Nick cautioned. He was fairly certain his boss had just cut his own throat.
"Yeah well, too late now," Luigi replied. He nodded to some of the techs as they looked up and caught the feed. Some were gasping and muttering. A few were pointing. One had his cell phone out and was talking. Luigi scowled.
"Where will it hit?" Zubrin asked.
"Lower hemisphere near the south pole," Luigi replied, dragging his glaring eyes away from the offending tech reluctantly. Luigi pulled up a map in a side window, and then overlaid the image. "The crew is over two thousand kilometers away. They will get hit by the dust storm, but pyroclastic's will probably be minimum," he explained. He shrugged.
"I am more worried about a Mars quake. It should ring the planet like a bell," Zubrin cautioned.
"Yeah. The geologists are going to have a field day with the data," Julia replied and then nodded. "Are you sure they will be okay?" she asked eyes locked on Luigi.
"Yeah. Trust me; I wouldn't put my brother or his wife in serious danger if I could help it. If we get an accidental course change they can get into the MAV and head for orbit."
Benny suddenly smiled. "Right, we forgot that," he said. Crew one was due to depart tomorrow. He nodded thoughtfully and then pursed his lips. “This is a particularly gory way to illustrate what happens to a planet when it gets hit by an asteroid you know that right?” Benny asked.
Luigi chuckled. “You would think they would have taken heed during the Shoemaker Levy nine impact, or the other asteroid impact in 2009, but no. They still accuse us of being chicken little,” Luigi sighed noisily. “This should wake a few up, we have another rock due in 2030,” he growled.
"What about crew two? They should be arriving a few months after the rock hits." Dr. Zubrin asked. He tapped the map and their course came up. Crew two had launched without a hitch. Their ERV and MAV along with the unmanned cargo landers had been sent out ahead of them.
"A month after it hits. Wait, why would team one still be on the ground? Aren't they set to leave tomorrow?" Benny asked as Zubrin turned an accusing glance on Luigi who spread his hands apart.
"That is up to them. I am not sure who if any will be on the MAV."
Julia's eyes went round. "Oh my god," she said, suddenly catching on. She shook her head in wonder. "My god my god."
He smiled. "Don't worry, as long as they aren't in the vaults they should be okay. I had Wanda and Doctor Li check; they are nearly a hundred kilometers from the nearest fault line," Luigi said soothingly. She nodded.
"Will it restart the core?" someone behind them asked.
"I don't know. I hope so." Luigi replied, looking over his shoulder to the tech. "It would go a long way to terraforming the planet." He crossed his arms and leaned his hip against the desk console.
"Well, when I asked you to help me change the world I actually meant ours... but this works too,” Zubrin smiled, ducking his head and walking out.
"You’re in for it again buddy," Nick slapped Luigi's shoulder. He chuckled.
"No way will they buy that this is buried in the paper work like last time," Nick cautioned.
"Oh but it is,” Luigi replied. He chuckled as Nick's eyes went round.
"You’re shitting me!" He pulled out his Iphone and checked. "Search. Course," he muttered. He read for a moment then looked up stunned. "Why you little shit!"
Benny chuckled. "Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?" Benny asked. "You're still going to get your ass chewed good and proper."
Luigi sighed. "Yeah, I still have bite marks from the last time."
Julia snickered. "Sure it wasn't from Betsy last night?" She giggled as the wunderkind flushed red all the way to his ears and brow line.
Benny laughed. "She shoots, she scores!" Nick laughed with them.
...*...*...*...*...
"The asteroid impact will give us several things. First it will generate massive amounts of heat. This heat would super heat water to steam, sending it into the atmosphere with the dust to help thicken the atmosphere." Luigi smiled as Doctor Zubrin nodded.
"Right. As the dust storms form, they will trap solar radiation, which will add to the wind currents formed. Dust and debris will also change the albedo of the surface, making it darker, thus absorbing more solar radiation. We are hoping the impacts will jump start some vulcanology, but that is at best a long shot," Luigi smiled.
"Once begun the greenhouse effect will begin to taper off unless we can sustain it with other terraforming methods," he explained. He pulled up a chart. "We have several options available, including more rocks." Several people tittered at this. "Once no signs of life past or present are detected, we will go forward with the second stage, releasing lichens, bacterium, and algae in hot pockets to help accelerate the change. This can be augmented with releases of greenhouse gases or orbital mirrors." He clicked the remote.
"Within fifty to one hundred years we can have free flowing water on Mars again," he said proudly. The Mars planet slowly morphed into an Earth looking one.
"Won't the base be under water?" someone asked.
Luigi chuckled. "Yes, situated in the north as it is, the base will have to be abandoned and new cities will have to be built on higher ground." He waved as several people raised their hands.
"Just a moment folks. Two more questions then we will continue with the presentation," he said. He looked around then pointed to a woman in the back.
"Doctor Irons, what about the ferry craft? Wont their impacts spread radioactive debris?" the woman asked.
Doctor Zubrin shook his head and stood. "The Nina and Pinta will undock days prior to the event and we will nudge them so they pass Mars and go on into the void. We would like to reuse them, but we lack the fuel to brake them unfortunately," Bob replied then sat down. Luigi nodded.
"Sir, isn't this unethical? Shouldn't we wait for the teams to report on any findings of life past or present? And shouldn't the terraforming of Mars be a government decision?" another reporter demanded.
Luigi chuckled. "I believe Bob and Chris McKay have been debating the ethics of terraforming for over a decade or two now." He looked to Doctor Zubrin who smiled and nodded.
"Let’s say we find evidence of past life... that only proves that the planet was once a better world, we all know this. Now, let's say there is present life. By warming and thickening the atmosphere we are giving any present life a greater chance to grow and be discovered. If we find evidence of present life, then the whole ethics question will have to be thoroughly debated before further steps are initiated. But," He held up his hand as the group began to murmur. "But, that is a lot of Ifs," he smiled.
"Now, as to your second question, I haven't found a single ruling by any of the national governments, nor the United Nations regarding terraforming unless it applies to Earth herself. Therefo
re, with some wrangling with the legal eagles..." He bowed to a pair in the front row and gave a wry smile that drew a chuckle from the audience.
"We have concluded that it is better to ask for forgiveness then permission," he finished with a diffident shrug. Several laughed outright at that. They were fairly certain many members on the hill were ready to strangle Luigi right about now.
"Folks, we have a golden opportunity. One that may not strike in our life time or our children's. A chance to shepard mankind out into the solar system and beyond. I think all of you are interested in that." He looked around challenging them. Several nodded. "All right, we’re going to take a break for a few minutes while I get my oil changed..." He pointed to the door. Several chuckled. "And then dig into the math of the terraforming theory and build a model." He waved. "Be back in thirty folks." He nodded and sat down. Bob started murmuring to MacKay next to him.
...*...*...*...*...
"What about Ceres? Drop that or Phobos or Diemos on Mars and it will not only wake it up, add mass to it, but the heat generated will definitely kick start the terraforming," a young scientist suggested.
Another sniffed. "Get real, do that and we will lose all habitation on Mars for a century or two! It will take that long before the planet cools, and it we goof up and it hits just wrong! Blamo! We have one hell of a mess on our hands." She shook her head.
"No, the best bet is Phobos. It is a carbonaceous C-type asteroid, so it is reasonably soft and will break up on impact. There is some speculation that it has a great deal of water locked within it. But the regolith is what we want, sprayed all over the planet's surface it will further change the albedo of the planet's regolith, making it dark enough to really suck up solar radiation," another scientist said.
The first scientist miffed over the Ceres crack started to catch on. "Yeah! And didn't I read that Phobos is going to break up and hit the planet anyway?" He pulled out his phone and started tapping at it. "Yeah, here it is. Wiki is my friend," he smiled as the others snorted. A few in their circle grinned. "Yeah, hit the Roche limit then break up into a short lived ring. Wow that would be something to see!" He looked up.
"Yeah, but how long until it hits?" the woman asked.
"Oh, um, ah, oh, eleven million years. Guess we have a long wait," he replied sheepishly.
"Not if we do something about it," Zubrin commented from behind him. The four young turks looked up startled. "Good catch, I want you four to jot out a quick presentation and deliver it after lunch." He moved off to the next group. The group looked at each other stunned.
"Wait, did he say after lunch?" the woman asked bewildered. “Today???”
"Yeah, we better get cracking!" Tenji answered excited.
...*...*...*...*...
“What the hell are we going to do with him? They are beginning to become a major liability here,” the VP sighed. The president was starting to look like a fool with the NASA crew out of control.
“Our allies love the work they have done, love that we are finally making some progress in exploring space, but they are both loose cannons!” The president threw a pile of paper up in the air. It fluttered down around him as he tried to get his rage under control.
“It is all a matter of perspective,” Doctor Zubrin replied.
“What the hell does that mean?” the President demanded looking over to the Doctor.
General Sidwell sighed. "I think what he means Mister President is that it is easier to ask for forgiveness then for permission," he replied.
“Not exactly,” Doctor Zubrin replied but nodded slightly. “What I meant was, we put this, the colony directives, and the plasma driven ferry in our plans that we submitted to you and our allies. I can't tell you how hard it is to repeatedly explain something to someone when their eyes go glassy and they dismiss you.” He locked eyes with the President. “We wanted, hell, I wanted the best. Fire eaters, people who will move mountains and change the course of human civilization. I guess I got my wish,” He chuckled dryly. The general snorted softly.
The VP nodded. “You've got to give them that; I didn't think it was possible for them to do what they did. Hell, I don't think the opposition did either!” He chuckled in chagrin. “They were betting that it would fail, that we would have one hell of a black eye on our hands, something that would drag us down, and instead everything has gone almost smoothly, and yet we have one hell of a PR nightmare while they duck and cover!” The President chuckled.
“Damn right we do, but no more surprises,” the president waggled his finger at Dr. Zubrin. “We will try to pay more attention,” he continued.
“We will try to do our best Mr. President,” Dr. Zubrin replied, fully sober. “Um, okay one more, Mario and Wanda are staying.”
“Shit,” the VP sighed.
“I'm not surprised,” the president said with a snort. “Somehow, not at all. But no more surprises. Brief me before it hits please. I'll damn well make the time. Now that the war on terror is winding down, we've pulled out of Iraq... Let's just say I'm more available now.”
“Yes Mr. President. I will certainly try sir.”
The President nodded. “I know you will Bob, but put them on a leash. A short one,” he growled. “Now get out of here, I have to see if I can put a positive spin on this...” he sighed again.
...*...*...*...*...
"What do you mean you’re staying?" The commander looked from Wanda to Mario tiredly. Mario smiled. He was pretty sure the Commander had been expecting and dreading this conversation for some time. They had waited until the evening to let the others know.
"It wasn't like you didn't expect this. I did make a promise to my brother you know," Mario replied. He shook his head.
The commander snorted. "You’re serious aren't you?" He looked over to Wanda. "I can expect this from him, I've never been quite sure of the Iron's family mental state. But you..."
She smiled. "Think it is infectious?" she asked. She sat on Mario's lap. "We've planned this from the beginning Commander. Don't worry about it."
The commander shook his head. "I am staying too," Tess replied in the silence. Even Mario was startled by this admission.
He looked over to her. "Tess?"
She smiled. "What?" She examined her nails.
"Don't you want to see the Earth? Your family?" the commander asked surprised. "Ticker tape parades, hero of the hour..."
She shrugged. "Is not for me. Never was. I stay. Here I can build a whole new world, make a new future," She waved dismissively.
"I'm never good with the kissing babies thing. You know that," the commander sighed. "You're all nuts." He sat back and looked over to the Hans.
"We are going," Li replied quietly.
The commander chuckled and looked over to Mario. "I'd stay but got what my wife and kids would do to me..." He shook his head smiling wryly. "No not worth the ire of an outraged spouse. Bad enough we have been gone for so long as it is," he said firmly. He looked over to the Hans. "Looks like it is just us folks." The Hans bowed. "No way I can talk you three out of it?" he asked, turning to the mutineers.
Mario looked over to Wanda who shook her head. "Nope." He glanced at Tess. "Tess, you have until T minus twenty to change your mind."
She nodded. "I know, but I won’t."
...*...*...*...*...
"Go baby go," Mario said softly. It was quite a thing to watch the launch. They watched as the craft leapt into the sky. Wanda pressed her head and body into his arms. He sighed.
Tess leaned forward, arms crossed resting on the window sill, nose pressed to the glass. "Well, we're committed now," she said softly.
"Yup,” Mario chuckled. "Good luck guys." Wanda sobbed a little. "Regrets?" he asked. He turned her so he could look into her eyes. She had her head down. He used his thumb and index finger to raise her chin.
"A little. No, a lot, I'm a bit scared," she admitted. Her parents were going to flip when they found out. He chuckled and hugged her.
Tess turned from t
he window. "You’re a little late you know," she accused. She had expected Mario to want to stay but hadn't been sure until he'd announced it.
Wanda giggled. "Yeah. Let’s go look those vaults over again, maybe I can help," she said firmly.
Mario nodded. "Yeah we should get back to work."
"Just think babe, you've got one hundred seventy seven days of scientific discovery all to yourself," Mario teased. Wanda sniffled then blew her nose on his chest. "Heeey! Oh gross!" he mock growled.
She laughed. "Sorry. I don't know why your complaining, I do the laundry remember?" she replied. He laughed as she got a hanky and wiped it off.
"I'll meet you outside," Tess responded. Mario watched his wife slowly cleaning. He caught her wrist and kissed the back of her hand.
"It will be okay, I promise," he said soothingly.
She nodded. "Let's get to work." She tossed the tissue into the laundry and held his hand as he walked her to the airlock.
...*...*...*...*...
Wanda came in and hugged Mario. "What was that for? Not that I'm complaining or anything," he said. He hugged her back.
"I just got off the line with Commander Bower, they had an electrical fire," Wanda replied. He stiffened as Tess looked up in alarm.
"Are they okay?" Tess asked. They were almost a week out; there was nothing any of them could do to help.
"Yeah, they got it out. The Commander says he is a bit sooty, but they are okay. Mission control is going to upload a report later," she sighed. Mario grimaced.
They heard a beep. "That may be it now." Tess rushed off.
"Yeah," Mario hugged his wife.
"Close call," she whispered.
"For them, we're fine." He nodded.
Tess returned. "Is wiring fault in electrical system they think. Short in power line to board. Rub against hard edge and cut line. Need us to check incoming MAV four and MAV three on ground to be sure," she reported. She waved to the MAV sitting out on the horizon.
"Right. We can do that tomorrow. Did they give us an area to look?" he asked looking over to Tess.
First Steps (Founding of the Federation) Page 24
