by Cliff Deane
Gale smiled and said, “No, sir, not a chance. I work part-time as a bartender at the Dog and Pony. A gal has gotta’ eat, you know?”
“Yes, I do know,” said Jake, I worked my way through my Ph.D., though I do admit that I was fortunate enough to be able to find Research Assistant’s positions following my Master’s Program. Before that, I worked as a server at a Texas Roadhouse Restaurant, and before you ask, yes, I hated it.”
Both were now smiling and obviously enjoying each other’s company when Jake asked, “Well, Miss Storm, with your experience on previous digs and the references I got from the Team Leaders, I am pleased to offer your first paying Paleontology gig. Are you in?”
“Oh hell, yes,” blurted out an immediately embarrassed Gale. “I’m sorry, sir, that just slipped out. What I meant to say was, yes sir, I would be honored to accept your offer of employment.”
Jake chuckled and said, “Oh hell, yes, you’re hired. Can you be ready to leave in six days?”
“Yes, sir, that’s no problem, I’ve already told the owner that I might be leaving for this job. He wasn’t crazy about any short notices, but he understood and wished me well. So, yes indeed, what time do you want me to be here and ready to travel?”
“March 5th at 8:00 a.m. What’s your class load for the rest of the semester?”
“I only have two classes to finish up my Master’s Degree. I have already spoken with the instructors about the possibility that I might get this job, and they have agreed to let me go. Lucky me, I don’t have any more classes this week, so I guess I’m all done.”
Jake smiled again and said, “Gale, that is wonderful news. You are on the clock beginning tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. You will be interviewing several of the applicants. We have room for twenty-one more positions to fill, and there are twenty-six applicants. My guess is that the extras will return emails saying that they are unable to go. A few will drop off the list. It happens every time. Experience in the interview process will serve you well in the future. You will sit in on four interviews beginning tomorrow morning and then you are on your own; any questions?”
“No, sir, no questions, and I thank you for this opportunity. I won’t let you down.”
“No, Miss Storm, I don’t think you will. Your resume and references have made me very comfortable.”
“Professor Abraham, please call me Gale.”
“All right, Gale it is. If there is nothing else, I will see you in the morning at 8:00 sharp.”
“Yes, sir,” gushed Gale as she stood to leave.
Walking down the hallway she was so happy that she became short of breath causing the floor to sway under her feet.
7 days to Holly Thorne
27 February 2118
WSAZ TV NEWS
Charleston, WV
An announcer identified the man sitting at the Anchor Desk of WSAZ’s evening news as Todd Stone. “Good evening and welcome to the WSAZ six o’clock news, I’m Todd Stone and the big event in tonight’s broadcast is the arrival of Comet Holly Thorne. We have just one more week until the big event. I know I’m excited. Holly is now visible even at noon. This is really going to be something, folks. Our meteorologist Summer Reign is on hand to tell us all about the coming light display. Summer?”
The camera switched from Stone to Summer; “thank you, Todd. Good evening everyone, I’m Summer Reign, Chief Meteorologist for your WSAZ primetime news.
“Wow, what a light-show we are going to have in just one more week. At precisely 9:05 pm on March 6th the Kanawha Valley will begin to see the incredible display of lights as we pass through the tail of Comet Holly Thorne. The show will continue for four days, and we will see this giant comet clearly, even at noon as it makes its grand passage toward the sun.”
Summer turned to her sixty-inch wall screen which came alive showing the progress of the largest comet ever reported, live from the American Space Station, and the Lunar Colony.
Summer turned back to the camera and said, “The three asteroid mining freighters tasked to nudge this giant far enough outside the orbit of Luna, allowing the comet to safely slide past the Earth did an incredible job.
“Our planet will sail through a portion of Holly Thorne’s tail for approximately one-hundred-thousand miles before exiting this magnificent view of nature’s artistic palette.”
For several minutes Summer continued to point out important expectations of what was being called The Greatest Show on Earth.
“I’m so excited,” said Summer. “This will not happen again in our lifetime, so don’t miss out. Back to you, Todd.”
“Thank you, Summer, I know I’m looking forward to sitting out on the lawn with family and friends to watch the fireworks.”
Todd dramatically turned his chair from the network Weather Station to face the camera before his desk. “We have just received some rather sad news from NASA and our Space Force.
“It appears that approximately ten days following a space-walk mission to repair several hull breaches to the mining ships from the comet’s debris, according to a joint statement from NASA and our Space Defense Force, communications have been lost with all three ships. NASA fears that the hull breaches have resulted in the loss of these true heroes. Their fate is, at this point, unknown. Our thoughts and prayers are with those brave souls.
2 March 2118
USSN Flotilla
USSDF Space Station
A twenty-two-ship flotilla, consisting of five rented Cruise Ships, five civilian freighters, six USSDF Container Ships, and the last three SDF Cruisers in orbit around the Earth formed up and departed the homeworld bound for Mars. The USSDF Space Station was placed in tow by two SDF Tugs. The flotilla would meet up with the seven SDF Cruisers of Taffy III approximately half-way to Mars. This hodgepodge of space going vessels certainly did not have a military look, but it was civilizations last real hope.
The Container Ships carried huge amounts of material to assist in the Red Sands building plan. There were nearly one-thousand cold fusion reactors that would be dedicated to the terraforming of Mars. These additional reactors would make Mars habitable in only fifty more years. Once emptied, the Container Ships would be converted to orbiting Green Houses.
Red Sands was about to have a population explosion.
2 March 2118
Mount Weather
The Presidential Bunker at Mount Weather continued to receive the unending lines of Semi-Trucks which were supplying the bunkers.
Two Ranger Battalions were busy holding training exercises around Mount Weather.
Those additional staff members and families selected to occupy the Continuity of Government Bunkers would be alerted to prepare for transportation eight hours before their scheduled evacuations. They would be kept under guard to prevent contact with family and friends, while they packed.
It rapidly became apparent that the foresight of the members of the Holly Thorne Committee had proved to be prophetic.
By failing to alert the Legislature to the possible danger of the approaching comet, the News Networks remained calm, as it was obvious that the Legislative Branch did not appear to be making any special preparations.
Massive celebrations were being scheduled around the globe to party like it’s 1999. World problems and old hatreds were seemingly forgotten as the human race embraced the coming stellar show. Everyone felt the excitement of Holly’s approach.
2 March 2118 9:00 pm
The Dog and Pony Bar
Moundsville, WV
Jake tried hard to ignore his attraction to Gale, but it wasn’t in the cards. He found himself sidling up to the bar at The Dog and Pony. She had wrangled a bar tender’s gig to keep herself fed while on the dig.
Turning from the bottles behind the bar, she found herself looking at the man who, to her green eyes, was the real-life Indiana Jones, Jacob Abraham. He also had a fedora over his lush light brown hair, and like the movie version of Indiana Jones, Jake wore a leather jacket but preferred jeans and desert boots. H
e stood 5’10” tall, one inch shorter than Gale. She thought him to be quite handsome, but it was his disarming smile that made her heart skip a beat.
“Oh, hello, Professor Abraham,” said Gale. “What can I getcha?”
Jake ordered a Dos Equis.
Of course, it would be a Dos Equis, thought Gale, what else would the most interesting man in the world drink? Without thinking she smiled at the thought.
“What?” asked Jake, “Did I say something funny?”
“Oh, no sir, not funny, exactly. I just had an errant thought is all.”
Jake smiled back at her and asked, “A penny for your thought.”
Embarrassed now, Gale stuttered out, “It’s gone now, I don’t even remember what it was.”
Jake knew she was evading his question but felt that continuing to ask would not be in his best interests. Changing the subject, he said, “Tell me, Gale, how did your parents decide on such a great name?”
Gale appreciated his moving away from her thought of him drinking Dos Equis beer. She gave Jake a wry smile and said, “My parents were both Meteorologists. They thought that by naming me, Gale, I might follow in their footsteps. Uh, no, the name itself kept me from developing a taste for predicting the weather.”
Without thinking, Jake said, “I’m glad, since it brought you to want to dig up old bones.”
Not sure if Jake was using a double entendre, Gale said, “Excuse me, but I happen to like old bones; especially those that drink Dos Equis. Oh, I didn’t mean that the way it came out, I am so sorry, Professor Abraham. I didn’t mean to, oh, I don’t know, now I’m just embarrassed.”
Jake just smiled at her and said, “Gale, even though I am nearly ten years your elder, I am going to go out on a limb, here. Okay, here goes, Miss Storm, would you consider having dinner with an older man? That would be with me, of course.”
Now Gale became a bit cautious, and she said, “Professor Abraham, you must know that I find you very attractive, but I’m not some young first-year star struck deb looking for an A by letting you into my pants. So, if that’s what you are hoping for, my answer is no.”
Jake sat his Dos Equis long neck down on the bar and said, “Miss Storm, I honestly had no such idea in mind. I hope you know that I do not have a reputation for chasing pretty students. In the five years of my teaching career, I have never before asked one of my students to join me for dinner, or for anything else.
“So, if you will excuse me, I will slink out of here before attempting to bandage my bruised ego and hope you can forgive my feeble attempt at asking you for a dinner date. Good evening, Miss Storm,” said a most embarrassed Jake Abraham as he rose from his stool to leave.
“Wait,” said an equally embarrassed Gale Storm, “Look, I won’t be a Professor’s trophy, so if you’re not just looking for a one-night rodeo, then, yes, I would love to join you for dinner, but, why me? There are several real lookers on the team.”
Sitting back down on his bar stool, Jake switched back from Miss Storm to Gale and said, “Gale, to say such a thing is to do an absolute disservice to yourself. It’s true, there are some lovely young ladies on our dig team, but I’m here because I find you mesmerizing. I have never in my life asked a student for a date. Am I rambling?”
“Just a little,” laughed Gale. Okay, when would you like to take me to dinner, before you try to sweep me off my feet?”
“Gale, are your disclaimers meant as a defensive tool, or are you just a wise ass?”
Both laughed, albeit a bit nervously before Gale said, “A little of both I guess; still want to give me a whirl?”
“Of course, so, when do you get off, from work, I mean.”
“Oh, very clever Professor Wise Ass.” Then turning she called out, “Wendell, would you call Adelle and ask if she can relieve me tonight?”
Wendell shouted back, “Sure, Gale, will do.” He then picked up his phone and dialed Adelle.
After a moment, he shouted back, “Adelle says, sure, she’ll be here in thirty minutes.”
“Thanks, Wendell, you da man!”
Gale smiled at Jake and said, “What a coincidence, I just happen to be free this very evening.”
3 March 2118, 0300
Mount Weather
The President of the United States of America, the most powerful person in the world, was led by a Secret Service Detachment through one of the most secret tunnels exiting the White House. Electric golf carts ferried the President, The First Gentleman, and her primary staff to a nondescript building three blocks from the White House.
The party exited the building and entered a bus. The President and her husband Lamar were transported in a blue older model Chrysler Mini-Van.
There was no long parade of vehicles or police escorts. This trip was completely clandestine, and it went off without a hitch. Sitting in the second row of seats in the van, President Greene was despondent. She felt as though she was sneaking away from the oncoming danger, while leaving her fellow Americans to pay the piper. This was, of course, exactly what she was doing. The saving grace was the fervent hope that once the danger was over, she could return and with the personnel and material stored inside Mount Weather, get a head start on beginning the long road to re-establishing the nation.
At the same time, the Vice President was being whisked away to Cheyenne Mountain. The trip to Mount Weather took a bit over one hour. Upon her arrival a new and fragile government was formed; a benevolent dictatorship for the foreseeable future.
6 March 2118
Moundsville, WV
Jacob Abraham had just arrived at a newly opened archeology site near Moundsville, West Virginia. The site originated with an Indian culture called The Mound Builders. Though Jake was anxious to get started, his mind kept slipping to the upcoming Holly Thorne light show.
Jake’s team of Archeology and Paleontology students were excited to finally be involved in an actual dig site. Gale Storm was Professor Abraham’s Research Assistant and oversaw student assignments. She thought of it as a combination of Task Master and Den Mother.
She wasted no time in organizing her charges into work details to get the tents for living quarters and dining set up. The afternoon would be Jake’s turn to organize the actual dig site and get his students to work. Once Jake’s rah-rah and what we need to do speech was finished he turned the operation over to Gale.
Jake’s job would be to keep a watchful eye on progress and see to the recovery and classification of any artifacts that he hoped would be recovered.
Jake had been smitten with Gale from the first instant of their meeting. She was tall, and lanky, with light auburn hair that reflected the sun’s rays. Perhaps Gale’s most alluring feature were her bright green eyes that somehow seemed to focus all attention her way. She was no Miss America, but she, none the less attracted more than her fair share of admiring glances. Gale took Jake’s breath away. Now, after only four days since their first date, they had become lovers.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ZERO DAYS TO HOLLY THORNE
The Celebrations
March 6, 2118
Earth
“From the FOX News anchor desk in New York City, here is Sheldon Smith,” said the voice over.
“Good afternoon everyone, I’m Sheldon Smith, well, it’s just a little more than two hours until the party of the century officially kicks off. Though I must say that from the looks of the crowds around the world, the party is already in full swing.
“On this day, March 6, 2118, the nations of this world seem to have put their grievances aside to welcome this once in many lifetimes event. The last time the Earth passed through the tail of a comet was in 1918, that’s two hundred years ago, folks.
“In New York City’s Times Square, New Orleans French Quarter, Rio, Paris, Munich, Amsterdam, and hundreds of other cities the hysteria for the Holly Thorne Comet is reaching a fever pitch.
“Our planet will enter the tail of Holly Thorne with New York’s street party leading the way. A
t exactly 9:47 pm the cosmic fireworks begin, and NASA assures us that we will never forget the light show that is coming this way in just another two hours and fifty-one minutes.
“NASA has also issued the warning that an occasional bit of Holly Thorne may be large enough to reach the ground. So, keep an eye out for the souvenir that could make you rich.
“The security forces are already highly visible and proactive, to deter fights and riots. We take you first to a Live stream from FOX News: Mel Capp.”
“Thanks, Sheldon, well folks, today marks the beginning of mass celebrations across the globe. The skies over New York are blue and cloudless, temperatures are hovering in the mid-fifties. There’s also a five mile per hour breeze pushing through the steel-sided canyons of The Big Apple.
“Here, in Times Square, the crowd numbers match those of New Year’s Eve, with much better weather. If you want to party this night, then Times Square is the place to be. Back to you, Sheldon.”
“Thank you, Mel. Next, we have FOX Entertainment News: Correspondent Gavin Coates reporting from Rio. Gavin, what is the mood in Rio?”
“Good evening Shel, here in Rio the city is a madhouse of ecstatic partiers. The streets are overflowing with revelers, parades, and, of course, thousands of beautiful, scantily clad ladies everywhere you look. As you know, Rio is in the same time zone as New York, and there must already be two-million partiers in the streets.”
Similar coverage continued from sites around the world.
Not everyone, however, took to the streets. Millions across the globe chose to ride out the first night of Earth’s passage through Holly Thorne’s tail, in shelters as the possibility of the comet’s debris crashing through the atmosphere.
March 6, 2118
Mount Weather
Presidential Bunker
