by Alex Isaacs
We were in December now, two more weeks of classes, then our exams. I was getting prepared just like the girls. The week before the exams, the professors had information for us, going over what we should expect on the exam. I looked like I was ready for all my computer exams. The Psychology exam was going to be in class. I found out from Zoey what to expect on the exam; she has this professor in another class from the last term.
After my last class on Friday, and our training with Mandy. Simon came up to me asking if my parents minded three extra people at Christmas along with Mandy and himself. Adding, we would be up early on Saturday morning at the small airport. I said my mom would love it, but I will phone her first. Simon said great; he wanted us all together when he would tell us about going into space. I thought Simon was smart. I used the phone in Joe’s office; mom was happy to hear about the extra people. She and dad would have everything ready for us. Simon let the Urbina’s know that they would b spending Christmas up in the valley with my parents. Ann and Mandy hugged each other; they would not be apart at Christmas.
The exams went smoothly; I even did very well on the Psychology exam with Zoey’s help. Friday afternoon, our last visit to the lab before coming back to go to the asteroid, Joe and I got the laptops ready to go with the programs. Each of us has an assigned pilot for the PSV; I would be with Jason, Mandy with Kelly, Joe with Mike, and Ann with Karen, they had the two new pilots. We headed back to the house to pack, then I thought about everyone else not having any warm clothes once we got there. I went to talk to Rose. Rose said that Simon arranged warm clothing for the five of them. I hardly got any sleep that night; I was excited about going home.
My parents met us at the airport with two vehicles. It was freezing, and there was a lot of snow on the ground. The others had not seen snow until now, plus with the freezing temperatures got them down a bit. We had a few days before Christmas, Simon went with my mom and Rose to get the groceries. I found out from Rose about Simon and my mom. The two got into an argument of who was paying for the groceries. Rose smiled, saying they split the bill.
We had fun on the days that warmed up; I took the girl's horseback riding, then into town. I picked them up some warmer clothes to keep up here in the valley. The heavy coats would stay, my parents bringing them back to the valley after we left. At dinner on Christmas day, Simon stood up, saying he had a surprise for some of the people here. Simon announced that four of us would be going up into space the day after tomorrow to help with the asteroid. Rose and my mom dropped their glass of wine. Mom looking at me, I smiled, saying I have already been in space a couple of times. My mom fainted when she found out that Mandy was going along. Rose looked at Simon, asking who the other two are. Simon said Joe and Ann; Joe had to catch Rose as she also fainted. My two brothers went crazy, wishing they could go as well. When my mom and Rose were able to listen, Simon explained everything. He then added that the five of us would be back up here in the valley after it was complete.
Ann and Mandy went to sit on the couch; they could not believe they were going up in space to help out. I joined them, both snuggling into my arms. I decided not to let them know that I knew weeks ago. Not long after, the two girls fell asleep in my arms. When I woke up in the morning, the three of us had a blanket covering us over. I was amazed my mother left the three of us like that all night.
Our flight back was quiet; Rose looked upset with what the four of us were going to do tomorrow. I got myself prepared for tomorrow, Ann and Mandy asking me questions about what we were to do in the PSV. I said it would be easy; I will help set up the computer to keep a link together in the PSV’s. We went to bed early; we are heading out before dawn to the asteroid. I helped Joe set up the laptops in all four PSV’s; then, we said goodbye to Rose and Simon. We took off one after the other to meet the asteroid.
As we approached the asteroid, it was huge, Joe saying Simon is going to be pleased with the resources over the radio link between the four of us as we got in position. We started our programs, helping the pilots coordinate our movements to stop the asteroid. I called Joe, saying the moon is pulling us more than we expected. Joe asked if I could figure out a way to counteract the pull of the moon. I said I would try, saying I would call back in a minute, I needed to talk to Jason about what to try.
I got Jason to maneuver into a new position to help stop the asteroid, Jason said it is not going to work. I do not know what he was thinking, but he began to move the PSV into another position; to me, it looks like we were going to be smashed by the moon and the asteroid.
Chapter 6: Future Plans
As I was about to tell the others to release, then move to safety, Jason got us into another position; he then put the engines at full. The asteroid began to stop, what Jason did help us save the day. I got on the radio, Simon is now talking with Joe. It seems that the asteroid is acting as a second moon, increasing the rise of the tides. Simon says he will call back in a couple of minutes; he is talking with the other groups.
Jason now says we have a problem, as I look at him, he tells me we are out of fuel. I call over to Kelly; she has more than enough fuel to get back; she will give us some. As Kelly approaches us, Jason tells me to take over the controls. I look at him, asking if he wants me to fly the PSV. Jason says yes, he has to load the fuel outside the ship. Jason shows me quickly how to fly the PSV, then he gets in his spacesuit, going into the room to go out to get us some fuel. As Jason is outside, I hear Joe calling me, telling me to make sure I am attached to the vehicle. Jason laughs, telling Joe that I am flying the PSV. There is dead silence on the radio until Kelly tells me to move to the left a little. Kelly says that is good, adding I will make a good pilot. Jason comes back in, getting me to get ready to go back to earth.
The radio goes off, Simon tells us we have to maneuver the moon away from the moon, but trying to stay in the same orbit. I quickly work on the computer, finding out we need two of the PSV’s to do this. I give the instructions to Mike and Karen; they have the most fuel on board. Jason tells me to keep driving the PSV; I might as well get more experience right now. We get into position, then begin the landing procedure. Jason is sitting in the co-pilot seat, keeping an eye on my flying, correcting me here and there. We land safely, moving over to get more fuel to help move the asteroid. Kelly lands with Mandy, moving over to refuel. Jason and I take off again for the asteroid. We get into position, letting the next PSV go done to refuel. I radio down to let the other two sit on the ground until we call for a change.
Kelly comes back up to join us, Mike and Karen are now down refueling, then waiting to take their turn to maneuver the asteroid into a better spot, in the same orbit as the moon. As we keep moving away from the moon, we hear from Simon and the other groups that the tides are beginning to go back to normal. I look at what we are doing, all we are doing is holding the asteroid, as best we can in one spot. We are still moving with the moon around the earth, but slower, giving us more space in between the two objects. After a couple of hours, we get the third PSV to come up to take our place; then shortly after we leave, the fourth comes up to take its turn. We refuel, taking a break, getting something to eat while talking with Simon. We go over the program on the computer, one more turn by Jason and Kelly should have the asteroid in the perfect spot to correct the tide situation. There will be twice as many tides now, but they would be the same as if the asteroid was not there.
The two of us head back up, getting into position, and as we near the end of our turn, Simon radios up that everything is running smoothly. Jason and I figure out what it is now best for the PSV to leave the asteroid, using the thrusters instead of the main engines to lift off, letting our weight and momentum move us away before using the main engines to move. I relay this to Kelly and Simon for all future missions to the asteroid.
As we land, we are greeted by Simon and the other four from the mission. We rush into the lab, the other group is on a video link, congratulating me on the quick thinking and maneuvering to stop the asteroi
d. I stop them there, telling them that Jason is the one that did the work, thinking quickly from what he saw. They congratulate Jason now; then, after a few minutes, they start into who owns the asteroid. Jason speaks out, saying, why not make it an international space platform, to be used to watch out for more asteroids. I see Simon’s jaw drop, Simon looks at the General, then General Horten calls out My Peabody. Jason stops talking, coming to attention. The whole room is quiet, even the people on the video link are quiet. Then one of the men in the other groups says that sounds like a great idea. They then sign off, saying for us to have a great party as they address the news media some more about what went on with the asteroid. Simon asks not to have him, and his organization mentioned that much, please.
After we terminate the connection, Rose comes over with Joe, they look at me, asking me if I flew the PSV. Jason asks for permission to speak, the General telling Jason to keep his thoughts to himself, bringing them to there attention instead of blurting them out loud. Jason apologizes, then turns to Joe and Rose, telling them that I had to fly it, we needed the fuel to get back, Jason saying that Alex does not have any spacewalking experience. Rose said he does not have any experience flying the PSV. Jason said it was the lesser of two problems, then Jason said that I flew it perfectly in for the landing. Joe had to grab onto Rose; she was shocked to hear this. Kelly came over, saying she would teach me more about flying the PSV on another day. I looked over at Simon; he said that would be a great idea.
One of the other technicians in the lab comes over to get us to watch the television. We turn it on to see a scientist telling the media about the asteroid, how three young computer specialists flew a mission to stop the asteroid then maneuver it into orbit around the planet, saving us from total disaster. As the interview went on, the scientist answered different questions. The one question that got all our attention is the question about why the asteroid is still there, not diverted away from the planet. Another scientist came over to the microphone stating that we can use the asteroid like a space platform, putting another telescope to search for other possible asteroids coming towards the earth. I looked over at Jason; he was smiling until the General looked over his way. Another journalist asks who is going to run and own the asteroid for this platform. The scientist responded that it would be an international affair, but Simon Hawthorne industries would be the main contributor to the project. Another journalist asks if Hawthorne industries are the ones responsible for saving us today. They did not answer, but the look on their faces gave the journalists something to go on now.
Within minutes the front desk is calling up to the lab; there are reporters everywhere, covering both entrances. Simon now wonders how we would be able to get out of the building, avoiding the circus of reporters. Simon tells us he does not want the three of us hounded by the press months to come. Rose suggests that the three of us could stay in the valley for the next while. I tell Simon we have access to the online classes in our courses. The General says he has an idea to get us out of the building, for now, he gets on his phone; then, after hanging up, he tells the three of us to be ready to change into army uniforms.
Thirty minutes go by; then, two army trucks pull up to the building, one at the front entrance, the other at the back entrance. We take the uniforms to change into, three other soldiers, all males, change into street clothes. The General sends the three out the back with an escort to go to the base. The three of us will help guard Simon going out of the front door. After Simon is away, the army truck will drive towards the base. Simon then tells us to head to the plane; his pilot will take the three of us to the valley. The rest will fly up another day with all our things. I ask if we can stop to pick up our school work before flying out today, Ann’s parents would not know everything that we need. Simons says okay, but we can not take that long to get everything, the reporters would soon find out the trick we did.
We head out the front door, guarding Simon until he can get away in his car. The reporters leave us along; we get orders to get into the truck to return to the base. Once safely away, we head to the house to pick up our school work, not even changing our clothes. I call my dad to tell him we are heading up to the airport, giving him a time for us to arrive. We get into the truck, getting to the airport. The plane is waiting for us; we head out for the valley. My dad is there to pick the three of us up. The valley has the soldiers watching the entrance just in case word gets out about where we are now. My dad says he is glad the soldiers up here are in street clothes, it might attract attention if they were in their uniforms up here.
My mother has supper ready for the three of us, my brothers and Marie are happy to see us, saying they saw everything on television about what we did in space. Everything was okay until Mandy told the others that I flew one of the PSV’s. My mother fainted, my brothers went crazy asking me questions about flying in space. We got my mom on the couch, bringing her around. Mandy tells her she is sorry for saying that about me. My mom then asks me is there anything else she should know, I tell her that they want me to learn how to fly the PSV properly. My mom looks at Mandy; Mandy says they have not asked her or Ann yet. My mom’s face went white after hearing Mandy say, yet. I told my mom that Rose would not let them teach the girls to fly the PSV. My mom looked relieved to hear that. I then told my mom that Rose and Joe would be coming up in a day or two to stay for a while until things settle down. My mom tells me I will be staying with Peter and David in Peter’s farm then. The girls will stay here until we head back south.
I grab my things to take to Peter’s house, telling my mom we would be taking our courses online for this term. So the three of us would need class time to do the courses. My dad tells me he will bring horses over tomorrow for the three of us to use to come here for our meals. My mom asks will the others be here for New Year’s Eve, I said I would find out tomorrow for her.
After getting to Peter’s, Peter asks me if I can keep a secret for him. I say yes; then, Peter tells me that he has a girl he is moving into his house with him on New Year’s Eve. I ask why at that time; then, I say a girl. Peter says yes, she is at her home in a bad situation. David confirms this, adding she wants to leave but has no money or any place to go. I said he would be in trouble when mom finds out. Peter says she would have her room for herself; you can move into David’s house with him for the time being. I ask Peter what he would do when we leave; the two of you would have to move back in with mom and dad. Peter then tells me he is going to suggest that he stay here to properly take care of the chickens, along with the farm. I ask why that day, Peter tells me that her parents will be going out to a party so that they can get all her belongings out of the house with her.
We get settled in for the night, tomorrow I would move my things over to David’s house. I woke up early in the morning, going to the chicken barn, helping to collect the eggs, the soldiers would be by to pick up the eggs for their breakfast. I ask David what the group wants to put on his farm, David says maybe just cows. I suggest that we get pigs in here for you to take care of; that way, it would be okay for him to stay at his farm. I see Peter smile; he knows I am trying to help hide David not being at his house. My dad shows up riding a horse, bringing three more horses over for us to use. The truck arrives for the eggs, then the four of us ride back to the house for breakfast.
As we sit down to eat, I ask my dad what the group plans are for the other farms. My dad says they want a separate farm for cows for producing beef, but he wants then to stay here on the larger farm with the milking cows. I ask about a pig farm; my dad tells me they would like a pig farm, but have not decided anything yet. I ask about putting it on David’s farm. David speaks up, saying he would love to help out raising the pigs. My mom tells David he is too young to be running a farm on his own. I ask if Peter is okay to run the chicken farm on his own. My mom says yes, he can probably run it on his own soon. I turn to my mom, asking if it would be alright for David to run the pig farm on his own, I would stay with him while I am here. My dad
says that it is a good idea, my mom thinks for a minute, then says as long as I am here, David can run the farm with my help. I tell my mom I can also help Peter if he needs any help. I see Peter smiling as David starts going on about having his farm to run. My mother tells David only when Alex is home.
My dad suggests that we see the work crew to build the pig barn, no sense leaving it until spring with the equipment they have here. We help with the rest of the chores; then, I call down to Joe, asking when they are coming up to the valley. My mother would like to know if they would be here for New Year’s Eve. Joe said he would call me back after he talks with the others, I tell him I would leave my phone with my mom, we might be busy getting a pig farm ready at David’s place. Joe said great; he was hoping to have a separate farm. He will contact the General now; then, the General can inform his workers that are still up here.
My dad says to get ready; he wants to show me everything that has gone on since I was away. I know about the four houses, the farm here and at Peter’s. I remember some of the other buildings going up, but it would be interesting to see what is complete. The butcher shop, along with a bakery, was rebuilt in the village. They both have underground storage and labs for their use in the group. Simon has seen to getting and freezing fertilized eggs for the cows at the butcher shop. There are a lot more beef cattle on the main farm, along with bulls and milk cows. The chicken farm has a lab to store fertilized eggs, along with producing more chickens for feeding everyone in the valley. Peter’s farm would grow the feed for the chickens. My mom has three greenhouses up and running with hydroponics. They grow different things year-round.
