The Long Way Home

by Phoenix Hays

  “The Victory team will now ride the elevator to the shuttle entry near the top of the launch tower,” the man’s voice said. “As they ascend, the NASA staff will begin clearing the area.”

  A wide shot of the rocket, tower and pad filled the TV and confirmed that staff were leaving in earnest.

  “Once the elevator reaches the top, the team will go over final instructions and will then prepare to board Victory’s MPCV. Although this will be a short trip, they will still be launching a rocket into space and sending an observation satellite into orbit to monitor the asteroids. Coordination and execution will be key.”

  Unable to contain his excitement, Joe patted his dad’s leg with his hand a couple times. “Dad, they are going to launch!”

  Victor smiled, nodded and looked back to the screen.

  Now suited up with helmets on and oxygen tanks on their backs, the team headed through an entry door in the side of the rocket with the help of a NASA technician straddling the opening. He stepped out of the doorway, closed the door and locked it. He gave them an encouraging smack on the door’s window, followed by a thumbs up and then scurried back to the elevator.

  The program switched to an image of the control room. Large monitors covered the wall at the front of the room while smaller ones lined the rows of work stations. Most of the work stations had a person sitting in front of them with each one monitoring a different system or process vital to the launch. Following NASA staff as they hurried from one side of the room to the other, the camera panned and then stopped its motion to center on the owner of the narrating voice. He stood motionless for a split second and then began to talk.

  “Hello, everyone, I’m Devin Barde. From this room, mission control will oversee final preparations for launch, and as we pass the five minutes to go mark, let’s take a quick look around. You can see behind me are the two large screens that will carry out tracking of the planned orbit as well as the altitude, speed and vitals of the MPCV. You can see that although the clock is winding down, the other readings will remain at zero until takeoff.”

  Devin moved away from the wall of monitors, and the camera changed position to show him walking to the aisle between the work stations. He continued the tour.

  “Here we have the men and women who specialize in each of the systems involved in the mission. Propulsion, satellite function, environmental, weather, vitals, and so on. They’re all here. And at the head of this group is Flight Director Aaron Hutchins.” The host turned to the flight director as he stood up from his desk. “Director Hutchins, what would you like to say to our viewers as we near this historic moment?”

  “First, I’d like to thank everyone for tuning in and for all the support we have received. NASA is working hard to represent all our citizens in an effort to learn more about the asteroids and what effect they may have on our lives. We are working jointly with a number of organizations from around the world and this first launch will be a large step towards a brighter future for all.”

  “Thank you, director,” Barde said, turning back to the camera. “Stay with us as we take one more commercial break before we enter the final countdown for the launch of the Victory IV rocket.”

  A short break later, the TV snapped back to a distant shot of the launch pad. The Victory rocket now sat in waiting with no movement outside other than white steam rolling out from vents in the sides of the ship. A box with two sets of zeroes had been added in the lower right corner of the screen – a label of ‘Altitude’ was above the top set while ‘Speed’ was above the lower set.

  “The preparations are complete,” Devin said. “We are now just moments away from the launch of NASA’s first Victory IV rocket tasked with the mission of putting a satellite in orbit to monitor the Oppenheimer String. Once we get to 15 seconds to go, we’ll switch over to the computer’s countdown.”

  The image of the control room took over on the screen, and the camera panned from one side to the other revealing every staff member hunching over their station and scrutinizing their screens.

  “By this time, every controller has given their ‘All clear’ but each one continues to make sure everything goes as planned. Let’s listen for the final countdown.”

  “T-minus 15 seconds to launch,” a robotic female voice said.

  “What’s that truck doing?!” a man asked from off-camera.

  The TV image moved to show the man standing and pointing at one of the large monitors on the main wall. On the screen, a white truck sped toward the launch pad.

  “Security! Stop that truck!” Director Hutchins shouted.

  The Bayhams all sat silently, mouths open. Joe looked over to his dad with wide eyes. Victor, Mary, and Ayrin leaned forward, their eyebrows lowered as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing. It was real and they could do nothing but watch the truck close the distance to the rocket.

  “Ten seconds to launch,” the robotic voice said.

  “Crash the count! Get them away right now!” The Flight Director yelled.

  “Go, go, go,” a woman’s voice shouted over the sudden commotion in the control room.

  “Can they launch that fast?” Ayrin asked.

  Joe looked back to his dad. Victor didn’t move, wide-eyed.

  “Five,” the computer voice said.

  A cloud of dust trailed the truck. It screamed along its path now, traveling along the access road and accelerating toward its target.

  “Four.”

  “Get that bird away!” Director Hutchins bellowed.

  “Three.”

  The truck crashed into the left side of the support structure for the launch pad, sending sparks and smoke flying from the point of impact. Steam roiled out from the front of the vehicle as it sat there for an agonizing second.

  “Two.”

  An explosion erupted from the truck, sending a fireball upward followed by a plume of smoke. Damaged pieces of the launch pad flew in all directions.

  “One.”

  Weakened from the blast, the pad began to tilt under the weight of the craft. Clouds of smoke poured from the rocket’s exhaust, obscuring the view of the launch pad. The rocket tilted in the direction of the explosion while more fire and smoke poured from the cone at its base. As it strained to fight off the gravity pulling on the rocket, Victory’s engines fired at full thrust. Lift off.

  The air in the Bayhams’ room was thick with tension as they stared wide-eyed at the TV and held their breath. It was all they could do.

  Fighting to complete takeoff, the shuttle’s engines roared against Earth’s pull and the numbers in the altitude and speed counters began scrolling. But the odd launch angle had already doomed the ship and the altitude numbers slowed while the speed continued to climb. Victory’s nose began to tip over and the rocket began arcing back toward the ground. The smoke trailing the craft made a semi-circle in the air, leaving a path where the shuttle had traveled.

  Joe turned his head, but Ayrin couldn’t look away.

  The rocket crashed into the ground and erupted into a giant fireball from all of the fuel igniting at once. The scene was horrific. An ashen Devin Barde reappeared on the screen. His hollow words about how great the rescue crews were and how they would work tirelessly to save the astronauts drowned into each other as the Bayhams sat in stunned silence.

  Victor finally broke the silence after a few seconds.

  “Turn the TV off,” he said.

  CHAPTER 35

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Duke said, surveying the Jupiter conference room filled with management representing every department of Space Vision.

  Patrick watched Victor shift in his chair. It was slight but the movement was stiff and his eyes darted from one side of the room to the other.

  “This morning’s events have shown us what those zealots are willing to do.”

  Nods from the audience showed they all knew about the failed launch.

  “Our contacts at NASA have confirmed that it was a Fatalist attack. If we weren’t under e
nough pressure thanks to the Oppenheimer String, we now know that the Fatalists are willing to go great lengths to stop our efforts. And it is time to act. We are making preparations to move Space Vision completely to Site B. I’m sure you can understand that this is going to take a lot of effort, and more importantly, your help.”

  Duke looked around and made eye contact with many of those in attendance.

  “Look,” he said. “Our mission stays the same. We have a lot of important work to do. And with the resignations that were submitted after the attack,” his eyes went to the three empty chairs among the group, “each one of you is all that much more important.” His face was serious but he was able to force a slight smile. “By the time you get back to your quarters, you should have the instructions for the move waiting for you. Please follow the directions carefully. Including family members, we are moving hundreds of people in a short amount of time. There will be packets attached for each of your staff. Inform your teams of the move and give them the personalized packets. Security Chief Carter is already at Site B preparing for our arrival. I’ve asked Mr. Bayham to oversee things from here. Victor?”

  Never having heard Victor called on to present to the group, Patrick looked over at Victor with surprise.

  Victor stood up. “Security teams have been advised of the move and are available for help as needed,” he stated. “Although we will do everything we can to help, security has to manage external threats and internal needs. With us working around the clock, we could be stretched thin at times. Your patience will be greatly appreciated.” Victor cleared his throat and continued. “With that being said, ahead of the actual move, our teams will do their best to be available, and you should feel free to ask questions about moving procedures. We’re here to help.”

  Victor nodded at Duke and sat down, breathing a sigh of relief and seeming to welcome the chance to pass the spotlight.

  “Thank you, Victor,” Duke said. “Ladies and gentlemen, we all have a lot to do. I would ask you all to look out for each other and your families. Reflect on the fact that there are many people counting on our success.”

  Duke stood up to dismiss the group.

  “Good luck to you all and stay safe during this transition. Patrick, if you and Victor would wait a moment, I’d appreciate it.”

  Victor and Patrick remained seated while everyone else filed out of the room.

  As soon as the door shut and only the three of them were left, Duke sat back down. Duke took a deep breath as if to alleviate some of the weight of the situation. He looked up at the other two.

  “That attack this morning was worse than the death and destruction it caused.”

  Victor and Patrick glanced at each other.

  “That truck somehow made it through every security provision the launch should have had.” Duke looked directly at Victor.

  “Unfortunately, it appears that the attack that brought you into our company was not an isolated event.”

  Victor dropped his eyes.

  “My friend, do not take that as an accusation. I’m glad we met you and your family. But there is no doubt that the Fatalists have infiltrated even NASA. Our move is going to be a dangerous one. Even if we have removed all of their influence on the inside of Space Vision, the minute they catch wind that we are moving...”

  He trailed off, allowing the room to go silent.

  “We’ll be ready,” Victor said after a slight pause.

  “Not a doubt in my mind,” Duke said as he stood again. “Would you gentleman mind accompanying me for dinner?”

  Patrick and Victor both nodded without thinking twice.

  “And Victor, please invite your family.”

  CHAPTER 36

  Ayrin followed Joe through two large doors and into Duke’s private dining room. It might have been a large corporate conference room at one time, but now they found themselves looking at the extravagant decorations lining the walls. Beautiful paintings of the Wright brothers’ flight at Kitty Hawk, the Blue Angels flying in formation, a shuttle launching, and a portion of Earth from space adorned the room’s walls. Between the paintings hung fancy trim and color coordinated panels. An oversized dark wood table stretched the length of the room while several smaller tables were positioned in the corners. High backed chairs made of the same wood were placed evenly around the large dining table. Waiting in front of each chair sat a folded napkin in the shape of a fan next to a single white plate flanked by silverware. Three centerpieces consisting of a ring of purple and pink flowers surrounding a leafless tree were placed at even intervals in the middle of the table. In place of leaves, crystal votives held white candles that cast a flickering light onto the white runner covering the middle of the table. The middle centerpiece was placed directly below a chandelier that had similar votive lights.

  “Victor, this is too much,” Mary said.

  The man squeezed his wife’s hand and stepped forward as he let go of it.

  Duke reached out, gripped Victor’s hand, shook it and smiled. “Thank you so much for joining us!” He made a wide welcoming sweeping motion with his arms. He turned to Mary. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Bayham. Your husband has been doing great things for our efforts. I would like to introduce you to the Directors here at Space Vision.”

  Duke gestured to each person around the table as he named them.

  “This is Ms. Victoria Clark, Mr. Clarence Johnston, Ms. Miyako Chan, and Mr. Sanjeed Burman.”

  “Hello,” Mary said to them and turned to Duke. “Thank you for inviting us.” She looked around the room and fidgeted with her hands.

  “Please have a seat and make yourself at home,” Duke said. He gestured at the chairs in front of them. He smiled over to where Joe and Ayrin were standing.

  The four were seated as the door to the room opened. Duke turned to greet a familiar face.

  “Patrick! Welcome, my old friend.”

  Patrick shook Duke’s hand and acknowledged the Bayhams. “I’m sorry if I’m late-“

  “Nonsense!” the CEO interrupted. “You’re right on time. Please have a seat.”

  Duke moved to the head of the table while Patrick settled into a chair across from the Bayhams.

  The doors at the far end of the hall opened, and a group of five waiters wearing white shirts and black bowties entered the room as they carried covered bowls. They deftly placed a bowl in front of each person at the table and lifted the covers off. Steam rolled up into the air from the yellow soup in each bowl.

  “What is this?” Joe asked.

  Duke’s jaw dropped a little as he tilted his head to the side and arched his eyebrows. “My dear Joseph,” he said. “Please don’t tell me you have never had lobster bisque?”

  Joe looked back at him with a puzzled frown.

  “I think you might like it,” the CEO said as he moved to sit in the chair in front of him.

  Joe paused a second and looked back up at Duke.

  “Please try it, my boy!”

  Joe took a spoonful, lifted it from the bowl and looked at the steam rising from the liquid. He blew on it slightly and then put it in his mouth. As he tasted the buttery soup, he couldn’t help but smile.

  “I told you!” Duke said, smiling.

  “None for me?” A robotic voice asked from behind Duke.

  Everyone stopped and looked for the source.

  A circular metal object rose behind Duke’s right shoulder. It had large shuttered eyes, three rounded bulges equally spaced around its base, and a series of bars running up the domed top that all met near the center.

  “Hello, Adam,” the CEO said. “Might I remind you that you can’t digest any human food, let alone lobster bisque?”

  The drone hovered and turned toward Duke with a look of disapproval.

  “I may not be able to process what you all are having, but would it be asking too much to get a quart of 10-W30?”

  Duke chuckled. “My friends, I would like to introduce you to Adam. He is a—“

/>   “I am quite capable of introducing myself!” Adam interrupted. He buzzed past Duke and stopped over the table in the middle of the group of guests. The Bayhams all stared silently at the drone, shocked at his existence. The rotors tucked inside the bulges of Adam’s base purred as they allowed him to hover in place.

  “I am an Advanced Diversiform Attendant Mech,” he said.

  “Adam,” Joe repeated, understanding the acronym.

  “Exactly,” Adam said. “To be more precise, I’m Adam-3, a marked improvement over the 1 and 2 models.”

  “And more humble, too,” Duke added with a smirk. “We started working on combining drone technology with limited AI some time ago. We finally landed on an attendant design similar to Adam, here. After tweaking the mechanical function and data processing systems, we arrived at Adam-3. He tends to be handy when you need him. Right, Adam?”

  “I’m sure the pun is intended, sir?” The drone’s eyes gave a look of disgust and weariness. To demonstrate the point, Adam extended the bars above his eyes and six arms stretched out from his frame. Although two arms ended in hand-like appendages, the four others ended in different fashions including a drill, a knife, one that looked like a plasma cutter and another that beamed a laser across the room.

  “Cool!” Joe and Ayrin said together.

  “Very!” Adam said.

  “Alright, Adam,” the CEO said to take back control over the conversation. He looked around at the group. “I asked you all to meet over dinner to discuss the upcoming move.”

  There were no surprised faces at the statement since Victor had already explained what was going on to the rest of his family.

  “We expect unseen challenges and a lot of changes that everyone is going to be dealing with. Some of those changes include the increased level of technology at Site B. Adam, here,” he motioned at the bot that now hovered over a chair as if he was a part of the dinner party, “is just one example of what I’m talking about. The living quarters are also going to be a bit different than what most are used to.”