The Blue People of Cloud Planet Read Online Free PDF Page B

Commander
     
     
     
    After the silence, the questions flew thick and fast, and the General held up his hand.
     
     ‘One at a time, one at a time, please, I can’t answer all your concerns,’ he consoled them. ‘but I hear a common question........ ‘why did we build a starship capable of only the outward journey?’...... Well, as I told you earlier the plan was to send two ships in 2155, perhaps up to 1 year apart. The first, LifeSeeker-1, would have a crew of seven, two ROL’s and four emergency shuttles. The nuclear power plant feeding the ion engine would have a capacity to reach the star, Seren, and start initial investigation of Cloud Planet. Then LifeSeeker-1 would remain in permanent orbit and await LifeSeeker-2, a ship twice the size with a crew of 21, eight ROL’s and 28 emergency shuttles. Its power plant would have the capacity for the return journey accommodating all astronauts from both starships if necessary.’
     
    He paused, ‘But the astounding SOS message has changed all that and we are sending LifeSeeker-1 at least 5 years before LifeSeeker-2 and,’ pausing again, ‘LifeSeeker-2 is only 50 per cent completed as I speak.’
     
    It was Angus who broke the silence. ‘This is crazy! To send a starship on such a high risk mission with the backup not even built!’
     
    ‘Not crazy, but yes, very high risk which is why this mission is volunteers only.’
     
    ‘But General,’ continued Angus, ‘this sounds like a suicide mission. Who would be foolish enough to put themselves forward?’
     
    He smiled, and reached for the remote, ‘Well, we’ve actually got our first crew member.’
     
    Part of the night sky behind the General suddenly changed and the head and shoulders of Commander Abraham Joshua Stewart dominated the astronauts’ attention.
     
    ‘It’s Commander AJ!’ Olivia gasped, ‘Where’s he been for the last 5 years?’
     
     
     
    ‘Commander Stewart was known as AJ to his fellow astronauts and was the first astronaut to go to the moons of Jupiter. He is iconic in the space world as he volunteered to fly to the outer regions of our planetary system under full cryo – hibernation in an ion-driven spacecraft. AJ came back after 5 years in space and was successfully resuscitated with no ill effects and looking remarkably unchanged.
     
    ‘However, communications with an earlier similar mission were lost after the massive solar flare of 2125. This was piloted by Chuck Parker, Scott’s father.’
     
     
     
    These facts flashed through Scott’s mind and painfully reminded him that it was his Dad that had not returned from space, but he quickly controlled his emotions as AJ started to speak.
     
    ‘The General has briefed you on Project Omega, and the remarkable message from Cloud Planet and you will soon be asked to volunteer for what must seem to you to be a most risky mission. I have been involved full time in Project Omega for the last 5 years and my main role has been putting LifeSeeker-1 through its paces and, believe me, she is the most stunning starship as some of you, I hope, will see tomorrow. The General has asked me to volunteer as mission commander, which I have, and I have closely watched your training and would be delighted to have any of you join me for this mission. But now I will pass you back to the General.’
     
    The night sky returned to the dome display.
     
    The General raised his hand, ‘Fellow astronauts, we have had a long four hour session without a break and I am going to suggest that we reconvene for dinner at 5 p.m. moon time, when I will be happy to answer more questions.
     
    ‘As I said earlier, I am looking for volunteers to man ROL-1 and ROL-2 on LifeSeeker-1 but I don’t want any decisions from you until tomorrow at 10 a.m. This evening you are all booked into the executive hospitality suites where you will enjoy complete privacy – no bugs I assure you! – to make up your minds.  Finally, whatever you decide will not be held