The Return of the Manhattan Read Online Free PDF Page A

The Excalibur’s success, on this mission, depended on secrecy and deception. They would carry a token four fighters and twenty shuttle craft for the entire mission, but would carry a complete squadron of starfighters which would leave them when they left the solar system behind. All but three of the shuttlecraft would be left behind on the remote planet.
    One evening, as David made his way through the vast interior of the hangar decks of the Excalibur making his final walk through, he almost missed one tank that was not quite lined up with the rest. He stepped closer bending at the knees to investigate when someone attacked him from behind hitting him on the head and slamming him to the deck.

CHAPTER 6
    Marie was lined up synchronizing her shuttle to remain stationary with relation to the Excalibur waiting with her load of tanks to enter the starship. This was her last shuttle for the day, and she planned to be back on earth with her mother and daughter for the night. Her private com button on the control panel lit with an accompanying buzz. She pushed the button responding, “Ashton.”
    “Marie, we have a problem.” Tom’s voice quavered slightly alerting Marie to a sense of disaster. “We are giving you priority and will maneuver you directly into the hangar deck.”
    “What’s wrong?” Marie couldn’t keep the alarm out of her voice.
    “David’s been in an accident. We don’t think it’s serious, but you should be here. Dr. Baker is checking him out.”
    Marie guided her shuttle into position and waited for the tractor beam to take her through the hatch into the ship. Marie shutdown her engines and waited as the massive pressure doors to the pressurizing chambers slowly and methodically opened and closed in sequence keeping the ship’s environment intact.
    She wasted no time exiting her craft, making her way to the hospital ward. Tom met her at the entrance, “We don’t know much yet, but Dr. Baker is hopeful. Some idiot was running amuck on the hangar deck and struck David. He’s in a coma, but Dr. Baker says all signs are positive.”
    “Can I see him?”
    “Come on in.” He opened the door allowing her entry.
    Warren Baker glanced up for a second and went back to his monitor for a moment before looking back to Marie. He smiled and spoke cheerfully, “Marie, I think he will be okay. You can hold his hand and talk to him.”
    Marie moved over to the bed and took David’s hand and squeezed. After no response, she looked at Dr. Baker. “Is he really okay?”
    “We don’t know for sure, but his vitals are good. There is no pressure on the brain, and our scanners have found no major physical damage. I think he will recover soon, but don’t be discouraged if it takes a little longer. He may be able to hear you, so just talk to him.”
    “All right. David, honey, it’s Marie. I’m with you and Dr. Baker says you’ll be okay. I love you. Please wake up and talk to me. Squeeze my hand or blink your eyes. Please don’t leave me now,” she begged. She continued to plead telling him how much she loved him.
    After several minutes, Dr. Baker took her hand pulling her away. “Sorry Marie, but my monitor doesn’t show any response. Either he doesn’t hear you or can’t respond. He probably just needs time to recuperate.”
    “But doctor, I thought you were an expert in this field.” She had a little sarcasm in her voice. “Concussions are not that rare!” Her voice grew louder, “Dr. Baker is there something you’re not telling me?”
    “Marie, please! Doctors are human and the human brain is far too complex for us to understand completely. We know when the brain responds and we can relieve pressure, but for the most part, the brain is one of life’s greatest mysteries.”
    She calmed a bit, “But, what is your best prognosis. I want the facts as straight as you can give them to me.”
    “I don’t know! I’ve seen similar cases where patients have remained in a coma for years. Usually,