The Return of the Manhattan Read Online Free PDF

it only lasts a few minutes or a few hours. When he comes out of the coma, he will probably be completely normal. If he doesn’t recover on his own soon, we could give him something to help the body repair itself, but those drugs aren’t usually effective in cases like this. All we can do is wait. Be positive, especially when near him. Other than that, all you can do is pray! Now why don’t you go with Tom? I think he would like to discuss the problem before elevating it to the president.”
    Marie left the ICU and followed Tom to his command module near the front of the starship. Tom’s office was a large room elegantly furnished with comfortable seating arrangements around a small conference table. The office also had an excellent exterior view directly to the front with large screen TV monitors which could be selected to view any exterior area. The optics were so good that it was difficult to tell which was real and which was the image.
    Roger entered giving them a rundown on the situation. “We have the intruder isolated on the hangar deck. The team responded quickly and has sealed off the area. I don’t think David was the target, but he inadvertently caught the intruder in an act of sabotage. The incident was recorded on camera and seen by the security team monitoring the area.
    Marie listened intently before asking, “Why would anyone want to sabotage the ship. I thought this was a top secret project. Who knows what’s going on?”
    Tom answered quietly, “The president has kept the number of participants to a minimum. The five of us, David, you, Warren, Roger and I know but the remainder of those on board don’t. Of course, we can’t load the number of fuel tanks like we’ve done without someone getting some idea of the scope of the mission. The president said this project was approved by a Congressional Committee, so the leak could be there. The oil industrial complex has always had a strong lobby in Congress and anyone in that area would be prime suspects. We’ve got to double our security, but if they’re determined, somebody is bound to get through. Once we get underway, we’ll be gone so long that no one will remember us until we get back. But for now, the question is, what are we going to do if David is unable to go? Warren may not want to clear him for the voyage. What would you do in that case, Marie?”
    Marie hesitated only for a moment, “I desperately want to go, but I can’t leave without David, or my daughter. I’m sorry, but it’s not fair, and I wouldn’t be any use to you, and probably wouldn’t be safe flying under those conditions. I won’t go without him!”
    Tom continued, “I appreciate your honesty, and I anticipated that. Considering the circumstances, my answer would have been the same. However, if we have to replace both of you, it could delay the mission for months. I suppose we ought to get on line with the president and give him the bad news.”
    Roger spoke up, “Don’t be too hasty Tom! I see no reason why Warren wouldn’t let him remain on board. Our facilities are as good as any hospital and the low gravity conditions are good for him. Marie, you wouldn’t have any objections to that would you?”
    “I don’t think so. I might as well be working as sitting around home waiting for his recovery!”
    A low frequency chime sounded on Tom’s desk and Warren’s voice was projected into the room, “Tom, David is recovering rapidly. He is out of danger and his reactions are normal. He will have a headache for a few days, but no other side effects. He must have a hard head! Marie, you can come back and see him now.”
    Marie returned immediately to the ICU unit and the meeting broke up. Roger went to check on the security team while Tom made a call to update the president. David was lying flat on his back not making any sudden moves. Other than the pain, his only obvious condition was the large goose egg on the back of his head. Marie wrapped her arms around him,