Launch (23 page)

She thought about his love and support. Her
vision blurred, and she had to blot her eyes.

The onboard medical clinic was accessible,
fully stocked, and operational. Two medically qualified robots were aboard in a
storage compartment. The ship had more than enough fuel and supplies to make
the trip to Bedford. After two hours, their speed, distance, and acceleration
were enough that nothing could have caught them. That fact comforted Claire,
and she began deceleration for return to Earth.

At 2:19 a.m. on the morning of February 28
^th
,
the south and west omniglass walls of Claire and David’s bedroom came alive
with close-up images of Amira.

“David, wake up please,” she said. “This is an
emergency.”

After a short pause David said, “I’m awake.”

She said, “A doomsday asteroid has appeared
from behind the Sun. As things stand now, the asteroid will hit Texas on March
twenty-fourth. Particles from the impact will be ejected into the upper
troposphere and stratosphere where they will remain suspended. Sunlight will be
blocked. It will be darker and colder than an arctic winter night over the
whole world for more than a thousand years. Most life on Earth, including the
human race, will die.

All of our asteroid defense satellites are
trying to push the asteroid off course, but it’s not enough. Our last hope is
for you to use Starship
Michael
to help.”

David said, “Elf, turn the video output off.
I’m on my way, Amira.”

Elf acknowledged, “Video output is off, sir.”

Claire and David got out of bed and began to
get dressed. He said, “Elf, confirm that
Michael
’s at the Mojave base,
fueled and ready for launch.”

“Confirmed, sir.”

“I’ll need one robot as a copilot.”

“Yes, sir.”

One of their private taxis arrived at the west
omniglass wall. As the sliding panel in the wall and the door to the taxi
opened, David saw Claire put on a long coat.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked
with a surprised expression.

“I’m going with you to
Michael.
”

“You are not! You’re eight months pregnant for
crying out loud!”

Claire said, “I said I’m going to
Michael
,
not on
Michael
. We haven’t been apart since before Quad Fusion Thunder,
and you’re going on a twenty-five-night trip. I’m going to say goodbye to my
husband, and you
will
enjoy it!”

He grinned, put his arms around her, and kissed
her. “Yes, ma’am, you’re right. I will enjoy it.”

▼

Amira spoke to Claire and David as Elf flew the
taxi at near the speed of sound toward Mojave. “This mission is top secret to
avoid panic. I don’t want the public to know about it until I have the facts I
need to tell the world what is happening.”

“Where did this thing come from?” David asked.

“It has been spiraling toward the Sun for years,
but it has always been on the side opposite Earth. When it got closer, the Sun’s
gravity accelerated it in a gravitational slingshot toward Earth’s orbit. Our
gravity has further altered its course so it’s now coming directly at us.”

“We don’t have warning systems?”

“Yes, but they haven’t been watching the other
side of the Sun. If we survive, that will be fixed.”

Claire asked, “Why do you need David to go? Why
not just send two robots?”

“You and David have experience and human
intuition that Elf and robots don’t. David’s onsite judgment could make the
difference between life and death for the human race.”

▼

The desert night air was chilly beside
Michael
.
Claire put her arms around David and said, “I want you in the delivery room
when our baby is born.”

“We’ve got a seven-day margin,” he said. “That
should be enough.”

Her belly pressed against him as they kissed
goodbye and held each other. They separated, and she watched him enter the starship’s
door. He turned and smiled, “I love you, Cougar.”

She smiled. “I love you too, Buni. Come back to
us.”

“I will,” he said, and the door closed behind
him.

Claire turned and boarded the taxi, buckled
herself into the nose seat, and instructed Elf to lift off and hover east of
the launch pad.
Michael
rose in front of her, accelerated rapidly and
disappeared into the night sky. She already missed him, and tears appeared in
her eyes.

On the more sedate flight back to Broadview, Amira
asked Claire, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Claire said as she blotted tears.

“You’re welcome to stay here at the White
House.”

“Thank you, no. I’ll be okay.”

“I’m here for you, Claire. Call me anytime,
twenty-four/seven, for anything at all, even if it’s just to chat.”

“Thank you, Amira. You’re very kind.”

▼

Michael
locked onto an intercept course and accelerated at more than two
g
’s.
The heavy acceleration made David feel as if he weighed more than three hundred
pounds. His sleep had been interrupted, and he was still tired.

“Your ship,” he told the robot in the other
maneuvering control compartment, “I’m going to take a nap.”

▼

As the image of the Earth shrank, the image of
the doomsday asteroid grew. It was overtaking Earth from behind, like a train
accelerating toward a slower train on the same track. Earth’s gravity was
pulling the asteroid ever faster toward a cataclysmic collision.

The asteroid was oblong, mostly flat on one
long side, rounded on other three, and somewhat tapered toward one end. It was
covered with craters caused by collisions with many other objects in space. Two
dozen asteroid defense satellites were trying to push it off course.

David intercepted the asteroid. Then, following
Elf’s directions, he maneuvered
Michael
until the shield on the top of
the ship was jammed hard against asteroid’s surface. Gradually, he increased
thrust to maximum.

The asteroid's course changed. Elf calculated
the new impact point, and 99% appeared in the upper right-hand corner of
David’s monitor.

“What’s that number on my monitor?” David
asked.

Because of the distance from Earth, there was a
delay in Elf’s response. “That’s a confidence number sir, the probability that
the impact point is correct.”

“You mean there’s a 99% probability that we’ll
hit Los Angeles instead of Texas?”

“That’s correct, sir.”

David said, “I’m not doing a lot of good, am I,
Elf?”

“Yes, sir, you are not.”

“I have two ideas,” David said. “First, what
aerodynamic shape does the asteroid resemble?”

“A lifting body, sir.”

“Right. If we could turn the asteroid so it
hits the Earth’s atmosphere at the correct attitude and a shallower angle,
would that help deflect it?”

“At the correct angle, sir, it could cause the
asteroid to skip through Earth’s upper atmosphere and back out into space, like
a rock skips across a pond.”

“That’s what I thought. I want you to calculate
the points where we should push on the asteroid to turn it so it will skip.”

“Elf can do that, sir, but the intercept angle
is still too steep to allow the asteroid to skip.”

“That brings us to my second idea. While we’re
changing the attitude of the asteroid, I want you to send me all of the largest
suborbs you can. We’ll put them to work pushing, too.”

“That could work, sir.”

Over the next four days, the asteroid was rotated
and 373 suborbs arrived. Their passenger compartments were crushed as the ships
were put to work pushing on the asteroid with full power.

Slowly, the predicted point of impact moved
northwest beyond Los Angeles and continued out into the Pacific Ocean. It
finally stopped in a great open space northwest of the Hawaiian Islands, and
the probability of impact stopped at 50%.

“What’s going on, Elf?” David asked. “Why’s the
number stuck at fifty percent?”

“There’s a fifty-fifty chance the asteroid will
skip, sir.”

“Is that a cop-out?”

“No sir. This situation is just too close for
Elf to call.”

▼

David had a lot of free time on his hands while
Michael
pushed on the asteroid. Elf uploaded the remaining video lessons
for his parent license, and he finished them all. The only thing left to
qualify for a full license was to finish the last two classes after he landed
on Earth. If he could get back by March 25, he could finish the license
requirements before the baby was born.

Claire finished all of the lessons and classes
required for the license after David launched. It helped fill the lonely time
without him.

Elf determined that two weeks would be enough
time to evacuate the Pacific Rim and affected islands in the Pacific Ocean. Amira
decided to wait until noon on Monday, March 9, fifteen days before impact, to
make an announcement. That would give her and Elf more time to determine the
immediate effects of a possible impact and make appropriate plans. It would also
give people a last, worry-free weekend before the evacuation began.

An hour before Amira’s announcement, Bernice
Moore called Claire.

“Doctor Archer,” she said, “I’m your Malibu
Parent Licensing Committee case manager, and I’ve been trying to call General
Archer. He missed two classes last week, and your delivery date is approaching.
I’ve tried to call him to find out if there’s anything I can do to help, but
Elf refuses to put me through.”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Moore. David’s on an official
government business trip. He’ll be back on March 25, six days before the baby’s
due. He’ll finish the classes then.”

“That’s not good enough, Doctor Archer. I need
to speak to General Archer
now
or your license could be revoked.”

Claire was frightened. “Hold a minute please,
Ms. Moore. Elf, get Amira on three-way.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Elf responded.

After a very short delay, Amira joined the
conversation. She smiled. “Hi, Claire. How are you?”

Claire didn’t waste time on pleasantries, and
the anxiety in her voice was clear. “Bernice Moore from the Malibu PLC’s on
three-way. She’s threatening to take my baby if she can’t get in touch with
David about missing his parenting classes.”

Amira’s expression became serious. “Ms. Moore,”
she said, “General Archer is on official business for the government. He won’t
be available until March 25. I guarantee he’ll finish his classes before the
baby’s due.”

Bernice Moore shook her head. “I’m sorry, Madam
President. The baby’s welfare is paramount. Hiding behind celebrity status is
not
acceptable. I must do my duty. Either I speak to General Archer now or the baby
may be placed for adoption.”

Amira spoke in a commanding tone that left no
doubt who she was or what she wanted. “Ms. Moore. I am speaking to you now in
my capacity as President of the United States. I will be making an announcement
on television about General Archer at noon today. This is an order under the
president’s emergency powers provision of the Constitution: You will
not
speak or otherwise communicate to anyone in any way about this matter or
mention General Archer’s name until after that announcement.

“Elf, have a police robot with arrest authority
accompany Ms. Moore. If she attempts to violate this order, place her under
arrest and hold her incommunicado until I have time to deal with her. Also,
schedule an emergency meeting of the Malibu PLC for one-thirty this afternoon.
I will be in attendance.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Elf responded.

Bernice Moore’s voice quavered as she asked,
“What . . . what channel?”

“
All
channels, Ms. Moore,” Amira
answered, “goodbye. Two way with Claire, Elf.”

Elf dropped Bernice Moore from the call, and Amira
asked Claire, “Are you okay?”

“Yes, thank you. She scared me.”

“I’m sorry, Claire. We’ll deal with her later.
Can you come to the White House for the announcement?”

“I’ll be there.”

▼

Naomi was teaching at Malibu high school when
she heard on her ear charm, “This is Amira. Claire needs you. I want to call
your principal and get a substitute. Okay?”

Naomi was surprised but responded to her
transmitter ring, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Catch a taxi to the White House as soon
as you can.”

Malibu High School’s principal thought anything
urgent enough to warrant the attention of the President of the United States
justified a prompt response. Rather than wait for the substitute to arrive, he
took Naomi’s class himself.

Her taxi arrived at the White House immediately
behind Claire’s.

She saw Naomi and surprised her with a firm
hug. “I’m so glad to see you.”

“What’s going on?” Naomi asked.

“I had a scare this morning. Bernice Moore at
the Malibu PLC threatened to take my baby.”

 “She did what?” Naomi said with alarm. “Why
did she do that?”

“David has missed his last two parenting
classes. Bernice Moore wanted to ask him about it. When she couldn’t call him,
she threatened me.”

“Why couldn’t she call him?”

“That’s top secret.”

“Why?”

“Because it is. Amira’s going to make an
announcement on TV at noon. Then you’ll understand.”

▼

Amira made sure Claire and Naomi were
comfortable with cups of decaf tea in chairs off to the side in the oval
office. Then she sat down behind her desk and looked directly at the robot
kneeling in front of her: Elf would transmit sharp images from the robot’s
visual sensors.

At the robot’s signal, Amira said, “Good
afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It is my duty as your President to tell you
that on March 24, Pendleton time, a very large asteroid will enter Earth’s
atmosphere. Elf estimates that there is an equal chance the asteroid will crash
into the Pacific Ocean northwest of Hawaii or that it will skip through Earth’s
atmosphere and back out into space. Also, it is possible that the asteroid
could break up as it enters the atmosphere.

“If the asteroid strikes the ocean intact, a
large tidal wave, a tsunami, will be generated. Your government will, therefore,
evacuate all low lying areas in the Pacific Ocean and on the Pacific Rim during
the next fourteen days. After this broadcast, Elf will tell you if you are
affected. The government of the United States will be evacuated from Pendleton
in stages so the functions of the government will not be interrupted.

“In the meantime, production of essentials has
been increased to maximum and contingency planning has begun. I have ordered
financial markets closed and prices frozen at noon today, Pendleton time. They
will stay frozen and closed at least until noon Wednesday, March 25. Financial
assistance will be provided as needed, and you will be kept informed of
changes.

“When the asteroid was first discovered, all asteroid
defense satellites were used in an attempt to push it away from a collision
course, but they did not have enough power. I asked General David Archer to use
his new starship,
Michael
, to help. He suggested that the asteroid be
turned so it will have the maximum chance to skip through the atmosphere and
back out into space. He is there now trying to protect us with the full power
of his starship, the defense satellites, and 373 large suborbs.

“We must remain strong. Together, we will write
a proud chapter in our history. Thank you.”

Immediately after the announcement, Elf called
the people who could be affected by the tidal wave and gave them evacuation
details. Naomi was told she and Mark would be evacuated to Las Vegas. Claire
was told she would not have to be evacuated because Broadview was higher than
the predicted peak of the tsunami.

Claire said to Naomi, “Why don’t you and Mark
stay with me? We’ve got lots of bedrooms and storage for your belongings and
Mark's art. I would love to have your company.”

▼

Amira, Claire, and Naomi walked into the Malibu
PLC hearing room at one-thirty. The Committee Chairman, Dr. Burton Mansfield,
asked the President, “To what do we owe the honor of this visit at such a
critical time?”

Amira said, “Perhaps Ms. Moore can explain her
call this morning.”

After Bernice finished her explanation, Amira
asked, “Is it possible for General and Doctor Archer to keep their provisional
license until he can complete his required classes?”

“I don’t think that’s a problem,” Dr. Burton
said. “We can issue a temporary waiver.”

Committee member Stephen Carpenter said, “Mr.
Chairman, if Doctor Archer had a licensed male parent surrogate, General Archer
could complete the license requirements without a time limit. I’m a volunteer
if they want one.”

Committee member Jason Kim spoke up, “I’d also
like to volunteer.”

Dr. Burton said, “That sounds like a motion and
a second. For that matter I’m a volunteer, too. Given the sacrifice that
General and Doctor Archer are making for us, it’s the least we can do.”

Naomi had been talking into her transmitter
ring with her hand over her mouth. She stopped and addressed the committee,
“I’m Naomi Radin. My husband and I have a full license from the Malibu PLC. We
will be living with Doctor Archer during the emergency evacuation. We want to
volunteer as surrogates.”

Dr. Burton asked, “Have you discussed this with
your husband?”

“Yes, sir. I just finished talking to him.”

“I would like that,” Claire said.

Dr. Burton nodded. “So ruled by this committee.”

▼

That night, Amira read the court transcript on
the appeal to rescind Claire and David’s license. She made calls the next
morning to a committee chairwoman in the House of Representatives and a
committee chairman in the Senate.

▼

By the evening of the next day, Naomi and Mark
were moved into the bedroom nearest Claire’s, adjacent to the as yet unoccupied
nursery.

They ate dinner on Claire and David’s bedroom
balcony overlooking the Los Angeles Basin. “It’s hard to believe all of that’ll
be under water,” Mark said.

Claire shook her head. “It could be a terrible
mess.”

“At least nobody will be injured,” Naomi said.
“Elf won’t allow that.”

“Where are we going to live afterward?” Mark
wondered aloud.

“You can stay here as long as you want,” Claire
said.

“Thank you,” Naomi said. “We may take you up on
that while we find a new home.” She looked pointedly at her husband. “It’ll be good
to see David again. But I promise we’ll give the two of you space to get reacquainted.
Fortunately, Broadview is big enough.”

Just then, a call from Dr. Dale Curt came in on
Claire’s ear charm. She excused herself, and stepped back into the bedroom.

Dr. Curt said, “I’ve got a hospital to move,
and Elf tells me you have space above the waterline. With your permission, we
want to use part of it for a hospital.”

“Certainly, sir. We’re using two bedrooms now,
and we’ll have to find somewhere else to live, but it’s all yours.”

“Oh no,” he said. “I’m not going to put you out
at a time like this. Besides, most of our medical students are being evacuated.
I want to draft you as a temporary medical student and put you to work.”

Claire smiled. “Welcome to Broadview, Doctor.”

“Thank you, Claire. Our robots and staff will
be there tomorrow to start setting up.”

▼

The
largest emergency evacuation in history began. Taxis, suborbs, and air
freighters from all over the world were brought in to help. People in parts of
the world who weren’t vulnerable to the tidal wave were not left without
transportation, but they were somewhat inconvenienced by longer wait times for
taxis and suborb flights.

Claire loaned her taxis and suborb to help with
the evacuation. Their suborb only had fifteen seats, but it could get into
small landing pads and evacuate more than three thousand people before the
asteroid hit.

Ships in the North Pacific began to move fast
and with purpose. Those on their way into the ocean were turned around.
Passenger ships were loaded and headed for the nearest ocean exit: one behind
the other, as far as eyes could see. Freighters that could not get through
crowded exit lanes were sent to ride out the tidal wave surge in the South
Pacific.

Hundreds of media and government cameras were
trained on the approaching asteroid.
Michael
was visible in close-ups.
Numbers at the bottom of the picture showed the asteroid’s closing speed and
the time and distance remaining until impact or skip. As distance to the
asteroid shrank, gravitational attraction and closing speed increased. People would
go to bed with one speed number in mind from the evening news. The next
morning, they would be shocked by a larger number and a sharper image of the
asteroid. Then they would be shocked again the next day. Skeptics became
skeptical of skepticism.

With Elf’s impeccable management, evacuation
went smoothly. Some people insisted on exercising their accustomed personal
freedom to take vacations in safe parts of the world. Others wanted to change
the plans Elf made for them for one reason or another. Elf accommodated them as
best it could. A few did not want to evacuate at all. If Armageddon was coming,
it was their turn, and they wanted to sit tight. Elf evacuated them anyway.