“Good. The more time I get there, the better it should go.”
“You will be linked to the two space shuttles so you can position the devices and aim them exactly where you think they should go. They will be under your command.”
“Boy Mr. Fowler, you really know how to show a girl a good time,” she said, chuckling.
“Nothing but the best for my ladies,” he shot back.
“Ladies? That’s plural.”
“Oops, my bad.”
“I’m not too worried. There is always Metzler if you don’t shape up.”
“Ouch. That hurts,” Dan said, grabbing his heart.
“Good.”
NBC NEWS –
Riots broke out in cities all across the country last night as backyard astronomers were able to catch a unobstructed view on KA5. It was the worst outbreak of violence that this nation has experienced since the Civil Rights and Vietnam War protests in the 60s and 70s.
The worst hit areas were most of the usual hot spots during times of adversity. LA, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and New York were ransacked by huge crowds of mostly young groups.
Fires are still burning out of control in LA and Detroit. Fire fighters in Cincinnati and Cleveland were able to save most of the downtown section as long as they had police protection. Police in New York City fought with rioters for several hours resulting in fifteen police being injured, two seriously. Two hundred and forty-one arrests were made and over a thousand treated for injuries.
LA had one police officer killed and one fire fighter seriously injured by a sniper. Sixty-five police officers were injured and four hundred and twenty arrests have been made so far. Fifteen hundred people have been treated for various injuries. Several are in critical condition.
The road was dusty and it leaked in the window flaps on the Hummer as they rode out to the control center for the Very Large Array. Abby had been there once as a young girl when the family had gone to the Southwest to ‘see what the old west was like’, according to her father.
She looked at the giant antenna with amazement. Just the sight of them gave her a little shiver.
“This is really cool,” she said.
“And you said I never took you anyplace cool. Don’t you feel bad now?”
“Not particularly. This is the President's doing.”
“You have no appreciation for what I do. I am totally insulted,” he said with mock hurt.
“Sure I do. You can carry my briefcase for me.”
“See how you are?”
The driver looked in the mirror several times to see if they were serious. When they got to the control center, the director, Cameron Swayze, met them and guided them inside.
“How was your trip?” he asked after the introductions were finished.
“Very nice. Not a hitch,” Dan told him.
“This is where you will be working. We have already established a link up with the other facilities and will have a direct link to the shuttles once they get into space. We also have link ups to Chili, per your request, and to the Canary Islands. Is there anyone else you think we should link to?” Cameron asked.
“Only the White House if they want to know what is going on in real time,” Abby said.
“I’ll find out,” Dan replied.
“Yes, I can see the need for that,” Cameron conceded.
“Other than that, I believe you have arranged for everything I need.”
“We are tracking KA5 and this screen shows it's current position, direction, and speed. From what I have seen of your projections, they are very accurate indeed. Well done,” he said.
“Believe it or not, it was actually one of my students who worked most of it out.”
“My, my. That is very impressive indeed. If he needs a job, we can always use someone of exceptional talent.”
“I’ll pass that along.”
He introduced everyone in the control room and gave her a quick tour. Abby and Dan were taken to their quarters. Dan’s was in a block building with six beds. A small divider was located between each one. A small chest, a light and a chair were the only things in the room except for linens and blankets. Austere, to say the least.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Abby spent the next three days working with the equipment, testing links, and making sure of timing. It would be critical that the power was on at the instant she wanted it and for as long as she wanted it. The wobble would dictate much of what she had to do.
Location of the two E-PEG’s was another critical element. She had to be sure that they were at the right angle and distance to move KA5 the distance required to make sure it didn’t impact the moon.
She continued to monitor the distance and angle, receiving an almost constant stream of information. The rockets were in the launch window and ready. After checking everything for what must have been the hundredth time, she gave the signal for the launch sites to release the rockets when they were ready.
Two hours later the first rocket was up and in established orbit. The shuttle commander was in direct link with Abby at this point. She gave him the preliminary data so he could maneuver to a safe but nearby location. A hour later the second ship, StarRiserIII was also in space and linked to Abby.
At this point the activity began to escalate. Abby was directing the two space craft, getting constant feedback from the control room and updates from Chili and the Canary Islands. Dan sat in the corner and watched. She never once seemed to be rattled. It was amazing for him to watch her in action.
“Horizon, I need you to move the E-PEG 1000 meters. StarRiserIII you are almost perfect, nudge it another 75 meters and you will be set. Horizon, you’re almost there. 50 more meters should do it. Then I want you both to get back onboard and maneuver at least 10,000 meters away, copy?”
“Horizon, copy.”
“StarRiser, copy.”
“Thank you both, well done,” Abby said.
“Our pleasure,” came the reply.
“KA5 is 40.65 seconds from target zone,” the controller told Abby.
“Copy. NTT how are we looking?”
“Right on the beam.”
“Amiée?”
“You think I would miss this?”
“I’m glad it’s you. Everything we can do is ready,” Abby told her.
“Good luck my friend and God bless you,” Amiée replied.
“Sorry to interrupt, I have uploaded the commands to the E-PEG’s, they are being switched to your control… now.”
“Copy.”
Abby moved the power level and saw the needles jump immediately. She slowly reset them.
“31 seconds on my mark. Mark.”
“Copy 31 seconds,” Abby replied.
Abby closed her eyes trying to envision every step. She had to be right on the money. The margin for error was almost nonexistent. She rolled her head from side to side, working out the tension knots in her neck and shoulders.
Dan, watching her every move wanted to go to her and message her back and neck but knew this was the wrong time. She needed space, not someone hovering over her.
“20 seconds.”
Abby moved the power levels up to 30 percent on the E-PEGS.
“God be with you,” she heard the President say breaking the silence briefly.
“Thank you Mr. President.”
“10 seconds to target area,” the controller in the VLA reported.
She did a last mental check. There was nothing more to be done at this point. It was either going to work or there was a good chance the world would be severely damaged if not rendered extinct.
“Copy. Amiée?”
“On the beam.”
“Count down please,” Abby said.
“8… 7… 6”
Abby brought the E-PEG’s up to 75 percent power