Chapter 1
In Greek mythology, Helios is the god of the sun. Born of the Titan's Hyperion and Theia. That is the myth, but reality is a bit different. I sit in a chair on the second floor porch of my families ancestral home, in Medellin Colombia. The morning is cool here as it usually is, so I ware a scarf around my neck just to keep out the chill, though soon the temperature will go up to about eighty today. Over population has made some unwanted changes globally. The world is now under one government called the United Earth Alliance, which of course at first caused many wars to be fought. Those countries that wanted to remain independent resisted being absorbed into this body of government. The old allies lead the way and brought this to reality.
The thing is that poverty and hunger are still a situation for many of the countries that were underdeveloped, just like before. The Alliance feels that it has the answer. Space.
I sit looking out at a mountain, which is just one in the ring that surrounds the city; it's partly obscured by a five story building. Although I can still see the communications complex that sits on the top of that mountain. It is one of many sites that sit globally to maintain a clear line of communication open to the Lunar One colony. It took twenty years and untold billions to complete that colony, but it's done and thousands have already moved up there. But it's still not enough. "Antonio you have a call coming through for you!" Shouts my mother from the kitchen.
My mother is the only family I have left. The law prohibits the birth of more than one child per couple. I get up off the chair and walk back in to the kitchen, which is situated in the back of the house. "Thank you mama, I'll take it in my room." I say as I step into my room and sit at the chair and desk I have with a vid phone. Hitting the answer button a message pops up with audio attached. THIS IS A SECURE CONNECTION REQUIRING A 1 CLEARANCE. IF YOU RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR SIMPLY END THE CALL. OTHER WISE PLEASE ENTER YOUR SECURITY CLEARANCE CODE. Well, not exactly what I was hoping to see but I guess duty calls. I hit the answer button once more. "Captain Valdez S. Antonio security clearance ALFA LIMA ONE ONE SEVEN EIGHT TWO ROMEO ONE ONE CONFIRM. A moment later the audio responds. SECURITY CLEARANCE CONFIRMED, YOU MAY PROCEED WITH THE VID CALL. I view the name on the screen smiling, so I Touch the screen to respond. "Bill, you know I'm on vacation
The face is on the screen smiles back. "Now Tony, you know that I'd never bother you unless it was important." His smile fades as he gives me the sit rep."SAC HQ has picked something up at the edge of the Solar system and they're not sure what it is." He pauses for moment for my response, but I have none so he continues. "You know with the failure of the Hyperion mission things are real touchy here around the globe and since we don't know why Hyperion failed, They're calling everyone in. All leaves and Vacations are cancelled effective immediately and you are to take the fastest military transport back to SAC HQ. I really hate to say this to you, but that's an order."
"Roger that, on my way." So much for my three week vacation.
Within the hour I'm in full uniform boarding a military aero space jump jet, which launches like a rocket right past the stratosphere, then drops back to its target destination. A flight that used to take hours is completed in a half hour, forty minutes tops. As I step up to the door the warrant officer greets me. "Welcome aboard, Captain. We've been expecting you, so please follow me this way." He leads me to the passenger section where two rows of seats facing the front are situated; then he hands me a light flight suit that will go over my uniform. He then hands me a sealed helmet. "Do you know how to put the suit on Sir?" He
Yes, I'm familiar with the suit thank you." I say. He nods and walks away and I quickly put the suit on installing the collar ring, to attach the helmet to the suit. I sit down and strap myself in putting the helmet on my lap for the time being. This time is rough for me since it gives me time me to think, particularly about my mother. It was difficult to say goodbye, since I really don't know when and if I'll see my mother again. Helios, I hope to God that it's worth the sacrifice.
The warrant officer walks up to me. "Captain, five minutes and we're on our way." He informs me, which causes a bit of shock to me. I look back at the other seats. "Wait a minute, it's just me?" I look around again. There are at least twenty empty seats here.
"Yes Sir." He responds. "You are a VIP who needs to be there fast, so as soon as you came aboard our orders are to go and wait for no one. If you don't mind putting on your helmet Sir, please." I do as he asks and he checks to make sure it's sealed right; he gives me the thumbs up, and leaves back to the bridge of the jump jet. So that's why. Ok.
I attach the air hose to the suit, which also adds temperature to keep me warm. The purpose of the suit is in case the hull gets a rupture, and we suffer critical atmospheric loss. Though if anything like that were to actually happen it would be over in mere moments; the suit would probably prolong the inevitable. Maybe keep me alive long enough for a rescue attempt, though I have no allusion of the out come. SAC HQ (strategic air command), is still under Iron mountain so it is interesting to be going to such a historic site.
A red light comes on in the cabin indicating the the launch sequence is running. I feel the rumbling of the engines as they ignite; I grip the hand rests tightly. The rumble becomes an audible roar; I feel the lurch of the jet and then the enormous pressure on my body as it lifts off. I tighten my abdomen as I was trained to do to keep my insides from moving around to much. In what seemed to me to take forever was soon replaced by a calm stillness, as the jet reaches its apex arc. I let go of the hand rest and feel the weightlessness in ZERO G. I know that this will not last long, for for within a few minutes we will begin planet fall, and the shaking and trembling of reentry will begin again to the target site.
*************************
Within a half hour I'm stepping off the jet and down the stairs. At the bottom awaits a young second lieutenant, who snaps to attention giving me a crisp salute as soon as I step on the tarmac. I return the salute. "So lieutenant, who else is here?" I ask trying to gain some idea of what is being planned.
"Sorry sir, but I'm not at liberty to say anything at this point." He responds. I nod understanding the need for discretion.We board a humvee, which has the engine running, and the lieutenant puts in gear taking off at a good clip.
"Your in a bit of a hurry there don't you think lieutenant." I say, while holding on for life as we take a turn a bit too fast for my taste! Look, I know that I'm a fighter pilot and now an astronaut for the United Earth Defense, but in those times it's me who in control!
"Sorry sir, but they want you in the conference room ASAP!" He answers briskly. Well, I guess the situation puts even personal safety off to the side. "Another thing is that major Roberts is there, as well as other representatives from around the globe!" He shouts over the sound of the engine.
Roberts! How! "The Major is here already!"
"Yes sir", he says, "as well as counsel Mendini!" Incredible! Major Roberts is here and I just arrived making me look bad since she was on the Lunar colony. Worse yet an Earth Gov counsel is here, and it had to be the old throw back from Russia before the U.E.A. was formed. That guy is an eighty years old and a real pain in the rear!
"How far are we now trooper?
"About five minutes out sir."
"Put the metal to the petal, cause I want to be there in two!"
"Yes sir!" He accelerates with a lurch and we are really going Di di now!