Chapter 1: Chapter 1

“THE TAKE OFF”

The professional mechanics were all standing around and staring at the pair of formal shoes sticking out from beneath the large solar jet. Dr. Palmer was lying on the wheeled board rolled under the jet engine, while the young men dressed in khaki work uniforms stood by watching quietly.

“Get me a ‘Multi-Penza snag bolt,” yelled Palmer.

The workers looked around in confusion before one of the scientists responded politely, “A snag bolt, sir? Are those in the Andor Tool kit?”

Dr. Palmer continued straining under the engine before rolling over and reaching out his hand and slapping the concrete. “Come on! Multi-Penza Snag bolt. It’s in the Penza cart!”

“Yes sir!” answered Eddie, a young mechanic, as he turned and raced to the back of the facilities and began sliding open multiple drawers and searching through overstuffed cabinets of equipment. Several other workers looked around nervously as the owner and Chief Engineer of the Science Exploration Agency continued operations on the solar jet.

“Is there something I can do, Dr. Palmer?” asked another engineer politely. “Whatever you need.” All remained quiet as Palmer continued concentrating on fine details rolling from side to side while lying under the ship.

When Eddie returned to the solar jet, he carefully reached down to hand the wrench off and announced with excitement, “I found this bolt in the barrel nut drawer, but I think it’ll fit the Multi-Penza Snag.”

Dr. Palmer grabbed the tool and without even trying to connect, he yelled out, “This is just a damn solar penza.”

“It was all I could find,” Eddie said in an apologetic voice.

“I need the Multi-Penza. Do I have to get the snag bolt myself?

“No sir. I can find one.” Another scientist at the Science Exploration Agency then took off, followed by other scientists to the same area of tools, where they continued the search.

“Do we at least have a pair of pliers I can use for a temporary hold?” asked Palmer as engineers looked around nervously.

“I’ll get some pliers,” yelled another mechanic before he ran off.

Eddie then shuffled through his pocket and pulled out a small swiss army knife and began to unfold. “I’ve got some right here. Here you go. I always carry this around for emergencies.”

Dr. Palmer quickly grabbed the pliers and adjusted the bolt. Eddie then smiled with pride as he looked around the busy warehouse.

Engineers were still searching in the back, and the rest of the group watched nervously when Palmer began sliding out from under the engine. Dressed in a formal military uniform, Palmer had messy hair and dirty oil spots on his face.

The scientists looked around nervously as Dr. Palmer sat up. “This is not a two-hour flight to New York with a stewardess passing out drinks. We’re talking about a mission to another solar system. There is no room for imperfection!”

Science Exploration engineers looked around nervously before nodding their heads and replying, “Yes sir!”

Palmer finally rolled his eyes and looked around at the group. “Don’t you have jobs to do? This solar jet will be taking off in five hours. Let’s go!”

“Yes sir.” Several workers then awkwardly looked around before racing out in different directions. “I’ll check on the Arid Cacti.”

“They’ll be taking up very little space in the routing compartments!”

“And I’ll seal the homeboard mechandrum!” announced Eddie

Palmer pulled his fold out computer and began making calculations on the touch screen as he left the site. “Get a reading of the incomplex sensor! And get wings levelled on perennial fougent! Now!”

More workers ran off and the noise of busy workers and yelling began to sound out across the SEA warehouse. Dr. Palmer began wiping his hands and face with a fold out towel from his pocket as engineers raced back with the snag bolt. “I got it, Dr. Palmer! It was buried under the electromagnet resource, but this should give that seri-bolt the correct grip.”

“Get under that maltissary, seal the vent, and begin testing the charge!”

“Yes sir,” answered engineers as they lay down on the slide and rolled back under the jet engine. Sounds of metal turning and tools screeching across the engine continued, while other scientists also wheeled under the solar jet.

The fifty-year-old Dr. Palmer finally stood up and looked around the warehouse. He then put on his officer’s hat, adjusted his tie and hurried out while examining readings from computer monitors.

The bedroom was dark, but Lacy’s eyes were wide open as she stared at the three-dimensional digital clock on the bedside table, which read four twenty-nine. Lacy then reached out and put her hand over the button and waited.

“Come on...” Lacy mumbled. “Change already.”

Finally, when numbers on the clock switched to four thirty, Lacy tapped the top of the clock just as the alarm was starting and jumped out of bed. She then ran to the bathroom with excitement.

“Good morning, Miss Lacy,” announced the bathroom computer in an intelligent sounding English voice. “Your mission is running on schedule. Plans are in order for ten day exploration of Quazmopolis moon in the Kepler Solar System. Mission will be taking off this morning at ten o’clock, and you are expected to arrive at Science Exploration Agency Headquarters before six o’clock.”

Lacy pushed a button on the wall of the bathroom and said politely, “Full thermostatic shower, with vasher soap and lexer shampoo. Temperature at one twelve. Uhh... Just five minutes, and a thirty second warning.”

As hot water from the shower began spraying, a steam immediately rose from the water as it left the dispenser. A soap based liquid also shot out from the electronic shower dispenser. When the soapy bubbles landed in Lacy’s eyes, there was no pain or discomfort. She instead began humming a tune and scrubbed her body with the automatically dispensed soap.

After three minutes, the color of the water changed, and Lacy began scrubbing her hair with shampoo also from the electronic dispenser.

“Decrease temperature, and prepare a towel,” said Lacy as the shampoo bubbles fell to the shower floor.

“Everin towel? Or Carborin?” asked the computer as two colors of towels of different sizes and shapes came out from the side wall and unfolded.

Lacy looked at the two towels and thought. “The Everin towel is fine.” Lacy then grabbed the circular green towel and began drying off. The other towel folded back and mechanically entered back into the wall. Lacy immediately raced over to the automatically open closet door and pulled out a formal suit.

The computerized clock was still speaking as Lacy carried her formal suit back into the clean hi-tech bedroom, “We’ll have clear skies today, and temperatures will rise to a high of seventy-five degrees. Records of temperature and cloud conditions will be kept and documented for review when you return from the mission. I would like to personally wish you... Good luck!”

Another group of engineers were standing at the side of the solar jet calmly talking and taking readings when Dr. Palmer walked around the corner. “What’s the current reading on power?”

The scientists looked up surprised and immediately became submissive and began rechecking the meters. “Uhhh... Solar power is close to eighty-seven percent capacity,” answered one as he adjusted the dial.

“And the sun will be coming up in just a few hours so we should then have full capacity before takeoff,” said another while reading from the meter.

Palmer looked annoyed again, then looked around at an old-fashioned electronic plug. “I want full capacity now!” he said. “Get that engine charged!”

“You want us to just plug it into the wall? I don’t think it’s necessary to...”

Without hesitation, Palmer began pulling out a cable from behind the solar jet. “It’s an antique method of power we call... electricity! Plug these wires in, and get full capacity charge. Now!”

One engineer then grabbed the old plug and plugged it in. “The solar jet will be fully charged in less than thirty minutes.”

“Fine,” responded Palmer. “This is not a trip across the country. We’re going light years away, and I will not stand for imperfection!”

“Yes sir,” answered both engineers as they continued stretching cables across the floor.

Palmer studied from his small computer before turning to another engineer. “Has the seal of the vestibule doors been tested?”

“Uhhh... I think that’s all set.”

Dr. Palmer looked around in disgust again before responding, “Check seals on vestibule doors, and reset the launch down system.”

“Those doors are already sealed,” answered another engineer. “Everything is functioning, and the launch down codes have been documented.”

Dr. Palmer examined the computer readings from the computer, then read, “Launch down system is showing point zero one four turbulence. Open all seals and recheck settings for zero allumination.”

“But Doctor, that’s already set...”

“Check it!” yelled Dr. Palmer before rushing out of the mechanical zone again. Scientists and workers mumbled under their breath and continued their preparations of the solar jet while Palmer rapidly jogged towards the main offices.

Lights from the stars shined across the open area, and the full moon was lighting up the facility. Without noticing, Palmer ran across the open area towards the main building. The beautiful state-of-the-art solar jet was lit up, and scientists continued igniting operations of all aspects of the solar jet.

Palmer pushed open doors to the main building and hurried down the long dark halls. Offices were empty, and no one was in sight as Palmer raced up the hallway to the large Science Exploration headquarters. Large monitors on walls showed various camera angles from inside and outside the solar jet. Janitorial workers looked surprised to see Dr. Palmer examining computers.

As Lacy, formally dressed in military uniform, hurried towards her front door, a pretty whistle sounded. Lacy then spun around to see the beautiful cockatiel bird jumping around the large where she could fly from side to side.

Lacy walked over and put her face up to Sally’s face inside the cage, “I’m leaving for about two weeks. Your automatic bird feeder and cleaner will keep fresh food and water. And the computer will play light whistle music during the day. You’re just going to have to hold out. Okay?”

Sally whistled again before Lacy quietly spun around and hurried out the door and through the Nouvelle apartment complex. Lights were off in all rooms of the building, and an external complex was lit with altruent lighting floating in the air.

The same moon was lighting up the parking lot as Lacy pulled her wheeled luggage cart towards the white module automobile. “Good morning, Miss Lacy,” said the car in a formal voice.

“Shhh... It’s almost five o’clock in the morning. No external audio,” whispered Lacy as she touched her finger print to a spot on the handle, which unlocked and opened the trunk and side door. Lacy rolled her suitcase up to the side of the trunk where it was lifted slowly loaded by an automated lift. The automatic trunk then closed quietly as Lacy climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Time is four forty-seven. Current temperature sixty-six with highs today rising above...”

Lacy interrupted the computer with a quick response. “Take me to Chris’s place.”

“Traffic is light. Would you like the faster route, or the scenic route near the beach?” asked the computer.

Lacy hardly listened as she studied information on her phone. “The fastest route please... just make it as fast as possible!”

Lacy’s car then began backing out of the long driveway and making turns as Lacy concentrated on the computer screen. “It will be a sunny day with cool temperatures peeking at seventy-two degrees locally,” said the polite computer voice. “Temperatures on Quazmopolis are expected to peak at around one fifty-two today. And that’s about two hours prior to the solar jet arrival.”

The car quickly merged onto the freeway with light traffic and dramatically increased in speed. The digital computer continued quoting numbers and information about the Quazmopolis mission. Lacy took a deep breath and looked around deep in thought while the car continued racing.

Dr. Palmer was sitting alone at his computer and pushing buttons quickly. He read information from his phone and continued studying the high definition video on his monitor. Complicated graphics flashed on the screen before the computer spoke up again, “Quazmopolis mission is proceeding on schedule, with a launch time now in four hours and seventeen minutes.”

“Do we have solar panels and cables functioning in storage vestibule?”

Computer hesitated before responding, “All solar panels in the fourth vestibule are currently sealed.”

“I want them tested. Get me Jenkins,” shouted Palmer as he began touching places on the screen and typing on the keyboard.

“Jenkins is now installing modifications to solar vestibules,” answered the computer.

“Get me connected to Jenkins now!” replied Palmer. “And shut down engine correlation until all vestibules are sealed! I want all readings documented and posted on SEA listings.”

A live video feed of an engineer then popped up on one computer screen, and he spoke directly into the monitor, “Yes, Dr. Palmer. We’ve installed all modifications to solar vestibules and have found no irregularities.”

“Then why isn't it posted on my computer?” asked Palmer. “I want all readings documented!”

“I can start a new measurement after we...”

“Now!” answered Palmer as he entered more information and reset his computer readings. “I want the solar jet in full operation mode when scientists begin arriving... And when the press begins asking questions.”

“Yes sir, Dr. Palmer. We’ll have everything ready to go.”

Palmer then touched the communication monitor screen to begin loading a completely new image.

Paul Jenkins, the heavy-set pilot scheduled for the mission, walked around the solar jet in the busy Mechanical Zone and looked curious. He then began slowly climbing a ladder to a compartment of storage. Jenkins examined the sealed doors at the bottom of the solar jet and began jiggling the handles.

Storage doors suddenly fell open, and tightly strapped in cargo fell fifteen feet to the floor. Jenkins tried to maintain balance on the ladder when Eddie came running around the side. “Are you okay?” he asked politely.

“I was just checking the food storage,” responded Jenkins. “We’re going to need fresh food. It’s not something you can just forget to pack.”

Eddie immediately began cleaning and restoring boxes to the compartments. “Dr. Palmer’s got four boxes of dehydrated food in small serving boxes. You just have to add a liquid.”

“Will that be enough for ten days?” asked Jenkins.

“To be honest, the food you’ll have for ten days would last me about a week,” replied Eddie with a laugh. “But that’s what Dr. Palmer ordered.”

“I tell you what,” said Jenkins with a smile. “I tell you what. I’ve got some of these sealed packages of ‘medicine’ here for my personal box.”

“Well, everything is approved and packed pretty tight. We’re not supposed to put it unapproved...”

“I’d just put it into my personal container, but that’s going to get examined and reexamined. There’s plenty of space in here to slide some extra stuff.”

“I guess I could stick it between the oxygen tanks.”

“Fine,” replied Pilot Jenkins. “I’ll remember this favor Mr. uhh...”

“It’s just Eddie.”

“Thank you, Eddie. This is truly going to be a trip to remember.”

Eddie smiles as he climbs up to slide Jenkins’s box in next to the oxygen tanks.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Ben Thomas, a young man in his mid-twenties, was lying motionless in bed. The sound of the door knock had no impact on his deep sleep.

From outside, a polite voice whispered, “Ben, it’s five o’clock.”

“Tap, tap, tap.” After another polite tap on the window, Ben reluctantly opened one eye and read the glowing time of 4:59 AM on the curved three dimensional alarm clock next to his bed. When the clock changed to 5:00 AM, the sweet and sexy female voice from the clock spoke up, “Good morning, Ben. The time is now five o’clock on this Tuesday morning. And you’ve got a big day scheduled.”

“Shut up!” Ben yelled at the clock, before rolling over in bed, and quickly falling right back to sleep.

“Knock, knock, knock.” Outside the front door stood the pretty young girl, also in her mid-twenties, Lacy Meaux. She was wearing formal military clothes and a freshly ironed jacket containing gold medals of honor. As she tried peeking through the side window, Lacy had her arms crossed just trying to keep warm. Reluctantly, she finally pushed the doorbell.

“Ding, dong.”

“Ben, it’s five o’clock. Let’s go,” whispered Lacy as she reached into her purse. She then pulled out her cerebell phone and moved it around scanning the door. On screen, she saw poor quality black and white video showing no motion inside. “We’ve got to be at the Science Exploration Agency by six, and I want to help you get ready.”

The knob finally began to move slightly, and the door slowly creaked open. Lacy then jumped and ran into Ben’s apartment, quietly closing the door behind her. “I thought maybe I could fix some breakfast while you’re taking a shower and getting dressed,” said Lacy with excitement.

“Just let me sleep for about fifteen more minutes,” answered Ben as he slowly walked back to his bedroom. Lacy turned on lights and immediately started the computerized coffee maker in the kitchen.

“Today is the big day, and we can’t be late,” announced Lacy with a smile. “We have a press conference this morning, and several meetings, before we head out on the Quazmopolis mission. Very important.”

“I know.”

“And once I leave, we won’t be seeing each other for about two weeks. Are you ready for that?”

“Where were you last night?” asked Ben as he walked towards the bathroom. “I thought you were going to come by.”

Lacy opened the fridge and began pulling out orange juice and eggs. She then reached into the cabinet, pulled out pans, and laid them around the stove. “We were working late again. I told you, we’ve been taking tests and planning the details of this exploration every night! It’s crazy.”

Ben then yelled from the bathroom, “I wanted to have the wedding before the stupid trip. Let’s just get it over with.”

“The mission will be done in just ten days. We can wait.”

“Ten days in the middle of nowhere, then a possible quarantine,” answered Ben. “This is just bad timing all around.”

“I’ll be worth the wait. I promise you.” All was silent before Lacy looked up. “Ben? Do you hear me?”

The toilet then flushed, and Ben slowly walked out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. He immediately began kissing and pulling Lacy towards the bedroom. “I need you now.”

“Ben, what are you doing? Come on.”

“Just one time before you leave,” answered Ben as he held Lacy’s hand. “Please.”

“We don’t have time for that. I told you,” responded Lacy with a smile. “You’re just going to have to hold out till after the wedding.”

“But that’s two months. I don’t think I can go that long,” replied Ben as he tugged Lacy’s arm. “I need you... now.”

“Fine,” Lacy said as she was pulled towards the bedroom. “We can skip breakfast, and you can skip your shower.”

“I’ll be fast,” replied Ben. “I promise.”

“And safe! Right?”

“Of course,” Ben said with a smile, “Very safe as always.”

“This will be the last time before the grand wedding ceremony, right?”

“Not a problem. My family is handling everything. The perfect wedding. I promise.”

Ben and Lacy first rolled around in the bed kissing and hugging before Ben looked up and smiled. “You know? Maybe I can get your dad to come to the wedding.”

“Yeah right,” answered Lacy sarcastically as she rolled over, taking one final look at her watch.

As the clock on Ben’s bedside table softly advanced to six thirty, the pretty computer voice began announcing politely, “The time is now six thirty. Leaving at this time could get you to the Science Exploration Agency by seven o’clock. Mission to Quazmopolis is scheduled for take-off this morning at ten o’clock.”

“Shut up!” yelled Ben, and the computerized voice was immediately silenced.

Ben was lying on top of Lacy before she pushed him over and began climbing out of bed. “Okay. It’s time, Ben. Let’s go.” Lacy grabbed her carefully folded clothes off the bedside table and began neatly putting them back on. “We’ve got thirty minutes to load the car, drive through traffic and get to ‘Science Exploration Agency’ by seven. It’s not going to be easy.”

Ben finally got up slowly and picked up yesterday’s military clothes off of the floor. “Just call it ‘SEA’, Lacy. It’s shorter and means the same thing.”

“SEA just makes it sound like we’re going on a camping trip. Science Exploration will be testing granite-like rock surface and undiscovered combinations of elements. We’ll also be searching for possible new forms of life! This could be a historical mission.”

“Great,” replied Ben sarcastically as he pulled up his pants. “I can’t wait.”

“Using today’s technology,” Lacy continued. “We’ll be planting new life forms and ultimately saving the entire planetary satellite.”

“I know. I know.” Ben seemed annoyed as he tied his tie in the mirror. “I’ve heard it a million times.” In the formal voice Ben announced, “It’s important for SEA to study this dead, hot, lifeless, sinking space rock in the middle of nowhere, no matter the expense.”

“That’s a terrible impression of Dr. Palmer,” responded Lacy with a smile as she turned and walked out.

Ben finally grabbed his officer hat and followed Lacy through the front door. “I’m pretending to be on board this mission, but between you and me, I think this whole exploration is a giant waste of time and money.”

In the car, Ben was swerving in and out of traffic. Wearing the tight seat belt, Lacy gripped the side of the door and gritted her teeth. She finally said politely, “Ben, I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t change lanes without signaling. Just put the car back into auto, and let the car drive itself.”

Ben, looking tired and sleepy, continued his reckless driving. “Hey, I’m faster than ‘auto’, and I’m willing to break laws. I promised to get you to SEA on time, and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Lacy then looked around noticing drivers of other cars looking annoyed, as Ben’s self-driving car sped in and out of lanes. After a polite smile and wave, Lacy continued. “I’ll be leaving my car in your driveway parked next to your car.”

“Fine.”

“Remember, you only need to take it out once a week. Just drive it around the block, get it washed, and drive it back. And park it in the same position.”

“What’s the point?” asked Ben. “We can do all that when you get back.”

“I want my car to be kept up, and you already agreed. Just drive it once to work, and get it washed. Not a big deal.”

“Fine,” answered Ben with a yawn. “Not a problem.” Ben’s car then came to a stop in the ‘stop and go’ traffic.

“Oh, I knew this was a mistake,” said Lacy looking around. “Ben, I just can’t be late. Today of all days! I knew giving in to you would be something I’d regret.”

“I told you I’d get you there on time,” replied Ben as he looked around. “And I mean it.”

“I have to get into approved gear, we have meetings, and a press conference with Dr. Palmer.”

“Dr. Palmer will be there? That’s impressive. He doesn’t show up at SEA very often.”

“He’s paying for this exploration. He’s been researching Quazmopolis for twenty years now,” said Lacy. “And planning this entire mission for the last year and a half. I’m just thankful to have been selected.”

“Screech!” Ben slammed on the brakes again, then swerved through another line of traffic before finally turning into a curved driveway and pulling up to the security parking guard.

“Morning Mr. Thomas! Good morning Miss Meaux,” said Charles the attendant with a smile. He then pushed buttons before the hi-tech gate began opening.

Lacy leaned over to wave to Charles and yelled through the window, “Today’s the big mission. I won’t be seeing you again for another ten days!”

“I know everything’ll be fine, but I’ll still keep my fingers crossed. Good luck!”

“Thanks Charles!” Lacy waved again as Ben’s window began to close, and the gates finally finished opening.

As Ben pulled around to the front of the building, a large glass sign reading “SEA Science Exploration” stood in front of the large rectangular glass-covered building, looking down on the ocean. Large boats, a runway, and solar jets could be seen as Ben sped down the long driveway and up to the front door.

“Okay, let me out!” yelled Lacy as she opened the door slightly.

When Ben came up to the front dropoff area, he resisted even slowing down. “Just let me park,” he said. “It’ll just take thirty seconds, and then we can walk in together.”

“I’m jumping out if you don’t come to a stop. I mean it.” Lacy then put out her leg out the open door, and dragged her heel on the driveway before Ben finally came to a stop.

“Will I be able to see you before take-off?”

“Of course.”

Ben then leaned over to give Lacy a final kiss and whispered. “I love you.” When he opened his eyes, Ben saw Lacy jumping out and rolling her special white case with the pink ribbon on top to the front of the building. Ben watched her entering and looked disappointed as the front doors closed.

Lacy looked down at her phone as she walked through the front door. The time then flashed to 7:00 AM. Lacy hurried down the hall waving to Alice, the receptionist, and Alice immediately pushed a button to open the sealed doors going into the main building.