Red Horizon: The Truth of Discovery (Discovery Series Book 2) Read online

  “Ah, Marge, if I understand what you’re trying to say, then you’re saying that the DNA genome that was discovered from the aliens was not . . . shall I say, beneficial to us?” Rock asked.

  “Party so,” Marge corrected him. “It could very well be beneficial; in fact, so far it has helped us to look at genetics in a new light.”

  Doctor Navari raised his hand. “You see, we’ve taken on the task of analyzing this particular genome as a sort of Rosetta Stone for genetics, perhaps even interpreting it as an ideal prototype to base our own genetic engineering efforts on. However, I do understand what Doctor Jones is inferring here.”

  “What is that?” Mr. Smith asked.

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, Doctor,” Navari continued, “but while the genome has beneficial data encoded within it, it is only beneficial in the context of how it helps us singularly and not as a species with regards to an end.”

  “You know,” Smith said, “I’m pretty damn sure I want Mrs. Brown here now.”

  Navari looked confused again before Marge explained, “He wants it in layman’s terms.”

  “I thought I was being clear,” he said, looking around at expressionless faces.

  “Try again,” Marge urged the man.

  Navari cleared his throat. “Let me try this; let’s say that the aliens give us the technology to be healthier. In theory, we think this is a good idea. We live longer, and it benefits us as a species. Now imagine the exact same benefit, but this time not singular, but as a group, and it was given to a specific end, and this end was, say . . . slavery. They want us healthy so that we live longer and produce more work.”

  Jack snapped his fingers. “Or, they want us healthy because they want to use us as food, like cattle.”

  “That’s disgusting,” Lisa said.

  “No,” Mr. Smith interjected. “This is exactly the dangers I’ve been trying to get across to the president’s security advisors, but to no avail. They seem dense to understanding this.”

  “Did I have the gist of your meaning correct?” Navari looked directly at Marge.

  “Yes, that is an excellent summary of the contextual relationship I was looking for,” Marge said. “If we assume that the code benefits us without context of why they want it to benefit us, then not only do we not see the why of their argument, but we also are blind to the how.”

  “I’m not sure what you just said, but I like your thinking already,” Mr. Smith said.

  “Did he just agree with Marge?” Lisa lowered her voice and asked Jack, though loud enough for everyone to hear her.

  “I think he did, and he paid her a compliment as well,” Jack replied.

  “Don’t do me any favors,” Marge said, keeping her arms folded and her face expressionless.

  “All right, everyone, let’s focus on what this means for the mission. I think we got off track with some of this conversation, but it was worthwhile to engage in. Do you think you can facilitate a working meeting between Doctor Navari and Marge here on a daily or every other day basis?” Rock said, turning his last question to Mr. Smith.

  The NSA man nodded after shooting a nasty look at Lisa. “I can do that, but I’d appreciate it if on the flight to Houston if Marge could detail her findings in written form that I could take to the president. Deal?”

  “It’s not a finding; it’s a theory,” Marge corrected the man. “I’d be happy to write a few paragraphs for you, but then best if you have Doctor Navari look it over and summarize, adding his own understanding to the document before you present it to anyone, much less the president.”

  “Fair enough,” Mr. Smith said. “When can I expect it?”

  “I’ll have it sent to your inbox before we land.” Marge looked at Rock for approval. It would take time, not much time, but anytime spent away from the mission needed clearance by their leader, not that she couldn’t have just written it up on the plane, but she was being courteous and professional with Rock and giving the man the respect that he had earned, at least in her eyes.

  “Done,” Rock said. “Now let’s get out of here and back to business. I believe the admiral has his liaison officer waiting for us. Time to go find out if the first mission to Mars will be an armed one.”

  “That has already been decided,” Mr. Smith said.

  Chapter 9

  Siberia

  Vostochny Cosmodrome

  Siberia, Russia

  In the near future, Year 4, Day 8

  “What did you say?” Irina asked from across the desk, her face expressing her surprise at what her boss had just said.

  “Close the door?” Vlad asked. It had been years since he asked her to do that, ever since breaking off their relationship. “I think you heard me; no need to act surprised. I’m thinking of quitting and leaving. I have this idea to go to England.”

  Irina had closed the door, giving a quick look out before doing so, and then walked back over to the desk, sitting on its edge. It had also been a long time since she had done something that informal as well. “Are you serious, Vladimir?”

  Vlad nodded, leaning back in his chair, trying hard not to look at her long legs covered in nylon. “Yes, I’m all for our mission, our objectives, and national pride, but the bureaucratic oversight the last few years had been stressful. I just can’t handle it anymore. I want out.”

  Irina looked around the room for some sign that this was a bad joke. Returning her gaze to him, she looked him in the eyes. “This is serious. You can be gulagged for even thinking such a thing.”

  “I know,” Vlad said, watching her expression carefully.

  Irina nodded. “Why tell me?”

  “Well, I understand you’ve spent a lot of time in the West.”

  “That was years ago,” she said.

  Vlad nodded. “Yes, but you know more about them than I do. What do you think of England?”

  “I’ve been to London a few times, but I’ve found Paris and Geneva to be more cosmopolitan. Wait, what am I saying?” She placed a hand on her chest. “You can’t be serious, Vlad.”

  “Well, let’s just keep this between us for now, agreed?”

  Irina nodded. “Best if you don’t speak of this further. Our KBG officer won’t take kindly to talk like that.”

  “Yes, but I will stay in place till we complete our mission to Mars. After that, I need to retire, go on vacation, you understand.”

  “Of course,” she said.

  “Good, do me a favor and send for Aleksey. Have him wait for me in reception. I need to make a phone call first, so close the door behind you.”

  Irina smiled at him and took a second to swing her leg once before using its momentum to hop off the desk and onto the floor. She walked to the door and exited, doing as he had asked. Vlad picked up the phone and dialed the four-digit code to transfer to the secure line. It didn’t take long to get Elena on the phone, and she put him on hold while she transferred the call.

  “Allo, Vlad?”

  “Good morning, Dmitry. I’m not interrupting, am I?”

  “No, though it’s a tad early here. I’m still working on my first cup of coffee before I switch to my chai. Is everything all right there?”

  “Da, da, just fine. Simply calling to report that I’ve discussed this with the last of my reports, and let’s see if our good friends in the ministry find anything or not.”

  “Good. They, of course, complained that you confided in Gorky. They think it will taint your exercise.”

  “Nonsense, I trust Aleksey implicitly. We were friends back in the university, and I needed at least one person here I could confide in,” Vlad said.

  “I agree, but thought I should inform you of their concerns. In the meantime, we will have our Red Star crew here shortly. They are departing tomorrow morning. You should be here to finalize the positions, especially where the military is concerned.”

  “So the High Council is set on this?”

  “Yes, as is the premier. Beijing has done a poor job of hiding their intent
, and though we have nothing yet on the Americans, I can’t see them sending the only crew there without some form of protection,” Dmitry said.

  “It would be war if any hostilities were initiated in space,” Vlad pointed out.

  “You forget that we had this conversation already. Beijing has used military force in space, and the US has retaliated, if our sources are correct. They have also engaged in clandestine operations against our government. Only the fact that all three of us have nuclear deterrents has kept the peace.”

  “You expect that to change now?”

  There was a pause on the line as Dmitry chose his words carefully. “Unknown, but it can’t be good to place soldiers from various nations, in conflict with one another, in close proximity with no immediate executive oversight.”

  “Ah,” Vlad said. “I see your point, but by participating, we are in a way increasing the risk.”

  “Agreed, but that is part of the equation when going for the prize. Have no worries, though. I’ve met with their commander on several occasions, and he is a calm man.”

  “No hot heads in space, then,” Vlad said.

  “No, that would be a bad idea. Besides, as long as the mission encounters no hostilities, the council has agreed that the commandoes will subordinate to our commander,” Dmitry said.

  “Understood, but I still think it’s a waste of resources to send soldiers when we could be sending scientists.”

  “That, however, is Beijing’s fault. We can only react,” Dmitry explained.

  “Is the second side tether ready? We need to have that done and tested before we launch.” Vlad shifted gears.

  “Yes, it was a good thing we built two, though this means we’ll have to scrap the second ship at this point,” the minister lamented.

  “I don’t think the second ship would matter. We’re too far behind construction at this point, and with the American revelations regarding the ability of their ship, we need to focus on getting the Red Star in operating order and increase its impulse capability. I don’t relish the idea of arriving last. Has the council decided on the contingent for the crew?”

  “Da, they want to send six each,” the minister said.

  “Did you explain to them that the Lander only seats four?” Vlad asked.

  “I did, but there are two Landers, and they both have two jump seats, if necessary. This also keeps us within safety operating protocols.”

  Vlad paused for a moment. He was upset. No, he was pissed off, but good. It was bad enough to be dragging armed men with his cosmonauts to another planet for the first time in human history, but now they wanted to maximize the payload of the Red Star with them. They obviously didn’t understand the nature of space and the inherent risks involved with something of this magnitude.

  Add to this the fact that the Chinese were reckless, especially with the lives of their crewmembers, and the Americans seemed to have a limitless amount of money to throw at this, and Vlad felt he was caught in the middle, squeezed between the two extremes in a bad way.

  “Vlad, are you there?” Dmitry asked.

  “I’m here. Sorry, Dmitry, I just don’t like the idea of using every reserve in order to accommodate that many crewmembers.”

  “You’re not suggesting we leave behind one of ours, are you?”

  “No, of course not,” Vlad said. “It’s just that our oxygen, fuel, and provisions will be at, or above, ninety percent if we do this. Also our emergency procedures will need to be rewritten in order to accommodate that many crewmembers.”

  “I understand, Vlad. We can discuss this when you arrive. Bring whomever you feel necessary, and we’ll go over everything.”

  “I will, but understand that in principle I object to this.”

  “Understood. That will play well for our security friends,” Dmitry said, referring to the state security forces or KGB.

  “Play well?” Vlad was confused.

  “With your ruse to show them our determination with regard to this mission.”

  “I thought my objection would do the opposite.”

  “Actually, they see us as more academia types. Objecting is what we’re supposed to do. They would be more suspicious if we simply agreed with everything they want to do.”

  “If you say so, sir,” Vlad said formally.

  “No need for that,” Dmitry said. “I’ll expect you early in the morning, four days from now. You have your plane.”

  “I’ll be there,” Vlad said, enjoying the private jet that had been assigned for him. If nothing else, his boss had some pull with the executives in their government.

  “Good, see you then, and in the meantime, don’t worry so much.”

  “I’ll try, Do Svidaniya.” Vlad hung up the phone and sat silently for a moment.

  Hitting his older intercom system that he simply never bothered to have upgraded, he spoke to Irina. “Is Aleksey here?”

  “Yes, shall I send him in?” she responded.

  “That will be fine, thank you.”

  The door opened a few seconds later, and Vlad’s chief engineer walked in, wiping his hands on his jumpsuit. It was now a matter of habit, as the man hadn’t touched a piece of machinery all day, but he was accustomed to wiping his hands clean when meeting with Vlad.

  Vlad motioned for him to sit down, dispensing with a handshake or pleasantry. “We have work to do.”

  Alex sat, leaning back in the chair. He had shut the door at Irina’s request and took one look in that direction before returning his attention to his boss. “We always have work to do.”

  “This is more work,” Vlad said, his tone flat.

  “You seem in a bad mood.” Alex noted the obvious.

  “I am. I confirmed that the entire secondary habitat will be filled with our troops.”

  Alex sat for a moment, expressionless and unmoving. Vlad wondered after a moment if the man had heard him or not. Finally, he spoke. “You’re not jesting; that much I see. This will have us start the mission at redline as far as most of our critical functions are concerned. This is not good.”

  “I told the old man as much. He seemed to understand, but from our conversation, I can tell that the rest of the ministers don’t. How much time will it take to attach the second tether?”

  “I would say only three or four days at the most. The module has been built and inspected, and it’s in close proximity to the Star. It would be a simple matter to have our techs go EVA and make the necessary attachments.”

  “It will still need to be certified and system integrated.”

  “Of course, we will follow procedures,” Alex said. His expression didn’t convey confidence.

  “Don’t tell me you’re upset as well?” Vlad asked.

  “What? Only you have that right?” Alex said rather harshly.

  “Of course not. So what’s on your mind, then?”

  Alex looked up at the ceiling for a moment before putting his hands on his knees and leaning forward. “Honestly, if I had to say it . . . I’m just jealous, that’s all.”

  “Of what?”

  “What do you think?” Alex leaned back, folding his arms.

  Vlad thought for a moment. “The Americans?”

  “None other,” Alex said, not waiting for his boss to ask why. “Look at their technology. Look at their resources, both financial and material. Even their lunar base alone cost as much as our entire Mars program.”

  Vlad folded his hands behind his head, determined to stay calm despite feeling much the same as his chief engineer. “The training benefits alone would be wonderful.”

  “Yes, that too,” Alex said.

  “I find it interesting that they’ve managed to put so many . . . would you agree if I used the word luxuries in their program?” Vlad looked at Alex.

  “That is an apt description of their program and ship, or should I say ships?”

  “If you want to count the shuttles, then yes, but we all have multiple ships, Alex.”

  “Not like they do. Six shu
ttles, four Landers, two training ships, and that behemoth they call Red Horizon. It even has multiple elevators for their centrifugal quarters.”

  “I understand the one-hundred-meter radius of their wheel merits one,” Vlad said. “Besides, their cabling acts as a secondary anchor for safety purposes.”

  “Yes, I know, I read the brief, but four elevators?”

  “It’s a big ship,” Vlad had to admit.

  Alex sighed, keeping his arms folded and rocking slightly back and forth. “Not to be callous. I mean, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, but I think they needed to experience a failure to bring them down a notch, even the score, so to speak.”

  Vlad looked at the man intently. Obviously he was referring to the fact that two years after the Russians died on the moon, the Chinese lost four of their own in the explosion of their own ship as it tried to exit Earth orbit at the first available window to transit to Mars. Now, after four years, the Americans had finally experienced a fatality in their own mission program. Space, it seemed, was willing to deal death without prejudice to any who ventured into her domain.

  Neither the Soviets, nor the Americans, even made a Mars attempt, despite the two-year opportunity to prepare. It simply wasn’t long enough. Four years wasn’t long enough to properly test and vet their equipment and crew, but it was obvious the Chinese were going to try again, and the other two superpowers had no choice but to follow or be left behind.

  “It could be worse,” Vlad said.

  “Worse?” Alex asked.

  “We could be where the Chinese are now.”

  Alex nodded, finally relaxing his arms and letting them drop to his lap. “There we can agree. They don’t have any consideration for gravity other than that rotating drum of theirs.”

  “I’m surprised their entire crew doesn’t get nauseous from using it.”

  “They supplement time in it with exercise equipment.”

  “Not the same thing,” Vlad said. “I’m guessing they will force them to endure the intense rotation to counteract zero gravity.”

  “Well, they do have an advantage over us, three ships to one and three Landers to our two,” Alex mulled.