A Teardrop in Space - John W. Purdie

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A Teardrop in Space
A Novel
By
John W. Purdie
This novel is a work of pure fiction.  The events described have not yet taken place and may never come to pass. Similarly, the characters are fictitious and any resemblance to real people is coincidental.




Acknowledgements

In drafting this novel I have been greatly assisted by my daughter, Dr. Margaret Rhiannon Purdie, a professor of English at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and my son Eric Purdie, an instructor in Geographic Information Systems at Algonquin College, Ottawa, Canada.  I am grateful to my step daughter, Nathalie Benzing, CEO at Trade Gecko, Singapore, for valuable assistance.  I also thank Dr. Norman Klassen for discussions of the polymerization of methane by radiation.

Thanks are also extended to Jessica Magnan for Life and yoga coaching, and to Mike Sammon and Eva Tshunza, formerly personal trainers at the Ottawa Athletic Club, who pushed and pulled to get me into 'space' shape.

To the Memory of
Laure Marie Benzing Purdie

Chapter 1:   Framed

     April 2221: After a series of dramatic events I found myself on the lunar shuttle in the space accelerator, often referred to as the ‘Frame', waiting for lift-off for the moon.  The space accelerator, which launches lunar shuttles and other space vehicles, is a gut wrenching device, the brain child of a team of engineers and physicists.  It had been developed to meet the requirements for a low energy space launch system that was reliable, reusable and non-polluting.  It can insert shuttles of various sizes into Earth orbit or start them on their way to the moon.  It consisted of a large diameter tubular structure supported vertically in a giant frame of steel girders – the ‘Frame' - with a base deep underground and protruding near the top of a mountain pointing skywards. Access to the frame was via long tunnels followed by high speed elevators.  The Frame access level was a large cavern deep under the mountain that looked like an engineering construction site.  Large items were brought down on a freight elevator.

      Engineering projects such as this are always very spectacular.  I think the guiding philosophy of engineers is ‘if it doesn't work, make it bigger'; large engineering projects are impressive.  The frame can accommodate shuttles of various sizes from large-diameter cargo vessels to small-diameter space vehicles for people and other high-value cargos.  When loaded into the launcher, the shuttles are ringed by sabots to adapt them to the diameter of the frame.  It sounded like a French clog when I first heard the word ‘sabot' but apparently the early sabots used for artillery projectiles were carved from wood and resembled clogs, hence the name.  In the case of the space shuttles, the sabots adjust the diameter to match that of the frame and play an essential role in the launch.  They contain ferromagnetic material which enables the electromagnetic acceleration system of the frame to latch onto them and accelerate the space vehicles to high velocity. After ejection from the frame the sabots are discarded and fly independently to a recovery area where they are retrieved for reuse.  

      The technique employed in the shuttle launcher is a combination of electro-magnetic acceleration in the Frame section, air heating, and thrust from powerful directed energy beams which continue to accelerate the vehicle.  In an effort to develop a simple and highly reliable lunar shuttle, some of the principles of the original Saturn V moon rockets were adopted.  After the shuttle emerges from the frame it is accelerated by five directed energy beams, a central beam and four lateral beams which provide directional stability.  Although the five beams mimic the five engines of the first and second stages of original Saturn V rocket, the similarity ends there.  The shuttle is only a small fraction of the weight as it does not have to carry its own fuel.  The Saturn V, on the other hand, contained two and a half million tons of fuel.  The shuttle's directed energy beams also provide atmospheric heating directly ahead of the shuttle to reduce drag; it is almost being sucked up into a vacuum.  The combination of atmospheric heating and five powerful beams are enough to put the shuttle into Earth orbit where it can be picked up by exo-atmospheric ultrahigh energy "mega" beams.  In the case of lunar shuttles, they propel the craft with approximately constant 1g acceleration towards the moon.  It is nothing like the gentle chemical boosters of past centuries.  Apart from the vibration, flying in the original space shuttle must have been comfortable compared to being accelerated at high Gs and ejected by this monster.  The electromagnetic system of the Frame can accelerate cargo space craft up to at least fifty times gravity but when people are involved it is limited to a maximum of ten times normal gravity.   

      While waiting for lift off, I reflected on why I, an arts graduate with a doctorate in history and the space technology of the 21st century, was going on a jaunt around the solar system with a crew of highly trained scientists and engineers.  After a dramatic evening caught in a love triangle with two angry males, Dick and Ian, in my apartment at the same time, I decided to leave for a long break.  I called my old professor, Paul Bartlett, to see if he could assist me in finding a position well away from Montreal and which would advance my career at the same time.  I graduated from McGill University which had close contacts with the Headquarters of the Canadian Space Agency located near Montreal.  I had taken advantage of this to expand my horizons by studying space history and I continued post-doctoral work in the field.

      I had been greatly encouraged by Professor Bartlett, particularly in space related work.  He was a dynamic speaker with a deep resonant voice and animated style of presentation; no one ever fell asleep during his lectures.  Even on recorded videos his lectures were inspiring.   He was tall and slim with graying hair but was still in good physical shape.  Although he appeared to find me attractive, he made no definite advances, probably out of respect for our age difference and his seniority.  He provided me with access to staff at the Space Agency and the opportunity to travel to the moon a year earlier on one of the service flights of the lunar shuttle.  But that was little more than a tourist trip; today was the beginning of the real thing; an expedition into deeper space.  I had to be in good physical shape in order to qualify for astronaut training.  My fair hair was kept short and my waist was trim.  Although I was considered attractive by some, I knew I was no beauty queen.  My best feature was probably my shapely legs which were smooth and probably looked long from regular training.  Men often commented that I had attractive legs but sometimes they attracted the wrong types.  It is often difficult to determine if a male colleague wants to discuss academic subjects seriously or if he is more interested in my legs; my entire legs, from top to bottom, or rather from toes to bottom.

      Next day, as arranged, I met Professor Bartlett in his office at the university.   I explained to him that, for personal reasons, I wanted to get well away from Montreal.  He listened with close attention, probably filling in the details for himself and perhaps wishing he was thirty years younger.  To conclude, I made it clear that I wanted to move and hopefully benefit my career at the same time.  Professor Bartlett considered the situation carefully then commented.
"Your academic record is very good but not brilliant.  If your goal is to get a university position you need to produce some good research with publications in recognized peer-reviewed journals.  Competition for positions is fierce so a solid publication record is important.  Even better would be to publish a book.  You also have to be careful when you prepare papers.  If you have a brilliant insight to explain well known observations it may diminish the importance of some senior researcher's work and that may not go down well.  You also have to be flexible.  Instead of concentrating on the 21st century it may be a good idea to study recent developments; perhaps also get some hands-on experience.  There are some exciting developments in space technology these days."

      "I wouldn't even mind going to the moon – or ever further."  I said to emphasize my flexibility and willingness.  This remark caused Paul to pause for reflection.  After a bit he looked me over as if a new thought had just occurred to him:
"There is a space voyage currently being planned by JENA, and there have been rumours of manning problems.  Are you interested?"
"Yes please" I pleaded without even asking about the details of the voyage.  I knew JENA was the space consortium of Japan, Europe, and North America; sometimes called NASA International.
"It is the new ‘ultra' space ship.  It is large and very comfortable and incorporates all the latest in space technology.  It would be an excellent opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with current space technology, write articles, and possibly a book.  Jupiter and Saturn will be aligned with Earth and the sun in 2221 and the voyage will be planned to take advantage of that occurrence."
"New space technology – that's for me."  I said eagerly.  "I have heard about a large ship being assembled at the new lunar base.  I have a friend, a former classmate, who has been working there.  Is that the one you are referring to?"
"Yes. How much do you know about it?" he enquired cautiously.
"Not a lot.  I just know that it is a major project and some of the components have been tested in Canada at the Canadian Space Agency test labs."

      The famous David Florida test facility, located in Ottawa, Ontario, was Canada's entry into the space age.  They built and tested Canada's first satellites in the late 20th century and quickly established a reputation for reliable space qualification work.  The test facility remained an important Division when the Canadian Space Agency was established a few years later.  However, perhaps because of the old Canadian rivalry between Quebec and Ontario provinces, the Space Agency's headquarters and training establishment was located near Montreal in the province of Quebec.
"It sounds like an exciting opportunity", I continued, "I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me get a berth on it for the next trip."
"I need to make some phone calls and speak to Frank.  Don't get your hopes up yet.  This is a long shot."
"A long shot – just what I want", I said enthusiastically. I assumed he was referring to Frank Beauregard, director of the manned program at the Space Agency.

      After chatting briefly about general matters not related to the space trip, I went through downtown Montreal on my way home to await developments.  Although I had high hopes when I left Paul, I felt a bit down thinking about going back to my empty apartment.   I decided instead to stay downtown comforted by the crowds around me.  It was the beginning of October with typical fall weather, rain showers with occasional glimpses of weak sunlight.  As I walked up the street I admired the fall colours.  The maple trees were beautiful; brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges against a background of green.  It always puzzled me that all the colours could be displayed on the same tree at the same time.  Other trees were less colourful; ash trees turned copper-yellow and dropped their leaves early in the fall, while oak trees changed later to yellow-brown and clung onto their leaves as long as possible, sometimes throughout the bitter cold winter.  Beautiful, I thought, but soon it will all be white with snow.  Snow can also be beautiful but it is not so nice if you are alone.  Montreal is a bustling metropolis and the restaurant area is always busy and inviting in the evening.  Quebec province has been remarkably successful in preserving the French language and culture.  Montreal, however, is a mixing pot with contributions from immigrants added in to the original French culture.  Some of the immigrants had embraced the French traditions enthusiastically and added their own; this had resulted in a tantalizing mixture of cuisines, French, Italian, East European, North African, Caribbean, Latin American, Asian, and so on.  

      Montreal is located on a large island in the St Laurence River and has a very efficient metro system.  The inner core, a revamped version of the original system, is linked to the suburban lines which extend beyond the island.  Satellite cities have grown up around these transportation hubs and some are also served by a sleek and efficient monorail network.  I got off the metro near the corner of St Catherine and Mountain and made my way slowly towards St Denis.  Montreal is prominent in the fashion business with strong connections to the classic fashion houses of Paris.  The shops in the downtown shopping precincts reflected this.  Some of the larger boutiques have colourful and animated fashion shows with holographic images of beautiful models parading the latest fashions.  I found it difficult to relate the clothes on the models to what people wore in the everyday world but it was entertaining to see the imaginative styles displayed for both males and females.  The clothes flowed smoothly or clung tightly to the body as the models moved, depending on the style and appeal the designer was aiming for.

      The sky had cleared but the streets were still wet.  It was one of the streets where personal vehicles were still allowed and cars cruised stealthily past with a watery swish and a faint road noise.  Montreal had been one of the first cities in Canada to ban all vehicles with internal combustion engines and many streets were for pedestrians and public transit only.  In spite of the excellent transportation system, many people still clung to their private cars; there is something about driving a ‘personal motor vehicle' that appeals strongly to humans.  In the fading light, mingling with the evening crowds in the streets, I felt more comfortable.  I finally selected a small Bistro, one of my old favourites, and settled in a quiet corner.  It was busy and the constant chatter of French, English, Arabic, Creole and other languages relaxed me. A familiar waiter, typically French Canadian, approached.  
"Madame, Que-ce-que vous desirez aujourdhui?"
"Tout d'abord, quelque chose à boire – un verre de vin, s'il vous plait."   It was fascinating the way waiters in Montreal sized you up and addressed you in the appropriate language.  Had he not recognized me I am sure the he would have addressed me in English because of my fair hair and pale complexion.  

      He disappeared and I was contemplating the menu when my phone rang.  I looked to see who was calling and immediately recognized Paul Bartlett.
"Paul here" he said in a cheerful voice, "I would like to talk to you as soon as possible.  Where are you?"  He added after a pause, probably noticing the background noise.
I explained that I was in a bistro downtown and had just ordered a drink.  
"May I join you?"  Without waiting for an answer, he asked for directions.  I gave him the name and coordinates of the bistro and he promised to join me within the hour.  I delayed my order, explaining that I was waiting for a friend, and slowly sipped the wine.  I eagerly awaited Paul's news which I gathered was good from his tone and wondered why he had not indicated what it was on the phone.  It seemed like ages but in fact Paul arrived quite quickly.  He greeted me warmly and sat down at the table.  He settled into a comfortable chair and looked quite relaxed, whereas I was on the edge of my seat leaning on the table, eyes wide open, looking expectantly at him.

      He took his time before proceeding, probably choosing his words carefully, but to me it felt like teasing.
"I think we can do it" he began, "but it is a rather sensitive venture."
"Is it the new ‘deluxe' cruiser?" I asked, also choosing my words to disguise the subject. "Should I pack my bags soon?"
"Yes, very soon, but don't do much packing; most of what you need will be provided for you.  The trip has already been scheduled for early next year."
‘Next year' I thought, ‘that isn't exactly very soon.'
Paul appeared to have read my thoughts.
"You will need all the time available to train and qualify for this one" he explained. "You should begin right away.  Frank Beauregard wants to see you as soon as possible".
"Will he be at the Space Centre tomorrow?"
"Yes, he would like you to call him between six thirty and seven thirty tomorrow morning."
"Between six thirty and seven thirty, that's early," I commented, thinking of my usual befuddled condition at that time of the morning.  
"He has meetings most of the day," added Paul by way of explanation.
But I quickly picked on up the offer saying:
"Any time, any place is OK with me".

      There was no further discussion of the voyage.  We both selected delicious but simple dishes from the menu settled down for a tasty meal.  He looked at me quizzically as I tucked into a generous plate of French cuisine including fries and poutine, perhaps thinking of leaner times to come when I was training on a space diet.  I returned home but I could hardly sleep that night as I was eagerly waiting for the morning to call Frank Beauregard to find out what he had to offer me.

Chapter 2:  Canadian Space Centre

     I was awake at six but I waited till almost seven the next morning before contacting Frank Beauregard.  He offered no information on the phone but arranged for me to meet him at the Space Centre late in the day.  The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) headquarters was located in Saint-Hubert, Longueuil, a suburb of Montreal on the south side of the St Laurence River.  It was named the John H. Chapman Space Centre after one of the early pioneers in the Canadian space program.  It had expanded dramatically during the development and deployment of the Earth 2000 space system but the original headquarters building was still in use.  

      On arrival I was confronted by the security system.  The commissionaire examined my ID carefully then fed it into the computer.  After taking a photograph he provided me with a temporary visitors pass and allowed me to enter through a security gate to wait in the lounge.  Frank's assistant, a young woman with long blond hair and an East European or Russian accent, arrived soon.  She greeted me in a friendly manner but gave me a careful scrutiny as she escorted me up to his office on the top floor.  Perhaps she saw me as a potential female rival but she needn't have worried, I had other ambitions.  Frank rose from his desk and advanced to greet me.  He was a handsome man, medium build, well groomed, good features, and a trace of silver in his hair.  I remembered him from my college days but it was unlikely that he recognized me as I had been in a group of students.
"Welcome to the real world" he said, taking my hand with a flourish.
‘Ah, a French Canadian charmer' I thought.  But I was pleased at the attention paid to a lowly academic.
"Paul tells me you are very keen to travel" he added.  "I don't have much time and you have even less if you want to catch the next ‘bus'," he continued, "so let's get down to business".
      
      I soon learned that the next ‘bus' was an upcoming space voyage but nobody talked about it directly; part of security procedures I presumed.  First, I had to get a regular pass to the CSA site with access to the classrooms, medical facility, physical training, etc.  A medical exam would determine whether or not I could be qualified for the space flight and, if so, what training I needed to get me in shape for it.

      The next day I went through the procedures and obtained a six month site pass.  I had previously visited the centre on a day pass but I now required regular access.  It was a simple contact card with a photo and a chip that had a digital record of all my details and recorded the time and duration of each visit.  It had to be inserted in the turnstile at the entrance and at the same time a camera would confirm that the bearer was the correct user.  The official gave me a warning:
"The commissionaires don't know you from Adam - or Eve," he corrected himself, "always bring your pass with you; without it there is absolutely no way you will be able to get in."  I put my pass on a lanyard around my neck and promised to have it with me every time I visited the Space Centre.

      The fitness medical exam was quick but detailed.  Most of my basic data was available on an internal network so they were more interested in my current physical condition.  I was sent to see Dr. Obey at the main medical facility, a very blunt individual.  After checking my ID,
she said simply, "undress", pointing to cubicle.  It wasn't clear to me exactly what she meant so I undressed to very minimum underwear and reappeared before her.
"Do you want to go or not!" she said looking at my remaining clothes.
"Of course" I insisted and quickly removed the offending items.
I was then placed in a laser reader where I was told to stand and breathe normally so that my exact dimensions could be measured.  The laser device recorded all my body dimensions and characteristic shape.  It measured my exact volume and, using my current weight, calculated my Whole Body Density (WBD).  
I was then provided with a dressing gown and I sat in her office to await the results.  
"Your WBD is low" she declared, "You need intensive training and a good diet."  I will arrange for you to see Dr. Fitt."

      Dr. Fitt turned out to be a much more pleasant individual and I was happy to discover that he was male as I preferred male physicians.  He explained how the WBD measurement is closely related to muscle fitness, fat content, and, indirectly to bone density.  He pointed out the weakness in my leg and arm muscles.  He made no bones about it.  I was then instructed to exercise on a treadmill while my breath was analysed.  This led him to conclude that I needed cardiovascular training to increase my oxygen uptake rate, my VO2 as he called it.  He scheduled a mix of cardiovascular and strength exercises with a personal trainer for weights and another for aerobics and general fitness.  Diet would be taken care of by a nutritionist.  He estimated that they could have me in space shape in about two to three months, depending on how much effort I put into it.
"Three months!" I exclaimed, "I hope to be off to Houston by then."
"We are very well aware of your schedule" he assured me smiling "we will do our part; the rest is up to you."

      Personal weight trainers come in all shapes and sizes, mostly big and strong.  Their remarkable physique is probably intended to inspire the trainee but many tons of iron must have been heaved to achieve it.  Mike was no exception; medium height with bulging muscles, especially shoulders and arms.  My first session with him was not too exhausting but I think he was testing me to find out what my level was.  As he loaded the bar for a bench press I cautioned him.
"Don't forget I am a woman."
"I noticed" he replied smiling, continuing to add weights.
"We will be aiming for both strength and endurance" he explained, "so a high number of repetitions will be better than very heavy weights."
"Sure," I sighed looking at the loaded bar.
Over the next hour or so he had me do each exercise almost to the point of exhaustion.  This apparently gave him a reference point to begin; there was much more to come.  He then arranged for me to see him at the gym daily.  

      I was very stiff and sore when I awoke the next morning but it had almost worn off by the time I made it to the gym.  Mike definitely knew his trade.  We commenced with comfortable weights but he increased the load slowly as my muscle tone improved.  Over the next eight weeks he coaxed and prodded me through a wide variety of weight lifting exercises.  The routine was changed every week so as to avoid ‘muscle memory' and train as many muscle groups as possible.  I don't think I lost much weight as I was reasonably fit when I started but I was sure my WBD increased.  

      Both stretching and aerobics were done one-on-one or in a small group classes with Eva.  She was a popular member of the training staff; always smiling with a cheery wave and a word of welcome for everyone she knew.  She not only demonstrated positions but she actively participated in aerobic exercises and often had to remove her sweat suit to keep cool leaving only shorts and sports bra.  However, the aspect she emphasized for me was stretching.  She explained that the weight training with Mike would tighten up the muscles and tendons; stretching was essential to compliment it.  The stretching sessions were done on a one-on-one basis after a good warm up.  As I lay on a mat for the first session, she grabbed my ankles and dragged me across the room.  Then she took my wrists and dragged me back the other way.  In answer to my puzzled expression she explained that elongation – whole body stretching - releases tension.  I was thinking that in the Middle Ages they used a rack for that but it was not relaxing.  Next she asked me to lie on one side and point my foot north, my arm south, and s-t-r-e-t-c-h.  I had no idea where north and south lay but I wasn't about to say so; Astronauts are supposed to be constantly aware of such trivia.  The session continued with more stretches, including back and abdomen, followed by rotations; everything that could turn had to be rotated, feet, hands, head, etc.  To conclude, she gave me a brief massage and recommended a sauna.  I appreciated the small group sessions for aerobics as it is easier to put more effort into it if others are suffering at the same time.  Diet; well, less said the better.  I needed high protein food for muscle toning but steak was not on the menu.  Wine was OK but only in limited amounts.

      The physical fitness requirements of the space travel I was training for did not call for yoga but the staff at the Space Centre pointed out that it was highly desirable and would enhance my prospects of getting a berth in the new luxury spaceship.  Not only was it a useful adjunct to the physical training but, more importantly, it contributed to mental stability by helping astronauts to relax the body and mind in stressful situations on long voyages in deep space.  One major advantage of yoga on a spaceship was the trivial space and equipment requirements; it could be practiced almost anywhere on board, with or without a mat, alone or in groups.

      When I turned up for my first session with my rolled up mat under my arm I was introduced to Jess.  I was surprised to find she was quite a young Yogini, not much older than me, but full of enthusiasm for the discipline.  Tall and athletic, she mentioned that she had originally planned to go into gymnastics but had switched to yoga when she grew too tall to be a female gymnast. Her early gymnastic training was still evident as she was impressive demonstrating yoga and instructing a novice like me.  As she flowed effortlessly from one position to another, the smooth movement of her long legs had a hypnotic effect; ‘it is easy – you can do it too' they seemed to say.  So I did or at least I tried.

      The teaching methods employed by Jess involved less energy and stress than the weight training I was doing with Mike.  Another contrast was that he spoke very little during weight lifting; he waited quietly within reach so that he could assist if I had difficulty making a lift.  Jess, on the other hand, talked almost continuously, sometimes whispering in my ear to provide encouragement, relaying anecdotes, reminding me to coordinate my breathing and teaching me to engage the mind while doing various poses.  

      We commenced with a few relatively easy poses; one reclining, Bound Angle Pose, a sequence of two kneeling poses, Cat and Cow, and one upright, Mountain.  For each pose she would demonstrate then check my position and explain the mental/mood aspect before continuing.  Controlled breathing was emphasised, particularly in the reclining pose, to clear the mind of daily trivia before retiring at night.  The Cat/Cow sequence was excellent for the back and lungs first thing in the morning and the benefit could be increased by rotating the bottom - more sassy she claimed. To complete the first session Jess demonstrated and had me attempt a few stretching positions such as Thread the Needle and hip rotation, but over extension was carefully avoided. In following sessions some core poses were introduced to enhance the ‘core' or middle of the body.

      I was expected to practice daily and attend the studio several times a week.  New poses were fed to me gradually when Jess was happy with my progress.  All the while I was encouraged to practice meditation to clear the mind of daily trivia and relax the body.  Initially I found it mentally difficult to focus my mind on particular parts of my body such as my feet rooted to the floor in standing poses or relaxing and imagining breathing through my skin but as my balance and flexibility improved it became easier to accept the mental images as well.  Gradually I built up a personal library of poses or asanas; nothing difficult or dangerous but a basic selection that could be practiced anywhere without an instructor to maintain flexibility and enhance the mind-body association.  

      However, repeatedly working through a selection of poses one after another is tedious.  To make it more interesting and challenging Jess taught me to link poses up in a smooth sequence of body movements incorporating the ones I had already practiced.  Completing a sequence of linked poses takes time but Jess assured me I would have ample free time in space and would benefit noticeably from the effort.  After all, what else can you do in space to pass the time?  Planning a good sequence involves selecting a series of poses such that one leads easily to the next.  For example, a ‘downward facing dog' is a good position to move to ‘Sun Salutation', one of the more energetic yoga moves.  
"Sun Salutation will be appropriate in space" I exclaimed.
"Yes, but which Sun?" she joked.
From a face down position, a number of well-known poses can be rolled together; ‘Cat-cow' with a ‘Sphinx' and a ‘Cobra‘.  The prone position lends itself to combinations of poses such as ‘Reclined Twist', ‘Leg Raises', ‘Bridge',  ‘Thread-the-needle' and "Savasana".  Jess constantly encouraged me and reminded to think about my breathing and the mental aspects of the yoga.  Eager to master as many poses and sequences as possible, I practiced in anticipation of using them on the space ship.  It was likely that some of the other astronauts would be into yoga and I looked forward to joint exercises.

      The health medical examination was quite separate from the fitness one.  It consisted of a detailed physical exam in which every part of the body had to be examined and recorded; instruments were inserted into every opening, ear, nose, throat, colon, etc.   Internal organs were studied by nonintrusive methods, ultrasound, x-rays, and a cordless endoscopy gadget that I had to swallow.  Lab tests included blood, urine, immunity tests, sensitivity measurements, etc.  My DNA was evaluated to determine if I had any undesirable genes. A panoramic x-ray scan of my whole mouth was the main focus of the dental exam followed by a detailed inspection of the visible and almost visible teeth.  I was tested for sensitivity to a wide range of food and skin allergens.

      I survived all the training and testing so eventually I was given the stamp of approval, ‘space qualified' ready to be shipped off to the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas for mission training.  Before departure, I had little time to see my friends and no farewell party.   I contacted a few close friends to say farewell but I was surprised when my former boyfriend, Dick, called saying he would like to meet me.  Apparently he had heard about my venture into space.  We met over coffee and had a friendly chat.  He was very conciliatory, asking me to get in touch on my return.  I suspected that he was concerned that if I achieved something outstanding I may move ahead of him on the university ladder.  In the academic sweepstakes you need friends, not enemies.
I made a special point of contacting Paul and he invited me to dinner.  The Space Agency had kept him informed so he was fully aware of my progress and was pleased that I had passed the medical and fitness hurdles.  He stressed the importance of the space flight repeating that it could lead to great things and would be the making of an academic career for me.  Although I had never spelled out my ambition clearly to him, he seemed to understand it.  He repeatedly pointed out that the current expedition may be only the beginning and that I should keep an open mind about other possible space trips.  We had a delightful dinner at one of the restaurants in downtown Montreal, the type normally off limits for postgraduate students on budgets.  Before leaving, Paul wanted to treat me to some superior French cuisine including matched wines.  The plates and the accompanying wines were excellent but what I really appreciated was the exquisite digestive, Grand Marnier.  I don't normally stretch my budget to include after dinner drinks so I drank it slowly to appreciate the flavour.  I raised the glass to my lips and sniffed the vapours.  I immediately detected an orange odour.  When I took a sip, I noticed a distinctive bitter orange taste but it was moderated by a spicy flavour followed by a lingering sweetness.  I couldn't have asked for a better send off.

Chapter 3:  Johnson Space Centre

      The Johnson Space Centre in Houston was a huge complex that had outgrown its original location at Clear Lake.  Many of the early facilities such as the simulators in Building 9 and the mission control centre had become historic sites fifty years after the original NASA Apollo moon expeditions as no other organization had made a successful landing on the moon by that time.  They were later declared classic monuments as part of the 100 year celebration of the missions.  I was not at the Johnson Centre for space training but for briefings and demonstrations which were held in buildings at the Clear Lake site.  Training facilities and personal trainers were available to me and I was expected to make good use of them.  

      One of the first chores for me was getting outfitted for the voyage.  I was directed to the ‘quartermaster' store to get measured and to select clothes and shoes for the voyage.  Everything required would be manufactured and shipped to the spaceship at the lunar base.  I was looking forward to being provided with a selection of free cloths so I went early one day in order to have ample time.  First step was the measuring room to be sized up so to speak.  I was instructed to undress and take up a position on a turntable in the laser room where measurements were conducted by a computer guided laser device.  I had to assume various positions, standing, arms reaching up or stretching out level, sitting, bending, kneeling, etc. while the platform turned slowly and the laser scanned my naked body.  I was measured from top to bottom (literally) until the controlling computer was satisfied that it had enough information to construct a dynamic model of my whole body.  All the clothes would be produced off-site based on the active computer model and my selections.  From the measuring room I was directed to the tailor's shop.

      On entering the area I went to the young man at the desk and asked for the tailor. "I am Taylor, Fred Taylor" he replied. "Can I help you?" "I mean a clothes tailor" I clarified.  "No problem," he replied, "I am Taylor the resident tailor."  "I will assist you."  He studied me rather slowly from top to bottom.   I looked at him suspiciously and pointed out that I had already been thoroughly measured.  He smiled and led me to a console facing a large wall screen to study options for clothes and shoes.   He checked my name and number then brought up the dynamic model based on my measurements. "Yikes! I have no clothes." I exclaimed, staring at the life sized nude image. "That's why you are here," he joked.  But to calm me he added a basic underwear set to the model.  Before the clothes selection began he demonstrated how to activate the model to make it turn, walk, sit, and move the arms.   This would enable me to select and try on dresses without actually having the items on hand.  The items I picked would be automatically adjusted to my body shape.

      Next, he brought up a computer modeler program with images of dress styles and invited me to make personal selections.  Each style could be adjusted in length and fit to correspond to my preferred taste.  This could be done for all types of clothes including dresses, skirts, pants, tights, tops, and sports outfits.  It was overwhelming; for each style, the preferred material, texture, and colour, had to be selected.  He advised to keep my selection simple and conservative; styles and fashions change constantly and our clothes were expected to outlast the current mode, not that that takes very long.  It was like a computer dressing game.  For each dress and style I tried on, I walked around, sat down, twirled around and moved my arms.  I took my time; no impulse buying - I like to be sure my clothes suit me.  By lunch time I had found a small number of dresses, pants, tops, and shorts that looked good on me.  Fred asked me to return after the break and select other items including nightwear, underwear, shoes, and boots.

      Choosing nightwear was simpler; I just identified a few examples of long and short gowns and pajamas.  For underwear the ‘tailor' explained that it would be straight forward as the dynamic computer model would be used to design perfectly fitting bras and panties in a range of colours, materials, and styles so I left it to him.  Shoe selection was also simplified as high heels and loose sandals were ‘verboten' on the spaceship.  After a morning and afternoon of studying images on the screen I called it a day and indicated I had enough for the trip.  Taylor the tailor looked over my selection and remarked that I would need a lot more for a long trip.  I reminded him that with steady acceleration our voyage was not expected to take too long, not like going to Mars in the old days.  He hesitated then promised to make sure that I had an ample supply of clothes and shoes for the voyage even if it took longer than I expected.    

      Half of the crew had already been transported up to the lunar base, the actual launch area for the expedition I had embarked on.  The remaining members of the crew were still at the space centre at the time.  The first one I met was Ruby Goldstone, a microbiologist.  She was average in height and build, had dark brown hair and deep brown eyes that often appeared to be laughing at the world.  When I was introduced she offered to help me in any way she could.   I mentioned that because of my late addition to the ship's crew I did not have much information about the voyage nor about my fellow crew members.  She was sympathetic and agreed to review the spaceship crew with me but she could not enlighten me much with regard to the plan for the trip.  That evening she appeared with a list of the crew members including their specialty training, nicknames, and basic statistics.  It occurred to me that Ruby may have bypassed security to copy the details for me.  It also crossed my mind that there was a lot of information that I did not yet have access to. The ship and our voyage appeared to be rather secretive, perhaps to avoid media attention.

      Ruby had arranged for an office where we could discuss the of crew members.  She mentioned that she had asked her work partner, Nell, to join us later.  She settled into an easy chair and stretched out her legs, eye-catching as she was wearing a straight skirt and had well tanned legs after a summer in Houston.  I noticed later that she was often inclined to show off her legs; she described it as ‘fishing' but I think she meant ‘hunting' – man hunting.  I sat upright in a comfortable chair wearing dress pants and a white blouse; nothing to attract attention.

      Reading the list I was surprised at how few crew members there were for what I had been led to believe was an unusually large spaceship; twelve in total including me.  After a preliminary examination of the list, I remarked:
"It looks like I am the odd one out with so many science and engineering specialists.  Do you think I can fit in?"
"Don't worry about that," she reassured me, "most of them are highly trained but very young and immature.  You can probably teach them a thing or two."  
The captain, Peter Larsen, was formerly a military officer who had spent several years with United Nations forces.
"Everyone has a specialty except the captain - is he qualified?" I joked.   
"Don't mention that to him," she said laughing, "he doesn't have a great sense of humour. In actual fact with his military background; his specialty is issuing orders that other people are expected to obey promptly so watch out".  

      As everyone appeared to have a nickname I asked Ruby about hers but she said she didn't need one; ‘Ruby' was short, good for a name and a nickname – it could be pronounced different ways.   The deputy captain was Dr. Marie Claire Martin, ‘MC' for short, she was French and a professional engineer.  The medical officer on the crew, Dr. Wendy Wells, ‘Doc', was double qualified in both robotic surgery and dentistry.  Another important crew member was Muritama Matsumoto, the computer expert.  Ruby commented that they thought of calling him ‘Microchips' but that was too long for a nickname and ‘Micro' might have been taken as an insult in view of his short stature so he was known simply as ‘Chips'.  In addition to the operationally essential crew, there was a bewildering assortment of scientists covering a wide range of disciplines.  The physics and astronomy expert on board was Lorne Kupperman who was appropriately nicknamed ‘Stars'.   He was long on words and long in length, joked Ruby, and has a droll sense of humour.  Of the two remaining scientists she hinted I would find Ivan Smirnov, a quiet Russian, attractive.  His specialty was climatology and geography.  I hastened to point out that I was not looking for a mate but Ruby just smiled knowingly.  The other scientist was Robert Rocher, nickname ‘The rocks, or Rocky', a chemist/geologist.  He was rather a dark horse, according to Ruby, adding that she was not referring to his skin colour.

      As we were going over the crew list Nell Garcia joined us.  She breezed in, reached out her hands and embraced me.  Like me she was wearing comfortable pants and a blouse.  She looked charming with a brilliant smile set a smooth round face with a café-au-lait complexion framed by wavy black hair.   Slim in build and medium height, her figure was made noticeable by a prominent derrière.  She appeared friendly and eager to be helpful like Ruby.  As I learned during the voyage, her outstanding characteristic was her personality; she was particularly amiable and equally at ease with everyone; a popular member of the crew.  She was also a bio-scientist with expertise in biochemistry and nutrition.  There was no nickname for her but she was sometimes referred to as ‘graceful'.  The next name on the list was Dr. Al Tallentini and they were both keen to endorse him as a wonderful shipmate.  Ruby said I couldn't miss him - tall, athletic, good looking, and very outgoing.  Nell added that he had a great sense of humour; life was never dull with him around but he did insist on excellence at work.

      Nell was scheduled to work under his supervision in close cooperation with Ruby in the bio-labs.  He was responsible for laboratory food production using applied microbiology and had acquired an appropriate nickname, ‘Dr. Bio'.  I mentioned that I was looking forward to meeting him.  My own expertise, history of space technology, was very different and I had been assigned the nickname ‘the Books' for obvious reasons.  Ruby and Nell were involved in training sessions at the Space Centre so we did not have much more time together.  Nevertheless, I found them friendly and helpful and they assured me that all the crew members were cooperative and easy to get along with, an important characteristic for crew members on extended expeditions.

      I didn't have long to wait to meet Dr. Tallentini.  I was attending a training/information session on space nutrition when Dr. Bio breezed in.  With his tall frame it would be hard to miss him but his overflowing enthusiasm made him a standout.  He was tall and athletic; good at tennis, squash, cricket, soccer, etc.; in fact a good all-rounder.  He was also good looking with brown hair and firm jaw line that made him look very determined.  In addition he was good humoured with a twinkle in his blue eyes that could lead readily to a smile or a laugh.   When introduced he grasped my hand firmly and shook it vigorously with warm words of encouragement.
"Welcome aboard, delighted to meet you", he declared. "With so many scientists and engineers enlisted it great to have an arts specialist for a change."  
Space food was a difficult problem as long expeditions necessitated the production of food from scratch on the spaceship.  That is why Dr. Tallentini's expertise in applied microbiology was so essential, although I had some reservations about living on a space diet.  He proceeded to enlighten us on the possibilities of using microbes to generate an endless variety of nutritious foodstuffs.  ‘The little buggers can make anything you want', he claimed.  

      As I was considered to be a generalist rather than a specialist I was encouraged to attend training sessions in as many different areas as possible.  To this end, I attended a session of briefings on space psychology and that is where I met Annabelle.  She was nicknamed ‘Belle', the beauty of the ship; tall and tanned with flowing natural blond hair.  She had blue-grey eyes and plump lips in a smooth oval face. With a stunning figure and gorgeous legs I knew I had no chance of competing with her for physical attraction.   She carried her attractive and well-rounded figure in an erect and confident manner – with such looks she had good reason to be confident.  Nevertheless, with a background in education and psychology she was closer to me than the other members and I anticipated having interesting discussions and debates with her.  When introduced she greeted me enthusiastically in the warm friendly style of the American south, taking both hands and holding me firmly.  Her accent seemed to add sincerity to her welcoming words.  She commented on the fact that I was neither a scientist nor an engineer, "teckies" she labelled them, difficult to talk to.   But in spite of her warm welcome, I considered her a potential rival.  

      I took advantage of my new knowledge of the crew members to do a little research on the Centre's intranet; the ‘Who's Who' of astronauts and cosmonauts.  The images and biographies enabled me to familiarize myself with my future fellow passengers so that I would be able to recognize them and be cognizant with their backgrounds.  I studied the male members of the crew to see if there were some with potential for a close friendship.  Although I had sworn off love and sex after the affair with Dick and Ian, I liked to be attractive to men and enjoyed male company including a little flirting.  With an international crew of astronauts and cosmonauts there must be some attractive males.  That excluded Captain Larsen who looked suitably severe on the photos and I took note of Ruby's warning – he could be ruled out.    Lorne and Al were both tall but Al had a more athletic build and was physically more attractive.  Muritama, ‘Chips' was shorter than me but well built; probably good at judo I thought.  Robert ‘Rocky' was average in build but appeared to be shy and withdrawn; neither appealed to me as ‘companions'.  Finally there was Ivan, the Russian cosmonaut.  He appeared attractive based on his images and bio but I reserved judgment until I could see him in the flesh.  

      The female members were also of interest for possible camaraderie, or even rivals, so I studied the photos and bios.  The deputy captain Marie Claire had angular features that I imagined fitted her French heritage and a warm smile that made her appear friendly and approachable.  From the images, it appeared she always made a point of dressing attractively; another French characteristic I thought.  Her background and training in Europe should make for interesting discussions.  Perhaps we could debate the merits of French wines compared to wines from the US and Canada.  I also wondered if she was a devotee of Paris fashions although that seemed unlikely in an engineer. I did not follow fashion closely myself but I could use some tips; one had to be aware of the trends.   The medic, Wendy, had a good bio and looked attractive in images showing her working on a patient with a robotic operator.  ‘Was that intended to inspire confidence?' I wondered.

        Further information about the space ship and the plan for its missions was still shrouded in mystery.  I was assured that more information would be available once I reached the lunar base where the ship had been assembled.  Unlike many other space outings, there was virtually no publicity.  As far as I could determine, there was little in the way of scientific experiments; just a comfortable trip around Saturn.  However, it was the latest and greatest space ship to be built and this was the maiden voyage.  ‘A maiden on a maiden voyage,' I said to myself, how apt.  Some of the old hands at the Space Centre said we have it too easy nowadays; no zero gravity training and no high G centrifuge testing.

      We were being transported to the lunar base one at a time.  When it came to my turn, I opted to fly from Ellington airfield near the Space Centre to the dedicated airfield at the launch site in west Texas.  It was the most southerly site in the United States which had sufficient elevation for the space launcher, often referred to as the ‘Frame'.  The alternative transport was to be driven but that would have delayed my trip by a day and I was impatient to get to the lunar base where I believed I would learn much more about the spaceship and the excursion once I joined up with my old classmate, Julio, and the other crew members.  

      The launch site looked like a free standing industrial complex with many warehouse type buildings, a large admin unit, and a hotel for temporary visitors.  The people working at the site lived off site, possibly for safety reasons.  The ‘muzzle' of the frame where the shuttle was ejected showed up against the skyline near the top of a rounded mountain but the main body was underground.  Access to the shuttle loading zone was through a wide well-lit tunnel.  I arrived at the site in good time for an afternoon launch.  The weather was clear with a comfortable temperature, good conditions for a flight.  There were few people at the site as it was a routine shuttle, no tourists or VIPs, no one important, only me.  I was driven along the access tunnel to the passenger departure area.  The shuttle appeared small and I had a moments panic at the thought of relying on it for transport to the moon.  I was the only passenger although it had a maximum capacity of four people at a time.   I concentrated on making myself comfortable in the padded but cramped passenger compartment.  Since it was pressurized, there was no requirement for a space suit.

      As I was sitting in the Frame reflecting on the incredible series of events leading up to the present, my attention was suddenly drawn to the monitor in front of me.  It switched from random images of space to a blank screen with text messages.
‘World Navigation Network - cleared'
‘Atmospheric heaters on'
‘Power banks fully charged'
‘Security restraints fastened'
‘Launch in 10 seconds'
Almost before the ten seconds were up I felt a tremendous jolt and a powerful thrust from behind.  In no time it was out of the Frame and gaining height rapidly.  There was little possibility of looking out the small cabin window.  Only as the acceleration decreased and we reached high altitude did it become comfortable to turn my head but by then there was nothing visible that I could recognize.  Once clear of the dense layers of the atmosphere the exo - atmospheric ‘mega' space beam took over.  


Chapter 4: Moon Flight - Time to Reflect

      The powerful thrust from the mega beam continued until we were well clear of the Earth's atmosphere then it settled down to a constant acceleration of one G, normal earth gravity that is.  The acceleration was very smooth with only slight impulses as additional energy beams were directed at the shuttle to maintain the acceleration.  When we reached the half way point the thrust was discontinued briefly while we rotated so as to apply a deceleration of one G for the second half of the flight.  Otherwise, as someone explained to me, we would shoot right past the moon and be lost in deep space.  The beams for the deceleration were directed towards us from the moon.  The retarding energy was maintained, adjusted to match the lunar gravity as we approached the base and we were brought safely down to the dock at lunar base.  Returning a shuttle to Earth is more complicated.  The vehicle has to rendezvous with a Landing Assist Module which is self-powered and brings the shuttle safely to the landing zone on Earth.  There were no pilots on shuttles such as this; everything was automatic and controlled by computers.  During the short period of zero gravity for the rotation I successfully controlled myself and didn't vomit.  My first experience of micro gravity had been less successful.

      Ever since I enrolled at the Canadian Space Centre, preparation for the voyage had been hectic with little time to think seriously about what I was about to do in space.  Now on a shuttle flight of several hours I suddenly found myself reflecting on what I was doing, where I was going, and why.  It now struck me as incredible that a tangled love affair involving two boyfriends, Richard and Ian should have led to this.  I had been dating Dick for some time and we had a relatively steady relationship.  I didn't expect it to become serious as he did not appear to have a strong affection for me.   He was a postgraduate student when I first met him, young and full of youthful enthusiasm and energy.  He was tall and dark with an athletic build but was only casually involved in sports; just enough to keep physically fit.  His good physical condition had its rewards as he was always willing and eager, especially when it came to physical demonstration of his love for me.   He was now a junior member of the Department of History at the university and it was to my advantage to have friends there.  However, our relationship showed no sign of progressing beyond the stage of physical love to a more permanent one.

      That was the situation when Ian began to show a special interest in me.  He was slightly older than me and in theory more mature.  But, like all men, wisdom and maturity went out the window when they become infatuated with a woman.  I was attracted by his fair hair, rugged features, and a distinct jaw-line.  As an athlete and sportsman he had a strong build and kept himself in good shape.  My affair with Ian developed more quickly as he appeared to have a genuine interest and affection for me.  We had a few dates but I was still seeing Dick between times and he may have realized I was interested in someone else.  

      On the night in question I had a date with Ian and we returned to my home late in the evening.  We had a drink and relaxed for a while before retiring to the bedroom, undressing and slipping into bed.  We were warming up very smoothly with kisses and caresses when suddenly the doorbell rang.  
"Just ignore it" I said, expecting it to stop.  But it didn't stop and was followed by a loud bang on the door and a voice called out.
"Open up, I know you are there."  It was Dick.
I still tried to ignore it but he continued ringing the bell, banging on the door, and calling to me.  "I want to speak to you, open the door so we can talk."
I thought the whole neighborhood was going to be woken up.  Finally, I could stand it no longer.  Swearing to myself, I got out of bed, wrapped a blanket around my naked body and went down the stairs to try to reason with him.  I unlocked the door and opened it to the limit of the security chain to talk to him.  But he wasn't satisfied with talking, put his shoulder to the door, broke the chain, and forced his way in.  He was in an ugly mood, panting, eyes blazing, and hair bristling.  I held on to him and tried to reason with him but it was useless.  He tore off his glasses, threw them on the floor, thrust me aside, and ran up the stairs straight to the bedroom.  Expecting the worst, I followed as quickly as I could.  He threw open the door of the bedroom then came to a sudden halt.  I peered past him and saw that Ian was standing on the bed, fully dressed, waiting for him.  Ian was obviously strong, fit, and ready for anything so I could understand why Dick had hesitated.  No doubt he had expected to surprise Ian in bed but this was quite a different situation.  Even in the heat of the moment I wondered how Ian had prepared so quickly; fully dressed except for shoes.

      They stared at each other, sizing up the situation, but neither made any move. After a prolonged confrontation with hardly a word spoken I cautiously proposed that we all go down to the living room and have a drink to cool off.  With no obvious alternative other than a pitched battle both agreed.  They took seats at opposite sides of the room, warily eying each other, watching for signs of renewed aggression.  I gave them a long cool drink being careful not to fuel the fire with alcohol.  As tempers cooled off, Dick and Ian began to converse calmly but cautiously.  When I felt it was safe enough to leave them together for a few minutes, I excused myself.  I felt foolish with these two men, fully dressed, sitting in my living room while I was still naked, wrapped in a blanket.  I also began to feel I had been taken advantage of.  Why did I have to cringe in my own home?  What rights did they have here anyway?  Men are like that; you go to bed with them once and they think they have property rights; as if they had staked a claim and registered it.  Male attitudes haven't improved in centuries.

      I returned to the living room fully dressed in as plain and ‘sexless' an outfit as I could find at short notice; dark loose pants, long sleeved top that fell loosely over my waist, flat shoes.   Once in the living room I was relieved to find they were still talking peacefully if rather carefully.  The conversation appeared to run on the themes such as who met me first and how but I think there was an undertone of who slept with me first and how often.  ‘So far so good' I thought, ‘but how do I get rid of them without another scene'?   After listening to some more idle chatter for a bit I proposed that they should both leave the house at the same time.  Ian agreed to this but Dick was non-committal; he didn't say yes or no.  Eventually, to break the stalemate, Ian stood up and prepared to leave and indicated to Dick that it was time to leave.  Dick sat tight and said nothing.  Ian was a bit uncertain and looked at me as if to say,
"Should I leave?  Will you be OK?"  I nodded affirmative to his unspoken questions.  In any case, I thought it would be safer if they did not leave together.  They were being very civilized in my presence but outside?  Taking his cue from me, Ian continued his departure.  He descended the steps to the door, making ample noise so that his movements could be noticed, went out, and closed the door firmly behind him.  Dick listened intently for a few more minutes then jumped up saying:
"I don't believe him!  He's hiding somewhere in the house waiting for me to leave".
"No he left, I heard him go out and walk down the path" I assured Dick but he would have none of it.  He spent the next hour or more searching the whole house; the basement, the first floor, then the bedrooms.  Eventually he grudgingly admitted that he could be wrong but he was still on edge, expecting Ian to suddenly reappear.

      After that, I decided to avoid intimate relationships for at least a year until I could find someone who clearly had real affection for me.  Although it wasn't quite a "Brave New World", the virtual elimination of sexually transmitted diseases due to advanced antibiotic and antiviral drugs, had encouraged promiscuity.  As a result, women, and to a lesser extent men, tended to be under strong pressure in relationships to satisfy their partner's expectations for sex.  However, I decided that I would resist such expectations until I was sure I had fallen in love and that the feelings were mutual.  

      I didn't date either Dick or Ian after that incident.  I met Ian casually over a coffee and we had a good laugh about it but neither of us had any desire for a rerun of the situation.  I also spoke to Dick but only by telephone.  Unfortunately, he was still quite mad at me over my affair with Ian and showed no signs of forgiveness.  This was of no small concern to me.  As a lowly academic with tenuous connections to the university, having a junior faculty member against me could mean serious trouble.  That is why I decided that I should put more emphasis on the space aspect of my work in order to get support from the space side of the faculty.  Although I had a reasonably good degree it was not quite ‘top drawer' which meant I had no easy access to an academic position.  I needed support to get a foothold on the academic ladder and a highly visible research project to satisfy my ambition.   With that in mind I had turned to my teacher and mentor, Professor Bartlett.  Now here I was - winging it to the moon.

      As we approached the moon I found myself eagerly looking forward to the excitement of seeing my old friend Julio.  He had promised to introduce me to the latest lunar base which was large with all the comforts of home including an enormous living complex with normal earth gravity.  I was also eager to meet the remaining crew members and to seeing the ‘deluxe' space ship.  Julio had been intimately involved in the design of the spaceship and had promised me the ‘cook's' tour.  Details of the new ‘space cruiser' were classified but according to space rumour it was huge, comfortable, and fully capable of travel into deep space.  ‘Lunar Manned Base Three here I come!' I said to myself.  The travel time was almost four hours so after a long flight in a cramped shuttle I was happy to disembark on the moon.

Chapter 5:  Lunar Manned Base Three

      The third Lunar Manned Base (LMB-3) was a large living and construction site that was permanently manned.  It had been commissioned towards the end of the twenty second century but was constantly under construction as new facilities were added.  The new space ship had been assembled there from components manufactured and tested on Earth.  It was the third moon base developed by the "Western" space consortium, JENA.  After the successful development and deployment of the space shields mandated by the EARTH 2000 Climate Agreement, the consortium had turned its attention back to the moon as a base for further space exploration.  LMB-3 was located close to the Apollo 15 landing site as the mountainous terrain of the lunar Apennines provided a sound rock base for construction and enabled horizontal excavation into the mountain for a covered living area.  The base was designed to accommodate people year round.  They worked or moved about in air pressurized buildings or space suits during the day but returned to a normal earth type environment in the evening or during extended breaks for all other activities, resting, eating, entertainment, and sleeping.  On an earlier visit with a student group we had been taken to the second base which was relatively small and could not accommodate people for long periods.

      There were a number people present when we entered the enclosed docking area from the shuttle; mainly workers unloading and reloading the vehicle and a few officials.  Looking around I spotted Julio, my old friend from space college days.  Even on the moon he was easy to recognize, tall and lanky with a shock of red hair.  As he came towards me quickly, bouncing along with the characteristic lunar gait, his ebullient personality was evident.  
"Welcome to heaven," he declared in his usual jovial style.  
"Thanks for meeting me."  He embraced me warmly, kissing me on both cheeks, and proceeded to guide me through arrival formalities.
"You don't need a passport here but you have to be signed in to the base.  It is just a formality to confirm that you didn't miss the moon and land on Mars," he joked.  
"It never occurred to me." I replied, although secretly I had wondered what would happen if the reverse thrust had failed.  I learned later that an emergency directed energy beam system on the moon, the so called "goal keeper", would have activated to slow down the shuttle and land it safely on the moon.  I had known Julio for many years.  A native of Ottawa, the Canadian federal capital, he had visited the David Florida space test labs with a school group and became captivated with the idea of developing equipment to go into space.  He moved to Montreal to enroll in the space courses at McGill University.  From there, as he put it he 'never looked back', or rather 'never looked down', but focussed all his attention on space.

      Julio was eager to show me around and could hardly stand still, a condition that was doubly difficult with the low gravity.  The formalities completed, we skipped along with giant strides from the shuttle dock into the central domed area.  I stopped and stared in amazement at the beautiful sight that greeted me.  The sun was very bright overhead and the walls sparkled with reflections of the sunlight; like an infinite array of diamonds.  Even the floor sparkled and reflected the sun; it was like being in a salt mine with rock crystals all around, sparkling in the light.  Julio responded to my reaction and unasked question.
"Beautiful, isn't it," he offered anticipating me. "The walls around the 'great dome' are lined with moon rock excavated during the construction of the base."
"It looks fantastic," I enthused, "more like crystals than rock."
"The stone is cut with a powerful laser so that it splits leaving the crystals exposed. You can see different types; in fact, you can study the geology of the moon right here.  They incorporated all the rock types including some from the mare areas."
"Can you point out some of them to me?"  

      We ambled over to the sparkling wall and Julio explained.
"The mountain rocks are actually very similar to rocks on earth, mainly silicates; that was a major surprise when man first visited the moon.  They are igneous rocks, white anorthosite, visible here, and darker coloured gabbroic anorthosite, this one for example.  The gabbro has some olivine in it; see the beautiful green colour.  In addition to the anorthosites, there is some breccia which is an amalgamation of different types so it tends to look like a rough mixture of several minerals."
"Which are the mare rocks?"
"There are some dark grey stones on the floor that look like volcanic rock.  It is equivalent to solidified volcanic lava although it was probably released from the lower layers by the impact of a large meteorite rather than a volcano."
"You studied geology?"
"No, not exactly," he replied laughing, "but everyone who comes here asks about our sparklers so I had to learn a little."  
"One of the interesting moon minerals is 'Armalcolite'" he continued, "It was first discovered on the moon by the Apollo 11 team and named after the three crew members, Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins.  It is a titanate rather than a silicate.  There isn't much of it here so I would have to hunt for a specimen."
"Fascinating, and the floor is also covered with moon rock."
"Yes, but it has to be a little smoother so that you can walk comfortable or drive a vehicle over it."  He went on to explain that all the buildings and connecting passages at the base were air pressurized.  This necessitated an air seal behind the walls and under the floor; integrity of the air containment system was essential for human habitation.

      I suddenly had visions of being depressurized.  
"What happens if you lose air?"  He laughed, reading my mind, then replied.
"A slow leak is not important.  We can make up for such losses.  We generate oxygen from oxygen-rich lunar minerals in a plant near the base".
"What about the nitrogen?  You need some nitrogen don't you?"
"That is more difficult.  It is easier to send up a shuttle load of liquid nitrogen than to extract it from lunar rocks." As we skipped forward towards the centre of the dome Julio explained:
"This is the central zone.  The dome is covered with quartz panels which resist radiation darkening and a tinted material is added to reduce the glare of the sun.  It can be extremely strong on the moon," he said pointing upwards at the glaring overhead sun, "especially near the middle of the lunar 'day' and it continues for several earth days and nights.  There is also a metallic screen to diffuse the light.  Otherwise the sunlight would be very stark and the shadows very dark."  I had read that it was a problem for the Apollo astronauts.   They also encountered difficulties with the lunar dust but of course it would be easier to control inside the base.

      For a change of subject, I asked Julio how he found walking on the moon.
"Very easy, you adapt to the low gravity in no time.  In fact you could get lazy living on the moon."  He proceeded to demonstrate various walking paces, lifting clear of the surface with each stride as soon as he increased speed.  I had studied the NASA reports of visits to the moon by various astronauts so I was not surprised at the effect of lunar gravity on Julio's stride.  However, the original astronauts were wearing space suits and breathing equipment which must have made it more cumbersome.  I mimicked Julio's slow and fast walking paces and soon adapted to the one sixth gravity.  In order to maintain stability it was helpful to move slightly from side to side and this gave rise to the so-called lunar gait.

      I followed him into one of the passages and he led me to an observation area which had an uninterrupted view of the lunar surface.
"Come and see what the moon really looks like without going outside," he invited, "it is beautiful but awe inspiring".   
"Unearthly and inhospitable but you are right it has a certain beauty and grandeur," I admitted, gazing around.  The lunar landscape stretched out before us, shining in the brilliant sunshine.  It was a mosaic of impact craters; craters of all sizes with larger ones overlapping smaller ones and all pock marked by tiny ones from mini meteorites.  Here and there individual rocks protruded from the general background.  Everything was overlaid by a layer of moon dust. Some low hills were shining in the background.
"Have you been outside the dome?" I asked.
"Yes, many times," he replied "but you don't really get a better view as you have to be all suited up with a visor and everything."
"Still, it must be thrilling to emulate the original lunar astronauts."
"Even more so if you are a space historian," he suggested. "This is one of the favourite sites for lunar tourists.  The area in front of you has been left virtually untouched in order to show the original moonscape."
"You will need more than that to satisfy tourists," I said, thinking of the astronomical sums of money involved.
"Of course," he agreed, "trips in a modern lunar rover are extremely popular.  They can visit the original landing sites and the early moon bases."
"I wish I had more time here," I said enviously, visualizing some of the things I had only read about.

      Using my newly acquired lunar gait, I accompanied Julio back to the central dome and into a passage leading towards the 'Hotel' where people at the base were accommodated.  I was to stay there for a few days while our space ship completed final preparations for the voyage and final medical checks were carried out.  I could feel a mild vibration in the ground and I could hear a faint rumble.  As we continued forward and it became more noticeable Julio explained;
"That's the Gravity Machine, or simply G-machine; we will be going into it".


Chapter 6:  The G-Machine

      Although I had heard about it I asked Julio to explain how the machine created artificial Earth gravity.
“It is essentially a large underground train which travels constantly in a wide circle, a bit like a spinning donut.  When the right speed is reached the centrifugal force combined with the moon’s gravity is just enough to provide a pull equal to the earth’s gravity, what we refer to as one G.  All the living quarters are contained in it and have an earth equivalent gravity when it is in motion.  It also has earth like air and pressure; essentially a normal Earth environment.  That’s what makes it possible for humans to live and work on the moon indefinitely.  We avoid all the medical horrors of micro gravity, we can walk normally, and we are protected from cosmic radiation in the underground quarters.”
“So this is the G-Machine they talk so much about?”

      “Officially, it is the Earth Gravity Facility, EGF, but we call it the G-Machine.  It has several other nicknames such as the G-Whiz, or the Merry-go-Round; you will soon see why.”  In response to a question about boarding and disembarking he explained:
“Oh, it stops at stations to allow people and supplies to get on or off; just like a subway train or a fairground Merry-go-round,” he explained. “We can board at the next scheduled stopping time which will be quite soon.”
“What train station do we go to?” I asked, taking up his description of a train.  He laughed and replied.
“There are three main entrances but we just refer to them as East, West, and North although they are not exactly spaced out that wide.”
“I suppose I have to use the North one, coming from Canada.”
He chuckled at that remark then continued:
“You and your fellow crew members are staying in the mid section, close to the South side when it is stopped but we will board from the Eastern entrance.”
“But there is no exit on the South side.  Are they afraid we might try to escape!” I joked. He chuckled again then explained:
“The sections are very large and all interconnected.  There is no beginning or end to the train.  Once you have boarded you can go anywhere.”

      We half walked and hopped down the tunnel and soon it opened up into a large well lit cavern.  It was all lined and decorated with a mix of art and photographic posters.  It did indeed resemble a railway or metro station but was much smaller and less crowded.
‘La Gare de L’Est’, I thought to myself, ‘next stop Strasbourg.’  At the far end there was a curved wall with what looked like sliding doors and windows.  Through the windows I could see something with lights flashing past; like a high speed train.  
“So that’s it?” I asked or stated, pointing to the moving object.
“Yes” he replied with pride; he had been involved in the design of the ‘train’ part of the facility.
“It really moves - is it safe?”
“Safe as houses, or should I say trains,” he said, correcting himself.  

      At this point a bell sounded to announce that the ‘train’ was about to arrive, or in this case, stop moving.  It came to a very gentle stop and the rumbling ceased.  It was replaced by the sound of air seals being applied to the ‘train’ then several of the curved sliding doors opened up.  Julio motioned me towards one of the doors.  As I approached I was surprised to see that the inside of the train was much lower and wider than I had expected.  We had to go down a short flight of steps to get in. Julio hopped down quickly, obviously familiar with it, and I followed as quickly as I could while still maintaining composure and stability. I expressed amazement at the depth and size of the train once we were inside.
“The carriages are cylindrical to allow them to be rotated in proportion to the speed of the train so that the floor is always down,” explained Julio, “that way we can stand upright instead of being thrown against the side.
“Ah, so that explains the round shape of the carriage” I said, stating what must have been the obvious, “and I guess the size of these carriages is enough for at least two levels.”
“Exactly,” he confirmed, “most of the sleeping quarters are on upper levels with offices, recreation, eating facilities, and other rooms on the lower levels.”
“Food?” I enquired picking up on the mention of eating.
“Don’t worry there is a good cafeteria/restaurant, and a 24 hour café on board.  We also have to cater to the tourist trade” he explained. “We will go to the cafeteria next, but wait until we get up to normal speed, it is much easier to move, not to mention eat and drink then.”  
“I am not in a rush,” I said, “just wondering”.
“First, let’s go and try to find the other members of your spaceship crew.  A fascinating bunch; such a variety of types and specialties,” he added. “I have talked to some of them already.”
“I hope you didn’t talk about me!”
“Of course” he kidded me, “I told them all about you.”

      As he spoke, lights flashed and a message came up on the monitors warning passengers that the doors were about to close in preparation for departure.  We were advised to be seated until cruising speed was reached.  We took two adjacent seats with a good view of a monitor.
“I have seen this often already but you may find it interesting” remarked Julio.  
“I wouldn’t miss it.”  There were a few dull thuds and hisses as the doors closed then the train began to move.  
“Better than my car.” I remarked as we began moving very smoothly.  
“Magnetic levitation tracks” explained Julio.  The monitor began to display time, velocity, and, most interesting, the simulated gravity.  I watched the latter number as it climbed up from 0.166G.  After about a minute or so the monitor informed us that we were approaching 100 kilometres per hour, our cruising speed.  The gravity reading leveled off at O.95G.
“We didn’t make it” I exclaimed, pointing to the monitor, “we are supposed to get to 1G, not 0.95 something”  
“Fine adjustments will be made as we go along,” he assured me, “but in any case you won’t notice such a slight difference.  It is O.K. to move about now.”  There was very little to see outside; just a flash of lights as we passed through the stations.  From the inside, only the change from lunar gravity to the artificial earth gravity revealed the fact that the carriages had rolled to compensate for the centrifugal force.  We could stand up and walk without any risk of being jolted and falling.  I was surprised to find that even after a short period walking with the low gravity of the moon, the earth force made me feel heavy and less comfortable.

      We made our way along the lower level of the train towards the mid section.  We passed through a coffee shop/bar where people were drinking and relaxing.
“It reminds me of downtown Montreal.” I said.
“But better” rejoined Julio.
Eventually we reached the section where the spaceship’s crew had been assigned quarters.  Most were off exploring the train, meeting old friends, making new ones, dining, etc.  The ‘space club’ was still a relatively small community and many of the crew knew other people working at the base or visiting on business.  
The first one we encountered was Ruby.  As I had met her at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, I introduced Julio to her rather than him introducing me.
“Charmed indeed” he said taking her hand in both of his. “You must be one of the few I haven’t met”.
“So you are the old and dear friend of Nancy” she remarked as she sized him up.
“Old friend but just friends.” I interjected for clarification.  “Julio is everyone’s friend.”
“That’s nice” said Ruby smiling.  Turning to me she offered: “Why don’t I introduce you to the others – if we can find them.”  

      As we were advancing slowly through the coach I saw someone in an animated discussion.
“That must be Marie Claire” I said, recognizing her from photos and videos.  Her hands were ‘talking’ as fast as her mouth.  On spotting us she paused and came forward to embrace me without waiting for introductions.
“Enchantée. You must be “the Books” she said with a welcoming smile. “We have been looking forward to meeting you.”
“Very pleased to meet you too” I assured her.  
“Most of us have been training together for a year.  It must be a shock for you joining the crew at short notice.”  
“Yes,” I agreed, “I put in a few months of hard training but more time would have been appreciated and I missed having contact with the others.”  
As deputy captain she was an important member of the group.  Marie-Claire was medium build, slim, and very animated.  In her mid twenties, she was slightly older than most of the crew members which gave us something in common.  I felt welcome as she appeared genuinely pleased to meet me.  Her dark hair framed a narrow angular face which was very expressive when she became involved in a discussion.   A slightly ‘roman’ nose and fine lips hinted at her Gallic origins.  

      We exchanged a few more pleasantries before moving on and soon we encountered two more crew members, Muritama and Ivan, who were threading their way through the carriage in the other direction.  Ruby introduced us and I shook hands with Muritama.  With dark hair and youthful features, he appeared very young to be an advanced computer engineer and a trained astronaut.
“You look like a teenager” I jested.
“Why not” he replied, apparently a little miffed.  
“He is a teenager” Ruby whispered to me.  “Have you met Ivan already?” she asked aloud.  “You will find him very interesting – our favorite Russian,”
“No, but I have read about you” I replied, taking the hand he offered.
At this point Julio, who had obviously talked to them previously, became engaged in the conversation with them.  I held back a little, partly to get a good look at Ivan who had struck me as rather attractive.  He was medium height with a strong though not too muscular build; a mesomorph.  His light brown hair fell loosely over his forehead above deep blue eyes.  His round face was lightly tanned.  
‘Handsome’, I thought, noting that he had a confident upright stance, strong legs, and a good bottom, one of my personal fetishes.
“Nice” Ruby whispered in my ear.  Blushing slightly I turned.  She was smiling in an amused but mysterious way.  I observed, as I got to know her, she often smiled that way; she appeared to be constantly amused at the world or at her own opinion of it.  Ivan and Muritama moved on but as I watched them go I noticed that Ivan stole a backward glance at me.

      The next group we encountered included Annabelle and Nell. I did the honors and introduced Julio to them.  I could see that he was suitably impressed – two attractive women together.  Both were in comfortable jeans suitable for train travel.

      As we moved on we met Captain Larsen who was progressing through the carriage in a forceful manner.  Ruby introduced us cautiously.  He appeared to be the type who constantly tried to demonstrate that he is the captain with his military bearing and brisk manners.  This meeting was not encouraging from my point of view as he commented:
“Oh, so you are the expert from the oil era”.
This I presumed was a reference to my professional interest in the 21st century.
“Well I am not exactly from the oil era,” I pointed out, “but I study it.”
“Almost as bad,” he stated bluntly.  I wasn’t quite sure how to take it but it left me with the impression that I was barely welcome.  I knew I was more or less an add-on; a last minute addition to his crew, someone who could write about the voyage from a non technical point of view.  I had no desire to get into an argument at this point so I ignored the remark saying only;
“I am happy to be here, Captain, sorry if I am rather late.”  He nodded accepting the apology even though one was hardly required and continued on his way.  I knew from his bio that he had a military background and was the most senior member of the crew.  Nevertheless, his rather blunt greeting and off-putting manner were not encouraging.  I resolved to be careful dealing with him but at the same time I determined to challenge him about the ‘oil era’ remark.  I was confident I knew a lot more about the ‘oil era’ than he did.

      Julio reappeared and showed me to my quarters on the second level – a small cabin with a bunk bed.  The bed had a guard rail.
“Looks like a child’s cot” I protested, testing the rail.
“It is necessary for safety,” he explained. “If you suddenly wake up when the train stops and you attempt to get up you may forget about the low gravity and end up on the other side of the room.”
“Oh, now it makes sense.”
“I hope it is all right,” he said apologetically, “The tourists and VIPs get the best treatment.”
“Oh, so you have a deluxe room with a view.” I returned.
“Why yes”, he confirmed. “I can count sheep on the green hills to fall asleep.”
I realized this must be a moonie joke; an allusion to the fact that green plants were non existent on the lunar landscape.  Some people found it difficult to live for an extended period on the moon even though the living quarters were tastefully decorated to make up for the bleak landscape outside.
“Don’t worry,” I said, “I’m just a transient.  Two or three days and I will be off to Jupiter, Saturn, and who knows where else.”  A slight frown flickered across Julio’s face at this remark but he quickly recovered and suggested that we make our way to the restaurant for dinner.
“Excellent idea,” I agreed. “I hope they serve wine – we have to celebrate my arrival on the moon.  By the way, what time is it here?”
“Almost nineteen hundred,” he replied, “we are on GMT here even though the sun is on the lunar 28 day cycle.  We have two weeks of daylight and two weeks of night”
“Oh, that could be interesting,” I joked. “What do you do during a two week night?”  He just smiled as we continued towards the dining carriage.

      One entire carriage was taken up with the restaurant and supporting facilities.  The tables were arranged across the coach with two aisles for easy access. Near the entrance we met two more of my new space buddies who were seated at a table, Dr. Tallentini, the biotechnology expert, and the medical officer, Dr. Wells.  Julio eagerly introduced us.
“Here she is at last and she is everything I told you,” he explained with some pride.  I had already met Dr. Tallentini but he stood up anyway and shook hands warmly and very firmly.
“Welcome to the moon, I hope you had a good trip.”  
“Excellent” I replied as Dr. Wells also stood to welcome me.
“Hi, just call me Wendy.”
“I am happy to be here and looking forward to the trip.” I commented.  “There were times when I thought I wouldn’t make it.”  Julio was smiling as usual and suggested we all have dinner together.  We settled down to dinner with Julio leading the conversation.  Meals at the lunar base were not all ‘space’ food as there was a good supply of regular ‘earth’ type food, thanks to the 1g environment and regular supply shuttles.  Menu items varied greatly, ranging from European/American to Asian dishes. Julio talked about the spaceship and ‘Dr. Bio’ talked about his plans for biotechnology on the voyage but my mind wandered as I was already thinking ahead; I was eager to be shown around the ship by Julio the next day.  I was day dreaming about living on the huge spaceship.  Would we be accommodated two or more to a room?  Would we be allowed to choose roommates?  ‘Yes, Ivan will do fine’ I joked to myself.  I was also interested in the food for the ship.  How much could it carry from Earth to ensure my regular diet?  How can we keep fit locked up in a cruise ship for weeks or months?  After having trained so hard I had a vested interest in staying space fit.

      Later, I found sleeping on the G-machine quite relaxing in spite of the bunk style bed.  It felt like being on a fast moving train.  I wondered if the spaceship would be equally comfortable.  The mild vibration and slight bump as we crossed slightly uneven sections lulled me to sleep.  As I was dropping off I had to keep reminding myself that I was on the moon, not on a train hurtling across a continent on the way to a well earned vacation.


Chapter 7: The Deluxe Space Ship

      Next morning I was up early and down before Julio appeared.  He breezed in, red hair flying, gave me a hug and joined me in the line at the café.  I had a healthy breakfast, cooked oats, coffee and toast while he had just a coffee and croissant.
“Too long in Montreal!” I admonished him.  “Wait till the space physician gets hold of you.”
“I don’t have to meet astronaut standards like you.” He responded laughing.  “Moon workers, don’t have to qualify for space voyages.”  The only other member of the crew in the café at time was Lorne, the tall lanky physicist.  He tended to wear loose fitting pants most of the time and on this occasion he was stretched out at a table, one foot on the opposite chair and a coffee in his hand.  He drew in his long legs and sat up as we approached, motioning us to join him.  He also had reddish hair and was talkative which made him a good match for Julio but he did not have the jolly, happy-go-lucky, character of Julio.  After the usual morning greetings he quickly tackled Julio about some of the technicalities of the spaceship.  He was particularly interested in the propulsion system and the energy requirement of the ship while operating.  Julio was not expert in these areas but answered the questions as best he could.  The significant point to emerge from the discussion was that while on a voyage the spaceship was powered by mini nuclear fusion reactors which provided an almost limitless supply of energy.  The hot plasma flowing from the operating reactor passes through an MHD generator to produce the electricity required for all the ship’s systems and backup power storage units.  From the sidelines of the conversation I had the opportunity to observe Lorne closely.  He had a long narrow face with prominent cheekbones and deep set eyes, not unattractive.  His large frame was well built and looked strong but he was definitely an ectomorph type; long limbs but almost no bottom - not physically attractive to me.

      We were ready for the 8:00 hours ‘train’ stop and we descended, or rather climbed out of the ‘merry-go-round’ at the ‘Gare de l’Est’.  Pausing frequently to greet friends, Julio led me through the domed base which was still bathed in brilliant sunshine.  We moved at a fast lunar clip but I paused briefly to admire the sparkle of the moon rocks again before being led through a long tunnel to the space ship construction zone.  We came out into a smaller domed area but this one was a hive of activity with equipment and work crews all around.  Clearly visible just beyond the dome was the spaceship.  It was standing upright and gave the impression of being almost in space already.  It was an inspiring sight; a huge gleaming spaceship silhouetted against the simmering lunar landscape in the background.  I was immediately struck by its shape.  It was not streamlined like a classical space rocket but was wide and rather bulbous; an inverted teardrop would be an apt description.  It had a smooth tapered curve ending at the base where it was supported on a frame.  The overall height was difficult to estimate as it was set in an unfamiliar landscape but it was obviously several stories high and about half as wide.  As I looked at it more carefully I perceived that it was connected to an adjacent building by several covered passages.  They were attached to the ship at different levels but were small in comparison to the ship’s hull itself.  I quickly revised my estimate of the size to about ten stories high.  Julio waved his hands to encompass the entire spaceship.
“Impressive” I exclaimed.
“Beautiful,” he agreed, “I thought you would appreciate the design.  Here we don’t have to worry about an atmosphere and aerodynamics as we are already in space so to speak.  The ship can be designed around the interior layout planned rather than cramming the interior units into a hull with an unsuitable shape.”
“That’s clever but you could have designed it to look more like a cruise ship”, I teased.
“But this is a cruise ship,” he protested, “a very modern one.  You can cruise the universe in comfort.”
“Why do you build it upright instead of flat then elevate it?” I enquired, in a more practical tone.
“It is much easier to construct it and finish it upright in its operating position.”  He explained.  “As you know, it will be propelled with constant 1g acceleration so this is the appropriate position.  Also, with the low gravity on the moon it is easy to lift objects and assemble it like this.”

     I studied the spaceship gleaming in the glare of the sun in silence for a short time then asked if the hull was stainless steel.
“No, not exactly,” he replied. “There are two principal materials involved.  The main hull is constructed with a special type of maraging steel which is similar to stainless steel but much stronger with a high tensile strength and easier to shape.  With no atmosphere on the moon and low gravity we were able to use laser vacuum welding which results in perfect joins.  In addition to the steel shell,” Julio continued, “there is a thick protective sheath covering most of the ship made of beryllium, a very light metal.”
“Why don’t they use it for the entire hull if it is light?” I asked.
“It is not strong enough on its own,” he explained. “It relies on the steel hull for strength but it adds a new dimension in terms of protection.”  
“Ah, a heat shield for reentry.”
“It could serve as a heat shield in an atmosphere but it is more important as a shield to dissipate energy while traveling in space. At very high speed there is a risk of a violent collision with small particles of space dust.  Such a collision would generate heat at the point of contact in proportion to the relative speed and weight of the particle involved.  The benefit of the beryllium is that it removes the energy very quickly before any serious damage can be done.  This property of beryllium was discovered late in the 20th century when a Russian satellite broke up over Canada and large cylinders of the metal fell to Earth, completely undamaged. ”
“Using it seems like a good idea,” I acknowledged, “but what about an asteroid?”
“Larger types of space bodies must be detected and avoided.”

      “It must be difficult constructing it in space.”
“Yes but we made extensive use of the ‘octopus’; you must have heard of it.  It was designed using two Canadian developments, the Canadarm developed for the original space shuttles and the Canadahand, a dexterous manipulator robot that was used on the International Space Station.”
“Of course I have heard of it,” I replied hurriedly searching my memory for a missing ‘octopus’, “but how do you use it here?”
Recognizing that I was at a loss he proceeded to explain that the ‘octopus’ was a robot with eight arms and hands.  It had sophisticated computer systems with one controlling each arm and hand but in addition a master control system that coordinated all eight arms at the same time.  The beauty of it was that it could hold several items and tools at the same time and work in a vacuum with high precision.  The robot was programmed to do a task, provided with the material and equipment required, and it would perform perfect work with no further supervision.  Many different sizes of the space octopus had been built and they were useful for servicing satellites in space and collecting space junk during the ‘clean the skies’ operation that preceded the deployment of the Earth 2000 climate control devices.
“Just imagine your confusion if you had to operate eight hands at the same time.” He commented.
“It makes me dizzy just thinking about it.”  I replied looking at my two simple hands.

      When I challenged Julio about spaceship’s reliability he explained that all the components had been tested in a rigorous space quality assurance program on Earth before being sent to Luna 3 for assembly.  I queried the testing but he assured me that they were thoroughly tested.  “Tested to death,” as he put it.
“Just like the space medical tests”, I quipped!   He smiled with an understanding nod.
He went on to explain that once an item was incorporated into the ship it must perform flawlessly; there was no possibility of stopping in space for repairs.   It was similar to the quality assurance program required in the nuclear power industry.  When a containment vessel was fabricated for a fission or fusion reactor, it had to be completely reliable; it could not be accessed for repair once it was radioactive.  When I asked if he was certain that every single panel on the ship had been tested he replied:
“Definitely!  Tested not only strength, but chemically, X-rayed, examined with an automatic laser microscope, vibration tested; you name it, it has been done.”

      For a change to a less technical subject I pointed out that the ship was huge compared to space vehicles of the past.  Julio explained that it had been designed to avoid the medical problems associated with extended space travel; especially health effects due to radiation exposure and the lack of gravity.  It was also spacious in order to prevent or reduce feelings of claustrophobia, a common problem on old fashioned space ships.  It had life support equipment and supplies sufficient for an extended stay in space.  That prompted me to enquire about the basic requirements for a long range spaceship.  According to Julio, there were three guiding principles.  One, it must have constant simulated gravity.  Two, there must be protection against radiation. Three, the ship must be self-sufficient in life support systems.  Needless to say, all that required a steady supply of energy.  I prodded further to see if the ship meet these requirements and he gave the following details:  The gravity problem was solved by providing a constant 1g acceleration or deceleration while on a mission.  That required a lot of energy but it could be provided by directed energy beams as long as the ship was within range of the earth or another planet or moon with a directed energy beam system in place.  Beyond that it relied on mini fusion reactors and ion propulsion.  Inside the ship while it is traveling it would feel just like being in a tall building on earth.  The gravity effect should be as good as the G-machine except that the ship travels in a straight line, not in a circle

      Accepting that the acceleration would take care of the gravity problem, I asked Julian how I would avoid exposure to radiation.  That, he explained, was a more complex matter with several levels of protection.  First, the ship had a simulated magnetic shield similar to the earth that deflects ionizing radiation.  Second, the entire hull of the ship was double and enclosed a complete layer of water.  The sandwich construction of metal, water, and metal layers provided a good shield against radiation in outer space.  However, that led to a follow-up question; I raised the specter of water leaks.  This had also been taken care of in the design.  The water was distributed among many small compartments and each had a leak detection mechanism and a repair system based on nano-particles.  Leaks must be detected instantly and stopped to make sure no significant loss of water occurs.  Water was not only essential for safety, but it provided a rotating reserve for use on the ship.  That raised another concern so I asked him about the water being affected by exposure to radiation.  This problem had also been foreseen; the water was constantly monitored for radiation byproducts such as hydrogen peroxide and purified when necessary.  We were getting too technical again so I returned the conversation back to the general appearance of the ship.  
“The ship resembles a giant teardrop with the blunt end for the bow.  In fact, with its layer of water, it is rather like a hollow teardrop, isn’t it?” I suggested.  “Is it called ‘Teardrop’?”
“No”, he smiled, “I don’t think there is a name for it yet or perhaps it is under wraps”.
In any case I decided to refer to it as “A Teardrop in Space” and murmured to myself, ‘sounds romantic, but perhaps prophetic as well.’


Chapter 8: Inside the Space Ship

      We mounted a stairwell at the end of the dome and entered the ship via the sealed passage leading to the upper level.  Once inside it was difficult to see until our eyes adapted to the artificial light.  
“Dark!” I remarked, “Is it safe to continue?”
“Of course, you are perfectly safe with me; I won’t try to seduce you.” He joked.
“Too bad” I responded, “I like to get offers.”  
Julio smiled briefly then became serious again and explained that unlike early space ships, there were no windows as they would result in unacceptable levels of radiation exposure on very long trips.  Instead, it was equipped with cameras for all-round vision.   Some were designed to check on the exterior of the hull but most are for long range space views.  There were several powerful telescopes which could be deployed when required.  
I suggested that it may be a bit claustrophobic without a window but he assured me that in a spaceship this size it was unlikely that I would find it claustrophobic.  In any case, he pointed out, there wasn’t much to see most of the time in deep space.  Approaching a planet or asteroid would be the only time when it would become interesting.  There were viewing ports, in the forward compartment and aft at the lower end of the ship near the labs.  So it was possible to get a good view of ‘coming and going’ as he put it.  He mentioned further that in the interest of radiation safety, the ports were covered by shields that form part of the hull when not required so I would not be able to use the ports any time I wanted.

      At this point Julio recommended that we have a tour of the ship starting at the top then working our way down.  
“It is huge,” I remarked, “Is there a space elevator inside?”
“No” he laughed, “there was a command decision to build it without one.  In any case, with a crew of young and super fit astronauts, who needs one.”  
“Well it is easy at present,” I replied, hopping up and down to demonstrate the moon’s low gravity, “but after we get underway that will be different.  How many stories are there inside?”    
“The ship has many distinct levels.  In total it corresponds to about a ten story building.”
Under the nosecone of the ship there was a large circular room with sloping walls.  It contained various controls and equipment for observation and recording such as telescopes, cameras, etc.  Julio explained that it was the space viewing room when a port was opened.  With no windows at the time and sloping walls I found it claustrophobic and I suddenly began to panic thinking the whole ship may be similar.  Julio noticed by discomfort and tried to reassure me.
“Don’t worry”, he said, “the living quarters are much more attractive and very comfortable.”
“I sure hope so.” I smiled weakly.  

      We descended the stairs to the next level which he informed me was the upper bedroom level.
“Bedrooms.” I echoed. “You call them ‘bedrooms’ not ‘cabins’ on this ship?”
“They are too good to be called cabins”, he claimed as he opened the door to one of the rooms.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The walls were all fully vertical and tastefully decorated and there was a good ceiling height; the area was large by most space standards.  As I was taking in the sight before me, Julio carried on about the construction materials and the soundproofing but it seemed irrelevant in view of the generous space.  When I came back to earth, so to speak, Julio was saying.
“The walls are constructed of a lightweight carbon fiber material, very strong, and the space between cabins is packed with a special sound-proofing material.”
“What kind of material, lead? I asked as I was aware that weight was important for sound proofing.
“Oh no!” he exclaimed, “we used anechoic material, it looks like foam nail board but stops all sound reflections.”
“There are two floors with six rooms this size on each floor and every bedroom has its own powder room.” He continued.
“Is it all for me?” I asked doubtfully.
“Yes.  I don’t know which room will be assigned to you but it will be like this one.  The general layout is six individual rooms around each floor with some common facilities such as showers in the Center.”
“Showers!  Isn’t that overdoing it a bit.”
“Not at all,” he countered.  “On very long trips I am sure the crew will be glad to have showers.”
“What do you mean ‘very long trips’?”  I demanded, noticing that the phrase popped up rather frequently.  The question threw Julio off guard for a moment but he quickly recovered and replied.
“Well the ship will be used for many years so you can expect some voyages to be longer than the one you are going on.”
“Oh, you scared me for an instant.” I said aloud but to myself I noted that there was something mysterious about the whole ship that did not fit with any explanation I had been given so far.
 
      We continued our tour of the ship by descending to the next bedroom level then down to the ‘living’ area.  Living was hardly an adequate description as it was large and well appointed with a kitchen/cafeteria, dining area, and a comfortable relaxation lounge.  It was equipped with enough tables and chairs on one side for the entire crew.  The other side of the section had more comfortable seating for relaxation and three large TV screens set in the wall.
“3D I presume,” I said, pointing to it.
“Not only 3D but it can display holographic images.”
“Ah, that will be entertaining”
“It can also be scary.  Just imagine a good ghost story when you are thousands of kilometers out in space,” he teased.
“Yes it could be scary.  Imagine seeing a hologram of you projected while in space” I returned looking at him.  Fortunately, Julio never takes offence.

      The next level was different again; a large and very spacious open area with a high ceiling.  
“What do you think of this section?” enquired Julio with a hint of pride in his voice.  “This is what we refer to as the ‘great outdoors’ area”.   I looked around to take in the remarkable sight all around me before replying.  It was decorated in outdoor motifs and colors.  Green was used extensively for illustrations of grass, plants and trees; the ‘sky’ was blue with white clouds.  Several of the walls looked bare but Julio explained that once the ship was under power they would display active images such as a beach with surf rolling in or forests with trees waving in the breeze.  The images would be varied from time to time.

      The ‘outdoors’ was also the exercise area and contained a wide range of equipment and a walking/running track around the perimeter.  
“It is amazing,” I ventured.  “It really looks like an outdoor exercise spa.  Only the pool is missing”  
“Sorry about the pool,” he laughed.  “I should also mention that there are no real plants on the ship.  It was decided that it was just too difficult to have living plants on the ship so you will have to be satisfied our electronic variety.”
“They look quite realistic but I presume they don’t grow.”
“No, but they do almost everything else.  The flowers open up in the ‘daylight’ and even the leaves vary with the lighting.”
“Looks attractive to me,” I said, looking around once more at the ‘great outdoors’.
“The idea is that people move through this area on the way to and from work in the lower sections of the ship or they come here for a break and to exercise.  For that reason, it has outdoor type lighting including a low level of UV light which is essential for good health on extended missions.  The light level varies throughout the day; it is brightest at noon and fades to darkness at night”
“Does the temperature change with the seasons?” I asked, intending it as a joke as I didn’t expect to be in it for even one season.  However, he was slightly taken aback and didn’t seem to appreciate the humor as he balked at the question so I relieved him by changing the subject.
“The ship is a bit excessive for a scientific space ship. Perhaps it will be used for space tourists.”  He shuddered at the thought.
“This is much too good for tourists,” he said.  “In this modern space age you need to have space and comfort in space.” He added, smiling at his “spaces”.  “This ship could carry you safely anywhere within range.”  He added.
“What exactly is the range of a ship like this?”
“It is almost limitless if you have sufficient energy and supplies.”
“That raises another point” I interjected, “Where exactly are we going on this voyage?”
“You are only going as far as Saturn,” he replied, cautiously.

     The next level we visited as we continued down the ship contained a number of offices, work areas, and the command room which was the hangout of the captain.  Many of the other crew members had a room here. Muritama, the computer expert’s work area was an extraordinary collection of terminals, keyboards and other related gadgets.  I was keen to talk to him but he was not on the ship at the time.  The command room, belonging to the captain, was larger than the others.  It was sparsely furnished with a table and a dozen upright chairs and had a military air about it.  There were several large display screens but there was no operational type command chair and consul.  Julio explained that while traveling in space there was virtually no operational activity required.  I also noted navigator and weapon stations appeared to be lacking.
“What about defensive maneuvers and weapons,” I asked, “don’t we have phasers and quantum torpedoes?”  Julio laughed saying:
“There are no aliens where this ship is going, you don’t need weapons”.
“But with the long range you mentioned they might encounter some on very long trips.”
“Astrobiologists have been searching for signs of intelligent life for almost three hundred years using every tool imaginable, huge radio telescopes and arrays of antennas, but no sign of extraterrestrial beings have been found.”
“Are you saying there aren’t any intelligent life forms out there.?”  I asked waving my arms to indicate the vastness of space.
“Oh, we can’t say that.  But we can say that there are no smart phones or computer geeks within electromagnetic earshot of Earth.  If there are developed societies at distances of hundreds to thousands of light years away you don’t have to worry about them”

      Across from the captain’s room was the deputy captain’s.  It probably appeared smaller than it was because it was decorated in bright colors with the photo-screen displaying images of France on the wall.  It was furnished in a rather plush office style with a desk and a several comfortable chairs; quite unlike the captain’s room.

      We were about to leave the area when the captain appeared.  He came down the stairs briskly and paused briefly to greet us.
“Inspecting your new quarters?” he asked, or rather stated.
“Yes, I am very impressed.”
“Don’t exhaust yourself before we leave.” He advised.
“That’s not likely in this environment with lunar gravity to assist me up and down all the stairs.”  I replied truthfully.
“Are you planning any visits while you are on the moon?”
“If there is time, I would like to visit one of the original Apollo landing sites”  
“There isn’t much to see there but, of course, as a historian attracted to old things you may find it interesting.”
“Yes exactly,” I agreed. “I would be fascinated, especially as the original lunar landings were done during the ‘Oil Era’.”  He paused, perhaps searching for a suitable response but turned and departed instead.  I made a mental note to join a trip to the nearest Apollo landing site.
“One up for you,” remarked Julio with a smile.  I agreed but I knew life on board with this captain was not going to be very easy, interesting, but not relaxing.  Fortunately, Marie Claire, the deputy captain appeared to be much more sympathetic.  

      A lower level of the spaceship was taken up by the biotechnology labs and associated facilities.  As we passed through it I could see banks of refrigerators and freezers.  There were many ‘clean’ benches with high efficiency air filters and rows of incubators and growth chambers but Julio was not familiar with the labs.
“You will have to have the good Dr. Bio explain all this to you.” He recommended, waving his hand in the general direction of the labs.  “It is a bit beyond my level.”
“I will definitely take up that suggestion.” I replied, making a mental note to that effect.  We descended into the lowest level of the ship which was taken up by mechanical equipment and components related to propulsion and energy collection systems.   Julio was unfamiliar with the engineering equipment so we left via the air seal leading back into the construction dome.  As we skipped along the tunnel on our way back towards the G-machine Julio asked what I thought of their ‘grand design’ so far.
“It is almost overwhelming.”  I responded.  “It will be a real pleasure to travel on the spaceship and explore it further.  You and your design team must be very proud of your achievement.”
“Yes, but we will be even more proud once it takes off and astronauts like you have successful voyage in space.”
“I have a few outstanding questions; perhaps we can discuss it tonight after dinner.”
“Delighted,” he agreed.
What I wanted to discuss was my increasing puzzlement over the whole project.  An enormous space cruise ship with individual cabins and luxury appointments – capable of going “anywhere in space ‘; a highly trained crew with a range of scientific and engineering disciplines; thousands of components manufactured and tested on Earth, and yet a level of secrecy that had been barely breached by the international media.  But there was no clear goal for the multibillion dollar venture that I was aware of.  Will the planning meetings at the lunar base shed more light on the subject?


Chapter 9: Apollo 15 Site

      I did not have an opportunity to discuss the ship further with Julio immediately as there was a lot of activity at the base as the pace of activity ramped up in preparation for our departure.  Each day there was a round table discussion with the crew and the design engineers. Although I was not required to be present at every session, I wanted to get familiar with the voyage and the other crew members so I attended most of them.  On the first occasion the captain introduced me as the ‘oil era expert’ and commented that I would be useful as a source of information about the mistakes of the 21st century.  A few people chucked and I was becoming flushed but before I could speak Marie Claire cut in.  She was angry and it showed but she kept her voice under control and berated the captain for remarks were totally inappropriate, discouraging, and disrespectful.  She went on to point out that an arts graduate was a valuable addition to a crew overloaded with scientists and engineers.  Further, she continued by claiming that I was an excellent writer which was highly desirable as most scientists are very poor at writing.  They are always inventing technical terms, abbreviations, and acronyms to the point that the language becomes incomprehensible to all but an expert in the field.  The captain appeared to be taken off guard by the tone of her interjection.  He was probably not used to having his staff (troops) contradict him and brushed it off as something to be noted, but offered no apology.  Nevertheless, I was more than happy with Marie Claire’s support and determined to be on her side in any confrontation.

       The discussions with engineers were of more concern to the technical crew members, especially Dr. Bio and his staff, Muritama, the computer engineer, and, of course, Marie Claire the deputy captain.  Captain Larsen chaired the meetings in his usual no nonsense military style, sitting at the head of the table and apparently expecting immediate response to any question he asked.  He tended to reach decisions immediately as if to display quick thinking and decisiveness. However, Marie Claire was not cowed by his attitude and maintained a firm posture and followed the discussions closely.  She was sharp and frequently interjected on important issues.  Sometimes the captain was obliged to reverse his quick decisions as a result of her comments.  I had the impression there was a developing animosity between them but both were careful to mask it.   

      In view of my comment to the captain, I felt obliged to participate in an excursion to one of the original moon landing sites but it was also of personal interest as the Apollo missions still ranked as one of the major highlights of space exploration.  I would like to have visited the Apollo 11 site where Neil Armstrong and Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin first set foot on the moon but it was more distant and we had only a limited amount of free time.  Instead I joined an excursion with Marie Claire, Lorne and Ivan to the Apollo 15 landing site which was within easy reach of the base.

      I knew from my space background that spacesuits had to be tight but I didn’t realize how tight until it came time to suit up for our trip.  As Marie Claire was on the same trip we donned the flexible arm and lower body sections of the suits together in the Dava Newman change room at the lunar rover base.  The legs were very tight and the spacesuit assistant pushed and pulled to get us into them without damaging the material; damaging us appeared to be less of a concern.  She commented that, unlike the usual tourists, the prominent derrières of our space-fit figures made it extra difficult. I suggested that we simply use a larger size but she explained that the flexible spacesuit had to be tight against the skin with a pressure approaching half normal air pressure in order to be effective. Going up in size may make it easier to fit our buttocks but would not be good for our legs.  We would not appreciate it if we got “space bends”, the equivalent of the air pressure problem encountered by deep sea divers.  In the vacuum of space the body has to be held together, so to speak.  Unlike the original lunar spacesuits, the new flexible suits did not use air pressure inside the suit except for the upper torso and helmet.  

      The assistant explained further that the underwear, especially the panties, was made of extremely absorbent material to soak up sweat, urine, and other excrement; the lunar rover did not have any facilities.  I had not thought about that aspect but suddenly a four or five hour excursion in the rover took on a new aspect.  I glanced at Marie Claire and she was looking at me with a pained expression on her face.  Abruptly we both blurted out: ‘Pit stop’.  Much to the annoyance of the assistant we dropped everything and headed for the heads.  Fortunately, getting the flexible pantsuit on a second time proved to be easier.  

      We then proceeded to the Dover room for the torso and helmet.  Although easier to don, these sections of the suit were critical in a different way.  In order for the complete assemblage to be air tight, the torso section had to have an air tight mate with the arms and the lower torso/leg section but at the same time allow movement.  An assistant demonstrated how to get into the air pressurized sections without restricting the air flow and heat fluid circulation tubes.  We practiced removal and replacement of the helmet as we planned to travel in the air sealed rover without helmets then put them on just before our moon walk.  Ivan was in the same room at the time and we helped each other with the helmet.  The final additions were the gloves and moon boots followed by insulation layers for the arms and legs to protect us from the harsh lunar environment.  Even with the full suit on, however, movement and flexibility were reasonably good.  Eventually we were fully equipped and marched down the air passage to the rover carrying our helmets in our hands, looking like headless moon ghosts.  

      Ivan assisted me boarding the rover.  I had the distinct impression he gave my hand a friendly squeeze in the process but with space gloves any such message was ‘lost in translation’.  Marie Claire was sitting beside Lorne who had difficulty fitting his large frame into the seats of the rover so his legs were stretched out in the narrow aisle.  The tight space suit made him look even more long legged than usual.  He had a laconic sense of humor and when he laughed his entire frame shook.  His background was physics and astronomy.  I believe he had studied physics first then branched into astronomy; sometimes he was an astronomer and at others he was a physicist. He liked to explain most phenomena in terms of basic physics, which he referred to as ‘Natural Philosophy’.  Marie Claire chatted in her usual emphatic style; even space gloves could not silence her talking hands.  At one point they were discussing the captain and I heard her refer to him as ‘Petit Napoleon’ but Lorne appeared to take the captain’s side commenting on the importance of discipline on long space missions.

      Ivan and I sat on adjacent seats at the back of the rover.  Initially he appeared to be shy in my presence as we talked about our space background and training.  His explained his main expertise, climatology, had little relevance on the moon as there was virtually no atmosphere.  On the other hand, the moon was totally fascinating for his secondary field, geography, with rocks and craters unspoiled by the effects of wind and water.   He explained that the flat ‘Mare’ areas were probably formed from molten rock following impacts of very large meteors.  At one time they were believed to have been the result of volcanic activity but the other theory was now favored.  Julio had already mentioned that but I liked having Ivan explain it to me.   As time progressed I began to feel that we could get along well together.

      We had an experienced driver and guide who named some of the craters and explained unusual features as we rolled along.  When we arrived at the landing site it was slightly disappointing.  The main landing area was protected by an electronic fence so we could not get close to the landing module.  It was not visible but we were warned that if we approached the historic sites, which included the module and the original rover, our helmets would transmit a weak electric shock.  The intensity would become unbearable if we approached the fence too closely.  Our tour driver explained that there was great concern for the Apollo landing sites; once tourists began to arrive the footsteps of the astronauts would have been obliterated very quickly if full access had been allowed.  More importantly, the landing modules had to be protected from souvenir hunters.  The Apollo 15 lunar crew, Scott and Irwin, was the first one to explore the moon using a lunar rover; their rover and a portion of the tracks were also protected.
“Humans spoil everything,” commented Lorne the astronomer.
“Are you including yourself?” asked Marie Claire.
“Oh, it is just a general observation,” he responded.  “It is no reflection on the present company, but you have to take the long view if you are an astronomer.”
“Humans are capable of almost anything,” I interjected.  “Look at the lunar landings.  They were done in a period of primitive technology and yet they were almost perfect.  Not only that, but the courage of the Apollo astronauts who visited the moon was outstanding.”
“I totally agree” said Ivan in support.  “We have it very easy now with established bases and regular supply shuttles”.

      At this point the guide interrupted to ask if we wanted to walk around a little and, needless to say, we agreed.  He warned us not to stray too far from the rover in case we developed a problem.  Although he could call the base for assistance, it would take time to get another rover to the Apollo 15 site.  There was no air ambulance service on the moon he joked.  We had to attach sun visors and breathing equipment to our space suits and check them before the pressure was reduced.  We could communicate with each other through a voice radio attached to our helmets.  Our space suits were flexible and the backpack was light so I think it was easier for us to walk than it was for the first visitors to the moon.  When we left the rover it was very bright in the full sun and we needed our visors.  Moving was easy with the low gravity but we had to be careful not to kick up too much dust.  The moon dust, we had been warned, was actually powdered rock and was very abrasive.  We must have looked like tourists; examining our footsteps, hopping about, laughing, and taking photographs of each other.  Ivan was in a playful mood, dancing about and pretending to waltz with me.

      Collecting souvenirs was frowned on although most tourists returned with small samples.  On the one hand, the lunar landscape was beautiful, basking in the brilliant sunlight with the low mountains in the background.  On the other hand, with no air and protected only by a space suit, I felt deep down that it was barren and inhospitable and I realized that we were quite isolated from it inside the lunar base.  

      The base of the Apollo lunar landing module remained where it had been left behind by the crew when they returned to the command ship in orbit.  Their rover also remained where they had parked it about 100 meters from the landing module.  When we approached the landing module as close as permitted, I was impressed by the size of the unit.  Once again, I had to acknowledge the ingenuity of the NASA designers for the Apollo missions.  Lorne and Marie Claire both ceased talking for a few minutes to gaze in awe at the historic example of 20th century engineering.  Lorne couldn’t resist a few comments about how it had been able to offset the lunar gravity with only a limited supply of fuel as it came down.  Ivan was more like me and quietly admired it without commenting.  After a brief ‘EVA’ period we, all climbed back into the rover for the return trip.  This time, however, Ivan sat closer to me and chatted more freely; our activity on the lunar surface seemed to have warmed him up.


Chapter 10:  Fare Thee Well

      Back at the base, I took the opportunity to ask some of the members about their background and astronaut training in preparation for the voyage.  They all complained about the intrusive medical tests and vaccinations; space qualified if you survive the test program was the general opinion.
“I think they even counted my eggs!” said Ruby.  
“I wonder what they counted in me,” remarked Al smiling.  My own training had been very rushed so I was interested in the experience of the others.  Physical training had been strongly emphasized for everyone.  We were all as ‘fit-as-a-fiddle’, probably more highly trained than necessary.  Not only that, but we were expected to maintain our level of fitness throughout the voyage which explained the array of training equipment I had seen in the ‘outdoor’ area of the ship.  The only item missing from the training area was a set of weights; a system using electrical resistance was available instead.  This was much lighter but had the dubious advantage that the computerized gym monitor could remember your physical condition, follow your progress, and remind you if there was any lapse.  I thought the emphasis on physical fitness was overdone considering the new deluxe spaceship which maintained a normal earth atmosphere and gravity except during slow maneuvers; space fit was a thing of the past.

      Time passed quickly and before I knew it we were down to our last day on the moon.  I buttonholed Julio and we settled down in the café for discussion.  Julio never seemed to relax so he was typically sitting upright on a bench seat eagerly waiting for me to begin.  I settled back comfortably beside him, trying to appear casual while carefully preparing my questions.
“I really do appreciate the welcome you gave me and the grand tour of the spaceship,” I began,  “I think I know it better than most of the other crew members.”  
“It has been a pleasure showing you around.  Is there anything else I can do for you before you leave?”  I wasn’t quite sure if he had something else in mind but I decided to take advantage of the occasion to quiz him more about the spaceship.
“As I remarked previously, the size and comfort of the ship is truly amazing,” I said to open the topic.
“Yes, didn’t I promise you would like it.” He interjected without waiting for my question.
“Absolutely, but I am still puzzled.  Why build a large and luxurious spaceship for a simple trip to Saturn or elsewhere in the Solar system?”
“If you are going to travel in space why not do it in comfort?”
“I am all for space and comfort in space but I can’t help feeling there is another purpose for the spaceship.  Can you tell me more about it?”  

      Julio was clearly becoming uneasy with my line of questioning.  He paused but rather than answer directly he suggested:
“You are going to spend an extended time on the voyage.  Why don’t you study the ship closely and talk to the other crew members to see if they can tell you more about it.”
“Oh, I will.  I just thought you could share a little secret.”  I said smiling and moving close to him.  He drew back, trying not to be impolite but clearly ill at ease.
“I am just a technical assistant.  If they ask for a cruise ship we build a cruise ship.  We don’t need to know why.”
“Are you sure?” I pursued, moving very close and looking him in the eyes.  At this point he was obviously becoming too uncomfortable so I broke off the line of questioning.  I didn’t want to alienate an old and very dear friend.
“I think you would like to tell me more but I suspect you are not allowed to,” I said to relieve him.  “But I will take your advice; I will study the craft from top to bottom and talk to the crew until I am blue in the face.”
“Yes, do that,” said a relieved Julio.  “Oh, and let me know what you find out,” he added almost as an afterthought.

      That evening we had a farewell dinner in the restaurant hosted by the ground staff.  Wine and beer were served but the astronauts were advised to drink only a measured quantity.  The standard recommendation for astronauts was one glass of wine per day for good health but Marie Claire indicated that she didn’t agree with that limit.  Julio had forgiven me for the little scene earlier in the day and joined me at a table.  He was back to his usual jovial self; chatting and joking with all around.  Ruby joined us.
“I hear you had a guided tour of the ship,” she said looking at me, “how do you like it?”
“Could be better,” I joked looking at Julio.  “There is no pool and no bar service.”
“I will take care of that tomorrow.”  He returned.  “Just smuggle me aboard.”
“There is no cabin for you.” I reminded him.
“You can sleep in mine,” suggested Ruby.
“Oh! Oh!” I interjected.
“Spoil sport.”

      The dinner extended into an evening party with everyone in good spirits.  It was a good opportunity to observe my fellow travelers so I stayed on the margins taking mental notes.  The captain moved around carrying a large mug of beer but he didn’t actually appear to be drinking any; it was probably to make him look manly.  He still looked quite severe, carrying a great weight on his shoulders; me and the rest of the crew.   Marie Claire, on the other hand, appeared quite relaxed.  She was talking and laughing excitedly, encouraged perhaps by the wine she was drinking.  I wondered if, as deputy captain, she was allowed a little extra wine; compensation perhaps for dealing with ‘Petit Napoleon’.  Many of the others were drinking wine except for Al Tallentini.  He was completely at ease with a mug of beer in his hand which he claimed was an excellent example of applied biotechnology.  He was telling stories from the world of microbes and sports.  He would have been very much at home in a pub drinking beer I thought.  Julio was also excited and moved around trading jokes with my fellow crew members.  Muritama was in good party spirits, smiling and chatting to everyone, even though he did not drink alcoholic beverages.  

      Nell and Ruby stuck together initially but soon Ruby moved away chatting with the male crew members and moon staff while Nell stayed put and charmed whoever approached her; she was not alone for long.  Lorne and Rocky both requested scotch on rocks but had to settle for a diluted version of the drink; better for the health of astronauts they were informed.  Even watered down the whiskey was effective as Lorne was joking and laughing, especially at his own jokes.  Rocky, on the other hand, was quite reserved and tended to observe rather than participate.  Ivan tried for vodka but when he was informed it would be diluted he settled for wine; vodka should never be diluted.  He was smiling and talked casually with several people as he circulated among the group.  Watching him I observed that he was sociable and easy to talk to.  I noted how he walked and interacted with others.  He was quite at ease talking to any of the crew members and moon base staff but perhaps a little more charming with females.  Even the good doctor was in a party mood; dressed for the occasion and happy to have no medical responsibilities at the base.  Annabelle looked stunning in a silk party dress as she circulated through the group laughing and chatting with various crew members and moon support staff, both male and female.  She acted with great confidence and I wondered if striking good looks generate confidence in a woman.  With such a colorful crew it was clearly going to be an interesting excursion, quite apart from the space objectives whatever they were; I could hardly wait for blast off.


Chapter 11: Lunar Lift Off

      My short stay on the moon soon came to an end and we prepared for departure for our exploratory trip around the solar system.  When I had asked again about the voyage I had been informed that we would be making a general tour around the two major planets of the solar system, Saturn and Jupiter.  They were aligned with Earth on the same side of the sun at the time; an ideal opportunity to go to Saturn via Jupiter.  There was also the possibility of an experiment of some sort involving either Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, or Ganymede, the largest moon of Jupiter.  A diversion into deeper space was hinted at as a possibility to allow the ship’s telescopes to photograph more distant items of interest such as stars with planets but I gathered from the meetings of the crew and mission planners from Earth that this was an unlikely possibility.  I was quite happy about that as the thought of venturing into deep space left me a little queasy.  The spaceship was new so it was understandable that the maiden voyage would be limited.  But I still had the feeling that I was not totally informed about the trip or the ultimate purpose of the spaceship.  I expected all that would become clear as I interacted with the other crew members.  There were many different disciplines represented on board; there must be a purpose to it and I was determined to find out what it was.

      When the day of departure came I was astonished at the lack of send-off ceremonies.  We said our goodbyes to the local staff and sent messages back to relatives on earth but there was no major ceremony and, of course, no spectators; only the officials who had been at the base to prepare us for the voyage and the people who worked at the base.  The construction engineers and others who had assembled the spaceship were present and noticeably excited about it taking off.  But absolutely no tourists were allowed at this time.   We had been instructed to wear our expedition uniform for the occasion but it seemed unnecessary; some photos were taken by crew members and ground staff but they were mainly for souvenirs, not official records. There was no media on site and the whole operation was very low key.  However, it was understandable that they didn’t want to introduce any last minute illnesses by bringing officials up from Earth.  We had all been thoroughly checked out and the people we interacted with at the lunar base had been there for some time so the risk of new infections was very low.  In any case, I was sure the medical staff was well supplied with the latest universal antiviral and antibiotic medications.  These drugs had been developed in the 21st century to overcome the drug resistant microbes that had appeared after the widespread use of antibiotics and antiviral agents in the late 20th century.  In fact, in my opinion the greatest health risk for the crew came from over exercise; we were constantly exhorted to stay in space shape.

      I said a warm goodbye to Julio, my old friend and main contact at the base.
“Bring me back a souvenir from Titan” he joked.
“Sure”, I replied, “and I will wrap it up with some stardust.”  He looked a little startled but, realizing that I was joking too, he laughed and continued:
“You will be traveling in a very safe ship and in good hands.  I have been talking to Dr Bio and he has some wonderful ideas for food on the trip.”
“Dr Bio and food” I mused “do they go together?”
“Yes, definitely” he assured me, “and Marie Claire will guide you with the ship’s wines.”
“Anything else?” I enquired.
“Well, you have marvelous company” he added after a short pause.  “Ruby is very entertaining.  Oh, and don’t forget Ivan,” he said pointedly.  “Very interesting scientist; we had fascinating discussions about climates.  You should talk to him about it; he makes it almost easy to understand.”
“I didn’t think anyone really understood climates; they certainly didn’t in the period I studied.”  I rejoined.
“Well you will have lots of time to discuss it with Ivan during your cruise.”
“I am not going on holiday,” I pointed out.
“Oh, of course not,” he agreed, “but you can make it a holiday excursion.  As a matter of fact I wouldn’t mind coming along for the ride.”
“Ruby?” I smiled.
“Don’t jump to conclusions,” he replied without answering the question.
After a little more banter we embraced and I boarded the ship along with most of the other crew members.  There was no fixed time to board but most members of the crew were eager to get settled in the ship in preparation for departure.  The captain, deputy captain, and engineers were already on board making preparations for departure.

      Departure from the moon was very gentle with a gradual transition from lunar gravity to earth equivalent gravity.  Unlike lift-off from earth there was no atmospheric drag and special facilities such as the Frame were not required.  After we pushed off the spaceship was picked up almost immediately by a lunar-based high energy beam and accelerated smoothly and continuously.  The 1 g. acceleration gave the sensation of being located in a large multistory building on earth.  I felt a strong desire to open a window to confirm that we were indeed in space but my room was windowless.   Even though I was aware that there was little to see in space and that ionizing radiation is very dangerous, a window would have been nice; just a teeny weenie little window - something to show that there was a universe outside.

      But as it turned out there was no need for a window to look out.  Word quickly came around that we should go to the common lounge area to see the show; and what a show!  All the crew members who were not actively engaged were there.  The ship’s telescopes were trained on the receding moon and the earth.  We appeared to be making a slow curve which allowed for a better viewing angle.  Three large screens in the common area gave different views of our departure.  One camera had a fixed focus on the moon which diminished as we moved away and picked up speed.  Another camera was focused on the earth only. A third was adjusted to show both the moon and earth.  The image of the earth appeared to diminish much more slowly than that of the moon.  At first I looked at the moon but our base was already too small to make out.  Next I studied the distant earth in an attempt to make out the continents and countries like Canada and the USA.  There was a heavy cloud cover over much of North America and it was difficult to make out details.

      Finally I turned my attention to the screen with both the earth and the moon.  Suddenly, seeing the moon and the earth diminishing as we accelerated away had a strange effect on me.  It finally brought home to me the magnitude of the excursion I had embarked on and I began to appreciate the loneliness of space.  I had to suppress a strong feeling of homesickness.  Glancing around, I surreptitiously observed the other crew members in the lounge.  No one was openly upset but several members were visibly moved as the moon and earth both slipped away.  Glancing back at the image of earth again brought back strong memories.  I thought of Old Montreal and my many friends there.  Among them, Paul, Professor Bartlett, that is, who had pulled many strings to get me on the trip and who appeared to have a special feeling for me.  Even Dick and Ian were reappraised as good friends.  Not that I wanted to begin a fresh affair with either of them but I had to admit that I had had some good times with each of them. It will be interesting to meet these and other friends when I get back.  When I get back…the phrase suddenly brought a lump to my throat; if I get back.  


Chapter 12: First Space Casualty

      In spite of all the assurances about thorough testing one could never be absolutely sure with space travel.  I remembered the astronauts who had been lost just traveling to a space station in earth orbit in a shuttle that had been thoroughly tested and used successfully several times.  
‘What would happen if some of the welding on the ship broke apart and the repair systems couldn’t contain it?’
‘What if the retro engine failed and we flew off into deep space never to be seen again?’  
‘What if we suddenly lost air pressure?’
‘What if we collided with an asteroid?’
‘What if …’
I felt a panic swelling up in the pit of my stomach.  I knew I had to get it under control.  I looked away from the monitors and tried to focus my attention on immediate objects.  I forced myself to breathe very deeply and slowly.  I grasped the arms of the chair tightly.  Slowly my stability returned and I began to breathe normally but I was afraid to look at the monitors again in case my panic returned.  

      “Nancy, are you all right?” asked a concerned Dr. Wells, suddenly putting a hand on my shoulder, leaning over me and peering into my face.  “Do you suffer from motion sickness?”  The voice interrupted my unpleasant train of thoughts and brought me back to reality.
“Oh no!” I gasped.  Astronauts never have motion sickness, at least not officially.  “I was a little overcome at the sight of the earth disappearing in the distance, more like home sickness.”  I explained truthfully.
“You looked terrible for a moment.  Why don’t you come down to the medical room with me and I will give you an aspirin.”  I nodded in agreement as it was a good excuse to leave the lounge and the TV monitors. We left the area discretely and I accompanied her downstairs, through the outdoor area, and on to her office/medical clinic.  Although she was short and slim, she was nimble and moved quickly so I was almost breathless when we reached it.
“I didn’t think you still administered aspirin.” I gasped as we arrived.
“We don’t,” she agreed, “but everyone still refers to aspirin as a quick cure for simple illnesses.  The new medications are much better and some are good for headaches, migraine, panic attacks, and so on.  If it is in the head, this ‘stress rescue’ pill will help.”  So saying she offered me a small white pill and some water.
“Thanks for helping,” I said taking the medicine, “I fell better already.”
“Are you sure you are OK now?  Do you want another one?”
“I will be fine now.”  I assured her then, as an afterthought I added; “but I wouldn’t mind if you could give me one or two to take with me for emergency use - just in case.”  She hesitated then carefully counted out two or three of the pills into a small vial and gave it to me.
“But be sure to call me if you don’t feel well.”  She advised as we left the clinic and started up the stairs to the upper levels of the ship.  

     I still felt a little foolish about the incident but I was happy with her quiet way of handling of it.  I was probably her first ‘space’ patient but I didn’t want a case report or any special treatment.  We returned to the lounge area together and again I noticed her fitness; she seemed almost weightless as she went up the stairs quickly.  I didn’t stop in the lounge but continued up to my room on the first level.  Now I was happy there was no window in my room; by that time I had no desire to see outside.  A windowless room was just perfect.  I decided to stick to my room for the remainder of the afternoon then go down for the evening meal.  The cafeteria was on the same level as the lounge but by that time the earth and the moon would no longer be visible and the TV screens would be used for videos, movies, or perhaps the latest news received from earth.

      After wining and dining at dinner time I chatted for a short time with no one in particular then retired to my bedroom early.  I needed a good sleep to distance myself from the uncomfortable images I had experienced when we left the moon.  Once in bed I lay quietly listening for strange sounds but, unlike the G-machine, it was eerily quiet and still.  The ship’s propulsion system was remarkably smooth and the anti-vibration and harmonics suppression systems designed into the ship were very effective.  At one point I was convinced the engine had stopped but when I sat up and stepped out of bed briefly it was obvious we still had gravity.  Back in bed I lay on my left side, right side, back, and front but sleep evaded me.  I finally succeeded by thinking about Montreal after a heavy snow fall.  In winter, deep snow on houses, lawns, and trees looks really beautiful but, more importantly, it muffles all the regular city sounds; wonderful for sleeping.

      After a few days I got to know Dr. Wells, or ‘Doc’, as she was usually referred to.  With her light wavy hair and casual manner, she often gave me the impression of being rather impish, especially when she relaxed in the lounge, an arm over the back of a chair and one leg over the side.  In her ‘office’ she had a somewhat more professional bearing but she was still casually dressed and easy to talk to.  
“No white coats here”, she mentioned, “we try to avoid the ‘white coat syndrome’.”  She would discuss any aspect of physical well-being including training and diet, although we didn’t have much choice in either of these.  I was very grateful for her unobtrusive assistance when I had been upset after the departure.  Hardly anyone else had noticed and, in good medical tradition, she had treated it as a private medical consultation.  Although all crew members had been thoroughly vetted and immunized so infective illnesses were non existent and not expected, the physician was required to do regular checks on the crew members to look for any symptoms of space sickness or Space Isolation Syndrome (SIS).   The fact that we were living in a confined space, breathing ‘treated’ and recycled air, and interacting with the same group of people every day could have physical or psychological effects.  The space diet was also a possible cause for concern but so far Dr. Bio and his little bugs appeared to be doing a good job.  An injury from over exercise, I thought, was a more likely possibility.  

      For the first few days I was preoccupied with familiarizing myself with my room and exploring the ship.  I needed time to adjust to life on a luxury cruiser, get acquainted with my fellow space ‘tourists’, and try out all the exercise equipment, entertainment systems, work pads, computers, etc., and to adapt to space food.


Chapter 13: My Space in Space

      The first full day on the voyage was a time to become familiar with the spaceship and my ship mates.  I was exploring my room when Ruby dropped in.  I motioned to her to take a seat on the sofa beside me. She sat down, leaned back, put one arm over the back of the sofa so as to turn towards me and stretched out her legs.  She had good legs but I was sure mine were more attractive.  Nevertheless, Ruby had a definite male magnetism:  Her dark hair was medium length and framed a round lightly tanned face.  But it was the inscrutable smile and penetrating brown eyes that defined her appearance.
“Looks good,” she remarked looking round. “Yours is sky blue; very appropriate.”
“What color scheme do you have?” I enquired.
“It is difficult to describe but I suppose you could call it ‘sunset’, lots of pale orange and red colors.”
“Are all the rooms identical in layout but different in color?”
“Yes, I think it is to guide us back to our rooms after a merry evening.”  She replied chuckling. I laughed and commented:
“Good theory but we won’t get very merry on ‘space’ wine rations.”
“I am not so sure about that; there are many ways of making merry but I won’t get into that now.  In any case, you can pass on my thanks to your friend Julio; the rooms are great.”

      “Yes, very nice,” I agreed.  “He was right; it is almost like being on holiday.”
“Too bad he couldn’t come along.” She said with a wistful smile.  When Ruby smiled like that you never knew if she was serious or joking.
“True, but I am sure we can manage without him here.  By the way, where is your room?”
“I am right next door so you will probably hear me moving about.”
“I am not supposed to hear you moving or talking.” I said.  “Julio described the construction of the cabins to me.  They are basically built as complete independent units then placed in position. They are made of a lightweight but very strong space material.  I think he said there is a lot of carbon in it, graphene or something like that.”
“Will that prevent sounds from traveling from room to room?” she asked doubtfully.
“No, not the walls alone, but each room is also sound insulated.  The space between cabins is filled with an anechoic material.”
“An - what?”
“An-echoic, something that absorbs the sound but doesn’t reflect or transfer any.  Apparently it looks like a bed of foam nails”
“Oh, that could be interesting; I can’t wait to try it out.” She exclaimed with a twinkle in her eyes.  I didn’t know what she had in mind but I was sure I would find out soon enough.
“The beds are very comfortable,” Ruby continued “I could get two people in mine and still have lots of room to move about.”
“I haven’t tried mine out yet but it looks spacious.” I agreed, but I didn’t want to take up the ‘two in bed’, topic, at least, not until I knew Ruby better.  It crossed my mind that she might be lesbian but I quickly discarded the idea.  Her interest in Julio and other men appeared to negate that.  I was happy to have Ruby next door as I felt we could become close friends.  After a little more chatting she got up and left and I was on my own again.

      I began a systematic examination of the room.   I had already seen the general layout of a room when Julio showed me round the ship but it was different when it was my room.  I wanted to feel ‘at home’ in my room.  I spent the remainder of the first day getting familiar with it.  The location of my room was quite important to me: I liked being on level one, above the common area and below the level two bedrooms.  Also, I was located between two other rooms and not adjacent to the stairs.  I was not certain about the sound insulation in spite of what Julio had claimed and stairwells can be noisy, especially after a ‘merry evening’.  The furnishings and facilities in the room were also important.  After all, I thought, if I was going on an extended excursion, I wanted to be comfortable.  Living quarters were really very generous for a spaceship.  The main drawback was the absence of a window but after my little episode in the common room I settled for a windowless experience.

      Each room had an en suite powder room equipped with toilet, sink, mirror, etc.  These facilities were special in that they converted to sealed space type units during periods of zero gravity or micro gravity if the ship was orbiting a planet.  The shower was separate in the common area in the Center of the ship; one shower to six bedrooms on each level.  I also made a point of examining the shower.   The cubicle was delightful; large enough for two people.  It was well appointed with a bench and toweling/drying area, hair drier, etc.  As I discovered later, the only slight drawback was that water was rationed; a voice would welcome you to the shower room then mention that you had to be frugal with the water supply.  During the shower, the speaker would remind you if you were running low on your allotment.  The water never actually cut off but it was reduced to a trickle and who could ignore the persuasive voice in the shower with you.  A deep male voice was used for females and a soft husky female voice for males, or so I was told.  The theory was that this got more attention, which is probably true, but I don’t know how the system determined the sex of the occupant.  I tried stomping in like a clumsy male one time but it didn’t work; he was waiting for me.

      Although sparse, furniture and fittings in the room were adequate and attractive.  The walls, ceiling, and furnishings were all constructed from synthetic space material; it was ultra-light and very strong with a smooth mat surface. The colors were incorporated into the surface material itself so that no paint was required.  The walls were self colored with artistic pastel patterns.  As Julio had explained, space materials had to be free of chemicals that could off-gas as that would lead to serious contamination of the living quarters in a sealed system.  The floor was covered in a soft material that was comfortable to bare feet but smooth and firm enough to be easily cleaned.  I was told later that it was a silicon polymer; everything possible was made of non-combustible materials.  The bed, although fixed in position was very flexible.  The height and degree of firmness could be adjusted. It was about double size when flat but one part was supported on a complex hinge system that allowed it to be raised to make a relaxing sofa with an adjustable back facing the TV wall.  The adjacent wall had a large area of built in electronic photo displays.  You could call up images from the memory banks to decorate your room with photos or drawings and paintings.  You could use some of your own photos if you had had the foresight to supply digital images before departure.  One large image could be displayed, occupying most of the wall, or a collage of smaller ones.  Needless to say, the images could be programmed to change at regular or random intervals.  The adjustable chair and flexible work table that completed the basic furniture were attached to the floor because of possible periods of weightlessness.  I was happy about the large multi-purpose computer monitor and a keyboard embedded in the surface of the desk as I have a preference for the old fashioned writing method.  However, also included was a modern ‘fenêtre’ pad.  In that mode the pad could be used as viewing port; when you look into it you see everything in 3D, regardless of the viewing angle.

      My unit was color coordinated with pastel blue being the dominant theme.  Ruby considered it ‘sky blue’ but it was a warmer blue than that and there were many different hues ranging from pale walls to stronger colors for the furniture.  A complex television screen took up most of one wall.  The controller was a marvel of art but certainly not an intuitive device to operate.  I made a mental note to get one of the scientists or engineers to demonstrate it for me; perhaps Ivan.  The TV had multiple and flexible windows but it did not have a 3D capability.   I was not unhappy about that as I was a fan of the old 20th and 21st century movies and TV programs.  They fitted with my professional interest in the period.  After a spate of converting movies and shows to 3D, it was eventually realized that some of the original artistry was lost in cases where the director had created the film with 2D viewing in mind.  The other big attraction for me was that the ships memory banks carried an almost infinite collection of material to satisfy the interests of the crew.  Everything imaginable was available including, books, educational programs, classic theater presentations, documentaries, movies, visual arts, etc.  Historical records and reports from the ancient Egyptians to the 22nd century were available and could be searched on any computer; paradise for a student of history.  I could read, study, or simply be entertained anywhere in my room.  I had the option of using the whole TV screen, part of the screen, or, a portable viewer.  The large screen enabled me to open two or more books, articles, or videos at the same time to make comparisons and to study.  With the portable viewer I could study or read at the desk or in bed.  

      My room passed inspection with flying colors but the next in order of importance was the dining area and the space food I had heard so much about from Dr. Bio.  For that I decided to dress up in appropriate style; no jeans and fast food for me.


Chapter 14:  Dressing and Dining in Style

      To prepare for fine dining, I turned my attention to my space clothes and personal items that had already been installed in the cupboards and wardrobe ready for travel.  All clothing for use on the spaceship had been preordered and was made from pure synthetic material or synthetic ‘natural’ cloth.  The purpose was to avoid carrying any undesirable chemicals onto the ship.  Even the underwear was ‘space qualified’!  I was a little annoyed to discover that many of the bras were padded as I normally used simple but unflattering types; no wires and no padding.  I made a mental note to raise the subject with Ruby or Marie Claire.  There was a significant contribution from nanotechnology in the clothing materials.  The nano-fibres incorporated in the fabrics made frequent washing unnecessary, or so it was claimed but that remained to be seen (smelled). They also made it easier for the wearer to maintain a comfortable body temperature and humidity level.  We were not expected to wear a uniform other than for show; presentation, or group photos, and so far we had not participated in any such event; not even at take off.  There was no general dress code although everyone had one common outfit; the expedition suit.  The special expedition suit had a strange and unexplained logo on it; something else for me to investigate.  I suspected that the captain would have preferred to have everyone in uniform during the day.  In that case he could have demanded that we salute him if we met in the ‘great outdoor’ area.  As it was, everyone had been free to order the color and style of clothes they desired.  Nevertheless, the supply of clothing was more than generous.  Given the high durability of the space materials, I had the impression of having enough clothes to last for years, perhaps a decade.

      My order had been rushed because of my late addition to the crew so I was rather concerned about the fit.  I tried on a few samples; exercise clothes, pants, skirts, tops, underwear, and so on.  I needn’t have worried about fit; the laser guided measuring and fitting machine was highly accurate if somewhat embarrassing.  All my exact dimensions were now recorded for posterity!  Many of the outfits were close fitting but there were other options such as loose pants, skirts, and knitted dresses.  One interesting option among the different styles was a long flowing dress.  I looked in the mirror:  Positively medieval, I thought; if I promenade in this at night I might be mistaken for Lady Macbeth - I must make sure there are no spots on it.  I decided I preferred close fitted pants, tights, or skirts for general wear during the daytime.   The skirts were better for showing off my legs which was useful if I wanted to seduce someone although tight pants could also be effective.  Several people have told me that I have attractive legs so why not make good use of them.  Of course the number of males on board was very limited but a woman has to keep in practice.  Even the night dresses came in a variety of styles, something for all occasions; long and short pajamas and night gowns, and some very short baby-doll styles, barely long enough to cover my derrière.  It also occurred to me that the close fitted clothes explained why we were constantly exhorted to maintain our physical condition; once in space, we couldn’t order new outfits.  There was a surprising selection of one piece and two piece swim suits.   Swimsuits on a spaceship!  Totally illogical I thought.  I had joked to Julio about a pool so now I have the clothes but no pool.   

      I had seen Annabelle in a room across the hall from me and I was beginning to think we were segregated by sex when I spotted Muritama going into a room on my floor.  Going across to see him I knocked on the open door.
“I am happy to see you on this floor” I said. “I was beginning to think they had consigned all the females to the lower floor.”
“Don’t worry,” he reassured me. “This is my room and Lorne is also on this level.”
“What about the captain and deputy captain,” I enquired.
“The captain is upstairs but Marie Claire is just across the hall on this floor.”  
“Ah! Someone in charge of each floor.”  I joked.  
“I don’t think that is the idea.”  He replied, taking me seriously.  “The assignment of cabins is more or less random.”  Nevertheless, I was secretly glad the captain was not on my floor as I didn’t care to bump into him any more than necessary.  Marie Claire was talkative and enthusiastic but I didn’t mind bumping into her on the floor or waiting for the shower.
“You must be very busy now that we have taken off,” I ventured.
“No, not really, he replied. “Everything is so automatic and controlled by computers that I don’t have an undue amount of work to do.”
“Don’t the computers need checking?”
“Yes and no,” he answered, “come down to the computer control room some day and I will explain the secret to you,” he said smiling.
“Oh, I will,” I assured him, “I like secrets”.

      I changed into casual pants and top for the evening meal and went down to the dining area.  I knew from the group discussions before departure that the food for the first few days was all pre-cooked and packaged Earth food; just add energy and eat.  However, I was mildly surprised to find that we had real china or ceramic plates, stainless steel cutlery, and glasses that appeared to be made of glass.  I commented on this to Dr. Bio who had arrived at the same time.
“So you didn’t expect such quality fare,” he laughed.  “This is ‘first class’ all the way.”
“But what about the weight,” I protested.
“Weight is not as important as the fact that the utensils are not disposable,” he explained.  “Can you imagine what it would be like if we were using plastic with every meal?  How long would it take to fill up the entire spaceship up with garbage?  Everything here is reusable or recyclable.  This is the greatest recycling facility on earth.”
“We are not on earth,” I reminded him, “but I get your point.”
“You really must come down to the bio labs and we will demonstrate the true meaning of ‘recycle’ to you.”
“I look forward to that,” I assured him.

      The dining room was very animated that evening, probably because it was the first chance for people to exchange impressions after a day inspecting their quarters.  The noise level was quite high as they compared opinions and moved around to talk with other crew members.  Some were joking and laughing about the showers while others appeared to be fascinated by the ‘great outdoors’ with its natural daylight and beautiful electronic vistas.  The captain also appeared to be in a jovial mood, joking with various members of the crew; he even gave me a warm smile as I passed.  I put it down to a successful take-off and first day out but I was doubtful that his jolly mood would continue.  

      I proceeded to select an appetizing dinner and joined a group at a table.  I could not join Ivan as he was already at a full table but I caught his eye at one point and raised my glass to him; he returned the salute.  Wine from Earth had been supplied for the first day or two and a selection was available.  I think Marie Claire had had an influence on the selection; French wines featured quite prominently.  Also, to celebrate our first full day in space, those who liked wine with a meal could have an extra glass.  That probably contributed to the elevated level of the conversation and the general levity but the non drinkers in the group appeared to be just as jolly.
“How do you like your rooms?” asked Marie Claire towards the end of the meal.
There was a chorus of positive replies including some comments about details such as the color schemes, the sofa-beds, the TVs, showers, etc.  
“We have to thank Nancy’s friend Julio and his design team,” Marie Claire continued.  “The style and decoration work is excellent.  You must pass on our compliments when we get back to the moon.” She exhorted me looking across the table.
“I certainly will,” I promised, “but shouldn’t you wait till you have lived on the ship for a few days before you make up your mind.”
“I have already decided I like it,” piped up Annabelle and the others nodded in agreement.
“I love the exercise arena,” enthused Annabelle, “and the showers.”

      The first day’s dinner extended into an evening soirée as no one appeared to be particularly anxious to leave the company and retire to their cabin/bedroom; much better to enjoy the company than be alone in a small room in deep space.  I enquired cautiously about our current position.  The answer from Lorne was about 1 Astronomical Unit from earth, which, as he explained was about 150 billion kilometers.  I must confess the thought of all that black space outside still produced a pang of fear.  I tried not to think about it as I didn’t want a repeat of my first bout of homesickness.  Instead I watched TV with the group part of the time and conversed with other crew members.  I had a friendly chat with Ivan and confirmed my early impressions; he was pleasant, easy to talk to, and appeared comfortable with the other crew members.  Although his main training was in science related subjects, he was well versed in the classic arts - I could foresee many enjoyable conversations with him.  It would be reassuring to discuss topics other than space and spaceships; something worth exploring further.  Also, a little romance would make life on board more stimulating, a break from the ship’s regular routine.  First, however, I had to adapt to the ship’s pattern of eating, sleeping, working, and exercise.  The spaceship had been designed to emulate life on Earth but it was hard to imagine that it would be possible to feel like Earth in deep black space.


Chapter 15:  Deep Space Night and Day

      I wanted to familiarize myself with the general operation of the ship before visiting the individual work areas on the ship.  Based on the morning meetings and discussions with Marie Claire and others, the following details emerged.  The whole spaceship operated on a 24 hour clock and, in order to emulate life on earth, the main lighting was timed to come on at ‘sunrise’, brighten till midday, then fade as ‘sunset’ approached.  It also varied with the cycle of seasons on Earth although that seemed irrelevant to me; I had no expectation of being on board long enough to notice a seasonal change.  Since we had left earth in the middle of winter in the northern hemisphere we had an appropriate season with short days and long nights.  Coming directly from the moon where we had been in the full blast of the sun day and night for a week it was a little dismal.  At dinner one evening I raised the topic with Marie Claire:
“Who is in charge of the seasons?”
“No one is in charge of seasons,” she replied in mild surprise, “the seasons are the seasons - just like on earth.  Why do you ask?”
“Is there a possibility of having a change of season to brighten up the daytime?”
“That would confuse people’s biorhythm; the ship is designed to follow as much as possible conditions on Earth in the northern hemisphere” she explained patiently.
“I understand the idea, but I thought it would be nice to have a winter break; just like the popular Canadian practice of going to Florida or the Caribbean in winter for a pause.”
“A nice try,” she laughed, “but the seasons are ‘carved in stone’, no change allowed.”  

      During the night, the only lights on the ship were the low level lights in the halls and stairways for safety and of course the individual lights in the rooms of the upper two levels which were controlled by the occupants.  In the evenings, the dining room was lit and the lounge had soft lighting to allow people to watch a show together or simply to relax and talk.  The gym area was also lit in the early evening to encourage people to exercise as there wasn’t enough equipment to allow everyone to use it at the same time.  Some people on the cruise ship liked to exercise early in the morning before breakfast while others, like me, preferred to do it later when fully awake.  I clandestinely adjusted my routine to coincide with Ivan who usually went to the gym mid to late mornings so that I just happened to be there at the same time.  This often resulted in us sharing exercise apparatus, chatting, and sometimes returning to the upper levels together. It was a good opportunity to become more acquainted, not to mention seeing him training.  I had an almost endless selection of gym togs available so I varied my outfit with a special preference for those that emphasized my best features.  The more I saw of Ivan the more I was attracted to him but I didn’t want to show it yet.  

      Captain Larson was one of the early birds.  He was a sticker for precision and timeliness and expected everyone to be up at the crack of dawn and down for breakfast, even if you weren’t hungry.  He often just happened to pass through the common areas in the late evening, probably to discourage tardiness.  Although he didn’t actually shoo people upstairs we generally took the hint.  Once we were in the rooms, though, he was not concerned; he didn’t even seem to care who or how many were in a bedroom.  He had done his job and we were left alone.

      Dinnertime on the ship was always interesting.  With Marie Claire’s encouragement we all tended to eat the evening meal at the same time whereas other meals were taken more or less when hunger drew us to the dining area.  Pre-cooked dinners were only available for the first few days.  After that initial period, the provision of food became mainly the responsibility of Dr. Bio and his staff and they worked split shifts in order to cover the dawn to dusk period.  We could take care of the actual preparation of breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks ourselves but food for the main meal came from the labs so the staff there was busy during the day up to the evening.  

      I gradually realized that I was not alone in having ample of free time.  Only the captain and deputy captain had more or less full time duties.  The bio lab staff was kept busy and Chips had to check the computers regularly but the physician had only occasional periods on duty - fortunately.  The remainder, Annabelle, Lorne, Ivan, and Rocky had no obvious duties except to eat space food, keep fit, and sleep, so they were free most of the time.  I asked myself again, ‘what is the point of the expedition?  Why are these experts here?   I did not have specific guidance myself but I understood that, as the main ‘writer and historian’ on board, I should document the human aspects of the voyage; people’s reactions to living in space, consuming only space food, being confined to a limited area, and, perhaps more crucial, living with the same small group of people for an extended period of time.  Medical and physiological effects would be recorded by the physician as we had regular medical checks.  A complete technical record of the trip would be captured by the computer including our physical condition as recorded by the exercise area monitor.  These records would be supplemented by the logs of the engineers on board, Muritama, Marie Claire, and the captain.  

      Reflecting on my own experience so far I had visions of a rather dull report:  First evening – homesick; second evening - wine helped but still homesick; third evening – settling down.  In order to create a logical academic report I planned to prepare an ‘official’ record using standard history methodology with observations, interpretations, historical analogies, and include discussions with crew members.  This required me to spend some time with each one of them in order to get an accurate impression.  However, I also decided to create my own ‘private journal’ to record more personal impressions and opinions of crew members.  That would be invaluable if I ever decided to write a book about the voyage.  I set up a private journal on my computer using a code that could not be deciphered.  I used the classic spy technique; selecting letters from the pages of a novel and identifying them only by number.  My reference text was an old medieval romantic poem; no one would ever think of looking that up.  However, this was a laborious process so I soon developed a program to make the computer do the encryption for me.  The end result was an endless stream of numbers with no obvious connection to the original text.  Nobody, but nobody, would have access to my private journal!

      After supper most days, I joined the others for relaxation in the lounge before retiring.  It was arranged as a mini cinema with a multiple curved screen around three walls.  All three sections had been used when we were viewing the moon after take-off.  The Center screen could be used for viewing 3D or holographic material and we frequently watched a show after dinner.  We could watch any of the programs in private in our rooms but it was more enjoyable in a group rather than alone in a room.  Of course, we had to agree on the entertainment for the evening so the evening’s entertainment was usually preceded by a lively debate – sometimes more entertaining than the show.  The TVs could have displayed several movies simultaneously but that would be very distracting and hardly relaxing.  I gathered from various discussions among members that the cinema was not simply for entertainment but had a deeper psychological purpose to sooth and relax people so as to avoid Space Isolation Syndrome; the dreaded feeling that comes from knowing that you are in a tiny spacecraft billions of kilometers from earth and far beyond the range of any possible rescue mission.

      I soon discovered that most of the crew had very specialized but narrow educations.  Ivan explained that this was due to the requirement to have a very young but highly trained group that could stay together for many years.  Most members of the crew were in their early twenties and had studied mainly scientific and engineering specialties.   Consequently, they had only limited exposure to literature and the fine arts. With the ship’s huge collection of books, movies and videos, however, there was ample material available to make up for any weakness in that area.  All that was needed was time.  My background helped as I was more widely read and familiar with these subjects than the others so I was able to make suggestions in whatever area the group wanted to venture.  Marie Claire and Ivan were also good for suggestions as they had different backgrounds with broader experience.  After any particularly interesting show we would discuss the merits of the show, the storyline, the creativity, the performance, the music, etc.  We soon had a small discussion group going.  Marie Claire was prominent in the discussions but Lorne had to have his say if he could relate something to ‘natural philosophy’.  Al liked to tease Lorne and would challenge his opinions.  After all, he remarked on several occasions, how can you explain phenomena as ‘natural philosophy’ if there is no natural biology involved.  Lorne just shrugged it off.  Ivan was a keen contributor but less aggressive than Lorne or Al.  Ruby, and sometimes Nell, would sometimes get involved as they were more attuned to human relationships.  They appeared to have sharp instincts for person to person relations and interactions.  Other members would occasionally get involved.  The captain sat quietly in the background some evenings but he didn’t normally get engaged in our discussions and I am not sure whether he approved or disapproved.  

      Ivan certainly enjoyed the discussions and was a lively debater.  I was involved in various discussions including him and found I tended agreed with his point of view.  Was I was mentally encouraging him to take an interest in me?  In any case, in addition to finding him attractive, I realized we had a lot in common so after the get together in the lounge the third evening I invited him to come and continue our discussion in my room.  I wondered if it might be misinterpreted as an invitation for more than pleasant conversation.  How should I react if he became perceptibly amorous?  I was not yet at the point where it would feel natural to make love with him so I planned to avoid anything suggestive.  At my request, he gave me a few minutes to prepare my room before he joined me.  I knew my room was OK but I wanted to change.  I slipped into a knitted beige dress that was comfortably figure-fitting, put on some soft background music, ready for my first ‘deep space date’.  


Chapter 16:  Canada Russia Détente

          “Welcome to the Canadian Embassy in space.” I greeted him.
“May I present warmest greetings from across the Pole,” was the response.  I noticed he had changed into a smart casual outfit; brown pants and a beige top.  ‘Perhaps he is interested in more than conversation’ I thought, my heart beating a little faster.  We settled down on the sofa.  I was sitting rather nervously on the edge with the TV controller in hand whereas Ivan lay back and stretched out his legs.  I brought up a map of Canada on the TV monitor so that we could continue our discussion about the similarity of our countries of origin.
“The Canadian prairies are probably similar to the Russian Steppes.” I ventured.
“That may be the case,” he agreed, “but tell me more about them.”
“They are flat and sometimes referred to as ‘big sky country’.”
“Why?  Isn’t it ‘big land’ rather than ‘big sky’?”
“It’s because of the impression you get.  When you are out on the flat land of the prairies the sky seem endless.  You get the impression you are standing on top of a high plateau; there is nothing on the horizon that rises above the unending flat land so there is an uninterrupted ‘big sky’ dome above you.  Even the rivers that drain the vast landscape are hidden in deep wide valleys.  Some of the small prairie towns are completely hidden in the river valleys.”
“An endless sea of green,” he suggested, trying to visualize the scene.  
“Yes, but it becomes a sea of gold when the wheat is ripe, rippling in the wind like running water; almost hypnotizing, pure gold with clear blue sky above.”
“Yes, I can imagine that would be very beautiful.  Isn’t it fortunate that we were successful in preserving the prairie climate,” remarked the climatologist.

          He continued by mentioning that, like Canada, most of Russia had a wonderful continental climate.  When I expressed reservations about the ‘wonderful’ description he pointed out some of the advantages of a varied climate; from beautiful powdery white snow in winter to dazzling hot sunshine in summer; every month is completely different from the preceding month, both in weather and environment.  I began to catch his enthusiasm and added that it was not just the weather but the flora and fauna changed with the seasons.  In spring the migrating birds return from the south to look for nesting sites and the air is filled with the songs of spring.  Also, the growth rate of plants in Canada is phenomenal in the spring; some people claim that on a quiet evening you can hear the wheat growing.  The native plants especially are adapted to a short growing season so when the temperature warms up they really take off.  Ivan mentioned that he wouldn’t like to live in a tropical or sub-tropical zone.  He took a jungle training course once during the winter and found it very disruptive.  Instead of steady temperature acclimatization through the season he was thrown into a constant hot and humid environment then back into a cold one afterwards.

         By now I was relaxed too, leaning back on the sofa beside Ivan.  I didn’t want to spend all evening discussing Canada so I brought up a map of Russia for a change of pace.  It is a huge country, even larger than Canada, so we quickly focused in on the central European region familiar to Ivan.  He grew up on the Russian steppes which he suggested were very similar to the prairies.  As he explained, the steppes were treeless grasslands that, according to some geographic classifications, extended from Ukraine to Mongolia so there were many different regions.  The temperate steppes followed the north shore of the Black Sea, continued north of the Caspian Sea and west across the Urals to about Barnaul near Novosibirsk.  In general, the steppes were more undulating than the Canadian prairies and the farms were laid out in less regular patterns than those in Canada; perhaps because of a much longer history.  Nevertheless, the portion of the steppes in European Russia was extensively farmed and produced rich grain harvests.  Weather was extremely important for the farmers, just as in Canada, and this influenced Ivan’s decision to pursue a career in climatology.  Ivan was originally from the district of Saratov, a city on the Volga River, but had studied at Samara and Perm.  Samara, he said, was a delightful city further up the Volga and almost surrounded by the river.  It had many advantages.  It was a comfortable distance from Moscow so life was more peaceful and relaxed.  The climate was better; not so cold in winter and moderated by the river in summer; many people would swim in the river in summer.  There were many historic buildings that had survived difficult periods of Russian history.  Eventually, he had moved to Star city north of Moscow to train as a cosmonaut.  It was a large complex with elaborate equipment including human centrifuges capable of more than ten times gravity.

          He was proud of his Russian heritage and occasionally mentioned Russians who had made key contributions in the early days, scientists such as Mendeleev, who discovered the periodic table of the elements, composers such as Tchaikovsky, authors such as Tolstoy, and many others.  He appeared to be more familiar with classical music than the other crew members, perhaps because of the strong Russian influence on such music.  Like me, he was very interested in space history and could rhyme off the dates of the early Russian successes including, first satellite in earth orbit, sputnik, first human in space, Gagarin, first space walk, first woman in space, and so on.  Nevertheless, he readily admitted that when the USA woke up to the possibilities of space exploration their more advanced technology enabled them to take the lead.  He was also an admirer of the American space program and mentioned the Apollo program in particular.  As he said, it was decades before any country could match the Apollo, let alone surpass it in space.

          “Perhaps we should talk about climate now,” I suggested in order vary the subject.
“That could take all night and the next day,” he replied laughing.  
“Well I don’t mind the ‘all night’ but we might be missed the next day.” I said.
“Speaking of all night” I continued “is your room furnished in the exact same way as this one.”
“Yes,” he replied sitting up and looking around, “but different colors.  Why?”
“I have a problem with the sofa-bed.  The back doesn’t go down easily.”
“Let me do it for you.” He offered.  We both stood up and Ivan pulled the back forward then down smoothly.

          “That should be good and comfortable.” he said with a wave of his hand.  “Try it now.”
I lay down on my back and stretched out in my knitted dress with a soft sigh.  I moved towards the back and patted the bed beside me.  He hesitated then took the cue and sat down beside me.  I moved over so that our thighs were touching.  I could feel the warmth of his body and imagined male pheromones were being transmitted to me.  I reached for his hand, squeezed it lightly and said:
“Thank you for fixing my bed.  It really is quite spacious now.”  After a long pause I added an impromptu; “I would like you to lie on top of me.”  This appeared to take him by surprise.  He hesitated a minute then moved over and lay on top of me.
“You will be crushed,” he said apologetically, “I am heavier than I look”.
“I am quite strong too,” I managed to say, “I can support you - for a few minutes”.
After a short spell lying on top of me he rolled off and lay beside me.  I hesitated for a few minutes then cautiously mentioned:
“That wasn’t really what I had in mind.”
“Sorry.”  He apologized. “I wasn’t quite sure and didn’t want to offend you.”  
“Its all right” I assured him.
“We can get together another night for a longer discussion.” He said hopefully, standing up to leave.
“I look forward to that.” I promised, getting up and standing with him.
“Sleep well,” he bade me.  Next he embraced me and kissed me firmly.  I was startled but he retreated out the door with a smile on his face before I could react.

         After he left I felt cross with myself for having made such a suggestive move despite planning to play it cool.  He appeared genuinely interested in me but to what extent and for how long it was difficult to estimate.  I tried to weigh my own feelings in his company; comfortable, happy, and relaxed.  I was sure I felt better than I had with Dick or Ian.  I had to admit that the exotic nature of Ivan’s background also attracted me.  A Russian and Canadian: that would make an intriguing match.  However, I also had to bear in mind the extraordinary circumstances.  An extended period on a spaceship was certainly unusual; seeing the same person several times every day, exercising together, eating together, and enjoying entertainment together.  Does that simply abbreviate the time required to get to know someone or does it color ones judgment?

          Nevertheless, our soiree was promising for future tête-à-têtes.  Afterwards as I lay in bed I reflected on the evening.  Ivan was not overtly a ‘ladies man’ but he certainly enjoyed female company.  ‘Is he a virgin?’ I wondered.  If that were the case, a little more time should help.  I also asked myself.  ‘Are Russian men less interested in sex than Canadians or Americans?’  I soon put that notion out of my head.  The Russian population had expanded from Europe all across Asia to Alaska and north to the Arctic Ocean by the 19th century.  Such a robust drive must have been supported by an equally robust reproductive drive.  Conditions must have been severe in many of those areas at the time.  In conclusion I reasoned that if I wanted to seduce Ivan I needed a little more time and possibly more temptation.  More temptation; I dwelled on that as I drifted off to sleep.  For once the deep black space outside was far from my mind.

          Next morning I reminded myself that there was work to perform before I got too many romantic ideas.  Computer engineering appeared to be a good place to start – ‘Muritama you are first on my list’.


Chapter 17.   Failsafe Spaceship Computers

         I met Ivan at breakfast next morning.  I tried to act normally as I didn’t want him to feel that I was in any way offended or disappointed with him.  He was smiling so I gathered that he felt the same way.  In response to his cautious enquiry I assured him truthfully that I had enjoyed our delightful discussions and that I had slept well afterwards.  I wanted him to feel at ease but I had resolved to wait a day or two before resuming our private tête-à-têtes.  We still had a lot to discuss even without getting into personal matters but I felt a little time to get more acquainted would be helpful.  Nevertheless, there was a slight twinge of caution in my head.  Ivan was probably also attractive to some of the other members of the crew such as Annabelle, an obvious beauty, Ruby, quiet but unpredictable, or Nell with her dark hair, brilliant smile, and café-au-lait skin.  Neither Marie Claire nor Dr. Wells could be ignored; both were attractive in their own way.  I had better not wait too long.  Nevertheless, I felt it was incumbent on me to set aside my interest in Ivan in order to collect and record impressions of the other crew members, their tolerance of extended travel in space, and their professional work.  In addition to the captain and deputy captain, my ‘to do’ list included ‘chips’ the computer expert, Dr. Bio, head of the Bio Labs, perhaps Lorne the astronomer, and of course Ivan the climate expert.

         Although I had several discussions with other crew members lined up, I noticed that having Ivan on my mind tended to interfere so I decided to set aside a period of time to think about him.  Thus, for about 30 minutes each day I let my mind wander; I see him in the G-Machine talking to Julio with his confident upright stance; I see him in the lunar rover explaining the lunar geography; I see him at the farewell party, relaxed and with a glass of wine and a ready conversation; I see him in the gym exercising and flexing his muscles; I see him arriving at my room in the evening with a smart Russian style outfit.  I also thought about our conversations; I hear him talking about Russian composers and writers; I hear him describing his origins in central Russia.  I realized I was developing strong feelings for him and hoped he felt the same way about me.  Nevertheless, I set aside my interest in Ivan temporarily and continued my exploration of the spaceship and my discussions with the other crew members.  Moreover, I thought it might be helpful if Ivan saw me interacting with the other male members of the staff.  

          It was appropriate that my first work visit should be to get an introduction to the on board computer systems so I had to see Muritama.  He was slightly below average in height, slim, and sinewy with a boyish face and looked every bit a schoolboy in spite of his advanced qualifications.  His nickname ‘Chips’ suited him just fine; he probably didn’t care for the ‘micro’ moniker in any case.  His slight build was misleading as he was physically strong.  I had seen him training in the gym and I learned he was a judo expert so I had great respect for him.  As a student, I had competed in judo competitions myself but I gave it up after breaking a collar bone.  As his name indicated, he was Japanese in origin and his features and black hair were consistent with that but he had not lived in Japan recently.  His style of clothes tended to be casual-dressy, pants and a standard shirt but sometimes he varied it with T-shirts with decorative logos.  He had a good sized workroom in the lower level, just above the bio labs.  It had several desks with a multitude of computer screens.  Noticeably absent, however, were bits and pieces of computers, microchips, or wires, unlike some labs I had visited at university.  He seemed to have forgiven me for my remarks about his youthful age and was quite eager to educate me about the ship’s computer systems.

          I had mentioned to Muritama at breakfast that I would visit any time it was convenient and he had eagerly agreed, suggesting late morning.  The control computers were essential to the operation of the spaceship which in turn made him important.  When I arrived he was drinking coffee and relaxing in his chair with his feet on the desk in front of him which was relatively clear of monitors and other equipment.  He jumped up quickly when I appeared in the doorway and waved me to a chair.  I settled comfortably into it and “Chips” resumed his relaxed position, minus feet on desk.  However, as we delved into the realm of computers he became more excited, sat up, and waved his hands while expounding on the unsurpassed reliability of the ships computers.
I commenced by saying that I had come to learn the ‘secret’ of the ship’s control computer which he had mentioned.
“Oh, it is not a very big secret,” he laughed, “but there are certain procedures we use to ensure continuity in the control system.”
“You are obviously one of the most important engineers on board; your computers control the entire ship.  Can you guarantee our safety?”
“As far as the control systems go I can guarantee reliability,” he affirmed, “but you will have to ask your friend Julio about the ship’s structural integrity.”  It appears that even after a short stay at the lunar base, everyone knew Julio.
“He described the construction to me and I have been assured that it is perfectly sound.  The rest depends on the reliability of your computer systems.”

          “The computers are totally reliable” he reaffirmed.
“What happens if there is a computer crash and the ship goes out of control?”
“That will never happen.  Our system is designed to take care of any malfunction.
It is done by duplicating or triplicating all essential units to ensure uninterrupted control of the onboard systems,” he explained.  “The main control computer has an identical partner and information is fed to both continuously.  However, only one is on-line running the ship at any given time.”  
“How do you know that the second computer will function if the first fails?”
“Both computers are always operating and both think they are running the ship.  Control of the ship is moved from one computer to the other from time to time but this ensures that two are always available and up to speed.”
“But just supposing both crashed at the same time.  What would happen?”
“We have another back-up.” He assured me.  “A third control computer is on stand-down mode and, while it is off-line, it is automatically checked for errors or malfunctions.  That is the essential feature of reliable control systems; take no chances, have a back-up and back-up the back-up!  That is the secret of reliable control computers.”
“Well, I must admit it sounds reassuring.” I agreed.
“My most important duty is to ensure their total reliability.”

          “What about other computers on board?”  I asked.
“There are computers all over the ship,” he explained. “They control everything from water supplies to air circulation and purification.  And, of course you already know about the daylight and the seasons,” he said smiling as he had heard about my discussion with Marie Claire.  “However, you will be happy to know that all the computers are located well inside the outer hull to avoid radiation and the same is true for all the critical wiring.”
“But radiation doesn’t pass through the protective hull.”
“In theory that is true but just in case there is a weak spot or a temporary lapse, we take precautions.”  
He went on to explain that the ship is equipped with a large surplus of spare computer boards, cores, and microchips with both optical and electronic circuitry.  The wide range of capabilities made it possible to design a wide variety of new computers.  They could be assembled remotely to produce whatever type of computing device was required.  In other words, new computers could be created on demand.  He brought up some schematics on the screen to demonstrate the point but I was clearly out of my depth.  It was a foreign language to me; Uglish was simple by comparison.

         “Is there any concern about computer viruses, worms, or sleepers?”  I enquired.
“They are basically designed out of the system.” He assured me.  “The computer knows what software should be there and what should not happen in terms of execution of programs.”
“What if a bug was inserted prior to the legitimate software?”
“All the space certified computers are produced in highly secure facilities.”  He explained.  “They are confirmed to be absolutely clean before operational software is added and only verified software is allowed.”
“So there is no unauthorized access to them after they have been certified?”  
“Virtually impossible, and if there was the computer would report the incident.  Our computers are intelligent they protect themselves, not like the old buggers of the 21st century”.  I laughed at his colorful description but realized that, as a non Anglophone, it meant less to him even though he now spoke English well.

         I next enquired about the ships course, speed, direction, destination, etc. In other words, who ‘drives’ the ship.
“All that was predetermined before we left base,” he explained.  “The fine details were decided on before our meetings on the moon and the information was fed into the computers.  Calculating the necessary speed and direction is a task for the computer. ”
“What if it makes a mistake?”  I asked.  “A slight error in direction at the speed we are going would have dramatic consequences.”
“The ship’s position, speed, and direction are constantly monitored by stellar observations and given to the computer.  It makes minor adjustments if necessary.  But you must remember that deep space is essentially a vacuum with no obstacles to divert the ship so corrections should be minimal.  Even the gravitational pull of planets we approach will be included in the calculation and allowance made for it.”  
“Does that mean that we have no further control over our destiny?” I challenged.
“Of course not,” he responded quickly.  “We can make alterations if required.  For example, a new course or destination could be fed into the computer.”

          It was all very reassuring, but on a different tact I asked one final question.
“What happens if there is a major accident on board and there is no one to command the ship?”
“We hope that never happens but the possibility has also been taken into consideration,” he claimed.  He hesitated for a moment and, looking rather serious, continued:  “If there is no human activity for a period of time an alarm will sound and the ship will change direction and set a course to return directly to the lunar base.”
“It is like a default setting.” I suggested and he nodded in agreement.  Nevertheless, the idea of no human activity being detected left me a little uneasy.  I reflected for a minute then changed subject by mentioning that I was still surprised that such a huge spaceship would run totally on ‘auto’ but, as ‘Chips’ pointed out, that way you avoid human error.
“Imagine if the captain was controlling the ship.” He suggested.  “An error of a tiny fraction of a degree would send us careering off course.”
“You are absolutely right,” I readily agreed, “I prefer having the computer at the controls.”  Of course I had additional reasons for my preference but I didn’t want to elaborate on that.


Chapter 18.  The RISC Game

          By way of shifting the conversation to an area more familiar to me I brought up the subject of the enormous library of literature, music, movies, etc. in the ship’s memory banks.  
“I am impressed with the supply of software on board, we will not be short of entertainment.”
“It is for more than entertainment,” he corrected, “it was considered essential to have an almost inexhaustible supply of material to satisfy the tastes of all crew members on extended journeys.”
“With the facilities and comfort of this ship I don’t think there would be any problem.” I suggested.
“One ‘g’ gravity, good food, and comfortable quarters were fine but the powers that be decided that people need stimulus for mental activity in addition to shows for relaxation,” he added.
“What nature of stimulus.” I asked.   
“In addition to the readily available reading and entertainment material,” he continued, “even more is stored in deep memory banks which are not immediately accessible.  For example, they contain a very comprehensive store of educational material and material for work.”
“Ah,” I joked, “basic education for the benefit of the very young crew members.”  
He didn’t take offence this time.  Instead he laughed and added that it was much more comprehensive than basic education; it included everything from early education to post graduate degrees.  Then, looking pointedly at me, he mentioned history; all aspects of history from ancient Egypt to modern times.  This appeared rather pointless unless there were plans for a future school in space but I didn’t want to pursue the topic.

        He was the only member of the crew to have learned Universal English. Extensive contact with English speaking space junkies since then had broadened his vocabulary to something close to current English.  He still used the standardized Universal English grammar occasionally; words such as ‘eated’ instead of ‘ate’, but it was easy to understand him.  Universal English had actually been developed in Japan by a team of linguistic experts at the University of Tokyo.  As Japanese was their native tongue rather than a European language, they were able to approach the task from a neutral point of view.  After detailed research they had reduced the very large vocabulary of ‘Modern’ English from about 500,000 words to less than half that number.  A large part of this was accomplished by investigating the origin of pairs of words and their current meaning.  English has two principal sources of words; Latin based and Germanic based.  But there are also other pairs of words originating, for example, from Norse and Danish.  Eventually this had resulted in many cases of two words that originally had the same meaning, for example ‘people’ and ‘folk’, acquiring slightly different connotations.  I personally considered it unfortunate that, in developing Universal English, they frequently selected the Latin based word for inclusion because of the widespread use of “Latin” languages such as French, Spanish, and Portuguese, etc. that have similar words.   

          The Universal English grammar was also simplified to remove irregularities.  The result was a functional language that students could learn in a fraction of the time required to master ‘Modern’ English.  To encourage the spread of the ‘improved’ language, many of the classic books in English had been ‘translated’ into Universal English for the benefit of the new generation of people who could not read so-called ‘Modern English’ easily.  Universal English, however, was not well accepted by many English scholars who referred to it as ‘Uglish’.  On the other hand, others considered it as an essential step on the path to making English a common language on Earth.  It also helped to marginalize an alternative form of simplified English often referred to as ‘Globish’ that had arisen as a result of the global use of computers and the dominance of English on the internet.  ‘Globish’, unfortunately, was not a consistent language; there were many variations, the vocabulary was quite limited, pronunciation was variable, and the rules of grammar were flexible to non existent.

         Changing subject, I mentioned that I had heard that he was an accomplished gamer.  At the mention of computer games he became quite animated an offered to demonstrate the latest developments.  First, however, he pointed out that there were two varieties of games; regular ‘anything goes’ type of games which were the sort most people were familiar with, and ‘Biologically Feasible’ or BF games.  He went on to explain that the BF games were generated by a specially programmed computer.  It could invent a great variety of games on demand but it could only generate people or creatures that were feasible based on the type of biological systems known to science.  No superhuman or super strength animals were allowed.  There was some limit to the size, shape, or intelligence of a BF creature but its strength and speed of movement had to be within the natural biological limits.  As he explained, a muscle can be developed to be big and strong but there was a limit to how strong a given size of muscle could be; the biological limit.  Muscle contraction was achieved by expending energy based on ATP.  The same mechanism was present in almost all creatures great and small.  The possibility of a totally different muscle operating system had been considered but Mother Nature appeared to have found the best; billions of years of trial and error no doubt.

          In response to my request for a demonstration, Chips introduced me to his favorite, the Reality Infrastructure Simulation Computer (RISC), gaming computer.  There were large monitor screens supported by other equipment that almost surrounded the gamer. The operator was required to input basic scenario information such as types of birds and animals, for example, herbivores or carnivores, environment, climate, etc.  The computer would design creatures and scenarios to match the data provided and launch a game.  Thus, the gamer would suddenly find him or herself transported to an unfamiliar setting where life was a constant hive of activity with a menagerie of strange species.  He also pointed out that the BF creatures created by the computer have no ‘fear’ imprint of humans.  He invited me to try out a simple game so I requested fifty herbivores, one carnivore in a subtropical environment.  (I knew the herbs always greatly outnumber the carns.)  The game launched and I found myself in a beautiful savanna setting with tall grass waving in the breeze.  It was very realistic and I imagined I could feel the heat of the sun and the gentle breeze on my face; I mentally entered the scene.   Through the grass I could make out a small herd of strange looking animals grazing peacefully.  I had only just taken in the scene when the animals became alarmed, stopped grazing and turned and looked at me.  Oh dear, I thought, they have spotted me.  Suddenly there was a blood curdling roar behind me. The herd began to run and I began to run.  It wasn’t me who had startled the herd.  I had located the carnivore or rather, it had found me and it didn’t sound very friendly.  How fast can BF animals run?  What weapons do I have available. . . .  Laughing, Chips killed the program before I could jump up and run.

          “You must have lots of fun with games like that.” I commented, a little shaken.
“Yes but it isn’t just for fun,” he pointed out, “we have to train for difficult situations that might arise some day.”
“I can’t imagine encountering a situation like that.  What do you do if it does happen?  Shoot the beast?”
“Oh no!  We try to avoid killing anything.  You can try to scare an animal off. Make a loud bang with a noise gun or give it a jolt with a pain gun.  If that fails, you can use a tranquilizer; anything but killing a strange creature.  After all, it may be important to the biological system you are in.”
“Well,” I concluded, “that may be a very ethical way of handling the situation but next time I want a gun.”

           I took my leave of Muritama and returned to the Center of the ship.  I had been impressed by his explanation of the control computers but a little shaken by the RISC gaming computer.  I put it in the back of my mind as one of the mysteries of the ship and its crew, something that would all become clear in due course.  That afternoon I made a new entry in my personal dairy.  I still felt my blood run cold as I thought about the animal behind me but I had to admit it helped one to forget about the deep space outside.  Was that the real purpose of the games?  Scare the wits out of anyone who is suffering from Space Isolation Syndrome.  I decided my next work discussion should be with Marie Claire.  As deputy captain she should be knowledgeable about the spaceship and its mission.  She appeared forthright and might be able to clear up some of the puzzling aspects of our luxury space cruiser.


Chapter 19.  ‘The French Woman’

          The French deputy captain, Marie Claire, was outgoing and talkative; no need for a formal interview.  We talked frequently at meals, in the gym or in the lounge in the evenings and she readily discussed her background, training, likes and loves.  She was about my age and I sympathized personally with her having to deal with the captain, whom I still viewed as strong-headed and inconsiderate of the crew but I think she reveled in the rivalry.  
“I am a strong woman,” she declared “Je suis un combattant”.

          Her original education was in mechanical and civil engineering, which had little immediate application on board but certainly put her above the captain in terms of education and training.  She also had extensive space training from the European Space Technology Center at Noordwijk in the Netherlands and the Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany.  At the meetings on the moon she had been extremely interested in technology, everything from the materials and techniques used in the construction of the spaceship to the mechanical operation of the vessel; air purification and circulation, energy collection vanes and propulsion.   She had a lively personality and when she joined a group in the dining room or in the lounge she would participate in the current conversation or initiate one if all was quiet.  Her manner was quick and emphatic as demonstrated by her ‘talking’ hands.  She was very approachable, and most of the crew would go to her if they had a problem or question rather than risk the displeasure of the captain.  From Marie Claire’s fluency in English, she had obviously learned Modern English rather than Universal English but she liked to display her French heritage from time to time.  This could be a French phrase where an English one would suffice or an appraisal of the ‘so-called’ wine being served with dinner.  

          Clothing was another area that hinted at her French culture; she always made a point of being attractively dressed.  Even in a casual outfit she was carefully color-coordinated with well-fitting articles.  Before the excursion, everyone had an almost unlimited selection of clothes available to them but Marie Claire appeared to have an unerring sense for style, color, and texture in the outfits she ordered.  While discussing wardrobes one day I mentioned that she always dressed in a way that was attractive to men but she hastened to point out that she dressed for her own satisfaction; it made her feel good and increased confidence.  Attracting men was irrelevant and didn’t require beautiful clothes.  Males can be attracted by legs, bottoms, and boobs, or any combination of these; no need to spend time on coordinated clothes.  Even when dressed for the gym she was noticeable.  Annabelle dressed to keep cool when she exercised, sometimes to the point of being quite revealing, whereas Marie Claire was attractively ‘cool’ at all times.  She combined shorts with a matching or contrasting top and her hair tied up in matching scarf or sometimes exercise tights would be matched with a tunic top.  Her slim build tended to emphasize her figure.  Marie Claire always wore earrings - even during exercise.  They were usually gold and varied from day to day with the outfit she was sporting.  A modest amount of jewelry was permitted and in fact encouraged on the ship to make it as pleasant and earth-like as possible.  Several of the crew, male and female, wore earrings from time to time but Marie Claire was the most consistent.  When I commented on it she claimed that she was ‘born with earrings and felt naked without them’.  

         During one of our conversations I enquired about using ‘MC’ as a nickname she replied that she didn’t mind it at all.  But she did mention that at meetings, especially in the US, she was frequently referred to as ‘The French Woman’ and she didn’t care for that.
“But you are French and - - -.” I started to say but I hesitated.
“Yes, and I am ‘a woman’,” an amused Marie Claire completed the phrase for me, “but I prefer to be known as a professional engineer first, and other details such as gender as secondary information.”  She went on to explain that when she attended meetings she liked to go to the bar in the evening to review the day’s work and to get to know the other participants.  
“I love to chat,” she added indicating vigorous conversation with her fingers, “but if anyone thought I was an easy target just because I was ‘The French Woman’ they must have been disappointed.”  I almost laughed aloud, visualizing a vivacious Marie Claire sitting on a bar stool, legs crossed, a glass of wine in her hand, fingers talking, earrings flashing, surrounded by a group of captivated males.
“I am not a virgin,” she added as if to dispel any doubts, “but I like to have an emotional attachment to a man before making love.”   My admiration for her increased but a new concern flashed across my mind - - - Ivan.  She noticed.
“I like Ivan and we have some wonderful debates but I have no sentimental interest in him,” she reassured me, reading my mind and answering my unspoken question.  As I reflected on our conversation afterwards I thought I could have used some advice from Marie Claire before I had become involved with Dick and Ian, but in that case I might never have met her.

          Being French, Marie Claire had a more enthusiastic attitude towards food and dining than most of the crew.  Food, and the consumption of food, she believed, was such an important aspect of living that it had to be given appropriate attention.  The food itself should be made appetizing no matter how simple it may be.  The fact that most of the space food was produced in a microbiology lab was no excuse for being lazy about the presentation and appreciation of it.  Further, dining, especially in company, should proceed at a comfortable pace with time to taste and appreciate the flavor of each serving and time between courses to refresh the pallet.  Normally a wine should be paired with each entrée.  She frequently lamented the lack of a reasonable wine selection but the limitations of our ship did not allow for that.  Even a simple meal like breakfast should be consumed in an unhurried manner with due attention to the flavor of the croissant, coffee, etc. Dining was also an important social occasion - an opportunity to discuss the latest news and exchange ideas, to get to know people better. In other words, dining was an important aspect of living; the human need for food was secondary.

          Marie Claire had a broad general education in addition to her engineering background and was well versed in the classics.  Her narrow face and high arching eyebrows projected an open and inviting appearance but masked an inquisitive mind and a strong drive for perfection.  Like everyone on board, she was space-fit and when the subject of physical conditioning came up she mentioned that her favorite sport was fencing.  She claimed that it was an excellent sport for reflexes and for physique including a well-developed derrière.  Although Marie Claire was slim, her silhouette was consistent with that description.  She said her aim was to get a few people interested in taking up the sport so that she could have a fencing group.  It was one of the few sports suitable for a spaceship with limited free space; the equipment was relatively compact and light and there was ample room on board.  I had visions of the three musketeers fencing up and down the stairs. She offered to teach me the basics but I declined.  
“Pity”, she countered smiling. “The only other experienced fencer on board is Ivan; he fences Russian style.”  
“Perhaps I should take it up,” I reconsidered, “but it would take many years to become proficient in such a skilled sport.”
“Don’t worry,” she assured me, “we will find plenty of time.”
Fencing expertise suddenly added a new element to Ivan’s character.  He had not mentioned it but I should have expected something like that.  Like Marie Claire he was one of the elites from the ‘Old World’.

        One evening after dinner I joined Marie Claire and Ivan in the lounge only to discover that they were debating ancient Greek philosophy.  I thought I was fairly knowledgeable on classic historical subjects but I soon realized I was outclassed by a scientist and an engineer; how embarrassing!  Later that evening I downloaded a huge supply of information on the subject; thank goodness for all the educational material in the ship’s memory.  For the next two days and evenings I spent all my spare time studying Greek philosophy.  I concentrated on Plato, read up on Socrates and Aristotle but there were many others that could not be overlooked.  I noted particularly Democritus whose ideas about atoms foreshadowed the development of the atomic theory of chemicals by Dalton in the 18th century; a good topic with all the scientists on board.   Nevertheless, it was Plato’s views that most captured my attention.  One was on governance, rule by consensus, but I especially admired his belief in the equal treatment for women.  

          At lunch one day I happened to be at an all-girls table with Marie Claire and the others so I aired my theory about padded bras being a male conspiracy.
“We are exhorted to exercise vigorously to maintain our ‘space’ fitness.  All that physical effort is good for the tummy but it causes breasts to shrink.  When I checked my clothes supply I discovered we are provided with padded bras to compensate for the training and make us look sexy.”
“But I like to look sexy!” Ruby interjected. “My wardrobe has a delightful selection of seductive demi-cups, push-ups, and sheers; everything I might need to seduce a man.”
“You just destroyed my ‘male conspiracy’ theory.”
At this point Annabelle took the floor saying:
“I like to look attractive but not sexy as it tends to attract the wrong types.  Sometimes at meetings I have had to go out of my way to avoid persistent males.  Some will even study your schedule for meals etc. and make a point of turning up where you are, hoping for an opportunity to seduce you.”

          Marie Claire had been uncharacteristically quiet during this discussion, so we all turned and looked at her expectantly for the final word on bras.  She did not disappoint, giving an exposé accompanied by appropriate hand illustrations.  
“You should think of your bra as a remarkable piece of engineering– a good example of applied technology,” she claimed.  She elaborated by pointing out that designing a good supporting bra is not unlike a civil engineering project.  Many civil structures have to carry a major load under a variety of conditions; some buildings and bridges, for example, are cantilevered way beyond the plumb line.  Bra designs, she explained, are likewise very demanding.  They have to be comfortable during vigorous activities and are required to support the breasts throughout all body motions, up and down, side to side, back and forward.  The material has to breathe, stretch where required, and wick sweat.  Added to that is the fact that all women are different; even on a spaceship like this one with space-fit females you couldn’t have one size fits all.

         When asked about the design of the models produced for the ship’s crew, she reminded us about the laser measurements of each individual that had been done in several positions, standing, sitting, arms reaching up, forward, and sideways.  The results had been used to create a dynamic 3D computer model of each person’s figure.  In addition to determining accurate sizes for all clothes, the laser measurements were used for a Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing system to create perfectly fitting bras for each individual woman.  The most critical components were the cups, she expounded.  As she talked she illustrated her remarks in her usual manner with her hands.  They had to be molded with a volume equal to each breast and the gap between them on the band, the gore, adapted to match the individual body.  When padding was included the cup volume was increased to maintain the correct size and a comfortable fit.   Needless to say, if the padding was removed the bra would no longer fit correctly.  The band and the shoulder straps were also custom designed.  Although less variable, straps were important as they had to provide proper support and at the same time be flexible enough.

          “Yes, I appreciate that point,” Annabelle interjected,  “I have had a problem with some sports bras; when you reach high while playing the bra rides up till the band is over the breasts and that is neither comfortable nor attractive.”
“That should not be a problem with our engineered sports bras.” Marie Claire assured her.  “The shoulder straps have a built in ‘memory’; they can extend to more than twice the original length when stressed then return to the normal length afterwards.  But I believe it is mainly some of the regular bras that have padding, not the sports bras.  Does the padding bother you?”
“I don’t mind the padding as long as it is comfortable – but sometimes I don’t even wear a bra.”
“I like my bras, padded or unpadded.” Ruby repeated.

          Marie Claire continued by explaining that another challenge for bra designs for the spaceship is that we all change shape with time.  Over the years the body’s natural support for the breasts relaxes allowing them to drop gradually and this had to be accommodated in the design.  Some of our underwear is adjustable so that they can be used for many years.  
‘Many years I thought! I don’t expect to be here for many years,’ but I didn’t want to interrupt and spoil her discourse.  Marie Claire’s explanation about the design of our bras was fascinating but as we broke up after lunch I was left wondering about her opinion of padded bras.  I knew she considered it important, almost a status symbol, to be well dressed, attractive, and enjoyed male company but did she use padding?  

         Padded bras or not, we were still required to exercise to the satisfaction of the controller in the gym.  I wondered what would happen if we skipped – would our rations be reduced in proportion?  


Chapter 20.  Gym Fever

         Annabelle was an intriguing character; quite different from Ruby.  She was tall and attractive in the classic American style, long shapely legs and an outstanding figure to match.  Space fit and on a space diet it was difficult not to be slim but she still had a well rounded body.  Away from the gym, she was normally relaxed and easy going and would lie back on a comfy chair in the evening with her legs crossed or stretched out as if to trip up an unwary passer by.  Her natural blond hair was usually worn loose and flowed behind her as she moved framing her tanned skin.  She had a good appetite, even for space food, and would participate eagerly at meal times.  By necessity the chairs in the dining area were fixed in position but could swivel.  Annabelle would turn this way and that, her legs sometimes crossed or tucked in, chatting with all around and making a point of enjoying her food and wine.  I envied her supreme confidence; nothing could perturb her.

          As the on-board psychologist, she was less occupied than many members of the crew and she took advantage of this to exercise frequently in the gym in ‘outdoor’ zone.  She would work out about mid morning every day but sometimes returned to the gym in the afternoon for yoga and stretching exercises.  My preferred time was mid morning so we frequently overlapped.  However, even though we coincided in timing, I did not try to emulate her exercise routine.  She was exceptionally vigorous, constantly on the move, trotting between the various bits and pieces of apparatus.  Between times, she would do laps round the perimeter track.  It made me breathless just to watch the energy she put into it.  In the morning, she wore lightweight shorts and top, with her hair tied back for better cooling but in the afternoon she dressed in a stretch top and tights for yoga.  But it didn’t really matter what she wore; Annabelle was always the “Belle”.  

          Invariably she had a music/meter strapped to her arm to measure pulse rate and estimate calories burned.  
“Do you aim to burn up a certain number of calories?”  I enquired one time, causing her to pause in her routine.
“Oh no,” she replied in surprise, “I don’t really have to worry about calories.”
“What about your heart rate,” I asked, “It must be quite high at the rate you exercise?”
“That’s true,” she agreed, “but at my age it can go up to almost 200 without serious effects.  My target is about 150 but I don’t usually reach that unless I am involved in sports.”  
“That is more than I aim for with my exercise routine.” I admitted.
Would you like me to teach you some new exercise routines?”
“Thanks, but no thanks,” I laughed, “I prefer to stick to my own - I am not up to your level of fitness.”

         Needless to say, Annabelle was also a regular user of our shower.  She surprised me one morning when she emerged from the shower completely naked with only a towel and a big smile as she headed for her room, nodding a cheerful ‘good morning’ in passing.  As I got to know her I realized she was a “nature” type and was just as comfortable undressed as dressed.  I wondered if it was possibly related to the fact that she was a psychologist although I couldn’t quite figure out a connection between ‘nature child’ and psychology.  Annabelle had also trained in child education – ‘ah, a flower child’ - I thought, that explains it.  She talked comfortably to all the other crew members.  I was a bit concerned one evening when she spent some time in an animated conversion with Ivan.  I cautiously challenged him later about it but he laughed. “I know her well from the space training school,” he explained.  “Everyone finds Annabelle attractive but, for all her beauty, she doesn’t take to any man”.  
“What exactly do you mean?” I pursued. “Is she interested in other women.”
“No. No. No.”  He reassured me quickly.  “As far as I know, she is not interested in going to bed with anyone – male or female”.
“Ah, a true ‘American Beauty’!” I exclaimed in relief.  

          I continued to exercise using my own routine.  We had been taught to vary it from time to time as the body adapts to any particular sequence of exercises so I made use of different apparatus on successive days.  The gym had some classic gymnastic equipment including ropes, bars, and rings suspended from the ceiling.  At one time female gymnasts were discouraged from using such equipment, especially rings, as they were considered more suitable for male athletes who were naturally stronger, physically that is.  Feats such as the ‘iron cross’ were very impressive.  However, attitudes had gradually changed as female gymnasts displayed graceful and fluid moves on the rings and bars.  The emphasis for females was on total body control, even down to the toes, and smooth movements rather than strength based vaults.  I had not used rings since my school days but decided to try them out one day.  Holding a ring firmly in each hand, I lifted my legs up and over and came down onto my feet completing a ‘dislocation’ move.  Of course, one doesn’t really dislocate the shoulder, the suspending ropes twist to compensate for the twisting of the arms.  With growing confidence, I grasped the rings firmly again, built up a good swing, and repeated the ‘dislocation’ movement:  

          I don’t remember what happened next.  When I recovered consciousness I was flat on my back on the floor with several people leaning over peering at me.
“Are you all right?” an anxious voice enquired.
“What happened?”  I asked, in a daze.
“You let go of the rings and landed on the back of your head,” another voice explained.
“But I did the same move a moment ago.” I protested.
“When you swing it adds centrifugal force to your weight,” explained Lorne the physicist.  I waited a minute or two then let one or two people help me to stand up rather shakily, supported by them.  By this time, Dr. Wells had arrived.  She advised me to lie down for several hours.  She offered to take me to the medical room but I preferred my own room as I wanted to play down the incident as much as possible.  Ivan and Lorne supported me up to my room and helped me onto the bed.  Ivan looked quite concerned and fussed about making me comfortable, half covered me with a blanket, and offered to get me anything I wanted.  I assured him I was perfectly OK apart from a slight bump on the back of my head and the embarrassment.  He held my hand and squeezed it firmly before leaving.  Dr. Wells had followed us to my room and checked me over once I was alone and lying comfortably on the bed.
“Nothing serious,” she pronounced, “but we have to check on you every hour throughout the day.”  
“It isn’t severe.” I protested.
“Just a precaution,” she advised. “What on earth were you doing?”
I hesitated a moment before replying.
“Showing off” I admitted.

          There were some advantages to being laid up for the remainder of the day; most of the crew came to visit and enquire about my injury.  Ivan and Lorne were the first as they assisted me to my room but they left when doctor Wells came in; even the captain dropped by.  He was distinctly uncomfortable with me lying in bed and stood near the open doorway.  He expressed concern that some of the equipment in the gym might be unsafe but I assured him that it was not the equipment that was unsafe.  Nevertheless, he looked disturbed and insisted that I rest for a day or two.  

           Marie Claire took a different attitude.  She came right into the room and sat on the chair which put her on an even keel with me when I sat up in bed.  She tucked her feet under the chair and leaned forward with her expressive hands free as she enquired about my health.  As always, she was neatly dressed, tights and tunic on this occasion, and dangling gold earrings that flashed as she moved.  Curious as I was, I tried to avoid looking at her top directly to estimate what type of bra she was wearing.  After I convinced her that my injury was minor she remarked that if we were in France, a good glass of Bordeaux would be the recommended treatment.  
“Red wine is good for the heart and the blood,” she stated. “Unscientific, of course, but at the very least it would cheer you up.”  She chatted cheerfully for a while about health and fitness before she hopped up and took her leave.  

        A short time later Ruby came to visit and cheer me up.  As I was sitting up in bed, she sat down on the other end of the bed facing me so she could look me in the face and crossed her legs in an imitation yoga position.  After the preliminary enquiries about my condition she remarked:
“You should have seen Ivan when he saw you fall.”
“Oh, what did he do?”
“He raced across the room to help you.”
“Several people came to my rescue.” I mentioned.
“True, but Ivan was very pale with fright and worried about you” She elaborated.
“Well that is one way to get attention,” I joked, “perhaps I should do it again.”
“No need,” she assured me, “he’s all yours already.”
“It is not a serious relationship” I protested but I was happy with her assessment.
“That’s not what I meant.”  She looked at me intently with her deep penetrating eyes and said emphatically:
“He’s into you.”  
I almost replied ‘not yet’ but thought better of it and replied instead:
“Well, I hope to be seeing more of him.”
“I am sure you will see a lot more of him,” concluded Ruby.

          By this time I was beginning to suspect that Dr. Wells had organized a series of visitors to check on me.  I was thinking of timing the visits but before I could start Nell came to see me. A biochemist by training, she had specialized in nutrition and food recycling which made her ideal for Dr. Bio’s program.  On this occasion she was at her most charming; smiling cheerfully and offering words of encouragement.  I was looking at my portable when she came in.  As my bed had become a convenient seat for bedside companions I waved a hand in that direction.  She sat down and leaned back comfortably against a pillow and stretched out her legs.  Although she was wearing a flared skirt and tights she tended not to show off her legs, unlike Ruby.

          After some initial well wishes and chit-chat she pointed to my pad and asked:
“Goodness gracious me!  Are you working?”
“No. Not exactly, I was just looking up medical symptoms.”
“That is the worst thing you could do! Give me your pad and I will put on something more relaxing.” Without any further ado she leaned forward and took it from me.
“What do you recommend for a slightly injured space novice?” I enquired.
“A good sexy romance.  That will take your mind off your pain.”
“You biologists are all the same,” I protested, “it must be the things you study in the labs; too much reproduction. You all try to encourage me to go to bed with someone.”  
“Oh, no, no!”  The labs have nothing to do with it,” she protested.  “It is the delightful company on the ship.”  She selected a ‘suitable’ program on my portable and handed it back to me with a big smile.
“There, that should be better.”
“Thanks,” I replied.  “It didn’t take you long to find a sexy romance!”
“Delighted to help.”  She declared, ignoring the implication with another big smile.
“I will come back in an hour or so to see if you are still awake - and alone.”
‘She would make a good psychologist’ I thought, as she hopped up and skipped out the door, she could make anyone relax.  Working in the labs kept Nell fully occupied most of the day but she liked to join the group in the lounge to relax in the evening.  I was beginning to feel sorry for Ruby and Nell because of the amount of work they had to perform so I resolved to take up the Dr. Bio’s offer to show me round that section of the ship.  

          I missed the lunch period but I was not forgotten.  Ivan and Ruby returned with some of my favorite snacks accompanied by some ‘simulated’ milk; no Bordeaux for me that day.  We chatted briefly about my gymnastic ability, or lack of same, and again I assured them that I was well but I did enjoy having frequent visitors.  Ruby retreated leaving us alone.  Ivan sat close to me on the bed and squeezed my hand.  He implored me to be much more careful in the gym and not to try any unusual moves without him present to spot me.  In fact, he claimed, he could show me some interesting moves.  I could think of some good moves myself right there and then but with my head still throbbing it was not the time or place for romantic overtures.

          The afternoon continued with regular visits by members of the crew.  Most notable was Al Tallentini, Dr. Bio, who breezed in with his usual enthusiastic but blunt style.  No hesitation on his part; he marched in, took command of the chair and wrapped this large frame around it with it facing backwards.  Leaning on the back of the chair he followed up with a stream of cheer-you-up anecdotes and jokes about biology labs and sports interspersed with some rather colorful language for emphasis.  Phrases like ‘the daft bugger’ rolled off his tongue in such a natural way it didn’t seem like swearing.  One story he recounted was his experience when he was on exchange at one of the large American universities.  There were three professional squash coaches and when they learned that he was good player he was challenged to a game.  Al won so the other two professionals promptly challenged him; he beat all three of them then, for the remainder of the exchange, he coached the coaches on the finer points of the game.  He tended to agree with Marie Claire that a glass of beer or wine would be good medicine for me.  He recounted one tale about working in a lab where a Bunsen burner was kept alight to sterilize the lip of flasks before pouring growth medium.  Unfortunately one day it started a fire in a beaker of alcohol.  It would have burned itself out quite quickly but an over enthusiastic assistant attacked the flames with a fire extinguisher.  The blast blew all the glassware off the bench, breaking everything and contaminating the whole lab.  It took weeks to clean up the mess and sterilize the lab.  Al continued his tales until, finally, just before leaving, he casually enquired after my injury.  I showed him the slight inflammation on the back of my head.  He assured me it was nothing to worry about as he had had many similar bumps and bangs from playing sports and he was still going strong.

          Chips and Rocky both dropped by but they were shy compared to Dr. Bio.  I had to encourage them to come right into the room even though the door was open.  By dinner hour, Dr. Wells conceded that I was well enough to get up and resume normal duties such as consuming space food, drinking a glass of wine, and participating in round table exchanges, but no more gymnastics for a day.  Needless to say in my daily report I barely mentioned my misadventure in the gym; only enough to explain the sequence of visitors to my room.  


Chapter 21.  Jupiter

         Day five concluded with a fly-past of Jupiter.  It was difficult to believe that the largest planet of the solar system was a ‘gas planet’, just a huge agglomeration of gas.  Of course towards the Center of the planet the pressure was so great that it was condensed to a liquid deep below the surface then to a solid in the core.  We watched it on the large TV screens in the lounge.  One camera was focused on the planet while another was looking with a wider angle to take in the entire system of Jupiter, the rings, and the nearby moons.  The best views were as we approached with the sun behind us then as we passed with the planet half lit.  Although Jupiter is a giant gas planet, it has a large number of moons composed of solid rock.  We were fascinated by the rings and the moons.  The rings are dark in color, much less visible than those of Saturn, but they were clear to us as we passed by.  Our closest approach to the planet was about 50 million kilometers so the large moons were easy to see.  However, it depended on their position relative to the sun and the planet.  Lorne, the astronomer, was in ‘heaven,’ controlling one of the telescopes looking at the display and studying the planet and the moons.  A small group of us settled into our favorite chairs to watch the display and listen to Lorne as he moved the camera from one to the other.  It was our entertainment for the evening.

          I overheard someone mention ‘Galileo’ so I asked Lorne about the connection.
“The four large moons of Jupiter were discovered by Galileo in the early 17th century,” he explained.  It is quite remarkable when you consider how primitive the telescopes were at that time, so they are known as the ‘Galilean’ moons of Jupiter.”
“They do seem to be quite large.” Ruby remarked.
“Yes.  Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system” he informed us pointing to it. “It is larger than the planet Mercury.”
“So it is larger than our earth’s moon.” I concluded.
“Yes, Callisto and Io are also larger than our moon,” he added, pointing them out to us.
“Beautiful,” Dr. Wells commented in appreciation.
“The fourth Galilean moon, Europa, is slightly smaller than our moon but you can’t see it at the moment as it is hidden behind Jupiter.  We may catch sight of it in a little while as we move past the planet.”
“It almost looks as if Jupiter uses them as juggling balls.” Ruby joked.
“That is not a bad description,” Lorne admitted.  
“Is there no risk of them colliding?” I asked.
“That is an interesting question,” he said, “but the answer is rather complex.  Three of these moons are in resonance with each other. Lo makes four orbits, and Europa two orbits, for every one made by Ganymede.  This essentially balances their gravitational forces. Callisto is further from the planet and is more independent.  Nevertheless, all the orbits have to be synchronized to maintain stability.  They have been in this configuration since the formation of the Solar system so collisions are most improbable.  It would take a huge asteroid to disturb such a stable arrangement.”

          The spaceship had passed at a respectable distance from the Jupiter as the gravitational force of such a large planet is very strong.  We were close to our maximum planned speed at the time and any encounter with dust or debris would have been extremely dangerous.  Some of the small outer satellites are almost 30 million kilometers from the planet.  I found it surprising that little effort was made to conduct some scientific studies but I supposed everything interesting had already been done from earth or remotely by unmanned spacecraft and there is no way you can land on a gas planet.  The large moons were more promising for exploration but we were hell bent on going to Saturn and its moons; no diversion for Jupiter was permitted.

          I made notes about the day’s events in my Voyage Record book but the more interesting parts were recorded only in my personal dairy. By this time it was becoming quite extensive with regular records of life in space, daily routines, space food and reactions to it, space people, space exercise, and so on, in addition to personal discussions or interviews.  I kept detailed records in the belief that it could be useful to me if I eventually wrote a record of this historic voyage or, better still, a complete book covering this voyage and other space projects to come.  It was obvious that the spaceship was intended for more extensive voyages in the future and I had high hopes of participating in some of them.  Although I had a reasonably good memory, I was sure that if I waited too long I would not be able to recall the details or the exact sequence of events.  Tomorrow, I thought, was an appropriate time to tackle the thorny question of the ‘Oil Era’ which the captain seemed to hold against me.  What better way to prepare for it than an in depth discussion with a climatologist – Ivan.


Chapter 22.  The Oil Era and Global Warming
         I had been annoyed by the Captain’s remarks about the ‘Oil Era’ and climate change and it still rankled so I planned to take advantage of Ivan’s climatology background to have him enlighten me on the causes and effects of the Earth’s climate changes and the influence of the ‘oil era’ in particular.  I also needed to spend some time with him as part of my semi-official assignment of interviewing the crew members and recording their impressions of the spaceship.  Needless to say, I also wanted to have more time with him for personal reasons but that is another matter; today it was all work and no play.  Although I was reasonably familiar with the general fluctuations of climate, I was sure it would be advantageous to have an expert explain some of the details and mechanisms for my benefit.  A small office on the control level was available for small groups and we arranged to get together in the early afternoon.  I went down the stairs quickly, indeed eagerly and found myself slightly ahead of time.  Shortly afterwards Ivan joined me, casually but nicely dressed and looking confident.  I think he enjoyed being the main authority on geography and climate on the ship.  He took a seat behind the desk and leaned forward expectantly, waiting for me to initiate the discussion about climate.  I sat back in a chair facing him, notepad in hand ready to go.  But I paused to take in the sight of him ‘working’ in an office; another image to add to my collection.  

         To open the discussion I mentioned that I was keen to learn as much as possible about the Earth’s climates and any relationship to the oil era.
“Well, after the formation of the earth, 4.5 billion years ago. . . .” he began.
“That is really going back,” I laughed, “we will be here all day and all night if you try to cover such a time span.”  
“That might be a good idea,” he said brightly before continuing.
“Are you interested in the ice ages?”
“Yes, but only in so far as it has a bearing on more recent periods including the ‘oil era’ as the captain calls it.”
“OK.  There were some extreme glaciations and hot interglacial periods more than a billion years ago but life really took off after the last so-called ‘Snowball’ earth, about 700 million years ago.  During that period, the Earth was almost completely covered in ice and snow.   However, I think you would prefer to discuss mainly the later ice ages and the recent climate changes”  
“Yes.  I know there have been a series of ice ages but what causes them to begin and end; how cyclical are they and how do they relate to the current climate?”

         He proceeded to explain that the formation of ice begins in Polar Regions when more snow falls in the winter than melts in the summer; initially it is not extremely cold.  But the expanding ice sheet reflects more and more of the sun’s energy, higher albedo is the technical term, and after thousands of years it results in an ice age.  According to Ivan the accepted theory is that the frequency of ice ages is related to a variation in the axis of the earth’s rotation.  This slight variation has a frequency of forty thousand years and causes a reduction of the sun’s energy reaching the northern hemisphere.  Cooling temperatures and cooler oceans leads to reduction in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which in turn causes further cooling.  Although the process starts in the northern hemisphere the drop in greenhouse gas leads to cooling all over the earth resulting in an ice age in the southern hemisphere as well.   This theory was developed by Milankovitch in the early 1900s.
“Ah! Another Russian climatologist?” I exclaimed.
“No.  Actually, he was an engineer, a Serbian engineer.”
“Has his theory been confirmed?”
“Yes, as well as you can confirm something that occurred thousands of years ago.  Past temperatures were measured using deep ice and sea sediment cores.  Cores from the Russian/French project at Vostok in Antarctica  covered over 400 thousand years and revealed that the greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, carbon dioxide and methane, rose and fell with the temperature but lagged slightly behind the temperature change.  Like all good climate theories, the Milankovitch Cycles don’t explain everything.  There appears to be another cycle of one hundred thousand years; it is also related to movement of the earth’s axis.”
         After a period of banter about climatologists and climate theories I became serious again and returned the conversation to the topic by asking:
“Did they find out what happens to reverse the advance of the ice?”
“That is a more difficult question.  There are several theories,” he replied after a pause, smiling at ‘theories’.  
He went on to explain that scientists have postulated that reduction in plant growth due to the cooler climate is a factor as the uptake of carbon dioxide decreases.  Also, the oceans can only cool so far before freezing so they will absorb less and less greenhouse gas.  If sources such as volcanoes continue to add gas to the atmosphere it would eventually result in warming due to the greenhouse effect.  Another possibility is that a very extensive ice sheet, such as the Wisconsin glacier during the last ice age, reduced the effect of the solar wind on the earth; some of the rays would be reflected. Therefore, over thousands of years the reduction in the thrust of the solar wind would cause the earth to move slightly closer to the sun; the gravitational force, the centrifugal force, and all other forces, must remain in balance.  This would eventually lead to a situation where the sun could slowly melt the ice and the earth would become warm again – the warm interglacial phase.

         I suggested that thanks to the oil era, global warming should prevent another ice age but he shook his head.  Global warming is invariably followed by global cooling; extreme warming could be followed by extreme cooling, in other words, global freezing.  He pointed out that if the rising temperatures had continued and all the ice melted it would have enabled the solar wind, over thousands of years, to push the earth further from the sun and this could lead to a repeat of ‘snowball’ earth with disastrous consequences for life on the planet.  That risk was one of the underlying factors behind the drive for the Earth 2000 Global Climate Agreement.  It added a serious long term risk to an already existing problem.
“It seems surprising but I suppose orbital changes would be so minor and so slow that they couldn’t be measured.”
“That’s true.  The changes would be very gradual and happen over thousands of years so even generations of humans would never notice anything.”

         “What is the physical evidence for major climatic changes?”  I enquired.
“The earth’s surface contains abundant evidence of earlier climates.  During very warm periods subtropical trees grew in the Arctic and Antarctic regions and petrified remnants of these forests can still be found in northern Russia, Canada, and in Antarctica.  However, these polar forests date from an earlier time, about 43 million years ago. The effects of ice ages are still very obvious over many parts of both hemispheres, even in Australia!”
“What about the recent fluctuations?” I asked.
“Most of Canada was glaciated during the last ice age between 100 to 10 thousand years ago.  Many tell-tale signs are visible today. Even the Ottawa area, which is now home to your capital in Canada, was blanketed by an ice sheet several kilometers thick.”  
“Boy! That must have taken a very large bucket of water!”
“Yes, and that highlights a major aspect of ice ages:  While the ice builds up on land during an ice age it draws water from the oceans and the sea level drops dramatically; one hundred and twenty metres during the last ice age compared to the reference sea level.  Then when it all melts, the sea level rises again; for example it could still rise at least another twenty metres above the level we are accustomed to.  Most of our recorded history has taken place in the last few thousand years so the sea level appears constant.  That is one reason why global warming could have disastrous consequences.”

         “I believe the critical question is: What stage are we at now?”  I asked.
“We appear to be slowly leaving the cool period after the last ice age and moving into the warm interglacial stage.  There is still a lot of ice held in glaciers and ice caps such as Greenland and Antarctica and some of it could melt very slowly.  However, during the 21st century it became clear that changes to the Earth’s atmosphere were moving us more quickly into the hot phase of the cycle.  This was expected to result in a longer and hotter interglacial phase.  The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere exceeded records of all previous interglacial periods.  Historically the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere varied from a low of 180 parts per million during the ice ages to a high of 280 in the warm phase.  Some prehistoric periods had much higher levels, and correspondingly higher temperatures, due to volcanic activity.  When the carbon dioxide level passed 400 in the 21st century we were clearly into uncharted territory.  It was projected to cause massive flooding of low-lying land which included heavily populated areas and highly productive farmland.  To add to the problem, significant warming of the globe would affect the major grain producing farmlands around the globe.  There were two major problems for agriculture; changes to the pattern of precipitation, and changes in average temperatures. It became clear that the net result would be serious reductions in food crops raising the specter of mass starvation.”  
“It should have been possible to move agriculture further north in countries such as Canada and Russia?” I suggested.
“Yes and no.” explained Ivan.  “Like everything else to do with global climatic variations it takes time.  In order to develop good top soil suitable for grain crops in these regions it could take a thousand years.  In the meantime, food producing regions closer to the equator would be in difficulty because of extreme heating.  These were some the considerations that pushed governments to support the ‘Earth 2000 Global Climate Agreement’.”

           “Let’s leave that subject for another day.  What about the so-called ‘Oil Era’?” I prompted Ivan.
“Ah, you have a bone to pick with the captain,” he said smiling.  “Well oil certainly was a major contributor to the greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere but not the only factor.”
“Can you elaborate on that?”
“From a climate point of view, the main consideration was the carbon dioxide emissions but methane was also a serious greenhouse gas.  Emissions began with the industrial revolution in the 18th century but that was mainly due to coal.  Oil was the dominant source of energy from about 1960 to 2060, so I suppose you could call that the ‘Oil Era’; the century of oil dominance.”
“But was it the main cause of the global warming?” I enquired.
“The addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere was undoubtedly a factor in the global warming observed in the 21st century.  However, it wasn’t only oil, carbon dioxide from all the fossil fuels contributed to it as did methane, synthetic fluorocarbons, and other industrial chemicals.  But in addition to that, there was an ongoing natural warming trend going back to the end of the last ice age,” he stated.

         “When did people become aware of the ‘greenhouse’ effect in the atmosphere?”
“The first mention of a greenhouse effect or ‘hot-house theory’ was by a famous Swedish chemist, Arrhenius, in the late 1800s.  This was followed by more quantitative studies by Callendar in the mid1900s who estimated the increase in the Earth’s temperature due to release of carbon dioxide.  It is interesting to note, however, that these scientists and other early workers in the field thought that the warming would be beneficial, not harmful.  They saw it as potentially staving off the next ice age. Don’t forget that, bad as global warming is, ice ages are much worse”
“Ah, I am happy you mentioned that.”  I noted before continuing:  “As I recall, it was very difficult to convince people about global warming.”
“That’s true.  There was no shortage of ‘experts’ and opinions.
“So while ‘Rome was burning’ speculation continued,” I suggested?
“Yes.  There were plenty of warning signs but climatic variations are so great that skeptics could always argue that they were within the historical fluctuations in the weather.”
“So, what made them change their mind?”
“Rising sea level is difficult to argue with,” he replied smiling, “and it is not directly related to local weather variations.”

         “What would have happened to the climate if no action had been taken to protect the Earth?”
“That was researched extensively by many groups well before the Earth 2000 Global Climate Accord was negotiated and involved scientific, engineering, and social science disciplines.  It was rather like an expansion of the original IPCC studies except that many national governments became directly involved.  Although there were great variations in the results, especially the time frames of the longer term climate changes, there was general consensus about the overall trends.  I can summarize the overall results for you but I warn you that it is not a pretty picture.”

Chapter 23.  “Out of Africa”

         Ivan hesitated before beginning to describe the dramatic sequence of climatic changes predicted to occur in the absence of a counterbalancing action to moderate climate change.  According to him, beginning in the 21st century the main concern was flooding due to sea level rise.  The inexorable increase in global temperatures was causing glaciers to melt and sea water to expand.  Even the increase of up to one metre predicted by 2100 would have caused severe problems in many countries. Agriculture in coastal areas would have been disrupted and many coastal cities would have been inundated frequently due to high tides and storm surges.  It was estimated that by the year 2200, the increase in sea level would reach two metres or more.  This would have overwhelmed countries such as The Netherlands and low lying areas and coastal cities of many other counties.  However, the threat of a sea level rise of five to ten metres, considered to be possible within a few thousand years, spelled total disaster.  Even with ample warning, the world as we know it could not cope with such a major change.  Calculations of the amount of ice locked up in Greenland and Antarctica indicated that an even greater increase, up to 20 metres, was possible if all the land-based ice melted.  According to geological records, sea level changes of that magnitude had occurred in prehistoric times.

         Quite apart from the rising sea level, the abnormal hot phase that began in the 21st century would have intensified, with global temperatures rising by several degrees.  Two degrees centigrade was expected by the middle of the 22nd century.  Under these circumstances it would have been extremely difficult to adapt agriculture to maintain food supplies.  Grain harvests in particular would have been reduced due to the hot climate and changing rain patterns.  Moving production north in countries such as Canada and Russia would not have been practical due to the lack of suitable soils at higher latitudes. Thus, in the medium term, the consequences of a hot climate would have included severely restricted food supplies and likely a corresponding reduction in the human population.  Ivan suggested that a simulation program available on the computer would help to illustrate the effects of climate changes, both short term and long term.  He paused to call up the appropriate program, Earth; Long-Range Climate Simulation.

         The interactive program began with a display of the Earth in the year 2000.  The familiar coastlines were present with deep blue oceans, lighter blue for shallow water and multiple hues of green, grey, beige, etc., representing land masses.  The image of the Earth could be rotated or zoomed to selected areas.  Ivan set time in motion and we could watch the changes as the sea level rose.  It was not noticeable at first but as time passed low lying areas near the sea became inundated.  Average global temperature and sea level, displayed on a side bar, both rose in tandem.  Ivan paused the program at the year 2200 and I used the zoom feature to focus in on areas I was familiar with.  A beautiful beach on the south shore of Nova Scotia was no longer a beach but a narrow strip of stones and pebbles.  The romantic beach cottages at the site had either disappeared or were broken and abandoned.  In Florida it was a similar story.  The famous Daytona Beach had almost washed away and Miami Beach was beyond repair.  On the Gulf coast of Florida, storm surges had destroyed many of the fabulous summer “cottages” on St George Island.
         Ivan pointed out the devastating flooding in Europe and countries of South East Asia.  The protective sea walls of The Netherlands had been overcome and the country was awash in sea water.  In Asia, many of the fertile rice producing areas were either inundated or so close to the sea level that they would be at risk of salt water intrusion.  Traditional food production was obviously under serious threat.
        With the program in motion again the process of rising temperature and sea level continued.  On a global scale coastlines became increasingly unrecognizable.  Prediction of temperatures and other details at extended times were more approximate.  Abruptly, at one point, after more than a thousand years, Ivan pointed out that there was a new trend setting in.  The average global temperature stopped rising.  Ivan mentioned to pay close attention to the regions near the poles: white areas of snow and ice began to persist year round.
“The end of the interglacial hot phase,” he explained.
“Ice age next,” I ventured.
“Yes, but not immediately,” he added.

         Returning my attention to the simulation program, I noticed that the chart of average global temperature and sea level had stopped rising and had begun to fall slowly.  Ivan reminded me that interglacial hot phases in the Earth’s climate are invariably followed by ice ages.  A very hot one like that predicted to follow the 21st century would lead to a more severe ice age.  Initially the cooling trend would bring welcome relief as it would reduce the temperatures and gradually return the Earth to a more comfortable level.  But again, these changes would happen over a long time, probably a few thousand years.  
        As the reduction in global temperatures continued, the simulation program illustrated the steady expansion of ice sheets near the poles that slowly crept out over land and sea to eventually cover most of the Earth’s surface.  This, combined with dropping temperatures, would have had a suffocating effect on agriculture and severely limited food production.  Consequently, the human population would be drastically reduced over time and people would be forced to migrate towards warmer regions.  For example, it was predicted that North Americans would migrate south into Mexico and on into South America, Europeans would have to cross the Med into North Africa, and so on.  This would be facilitated as the land bridge between the Iberian Peninsula and Africa opened up when sea level dropped as water became incorporated into the ice sheets.

         An extended period of migration and resettlement of people over thousands of years was foreseen.  In North Africa large expanses of the Sahara desert area would likely become fertile farmland until it succumbed to the cold. The model displayed this with green and fertile areas visible in North Africa and the Middle East.  Eventually, however, if global cooling continued people would be forced to move further south towards the equator.  By this stage such long term forecasts were becoming unreliable as it was almost impossible to estimate the time frame and extent of the global freezing.  The ice age could be severe, worse than any recent one, and could tend towards a “snowball Earth” scenario with disastrous consequences for all life on Earth.  Fortunately it is estimated that even a severe ice-age would leave some areas in equatorial regions ice-free where life could struggle on. However, with such dramatic changes and long time frames it is difficult to say to what extent civilization, as we know it, would survive.

         Ice ages come and go so the cooling trend would eventually be reversed.  The simulation program continued inexorably; no sympathy for the people affected.  As the Earth gradually warmed up the surviving human populations would expand and spread out from the equatorial regions of Africa, America, and Asia, over thousands of years, to reclaim the previous temperate zones of the Earth.  Thus, for example, the people living in Africa would migrate into Europe and the Middle East.  That would give fresh meaning to the phrase, “Out of Africa”.  I shuddered at the thought of the sequence of extreme climate variations that could have commenced in the absence of the Earth 2000 Global Climate Agreement and the subsequent geoengineering activities.  
“I need to be warmed up after these predictions of freezing.” I commented.
“Happy to help”, he commented with a smile, “how about a rendezvous after dinner?”
I switched off my notepad and we went up to the dining area.  Ivan invited me to go first while he followed close behind.  I climbed the stairs smartly but slow enough to allow him to admire my legs.  After all, a woman’s legs were dual purpose.



Chapter 24.  Personal Warming

        By this time on the voyage we were limited to food that could be produced on the ship; ‘deep space diet’ as Ruby called it but it was more like ‘deep faith diet’; you had to believe that what you were eating was nutritious and good for you.  It was not limited in variety but certainly didn’t have the taste and texture of the real thing.  I varied my selection each day to be sure I had a balanced diet even though I was assured all the meals were balanced and nutritious.  The wine came in a choice of red or white, ‘deep space vintage’ Dr. Bio called it.  The first time it was offered I watched Marie Claire tasting a red wine.  She first smelled it, took a cautious sip and swilled it in her mouth.  Her face became red.  I thought she was going to explode but she seemed to control herself, remembering that she had to set an example, and swallowed it.  Several people were looking on expectantly as she announced:
“Not a Bordeaux - nor a Burgundy - but it has some taste and it definitely has alcohol in it.”
I could not disagree with her assessment and I continued to have my wine with dinner.  Ivan had remained with me at supper and, together, we moved over to the lounge to relax with the others.  A movie was agreed upon for the evening’s entertainment but it was modern and very noisy so I hinted to Ivan that it was time to move to a more private room.  

        Ivan didn’t need much encouragement and we decided to get together in his room.  First however, I paused at my room to remove my day outfit, squeeze into a pair of dark leggings and match them with a loose fitting top with a bright pattern.  Although the leggings were tight and form fitting the blouse was free flowing and comfortable.  I wanted to look seductive but I didn’t intend to try to seduce him; plenty of time for a grand seduction later.  When I entered his room for the first time I was struck by the pale yellow and green décor and commented on it.
“Wheat fields at harvest time,” he explained.  “You should recognize it.”
“Very appropriate,” I agreed.  “It suits me too; I think I was supposed to spend time in this room.”  
Ivan was wearing something rather similar; dark colored pants and a white ‘Russian peasant’ style top with a rope belt; very attractive.
“You look good!” we both declared almost in unison.
“What next, I mean, what should we put on the TV?” I asked.
After some discussion we settled on a classical ballet performance.  He offered me something to drink but the ‘in-room’ service was rather limited.  I requested a cup of black tea and he prepared enough for both of us.  This will keep us awake I thought as we settled down to enjoy the show side by side on the sofa.  The music and the performers were excellent but it didn’t compare with a live performance so after an intermission we began chatting rather than continuing the show.

        This seemed like a good time to display my newly updated knowledge of Greek philosophy so I challenged Ivan on some small point about Plato and woman’s rights to initiate a discussion.  Our debate went back and forth; I made some good points and he countered with others.  I am sure he realized I had been studying the subject since it was discussed earlier with MC and I think he appreciated the fact that I made a concerted effort to educate myself in order to debate with him.  Greek philosophy, however, is not the most romantic of subjects and we eventually returned to the subject of our backgrounds and personal preferences.  When I mentioned that Marie Claire had offered to educate me in the basics of fencing he said he would be happy to give me a few pointers and practice with me.
“Excellent sport,” he added, “develops good reflexes.”
“And a good bottom, she claimed.” I mentioned looking pointedly at him.
“Yes, but of course, you don’t need it for that,” he laughed looking me over.
We chatted further about the benefits of various exercises and sports and the limitations of a spaceship, even a deluxe space liner like ours, but eventually it was time to go.  I stood up to leave.  He embraced me and gave me a passionate full mouth kiss and hugged me tightly pressing firmly against me with his whole body.  “Till next time.” He said.
“Bonne nuit,” I replied in some confusion.  I was unable to think clearly as I felt that global warming was overtaking me.

          As I made my way slowly down to my room my mind in turmoil.  I asked myself was this love, or was it simply ‘love with a proper stranger’?  Were we sufficiently well acquainted by now?  I thought about my resolution after Dick and Ian to fall in love before falling into bed.  Was the time ripe?  However, I believed that if I followed the natural flow of the romance the time for love and sex would be self evident; it did not have to be decided beforehand.  Tomorrow more work time with Ivan would probably add to the flow but more importantly I needed to get a clear understanding of the climatology behind the Earth 2000 World Climate Agreement.  Then I would be prepared to tackle our oil slick captain.


Chapter 25.  Earth 2000 Global Climate Agreement
        Next day, before getting immersed in climate control, I had my first fencing lesson with Marie Claire.  To begin I had a short education on safety.  The first essential was the protective suit which was made of exceptionally strong ballistic fabrics to resist puncture.  The complete suit had to be donned and the protective mask attached correctly before the weapons were introduced.  It reminded me of the space suit we had used for the excursion in the moon rover.  There were wireless sensors in the jacket, plastron, breeches, weapon glove, and helmet (mask) which had to be connected up before fencing could begin.  Vision would be obscured in the masks of both competitors if the safety fittings were incomplete.  For my first lesson I was not suited up to face an opponent.  Ivan gave me a foil weapon and I was shown a few positions and moves.  Swift moves forward and backwards were emphasized as well as lunges and a basic ‘en garde’ position.  Ivan and MC suited up and gave a demonstration to illustrate the speed and agility of the sport.  Finding space in the gym was easy – everyone else kept out of the way when the blades began flashing and the fencers danced back and forth unpredictably.  MC mentioned that later they intended to measure out a full size fencing piste, 14 metres long and 2 metres wide which could serve for a long time.  I remarked that we would not need a long time as we would be returning to base before too long; MC demurred.  

        To resume my climate education with Ivan we arranged another tête-à-tête in the same room.  He settled into the chair as before, leaning back in a comfortable but confident manner.  This time I was eager for answers and leaned forward with my arms on the desk, a notepad before me.  My focus was now on the EARTH 2000 Global Climate Agreement, usually abbreviated to ‘Earth 2000’.  It was an international agreement under the auspices of the UN aimed at moderating fluctuations in the Earth’s climate and avoiding extreme climate change which could lead to an ice age.  By the middle of the 21st century it had become abundantly clear that the earth was heading inexorably towards a major catastrophe due to changes in the climate and there was a pressing need to take action to stop and reverse the trend.  

        Late in the 20th century, because of growing concern about the effects of emissions on the global climate, an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was organized under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Program.   The first IPCC assessment in 1990 warned of a risk of major climate change if emissions were not reigned in.  By 2013 the fifth assessment stated that “the warming of the climate system is unequivocal”.  The report concluded that dire effects would follow if major actions were not taken to reduce emissions substantially in the near future.  Based on the trends already observed, the global average temperature could increase by up to 4 degrees centigrade by the end of the century.  In the same time frame, the sea level could increase between 0.5 and 1 meter due to expansion of sea water and melting of land based ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.  This spelled disaster for low lying land areas and countries.  

        Of even greater concern, perhaps, was the realization that the trends would continue for hundreds or thousands of years even if greenhouse gas emissions were halted immediately; once in motion it could not easily be stopped or reversed.  The side effects of the changes were numerous and often interlinked.  Warmer sea temperatures resulted in more moisture in the atmosphere and affected ocean currents resulting in disastrous storms.  Hurricanes and typhoons increased in magnitude and frequency; overwhelming flooding was experienced in many parts of the world.  Changes were irregular and unpredictable; however, some countries were severely affected while others were not.  Further, it was noticed that the progression of climate change was uneven, affecting various areas at different times; not a gradual change.  Adaptation strategies could have enabled people to cope with a gradual change but the unpredictable variations were much more difficult to deal with.

         Ivan stressed that although some of the global climate change was a slow moving natural process; the major portion was anthropogenic, that is, brought on by human activity.  Combustion of fossil fuels, coal, oil, and gas, was producing much more carbon dioxide than the atmosphere and oceans could absorb without significant change to the global climate.  It increased from about 280 parts per million to a staggering 500, almost double, by the early 22nd century.  Other greenhouse gases such as methane were rising rapidly as a result of industrial activity and melting of the permafrost.  Release of organofluorine compounds added to the problem.  Rising sea level was beginning to cause serious flooding and salt water influx in low lying areas where millions of people lived and many food crops were produced.  Changes to the weather patterns were also threatening food production in areas not subject to seawater flooding.  In theory, global warming should have benefitted northern areas in countries such as Canada and Russia but the downside was that moving agriculture northwards was not feasible because of the poor soils and low sunlight in northern regions.

         He also reminded me that the developed/developing world required a constant and enormous supply of energy; energy for homes, for industry, for agriculture, for transportation, etc.  To replace the energy produced by burning fossil fuels by nuclear power would have required construction of thousands of nuclear reactors all over the world.  Other ‘clean’ methods such as wind and solar generated significant amounts of power but the sheer quantity required for the enormous human population could not readily be produced by renewable systems alone.

        Early in the 22nd century, studies with the aim of finding methods to protecting the Earth from the serious impacts of global warming intensified.  Many geoengineering techniques were investigated in an effort to find one that would slow, stop, or better still, reverse climate change.  The approaches examined included; adding lime to the oceans to remove carbon dioxide as solid carbonate; constructing huge CO2 absorbing devices to extract it from the air and chemically fix it or burying it; growing biofuel followed by carbon capture; injecting aerosols into the atmosphere to shield the Earth, and so on.  Unfortunately most of the methods would be slow, inefficient, imprecise, and possibly unpredictable.  Most also ignored the other greenhouse gases such as methane resulting from industrial activity.  
        The most comprehensive solution to the problem was to remove some of the greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. To this end, a geoengineering approach to the problem was also given the green light. I interupted at this point:
"Geoengineering! Removing gas from the atmosphere doesn't sound like engineering."
"It is if you consider that it means modifying the atmosphere of the entire Earth anf hence the climate", he rebutted before continuing his expose.  The facility, dubbed the ‘Green Machine’ it was for development of technology to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into a products that was both stable and useful. However, it would take a long time to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide to the point where it would moderate the Earth’s climate. It became obvious that a universal technique that would provide immediate benefits with a degree of protection that could be calculated was also required.  This led to examination of space-based shielding as the most effective and generally applicable technique to use to bring immediate relief.  Although expensive and requiring many advances in space technology, it had the advantage of being controllable and could be reversed if and when required.  It could also be applied accurately; providing the degree of screening required and not shielding when not necessary.
        The aim of the EARTH 2000 Global Climate Agreement was to return the earth to a climate ‘equivalent’ to that of the year 2000 even though the agreement was reached much later.  After it was ratified by the U.N., in the 22nd century, developing the technologies and deploying the systems took decades.  The fundamental idea of the space based geoengineering was to shield the earth from the full effects of the sun during the long interglacial hot phase. To this end, large reflectors or deflectors had to be deployed in space in appropriate orbits above the Earth.  The idea of using reflectors in space was not new as the Russians had attempted to put a large reflector in space during the period of the Soviet Union.  However, inserting large numbers of reflectors into space and maintaining accurate and internationally supervised control of them required many advances in technology, not to mention huge investments of money and materials.  Nevertheless, in general, most countries preferred geoengineering reflectors in space to massive numbers of nuclear reactors on the ground, especially in view of the problems experienced with fission reactors in the twentieth and twenty first centuries.  The cost of the space component the Earth 2000 Climate program was high but it was born largely by the industrial countries whose industries had contributed most to climate change; poetic justice.

         I was making extensive notes of the discussion and Ivan paused to allow me to catch up. We chatted briefly then I resumed the discussion on the topic by asking:
“Why did it take so long to do something about climate change?”
“There were several obstacles,” he responded.  “The first, as already mentioned, was to convince people and politicians that the problem was truly serious.  Many people including organizations such as Nature and Wildlife societies were strongly opposed to tampering with the earth’s climate by using geoengineering.  This overlooked the fact that man had already inadvertently tampered with it.  As the threat of mass extinctions increased, however, it was apparent that the only way to save large numbers if species was to ‘manage’ the earth’s climate.  This caused a significant number of the ‘nature’ groups to switch to supporting the idea of protecting the earth in order to preserve the fauna.  Life on earth depends on a complex web of different species from microscopic organisms to large plants and animals.  Although many would probably have survived years of hot climates, the richness and diversity of life would have been severely compromised.  Even in the early 21st century many species were lost and others were observed to be migrating due to rising temperatures.  That was relatively easy for birds or fish in the ocean but most land based creatures could not migrate as readily.”  
        “As I recall, even with growing popular support in some countries it was difficult to negotiate an agreement.  How did they succeed in getting all the governments to agree on what to do about it?”  I asked.
“That was indeed difficult”, as you say, “initially the aim was to have a unanimous vote at the United Nations but that proved to be impossible.”
“How was it resolved?”  
“Eventually,” he explained, “it was agreed to have countries vote by regions of similar climatic zones, for example, Sahara Africa, Middle East, and other groupings.  Even after the regions were accepted, it took time to persuade a majority of them support a UN resolution establishing the Global Climate Organization and the EARTH 2000 Global Climate Agreement.”  
         Ivan followed with a brief description of the technology employed for the space based component of the Earth 2000 climate control regime. He commenced by mentioning that the reflectors were deployed in clusters or flights and every sector, or cluster of reflectors had to have a fail-safe controller in charge of it.  When not required, the shields were turned edge-on to the sun and rotated slowly to prevent deterioration. The shields could be maneuvered by using the solar wind on the reverse side. Accurate and reliable control was essential, he mentioned, as the systems being deployed were very powerful; the total energy available was equivalent to all the power generating capacity on earth at the time.  With the agreement in place the next hurdle was manufacturing and deployment.
        When I asked how the agreement was implemented after that he explained that the next big step was developing appropriate technology and having it approved by a supervisory body of experts responsible to the UN and the regions involved.  Early suggestions about using dust clouds to shield the earth were discarded because of the lack of control; you have to be able to switch them on and off.  Also, he pointed out that using huge reflector arrays in space would have potential for damage to earth as well as good.
“Rather like a new version of the ‘War of the Worlds’ I suppose?”
“Well, you could say so but there were no aliens involved; just potential alienation between Earthlings.”
        Ivan was now getting close to my area, Space History, so I asked him to tell me about it as I would appreciate hearing about it from a climatologist point-of-view.  Ivan agreed and proceeded to outline the process as follows:  It was a global effort with two or three principal multinational organizations involved:  The Japan - Europe – North America group, ‘JENA’, and the South America - Asia Space Association, ‘SAASA’.  India became involved a little later through collaboration with Middle Eastern countries and when Pakistan joined the group, possibly because of strategic concerns, it became known as ‘IMP’.  Because of the restrictions related to safety there were only a limited number of acceptable designs.  Remember, the designs had to be fool-proof, especially from the safety point of view, and the governing body had to be convinced that that was the case.  Manufacturing was relatively straightforward and was sprwead among many countries.  Deployment was a major effort.  Some existing launch facilities were used but many new systems had to be developed.  Countries like Brazil had an advantage as it takes less energy to launch near the equator.


Chapter 26. Space Shields - Benefits

     Ivan explained that there were several important aspects that had to be addressed when the shields reached an initial operational capability. There were two urgent requirements; reducing overheating in equatorial regions, and protecting land based ice caps, especially on Greenland and Antarctica, to stop ice from melting and raising the sea level. The midnight sun may sound romantic but it was not good from the point of view of the rising sea level. On the question of overheating, the energy deposited by the sun is highest at the equator and decreases towards the poles. Convection currents cause atmospheric circulation which carries heat away from the equator to other areas of the Earth. The Hadley Cell is driven by convection and transports heat from the equator region to areas about 30⁰ North and South. Further heat transport is carried by two other cells, the Ferrel and Polar convection cells. Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have no measurable effect on these convective processes.  Large amounts of energy are also transported by ocean currents but that is also independent of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
        Radiation transfer of heat, on the other hand, is significantly affected by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. When energy in the form of infrared radiation is emitted from the hot equatorial regions more of it is reflected back by the atmosphere in a random pattern, spreading the heat over a wide area. Some of the energy gets reemitted and this process continues and tends to even up the temperatures between the equator and the poles. As a result, Polar Regions experience an unusual amount of warming. It follows that the only way to prevent the ice there from melting was to lower the energy at the source.
“You mean put blinkers on the sun!” I exclaimed.
“No” he laughed “The sun cannot be blocked directly but regions of the Earth near the equator can be shaded.”
He continued by adding that the process of partial shielding was quite tricky. Remarkable as climate models are, it had to be done carefully so as not to initiate a swing in climate that was too severe; just enough to slowly reverse the trend brought on by the enhanced greenhouse effect. At the mention of ‘Enhanced greenhouse effect’ I asked him to elaborate and he explained that the normal greenhouse effect keeps the earth at a comfortable temperature. Without it the earth would be about thirty degrees cooler.
          When I inquired about the less urgent applications for the shields he went on to describe how they were used to protect zones that were experiencing unusual climates variations; warmer weather due to the enhanced greenhouse effect or extreme weather conditions causing destruction. Again, it was a case of fractional shielding; it was essential not to change anything related to climate too rapidly. As he pointed out, climatic changes typically take thousands of years. Nevertheless, it is surprising how dramatic the effect of shielding can be. During an eclipse of the sun, for example, the earth cools rapidly and it suddenly feels cold. Therefore, for a modest effect, it is only necessary to shield a small fraction of the incoming radiation; a few percent makes a difference over time. This can be done by filtering out the short wavelength radiation that normally warms the earth or reflecting some of the incoming solar radiation.
          The practical results of the geo-engineering have been significant he claimed. For example, it has been effective in protecting the main crop growing areas around the globe. There were many special situations; one of the big successes was North Africa. The area of the Sahara desert was strongly affected by atmospheric circulation. According to the Hadley model, hot air rising at the equator, spreads out and flows towards the poles. This dry air cools and descends to the surface at approximately 30 degrees North and South, causing a constant drying effect. The effect was especially noticeable in North Africa where it promoted the advance of the Sahara Desert. Although it would be unwise to reverse the effect, shielding made it possible to partially reduce the amount of hot air being generated at the equator. As with all things climate related, small and slow is safer. A small percentage reduction in heating at the source dampened the effect and resulted in a partial retreat of the Sahara desert.
“That sounds like a success story,” I agreed. “Are there other major climate benefits?
He then mentioned disaster avoidance even though it was less obviously climate related.  He claimed that it was possible to reduce violent natural events such as hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados by chilling the ocean ahead of a growing storm. That calls for accurate forecasting and preparation to preempt the development of a violent storm. Any significant shielding near the equator reduced the severity of tropical storms. Monsoons present a particularly tricky case. You want to reduce the extremes of the weather patterns but still allow the high precipitation required for specialized farming in areas that normally benefit from monsoons.
          Ivan was in his element talking about climate but I wanted to learn about some of the indirect benefits derived from the global shield project. I asked him for a brief run-down on this aspect. To this end, he mentioned that one was the possibility to collect of vast amounts of solar energy in space. The energy could be converted into microwave energy or other forms and beamed down to earth to provide a clean source of energy. Of course this also had to be done in a quantitative manner so as not to upset the energy balance provided by the shields. The energy received could be converted to electricity and used immediately or reserved in ‘pumped storage’.
“That would require a huge supply of water,” I suggested.
“No, not necessarily,” he returned. “It is simply a matter of storing kinetic energy and it can be in any form suitable for pumping such as polished metal balls; the higher the density the better. Depleted uranium would be good! It has about twenty times the potential energy of an equal volume of water”
          I then prompted him about space applications to which he responded as follows: The entire project was a huge boost for space projects. First, new launch vehicles had to be developed and launch facilities constructed in order to deploy the shields. Research and development of shields was a major undertaking with many countries involved. Remote manipulation in space was critical to the efforts and Canada had a successful role in that area because of its experience developing space arms and hands. Robotics had to be advanced as the controllers for the shields were required to function remotely and safely for decades on end. Another major benefit was the development of Extremely High Energy (EHE) beams for space propulsion. The reflectors could be focused on a collector/amplifier that would emit a powerful beam; this could be used for propulsion in near earth space. These EHE beam devices were positioned at high altitude so the beams were not degraded by the atmosphere. This propulsion source made it feasible to send regular shuttles and cargo transporters to the moon. In fact, this spaceship would not exist if these directed energy space beams had not been available to facilitate the transport of material to the moon.
In conclusion, however, Ivan reminded me that in the long term the ultimate solution to the Earth’s climate unpredictability was to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The ‘Green Machine’ was designed to do just that but another get-together was needed to fully explain it. He suggested we meet again and include several of the other crew members to discuss that.
          We wound up our meeting at this point and made our way up to the dining area for a nutritious meal of space food; it was wise to allow wine with the dinners, even space wine or beer helped space food go down. By this time Alan had perfected an excellent bitter beer but his wine left much to be desired. I retired early to my room as I was overflowing with climates. I needed time to digest everything and bring my notes up to date. Armed with my new knowledge about Earth, climate, and the benefits of ‘Earth 2000’, I felt I would be able to tackle the captain and his pre-conceived ideas about the evils of the ‘Oil Era’. What did his military training and discipline tell him about the realities of a planet where the climate was constantly undergoing change, albeit slowly, even under natural conditions. Lookout Captain Larson, I will be gunning for you.  


Chapter 27.   The Green Machine

        The Green Machine was obviously an essential component of my climate education and to that end we met in the small conference room after lunch the next day.  Ivan had arranged for several crew members with relevant knowledge to participate including: Al, Lorne, Robert, and Nell.  Marie Claire joined us but more out of interest than as an active participant.
        Ivan was in a cheerful mood and opened the discussion by explaining that the Green machine was so named because it converts atmospheric carbon dioxide to sugars, similar to green photosynthetic plants and organisms.  Next he summarized our previous session about using space shields for geoengineering.  He went on to explained that, useful as the shields were in the short term for moderating temperatures, they did not solve the problem of sea-level rise and the likelihood of more drastic changes in climate in the long term.  He offered the floor to Lorne to summarize the basic physics.
        Lorne eagerly took up the discussion with a short exposé on ‘Natural Philosophy’ of the globe as he saw it.   The Earth is like a giant fridge/freezer; water evaporates in the warm areas and some freezes out in cold regions.  It remains there even during warm climatic periods, especially in the Antarctic continent and Greenland. These land masses hold huge reserves of water in the form of ice.  The stability of the climate and sea level depends on these regions remaining cold to prevent the accumulated ice from melting.  The glaciers flow slowly to the sea where melting occurs.  However, under stable conditions, the amount melting is equal to the new ice added each year.  The situation was stable for several thousand years but that changed because of the elevated concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide from combustion of fossil fuels.
        If the geoengineering shields were increased to the point where the Polar Regions were cold enough to prevent ice from melting, the whole Earth would be much cooler than normal and plants would not thrive; agriculture and food supplies would suffer.  It follows that the long term solution to the problem was to reduce the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as they amplify the transfer of energy from equatorial regions to Polar Regions.  There are several greenhouse gases but carbon dioxide is the major one in terms of quantity and durability. The ‘Green Machine’ was developed and deployed in large numbers around the globe to reduce the level of CO2 in the atmosphere.
         Lorne appeared reluctant to cede the floor but Ivan pointed out that as collecting and handling carbon dioxide is primarily a chemical engineering process, Robert, the chemist/engineer, should take over.  Although normally reticent, he was happy to be invited to contribute to my education.  He explained that the obvious first step was extraction of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.  In theory this is not difficult; it can be absorbed chemically or frozen out as a solid at minus 80 degrees centigrade.  Either way, a large volume of air has to be handled as it is present in only a few hundred parts per million.  Typically, the air is dried and chilled, sometimes with compression, and the carbon dioxide collected as a solid or a compressed gas. Alternatively, it is chemically absorbed and recovered by heating or in a chemical process.  As part of the Green Machine infrastructure, thousands of collectors were dispersed all over the world.  The carbon dioxide collected is transferred to co-located plants for processing to produce stable products that will not break down readily and return the gas to the atmosphere.  
        The easy answer would be to convert it to inorganic compounds such as calcium carbonate which is insoluble and occurs widely as limestone and chalk such as the white cliffs of Dover.  However, the snag is the massive quantities that would be generated if a significant fraction of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was involved.  It would generate enough chalk to build a land bridge across the English Channel and you can imagine the political problems that would entail!   The huge amount of fosil fuel being extracted and burned releasing CO2 made it desirable to develop a more sophisticated method of fixing it and, at the same time, produce useful by-products.  Two hundred years ago oil production peaked at about 4500 million tons per year.  Not all of it was burned but combustion of natural gas and coal added to the total amount of carbon being released.  However, instead of building bigger and bigger chemical plants the solution was to think small and develop a new approach based on microbiology.  
        Al (Dr Bio) was not one to miss a cue and at the mention of ‘microbiology’ he was on his feet to continue the green machine saga.  In his usual enthusiastic style he began by stressing that it was true ‘natural biology’ rather than ‘natural philosophy’.  He displayed a slide of the “Five Laws of Applied Microbiology” by Perlman which he said came from the late 20th century.  According to Perlman:
  1. The microorganism is always right, your friend, and a sensitive partner;
  2. There are no stupid microorganisms;
  3. Microorganisms can and will do everything;
  4. Microorganisms are smarter, wiser, more energetic than chemists, engineers and others;
  5. If you take care of your microbial friends, they will take care of your future.
Promising as it sounded, he acknowledged that extensive development and testing over an extended period of time was necessary to find microorganisms that could convert carbon dioxide to simple sugars, emulating more or less the process of photosynthesis in green plants.  From there it was not too difficult to find microbes to continue the process and produce a wide range of stable products.  Cellulose, a polymer of glucose, was one of the final products in this scheme and resulted in high quality cotton.
        Progressing from the production of cellulose it was relatively easy to produce hemi-cellulose and lignin which, in combination with cellulose, are the basic building blocks of wood.  Hence, it was possible to generate wood in a controlled process that could produce synthetic hardwood, softwood and related products such as paper.   In the more advanced industrial microbiology plants, the microorganisms could be guided to lay down wood in prescribed shapes to create final products.  For structural use, wooden beams of various dimensions and strengths could be produced by adjusting the ratio of the components. These structural beams are equivalent to densified wood which is much stronger and lighter than natural wood.  In more sophisticated plants, complete walls or sections of wood-framed buildings could be manufactured ready for assembly.  One notable advantage of using these products was that trees do not have to be cut to produce timber or paper.  By leaving the forests to grow it contributes to the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
        It all seemed a little too easy so I felt compelled to ask.
“The processes you describe are creative but can they cope with the huge amount of carbon dioxide that has already been released by combustion of fossil fuels?”
Unperturbed, Al responded immediately.
“Ah!  A very good question.  The conversion to wood and wood products is one of the more sophisticated programs so I like to emphasize it but applied microbiology is also being used to handle much larger quantities of CO2”. The expert in that is Nell so I will let her continue and describe that process to you”.
        With that Nell took the floor.  She was not as shy as Robert but tended to defer to Al when dealing with microbiology.  With a charming smile and a twinkle in her eyes she commented;
“Al always leaves the dirty work for me to deal with.”  Al smiled as a chuckle went around the room.
Nell paused for effect then explained that converting CO2 to dirt, or to be more specific, organic soil amendment, has the potential for dealing with the massive quantities that need to be removed from the atmosphere and at the same time it generates a very useful end product.
        Soils in many parts of the world have lost organic matter as a result of intensive agriculture and climate change, she explained.  Soil amendments can be added to make up for the loss.  The amendments produced by the ‘Green Machine’ are organic in nature, rich in nitrogen and perfect for the purpose.   They are beneficial to agriculture and can be used in massive quantities in most countries.  The organic component of soil is usually in the range 0 to 10 percent and is derived from the decomposition of plant material, mainly cellulose and lignin.  The microbiological method of processing the CO2 can be adjusted to generate an analogous mixture.  Further, by adding nitrogen to this mixture, it sets the stage for the Maillard reaction which occurs between polysaccharides such as cellulose and amines or ammonium salts.  This reaction is sometimes referred to as the ‘browning’ reaction as it creates the brown colour of baked goods and grilled meat and adds colour to soil.  Although normally a slow reaction, it can be speeded up in the synthetic material by mild heating.  The Maillard reaction has been shown to be the origin of much of the organic nitrogen in soil.  The products enrich soil by providing nitrogen in an organic form suitable for plants to use.  
        At this point Marie Claire interrupted with a question:
“It sounds good so far but what is the difference between this synthetic mixture and real soil?”
“Well, soil needs a large inorganic component which is usually a mixture of fine sand, clay and other minerals”, Nell explained.  “However, complete conversion to soil also requires soil microbes and other living organisms that make up the rhizosphere.  The rhizosphere is associated with roots and usually contains a large variety of bacteria and other living organisms such as fungi and nematode worms.  This ‘living soil’ will develop over time as the amendment mingles with previously used soil or simply as a result of growing plants in it.”
        Nell wound up her contribution by emphasising the advantage of the material derived from CO2.  The synthetic soil organic matter can be added to existing soils to get a level of 10% or more organic matter.  This amendment is hydrophilic (water loving) and greatly improves the quality of soils in most regions but especially in dry desert-like areas.  It decreases the need for irrigation and fertilizer.  Used worldwide, the soil additive from the Green Machines has the potential to remove the excess CO2 from the atmosphere and in the process improve agriculture and food production.  
“In summary, soil amendment is produced by scalable natural processes and if you take care of your microbial friends they will take care of your future” she quoted, smiling and nodding to Ivan.  
       Ivan took the hint and continued smoothly to wind up the discussion.  He reminded us that it would take a long time to remedy the atmospheric greenhouse gas problem.  The level of CO2 in the atmosphere has been rising since the industrial revolution.  Nevertheless, progress has been made and a significant milestone was reached when the amount of carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere was greater than the amount being produce by combustion of fossil fuels.






Chapter 28.  Captain Larson

      The captain held a brief meeting of the crew in the control room every day shortly after breakfast to discuss progress and make sure no unforeseen problems had arisen. It was also an opportunity for people to voice comments and opinions about the ship: the routine, the food and drink, and life on board in general.  The time was specified as 0900h prompt, in typical military style, even though he could just have called us all together whenever it was convenient; no one was about to go very far. Some members referred to it as ‘morning prayers’, which was perhaps appropriate as we were in deep space billions of kilometers from home.  It must be admitted, however, that this time slot was preferred by most crew members as it did not interfere with breakfast and left ample time for those who liked to exercise in the early morning or late morning.  There was a public address system on the ship, but it was reserved for emergency use only.  One of the command decisions had been to avoid a general purpose system with regular announcements that might detract from the impression of ‘life on Earth’ that the planners and designers had strived so hard to achieve.  Most days I didn’t have anything to contribute at the ‘staff’ meeting with the exception of the morning following my minor accident.  On that occasion I had to describe my stupid mistake to the whole crew and warn them what not to do.  Lorne again explained the effect of centrifugal force; or was it angular momentum? Nevertheless, the meetings were useful to keep us up to date on our progress.  With our constant acceleration we had achieved what seemed like an extraordinary high speed at our mid-point on the way to Saturn so progress was rapid.  Charts were displayed on a screen in the control room showing our current position and expected progress for the next few days.   At the half way point we had gradually rotated so that the stern of the ship was pointing towards our destination.  This created a reverse thrust to slow us down so that on arrival we would be travelling at a more suitable speed for maneuvering or stopping.  It also maintained a constant 1G simulated gravity.

      Although he was no longer a military officer, the captain always appeared to have a military bearing.  His dress style contributed to it as he invariable wore well creased trousers in dark navy or grey, a white or light colored shirt with collar and tie, and well-polished shoes.  He maintained a stiff rigid upright stance; head up, chin jutting out.  Although space on board was limited, he appeared to march rather than walk about the ship.  I would not have been surprised if he had asked us to salute him if we met in the outdoors area of the ship as per military tradition.  One day, indeed, I practiced saluting in my room but all it produced was giggles from Ruby and Nell who happened to pass by at the wrong time.  Of course he dressed down, shorts and T-shirt, for his exercise in the gym before breakfast.  He could be seen every day between 0600 and 0700hrs on a Nordic ski machine arms and legs flailing; or so I was told; I didn’t go to exercise that early in the day.  The ski machine had probably been installed at his request but several other crew members liked it for general whole body exercise.  It was a good alternative to walking or jogging on our small track.  The captain also hoisted a few weights for good measure.  He was medium height, stocky in build, and obviously fit.  His sharp features and prominent jaw line added to his aura of authority.  I suspected there was a trace of grey in his hair but it was difficult to see as it was always carefully groomed and patted down.  The captain was a stickler for precision and tidiness.  The common areas had to be left neat and tidy when we retired in the evening.  We were left to look after our rooms but it was emphasized that they should be kept clean and orderly.  There was an implied threat of an inspection but in fact he never visited rooms except when required because of accident or illness.

      I arranged to have a one-on-one discussion with the captain after the morning briefing.  I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it but it was essential as part of my program to interview the crew members and to keep my end up in the on-going ‘Oil Era” debate.  When I arrived at the command centre which also served as his office he was sitting behind his desk in a very upright manner as if to appear taller than he really was.  He turned his attention to me immediately pointing to one of the chairs in front of his desk. I took the seat indicated but I had the impression that he had a higher chair than the others; he appeared to dominate the small room.   Not to be intimidated, I sat upright in the centre of the chair and looked him straight in the eye.  I intended to raise the ‘Oil Era’ topic again as I felt emboldened after my discussions with Ivan. First, however, I mentioned I wanted to ask some background questions.  He looked surprised, hesitated for a moment then agreed.

      “Why,” I began, “did they appoint a military person as commander on the spaceship?”
“First, let me correct you,” he replied, “I was trained and served time in the military but I am no longer part of any military organization.”
“My apologies, I didn’t mean to imply that you still represented a military unit, but do you consider your background necessary to captain the ship?”
“I am the best person to captain the ship,” was the definitive response.
“Why?”
“Military officers have the proper training for a job such as this.  You may not be aware of it but all military officers are trained in the necessary skills.”
What specific training are you referring to?” I followed up.
“The essential command skills; leadership, discipline, efficiency, decision making, organization, respect, and so on.”
“Can you elaborate on that?”
“Yes, I will be happy to do so,” he replied, apparently pleased at the opportunity to explain the benefits of a military training.
“There is no such thing as a born leader.  Leaders are selected, developed, and trained.  Some people have more aptitude for it than others and that is something they seek out in the military but the essential skills of leadership are taught.”
“Does that go for all the skills you mentioned?”
“Not altogether.  Discipline is essential in a military outfit, especially in the face of enemy fire but it is also critical on board a ship, especially a spaceship.  The survival of the ship and its crew depends on good discipline so that each and every member carries out his or her role efficiently and correctly”  
“What about organizational skills?”
“Good organization is important in preparing for a mission, whether on Earth or into space, and it is a skill set practiced by all good military units.”  
“You mentioned decision making.  Is that something that can be taught?”
“Definitely. We had courses on decision making including practice sessions.”
“Efficiency is not uniquely a military skill is it?”
“No, but efficiency is desirable in any person’s work and influences the quantity and quality of work produced.  But I would agree it is less critical here except perhaps in the bio lab.”
“A final ‘military’ question if I may.  Do we still need the military?”
“Absolutely,” was the instant reply. “Can you imagine what would happen if there were no military organizations to maintain international peace and decorum between countries.  The secret is to have balanced security with International overview.  As you may be aware, I spent some time with the international forces of the U.N. so I know what I am talking about.”
  
      “Going back to the question of leadership, don’t you think other professionals could make good leaders?”
“Certainly,” he agreed, “but senior military officers are the only professionals who invariably get training in the necessary skills.”
“What about scientists,” I continued.  “They are trained in the ‘Scientific Method’, to use observation and logic?  There are several good scientists on board.”
“They need additional training to be leaders,” he assured me.  “Scientists like to sit down and calculate the outcome of all the options. Sometimes a decision has to be made immediately.  You don’t always have the luxury of time to think it all out.  ‘Decision Making’ is also part of our leadership training”.
“Perhaps academics would make good leaders.” I suggested looking up hopefully.
“Yes, with training and experience but in certain cases I don’t think so.  Some academics are too confident, even in areas where they are not knowledgeable, and others expect everyone to look up to them with unreserved respect.”
“Ah, the ‘Herr Dr. Professor’ syndrome,” I acknowledged, although I didn’t consider myself to be that way inclined.

      By now the captain had relaxed his posture a little and leaned forward with his elbows on the desk and his hands clasped.  I settled further back into the chair in preparation for a lengthy debate.  I initiated a discussion about climate change by pointing out that it was not all due to human activity during the 20th and 21st centuries.  It was a natural process . . . However he quickly pointed out that human activity greatly overwhelmed the natural processes.  I hastened to add that global awareness led to large reductions in emissions.  By the year 2000, vehicle fuel consumption was reduced by about a half.  
“Yes”, he agreed “but the number of vehicles more than doubled.”  
“That was offset by the switch to electric cars,” I countered.
“Yes, but unfortunately many countries were burning coal to generate the electricity required to run electric cars.”
“Significant amounts of power were coming from hydro and wind energy.”
“Ah, but climate change was rendering these sources less reliable; hurricane force winds and monsoon style rain were less than useful.”

Chapter 29.  From Oil to Coal

      Cars were obviously losing the race; I needed to change the discussion to a more general topic and ventured: “There were many efforts early in the 21st century to prevent global warming,” I claimed, “including books by important politicians such as Al Gore, and a series of major UN sponsored conferences aimed at reducing carbon emissions.”  
“It appeared promising”, he agreed, but don’t forget they were talking about reducing carbon dioxide emissions, no group seriously considered halting emissions.”
“You have to begin by reducing them.” I interjected but he ignored the remark and continued.
“Also, in spite of the talk about reducing emissions, the unrelenting search for oil continued,” he insisted.  “There was a big disconnect between those who understood the threat to the global climate and wanted to reduce emissions to protect the earth on the one hand, and those who wanted to find more and more oil to satisfy the demand.  The thirst for oil was insatiable.  The entire land mass and most of the continental shelves were explored.  It even extended to the North Pole!”  
He was obviously onto one of his pet subjects by now and eager to continue.
“As you probably know, extensive environmental damage was caused by these frontier explorations.  Oil spills in the arctic were particularly bad and oil blowouts from deep sea wells were exceptionally difficult to control.  It took decades if not centuries to recover from some of them.”
“Exploration and exploitation are not exactly the same things,” I replied weakly, “not all the oil was extracted and used for combustion.  Oil was also an important source of chemicals and continues to be used for that.”  
“But it was not only the search for liquid oil sources,” he continued undeterred, “companies were extracting oil from every available source; tar sands, shale, coal, etc. It was impossible to stop.”  

      In an attempt to shift the subject off oil, I picked up on the mention of coal.
“Ah, the Coal Calamity!” He exclaimed. “Burning oil was bad enough but coal was even worse – it released not only carbon dioxide but many other contaminants.”
This was clearly another favorite hobby horse of his and he continued:
“It was obvious for many years that the earth was headed for a catastrophe.  Even in the early 22nd century there were many reports from international agencies and organizations warning of the grave consequences but decisive action was not taken until food supplies were seriously affected and rising sea level was threatening to overwhelm major cities.”
“It is all very well in retrospect to say people were short sighted,” I pointed out, “but you must remember that in the early days if the industrial revolution, for example when Watt’s steam engine was invented in the 18th century, nobody anticipated the effect of emissions on the atmosphere.”
“I won’t disagree with that,” he conceded, “but by the time Ford began mass producing motor vehicles, the greenhouse effect was well known and scientists were forecasting that combustion of fossil fuels would add to the greenhouse effect leading to global warming.”

      “That is true,” I acknowledged, “but at that time it was believed that the warming would be beneficial.  The signs of the last ice age were all too apparent and the scientists thought addition of small traces of CO2 to the atmosphere might delay the onset of a new ice age.”
“Well, that may be the case’” he conceded, “but what began as small traces increased to massive quantities; billions of tons of CO2 each year.  By the 22nd century the level of CO2 in the atmosphere had almost doubled.  The main concern became climate change; people stopped worrying about a new ice age.  With all the CO2 in the atmosphere we will have to wait a very long time for a new ice age.”
“I am aware that climatic events move very slowly, in thousands of years,” I admitted, “but eventually the earth could return to a frozen state if not protected.”
“Not on my watch.” He assured me.
“I still believe that you are judging the ‘Oil Era’ too harshly,” I continued. “During the first half of the so-called ‘Oil Era’ it was universally accepted as a convenient source of energy.  When doubts arose about the long term effect of fossil fuels, it was difficult to wean people off oil and coal.  You can’t suddenly close the tap.  For one thing, food production had become dependent on large energy inputs.”
“It would have been easier to have reduced consumption earlier rather than later,” he said, “but it wasn’t possible to go back so now we have to rely on sophisticated space devices.”

      “Speaking of space devices,” I said, seizing an opportunity to move on, “the energy needed to implement the EARTH 2000 agreement came from oil.  In the early phases massive chemical-burning launchers were required to get the system up and running.  Eventually, the availability of energy collected in space allowed directed energy beams to transform the space industry.  This spaceship wouldn’t be here if it had not been for the contribution of oil and these applications.”
“The Earth did not have to be polluted in order to get us into space,” he opinioned.
“Once again, that is easy to say in retrospect,” I pointed out.  “It could not have been done without the advances in technology that occurred during the 21st century”.
“I won’t dispute that,” he agreed.
“As a result of the progress made, long distance space travel is now possible.” I continued.
“I prefer not to get into that subject.” He said abruptly.
“Julio claimed that the range of this spaceship is almost unlimited.”
“Julio talks too much” he snapped.  Then realizing that he had reacted too strongly he went on to make amends by saying that Julio is an excellent design expert and friendly but he was not involved in mission planning.  By this point the captain was getting testy and leaning back in his chair whereas I was tense and sitting on the edge of mine.  We talked a little more about technology but technology was not my strong subject and the captain appeared reluctant to pursue the topic of space travel so we agreed to call it a day.  Conclusion - the Captain is difficult; he is knowledgeable but seems to hold me responsible for the environmental mistakes of the period I study.  Military people have too much free time when they are not on deployment and they study too much.
 
Chapter 30.  Global Warming Soirée

      Although it had been a reasonable discussion I had the feeling that the captain, at least in his humble opinion, had come out on top.  Some of my ship mates appeared to be curious about my long talk with the captain but I was reluctant to discuss it openly.  I mentioned that I was making a point of spending time with members of the crew to gain an appreciation of their work – space history was my area.   
“You haven’t spent much time with me yet,” pointed out Lorne, laughing as usual at his joke.
“There is still plenty of time,” I replied, “don’t hide from me” - difficult considering the limits of the ship and Lorne’s size.
“We know all about you by now,” added Ivan looking at Lorne, which was possibly true but perhaps he was being protective or jealous.  It is a good sign if he is a little jealous, I thought.  In any case, I owed it to Ivan to give him a rundown of my meeting with the captain so after supper I suggested that we get together in a quiet spot so that I could talk to him about it.
“Excellent idea,” he responded immediately, “I know just the right spot.”
“Where would that be?”
“Your place.”
“See you there,” I agreed.  I asked for a few minutes as I wanted to change from my ‘interview the captain’, suit.

      I turned up the heat a couple of degrees as I didn’t want the night temperature too soon.  I thought it might be the right occasion for a ‘Grand Seduction’ where I seduce Ivan but let him think he is seducing me.  To that end, I changed into a black lace bra and matching panties; black lace is considered to be sexy.   Next I squeezed into my black leather skirt and matched it with a shiny gold top.  As the top was tight fitting I almost had no need for a bra.  But there is no point wearing a sexy bra if it can’t be seen so I unbuttoned it to let the shoulder straps and the lace front show - just for effect.  The soft leather skirt stretched tightly over my legs and derrière like a second skin. When Ivan came in, I admired his latest outfit; dark green pants with a gold colored shirt which I mentioned matched the color scheme of his room. The pants, or tights, were the narrow well fitted style which was currently à la mode, revealing his muscular legs.
“And I like yours too,” he returned, “especially the top; very nice.”  Before I could sit down, he asked me to turn around slowly so that he could drink in every curve and dimple.  A romantic evening appeared to be in prospect.

      First, however, we had some business to take care of.  I had prepared an herbal tea so we sipped it sitting on the sofa and I briefly outlined my climate discussion with the captain.  Ivan nodded sympathetically as I described the reaction I received to my arguments.  
“You did well,” he assured me, “it isn’t easy to debate with our captain and he knows more about the subject than you might expect.”
“Thanks.  What I needed was a good counter to his ‘oil era’ argument.”
“You could have mentioned the use of biotechnology to convert carbon dioxide back to hydrocarbons.  It was developed during the ‘oil era’ and offered an alternative to pumping the gas into the atmosphere,” he suggested.
“I am not too familiar with biotechnology but I understand it is a rather slow process compared to combustion of fossil fuels.”
“So, how did you conclude your meeting?”
“He wasn’t keen to talk when I raised the subject of space travel.”
“I am sure he had his reasons for that,” he smiled knowingly.  Even with Ivan, I felt that I was not party to the whole story about the ship and space travel.  In any case, after a short period, I decided I had heard enough about CO2, global warming, and spaceships for one day.

      As if by mutual agreement we both stopped talking and began paying more attention to each other.  We were already sitting close together, our thighs touching.  After a few minutes he reached over and put his arm around me.  I felt very warm; my heart began to beat faster.  I turned and, looking into his clear blue eyes, I returned the favor, embracing him warmly.  We kissed - a long lingering kiss.  He suggested that I sit on his lap.  I protested that I was too heavy but I obliged and he held me with an arm around me while I held him firmly with one arm.  He patted my knee; I held him more tightly.  Encouraged, he passed his hand over my taught leather skirt and stroked my legs gently and commented:
“You have wonderful smooth skin.”
“But we are not permitted to shave legs on board.” I pointed out but it was irrelevant as his attention was focused on the upper legs which don’t usually need shaving.  He continued to caress me for a few minutes, very softly; not a massage but a tender touch that developed a very warm feeling in me.  Finally he whispered:
“I have a very strong desire for you.”  
By this time I was developing a strong desire myself; I felt hot and flushed and my heart was racing.  I paused, not wanting to appear over eager but also anxious not to miss the moment, then replied.
“I need help with the bed.”  
Without any further ado we stood up and Ivan converted the sofa into a bed while I produced the covers.  Ivan wasted no time, undressing and slipping into bed.  He lay on his side looking at me, waiting expectantly for me to undress.  I was thinking in situations like this:
“On dit ‘ne pas regarder’, mais on regard quand meme”.  
So I undressed facing him; not as a striptease but as naturally and calm as I could muster under the circumstances.  Finally, I unzipped my skirt, pulled it down, slipped my panties over my derrière and let them fall to the floor.  Ivan was drinking in the scene.  Once in bed we resumed contact; holding each other tightly.  The sight of a naked female figure is supposed to excite men but in my experience skin contact is better.  Ivan had a muscular and attractive body; even better undressed than fully clothed.

      We relaxed and chatted for some time afterwards but eventually he had to return to his own room.  That was wonderful, I thought to myself as I lay in bed basking in the warm and comfortable afterglow of a romantic evening.  As I reflected on the evening it seemed to me that the smooth flow in our relationship led to the point where making love was the most natural outcome.  This surpassed any of my previous love affairs.  Perhaps I should look further ahead then the current voyage.  Perhaps I could build a life with Ivan.  I tried to picture Ivan in Montreal; or perhaps me in Russia; or both of us somewhere else. Qua sera, sera.  As always he was friendly and considerate and appeared to have a genuine love for me.  I decided to enjoy the love and friendship and not get too uptight about the mysterious aspects of the spaceship and the captain.  In fact, I resolved to concentrate on cementing our friendship next time.  ‘Love is a many splendored thing’ but it needs to be nurtured.

 
      Nevertheless, in spite of a delightful evening I kept thinking that there was something I could not put my finger on.  Why was he amused rather than surprised at the captain’s reluctance on the subject of space travel?  I resolved to investigate by following up on invitations to interview other members of the crew.  Dr. Bio was clearly indispensable, being in charge of the bio labs the source of food and wine on the spaceship.  Ruby and Nell also worked there so a visit to the labs would serve multiple purposes; an opportunity to discuss the ship and its objectives with all of them and to find out how our food was produced.  That should be enlightening and enjoyable, I hoped.
Chapter 31.  Bio Shock

      I had been putting off a visit to the bio-labs, partly because I was weak in the area of biology but also because I was not sure I would appreciate learning about the source of our foodstuff.  The fact that the bio lab was the main source of food on the ship struck me as slightly off-putting.  However, it occupied a large section of the ship and was obviously an essential part of its functioning.  On day seven I swallowed my pride, braced my stomach, and I made my way down into the bowls of the ship for an education.  At least, I thought, I won’t be met by a barrage of arguments.  I had toured the Biotechnology Research Institute in Montreal as an undergraduate student but that was a few years ago and I didn’t remember anything about space applications.  Al Tallentini, Dr. Bio as we preferred to call him, was a very enthusiastic and outgoing individual.  He usually dressed casually with colourful shirts and pants.  To emphasize his sportsmanship he sometimes wore sports type clothes, a rugby or soccer shirt, or cricket clothes.  His pants usually looked well fitted as he had a strong build with a good bottom.  He frequently wore sports shoes but that was not unusual as sneakers and runners had been adopted by the public at large some time ago.  

      I was already well acquainted with his assistants, Ruby and Nell, and had chatted with Al on several occasions but not about his bio-labs where he really came into his own.  The labs occupied several levels on a lower section of the ship.  The good doctor was very keen to talk to me and show me around his domain.  When I arrived he greeted me eagerly and led me into a general laboratory area which looked rather like a university lab with benches covered with an assortment of beakers, burners, bottles, and piles of glass dishes.  My first thought was that the captain would not approve as he was a stickler for neat and tidy areas but I suspect the he didn’t explore this section of his ship.  Ruby was there sitting on a lab stool with her legs tucked underneath; she nodded a greeting but I could see she was amused about something.  Al was moving about too much to sit down.  He appeared to have taken my visit as an opportunity to educate me and, through me, some of my fellow passengers; not all members of the crew were willing to visit the bio labs.
“Before anything else”, he began, “I must introduce you to microbiology.  Bacteria are everywhere.  They are in the air, on the floor, on the walls, on you, and inside you.”
“But I thought the ship was sterilized.” I protested.
“Sanitized but not sterilized,” he corrected.  You can’t sterilize the whole spaceship and you certainly can’t sterilize the crew.”
“You mean to say we carry microbes with us into space.”
“Yes, millions of them.  Whenever humans go into space, zillions of bacteria hitch a ride with them.  I will get you to do an experiment to demonstrate what I am saying.  Ruby has prepared some culture plates for you to use.”

      Ruby left and reappeared carrying a handful of flat dishes with some brown gel in the bottom.  She laid them out on a bench with the covers still in place.
“Sterile plates specially for you,” she declared smiling.
“These plates have agar growth medium on them,” explained Dr. Bio, “they can be used to culture bacteria and molds.  Now I want specimens from you.  Cough onto the first one,” he instructed me removing the cover.  I tried to oblige.
Not like that,” he admonished, “do it with enthusiasm if you want to get useful specimens.”  He demonstrated using a blank plate.  I tried again with a second plate, coughing violently with my face almost in the agar gel.
“Not bad.  Now touch the second one with the fingers of your left hand and the third with your right hand.”
“But I just washed my hands before coming down.” I informed him.
“Even better,” he assured me, removing the plate covers.  I dipped the fingers of each hand into the gel of the plat indicated.
“For the fifth plate, just breathe over it gently through your nose.”  He then looked me over as if wondering what to test next but I was relieved when he told me to simply leave two exposed to the air for about half an hour.  The final two plates were kept covered as controls.
“To complete the experiment we need to incubate them overnight at eighteen degrees.  Ruby will do that for you.  Bacteria double in 20 minutes so you will have to come back in the morning to see the results.  Molds take much longer; you would have to wait a few days if you wanted to see visible colonies.”  

      Needless to say I was curious about my bacteria so I made a point of going down early the next day.  With the exception of the two controls, the plates all had little white circles of bacterial colonies growing on the agar.  The cough experiment was the worst and the air exposure had the least but he had made his point; the little bugs were all over the place.  However, I was slightly reassured when he told me that over 99% of all bacteria were harmless and many are actually beneficial to humans.

      Biotechnology is everything he claimed, as we resumed out tour of the labs.  The ship couldn’t continue long without him and his microorganisms.  He pointed to a plaque on the wall labeled the “Five Laws of Applied Microbiology” by Perlman which he said came from the late 20th century.  It read:

1. The micro organism is always right, your friend, and a sensitive partner;
2. There are no stupid micro organisms;
3. Micro organisms can and will do everything;
4. Micro organisms are smarter, wiser, more energetic than chemists, engineers and others;
5. If you take care of your microbial friends, they will take care of your future.”

      Pleading ignorance, I asked him to explain the significance of it.  
“The significance for the spaceship is that biotechnology is essential for long term human support systems,” he said, “the air you breathe on board is purified by our microorganisms and all the waste is treated by them. But more important, most of the food you consume on the ship is generated by microorganisms.”
“The air and waste, I can understand, but how do you produce food.”
“That is an interesting story.  But first I should explain that the variety of microorganisms in nature is virtually infinite.  If you have a task, there is an organism, or sequence of organisms that can do it for you.  ‘They can and will do everything’ as Perlman wrote long ago.”
“Does it involve genetic engineering?”
“For most of our work the answer is no.  There are so many natural bacteria and yeasts that can be harnessed to synthesize food ingredients; you just have to find them and ‘domesticate’ them.  Nevertheless, if there is a step for which no natural microorganism can be found, we can use genetic engineering to modify an existing microbe.”  
“Is that a regular part of your work?”
“No.  Virtually all the microbes we need have been developed and tested on earth some time ago.  Think of us as simply a production facility.”

      “Coming back to food, what kind of food can you produce in the labs?” I enquired.
“Virtually the whole range of common foods can be generated in the labs.  For example, meat production by tissue culture is a well developed process.  However, tissue is much slower to grow than bacteria so it takes time.  The reason why meat tissue culture is well advanced is because in the 21st century there was a lot of enthusiasm for producing meat without using animals.  It was part of the campaign for ethical treatment of animals.”
“Yes, I have read about that; it was popular during the period I study.”
“There were competitions to see who could produce the most ‘natural’ meat; this included chicken, beef, pork, and even ‘wild’ game meat.  It developed into a special branch of biotechnology, Cultured Tissue Meats, or CT Meats.”
“It was quite successful I believe?”
“Eventually it became possible to grow meat that was ‘essentially equivalent’ to the real thing.  I say ‘essentially equivalent’ as lab generated meat lacks the imperfections and appearance of real meat but from a nutritional point of view, it is the same.  We have adopted the best of these technologies for production of our meat.”  
“If I like my steak rare, can you do it?”
“You can have it rare, medium, or well done; that depends on the cooking but don’t expect to see blood on your steak.  On the spaceship, all the cooking is done by an automatic process before it goes up to the dining area.  The only requirement is that you specify how you want it when you make your selections the day before.  We keep a good selection of meat in the pipeline but we may have to adjust our production lines depending on demand.”

      “What about other food types, say food based on cereals?”
“That is an interesting question.  It should have been easier than producing meat but because there was no special demand for other foodstuff based on biotechnology there was less research in the past.”
“But I thought work on Genetically Modified crops was a big thing in the 21st century.”
“True, but it was aimed at developing new varieties of grains and cereals for growing with better yields, and resistance to diseases, pests, drought, and extreme temperatures.  It was important as part of the adaptation to climate change.  However, that work was not very useful to us for generating healthy food in the labs.  What we needed was a means of producing cereal type flour with good fiber and nutritious content.  The ‘Gluten-Free’ movement in the 21st century was useful as all sorts of ingredients for bread were investigated including gum from microorganisms.
“You seem to have succeeded.  The bread and other foods I have sampled are good as far as I am concerned.”  I commented, even though I had some reservations; it appeared to be very difficult to produce bread with the texture of a French baguette.

Chapter 32.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

      It all sounded very clever of the little bugs but I was still rather puzzled so I asked:
“Where do you get all the raw material for a ‘very long voyage’?”  (I realized I was beginning to adopt the language of the other crew members.)  
“Oh that is an old trick: ‘recycle’.  As you know, recycling became very important early in the millennium.”
“You mean you collect my poop,” I joked!
“Why yes”, he nodded.  Inwardly I was thinking ‘holy shit’ but all I could say was:
“But that won’t give you much material to recycle.”
“Oh, we combine it with all the others.”
Recycling my own waste is one thing but sharing other peoples… I think I started to look a little green at this point but he hastened to add that after it has been digested by the microorganisms and nanoparticles it is essentially a rich brew of useful chemicals, particles, and micro fibres which can be used by other microorganisms to synthesize food.  
“We also collect all the waste food” he went on.  “The dishes and cutlery are cleaned by ultrasound and all the surplus food material is returned to the bio labs.”
“The greatest recycling facility on Earth.”  I said mocking his claim.
“Think of it as mimicking the role of agriculture on earth,” he suggested.  “Here we don’t have the space or time to conduct agriculture so our ‘microbial friends’ do it for us; all they need is raw materials and energy. ‘If you take care of your microbial friends, they will take care of your future’.”

      He went on to explain that as the spaceship was a closed system everything had to be recycled.  A person digested food, used the energy stored in it, and eventually breathed out carbon dioxide.  It is extracted from the air and returned to the bio labs to be used in synthesis of fresh food.  Some of the carbon dioxide had to be catalytically reduced to regenerate oxygen.  In essence, all water, gas, and solid that left a body had to be collected and recycled.  The only addition required was energy and the ship had ample supplies available from the nuclear engines.  I didn’t dare ask but I had visions of my urine being blended with the others and transmuted into wine.

      I didn’t want to appear discouraged by my recent enlightenment so I made an effort to look interested as he continued to show me around.  He moved swiftly and smoothly from one area to another, his long legs taking one step to two of mine.  I was breathless from a combination of trying to keep up and taking in information as he pointed out banks of bioreactors, incubators and fermentation vessels.  The bioreactors ranged from the size of a small cask to vertical ones almost my height.  Some had stirrer motors mounted above them or incorporated into the top.  All were gleaming stainless steel or glass and the whole area was a maze of stainless piping connecting the reactors in a complex network.  Several motors were operating, some stirring reactor vessels, others pumping fluid.  My ears picked up at the mention of fermentation but it was nothing to do with making wine of beer; my preferred application of biotechnology.
“How do you manage to keep track of all the different production vessels, supply lines and tanks?” I asked.  “You must be busy day and night.”
“Oh no!” he assured me. “We rely on the FARM for that.”
“Did you say ‘farm’?”
“Yes. ‘FARM’, an acronym for ‘Food Automatic Recycling Machine’.  Everything is so highly automated that we are only peripherally involved.”  I had heard Ruby and Nelly mention the word farm but I thought it was an in-house joke about the labs which produced the food for the ship.

      We finally stopped in front of a large screen showing a control panel which was covered with a highly complex flow diagram illustrated in three dimensions.  It appeared to illustrate some of the options for fermenting and growing tissue cultures.  The status of each unit was illustrated; full reactors looked full, empty ones were shown empty; hot or cold were illustrated by red or blue and the same colour scheme was used for the water lines for heating and cooling.  The movement of fluid from one unit to another could be seen as a colored material flowed along the connecting lines.  Gas supply lines were notated as carbon dioxide, air, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc.  Valves were illustrated as open or closed.  The panel was so large and complex that I could readily appreciate the need for automation.  Dr. Bio demonstrated the zoom-in capability if one wanted to see details a particular section of the network.  As I stared in fascination he continued:
“Basically, we tell the FARM what and how much we want to produce and it runs with it.  It will inform us if any change is required in the source material, water, or recycled waste.”  He also explained that the microbes required refreshing from time to time as multiple generations can lead to undesirable mutations.  That was one task that required some human intervention to introduce new cultures grown up from seed stock.

      We left the FARM and descended into another Bio level.  This area was quite different and much quieter.  There were many large incubators in this basement; all gleaming stainless steel with observation windows in the doors.  However, these ones appeared to be redundant as they were not hooked up and were not in use at the time.  This level also contained the equipment for storing frozen cells at very low temperature; cryogenic he mentioned.  Frozen cells could be used as seed cells to restore their cultures if and when required or for any other cells that required long term storage.  

      When we returned to the entrance to the bio labs I thanked Al for a very illuminating tour of the facility.  He stood with his large frame almost filling the doorway and looked genuinely pleased to have introduced me to microbiology and to have explained the working of the labs.  Ruby was standing behind him grinning and Nell, who had emerged from the maze of bioreactors, was smiling beside her.
“It is truly amazing what you can do with biotechnology” I admitted, “but wouldn’t it be easier to carry all our food from Earth?  The ship is large enough to accommodate tons of foodstuffs”.  Ruby blinked and Nell stopped smiling.  Al hesitated momentarily before replying carefully suggesting that it did not make sense to return to Earth every few months to restock when the ship was on a long deep space mission.  ‘More mention of long trips’ I thought but I did not pursue the subject as I was eager to depart the bio-labs.  I thanked them for taking the time to show me round and introduce me to biotechnology.
“Delighted to have had the opportunity to introduce you to applied microbiology and show you the FARM.” He said with a wide grin.  “I hope it won’t put you off dinner tonight seeing all that recycling and synthesizing equipment,” he added as an afterthought.
“Not at all”, I assured him.  “It takes more than that to put me off my food.  In fact I will drink a glass of wine to the microbes tonight.”  

      Actually, I was a little queasy thinking about the source of our food but I wasn’t about to admit it so I made a point of showing up promptly for dinner.  I collected my food and settled into my favorite chair as casually as I could manage.  Ruby made a point of sitting nearby and I could feel her watching me with her penetrating gaze. I had ordered steak cooked medium rare and it turned up exactly as requested.  My vegetables included mashed potatoes. (Baked potatoes were not on the menu; probably too difficult for the little beasties.)  Red ‘wine’ appeared appropriate with my meal even if it wasn’t quite equivalent to an Australian Shiraz.  I chatted with several of the others at dinner and they were fascinated by the account of my visit to the bio labs.  Many had not had the time (or courage) to tour the labs.  My apparent healthy appetite was taken as proof that it had been successful.  Ivan was there too, chuckling, but we made no arrangement for that late evening.

      After dinner most of the crew retired to the lounge to relax and, as usual, we debated about what if anything to watch.  I suggested one of the classic movies from the early 20th centuries.  That didn’t solve the problem as there was a selection of genuine films from the period as well as an interesting range of synthetic movies.  Production of so-called synthetic movies had commenced after computer simulation of people had been perfected to the point where it was not possible to tell if you were seeing the original actor or a computer generated copy.  The characteristics of the actor were copied exactly, the way a person walked, talked or simply did nothing.  Many famous actors and actresses were recreated.  In fact some of the simulated characters probably outperformed the originals.  Popular among these were actors such as, Marilyn Munroe, Brigitte Bardot, Humphrey Bogart, Paul Newman, and so on.  There was a spate of synthetic movies featuring these characters in modern settings but putting a historic actor in a modern setting sometimes spoiled the effort that had been taken to recreate the character.

      Eventually it was decided to play a genuine classic space movie; one of the 21st century Star Trek movies.  Even the captain was willing to watch it and I wondered if he was getting at me and the oil era again.  Many of the tricks used in Star Trek caused amusement in the group.  The ‘warp’ drive was a cause for numerous comments but I pointed out that it was just science fiction and they had ‘invented’ the warp drive in order to be able to cover inter-stellar distances which are not possible for humans in real life.  There was a brief debate about my ‘not possible’ remark but it petered out when the captain hushed us.  Next the movie mentioned the ‘transporter’ or beam transfer of people.  It was the object of some amusement but again I explained that it was a science fiction technique used by the writer to advance the tale.  At some point Dr. Bio expressed total disbelief that the large crew of the Enterprise could be fed for more than a day or two.  I finally explained that the show was actually about people, many types of people, some good, some bad; the Starship Enterprise was merely a setting to allow them to interact in typical human ways.  However, at this the captain laughed:
“Human! You call that human,” he exclaimed pointing to an elaborately made-up ‘alien’.  I had already made my point so I let it pass; no need for an argument over a fictitious character.  Some people don’t have the imagination required to appreciate science fiction, I told myself.
 
Chapter 33.  ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’

      I retired reasonably early that evening; I needed time to relax after the revelations of the bio-lab.  After reading for about an hour I prepared for bed; nothing seductive as I was not expecting Ivan or anyone else.  I was intent on getting a good night’s sleep, hoping not to be bugged by nightmares about the ‘bugs’ in our food chain.  After an hour or so a slight noise woke me up; I sat up in bed and listened.  There it was again – a soft tapping at my door.  “Must be Ivan” I thought, giving my room a quick once over.  I was reasonably dressed in comfortable but not too revealing pajamas so I went to the door and opened it quietly.  My heart missed a beat at the sight.  It was Annabelle.  She was white as a sheet, her hair in disarray, her eyes glazed, her mouth hanging open, breathing quickly, and trembling visibly.  I realized she was in a panic or a fright about something.
“Come in quickly” I urged.
She hesitated for a second then stumbled into the room, barefoot and dressed in a long flowing nightgown.  Her natural beauty was completely masked by her ghastly condition.

      “What on earth happened?”  I asked, closing the door quietly.
“Nothing happened,” she stammered. “I was thinking about the long trip and suddenly I got scared, really really scared.”
“But why did that scare you?”
“I started thinking things like, what would happen if we suddenly lost air pressure?  
What if the retro engine failed and we flew off into deep space?  
What if the ship breaks up?
What if it hits an asteroid?”
“What if …”
“What if, what if, what if.” I interrupted her.  “You can always imagine catastrophic emergencies.  Even on earth you can dream up road accidents, train collisions, plane crashes, and many other scary scenarios.”
“But we are all alone in space,” she reminded me.  “This is totally different.  Absolutely no one can come to our aid.”

      I could not disagree with her so I hastened to reassure her before she got me scared too.
“I have discussed the ship in great detail with Julio and he has described everything; the ultra strong metal, the special vacuum welding, the radiation shielding, the exhaustive testing, everything to do with the construction and safety of the ship.  He convinced me that it was totally reliable, tested to death, so you must try to calm down.   Also, I have investigated the computer control and safety systems with Chips; there are multiple control and safety systems.”  But she appeared to have difficulty letting go of the scary images.
“I hear what you are saying but don’t forget everything on this ship was built by the lowest bidder.”  That was an unnerving way of looking at it - I searched vainly for a response but instead I changed the direction of our discussion.  
“Let me get Dr. Wells,” I offered.
“No. No. No!” she protested strongly. “Please don’t call anyone.”
“But you need help.”
“Please, just let me stay here a few minutes,” she pleaded.
“Of course, you can stay all night if it will help.”  I was thinking that she could use a psychologist but she was the only psychologist on board.  I racked my brain for a solution.  Failing to find one I tried an old tried and true remedy:
“Well then, come and sit down on the bed and breathe very deeply and slowly.” I recommended.
“Thank you so much,” she murmured as she let herself down onto the bed beside me and tried to do the exercise I had suggested.  But she was still white as a sheet and trembling like a leaf blowing in the wind.
“Can I get you a drink or something?”  I offered.  “I don’t have much in the room, some cold tea or some juice perhaps.”  
“Thank you, yes- just water please.”
I brought her a glass of water which she grasped with two trembling hands, trying to drink without spilling it.

      “Are you sure you don’t want me to call someone?” I asked.
“No, please no” she reiterated.  “Astronauts are not supposed to get panic attacks.” She said by way of explanation.  I suddenly understood.  The poor kid was in a state of panic but afraid to speak to anyone except me; I was not quite a regular member of the crew.  As we sat on the edge of the bed together I reached my arm around her and held her firmly.  She shuddered at first but soon accepted my holding her.  After a long pause she put an arm around me and held me too. I could feel her tremble as waves of panic swept through her.  We stayed like that for several minutes then I suggested:
“Why don’t you sleep here tonight?”
“Oh no, there is no need.  I will be OK in a few moments.”  At this point I was thinking about my own minor panic attack when we left and watched the Earth and moon receding as we accelerated away.  Suddenly I remembered the medication the physician had given me.  I mentioned it to Annabelle and explained why Dr. Wells had given it to me.  She looked at me with fresh hope.
“I still have two or three pills.  Would you like to try one?”  I asked.
“Would it work for me?”  She asked doubtfully.
“I am not the physician, but it certainly helped me.”
“All right, I will try one.”  I found the small vial and gave her one which she swallowed immediately with a gulp of water.  She had already calmed quite a bit but her hands were still shaking and she looked ghastly.  We resumed our position sitting side by side on the bed and waited for her to compose herself.  After about fifteen minutes she was much better and her breathing slowed to near normal.  She stood up to leave but I persuaded her to wait longer.  Another half hour later she appeared almost fully recovered.
“I am OK now,” she assured me getting up to leave.
“Come back if it returns,” I insisted as I now felt, not only sympathy, but some responsibility for her.  She slipped out silently in her bare feet and closed the door softly.

      I lay down and tried to relax and sleep but the image of Annabelle in a panic still bothered me.  Suddenly an awful thought struck me:  She had been in really bad shape; what if she became suicidal?  I felt guilty - I should have called for help in spite of her protests.  
 
Chapter 34   A Ghost on the Spaceship

      After a few more restless minutes I got up to check on her.  I went round the hall to her room and listened carefully but I couldn’t hear anything.  ‘Damn these soundproof doors,’ I muttered under my breath.  I put my ear to the door and finally I heard a noise; she was snoring!  Relieved, I stood up and turned around to go back to my room but I was startled to discover a ghost in the half light of the hall.  Recoiling a step, I clapped a hand over my mouth to stifle a scream and stared at the apparition.  As my eyes adjusted to the dark I realized there was something familiar about the shape and movement of the ghost.  The glint of a gold earring added to that impression and it slowly dawned on me that it was Marie Claire.  She was wearing a white dressing gown and had her hair wrapped in a white turban.    When she noticed that I had recognized her she paused, put a finger to her lips to hush me and motioned to me to follow her to her room.  She closed the door quietly and switched on a light revealing that she also had a white night beauty mask which added to her ghostly appearance.  

      I was probably white as a ghost myself so she tried to calm me down.  She mentioned that she thought she had heard a noise in the hall and had gone out to investigate.  I explained that Annabelle had had a terrible nightmare and had come to my room for a few minutes for comfort.  When I went to check on her afterwards she was asleep.  Marie Claire smiled sympathetically:
“Thank you very much for helping her.  You better get some sleep yourself.  Oh, by the way, it would be preferable not to mention this incident to anyone.”
“I fully agree.” I replied quickly, relieved not to have it raised at the morning meeting as I had promised Annabelle to keep it quiet.  

      As I turned around to leave I must have looked a bit unsteady as she asked if I was all right.
“I think I am OK,” I replied, “but it was quite a shock meeting a ghost in the hall.”
“Sorry about that,” she said laughing softly, her eyes crinkling under the mask. “I thought if I spoke to you or tapped you on the shoulder you might hit the ceiling.”
“Thanks. I am sure I would have jumped and screamed.” I agreed.
“Let me give you something to calm your nerves before you go back to bed,” she offered, indicating the chair.  I nodded readily as I was in no rush to be alone in my room although I felt slightly embarrassed in my flimsy pajamas.  I had not donned a robe, not expecting to encounter anyone in the hall in the middle of the night.  However, Marie Claire appeared to appreciate my predicament and matched me by slipping off her own dressing gown revealing beautiful white silk pajamas: ‘She always dresses attractively’, I said to myself, ‘even at night in her private quarters’.

      She motioned to me to sit so I took the chair and she went to the powder room to get the medicine.  I suspected she had the same kind of pills as I had given Annabelle but instead she returned with a bottle with a disgusting looking yellowish liquid. She poured a generous potion into a glass and handed it to me.  I stared at it suspiciously so she poured a similar potion for herself and sat down on her rumpled bed.
“Try it” she encouraged.  “Smell it - taste it - excellent medicine.”
I raised the glass slowly to my lips and sniffed the vapors.  I immediately detected an orange odor; not too bad but orange is often used to disguise unpleasant medication.  Marie Claire pretended to sip hers to reassure me so I finally tasted it.  When I took a sip, I noticed a distinctive bitter orange taste but it was moderated by a spicy flavor followed by a lingering sweetness.  As I swirled it around my mouth it suddenly struck me as being familiar.
“This isn’t medicine – it’s . . . it’s… Grand Marnier!” I exclaimed in surprise.
Marie Claire could not suppress a laugh, her eyes dancing.  “Deputy Captain’s privilege”.  It was indeed the best ‘medicine’ for me under the circumstances and I appreciated it – just what I needed after such an eventful evening.  We chatted quietly, Marie Claire talking as much with her hands as with her tongue as we sipped the drink waiting for the ‘medicine’ to take effect.  Later, as I slipped out to return to my room, a smiling Marie Claire indicated sleeping by laying her head on her hands and whispering:
“Bonne nuit, dor bien” before quietly closing the door.

      Next morning I rose early and went across to Annabelle’s room to enquire how she was.  I hesitated for a few minutes as the events of the night flashed before my eyes then knocked cautiously.  There was no answer so I knocked firmly.  After what seemed like ages she threw open the door with a joyful:
“Good morning!  How are y’all this fine day.”
“We’re all fine”, I stammered, a little taken aback,  “I was wondering about you.”  It was difficult to believe it was the same Annabelle who had been in such a state of panic a few hours earlier. She was still wearing the same nightgown but she looked completely different from the pale shaken waif who had come to my room in the middle of the night.  Her color had returned, her hair was combed, she looked bright and cheerful, her posture was erect, and, with her renewed confidence she appeared to have expanded to fill out the nightgown.
“Come on in,” she said by way of an answer.  “I was just brushing my teeth.  Please wait for me - we can go down together.”  I entered and sat on the edge of the bed to wait.  After completing her toilet she came to the room, removed her nightgown, and pulled on stretchy three quarter length jeans.  To complete her attire she added a matching top, ready to meet the world, or at least our small sample of humanity.  She didn’t mention the events of the previous night and I didn’t want to bring it up so we carried on as if nothing had happened.  Indeed, it was as if nothing had happened.  I was almost questioning my own memory; did I imagine it, had I been dreaming?  We made our way down to the cafeteria, Annabelle cheerfully greeting everyone we encountered.  But deep down I knew I had made a new friend.  Later in the gym, Annabelle offered to spot me while I used equipment and to share equipment with me.  This practice was convenient as it allows one person could use a piece of apparatus while the other is taking the recommended break between reps and helps to avoid bumps on the head if someone is present to catch the errant exerciser.

      In my diary I avoided a detailed description of Annabelle’s panic but I noted some of the events of the evening as the first clear signs of Space Isolation Syndrome (SIS), something to be dreaded.  I reviewed my observations of other crew members, looking for other indications of unusual behavior.  There was a tendency for some people to group together; Ruby and Nell were close but I was also close to them; we sometimes sat together in the evening and chatted.  The captain was still as cocky as ever and a loner; if he joined the crew in the evening he liked to sit upright in a central position with ‘his troops’ visible around him but he talked to no one in particular.  Marie Claire and Wendy often sprawled out on adjacent easy chairs chatting in the evening but they didn’t look concerned.   Rocky tended to be a quiet brooding type but after the excitement of Jupiter and the Galileo moons he had become more open and integrated.  Sometimes he joined Ivan or Muritama and sometimes he chatted with Ruby and Nell.   Lorne and Al acted like friendly rivals, both vying for attention; Al was quick witted and often teased Lorne who was more deliberate and calculating – the natural philosophy way.  Annabelle frequently joined one or other of the groups but she had no special preference.  When she was with Wendy and Marie Claire she also spread herself out on an easy chair as if in imitation of them.  But in public there was no indication of stress or concern.  In summary, I concluded that there were few signs of SIS other than Annabelle’s little panic attack but I was careful not to provide details of it.

      I put aside my various concerns and my thoughts about Ivan as we were now only a few million kilometers from Saturn and decelerating rapidly; plenty of time later to solve the mysteries of the ship and its crew. Our destination planet might shed light on our voyage and potential future voyages, I thought, so I waited eagerly for our ship to reach Saturn.

Chapter 35.  Saturn - A Jewel in a Ring

      Excitement built up as we approached Saturn, the ultimate planet on our voyage.  Although Saturn is second to Jupiter in size and has been known since the ancient times, the magnificent rings make it interesting and photogenic.  Lorne, the astronomer, was particularly excited and moved about the ship quickly, his long legs taking large strides and two steps at a time on the stairs.  He insisted that one of the telescopes be deployed well ahead of our arrival even though Saturn can be seen clearly from earth with a good telescope.  As our speed was decreasing due to the deceleration, we could observe the planet full view from a distance then gradually closer and closer.  Saturn is a beautiful sight, like a huge pearl set in a magnificent assembly of concentric rings.  Even though it had been very extensively photographed from every possible angle by unmanned spacecraft in the past, it was still impressive to see.  After being visited by NASA’s unmanned probes, Voyager and Cassini, almost every budding space program on earth had made a point of sending a robotic explorer to Saturn to photograph it.  The planet, its rings, and the larger moons were very graphic.  It was almost accepted as the proof test of an advanced space program, not to mention the high PR value.

      Our final destination was actually the largest of Saturn’s moons, Titan, but first we went into orbit around the planet.  We did not attempt to pass between the rings as some of the unmanned explorers had done.  We could not risk a collision with any of the larger pieces of ice and rock that make up the rings.  Instead we skirted the planet and the rings at a safe distance of over a million kilometers before heading for Titan which orbits at an average distance of more than a million kilometers.  I found it uncanny how the spacecraft’s control system directed the ship exactly where we planned to go; almost as if someone was guiding it.  By this time Lorne, the astronomer, had gone ballistic; he couldn’t look at everything he wanted to see fast enough and was running from one telescope to another and talking at a corresponding pace.  When we were close enough to the planet, and telescopes were no longer required, a viewing port in the forward section was opened up and Lorne raced up there for a better view.  In addition to making direct visual observations, he was taking photographs, but, as we pointed out, everything worth photographing had already been done, many times over.
“It is different taking my own photos,” he assured us.  “When you have spent years looking at other people’s photos it is very satisfying to take your own from such a close proximity.”  The viewing port had multiple layers of leaded quartz which prevented darkening due to radiation so the view was very clear.  I resisted the temptation to follow suit; running around taking photos; it was much better to relax and enjoy the show.  Saturn was awe inspiring and I greatly appreciated the opportunity to see it close up; it was easy to understand why it has always fascinated astronomers and amateur star gazers.  As a gas planet it was relatively featureless; it was the rings and moons that distinguished it and made it more interesting.  

      Another amusing aspect of this close encounter for me, was watching the reactions of my shipmates.  In contrast to Lorne, the astronomer, the captain was utterly calm; quietly issuing directions as required.  ‘Something to be said for all that military training after all’ I thought, but of course I wouldn’t say so to him; he was confident enough already.  Marie Claire was not quite as cool.  Her Gallic spirit appeared to be infected by the general excitement among the crew; she moved around drinking in different views of Saturn and chatting excitedly with the other spectators.  Nevertheless, she appeared to be fully in control of herself and could have functioned as captain if required.  She was going to be in charge of the experiments on Titan so she was looking forward eagerly to that.  Chips, the computer chap, was serenely cool and collected; absolute confidence in his computers.  Well, not quite; during the final approach to Saturn, he joined us in the lounge to admire the view and his outward calm slipped away; his face became flushed and the pitch of his voice increased.  Ivan was also in his element, explaining some of the interesting aspects of Saturn’s climate to Annabelle so I joined them.  I did so mainly to benefit from his comments; I now had confidence in Annabelle.  Saturn and Titan both have active atmospheres but the latter, he assured us, would be much more interesting.

      Many adjustments had to be made for a period of zero or micro gravity.  Everything that could move had to be secured and large nets were dropped from the ceiling and attached at floor level in most areas and stair wells.  They were to allow people to move around when the 1G of artificial gravity ceased for a day or more.   For the bio-lab staff it was a difficult period as we were about to reduce the propulsion to almost zero.  The loss of artificial gravity would affect many of the bioreactors and incubators so all procedures that required gravity had to be shut down or paused until we could resume normal acceleration-induced gravity.  It also meant that food for a day or two had to be prepared in advance, although some space ‘junk’ food had been brought from earth to help us over this difficult period.  The loss of gravity was something I was not specially looking forward to; I had some micro gravity practice as part of my training but living in this condition in a spaceship for days was a different matter.  We had to change from all our convenient ‘luxury liner’ equipment to old fashioned space equipment for toilets and so on; not very nice.  At one point I suggested that we go to the bio-lab to make our contribution to recycling directly but it was not taken seriously; some suggestions for efficiency are not well received.  
I soon learned that Titan, the largest of the moons orbiting Saturn, was discovered by Huygens in the 17th century.  It is slightly smaller than Ganymede, Jupiter’s largest moon, but quite different and more difficult to observe because of its atmosphere.  As we approached Titan and went into orbit we could observe it from a safe distance but the yellow haze of the atmosphere hid all details of the surface below.  After one or two orbits our ship settled into a steady orbit at a constant height.  The slow rotation of this moon, combined with its lower gravity, meant that to achieve a geostationary orbit we would have had to circle at a distance similar to geostationary orbits around the earth.  From our shallow orbit, the dense atmosphere was probed and various soundings were taken to fine a suitable area for the planned experiments.  
 
Chapter 36.  Titan

      We asked Ivan about Titan as he obviously had a keen interest in it and its climate.
“Details about Titan were first revealed by the space probe ‘Huygens’ which was named after the astronomer who discovered Titan,” he mentioned.  “It was near the beginning of the 21st century that it made a soft landed on Titan.  The scientists and engineers at the time were rather surprised to find that there was a very strong resemblance to earth.”
“It doesn’t look like earth from here.”
“That is only because of the deep opaque atmosphere,” he explained.  “The surface has rocky mountains, and sand dunes hundreds of kilometers long.  Interestingly, the sand dunes contain a lot of black hydrocarbon material.”
“Sounds like the Athabasca oil sands!”  I remarked.
“Actually, it is a good analogy,” he agreed, but you should ask Rocky, our resident chemist, about how the black oil is formed.”  

      Ivan resumed his exposé about Titan as follows.
“Many other physical features look very much like the equivalent features on Earth.  For example, rivers and gorges formed by the same rain and run-off processes as on Earth.”
“It rains here?” Someone asked in surprise.
“Absolutely!  A beautiful fine wet rain and sometimes a tropical thunderstorm.  The only slightl difference is that the rain is liquid methane, not water.  There are rivers and lakes of methane and other hydrocarbons.  One has been named ‘Ontario Lacus’ after Lake Ontario, but it is larger than the original one in Canada, and another sea named Kraken Mare.”
“Oh, Oh,” I said, “next you will be telling us there are monsters in them.”
“Don’t worry,” he assured us laughing, “we won’t wake the Kraken.”
“Is the methane the same as the greenhouse gas we are concerned about on earth?” I asked.
“Yes, but here most of the methane is in the liquid state; it forms lakes, evaporates into the atmosphere to give clouds and produces rain.  The methane cycle here is analogous to the water cycle on Earth.”
“Are there climatic zones like Earth?”
“Very much so,” he enthused, “that’s what makes it so interesting for a climatologist. The pattern of heating and circulation is very similar.  Warm air rises at the equator and moves towards the poles; just like the Hadley circulation we observe on Earth.  However, here there is almost no Coriolis effect due to the rotation of Titan because Titan rotates only once every fifteen days.”
“If methane is the ‘water’ here, what is the remainder of the atmosphere?”
“It is mainly nitrogen with small amounts of hydrogen.  Unlike earth, there has been no biological activity to produce oxygen.  The temperature averages about minus 180 degrees Celsius, too cold for photosynthesis as we know it.”
“Not very welcoming,” I concluded.

      Meanwhile the science and engineering team was checking out the equipment in preparation for sending a probe to the surface while the ship remained in steady orbit.  Checking the descent system was mostly done by the automatic systems on board.  The plan was to lower a ‘spider’ to the surface from a stationary position above the stratosphere.  I had an explanation of the technique from a combination of Marie Claire and Rocky.  Large tanks in the lower levels of the ship contained a filament producing fluid.  The material had to be forced through a small orifice to generate a fine cord or filament.  The cord was then passed around a series of pulleys to stretch and align the fibres and to allow it to dry before being deployed.  An experimental pod, the spider, was attached to the end of the cord ready for descent to the surface below.  Once everything was checked out, the spider could be lowered gently and more cord would be produced as it went down.  The filament was composed mainly carbon fibres which were lightweight and extremely strong.  It was specially formulated to be produced, conditioned, and deployed almost immediately when required.  Any volatile solvent present evaporated in the space vacuum as the cord was being stretched.  According to Marie Claire it was strong enough to support the weight of a small shuttle with two or three people on board.  “Think of it as a space elevator,” she suggested.  “The idea is derived from spiders which produce and use web filament right away, hence the name ‘spider’.”

      When I enquired about the purpose of the experiment the subject was taken up by Lorne, the physicist.
“We need to test the spider and Titan provides us with a realistic laboratory to try it out.”
“But why Titan?” I enquired.
“It is a good model as it is similar in size to a small planet; it is actually bigger than Mercury.  If the spider can be used successfully here, it could be used to investigate other moons and planets.”
“What will you do with the spider when it reaches the surface?”
“We would like to collect a lot more information about Titan so the spider will be loaded with a range of scientific instruments.  It will relay information in real time and we can control it from the ship”
“So, do you plan to photograph the surface?”
“Yes, we can do a drive-by sweep before landing; the spider is equipped with a small propulsion unit and can be released to fly as a helicopter but we don’t plan a separation in this case as we have better control if we keep it attached..  We also intend to collect samples and do some chemical analysis.  That is Rocky, the geologist’s area; he can explain that to you.  Some measurements related to climate will be made, temperature, pressure, vapor saturation, etc. but we do not have the luxury of time so weather studies will be a simple snap-shot of the current conditions.  I am more interested in the geophysics measurements; seismology, electrical resistivity imaging, electromagnetic properties, ground penetrating radar, magnetometer, sound propagation, ionizing radiation background, etc.”
“Sounds complicated; what does the data you collect tell you?’
“It will reveal the nature of Titan’s internal structure, especially the zone below the surface in this region; bedrock, types and distribution of rock, geological faults and folds;
energy balance, electrical properties, and so on.  This will demonstrate our ability to conduct a comprehensive investigation without actually landing.”
“You can give us a presentation in the evening.” I suggested.
“Not so fast,” he laughed.  “It takes time to analyze the data.”

      The next day was taken up by the deployment of the spider and the accompanying studies.  I gathered, talking to Rocky and the others, that the studies were not expected to yield any dramatic new discoveries as Titan had already been explored by numerous unmanned probes from several different countries.  Nevertheless, this was the first directly controlled investigation where samples and areas to study could be selected by the controller on the command ship.  The spider could be directed as to which rock to sample, which surface to probe, where to go next, and so on.  

      Lorne was the most involved, or at least the most excited, about the experiments.  The captain moved around checking on various aspects of the work; the stability of the spaceship; the channel of communication with the spider, etc.  Marie Claire was in charge of operational aspects of the deployment of the spider; the filament production and testing, the descent and rewind mechanisms.  She was particularly concerned about the strength of the supporting cord and the rate of descent.   In the lower level of the ship there was an observation station where the extrusion, stretching, and testing of the filament could be observed through an internal viewing window.  The process was highly automated and designed to work in a vacuum.  The cord was stretched and tested for tensile strength before the weight of the spider was applied to it.  As the descent of the spider progressed, the weight of the filament itself added to the total weight to be supported.  I asked Marie Claire what would happen if a weak spot was found in the filament.  She explained that, unlike DNA, they couldn’t just call for repair enzymes so the deployment would have to be paused until the weak section was deleted and a weld joint made and tested.  

      After studies on the ground were completed, the spider had to be recovered by rewinding the cord, a few hundred kilometers.  There was a rewinding system on the spider itself so it could be used for the recovery operation if required.  It was important to retrieve the whole assembly.  A major concern was weather in the troposphere; a severe storm could have made the whole operation very difficult if not impossible.  Ivan was asked to do a weather forecast; a difficult proposition in the absence of much information about the troposphere.  To accentuate the problem, Lorne, the pessimist, mentioned that a lightening strike on the graphite cord might be transmitted up to the spaceship with unpredictable consequences.  

      I was not in a position to help with the spider but I did find it interesting to watch the video portion of the exercise on the main screen.   The operation appeared to go as planned.  It was daytime on Titan which lasts for the equivalent of a week on earth.  As the pod descended through the upper atmosphere towards the surface we began to distinguish surface features, mountains, flat mare, and rivers.  However, the most impressive were the sand dunes, long ridges of dark ‘sand’, running for many kilometers.  The composition of the dunes had surprised the early investigators as they contain large amounts of hydrocarbon polymers.  This was the equivalent of the oil sands as mentioned by Ivan.  The process has probably been going on for billions of years resulting in the black sand.

      No major problems were encountered and the spider was recovered late in the afternoon, our time.  Marie Claire was excited by the success of the spider; it was her baby.  Once everything was safely stowed on board she joined us in the main lounge.  She was talking and gesticulating rapidly as she described the process.  She had been able to put the spider down on a solid rock surface then cruise around a little to collect samples before deploying Lorne’s instruments.

      The experiments over, we were able to resume normal thrust and acceleration, much to my relief; I like my gravity even if it is artificial.  At supper the discussion was all about Titan and the results on the operation.  Rocky, the chemist/geologist, was kept busy answering questions about the nature of the surface where the spider had landed.  However, many questions were also directed at Ivan concerning the dynamic atmosphere and climate.  I felt a touch of jealousy.  Substituting methane for water in the climate appeared to raise people’s curiosity.  There were speculations about a life form based on liquid methane instead of water.  However, as pointed out by Rocky, the chemist, the backbone structure of our DNA is based mainly on carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.  These elements are in the first row of the periodic table, so there are no lighter elements with equivalent bonding properties, valency, to use the scientific term.  Thus, it is difficult to envision a life form that could reproduce in such a cold climate.

      Rocky was obviously enjoying the evening; his deep brown eyes darted from one person to another as he discussed things  So far on the voyage there had not been a great deal of interest in chemistry or geology but now he was the centre of attention.  He was wearing stretchy camel colored pants that tended to emphasize his good bottom and strong legs.  A light colored T-shirt complimented his dark skin and his pearl white teeth which appeared to flash as he spoke.  Following Ivan’s suggestion, I asked him to explain the ‘oil sands’ phenomenon on Titan and the relationship to oil sands in Alberta, Canada.  

 
Chapter 37.  Tar Sands

      He was happy to oblige and described the process as follows:
“The so called tar is the end result of ionizing radiation on methane gas in the atmosphere.  It splits methane in the upper atmosphere into free radicals which combine to form larger molecules.”
“You mean the methane gets converted to ethane then the ethane is converted to propane?” I asked, showing off my basic organic chemistry.
“No, not quite” Rocky laughed, “that was what scientists had expected when the effect of radiation on methane was first studied in the late 20th century.  The methane disappeared but ethane and propane were not significant products.  The scientists were puzzled but further investigation showed that polymers had been produced.  Eventually it was realized that the free radicals produced from methane by radiation attack larger molecules in preference to a small molecules such as methane so the larger ones grow and polymers are the main end product.”  

      “But how does that relate to the Earth and the oil sands as mentioned by Ivan?”
Rocky explained that it was originally assumed that oil came from biological sources but it was difficult to explain how that could happen.  In fact, a famous nuclear scientist, Edward Teller, commented on the question of conversion of biological material to oil as follows:
Quote: ‘I have gone to the best geologists and the best petroleum researchers, and I can give you the authoritative answer: no one knows.’
Today, it is believed that the oil is abiotic, meaning it is not of biological origin, but came from polymerization of methane in the atmosphere.
“But that begs the question,” I butted in, “where did the methane come from?”
Patiently he went on to educate me in the early history of Earth as it related to methane: According to Rocky, there was probably methane in the primordial matter that condensed to form the Earth.  Large amounts are still present in the atmospheres of the giant planets distant from the sun, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.  But methane in the Earth’s original atmosphere would have been depleted over time by solar radiation.  Much later, however, methane was frequently released from the mantle during periods of mountain formation and violent volcanic activity.  During the Permian period, for example, about 250 million years ago, huge volumes of methane and carbon dioxide were added to the atmosphere during volcanic activity in Siberia and elsewhere.  These greenhouse gases caused severe warming of the Earth with temperatures of up to 60o centigrade which resulted in mass extinctions.

      “OK.  If there is ample methane how do we get from it to oil?”  I asked.  
Rocky continued his exposé by stating that it is believed that ultraviolet and ionizing radiation from the sun converted methane to large hydrocarbon polymers which fell to the surface of the Earth.  As the surface was predominantly water, the polymers floated until they were eventually absorbed into sand or porous rock near the shores.  These mixtures, which were predominantly aliphatic hydrocarbons, were the origin what we now refer to as petroleum.  In other words, methane was the ‘abiotic’ origin of petroleum.  This combined with continental drift and major sea level changes resulted in the varied distribution of petroleum that we see today.  Some of the largest deposits of oil were preceded by major volcanic activity during the Permian period. The abiotic origin of petroleum was disputed for a long time before Titan provided an example; it is a good model for the creation of hydrocarbon polymers from methane.  However, because of the distance from the Sun, Titan has only about one percent of the solar radiation experienced by Earth.  Further, because of the low temperature, much of the methane on Titan remains in lakes on the surface and has not yet been polymerized.

      “Is the non biological origin of petroleum a new theory?”
“No.  Some scientists, including many Russians, believed in the abiotic origin but it was difficult to explain where it came from.  They tended to look down for oil in deep crevices rather than looking up at the sky.  Titan changed all that!”  

      “Going back to the origin of petroleum,” I interrupted, “I am still not clear how the oil got to the Athabasca sands in the middle of Canada.”
“Bear in mind that the process we are talking about occurred over many millions of years.  You have to think in geological time scales.  During the same period the sea level rose and fell many times and the continents drifted apart and rejoined so it is easy to understand why the distribution of petroleum is so varied.  Think of it this way, where there are mountains of sand there were once fathoms of water.
“Ah, now it is beginning to make sense, many thanks.”

      “Fascinating!  So that also explains why coal is so different from petroleum.” I prompted.
“Yes.  Coal is obviously of biological origin.  It is full of plant fossils and there is a continuous series of coal ranks at different stages of coalification from peat to anthracite. As the conversion of plant material into coal progresses the aromatic degree increases with more and more benzene type rings being joined together.  Hard bituminous coal usually has 80% or more carbon and anthracite can have up to 98% carbon.  Coal is structurally quite different from petroleum which is composed predominantly of long chains of aliphatic hydrocarbons with some cyclic rings but few benzene rings.”


      As the evening wore on I hinted to Ivan that it would be good to have a late evening rendezvous to which he readily agreed; I offered to host.   He arrived in his peasant outfit, he knew I liked it, and waltzed into the room when I opened the door.  I had resorted to a form-fitting knitted dress.  He took a seat on the sofa while I put on some romantic music and prepared a tea but we left the TV off.  We stretched out and relaxed and recapped some of the events of the day.  It had been a very good day for Ivan; his star had risen among the crew members and he was in a happy and relaxed mood.  Unfortunately, I had exercised vigorously in the morning and had run around most of the afternoon so I was feeling rather stiff.  When I mentioned this, Ivan offered to give me a relaxing massage.  He prepared the bed and instructed me to lay full length, face down.  He then proceeded to give me a delightful massage; it ranged from my neck and shoulders, down my back, over my bottom and down my legs.  After treating the back of my legs he massaged my feet.  In addition to the sole, he kneaded and stretched each toe one after the other. I had never had a foot massage before; it was delightful and relaxing; I was almost ready to sleep.  However, after requesting me to turn over he proceeded to treat the front of my legs beginning with the feet.  As he approached the top of the legs Ivan was becoming flushed and more talkative and I was feeling hot; reflecting his status.  We were well acquainted by this time so there was no point pretending that we were not interested in sex.  As the conversation slackened and he was running out of muscles to massage, without straying from my legs, we undressed and slipped into bed.  Ivan was in great shape and we prolonged our contact to make the most of it.  I had recovered from my earlier exercise so I was also in good shape, benefitting from his enthusiasm.

      Afterwards, as we were resting and relaxing, I cautiously asked him if he was interested in a long-term relationship.  This is always a tricky point with a man and proved to be one with Ivan.  I don’t think he was disinterested but his hesitation suggested that there were major obstacles.  
“As a regular crew member of this spaceship, I am committed to making some long voyages,” he began.
“I fully appreciate that,” I assured him lightly.  “I am not suggesting that you quit the ship but surely you won’t always be travelling?”
“Of course not, but there may be some very long trips.”
“I can wait.”
“I can’t ask you to wait such a long time.”
“Then I will come along.”
“That may be difficult.”  He replied hesitantly.  By now I could see that he was becoming very uncomfortable so I decided to drop the subject.
“Well let’s enjoy the present and not think about the future.” I said brightly but it was difficult to relax again.  I was a little puzzled as I had the impression that he wanted to tell me something but was obliged to keep quiet.  I suspected the captain had something to do with it but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
After Ivan had left I felt quite upset with myself.  Ivan had had a great day, and evening, and I had spoiled it by raising something that he was not in a position to respond to.  Why did I not relax and enjoy the moment?  Such special moments don’t come along very often.  I resolved not to return to that unknown territory until I could find out more about the spaceship and its crew which I was sure was at the root cause of Ivan’s discomfort.  It was time for me to take matters into my own hands and do something about it.  However, marching up to the captain and demanding an explanation was clearly not on.  I had to devise a more cunning approach to break through the invisible barrier to determine the ship’s ultimate goal before challenging the captain to a duel on the subject.
 
Chapter 38.  The Animal Cage

      After my last evening with Ivan I continued to reflect about his hesitation concerning a longer term relationship.  It was not as if I was suggesting any binding legal agreement, just a verbal understanding that our relationship would continue after the present excursion.  But he appeared to be caught in the grip of some prior commitment and unable to discuss it frankly with me.  It added to the general puzzle of the purpose of the spaceship and my role in its crew.  After all, there weren’t many experiments ongoing as far as I could determine.  Titan had been an exception but I had the impression that many of the geophysics and other tests we had conducted could just as easily have been carried out by unmanned robotic space probes.  In fact, many similar tests had already been done in the past. We had not taken the time to visit Jupiter’s giant moon, Ganymede, to do any geophysical measurements there and we were now headed back to our own moon and Earth with no further experiments in prospect.  Not much to show for a grandiose spacecraft, highly specialized crew, and an expensive voyage.

      I also continued to feel that I was not party to something important and began to wonder if my role on the ship was not what I had been led to believe.  My addition to the crew had been very last minute and I had not trained much with the other members.  It crossed my mind that perhaps I was the subject of an experiment.  Was it possible that I was being observed?  Was my ability to adapt to living in space and my mental reaction to an extended stay being recorded and studied?  Were other crew members also being used as guinea pigs?  That seemed rather unlikely.  The remaining crew members had all trained together and were probably aware of the ships capabilities and future plans.  If I was being actively studied, who was involved?  The captain; the deputy captain; the physician?   A psychologist would seem logical but the only one on board was Annabelle and I immediately ruled her out; she had come to my room for help and it was unlikely that she would have done so if she had been aware of any covert surveillance.  Dr. Wells also appeared an unlikely suspect so I mentally focused on the captain and possibly the deputy as the most likely ones but I did not rule out other possibilities.  Several people could be in the know.

      I decided to conduct an experiment of my own in an attempt to flush out any secret observers.  First however, I examined my cabin very carefully for signs of concealed devices.  The cabin was new, of course, and the walls were very smooth.  It would be difficult to conceal an optical device there.  Hidden microphones could have been built in but they would be almost impossible to detect without specialized equipment.  Nanoprobes would be invisible to the naked eye so it wasn’t worth looking for devices based on them.  I remembered that mirrors can be deceptive with one-way and two-way glass but the only mirror was in the small powder room and did not face the cabin’s interior so it would not be useful for clandestine observation.  The most likely option for a covert optical system was the television.  Suppose some of the pixels were made to absorb light rather than emit it.  If that were the case it would provide a completely covert system with a full view of my room and could probably operate even when the TV was not in use. It was always on standby mode in any case.  The picture frame decorating the adjacent wall could likewise be a covert observation device as it had a perfect view of my room.  Perhaps both were involved to provide a 3D image of me!  I decided to conduct a test by putting on an eye catching show in my room in the evening and observing the other crew members for a reaction when I appeared in the morning.  

      I commenced with a fashion parade; showing off some of the more colorful and seductive clothes I in my wardrobe.  They had been extremely generous in the amount of clothes supplied; much more than I had ordered - enough for 10 years it seemed.  Was that an indication of something, I wondered?  I was careful to change into each outfit in the powder room so as not to spoil the effect then used the length of my cabin as a ‘cat walk’.  I commenced with the least seductive outfits I could find, loose pants and equally loose tops, but colorful nonetheless, matched with flat heeled boots.  Boots, why were we supplied with boots?  I repeated the performance wearing a variety of outfits including a knitted dresses; knits are good to reveal the shape of the wearer and I was not lacking in shapeliness.  High heels were not permitted on the ship so I wore dress shoes with a modest heel. I put on the appropriate music and sang along with it as I waltzed my way across the room.  For a more sporting look, I took a yoga outfit; skin tight pants and top - the type of clothing that covers everything but reveals everything at the same time.  After the yoga set I pulled on a one piece swimsuit; tight but attractive.  I asked myself again why on earth, or rather why in heavens, do we have swimsuits on a spaceship?  

      It was time for something a little more suggestive.  Nightwear should be good, especially if there was a male observer, so to the sounds of a lullaby I exhibited a sequence including a long nightdress with a revealing front that allowed my breasts to pop out if I did not move carefully. Baby-doll night dresses are considered sexier by some fashion experts so I included; a really short one that allowed my buttocks to pop out if I did not move carefully.  

      Getting down to basics, underwear was next on my repertoire.  They had also been generous in the amount and variety supplied so I could choose anything from bikini style to old fashioned knickers with bras to match.  I proceeded in descending order, from most cover to least cover up.   I have always liked white but I was aware that lacy black bras and panties had more sex appeal so I included a sexy black set in my show.  For this I decided some good jazz music would be appropriate.  Finally, I prepared for a deliberate striptease by putting on several layers with the larger items on the outside.  I then undressed slowly, moving in rhythm with the music and methodically removing one item after another.  This called for some current pop music with a strong beat.  I was slim and trim because of all the training so I was sure that my silhouette would be eye catching; flat abs, firm breasts, and a good behind.  I eventually arrived at the point of having only two pieces of micro underwear left.  Should I continue or end my little show?  I was not as comfortable naked as someone like Annabelle, but on the other hand, if I wanted to see a reaction next day…

      Next morning was the litmus test.  If my little show was to uncover a secret observer it would probably be obvious at the first encounter so I was unusually studious about observing the reactions of other crew members.  I dressed in casual fitted pants and matching top, nothing suggesting my new role as a clandestine model.  The first person I encountered was the captain in the stairwell.  I prompted him with a bright and cheerful ‘Good morning, sleep well?’ and deliberately paused giving him ample time to react.  He was a little taken aback but responded with his usual curt greeting; not good, not bad, but no noticeable reaction.  Arriving at the dining level I waltzed into the room in my best runway style.  Breakfast was potentially fruitful as most other crew members were present.  I made a point of conspicuously greeting each person individually, pausing to wait for applause, or reaction, but to no avail; no one showed unusual interest in my arrival.  I selected my usual breakfast and calculatingly took a chair opposite Marie Claire where I could observe her expressive hands and face.   I prompted her with a string of questions about dress styles, fashion, and other related subjects.  There was no significant reaction from anyone although Marie Claire took up the topic of Paris fashions but that was not what I was looking for.  Getting bolder, I looked around the table and slipped in the word “striptease” but it didn’t produce the desired effect.  They possibly thought I was referring to Annabelle!  I finally realized I was getting nowhere and abandoned this approach.  If anyone had seen my little exhibit, he or she must be poker faced and was keeping quiet about it.  Ivan alone displayed a slight reaction.  He looked rather cool, but I think he was puzzled by my unusual extrovert behavior.

      I had not completely given up on the idea of surveillance.  If it wasn’t the duty of any of the crew members, perhaps it was done by remote surveillance.  In the afternoon, I visited Chips at his workstation to enquire about that possibility.
“Are we in constant communications with earth for observation and recording?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I was just wondering if they follow all our actions and movements from the base station on earth.”
“Ah, you mean like the old space voyages where they could follow the astronauts day and night?”
“Yes, that is the idea.” I agreed encouragingly.
“No, it is not possible with current space technology,” he assured me.  “As our speed increases, all direct communications cease.”
“What about course corrections?” I asked.
“All course calculations and course adjustments are loaded onto the computers before we left.  The control systems on the ship take frequent readings of reference stars to ensure that there is no departure from the route planned.”
“So there is no real-time communication with earth?” I persisted.
“Definitely not,” he said emphatically.  “When we slow down as we approach earth or another planet, it becomes feasible for a short time but for most of the voyage it is technically not possible.”  

      “On another subject,” I ventured, “do you have diagrams of the wiring of the individual cabins?”
“That is a simpler question,” he replied.  “I can show you the one you are using.”  With that he brought up a few schematics.
“It looks interesting,” I commented, “but it is too complex for me to understand.  Do all the cabins have identical wiring?”  
“Absolutely,” he affirmed, “we are all equal under the sun, or stars, if you prefer.”
“Are there any provisions built in for surveillance of individual cabins?” I asked cautiously.
“Nothing that I am aware of,” he replied, “and I have studied most of the circuits on the ship.  But why do you ask?”
“I get a little hyper sometimes and I imagine I am being watched,” I said by way of excuse.  “But I prefer that you don’t mention my foolish thoughts to the captain.” I hastened to add.
“Don’t worry,” he assured me.  “You never mentioned it.”

      The bottom line was that I could find no indication of surveillance of my cabin.  Ironically, I was a little disappointed – was I not interesting?  I had almost come to like the idea of being an experimental space animal; I like experiments.  Nevertheless, I had to abandon my theory about being observed although that still left me with the mystery of what was there about the spaceship, the voyage, and the crew that still eluded me. I was certain there was something special about the whole expedition and I became even more determined to elucidate it.
 
Chapter 39.  Fisticuffs

      That evening most of the crew were sitting or lounging in the living area.  For a change, no one seemed interested in the TV as there was still plenty to chat about as a result of the Saturn and especially the Titan visit.  Lorne had been in the limelight and was standing in the front of the lounge holding forth about the natural philosophy of the planet and its moons.  Al, who was sitting in the back and probably felt a bit overlooked during the Titan turn, kept teasing him about how unnatural his ‘natural philosophy’ was.  The bio lab, he claimed, was the real natural centre on the ship.  At some point I think Al went too far and Lorne took exception to the teasing and replied very sharply.  This only encouraged Al who mocked him even more and threw in a few ringing ‘daft buggers’.  Lorne, not to be outdone, responded in kind with some choice words of his own; silly bastard, among others.  Al got to his feet and moved to the front to face Lorne directly and continue the dispute.  As tensions mounted people moved away from the antagonists.  Soon they were squaring off, ready for a fight.  They were both tall and strong, especially Al, and the prospect looked ugly.  

      Several of us moved to try and calm the escalating tension and keep them apart but before we could do anything there was a piercing:
“Ça suffit.” from Marie Claire.
“Stop this nonsense,” she ordered as she forced herself between them as if to intercept any blows.  She looked diminutive as Al and Lorne towered over her but she didn’t hesitate, pushing them apart with the comment:  
“You are both acting like immature schoolboys.”
With vigorous hand signs and strong language she proceeded to give them a dressing down and insisted they cool off and apologize to everyone or be restricted to opposite ends of the ship.  I had visions of Al locked up in the bio labs and Lorne in the observatory at the other end of the ship, not inappropriate of course.  Slowly, however, the tension eased and they apologized, to each other and to all present.  

      The captain learned of the incident and was not amused.  Next day at morning prayers he was unusually severe, he looked grim and waited until everyone was seated before commencing.  He remained standing as if to emphasize his authority.  He took it more seriously than appeared to be justified by the incident.  After all, Marie Claire had coped with it very well.  In any case, he came down very firmly and insisted that anyone who feels verbally or otherwise abused must come to him.  A spaceship could not afford to have running disputes.  He mentioned that the crew had been carefully selected to include only people who were congenial and easy to get along with.  I personally got a special reference:
“Nancy,” he mentioned, “is an exception as she joined the crew late but she is not difficult.”
‘Nice of him,’ I thought.
He continued to hammer on the theme of the crew being cooperative and concluded by saying:
“There must be no more incidents like the one yesterday evening.  It is imperative that the members of the crew cooperate and work well together.  I am very well aware that tensions increase after more than a week in space but we are expected to learn to live and work together for a much more extended time.”  

      I could understand the problem from the captain’s point of view.  He could not order anyone off the ship or to go home for a day to cool off.  I also had to admit that he was right about the need for discipline.  Nevertheless, I could not comprehend why he was so concerned.  Later, Al mentioned to me that he was only kidding which I could believe as it was his style.  I also spoke to Lorne about it and he just brushed it off saying it was ‘natural philosophy’.  When I queried that he explained that; ‘to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’- Newton’s third law.  I made note of the whole incident and the aftermath in my personal diary including the third law and an assessment that the confrontation was another example of the dreaded SIS.  I also noted that even the captain was referring to a much more extended voyage.

      However, it did nothing to solve the riddle of the luxury liner and its oddball crew.  I increasingly felt that I was the odd man (or woman) out.  I suspected that everyone on board was party to something that still escaped me but I resolved to take action - any action - that would let me in on the ‘secret’.  It was clear that I needed to do some penetrating thinking, treat it as an intellectual challenge, apply some good old academic methodology and select the most likely outcome.  There must be an answer and I was determined to find it.
 
Chapter 40.  The Nightmare

      After I retired that night I kept turning things over and over in my head.  However it was neither logical thinking nor academic methodology; more like giving the brain free range to come up with the most bizarre and imaginative hypothesis possible to explain the mysteries of the ship.  Random phrases haunted me and prevented me from sleeping.  As I lay on the bed it felt uncomfortable no matter which way I tried, left side - staring at a blank TV, right side - just a blank wall, back, front, nothing helped.  I got up and paced around my cabin.  Although the room had appeared very generous when I first came in it now felt small and confining.  I turned the heat down more than usual and wrapped myself in the cover but I was still too hot for comfort.  I knew my heart was racing; I didn’t even need the monitor.   The more I tried to ignore the thoughts the more they taunted me.  I think it was frequent mention of extended space travel or the long trip that bothered me most.  Even the captain had just mentioned the need for people to live and work together for a much more extended time.  What could be more extended than the solar system and we were scheduled to cover most of it already?  Uranus, Neptune and beyond, but that hardly required a much longer trip than the current voyage; another few million kilometers.

      The concern about health on very long trips was also striking.  According to Julio, the ship was designed to mitigate the medical problems associated with extended space travel such as the lack of normal gravity.  The effort made to protect us from radiation was also striking.  The ship carried a huge weight of water in a double hull, the main purpose of which was to protect us from ionizing radiation in space.  Yet nobody seemed to worry unduly about radiation when astronauts travelled to the moon in the early days of space travel and that journey took ages compared to today’s lunar trips.  Another health aspect was the use of UV light to mimic daylight on earth.  Surely there was no need for UV therapy on short trips such as the present voyage or even medium length missions.  The absence of windows or port holes was excused because there is nothing to see in deep space.  How deep was deep space anyway?

      Annabelle’s panic attack was especially disturbing; in particular her comment: ‘I was thinking about the long trip and suddenly I got scared’.  What long trip could have disturbed her so much?   She was normally a very confident and unflappable individual.  Ruby hinted at the same thing when she mentioned spending a long time in the space ship.  I should have asked her what she meant by a long time.  The attitude of the captain added to the inexplicable anomalies accumulating in my mind.  He was quite agreeable to debate about oil, climate and other subjects but he was loath to talk about long distance space travel; he didn’t even want to open the subject.  His angry reaction to my comment about Julio’s mention of long journeys was also revealing; ‘Julio talks too much.’ Although Julio had referred to very long trips when he showed me the ship he was also unwilling to continue such a discussion.  He appeared to be under some obligation not to say too much and Julio was not normally at a loss for words.  A similar situation occurred with Ivan.  Even though we were close, passionately close sometimes, the subject of long distance space travel completely froze him.

      The lack of send-off ceremonies when we took off from the moon had surprised me.  Now I realized there were many more additional indicators that suggested something clandestine about the ship.  For example, the lighting varied with the cycle of seasons on earth.  That could only mean a voyage of about a year, perhaps much longer.  The ‘great outdoors’ area on the ship; designed to emulate life on earth to prevent people like me from becoming homesick.  The narrow age range of the crew suddenly took on new significance; a very young group that could stay together for many years, perhaps decades.  Most members were in their early twenties.  A huge bank of entertainment and educational material had been amassed to satisfy the tastes of all crew members on extended journeys.  Another aspect that appeared suspicious was that only a limited effort had been made to conduct scientific studies.  Why were there very few tests planned; just a few astronomical observations and geophysical measurements?  If everything interesting had already been done or could be done remotely by unmanned spacecraft, why build a huge expensive spaceship in the first place?

      Unable to sleep, I tossed and turned.  It occurred to me that I was letting my imagination run away with me.  All I needed was something to help me sleep.  Milk and yoghurt are supposed to be good at night but they were in the fridge in the lounge.  I was reluctant to go out of my room as I didn’t want to encounter anyone in my present state of mind.  I tried to remember some of the old family recipes for situations such as this:  A glass of malt whisky before dinner was reported to be effective; but no, that was for constipation, not space paralysis.  A glass of bubbly at night was supposed to be better to help you to relax and sleep.  But neither of these was available to me so it wasn’t useful to me in my present situation.  Increasingly, I felt trapped in my room, claustrophobic, with no resources to relieve my situation.  Was I suffering from the dreaded SIS?  

      A new thought began to intrude on my mind.  Perhaps the purpose of the mission was not what I had been led to believe.  If the range of the spaceship was limitless, were we really only going to Saturn?  In an attempt to treat the problem logically, I racked my brain for possible long range voyages.  The ship was obviously capable of circumnavigating the entire solar system but to what end?  There would be nothing more significant to see on such a trip and it could be achieved with unmanned probes.  It has to be something that required the presence of humans, especially scientists and engineers.  

      Another possibility was that the ship may be involved in a search for the centre of our galaxy, something that had intriguing astronomers for centuries.  I had only a vague notion how that could be achieved and it may have required several extra long voyages, for triangulation purposes.  But there was only one astronomer on the crew which appeared to negate that idea.  

      My next thought was deep space studies of planets, particularly the search for extraterrestrial life, in other solar systems.  I knew there was a strong interest in potentially habitable planets.  One option was deep space trips to study some of the planets discovered orbiting other suns.  However, long duration trips would be required to get sufficiently close to investigate foreign planets.  Further, you don’t need to send a huge manned spaceship to do that - not unless you plan to land and stay on the planet.  

      As I began to visualize us landing on a planet it took on a special meaning - inter stellar colonization!  At first the thought seemed ridiculous but as I reflected about the crew members … the very young crew members, six male and six female, all fit and in the prime of life.  The females all had the characteristic shape of women of reproductive age, wide hips and strong thighs designed by Nature to bear children - and to attract males.  Another significant factor was the highly trained crew covering many scientific disciplines, ideal for evaluating a strange planet.  I gradually realized it would explain most the mysteries of the spaceship.   That was why the Captain was against me; I was not party to the ultra-select plan and his crew.  I didn’t belong! I finally reached the point where I asked myself if I had unwittingly got myself aboard a colonizing space ship, almost as a stowaway.  
 
Chapter 41.  Goldilocks and Butterflies

      There had been discussions about interstellar travel and human colonies in the past and I racked my brain in an attempt to recall some of the details.  Most habitable planets detected in the early days were at extreme distances, hundreds of light years away, so travelling to them was inconceivable for humans, assuming ‘warp drive’ or space worm holes had not been discovered.  Many exotic ideas for human colonies were raised but most were in the realm of science fiction.  One suggestion that received attention involved advanced robots that could be sent to a planet with frozen human cells.   The advantage of robots was that, unlike humans, very high acceleration could be applied and life support systems were not required on the ship which would greatly reduce the weight. Once established at the destination planet the robots would be pre-programmed to thaw out the cells and grow the human embryos.  The babies and the developing children would have to be cared for by the long suffering robots; food, shelter and clothing would have to be produced locally or sent from earth.  This scenario would require robots of almost infinite durability and intelligence, not to mention dexterity.  Some companies such as Space Robotics International were reported to be conducting R&D on the design of suitable robots.  However, there was general concern about the whole concept and eventually the ethics council stepped in and declared it unacceptable.  The decision reported at the time was:  ‘Humans must be raised by humans, not robots’.

      Following that setback, the ‘humans in space’ fraternity came up with another idea to get humans into deep space.   It was based on the idea that the humans who leave the earth for a far flung planet would not necessarily reach the planet but their offspring would get there.  This was known as the ‘Monarch’ system by analogy with the monarch butterflies that migrate from Canada to Mexico each winter.  The butterflies that return in the spring are the offspring of the ones that leave in the fall.  Once again, the obstacles to this approach were huge.  Maintaining life support systems on a spaceship for a generation or more would be an almost insurmountable task.  Added to that was the huge demand for energy to propel a ship for such a long time.  Even with resupply ships it would be an extremely difficult project.

      I could not relate either of these scenarios to my own situation; this ship was clearly not a ‘Monarch’ and equally clearly not fully robotic.  But I also recalled that once lunar bases became operational, some long range unmanned missions had been sent out into the galaxy to search for and study possible habitable planets.  The so-called “Goldilocks” explorers were equipped with telescopes, spectrometers, and other analytical equipment allowing them to detect and analyze planets with possible habitable conditions.  They had to travel many light years so these exploration missions took years before any reports could come back.  Eventually, however, some reports had arrived that indicated some habitable planets at more reasonable distances.  Now I wished I had paid more attention to the news from the missions but I could recall some excitement at one point about one or two promising cases.  One in particular became known as ‘Blue II’ because it appeared to bear a strong resemblance to Earth; blue colour, possibly with water and a similar atmosphere.  Popular interest in it waned and it dropped out of the news as it was still a long way from Earth.  I wished now I could remember just how far; did it call for ‘the long trip’ that Annabelle referred to?

      The more I thought about it the more agitated I became.  I was angry at being kept in the dark.  Now I understood the reason for the generous supply of clothes; enough to last for years, perhaps decades.  I took another look at my wardrobe; my stock of clothes implied that I was expected to remain on the ship for the duration of the expedition whatever it may be.  I had been equipped for the long trip without my knowledge.  Why had Ivan not indicated something to me?  I wanted to rush to his room to demand an explanation but I also didn’t want to look foolish.  Had I been pre-selected to mate with Ivan?  I had thought I was pursuing him and that he had fallen in love with me but perhaps he was just following orders.  I tried in my mind to match up the others in pairs.  Ruby was not too fussy but that raised another possibility; were we expected to have multiple mates?  Perhaps that was what Annabelle was afraid of.  Extrapolating from that theme, I wondered if genetic mapping been conducted on all the crew members with a view to producing healthy and viable offspring.  Space eugenics!   

      The night wore on but I couldn’t sleep.  Everything related to the design of the spaceship appeared to fit the hypothesis.  The one G acceleration to simulate gravity, the careful attention paid to radiation protection.  Even the living conditions emulated life on earth; 24 hour cycle of night and day; summer and winter seasons; an everlasting supply of nutrition from the bio-labs.  It was all too well planned.  I tried to get a grip on myself; not to panic.  The pills; I should take one of the pills I had from the physician.  I rushed to the powder room to get one but in my growing state of panic I couldn’t find the little vial; it was not where I thought I had placed it.  Had I given it to Annabelle?  I realized I was losing control.  I was in the grip of the Space Isolation Syndrome.  I paused, sat down and tried to breathe deeply as I had instructed Annabelle to do and to concentrate on reality.  I reminded myself that if I did go on the long trip it could mean academic recognition and promotion.  Eventually I calmed down to the extent that reason returned and I recognized that the whole idea was illogical.  How could it be a colonizing ship with only a dozen people on board and at least one not sympathetic to the idea?  Slowly my state of anxiety relaxed as I clung to this simple logic until at long last I slipped into a fitful sleep.

      It did not last long.  I suddenly sat bolt upright in bed up with a word bursting in my brain: ‘Incubators!’  There were banks of incubators in the basement!  Not only incubators but frozen cells as well.  That must be the answer; human cells and incubators.  The ship’s crew members were simply shippers and guardians of a new generation of humans who would grow up and form colonies on a distant planet.  It also explained why we had such a comprehensive store of educational material: ‘everything from early education to post graduate degrees’.  We would have to raise the test tube babies and educate the growing mob.  Now I was more than angry.  Why had no one explained exactly what was afoot.  I was also insulted; they didn’t even want my DNA; there was plenty in the basement.  I could hardly wait to get hold of the captain the next morning.  He had kept me distracted with all his jabs about the ‘Oil Era’ but now I had an earful for him.  By this time sleep was all but impossible but I did eventually pass out.  

Chapter 42.  The Challenge

      By morning I had come to my senses and reasoned that a brand new spaceship would not be dispatched on an inter-stellar mission without one or more test flights.  In fact, Julio had hinted at this when he mentioned that the ship will be used for many years and to expect some voyages to be longer than the present one.  I thought about the excitement a few years ago when habitable planets were discovered but it appeared to have evaporated when people took the enormous distance and cost into consideration.  Although serious talk of colonizing one or more of these remote planets appeared to have died down I now realized that it had probably gone underground, in other words, classified.  One thing that was clear to me now was that I was an intruder, virtually a stowaway, on the test flight of a colonizing space ship and its crew.  In fact, if I wasn’t careful I might find myself booked on the ‘long trip’.

      Despite being hung over for lack of sleep I was up reasonably early so as to catch the captain at breakfast.  He was always punctual and came down for breakfast at 7am sharp.  I washed, brushed my hair carefully and dressed in comfortable but attractive pants and top; I was expecting a battle of wits and wanted to be prepared for it. When I arrived the captain was still there, finishing his coffee alone at a table.  I nodded a brief ‘good morning’ to the other people in the room, poured myself a coffee, then, in a deliberately confrontational move, took a chair at the table directly opposite him and leaned forward with my coffee mug grasped in both hands.  My heart was pounding but I tried to appear cool and calm.  He noticed my aggressive attitude but held his own position unflinchingly.  I was sure he was expecting some fresh arguments about the oil era and climate change but, after the customary exchange of morning greetings, I went straight for the jugular.

      “I have deduced that this is an interstellar colonizing space ship”, I challenged in a loud voice that everyone could hear.
Taken off guard, he glanced quickly around the room.  He looked questioningly at Ivan who furtively shook his head.  Suddenly there was total silence in the breakfast room.  Everyone was looking at us.
“You are letting your imagination run away with you; too many science fiction movies” he tried hopefully.
“Not a bit of it”, I retorted, “I have researched it thoroughly and there is no question about it.  This ship and its crew are destined for another planet somewhere with a different sun to set up a human colony”.
“Impossible” he tried, “we don’t have enough people for a colony even if we dragged you along with us”.
“True” I agreed, “but with banks of human incubators in the basement that is not a problem.”  By now the captain’s confident posture had slipped noticeably.  He drew back from the table and I could see he was uncomfortable and not quite sure what to say.  I actually didn’t know for sure that the incubators in storage were for human embryos but equally he didn’t know how much I had discovered in my discussions with the biotech and other staff.  He was also probably unable to lie; it didn’t fit with his rigid character and training.
“And speaking of dragging me along,” I continued, leaning further forward to emphasize my command of the situation. “I insist on coming,” I announced in a fit of bravado, banging my coffee mug on the table.  “That will give you another colonist to produce babies,” I added for emphasis.  I had not planned to go that far but I was emboldened having the upper hand for a change.  For once the captain was at a loss for words and appeared momentarily unsure how to proceed.  He drew back from the table as if to put more space between us.
“You mustn’t go around talking such nonsense”, he said, abruptly.  He drained his coffee mug, rose immediately, and walked smartly out of the cafeteria without another word.  

      I looked around in triumph at an unusually silent breakfast room.  I was sure everyone had heard the exchange and several people were trying to hide a smile but no one seemed eager to join me at the table or to pick up on the conversation.  Ivan was preoccupied studying tea leaves in his coffee cup.  Dr. Bio, clearly amused, was grinning from ear to ear, but didn’t say anything.  I took my coffee and marched out of the room in my best attempt at a triumphant exit to return to my cabin.  But as I slowly climbed the stairs my confidence evaporated at every step.  Doubts flooded my mind about my little scene with the captain.  If I was mistaken it would certainly have made me look foolish.  Would I be able to join the other crew members in the lounge in the evening to relax?  I was also concerned about Ivan; would he be upset?  Should I have discussed my theory with him before confronting the captain?  On the other hand, I had already deduced that the crew members were sworn to secrecy.  I closed the door of my room and collapsed on the bed.  I needed to calm down and regain a sense of stability.  Exhausted from the previous night and my little scene in the dining room I needed to sleep; my mind was in turmoil, my stomach wasn’t much better, and my pulse was still racing.  But I hardly had time to recover when the computer screen flashed with an urgent message for me from the captain.
“I must see you in the command centre immediately.”
‘Now I am in trouble’, I realized, ‘I have stirred a hornet’s nest.’

 
Chapter 43.  Stardust

      I was pleased to see that my morning challenge had produced some results but I was apprehensive as to what was in store for me in the captain’s room.  At the very least I was in for a reprimand and I was sure he wanted to regain the upper hand.  I acknowledged the message with a confirmation but I took my time before going down to the command room on the lower level.  I refreshed my toilet to hide the rings under my eyes and changed into a business style suit with striped pants and a white shirt.  After all, I thought if I am going to get a dressing down, I want to be dressed up.  While preparing I reflected on the situation and decided to switch from an aggressive to a jovial approach with the captain.  As he was very serious it might help to keep him off guard.  I mentally rehearsed all my arguments about the ship and its crew as I made my way down to meet the captain.  I descended slowly at first without talking to anyone I met.  I was too preoccupied, blood simmering again, building up steam for another argument.  The door was open and he motioned to me to enter and take a seat which I tried to do with an air of confidence.

      To my surprise, instead of a discussion, debate, or argument, I was amazed to find that he had totally recovered from the confrontation at breakfast and was all business, sitting comfortable in his command chair with no sign of anger or upset.  He made no attempt to debate my conclusions but appeared to accept that I had discovered the main purpose of the spaceship.  He proceeded from that point with military efficiency.
“You have introduced an unusually difficult problem.” he declared, “The eventual destination and purpose of this space ship is ‘Top Secret’ and you are not cleared to that level of information.”
“Don’t worry”, I assured him.  “I am not about to discuss it with anyone outside the ship”, I added, looking at the windowless wall of the ship and implying the cold dark space on the other side.
“I am well aware of that,” he acknowledged, “but regulations are regulations.  I am required to indoctrinate you to the appropriate level.”
“Oh, good. I am all for that,” I agreed enthusiastically.
At present you have only a ‘Secret’ clearance” he stated as if ‘Secret’ was almost meaningless.
“For ‘Top Secret’ we normally require a twenty five year personal history from you and it has to be checked out by the security organizations, but we will have to proceed without it for the moment and confirm the details later.”
“Twenty five year history,” I repeated, “but that would exclude most of the crew.”
He ignored this remark and proceeded to have me read and sign various forms promising not to divulge anything, not even my own name, to anyone without a need to know and not equally cleared.
“I thought everything would be done on computers nowadays,” I remarked.
“No. Some things must be recorded on paper with photos, signatures, dates, and witnesses,” he explained.  

      “Now I have to brief you to a restricted access compartment”, he continued, bringing out another form.  “The code letter for the compartment is ‘S’.  Everything related to the purpose and destination of this ship and its crew must be treated as ‘Top Secret – S’.
“Oh that sounds exciting,” I quipped, “Top Secret – S; – S for Sex”?  He was not amused.  
“That is not what your ‘TS-S’ clearance is for.” He replied dryly.  “The
‘S’ actually stands for ‘Stardust’ but it is not normally spelled out as it might reveal the purpose of the compartment”.  
Oh, I thought, that is why Julio was startled when I mentioned ‘stardust’.  We completed the process with appropriate swearing, (without swearwords), photos, signatures and a witness - Marie Claire – who was called in for the task.  She had probably been expecting a call as she dashed in enthusiastically almost immediately, looking quite pleased about my change in status and eager to assist.  She took a chair beside me at the table and signed the papers and was photographed doing so.  As she stood up to go she shook my hand, congratulated me then suddenly hugged me.  Surprised, I thanked her and I think I even thanked the captain although I am not sure there was any need to; he was simply doing his duty as he saw it.

      On the way back to my own room I reflected on the surprising turn of events.  The captain had not even mentioned the ultimate purpose and destination of the spaceship; it was now taken for granted that I knew and that I had to be accepted as one of the club.  However, I probably knew much less than he suspected.  In fact, being in the know about the nature of the ship didn’t help me much.  I still didn’t know when it would be leaving, where it was going, who would be in it, how it would get there and why it was going there.  I needed to call upon my ‘five faithful servants’ and have a long talk with my fellow ‘stardusters’.  I would have my work cut out in the next few days studying and talking with the crew trying to catch up.  Many mysterious aspects remained, not least of which was the high level of secrecy surrounding the whole project.  If this is a colonizing ship which is intended to establish the human race on an alien planet, why is it being kept so secret?   

Chapter 44.  Space Rivals

      As a fully fledged member of the Top Secret Stardust compartment, I was eager to discuss my new situation with other members of the crew but I spent some time in my room researching background information, especially information relating to inhabitable planets.  I was aware that several candidates had been found but most were at enormous distances from our sun; ‘astronomical distances’ I joked to myself.  Blue II came up several times and I began to suspect that it may be the target planet.  It was reported to have an atmosphere containing oxygen which implied organisms conducting photosynthesis as on Earth. While I was there the captain sent out a message to all the ship’s staff informing them that my ‘leprosy’ had been cured.  Of course that wasn’t exactly what he said but that is how I felt about it.  I was still very tired from the previous night so I turned on my ‘do not disturb’ and slept until lunch time.

      Before going down for lunch, I dressed in a casual style, riding breeches and white blouse, instead of my business style suit as I was expecting a much more spontaneous conversation this time, even if the captain was there.  When I entered the cafeteria, most of the crew was already there.   As expected, the atmosphere was much more relaxed than when I had made my emotional exit after breakfast.  I was greeted with smiles and jokes; everyone appeared eager to talk now that there were no restrictions on the conversation.  Different groups waved to me to join them.  However, before getting become bogged down in all the fine details they wanted to share with me in order to bring me up to speed, I raised the issue that still greatly puzzled me.  I took a seat at a table in the middle of the room and asked the question for anyone to answer:
“If this is a colonizing ship intended to go to an alien planet, why is it being kept so secret?  It is immensely significant.  Assuming it is successful, it will be the greatest event of the 23rd century or perhaps the millennium.  It should have much greater media coverage; why the secrecy?”
There was a pregnant pause.  Some were already seated at tables while others were getting a lunch tray and about to go to a table.  Everyone stopped in their tracks as they looked at one another, uncertain how to answer.  Finally, Ruby broke the spell with one word.
“SAASA.”
“SAASA!” I echoed.  The South American-Asian Space Agency; what does it have to do with this spaceship?”

      It was a long story.  By now many of the crew members had gathered around me in the middle of the dining area, some eating, some drinking, others just eager to join in ‘the education of Nancy’.  Gradually, taking turns, they briefed me on the situation.  
The gist of it was that there appeared to be a rival program to build a spaceship for interstellar colonization.  Marie Claire expanded on that by stating that they had intelligence that strongly suggested that SAASA was working on a similar plan to go to a habitable planet.  When I enquired about the planet of interest Lorne confirmed that Blue II was the most attractive one.  He mentioned further that we could go to it via Proxima which would be a convenient zone for rendezvous with refueling and resupply ships.  At this point Marie Claire interjected saying that it was assessed from intelligence that SAASA may be planning to go to the same planet.
“But surely there is nothing wrong with that,” I protested.  “We are not likely to overpopulate another planet in a thousand years.”
“True but everyone likes to be first – first human in space, first humans on the moon, first to land on Mars - no one likes to be second.”
“The other problem is,” Al butted in, “ whichever mission goes ahead first will tie up so many of the international space resources that any other expedition of the same magnitude would have to wait years, perhaps decades, before it could be fully supported.”

      “I still find it hard to believe,” I said.  “I personally know some of the SAASA space experts and in recent years they have withdrawn from many of the international conferences on long distance space travel.”  
“Yes,” agreed Lorne.  “We are well aware of that.  In fact most SAASA scientists have also stopped publishing papers on manned space travel in recent years.”
“That doesn’t seem to support your assessment.”
“That information can be interpreted as an indication of a secret project where the scientists and engineers are located at a secluded site and forbidden to attend international meetings or publish their current work.”
“Ah, now I am beginning to understand.  It is like a new ‘Manhattan Project’ ”, I offered, referring to the secret atomic bomb project in the USA long ago in the 20th century,.
“That is exactly the idea,” exclaimed Al, “and because it is covert it is difficult to determine what stage they are at.”
“It should be visible if they are constructing a large spaceship like this one,” I suggested.
“SAASA has expanded their lunar base and they have a year-round living capability rather like LMB-3 but we have not seen any large spaceship so far,” noted Lorne.
“However, that may be deceptive,” interjected Marie Claire.  “All the components could be manufactured on earth then assembled quickly at their lunar base.”
“It could also be fabricated in a deep mine shaft with a cover to protect against radiation and prying eyes.   The volume of spoil from their excavations has been measured from 3D photographs and it is enormous; more than that produced for our base and G-machine at LMB3.”  
“Also,” added Lorne,” their design for a spaceship may be completely different from ours and less recognizable.  Keep in mind that in space the lack of an atmosphere frees up the designer to create ships of unconventional style and layout.”
‘Starship enterprise’ I thought to myself, but I didn’t say anything; I didn’t want to give the impression that I believed it was a realistic design for a space ship.
Ivan mentioned that it meant that we must be prepared to commence our expedition as soon as possible.  When I asked if our current expedition was the final proof test of the spacecraft and the crew Marie Claire acknowledged that it was.  However, she hastened to add that the results of the voyage will have to be fully analyzed first.  The whole ship was wired with sensors for stress, vibration, sound, etc. and the records of main computer system would be carefully scrutinized.  The viability of the bio labs to support a very long journey would also come under study.  I began to wonder how much had been recorded of my life on board; were we wired for sound, movement, perhaps even the beds.  And to think I had been concerned about being a test animal and being video taped – we were all test animals in this space cage.


      A beaming Annabelle brought me back to Earth, or at least to the Earth like space ship.
“And we are all very happy you have joined us.” she exclaimed.
I was beginning to feel a little less than happy myself but I couldn’t bring myself to say so at this point.  However, I made a mental note to reflect carefully on the subject soon otherwise I might find myself in deep trouble, or rather deep space, before I knew it.  The fun part now over, people moved away to finish lunch or depart the dining area.  I was still in a state of shock and I was glad that Ruby and a few others stayed with me to answer any further questions I could come up with.  More serious discussions came later on an individual basis.

 Chapter 45.  Blue II

      Most of the afternoon was spent being enlightened by various members of the crew. Lorne explained that studies of Blue II, the planned destination, were still ongoing based on results sent back by unmanned probes.  However, because of the ‘astronomical’ distance involved, it took years for the results of each probe to reach earth.  There were many factors that could be critical for a planet to support humans.  Some of the basic ones involved energy and water, as Ivan explained.  The speed of rotation of the planet would have a powerful effect on weather and water cycles.  It would also greatly affect energy absorption and distribution and hence climate.  Another major consideration from the human point of view was gravity.  This was Dr. Wells’ pet subject.  She reminding me that the human body had developed over millions of years in a constant field of one G and long term residence in a zone with a significantly different gravity could have serious health consequences, rather like the experience of humans who spent extended periods of time in micro gravity on the International Space Station.

      The biology of the planet’s biota was another area of concern, according to Dr. Bio.  All life on earth was based on proteins built from so-called levo-amino acids; (l-amino acids) as opposed to dextro (d-amino acids); everything from microorganisms to plants and animals.  We could not adapt to d-amino acids.  Proteins, which included all the essential enzymes, were composed of l-amino acid chains.  Many other biological macromolecules also contained l-amino acids.  In fact, our DNA, the quintessence of life and reproduction, was designed to use l-amino acids to synthesize proteins.  A number of theoretical studies had concluded that the spatial configuration of l-amino acids was energetically preferred and would tend to dominate in a situation where both were available to initiate the formation of biological molecules.  However, theoretical studies have been known to be wrong.  Nevertheless, early indications were that the biology on the planet was analogous to that on earth but there may still be some surprises in store.   Raw materials appeared to be less of a problem as our chemist/geologist mentioned.  Analysis from early probes suggested a selection of rock types similar to the moon or Earth.

      The discussions and comments carried on through the supper hour.  By the time it was over, I was super saturated with space physics, alien chemistry, planet biology, etc.  I excused myself and retired to my room to relax and reflect on the dramatic developments of the day.  I dressed in a light but comfortable nightgown and was relaxing on the sofa when there was a gentle knock at the door.  When I opened it there was a smiling Annabelle.  I waved her in and sat on the sofa but she remained standing in front of me.  She could hardly wait to speak.
“Now you understand” she blurted out, looking imploringly into my eyes.
“Yes indeed,” I agreed, “perfectly.  But I hope you are all right now.”
“Oh, yes,” she assured me, “but I am ever so glad you are coming too.”
“We will explore space together,” I said, ignoring the implied question.
“I am looking forward to a deep friendship in deep space” she commented.  We chatted a little more about general matters then she left quietly but confidently.  I realized that I was becoming more committed to the ‘long trip’ than I had really intended.

      I had just settled down on my sofa again when there was a firm knock at the door.  This time Ivan was there and he joined me in the room.  He took the chair facing me before he blurted out:
“Now you understand”, looking imploringly into my eyes.
“Yes indeed,” I replied laughing.  I had to explain my little discussion with Annabelle.
“She beat me to it,” he said in a mock rueful voice.
“Not to worry,” I reassured him.  “A close female friend is a friend; a close boyfriend is something more, much more special.”
“I hope so,” he said, with a touch of relief.  “I am also very glad you will be coming on the main expedition.”  Once again there was a latent question in the comment.
“It has to be approved by headquarters but I indicated to the captain that I intended to come.”
“Do you?”
“It is probably out of my hands already.  Everything evolved so quickly I haven’t had time to think about it but that is what I have said.” I answered him.  He assured me I could turn to him if I had any doubts.  He mentioned that most members of the crew had already gone through a long period of agonizing soul searching.  I thanked him for the offer but I didn’t encourage him to stay for the evening.  I was too wound up with space travel to think of anything else, not even sex.  Truth to tell I was still a little peeved that he could be so intimate, explore me all over, make passionate love, without even hinting at the ‘raison d’être’ of the spaceship.

      Shortly after Ivan left there was a double knock at the door and who was there but Ruby and Nell together.  
“Now you understand” they blurted out together, looking imploringly into my eyes.
“Yes indeed,” I replied laughing again.  They were still fully dressed but they joined me, sitting each side of me on the bed as I described my visits from Annabelle and Ivan.
“Oh, my goodness!” exclaimed Ruby in mock shock looking pointedly at my flimsy nightdress.  “I hope we didn’t spoil anything”.
“We will leave if you are expecting someone,” assured Nell.  “But we wanted to tell you how happy we are that you will be coming on the expedition.”
“Everyone seems happy about it except the captain,” I commented.
“Oh, don’t worry about him,” said Ruby.  “He stubbornly follows orders; he will get used to the idea after a year or so and we will have plenty of time to work on him.”
“You are coming aren’t you?” enquired Nell, smiling her marvelous smile, her eyes shining brightly; looking at me entreatingly.
“As far as I know.” I replied honestly.  My exhaustion probably showed and after a brief conversation they left me to my doubts and dreams.  As I prepared for bed I realized I needed to use the remainder of the trip to get as much information as possible so as to be in a position to make a reasonable decision when I met my superiors on Earth.  ‘Great galloping galaxies,’ I muttered to myself as I drifted off into a deep space sleep, ‘what have I let myself in for this time’?

Chapter 46.  The Grand Plan

      I had not mentally reached the point where I felt committed to the ‘long trip’ but I knew I would have to be prepared to answer the question after we returned to earth.  My contacts at the Canadian Space Research Centre, not to mention the authorities at the Johnson Space Centre, would require a definitive response almost before I landed.  For that reason, as we continued our trip back to the moon where we were scheduled to land at the lunar base we had departed from, I made use of the time to find out as much as possible about the plans for the inter-stellar expedition.  There were no pretenses now, so I could, and did, talk to almost everyone about it.  However, I was still wary of discussing it with the captain although I must acknowledge that he did not appear to bear me any grudge.  I did not want to give the impression of being either hesitant or too enthusiastic about the long voyage so over several days I discussed the subject piecemeal with several of my fellow passengers on an individual basis.

      Marie Claire was probably the most knowledgeable about the overall plan and I felt at ease talking to her so I arranged for a one-on-one with her the next afternoon.  Knowing she would be smartly dresses, I wore a simple straight skirt with a synthetic silk blouse.  She welcomed me to her office with an enthusiastic hug and motioned me to a chair.  She took the chair behind her desk, tilted it back and appeared perfectly relaxed.   I made an effort to appear relaxed as well although I had too much on my mind to be calm.  She was wearing a royal blue track suit, suggestive of ‘Blue II’ I thought, with a tailored fit that suited her slim figure.
“How would you like to begin?” she commenced.  I hesitated and took in the room with its images of France; châteaux, vineyards, Paris, etc.  One was obviously from Alsace with its typical timber framed buildings.
“How about a glass of Gewürztraminer”. I suggested.  She laughed and we were off to a good start, even without the wine.  She encouraged my questions and they were not in short supply.
 
      “I have a few short questions, I began: Where is Blue II?  How do we get there?  How long will it take?  What will we do there?  Why do we go?  When will we return?”
‘Did I omit one of the ‘faithful servants’? I wondered.
“Let me deal with them one at a time,” she replied laughing.  “The planet we are aiming for is in the Centauri system, which fortunately is very close to earth.  It is just over four light years from earth.”
“Four light years,” I gulped, “you call that close.  And just what distance is a light year?”
“63,240 Astronomical Units”
I was aware of the Astronomical Unit - AU- which as far as I could remember is the distance of the earth from the sun but even that is a huge distance.
“An AU is about 150 million kilometers and we have already covered almost 10 AUs on this little outing,” she continued.  “However, to answer your question about time, it will take something in the range of 5 to 7 years depending on the maximum safe speed we can achieve.” I was speechless for a few seconds as I mentally tried to adjust to the idea of being confined in a miniscule spaceship for such a long time.

      Recovering somewhat I enquired about the overall plan.  She explained that the Centauri system consisted of a red dwarf star Proxima, the closest star to earth, and two bright stars Alpha-Centauri A and Alpha-Centauri B.  Alpha Centauri A is a white star similar to the sun so the search for habitable planets within reach of Earth concentrated on its satellites.  That is where the planet, so-called Blue II, was discovered.  It has an atmosphere and oceans similar to Earth so it also looks blue.  Results were still coming back from earlier probes but so far it looked very promising.  When asked about habitability for humans she acknowledged that the requirements for a suitable planet are very demanding and recommended that I discuss that aspect with Lorne, Ivan, or Al.

      The next question was how to get there and she provided a brief outline of the plan.  The intent was to aim for Proxima first which would put us within easy reach of Centauri A.  After departure from Earth, we would have regular supply ships which would carry anything that was estimated might be in short supply.  These ships do not require life support systems and can be propelled with much higher acceleration than a ship carrying humans so they could be sent after our departure.  The supply ships would also provide detailed updates on Blue II, based the latest probes to the planet, and would take back progress records of the voyage.  At Proxima we would rendezvous with the main supply ships which would have followed us from earth.  It would also be the first important decision point; we could continue on to Blue II, if everything was A-OK, including the crew and the prospects for the planet, or turn around and go back to earth.

      By now she was warming up to the subject.  She sat upright which made it easier to for gestures and hand movements as she emphasized her words.
“If we continue to Blue II, what happens there?” I prompted.
“An energy collection system will be deployed around the planet by the time we get there so we can make use of high energy beams for final travel and positioning when we arrive in the vicinity.  However, before we attempt any landings, we will put the ship into orbit around the planet in order to conduct some remote studies.”
“What kind of studies?”
“We will use a variety of instruments.  But you know Ivan well,” she mentioned with a twinkle in her eyes, “ask him to enlighten you about that aspect.”
“OK, I will arrange a meeting with him.” I stated rather formally.
“Once we are satisfied with what we discover by remote examination,” she continued, “we can use the spider to lower instruments to the surface just as we did on Titan to make a more detailed examination and reconnaissance of the planet and confirm its potential as a place to live.  We already know it has a natural level of oxygen in the atmosphere; about 20 percent. More oxygen would result in major conflagrations.  That essentially means it has had photosynthesis going on for billions of years, similar to earth.”  
“There is no methane in the atmosphere like Titan?”
“No.  Perhaps traces but it is much too hot for liquid methane on the surface.  If there had been high levels of methane in the atmosphere it would have been polymerized by radiation to produce polymers, just like the process on Titan, except that most of the methane gas would have been exhausted as happened on Earth.”

      Next I asked if there was life on the planet but she explained that nothing was known about life forms on the planet but it could be assumed that there was life there.  Once we are satisfied with the conditions on the planet, we would consider sending people to the surface.  That would be decision point number two.  However, if it appeared that the expedition could not proceed safely, we must cancel it and return to earth.  This option is important as the crew members must have confidence that they will not be faced with impossible odds or be abandoned in space.  That is why the spaceship needs to maintain an ample supply of fuel.

      Eventually, if the situation appears favorable, the ship would land and be used as a base until more permanent buildings are erected.  Hardware and prefabricated buildings, similar to the ones used for practice at Houston, would be delivered on one of the supply ships.  MC went on to mention that eventually more people would be sent from earth to expand the range of skills and expertise available.  There would be a need for artisans; skills of many types.  As she said, scientific experts were necessary to evaluate the new planet but more practical skills were required to make it livable.
“Who will be in charge, the captain? I asked.
The question caused Marie Claire to hesitate.  After a brief pause she replied guardedly.
“The captain is the captain of the spaceship.”
“Do you mean someone else will take over?” I asked looking hopefully at her.
“No, not exactly.  Remember one evening we were discussing Plato.  In ‘The Republic’ he described how a small civilized group could be governed by consensus.  I believe that is how we should operate until the colony becomes much larger.  The population should grow quite quickly with a combination of births and immigration from Earth.  However,” she stated, “we don’t want a population explosion as happened on earth so there will be a ban on sexual intercourse.”  I stared at her in total disbelief.  How could they enforce such a ban?  Visions of medieval chastity belts drifted before my eyes.  Finally, as I watched, a smile slowly spread over her face; Marie Claire the joker!  We both had a good laugh at my expense.  I should have known better than be taken in like that; after all she was French.

      Regaining my composure I asked her about the nature of the fuel and propulsion system that have to last so long.  She stated that the principal nuclear fuel is lithium-six deuteride, the most energetic substance that can be safely transported.  She wrote it down for clarity, 6Li2H.  It was originally used for the fusion component of powerful nuclear weapons.  The fuel is contained in nano particles convenient for transport and combustion in the micro fusion reactors.  Cesium ions can also be generated in the plasma and ejected for additional propulsion.  If required, she said we could actually be refueled en route by a supply ship but that is probably not necessary until we get to Proxima”.   We continued talking for a while but there was no additional information that would help me with my decision.  

      As I reflected on the voyage plan as outlined by Marie Claire afterwards, I found it hard to believe.  It was more like a tale dreamed up by a science fiction enthusiast than a serious undertaking.  It was clear to me that I had to take advantage of the various exports on board to seek out as many details as possible.
 
Chapter 47.  Orbits, Energy, and Biology

      Lorne, the astronomer/physicist was next on my list.  We settled in comfortable chairs in the lounge after lunch; Lorne in his favorite position, stretched out with his feet on a coffee table.  On the question of physical requirements for a habitable planet he expounded at length:
“The important characteristics for a planet are, the energy of the sun, the shape of the orbit, the distance from the sun, and the rate of rotation of the planet.  The orbit of should be circular, or nearly so, otherwise the solar radiation would vary greatly during the year.  On earth we get summer and winter just from the tilt of the axis.  Can you imagine the effect if the distance from the sun also varied significantly.”
“I presume that has been checked out.” I said hopefully.  
“Yes, and in the same vein,” he continued, “you have to consider the speed of rotation of the planet.  If it is substantially greater than 24 hours, the time it takes for one rotation of the Earth, there could be long hot days and long cold nights.”

      Lorne was in his element now and gathering momentum.  He sat up in order to explain and illustrate rotation periods and energy fluxes with his hands.
“Is energy supply so critical?” I asked.
“Definitely,” he assured me.  That is another reason why the orbit is important.  The distance from the sun determines the amount of energy received and it depends on the ‘inverse square law’.
“I see,” I said although I didn’t really, but no matter as he continued without checking.
“The length of the ‘year’, the time taken for the planet to circle the sun, is also dictated by the orbit as the centrifugal force must balance the gravitational attraction of the sun.
“It is only when you consider all the factors that go into making a habitable planet that you realize how lucky we are with Earth.  It is extremely difficult to find another like it.”
“Perhaps we should just stay on Earth and look after it better!” I suggested.
“Actually, you have a good point,” he agreed smiling.  

      In order to discuss the nature of the planet’s surface, the best person to talk with appeared to be Rocky, the geologist.  Being a relatively shy individual he preferred that we meet in one of the small consultation rooms in the lower level.  He explained that although there was nothing confidential about what he could tell me, he was rather self conscious and could converse more freely if there was no one else within earshot.  We sat on opposite sides of the table and maintained an approximately constant distance; if I became more interested and leaned forward, he leaned back; if he leaned forward to emphasize a point, I leaned back.  He began by reminding me of the surprise when the Earth’s moon was first visited; there were no major differences from the geology of the Earth.  The size and weight of Blue II indicates that it is a solid rocky planet and, by analogy, the geology is expected to be similar to Earth. When I suggested that having a different sun might make a difference he said that it was unlikely as it was one of the nearest stars in our galaxy and therefore it probably condensed out of the same primordial cloud created by the big bang and the following expansion.  Early probes had already shown that the planet had mountains and oceans of water.  Terrain such as that pointed to an active planet with a semi liquid core that had enabled tectonic plate movement, the main cause of mountain building on earth.  It was not known if there had been ice ages to modify the surface but he believed that over billions of years the landscape could have been weathered by the action of water alone.  With an ample water supply it was estimated that there would be climatic zones similar to some of those on earth.

      Further, he mentioned that before any planet can be considered as suitable for humans it must be in the “green” habitable zone, sometimes referred to as the “Goldilocks” zone, with conditions that favor the presence of water and water vapor in the atmosphere.   On the subject of climate he emphasizing that, given the presence of liquid water, the climate is governed by a hydrological cycle that depends on the basic physics of the planet.  The energy absorbed from the sun is greatest at the equator and is redistributed by the circulation of the atmosphere and the oceans.  The combined effect of heat flows and water evaporation and condensation determines the habitable areas of the planet.

      Of course a bare rocky planet would be inhospitable for humans so I caught up with Al after lunch one day to discuss Blue II biology.  He was such an enthusiastic individual that I had to calm him down in an effort to get a realistic appraisal of the expectations for the planet.  He sat up, filling a lounge chair with his ample frame, expounding, and occasionally waving his long arms causing me to duck. According to him, the preliminary results were extremely promising but more information was needed before a reliable assessment of the suitability of the planet to support humans could be made.  But he did stress that transporting plant material from earth such as seed for grain crops, fruit, or vegetables was out of the question.  The effect of foreign plant material on the local flora was totally unpredictable.  He reminded me of the problems caused on earth when plant material was transported from one continent to another.  Just imagine the effect of inter-planetary transfers.  The same goes for domestic animals.  Strange animals should not be introduced to a new planet.  
“But we are strange animals,” I reminded him. “Perhaps we shouldn’t go there.”
“You have a good point,” he remarked hesitating.  “However, we have learned from earth; we hope we know enough now not to harm or upset the natural balance of an environment.”  

      “What can we use as sources of food if we can’t transport plants and animals from earth?  Perhaps the plants on Blue II will be toxic to humans.”
“Any promising food material will have to be evaluated,” he explained.  “We have high efficiency equipment to separate and identify the structure of chemicals from plants and animals.  Sophisticated computer programs can then elucidate the conformation of strange substances and their potential interaction with the human body.  Thus, we can determine if it will be toxic to humans.”  He paused, probably thinking I was overwhelmed but I pursued the subject of food.
“After living for ages on space food we will be dying for some real food.  Will there be anything immediately available?”
“We are confident there will be many natural foodstuffs to be found.  For example, one can anticipate that there will be berries and fruits, and with lots of water, there should be seafood, fish, crustaceans etc.  If you have a craving for meat, for a change from the wonderful cultured tissues we have produced in the bio lab, there may be game-type birds similar to wild turkey, grouse, etc. We also anticipate there will be small game-type animals equivalent to rabbits and no doubt there will also be larger animals that could be domesticated; animals similar to wild bores and sheep come to mind.”
“You didn’t mention Bambi?”  He hesitated, smiling, before replying:
“I am sure there will be some attractive animals like deer but some people are sensitive about that”.

      “When will more information about the planet be available?” I enquired.
“Unmanned probes are currently on the way, or already there,” he explained, “examining the biota in much more detail.  However, because of the distance and time required to get results back, we may not wait on Earth for them.  The results of all the analysis will be downloaded to us on the way or when our spaceship reaches Proxima, and some additional information will be gathered as we orbit Blue II.”  
“Rather late, don’t you think?”
“Yes and no,” he replied cautiously.  “We are already very confident that the planet will be livable.  We just need the more detailed analysis of the flora and fauna to confirm our expectations and to enable us to adapt to the new planet.”  
“Could there be ‘people’ living on the planet?”
“We don’t expect highly developed creatures like humans.  We have seen no indication of objects created by technically advanced creatures, no roads, buildings, dams, or power lines; not even TV aerials or microwave towers,” he joked.  “But I am sure there will be a wide range of life forms; microbes, insects, fish and animals; including herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.”
“Carnivores!  Big carnivores?”
“We will ‘live in interesting times’,” he laughed, waving his arms to indicate a huge animal.

      In a more serious tone he explained that life forms on any planet tended to be disaster driven, just like boreal forests in northern Canada and Russia.  The forests grow and diversify for centuries then get wiped out in a huge forest fire after which they start all over again.  Life on earth has had similar experiences with several mass extinctions.  Some were caused by meteorite impacts, some by volcanic eruptions, and some by ice ages.  In each case the remaining species multiplied, diversified through genetic mutations, and expanded to fill the void.  If we assume the same process has been unfolding on Blue II, the level of development of species will probably depend on the length of time since a major mass extinction and that is impossible to determine without going there.  He emphasized that drastic steps must be taken to protect the virgin planet.  The principal energy source would be solar, initially using the space based collectors that would be pre-positioned before we arrived.  Some hydro power may be developed later if it could be done without damage to the environment.  The guiding principle would be to generate and use energy without affecting the environment.  Introduction of agriculture would involve the use of native plants but it would be extensive rather than intensive, relying on the natural soils rather than heavy fertilizer inputs.

      The physician, Dr. Wells, appeared to be a valuable person to discuss the main expedition.  I arranged to meet Wendy in her office after lunch and raised a number of health related subjects.  True to form, she was casually dressed in pants and turtle neck sweater – no white coat.  She was in her comfortable office chair and I was in the patient’s seat facing her.  First I mentioned that it was a heavy responsibility looking after a crew for such a long time without access to outside assistance, especially on a new planet.  She hesitated before replying to the effect that although there would be unpredictable medical problems she was confident that they could be dealt with and she assured me that she was not overly concerned.  The robotic medical unit could perform the most accurate and detailed surgery possible; anything from heart surgery to bone repair and painless dentistry.  

      On the question of medication, she explained that the ship carried only a limited supply of basic drugs.  Anything beyond that would be synthesized on demand to match the genetic profile of the patient.  I suggested that keeping people fit and healthy for years on a spaceship was very demanding.  She agreed but mentioned that it was easier than when spaceships first travelled to Mars without the benefit of continuous acceleration to simulate gravity.  The emphasis on physical fitness had two aims:  One was to keep people physically active and healthy.  The other was to be mentally occupied on a long trip with goals that could be achieved.  She also noted that although the large stock of material on board was useful for entertainment, it was enhanced by my background knowledge and interpretations.   I was pleased to learn I was useful but it also implied that I was a desirable crew member and Blue II was a long way away.  Could I keep it up?  

Chapter 48.   Remote Sensing

      When it came to learning about Blue II’s geography and climate, I knew where to turn - Ivan.  I had the impression there had been a sea change in our relationship; the hunter had become the hunted.  I felt I was in an enhanced position after my elevation to a fully cleared member of the crew.  Nevertheless, I was still very cautious as there were several attractive females on board, especially Annabelle, Ruby, and Nell, but one could not ignore Marie Claire and Wendy.  Although they were more preoccupied with regular duties on board I felt sure a latent female lay behind the professional front.  One evening I suggested to Ivan that we find a quiet corner of the lounge to have an enlightening discussion about geography; more relaxing and less distracting than going to a cabin (bedroom).  We found two comfortable chairs facing each other.  Ivan lay back with his feet on a stool while I sat upright, intent on the pursuit of knowledge about Blue II.  

      Following on the suggestion of Marie Claire, I asked him about plans for geographic and remote studies.  To begin, Ivan informed me that a global satellite navigation system would be required to provide accurate geo-positioning information on Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers.  A constellation of up to thirty satellites for the global navigation system would be deployed from the spaceship while in orbit.  The satellites would be adjusted to medium orbital planes of about 20,000 kilometer altitude with orbital times approximately half Blue II’s rotation time.   When activated, this constellation should enable GPS receivers on the ground to be within line of sight of four or more satellites, enough to enable accurate geographic position and altitude to be determined. Geographic coordinates similar to those used on Earth would be assigned using a prominent feature for zero longitude.  The longitudinal lines would run from 0 degrees to 360 degrees with these two overlapping.  Latitude would be 0 degrees at the equator increasing or decreasing to 90 degrees at the north and south poles respectively.  

      Concerning geographic studies, he explained that before landing it was intended to make use of the ship as a space-borne collection platform to map the planet and study the surface.  The spaceship would be placed in a 500 km polar orbit while stereo photographs of the surface would be taken.  By orbiting for several of the planet’s days while it rotated, complete coverage of the surface would be obtained.  Analysis of the 3D images obtained by the computer’s Geographic Information System (GIS) software would generate detailed 3D maps of the surface.  Detailed Maps of any location could be selected, printed, transferred to hand viewers, or studied on the computer monitors.  Thus, the surface of the planet could be recorded and examined in great detail before any attempt to land was made.  The images would show not only elevations but the nature of the surface, water, vegetation, trees, shrubs, grass, bare surface, or rock.

      In addition to optical measurements made from space, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) would be used to provide high resolution details of the topography of an area.  However, LIDAR measurements from space would not be practical so a series of drones would be launched from the spaceship to take measurements from an altitude of about 1000 metres.  Analysis of the data would provide accurate height measurements, including tree heights, detailed contours, and water depths.  Lidar data can also provide information about land surface, elevation, slope and vegetation if present.  

      He went on to explain that in addition to the photographs of the surface used for mapping, a different monitor would record light reflected from the surface over a wide range of wavelengths covering the ultraviolet, visible and infrared portions of the spectrum.  When analyzed, the results would reveal land features including composition of exposed rocks, the quality of water, and the nature of the vegetation.  When I suggested that the plants etc. may be completely different from those found on earth he said that it didn’t matter too much.  Any photosynthetic organism has to absorb light in order to grow which would cause variations in the reflected light.  On Earth plants use chlorophyll to absorb light and conduct photosynthesis.  Although there are over a dozen different chlorophylls, a and b are the most common in land based plants.  Further, there are at least three different photosynthetic routes.  Nevertheless, they all achieve the same end; using energy from sunlight to combine carbon dioxide and water and produce sugars, the building blocks of complex carbohydrates.

      To conclude the discussion Ivan brought up some images of the Earth to demonstrate the power of satellite imagery.  The resolution was remarkable, a few centimetres he claimed, and people could almost be identified on the surface.    He also used images of forests and agricultural fields on Earth to demonstrate the advantage of spectral analysis.
“My goodness!” I exclaimed, “We don’t even need to go there.”
“We can study it thoroughly without going to the surface, he agreed, “but that is primarily to aid in selecting suitable areas and knowing what to expect when we get there.” On a new planet multiple passes would reveal changes caused by movement on the ground which could be attributed to large animals or birds.  However, in order to cover an entire planet in a reasonable time, a lower resolution would be more practical.

      He went on to emphasize the importance of GIS terrain analysis which would yield a detailed description of the land including vegetation, obstacles and elevations.  A more detailed examination of the surface would reveal solid rock, sand, soft soil, and swampy areas.  All the results of the GIS analysis would be fed into mobile devices including the AI computers on the land-rover vehicles when they arrived.  Thus, the guidance system of the vehicles could avoid obstacles or difficult areas without human intervention.  The AI would also conduct cost/benefit analysis and provide a constant readout of the fuel reserves, time and distance to the destination or home base.

       It was a good occasion to invite Ivan for an evening soirée in my cabin.  He appeared to have forgiven me for upsetting him at the close of Titan’s day and there was no point talking about the long term until I made up my mind about staying with the ship for the long trip.  We chatted at length and laughed at my confusion before I discovered the real purpose of the spaceship.  I told him about my ‘animal cage’ theory and my own little experiment.  
“That was an imaginative approach,” he praised.  “Would you mind repeating it for my benefit?”
“There is no need,” I returned.  “You get excited enough without a fashion show or strip-tease act to turn you on.”

      During the remainder of the trip I spent long hours mulling over the prospect of joining the spaceship for the planned inter-stellar expedition.  It promised to be a very dramatic development with potentially huge significances but I was not sure it corresponded to my idea of living.  The excitement among the crew members as we approached the lunar base rose noticeably but I knew it would be a critical period for me in particular.

Chapter 49.  Return to Lunar Base

      Our luxury spaceship was guided in by unseen hands and docked gently at the port we had departed from at LMB 3.  Most members were happy to return and were looking forward to a more normal lifestyle for a few months, not to mention near normal food.  They were also keen to get back to Earth to renew old acquaintances and to talk about the expedition.  The test run was not rigidly classified; only the future plans for the spaceship.  I could not help wondering how they would feel after a much longer voyage; we had only been in space for a matter of weeks.  We disembarked leisurely, taking only a few personal items.  My generous wardrobe remained in my cabin; like a deposit on the next voyage.  What would happen if I quit?  Would they find someone with the same weight and measurements?  ‘Wanted, female astronaut, must have following statistics . . .’

      Julio was waiting impatiently to welcome me back, as cheerful and enthusiastic as ever.  He had heard of my new status as a ‘Stardust’ astronaut and was delighted to be able to talk freely about all aspects of the test excursion and prospective inter-stellar voyage.  He was eager to quiz me about our experience living on the spaceship.  I was faced with a barrage of questions:
“Did everything work properly?  How was the space food?  Were the cabins as comfortable as he had claimed?  Should some internal changes be made before the next voyage?  Were the beds comfortable?  What about the ‘outdoor’ exercise area, was the equipment appropriate?  What did I think about the daylight and climate simulation? “
I must have spent a whole day trying to satisfy his curiosity and to give him an impression of what it was like to live on the ship for an extended period.  He received a very personal account of my impressions and my experience on the ship, omitting only a few personal details.  I did mention my minor accident but acknowledged that it was my own fault, not a problem with the equipment.  I didn’t say anything about Annabelle’s little episode; that was strictly between us.

      There was a small celebration in the restaurant of G-Machine the evening of our arrival.  Everyone was in a happy and perhaps relieved mood, especially the captain who was smiling and joking with the crew and local moonies.  He had good reason to be happy with a successful expedition in a brand new ship behind him and an apparently well disciplined and integrated crew.  We were treated to some good old fashioned Earth food with additional wine and beer rations.  Al and Lorne had made up and appeared the best of friends as they went around together drinking toasts and joking with everyone.  Julio and many of the others working at the base had joined the party and it was uplifting to be in a large group instead of just the crew for a change.  Marie Claire was in fine form chatting and gesticulating in her usual expressive style.  She was enjoying sitting on a bar stool in a straight skirt, showing off her fine legs and attracting males.  Wendy was also in a jolly mood as she chatted to medics and others of the base staff.  I thought I overheard my name mentioned as one of her star patients.  Annabelle, Ruby, and Nell had all dressed in party style clothes for the occasion and were enjoying increased attention with more people present.  I spent some time with Julio but I asked Ivan to join us so that he didn’t feel ignored.  Julio and Ivan got along well together and I suspect Julio could sense that there was something between us.

      We all had to undergo extensive debriefing and a medical exam before we were allowed to leave the moon.  The ship’s computer records were transferred for later examination but I copied my personal diary to a portable that I could take with me.  I left my official account of the expedition on the main computer.  We were shuttled back to earth one or two at a time for safety reasons and I said a fond farewell to Ivan as he departed two days ahead of me.  He pressed me hard to promise that I would stay with the ship for the long voyage but I could only say that I had volunteered and that I would be discussing it with my seniors in the organization and with colleagues.  He, in turn assured me that he was fully committed to it.  He reminded me of the courage and determination of the early cosmonauts and astronauts.  I felt sad as I suspected that I would never see Ivan again if I quit the spaceship crew but I wanted to be free to make an independent decision.  On one hand I felt that I should join my sole-mate in a historic trip to the stars but on the other hand it would mean committing a major part of my life to it; perhaps even the rest of my life.  I shied away from such a momentous decision but I knew I would have to face up to it very soon; this was a major fork in the road.  From Houston I escaped back to Canada as soon as I was allowed with the idea of relaxing and recovering from the expedition before facing up to the music, but I was up against time constraints,

Chapter 50.  Mother Earth

      I arrived back in Montreal while it was still in the grip of winter.  Nevertheless, I was delighted to be back among normal people, millions of them.  Not that my fellow travelers had been unpleasant; but it was hardly a normal spectrum of the population; about a dozen young technical experts intent on leaving everything behind to go to a virgin planet; definitely not an everyday group of people.  I had been looking forward to seeing lots of people and mingling with the crowd; young people, old people, people of all ages.  But above all, I had been fantasizing about real food; good unhealthy food; as different from my space diet as possible.

      There had been some snow but it was not like the old days you read about with mountains of snow everywhere.  In adjusting the climate under the Earth 2000 agreement it had been necessary to allow the northern latitudes to warm up slightly in order to achieve a reasonable energy balance over the globe.  Nevertheless, it was cold, freezing in fact, but I was delighted to feel the tingling sensation of subzero air blowing against my face and to see my breath freeze as I exhaled.  It seemed a world away from the controlled artificial conditions in the spaceship.  I emerged from the station and looked up to see real blue sky.  It was a crisp winter’s day and small clouds were racing across the blue sky, anxious not to be the last.  I would like to have seen some green plants with flowers and butterflies but it was the wrong season.  There were some birds around but only hardy city birds, pigeons and sparrows, bold as brass, scavenging any food that was dropped or almost dropped; sometimes they couldn’t wait.  As I gazed up at the blue sky the word ‘blue’ kept haunting me; I couldn’t get Blue II out of my mind.  

      The downtown area was still bustling and I joined the throng of people moving hither and thither with no urgent destination in mind.  It felt good to be back among people; crowds of anonymous people.  Almost three weeks with the same small group was suffocating in a way that was difficult to describe even if the individuals were interesting in their own way.  I walked aimlessly for a time, enjoying the thronged streets of the old downtown shopping district.  The buildings in the central zone of the city had not changed for a century or more as they were preserved by law in order to maintain the character of the original Montreal city.  The streets had changed even if the buildings were frozen in time.  The efficient metro and monorail systems were great people movers and as a result there was less need for vehicle traffic.

      I admired the buildings and the brightly lit displays in the large stores.  Browsing the shops was a popular pastime in cities of North America and probably in most of the world.  As I strolled it dawned on me that the big difference from a real city and the artificial environment of the spaceship and the lunar base was the age range of the people around me.  Here there were young children being guided along or rushing ahead and pausing.  Mothers with young children gathered around them like a hen with chickens.  There were also older children in pairs or small groups, walking purposefully to a favorite shop.  At the other end of the spectrum were elderly people.  One old man walked carefully with a cane in his hand, wary of ice on the sidewalk.  An elderly woman with grey hair protruding from her hat progressed slowly along the street.  Grey hair was not to be seen on space stations although I had been told that overexposure to radiation could turn hair grey.  Even middle aged people were a strange sight to me; moon workers and astronauts are generally too young to be considered middle aged.    

      I had no desire to rush home and I realized that I was almost afraid of being alone; alone to debate my imminent decision to take the long trip or to quit.   I tried to think of my immediate situation in order to take my mind off Blue II.  By late afternoon it was a reasonable time to satisfy my strongest desire; ‘real food’.  I had not eaten a good old fashioned freshly cooked meal in a long time and Montreal was the perfect city to satisfy my craving.  The food at the Lunar base had been too reminiscent of space food.  I made my way up Mountain Street then north, arriving eventually at rue St Denis.  This area had long been a centre for small bistros and cafés.  I was careful to avoid the more expensive luxury type places as I was searching for good tasty cooking, not an elaborate presentation.  On the other hand I wanted real meat, not tissue cultured spam so I also avoided the cheaper places.  A bistro that was busy, that was what I wanted; if it was popular with the locals, it was good enough for me.  Once installed at a table I didn’t take long studying the menu.  Steak et frites, salade verte, caught my eye immediately; that was about as far as you could get from space food.  
“A point,” I requested, “et un verre de vin rouge”.  Yes a Canadian Baco Noir would do just fine.  

      In due course the steak arrived, hot and sizzling with the smell of freshly cooked meat and red stained juice oozing from it.  My hands were shaking and my mouth was watering as I cut a slice; beautiful pink meat - cooked to perfection.  I pierced it with my fork and prepared to taste it slowly and with great relish.  As I raised it to my mouth I had a sudden pang of conscience; this was animal flesh and I hadn’t eaten any for several weeks.  However, the meat was too tempting and I was about to pop it into my mouth when I was startled by my phone ringing.  How did anyone know I was back in Montreal?
 
Chapter 51. Paul’s Persistence

      “Hullo, Paul here,” he began.  “I heard you were back and I would like us to get together as soon as possible.”  With the first slice of steak almost in my mouth I was tempted to say I wasn’t available but he could see me on the phone and I couldn’t afford to annoy Paul Bartlett.
“You surprised me;” was all I could manage.
“Ah, I am on the inside,” explained Paul. “I heard from the Space Agency that you were back”.  
“I am just about to have a real meal with real meat”, I said with emphasis on the ‘real meat’, “would you care to join me?”
“Thanks but I will have to pass today,” excused Paul, laughing at my ‘real meat’, “but I am very anxious to talk to you.  Can we get together tomorrow?”  
“No problem,” I assured him, relieved that I could have my dinner.  “I have no appointments lined up.  I could come to your office.  Just give me a time, preferably not too early as I may sleep in tomorrow - all this flying is exhausting - millions of kilometers.”
“It would be preferable not to meet in my office this time,” he cautioned.  “Can you come to my home? It will be much quieter there; anytime in the afternoon will be good for me.”
“Of course,” I agreed, “Just give me the address.  I will aim for 1400 hours.”  I realized Paul had a sentive discussion in mind.  He had probably learned that I had volunteered for the interstellar voyage and was reluctant to meet me at the restaurant as it would be difficult to have a frank discussion.  The recent voyage was still not publicized and a discussion in a café could be overheard.  Of course, we may just be dismissed as nut cases but it also risked raising the curiosity of some media types; they are always present when you least expect it.

      He lived in an older house near Mont Royal, close to the old city centre.   When I arrived I paused before ringing the bell to admire the fine architecture of the old red brick and stone houses in the area with their decorative trim around the windows, doors, and corners.  It wasn’t quite in Westmount, an exclusive high class quarter from the old days, but it was an attractive area nonetheless.  I suddenly felt a strong attachment to the old style structures.  Was it a reaction to the all-new and carefully molded units of the spaceship and the lunar base I had been confined to for several weeks?  This raised new doubts in my mind about my commitment to the interstellar journey.  Was I up to it even if I agreed to go?   

      When I entered Paul took my winter coat and embraced me warmly.  He showed me into the salon and directed me to a large comfortable chair by the fireplace. However, before getting down to business, he offered me a drink, coffee, tea, or beer.  I didn’t want to be too relaxed so I settled for coffee.  He brought the drinks then took a similar comfortable chair opposite me. I had the feeling he was preparing for a long conversation; after all it was a long excursion.  He mentioned immediately that sometimes he had to have sensitive meetings at his home and that it had been cleared for such discussions; no restrictions – we could talk about anything we wanted.

      There was so much to talk about that it was difficult to begin but he suggested that I should describe the voyage and my impressions of an interstellar class space ship.  
“To begin at the beginning, you didn’t mention when we last met that it was designed as an interstellar ship,” I admonished.
“There were two reasons,” he responded.  “First, it was only going to Saturn on a test trip, and second, the interstellar expedition is highly classified.”
“True, but I felt out of touch and ignorant not knowing the ultimate purpose of the vehicle and the crew.  I wasn’t in ‘Stardust’.”
“Knowing you,” he replied smiling, “I was confident that you would work it all out before you returned.”
“If that is the case, was it your expectation that I would volunteer to join the regular crew?”
“No, not exactly,” he replied hesitantly, “but I was aware that it was a possibility; you like adventure and the possibilities for your space writing career would be unsurpassed.”
“I told the captain I wanted to join the crew but I am still not fully committed to it; I need advice.”
“I will be glad to help,” he assured me, “but first tell me about the spaceship, the crew, and how well they adapted to artificial gravity and living on board.  People have speculated for years about the ability of humans to live in a confined space for very long times and various experiments have been conducted to show that it can be done but deep space, with no immediate possibility of quitting or calling for help, is quite another matter.”  
“Well, we were not on the long trip but my general impression was good.”

      I proceeded to describe in detail my experience beginning with my short stay on the moon, the G-machine, and the visit to the Apollo 15 site.  I particularly mentioned Julio, a former student of Paul’s, and his thorough explanation of the features of the spaceship which contributed to my confidence in it.  However, Paul’s interest really picked up when I described my experience living on board for an extended period; the cabins, the exercise area, the dining room/lounge, entertainment, and especially the varied members of the crew.    Paul had conducted research on this aspect of space travel and had written various articles.  Based on his work, he had contributed to the design of the ship.  I assured him the overall design was more than satisfactory from my point of view but the space food could do with improvement; perhaps a chef from Montreal could be added to the crew.  I mentioned my minor accident in the gym, but acknowledged that it was my own fault.  
“How did people react to being confined in the ship? He asked.
“It was almost like being on an extended cruise on a ship,” I assured him. “People behaved normally – nothing unusual.  Some developed close friendships but not all and there were other cases where one person got on another person’s nerves.”  I didn’t want to mention my own close friendship with Ivan.  Paul had often appeared to have a special interest in me and I didn’t want to spoil it even though there had never been anything intimate between us.  I was also reluctant to mention Annabelle’s panic attack; it was temporary and not related to the design of the ship so much as to thinking about the long voyage.

      We chatted at length about the spaceship and space travel but the inevitable question eventually came up.
“Are you fully committed to going on the ‘long voyage’?” asked Paul, using the same expression as the crew members for the interstellar trip.
“I told the captain I wanted to go and I was indoctrinated and treated as a regular member of the crew after that but I don’t know if I will be accepted officially”
“I may be able to help there,” he offered, “but I have to be sure you are fully prepared to stay the course.”
“I have some reservations,” I admitted, “and I would appreciate some advice”.

      We discussed many aspects of the interstellar expedition.  Paul estimated that anyone going on it should not expect to be back on earth for at least twenty years.  However, in order to contribute to the new colony, a longer period of time was desirable.  Once established, a colony on Blue II would be fully supported from earth.  The sponsoring space consortium was committed to regular shuttles carrying everything from hardware to electronic equipment and they could travel faster than a manned ship.  Further, new manned spaceships would be built to ferry more people to the planet.  In fact, once the first one succeeds and a bridgehead is established, much larger groups of people could be transported.  From the point of view of a writer interested in space, it would be a heaven-sent opportunity.  I asked Paul if the experience would enable me to get a tenured position at the university.  He looked at me in surprise then, realizing I was serious, he laughed and explained that when I returned from Blue II my problem would not be finding a position but deciding which one of the many offered to accept.  I mentally noted that he said “When” I returned to earth, not “If” I returned; at least he had confidence in the spaceship.  He elaborated saying I should expect many invitations to present papers at meetings and to go on speaking tours.  That was the kind of encouragement I needed; it almost decided me on the spot to go.

      From further discussions it emerged that Paul envisioned, in the very long term, Blue II would be just “one small step by a man” on the way to further exploration of our galaxy, a “giant leap for mankind.”  Human exploration of space, even the nearby part of our own galaxy would not happen quickly.  It was possible but one had to think in centuries or millennia.  Once well established on Blue II, the next step would be to go to another planet even further from earth, and so on.  It was estimated that in the distant future the Andromeda galaxy would collide with ours.  However, as galaxies are mainly space, the two galaxies would virtually pass through each other.  There could be severe gravitational effects if a star passed close to our sun, even without colliding.  On the other hand it may put different stars within reach of earth or other inhabited planets and provide an opportunity for humans to hitch a ride into a different galaxy; astronomical dreaming.

      To conclude our discussion, Paul indicated that it was time to recess for the evening meal.  
“We could go downtown and look for a good bistro,” I suggested.
“No need,” he responded.  “I have it all organized.  We just have to prepare the table and dinner will arrive in a few minutes, all ready to eat.”
“Excellent,” I applauded, “but how do you know what I like?”
“Easy,” he laughed, “anything but space food.  Nothing beats genuine Montreal French cuisine.”  
“So true,” I agreed, visions of garlic escargots, pâté de fois gras,  canard a l’orange, crème brûlée, etc, dancing before my eyes.
“However, before we get distracted by food,” he began.
“Too late.”
“I just want to impress upon you that we are all delighted at the university and CSA that you made such a success of your test flight with the new spaceship.  We are very keen for you to continue and hope you will remain a member of the crew for the long voyage.”
“It is a big commitment – a lifetime commitment.”
“Promise me you will think seriously about it,” he asked, just as the doorbell rang.  I nodded an affirmative as the dinner arrived and the waiters began bringing in a bountiful feast including bottles of wine; a Canadian Chardonnay for the first course, Bordeaux for the main course and a Grand Marnier after dinner.  End of serious discussion!  It was a wonderful meal; a true welcome back for a space weary traveler.  Nevertheless, I was very much aware that it came with certain obligation on my part; to seriously consider maintaining my commitment to the Blue II expedition.  The next few days were critical as final decisions had to be made.

      I spent a hectic weekend in Montreal trying to make up for my period of confinement in the spaceship.  I contacted friends; we went wining and dining, shopping, and shows.  I wanted to see and do as much as possible before I had to make my decision.  As time progressed I felt myself becoming more and more ‘Earth bound’. How could I contemplate leaving my friends and all the joys of Montreal for a high risk voyage to the stars?  It was almost as if the decision was being made for me. However, I was concerned about being able to persuade the seniors at the Canadian Space research Centre that it was reasonable for me to resign from the starship crew.
 
Chapter 52. Space Agency Shock

      After such a delightful evening it was difficult to refuse Paul’s request.  I admired his optimistic outlook and his vision of the long term exploration of our galaxy and beyond.  However, it didn’t entirely convince me that I should play a major part in it.  Quite apart from the long time required to get anywhere, I had visions of being a nurse maid for most of my life; test tube babies galore and perhaps none of them mine.  Thus it was with a heavy heart that I made my decision not to remain a member of the crew.  I knew I would miss Ivan but there must be more Ivans in Montreal, North America, Europe, or at least on Earth!  I knew the staff at the Space Agency would be very disappointed but I had to inform them as soon as possible.  I did not have the heart to tell Paul beforehand; he had done his best to convince me to go.

      I contacted the Director of the office I was attached to at the Canadian Space agency, Dr. Kean, and arranged to meet him early the next day.  I was not certain that my enhanced security clearance would have been transmitted to CSE so, before going, I dug out my old site pass and took it along with me.  When I arrived at the commissionaire’s desk, however, I discovered my pass was out of date.  It had only been good until I left for the moon.  I showed it to the commissionaire and explained hopefully that I had a meeting with Dr. Kean.  He looked at it, noticed my name, and suddenly became very animated.  Rather than refusing to admit me, he appeared delighted to welcome me.  He shook my hand vigorously and proceeded to sign me in.
“No need for you to have a new pass, Mademoiselle, take this VIP one and my colleague will escort you to his office.”  With that he handed me a red pass on a lanyard. The second commissionaire also shook my hand, smiled in a friendly manner, and remarked:
“They are expecting you.  You are quite a hero already.”
“I didn’t expect VIP treatment,” I admitted.
“You have earned it,” she confided.  “Most of the staff here just sit in offices and talk about space.  You have been there and we are all very proud of you.”

      Dr. Kean had been in the agency for many years and had graduated from being an experimental scientist/engineer to a desk job as a career civil servant.  He was alert and able to grasp new ideas and promote the more promising ones.   He was a veteran of micro gravity space travel and was excited to learn about life on a spaceship with full earth-like artificial gravity.  He had been informed of my Top Secret-Stardust security clearance and my request to be reinstated as a full member of the crew.  He was sitting erect at his desk eager to talk about travelling in the super spaceship.  I was directed to a chair directly opposite but I was very tense and perched on the edge of it.  I felt obliged to advise him immediately of my change of heart.  

      When I informed him of my decision, his face fell, and he sagged back into his comfortable leather chair in total disbelief.  He looked as if he had been punched in the face; he was bitterly disappointed.  After he recovered his composure he spent the remainder of the meeting trying to make me change my mind.  
“You really must reconsider,” he begged, “you have already spent a few weeks on the spaceship.  Even without advance preparation, you were able to fit into the crew and participate in life on board.  I have read the Captain’s log.  He appreciated the effort you made and wants you to remain on the crew.”
“I am rather surprised that the Captain would say so,” I interjected.  “We didn’t always see eye to eye.”
“You had a definite advantage,” he continued.  “Being non-technical with a strong background in history, literature, and the arts, you complimented the other crew members.  That was a point we made when we recommended you for the test flight.”
“Some of the other members had good arts backgrounds,” I began, thinking of Ivan, but I thought it better not to elaborate.  He continued to prevail upon me to reconsider and used many of the same arguments as Paul but I stubbornly refused.  I knew that any sign of weakness at this point would be the tipping point.  Eventually he declared that he needed to discuss the situation with his seniors so he arranged a follow-up meeting for early the following week.

      The next meeting was held in a small conference room and was chaired by Dr. Yves Fortier, the head of the Space Agency.  He was a successful engineer who contributed to the design of autonomous space robots which were critically important for the space shields and directed energy beams.  He was short and sinewy with dark hair and dark eyes.  He had a quiet manner and spoke with a soft voice.  Dr. Louise Marier, the deputy head, Dr. Kean and several senior scientists and engineers were present.  I was positioned on one side of a rounded table, facing Dr. Fortier and virtually surrounded by my antagonists.  The first part of the meeting was taken up with an impromptu presentation on my experience in the new spaceship.  

      However, attention soon turned to my decision to resign from the crew.  I felt it was rather unfair as I had never actually signed up for the long trip although in a fit of bravado I said I wanted to go.  I was under heavy pressure to reconsider my ‘defection’ as they saw it.  They were very impressed with the way I had succeeded in integrating into a young crew of highly trained scientists and engineers.  In fact, I had apparently become a necessary member of the crew which was unfortunate from my point of view.  Even Captain Larsen was keen to have me remain with the ship.  I indicated that I found that hard to believe in view of our occasional confrontations.  It was pointed out to me, however, that my success in working with and helping other crew members was highly desirable on very long voyages.  In short, I had cooked my own goose.  Although it was not stated I realized that if I refused it would be difficult for me to continue to work in my chosen field.  Many research grants and contracts came directly or indirectly from the Space Agency and academic appointments were often sponsored by it.  I demurred, refusing to commit myself and trying to buy time.  The meeting was adjourned and I was asked to come back in the afternoon to meet Dr. Strong, the head of the International Space Consortium who was flying in that day specially to meet me.   
 
Chapter 53.  Friendly Persuasion

      When we broke for lunch and Dr. Marier offered to take me to the local cafeteria.  She was medium height with long brown hair tied up in the back.  Her round face was lightly tanned with very smooth skin and full lips that readily broke into a smile.  It struck to me that she was rather young and immature to be a deputy head.  As we walked to an adjacent building to get lunch she chatted in an easy going manner.
“I sympathize with you,” she began, “they are putting you under very heavy pressure.”
“Yes I noticed, and now they are bringing in the heavyweights.”
“Don’t let them bully you; make up your own mind.  Women have different agendas for their lives that men don’t understand.  Biology comes first.”  
I looked at her in surprise thinking that perhaps she is not as young and immature as she appeared.
“It is a very difficult decision,” was all I could say.  We walked in silence for a few minutes.  It crossed my mind that she may be deliberately playing the sympathetic agent but she wasn’t really prying, or persuading, just chatting.
“I must admit,” she continued, “that it is the chance of a lifetime.  I would have liked the opportunity to do something like that but on the other hand I wouldn’t have liked to make such a life determining commitment.”  

      I was still not sure about her but in any case we reached the cafeteria lunch counter.  However, instead of a quiet tête-à-tête over lunch we were the centre of attention.  As soon as someone spotted Dr. Marier and my VIP badge people began to gather round.  The test flight of the new spaceship may have been hush-hush outside but inside the Space Agency many people knew about it and the fact that someone from Canada had been on board.  They didn’t even ask, they assumed it was me.  I was soon overwhelmed with questions from admirers and people wanting to touch me, shake hands, or asking for an autograph.  After a prolonged lunch as we walked back to the main building Dr. Marier looked at me smiling and remarked:
“You are very popular.”
“It took me by surprise,” I replied truthfully.
“I hope you can reach a good decision now.”  She said still smiling.
I carefully studied her anew.  ‘Definitely not so young and immature’ I thought.

      A much smaller group was involved in the second meeting, Dr. Fortier, Dr. Marier, Dr. Kean and Dr. William Strong, who had just arrived from California.  Dr. Strong was a tall and physically well built man with a deep powerful voice.  He was serious looking and the trace of silver in his hair suggested that he probably had extensive experience.  He looked like a leader but was gentle in his manners for which I was grateful.  I don’t like the bullying type.  He was smartly dressed in a casual style.  He greeted me very warmly with no trace of resentment at being dragged to Montreal just to knock sense into a stubborn female.  He was sitting upright with his large frame occupying the chair in a commanding style while I sat upright on a chair facing him.

      We recapped the discussion of the morning and I repeated my reluctance to committing to the interstellar voyage.  Dr. Strong turned his full attention on me.
“I have studied the reports of the expedition and I am impressed with the way you succeeded in spite of the lack of integration training with the other astronauts before the flight.  Also, your personal diary provided a unique insight into life on board.”
“My personal diary?” I exclaimed in surprise.
“Yes, we downloaded every scrap of information we could find from the computers.”
“But it was in encrypted.”
“Oh, codes don’t delay our people for long,” he replied smiling, “but don’t worry we treat it as ‘confidential’, just between you and the expedition analysts.  Nevertheless, we really did appreciate the additional point of view; much different from the captain’s log.  The net result is that we are keen to have you remain on the crew.”  I looked around the room, hurriedly trying to remember what was in my personal diary.  

      After a short pause Dr. Strong continued:
“I fully understand your unwillingness to make such a huge commitment; it is entirely reasonable.  However, there are several factors that I would like to make you aware of.  In addition to all the arguments we have already gone over there is another very serious aspect.”
“Oh.”
“If you defect from the spaceship crew now, there is a serious risk of other members dropping out and that would jeopardize the whole mission.”
Various thoughts raced through my head.  Who might defect? Ivan, Annabelle?  I could understand the serious impact it might have, especially in view of the perceived urgency of the voyage.
“I was not aware of that,” I admitted.
“Also, I think you should be informed that the reason there was an opening for you on the test flight was because one of the original crew members backed out when the full scope of ‘Stardust’ was revealed to her.  Not only that but several back-up astronauts also resigned.  It takes real guts to go on such a ‘long voyage’.”
“I had not been informed about that.”
“When the berth on the spaceship was allotted to you we all believed you had the ability and courage to continue with the main mission.”
“I appreciate your confidence in me,” I said, looking round the table.  I realized the senior agency staff must have highly recommended me for the trip, probably with encouragement from Paul.
“Therefore,” concluded Dr. Strong, “we seriously request that you reconsider your position, preferably today, before I return to California.”

      Conversation continued in the background with different people talking about the project and especially the repercussions if it was postponed or cancelled but my mind was elsewhere.  I had no way of contacting any of the other crew members to confirm the situation.  Gradually, my belief in the justification of my position wilted. I conceded.  After all I thought; ‘so what if it takes a decade or two; I am a woman and I can be patient’!
 
Chapter 54.  Johnson Space Centre – Training and Transformers

      I spent the next several months in additional training for the mission.  My level of fitness had came under scrutiny after a few weeks living and eating in Montreal but some extra sessions with Michael and Eva at the Space Centre took care of that.  I spent some pleasurable evenings with Paul, including delicious dinners.  He was extremely enthusiastic about my being on the spaceship crew.  So much so that I believe he was actually envious and would have loved to volunteer himself had he been a few decades younger.  He put a great effort into convincing me of the enormous opportunity I was presented with.  Not only professionally for my writing, but also for the sheer adventure; unsurpassed; out of this world.  I couldn’t disagree with that but Paul tended to play down the years it would take to get there.  Nevertheless, some of his enthusiasm rubbed off onto me and I began to look beyond the voyage and look forward to being on Blue II.

      The possibilities for professional writing and advancement also appealed to me.  I would be working in virgin territory with ample time to perfect works.  I had visions of receiving academic awards and prizes, perhaps the Canadian Technical History Prize, possibly some international awards, and to cap it all, why not a Nobel Prize; such is the stuff of day dreams.

      My final months of training were spent at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, sometimes with other crew members, sometimes separately.  All my old mates from the test flight were still on the crew.  Ivan had returned to Russia but he came to Houston for the final few weeks of training.  I must have flushed with pleasure when we met again and he probably noticed.  We were cautious, however, shaking hands and embracing.  For his part, he was delighted I had confirmed my place on the mission and offered to help with any of the intricate details of the training program.  Although we saw each other from time to time, we did not have the opportunity for a romantic evening.  We were under close supervision day and probably night and he wisely suggested that we play it cool before the voyage while making it clear that we could resume an intimate relationship on the spaceship.  After all, we would have plenty of time; an interstellar voyage takes years and what better way to spend it.

      We were trained to be competent in a wide variety of complicated equipment and to perform mathematical computations without the aid of a computer; primitive indeed.  Much of the equipment that was intended to follow us on supply ships consisted of essentials to make life feasible on a remote planet.  It included everything from kitchen sinks to house construction kits.  Energy collection and distribution systems were among the necessities.  The one area of training that upset me was the weapons range.  The captain was in his element there but I had never used a gun or rifle of any kind and I was not convinced that they would be necessary.  However, it was pointed out that the risks posed by strange animals or other creatures on Blue II were totally unknown and we had to be prepared.  Fortunately the ship would be supplied with selection of non lethal protective equipment; stun guns, laser weapons, and electronic devices which were believed to be sufficient to drive off or incapacitate all threatening creatures.  Nevertheless, just in case, rifles would also be available.  Although it was assessed that there were no advanced beings on the planet, there could be very aggressive and dangerous creatures.  We would not be welcomed by whichever creature was ‘king of the jungle’ at present.  However, a few attempts with a rifle at the range convinced me that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword, at least in my hands, and that I should stick to my own trade.  

      I had a long discussion with Chips about his RISC gaming computer and there was a new version of it at the Space Centre for training purposes.  However, they had not integrated the weapons range with a simulator; practice in controlling wild creatures was confined to the gaming computer.  Chips reminded me about the limitations placed on the machine; only biologically feasible creatures could be created.  But even with that restriction the possibilities were enormous.  It could come up with huge creatures analogous to dinosaurs or large animals the size of mammoths.  However, smaller carnivores were probably more to be feared as they would be fast moving and capable of hiding and pouncing.  Nature, he mentioned had been successful in creating a remarkable range of creatures on Earth, for example snakes are mobile but don’t have legs, so the likelihood of encountering a type of creature totally different from anything on Earth was not extremely high.  Nevertheless, the appearance of most of the creatures on Blue II was likely to be quite different from anything on Earth.  

      One enjoyable day was spent on a field outing with Marie Claire, Ivan, Lorne, and Rocky to a secure construction site for a demonstration of the auto-erect Hasbro houses.  The test site was located on semi-desert scrubland west Kerrville northwest of Houston.  From Houston we were driven west over the flat and fertile plains around the city.  They gave way to dry cultivated countryside near San Antonio with clear evidence of irrigation patterns on the fields.  We passed around San Antonio which is a much older than Houston and traces its roots back to the very origin of European settlements in the area in the eighteenth century when Spaniards first arrived from Mexico.  The driver, a Texan, informed us that there were still old streets lined with palms in San Antonio but the ring road bypassed the historic part of the city and we were not permitted to deviate from the planned route.

      The test buildings at the construction site were examples of the units that would be on the first Blue II supply ship programmed to arrive at the same time as the manned spaceship.  The building we used for a demonstration initially looked like a solid rectangular block.  Once activated, it used solar power to crawl slowly on caterpillar treads to the position designated.  When the location was confirmed the ‘support columns’ was activated and the support ‘legs’ extended from the base and drilled into the ground until solid rock or a suitable depth of firm soil was encountered.  The columns could be lengthened if required to find a firm footing.  The next step was fascinating; on the signal ‘transform’ the unit slowly unfolded and step by step flowered into a complete dwelling with windows, doors, and roof.  By joining several units together, large buildings could be created but the positioning and leveling was more critical.  Marie Claire was in her element, dashing around enthusiastically, in blue work jeans, a sleeveless top, and large gold hoops for earrings.  She collected a clutch of admiring staff members (mainly male) who followed her around, apparently fascinated by her French charm; the “French woman” at work.  Although the staff on site explained all the automatic features of the buildings, Marie Claire and Lorne were constantly asking questions such as the leg support strength, floor load bearing capacity, weather resistance, solar power, etc.  Rocky was fascinated by the stabilization columns as they bored down looking for a stable base..

      Although the buildings were self-erecting, additional supplies and services would be required to make them livable, plumbing, water, power, etc.  Based on the zero environmental contamination principle, the only effluent permitted was pure water so an efficient bio-degrading system had to be hooked up.  Solar collectors would be used for local power supplies.  It became clear to me that the first ship’s crew had to be practically inclined and I visualized Ivan, Lorne, and others running around hooking up piping and wiring.  However, I was assured that the supply ships would also include some versatile robots capable of assisting with many of the final assembly operations and working in the colony afterwards.  They would be particularly useful for tasks requiring a heavy lift capability.  Although highly trained and physically fit, the astronauts could not be expected to lift and repair a collapsed building, for example.

      With the build up to departure I found myself taking an unusual interest in my earthly surroundings; everything that related to Earth; weather, climate, sunshine, even violent rainstorms, had to be experienced and appreciated.  Houston was a pleasant city and enjoyed a much warmer climate than Montreal.  Palm trees and other subtropical plants were common throughout the city.  As we passed from spring into summer the gardens in the city and especially in the suburbs were lush and colorful.  I had not previously taken any special interest in gardens but it was different now; I wanted to see, feel, and smell as much as possible before leaving for the ‘long voyage’.  I realized, however, that large volumes of water must have been piped in to maintain such beautiful gardens in Houston.  Texas is a dry state with limited rainfall which can be torrential and unpredictable.  

Chapter 55.  Framed

      The time finally came when I had to travel from Houston to the launch complex near Fort Davis in south west Texas.  Although it required a full day, I had requested to be driven by car rather than flying as I had done the first time; it gave me an opportunity to fully appreciation of the countryside.  Perhaps I was delaying the inevitable due to lingering doubts about the whole expedition.  I was accompanied by Brad, one of the trainers from the space centre.  A native Texan and proud of the state and its heritage, he was eager to talk about Texan history and to point out interesting features as we travelled.  Houston, of course, was named after Sam Houston whose army defeated General Santa Anna and the Mexican army at San Jacinto near the city, establishing Texas as an independence state.  It joined the United States later, which, according to Brad, some Texans considered to have been a mistake.  Texas retained some unique rights including offshore mineral ownership.  

      The early part of the route was the same as we had taken to go to the secure space construction site west of Kerrville.  Beyond that we drove up over the Balcones fault into the ‘hill’ country Brad informed me that we were entering the ‘wild west’, the original territory of Texas Rangers and cowboys.  
“Are there any ranches around?” I enquired.
“Lots.  This area is famous for ranches.  People come here from all over to stay at the Dude Guest Ranches.  Some like the Flying L near Bandera have been going for centuries.  They cater to city people including some who hardly know what a cow or horse looks like.  They can enjoy ranch cooking and activities such as learning to ride horses and roping steers.  Some ranches still have the original breed of longhorns although Herefords and others are preferred by serious ranchers.”
“I wish we could stop over and ride a horse.”
“Next time,” he replied laughing.

       The area northwest of San Antonio was originally settled by German immigrants and this is reflected in many of the place names.  As we passed the city of Kerrville, Brad mentioned that we were only about 20 minutes from the LBJ Ranch which was part of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park.  It was the site of the original ‘White House South’ while he was President, located between Fredericksburg and Johnson City.
“Ah, another place named after LBJ,” I commented.
“Actually no,” he corrected me, “it was named before him, not after him.  The city was founded by Lyndon Johnson’s grandfather who gave it the name.”

      I drank in the landscape as we travelled. By this stage the countryside was dry with large fields interspersed with rocky outcrops and small wooded areas scattered over low hills.  Further west, after Junction, it progressed gradually into near desert with very isolated low shrubs.  ‘Is this what is in store for me on Blue II?’  I wondered. We left the Interstate near Saragossa and as we drove south the ‘mountains’ of western Texas came into view.  On approaching the launch site I could see heavy electricity supply lines leading to the ‘frame’, a massive structure grasping for the sky.  There were large collectors in the desert north of the launch site that picked up microwaves beamed from space to produce electricity.  The frame was not extremely tall but, as Brad pointed out, a large part was underground.  In this dry semi-desert area digging down is as easy as building upwards.  The dry air also facilitated space launches.  I noted that it was a very isolated area and he replied that it was safer like that.  I couldn’t recall any accidents with shuttles fired from this ‘frame’ but it didn’t improve my confidence. That evening I was accommodated overnight in the staff house near the launch pad.  The food was excellent, Texan style hospitality, and the staff cheerful and friendly but it was difficult to relax.  I stayed up as long as seemed reasonable and chatted to Brad.  We talked about everything from Texas legends to space technology but that night I preferred the legends.

      Next day, I found myself back in the ‘Frame’, the space accelerator, waiting for lift-off for the moon.  The accelerator was a gut wrenching device, the brain child of a team of engineers.  It was a huge structure built into a mountain pointing skywards.  It used a combination of electro-magnetic thrust, air heating, and a directed energy beams to get the shuttle high enough to be picked up by an exo-atmospheric energy source which would propel the craft upwards and onwards towards the moon.  It was nothing like the gentle chemical boosters of past centuries.  Flying in the original space shuttles must have been comfortable compared to being shot out by this monster.  It could accelerate cargo space craft up to at least fifty times gravity but when astronauts were involved it was limited to less than ten times gravity.   I was alone on the shuttle as we were transported singly to the moon.  Too valuable to put all the eggs in the same basket, I was told.  That didn’t inspire confidence in the system but those were the rules; accidents had happened in the past.

      As I waited for lift-off, I tried to put the whole mission into perspective.  I recalled an old adage:
“If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.”
The nature of the job is not important, it is how you do it; cleaning cowshit from a cowshed (mucking a byre) or performing a complex research experiment.  How true, I thought, if I am going to a new planet to live and work for a while, then I am going to make the most of it and do it well.  Also, my own philosophy was equally important:
“If you are going to do something, do it with style.”
That is what I intended to do.  Now that I was fully committed to the voyage, there was no point complaining or having a negative attitude; be positive.
“Blue II here I come; all the doubts and hesitation have been left behind.  I will write the history of the first manned expedition to another solar system, its planets, and its moons.  I will leave nothing out; all the tedium and the excitement; the unknown workers and the heroes.”  Perhaps we are all heroes, I mused, as we commenced take-off procedures.

      The monitor in front of me switched from random images of space trips past to a screen with text messages.
‘World navigation network - cleared’
‘Atmospheric heaters on’
‘Power banks fully charged’
‘All seat belts secured’
‘Launch in 10 seconds’


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