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THE FOLLOWING MONTHS could only be described as a sleepless, insane blur. The rioting and protesting eventually died down to a more reasonable level, but not without scores of lives lost and businesses destroyed. The days after the lottery were the worst. Local police were quickly overwhelmed. Foster declared martial law and mayhem ruled. Like Liam and Percy predicted, the STS security team had to fire and, unfortunately, kill violent aggressive civilians trying to storm the campus. Liam didn’t go home for the first month. When he did, he packed up everything he wanted to bring with him, and left his house behind for good knowing he would never return.
Work continued at an incredible pace at campuses around the globe. In fact, The Hawking was the last ship still launching its pieces to be assembled. The final launch was one day away which was good because the three alien ships had just passed the orbit of Mars. There had been countless communication attempts, but the alien fleet remained stubbornly dark.
As the fleet grew closer, satellites captured high definition images. Each ship measured just over a mile long and were propelled by four thrusters at the rear of the ships that used some kind of accelerant nobody on Earth was able to identify. The ships themselves were curvy, lacking a distinct straight line anywhere on their exterior design. Thousands of windows dotted the ships’ surfaces appearing black with no light shining through. No light or sound emitted from the ships since they entered the solar system. The theory that these were ghost ships gained more traction as time went on.
The STS commission couldn’t afford to adhere to that theory. Each of the five STS ships successfully added defense systems to their hulls. Meanwhile, world leaders agreed to launch nuclear missiles at the alien fleet if they passed within the moon’s orbit while still not answering their calls for communication. At the turn of the century, the majority of nuclear weapons were decommissioned. Only the United States and Russia kept a few on hand. In total, there were twenty nukes left on the planet and all of them would be aimed at the fleet once they crossed the moon’s orbit.
Civilian lottery winners had begun their ascent at other sites in Dallas, Egypt, and Brazil. As predicted, there were several instances with disgruntled members of the public. Fortunately, STS security, local law enforcement, and the militaries were able to keep everyone safe. As a precaution, Liam instructed the last of The Hawking lottery winners to begin making their way to the campus. Makeshift living centers were constructed throughout the site. People were living in tents and sleeping on cots. Food was rationed and under strict control, but at least the people were secure. After the next day’s launch, it would be time for their ascent.
Many of The Hawking’s crew were already in space since the majority of the ship had finished assembly. Captain Jameson led his bridge crew while the ship was docked in the STS assembly station. The station was a marvel to behold. At the center was its main circular structure where people lived and worked. Stretching out from there like spider legs were three docking ports that supported one ship each. The ships were securely latched by a series of steel legs that attached to the hull so they could be assembled safely and allow for food and supplies to enter. STS crews dubbed it simply as The Hub.
Currently The Hawking, The Linwood, and The Newton were docked at The Hub. The latter two ships were restocking one final time for food, water, and supplies. Z48 shuttles flew back and forth from The Hub to the various STS stocking centers on the planet’s surface. There seemed to be a heavy sense of urgency in the air as everyone was eager to begin their journey to Proxima and escape whatever fate the alien ships were bringing with them.
“Good evening, Mr. Donovan,” Jameson said from the bridge. In front of him was a monitor featuring Liam who video called directly to the captain’s workstation.
“Captain Jameson. How are you?”
“Well enough. We are nearly ready to be underway.”
“I’m sure. I wanted to check in one final time. I’ll be on a Z48 tomorrow afternoon following the last assembly launch. Civilians will be following over the next two days.”
“We will be departing on time. Ninety-six hours. The last of the assembly won’t take long. A day or two maximum. We are receiving the last of our food and supply stock as I speak so we’ll be fully ready when the civilians arrive.”
“Check list?” Liam was referring to the daily equipment and weaponry check.
“All systems functional. We did three full checks today alone. Our Z56 fleet also completed two flight rotations.”
“Excellent. Captain, we’re cutting it close, but we did it. I couldn’t be prouder of you and your crew.”
“And we couldn’t have done it without you on the ground. Thank you, sir.”
“No, thank you, Captain. I have to go. I still have a lot to do. I will see you tomorrow on the bridge. I should be at The Hub at around 13:00.”
“I look forward to it.”
The two men saluted each other and the call ended.
Liam had one more to call to make before completing his final day’s work from his office. As busy as he’d been he still managed to call Ann every night. She was growing more restless as time went on. She missed him and felt without purpose while her ship waited to get underway. She was anxious to get back to work, especially on Proxima.
She answered the video call on her wall-screen in her room. She smiled at him while drying her wet hair with a towel.
“Fresh out of the shower?” he asked.
“Weak water pressure. You should fire somebody for that. Are you ready for your flight up tomorrow?”
“Very. Although I’ll miss my couch-turned-bed in my office.”
“Trust me, your office will end up being better than our room on The Hawking. I can’t wait to join you.”
“Once we’re safely away from Earth. I can’t wait to see you in three dimensions again.”
“Ah, what every girl dreams of hearing.”
They laughed together. Ann wrapped her hair in the towel and began applying moisturizer to her skin.
“How are your friends?” he asked. Weeks ago she told him about some friends she made and even introduced them one night over a video call while they were hanging out in her room playing a card game on her tiny table.
“Ray is a smartass as usual. Salena is my saving grace. We’re quite alike.”
“Really? I wouldn’t have pinned that. You, from rural Tennessee, and her from such a wealthy Middle Eastern family.”
“I know. But we’ve really hit it off. We’ve even been teaching each other our interests. I’m practically an energy engineer at this point. And she has learned how to keep a houseplant alive without killing it. Progress.”
“I’m glad you have people up there to spend time with.”
“Me too. I fear I’d lose my mind if I didn’t. You’ll like them when you meet them on Proxima even if you want to punch Ray the first time you meet him.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
She rose from her seat and walked out of frame. Moments later she returned wearing a yellow shirt.
“How on edge are people down there on the surface with the alien fleet only days away?”
“Do you not watch the news?”
“I actively avoid it. For the most part I’m trying to stay out of Earth’s current affairs. It will be easier to leave it.”
“I understand.” He considered what to tell her. “The people are putting on a brave face. They feel confident that the nuclear missiles will put an end to any possible threat they might pose.”
“Oh, really? That’s good.”
“No. Sorry, I can’t lie to you. Truthfully, the public is a mess. People are scared the nukes will fail. Crime and looting are at all-time high. Militaries around the world are bracing for a global assault. I didn’t want to distress you.”
“I get it. I feel terrible for them.”
“Me too. Early survivor’s guilt, I suppose.”
“That’s why we have therapists on board.”
“Not happening, Ann.”
“Fair enough. Listen, I’m beat so I’m going to bed. Safe flight tomorrow. I love you.”
“Goodnight. Love you.”
With a wink to the camera, she ended the call.
The next day Liam leaned against a Z48 shuttle watching the last assembly rocket climb through the atmosphere. He traced the trail of smoke up until he could no longer see its source. Almost six years of hard work coming to an end. Within minutes he would board the Z48 and leave Earth forever. He’d been to The Hub only once before shortly after it was completed four years ago. This would only be his second trip to space. He was surprised to find himself nervous. Perhaps it was just knowing he wouldn’t be coming back. Where he stood now would be the last bit of earth he’d ever stand on. He knelt down and slid his hand across the grass, feeling each blade glide across his palm and in between his fingers. With eyes closed he breathed deeply. Who knew when he would breathe non-recycled air again? The sun beamed down on his skin, warming him while he listened to birds chirping. An ant crawled across the back of his hand while it was submerged within the grass. He watched it as it walked aimlessly on his flesh. Resilient creatures, he thought. He brought his hand to his mouth and blew the insect off.
“Where’s your luggage?” a voice asked from behind him. He stood back up and turned around to face Debra Sizemore, gesturing down to his two duffel bags by his feet.
“I travel light. Good to see you Ms. Sizemore. I didn’t know you’d be piloting me up today.”
“You should read your flight manifest, sir,” she said with a smile.
The two shook hands and he grabbed his bags while she keyed in a code on an electronic panel near the front of the craft. The cockpit door unlocked and swung upward to allow them access. She stood aside gesturing for him to enter first.
“Throw your bags in the compartment behind the co-pilot’s seat. You can sit up front with me if you like.”
“Thank you. Is this your final trip up?”
“No. I will be assisting with the lottery winners. The more pilots flying the faster we can get them all up. There are about fifteen thousand of them after all. That’s a lot of trips.”
“Of course. I’m finding myself somewhat nostalgic. I didn’t think I would, but here we are.”
Debra considered him as they each buckled into their seats. She hadn’t pegged him for the nostalgic type and told him as much.
“Usually I’m not, you’re right. But I’ve also never left an entire planet before.”
“And hopefully you won’t have to again.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Debra systematically went through her checklist and initiated take off. The craft hovered straight up ten feet off the ground then began accelerating forward in a steady incline. The trail of smoke from the rocket launch appeared more translucent as it began to fade. To the right was the south gate. Even now, months after the lottery, at least two hundred protesters rallied outside the fence amongst the many tents that dotted the landscape where they slept. To his left was their own version of a tent city where the lottery winners lived. Their tents were much larger, capable of sleeping a hundred people each. Thousands of civilians walked around the campus getting exercise and fighting off boredom.
The craft flew higher. The skyscrapers of Orlando still stood, though most were vacant. The city was just a footnote compared to a hundred years ago when millions of tourists flooded the city’s borders visiting the numerous theme parks. In the distance sunlight reflected off the round centerpiece of what was once known as Epcot—Spaceship Earth.
Thirty miles away was the new coastline. Waves crashed amongst half submerged buildings poking out of the shallow water. So many homes and businesses lost when the water steadily invaded town after town. Somewhere underneath them was the old Cape Canaveral. The space race was born underneath the ocean.
Within minutes the blue of the sky gradually faded to the blackness of space—clouds replaced by stars. Lingering in the void, several miles away from them, was The Hub. Debra and he kept their distance in orbit while the assembly rocket docked with The Hub.
“How long will we be waiting for clearance?” he asked.
“The process will take them about twenty minutes. It’s best to stay clear until then.”
He could barely make out the assembly crew propelling themselves around the outside of the ship preparing to install the final pieces. A small object floated across his vision inches away. He grabbed it and looked around at other objects floating around the cockpit.
“Just do it. You won’t have a chance on board The Hub or The Hawking,” Debra said.
He smiled, unbuckled himself from his seat, and floated out of it. He turned himself around to face the empty cargo hold, gripped the tops of the two seats in the cockpit, and pushed himself into the area.
Half an hour later, Liam reluctantly stood back on his own two feet and walked into The Hub. Each of the STS ships had their own docking bays, but the standard procedure for all new residents was to check in at The Hub where they would be subject to the final mental and physical health checks. Although he doubted any of the doctors on board The Hub would turn anyone away no matter what they found. He went through the process carrying along his two duffel bags as he visited each physician’s station. After the turn-your-head-and-cough routine, he was on his way.
The corridors featured colored LED lights that lit the way toward each ship. His destination was at the end of the blue light trail. Up three floors and at least a half-mile walk later, he found himself at a docking port to at last grant him entrance aboard the ship he was responsible for for half a decade. He had to duck to squeeze through the five foot doorway, but was able to stand again through the slender tunnel to the other side. One last duck at the next doorway and he was officially on board.