Beth looks down. “They’re celebrating.”
“Why?”
She points. “The street lights are back on. It looks the city’s coming back to life.”
“Incredible. Isaac, zoom in.” Austin stares at Livermore as it fades in the distance. “People are alive again. They’re back from the dead.” He stares at the desert landscape. The dry Sierra Nevada Mountains stretch for miles and the ocean emerges on the horizon. Austin presses his face against the window.
My home.
He closes his eyes.
I’ll do everything I can to protect you.
A ringtone fills the cockpit. The chopper’s tablet flashes with an incoming video request. A title shows up on the screen—“President of the United States of America.”
Austin’s jaw drops. “Look who’s calling us!”
Anil’s eyes widen. “Oh my goodness…”
Beth answers the call and President Hughes appears on the screen. “Hello, is this Dr. Andrews?”
She quivers in shock. “Yes, that’s me.”
“I want to congratulate you on your stunning accomplishment. I understand you’ve launched the world’s first fusion reactor.”
“It’s an honor to hear your voice, Mr. President.”
“The pleasure is mine. Because of your work, oil prices have fallen $15,000 per barrel. That’s a 17% drop in less than twenty-four hours. The ramifications of your technology are extraordinary.”
Beth shines. “Thank you, sir. It’s the work of my dedicated team.”
“I’d like to invite you to the White House.”
“I’m at a loss for words, Mr. President. We’d be delighted to see you in person.”
“The pleasure is all mine. I can’t overemphasize how critical your technology is for the world. It came at the right time.”
She takes a deep breath. “Yes, Mr. President. While nuclear fusion delivers abundant clean energy, we still have to explore the unintended consequences of our reactor—”
“Consequences? Like what?”
She looks up at the bright star. “For one, the technology appears to affect space in some way.”
“You’re referring to the wormhole?”
Beth turns to her colleagues in surprise. “Is that what we’re seeing in the sky?”
“Yes.”
“You mean we’re looking through a portal at another star?”
Austin smacks his forehead. “The gravity wave must have warped space-time. Einstein predicted this in his theory of relativity.”
Beth tilts her head. “Mr. President, are you certain it’s a wormhole?”
The Commander-in-Chief points his finger. “Dr. Andrews, please allow my government to assess the developments in space. We do not believe your technology poses any danger to our planet. The benefits of fusion power far outweigh the risks.”
“That is wonderful to hear.”
“This energy crisis threatens our existence. A few weeks ago, I held a summit to find solutions for the fuel shortage. Your reactor is the answer we’ve been looking for. Thanks to you, the cost of raw goods has cratered, bringing down the price of food and clean water. We are on our way to an economic recovery. I commend you for a job well done.”
Beth nods. “More importantly, sir, fusion does not emit a single greenhouse gas. We will finally end our addiction to fossil fuels and stop global warming. With this technology, we can stop the mass extinction and bring our world back from the brink.”
“You are brilliant, Dr. Andrews. We want you to build hundreds of reactors. We will subsidize your work and provide all the resources you need. Your technology is extremely important for the future of civilization.”
Beth looks away in contemplation, then abruptly stares into the camera. “Mr. President, we are happy to design new plants but only under two conditions.”
The cockpit goes quiet. Austin turns to Beth. “Are you crazy? You’re talking to the leader of our country!”
She waves him off. “I know what I’m doing.”
President Hughes leans back. “I’m listening, Dr. Andrews. What are your conditions?”
She sits up tall. “The Information Tariffs are destroying Google’s reputation and business practices. We would like them rescinded.”
“Consider it done. What else?”
Holding back his overwhelming joy, Austin silently applauds as he listens to his boss.
“The second condition is for the War to come to an end. Our young people have never experienced a peaceful world, and it is a shame that most of our resources go to weapons and defense systems. The fighting must stop now!”
The President raises a fist. “Dr. Andrews, I despise this conflict as much as you do. Believe me, peace is on my mind every day.”
“I want to live in a world free from conflict and bloodshed.”
The President extends a hand. “We are heading in that direction. Thanks to you, America has taken the upper hand in the War. As oil prices collapse, Russia’s economy will soon be bankrupt and our enemies will be defeated. The conflict cannot continue much longer.”
“Thank you, sir. It’s so wonderful to hear that.” She continues after a pause. “…I have one last request.”
“Yes, Dr. Andrews, what is it?”
“I’d like to be reinstated as Google’s CEO. Mr. Kharon misled our employees and unfairly ousted me. I was never given an opportunity to defend myself.”
“Consider it done. Not only that, Dr. Andrews, but I would like you to be on my Energy Council. Your insights are needed to steer America in the right direction.”
“That would be my honor, Mr. President. We will make the world a better place for our children and future generations.”
“We will indeed. Thank you for your time.”
The call ends and the cockpit erupts in applause. “That was amazing,” Austin shouts. “Beth, you just ended the War!”
She chuckles. “I’ll add that to my resume.”
The chopper approaches Cupertino and an A.I. prompts for a destination. Beth turns to Anil. “Where is your wife?”
“112 Mercer Street.”
She enters the address. “We’re very close to it. We should be landing in a couple of minutes.”
Anil tries to move. “Just park on the roof. We live on the twentieth floor thanks to Dr. Sanders.”
The helicopter descends onto a roof deck.
Beth peers down. “It’s time to bring baby Lumi into the world!”
33.
A HELICOPTER flies through the New Mexico desert and approaches a five-mile airport. Thousands of spacecraft sweep across the dry landscape, their nosecones pointed to the sky. The chopper lands on a private helipad reserved for owners.
Felina and Manos rush from the vehicle and board a driverless taxi. “Welcome to Spaceport America,” the onboard A.I. says to them. “Please fasten your safety belt.”
Manos buckles in. “I haven’t been here in months. Is my ship ready for takeoff?”
“Yes,” Felina says, “your Falcon 12 was inspected last week, Mr. Kharon. It’s prepared for launch.”
“Excellent. I’m glad it’s finally useful for something.”
The cab drives on a lane flanked by spacecraft rising like skyscrapers to the heavens. It slows near a medium-range, reusable rocket with a single liquid oxygen engine. Supported by a steel frame, the white aircraft has an inscription on its tail—“GoldRock.”
“You have arrived.”
They exit the car and walk towards the scaffold, taking its elevator up ten stories. A warm breeze greets them on the top level.
Felina takes in the view. “Look at all these spaceships!”