We have already computed an orbit that will terminate in the Sun. Should this resolution pass, we will alter Eros' orbit, and it will no longer approach the Earth, but will be burned up by the Sun. We will remain aboard long enough to make certain that the orbit can no longer be changed back, and then we will board Man's Hope to return to Earth. I'm sure we will be demonized, as Frank is being demonized. But if man does not want to progress into space, a space station is useless, and we are unwilling to contribute to the corruption of the UN. And should man ever change his mind, there are thousands of asteroids in the belt. But you'll need someone with the vision and dedication of a Frank Weatherly to go get one.
"Again, this has been Commander David Tarrant of the Man's Hope. Please join us in praying that our UN representatives make the right decision."
"Are you insane?" Frank demanded. "Threatening to throw Eros into the Sun!"
"To hell with 'em, Frank," David replied. "I've listened to their crap for over a year. It's time somebody told 'em straight out."
"But, damn it," Frank persisted, "You threatened to throw away a whole goddam asteroid, one you've just spent almost three years bringing back."
"Relax, Frank," David said, "it won't happen. I never really thought it would. But after you got your ass in so much trouble with your threat, I figured we'd take some of the heat off you.
"Think about it," he continued. "What are the chances that Russia and China won't veto the damned thing? Both of them have big plans in space; they're not going to cave in to the UN."
"So now you've fixed it so that if they do veto it, it'll look like they caved in to your blackmail. You've given them a reason to vote yes now, and then just ignore it later."
David laughed. "My blackmail? What about your blackmail? Face it, Frank, all I've done is remind the people of your contributions and up the ante a bit. I'm really counting on the people who couldn't wait to contribute when we needed them. All they needed was someone to remind them that all this crap they've been hearing about you was lies, and that man's future really is at stake.
"Now I suspect they'll be putting pressure on their governments like you wouldn't believe."
***
David was right. There were demonstrations, both pro- and anti- Weatherly, worldwide. Some were carefully organized, and some turned into virtual riots.
Frank's public relations firm had publicized the internet address of the UN audit reports on Man's Hope International in newspapers and paid media advertisements worldwide, and within a week, they had received over twenty million hits.
A few commentators and editorialists were actually honest enough to admit that they, too had been unable to find any evidence of wrongdoing, and had become supporters of Frank and David.
Others, however, resented David's comments, and insisted that a criminal who is successful in hiding his crimes is still a criminal. Susan was no longer content with letters to the editor, and was now buying full-page ads replying that in that case she was accusing the commentators of being successful rapists and murderers, and defied them to prove they weren't. Fred's team was also busy going after the ones careless enough to make actionable claims.
Sheik Ibn Masood protested David's characterizations and charges, but David replied that he would apologize when Masood apologized to Frank and withdrew his resolution.
Slowly, though, the pendulum of public opinion was swinging back, and pressure was mounting on governments. At the UN, fewer and fewer nations' representatives were willing to make public speeches in support of the resolution, and politicians who appeared in public to denounce David's threat were often encountering heckling and demonstrations.
One month prior to Eros' scheduled arrival; Man's Hope International launched Man's Dream on a course to meet the asteroid upon its arrival at L-1. It was launched on a more conventional orbit than Man's Hope, and had sent the big Energia booster into an orbit that it was hoped would facilitate its safe return to Earth and later retrieval.
Man's Dream carried a crew of only two, and six passengers, who would begin the task of Eros' transformation into a space station. Her cargo hold was stuffed with equipment and tools they would need. For instance, there were domes to erect over the hole presently holding Man's Hope and the entrance to the ice mine, and solar-powered tools to facilitate digging into the harder rock. There was, however, no nuclear reactor. Not this time. But it wasn't really needed, this close to the Sun. Huge solar panels would be able to generate thousands of watts in the intense solar radiation of space, and several ion engines would add their output to those already mounted on Eros. Power would not be a problem.
Man's Dream was followed by the launches of three Proton M's carrying additional supplies. The world was watching, and Man's Hope International wanted to make certain they put on a good show. It was working. Donations were up considerably.
Frank's third Buran wasn't quite ready for launch, yet, but that did not disturb him. Man's Dream was generating enough coverage, and they were not ready for the numbers of people that would eventually be required. Besides, he wasn't ready to start another firestorm of controversy by launching a Buran belonging to Space International. He expected enough of a problem when the media discovered that Man's Dream was actually leased to SpaceInt and had been chartered by Man's Hope International for this mission.
Aboard Man's Hope, the excitement was building as preparations began for their arrival at L-1. The ion engines and the backup rockets were inspected carefully; a rock over twenty miles long and massing millions of tons was far from easily maneuverable. They had been decelerating for over three months, and were barely creeping as they passed the moon's orbit. Dolf's reports were long and enthusiastic. All of the crew were frankly surprised that there had been so few problems. David attributed it to careful planning. Yuri credited luck and Ron's tinkering ability.
One week before Eros' arrival at L-1, the United Nations General Assembly met in special session to debate Masood's resolution.
Debate was amazingly one-sided. Masood, of course, spoke in support of the resolution, but the only others to speak in support were Burkina-Faso and the Democratic Peoples' Republic of North Korea.
But nation after nation spoke against the resolution. It was nearly a parade of spacegoing nations and those who hoped for a presence in space. Public opinion was insuring that any nation that even dreamed of someday sending a ship into space opposed the resolution. In the end, only four nations voted for the resolution. Masood stormed out of the meeting in fury.
***
The one big regret in the life of Mark Jenson was that he was not selected for Man's Hope's crew. He comforted himself with the knowledge that he was given command of Man's Dream, and would have a steady job ferrying people and equipment to Eros.
So he damned well didn't want to blow it on his first mission. He had three cargo canisters to gather and them and the six deadheads downstairs to deliver. As Man's Dream approached the L-1 position, he was continuously scanning his instruments, keeping track of the canisters. All of them were on course, but that didn't divert his eyes from their constant scanning.
Mark was a retired U.S. Navy Commander, a former Naval aviator, former Blue Angels pilot, and former shuttle astronaut. Mark hated being a "former" everything, and had jumped at the chance to join Frank Weatherly's team. He was skilled and detail-oriented. He was also gruff, abrasive, and did not suffer fools easily. Frank liked him.