The commander of the German ship let Tom know that he was also building a new control console as he was faced with a similar situation but having difficulty with DNA samples. Tom was glad to hear from the commander but sorry to hear about the DNA problems. The Germans were still loading DNA samples on board. That meant some of his medical staff were off the ship and having difficulties returning to the ship due to the flooding in some countries like the Netherlands, which was now below sea level.
“When do you think you will have everyone on board and be ready to launch?”
The German commander replied, “It is difficult to say. I think the control console will be ready in ten days. I have to hope that my medical staff will all be here within that timeframe, but I am not sure. Due to the sporadic phone service around Europe now, I am unable to contact them when I need to. When will you be ready? When do you think we must launch or be stranded on Earth?”
“I can’t speak for all the ships. Some locations are probably more stable than others. In the Rocky Mountains, there has not been much damage at all, so we are safe for now. However, the earthquakes in California probably shook up the mountains everywhere. I just don’t know yet if there will be any more natural disasters soon. I believe we have to launch within thirty days. I also need to speak to the Russians and Australians after my call with you to see how they are doing. How are the Alps holding up?”
“Right now, we are in a lull. There is no specific storm threat and no earthquake. There is one volcano in Italy that erupted, but that is a local or Italian issue.”
Tom thanked him for the information and called the Australian commander.
The Australian commander said they would be ready to launch soon. They were in the midst of finishing up the control console being built outside the ship.
“The only geographical problem that we’re facing is the Great Barrier Reef. It is being destroyed by the rising ocean and currents.”
Temperatures had soared in the desert areas, which were no longer habitable for many species. However, even though people had to move to different parts of the country on a moment’s notice, Australia was holding together very well. He believed they could take off within two weeks but preferred more time to recheck all the systems.
Tom thanked him. Then he called his Russian counterpart.
Yuri told him he was doing well and was ready to go. He had already completed the console preparations and could launch at any time.
“I am surprised that you are not ready. It is clear Russians have better intelligence and more technological superiority.”
“Yuri, this is not the time to debate who is smarter, stronger, or more advanced. All the ships face critical decisions, and all of us must launch before we are unable to do so. When we get into space, it is not going to be a competition. You will no longer be employed by Russia. I will not be working for the United States, and the Germans and Australians will not be working for their countries either. We will all be working for humanity. It is not a game. It is imperative that at least one ship survive long enough to colonize a new planet. If we only have one ship and that ship is yours, so be it. I will be glad to die knowing that someone survived the long journey. Also, I foresee there will times when we have problems on each spaceship and we must work together to ensure everyone’s safety. There will be maintenance issues, I am sure, but there will be many amazing discoveries, I hope. We must work together period. Do you understand that?”
Yuri replied, “Relax, Dr. Burns. I know we are all in this together. What will the name be when we all arrive at a new destination? Will it be the new America or the new Moscow? People don’t always get along no matter how hard they try. That my friend is a fact of history. We are taking the history of Earth’s countries with us no matter how hard we try not to do that.”
“Yuri, by the time we arrive at a destination or planet, I may not care what we call it as long as it is a home we can live on and thrive. When and how we land the people on your spaceship, and you want to set up your own colony and call it Russia, we can deal with that then, but it is the furthest thing from my mind right now. Right now, I need to get four spaceships in orbit to begin the journey. I will call you when we’re all ready.”
With those words, Tom hung up on him.
Sarah had come in while he was talking to the Russian commander. She said, “I guess it is impossible to avoid politics between nations even when there will no longer be any nations.”
Tom turned around to face his wife. “You are damn right. It seems the Germans and Australians will be fine, but I am not so sure about the Russians, with Yuri in control. He could have told us about the console problem when he discovered it himself. It seems that his ship has already solved that problem and is ready to launch now. What are we going to do in space? Are we going to attack each other and try to blow one another up on our journey or when we see a new planet?”
Sarah said, “You are the man I love, and I know you have always had the best interest of your family and the people around you in your heart and mind. I will go anywhere in the galaxies with you because I know you will succeed. Right now, you need to focus on our spaceship and not let the Russians bother you. Don’t let him get under your skin. I trust you will make the right decision when the time comes.”
Tom hoped he’d do the right thing. It had all put him in a pretty foul mood, one that he’d kept mostly hidden from the people around him, but his wife knew him better. One thing was for sure. It was crucial that it remained a group effort, he thought, as he prepared mentally for his meeting next week with the president and the major who would be their eyes and ears on Earth after they launched next month.
Chapter 52 – Made the Team
Tom Burns, the Cave, Rocky Mountains, CO
About a week later, having worked virtually non-stop for months, Major Johns informed Dr. Burns that the launching mechanism was all set. They had run many simulations in the cave laboratory, and everything appeared to work well together. Tom went to the lab to meet with the major and the president. They all stood around the ten-foot long console that looked like a giant series of computers, nobs and switches. Beyond the systems integration and being built based on the input of all the engineers who would use it and rely on it, the consoles had been tested in thousands of simulations of real scenarios. Tom was very thankful. He told the president and the soldiers how much he appreciated their work.
Tom said, “You have done a wonderful job.”
The major said, “It has been our pleasure doing this for you, Dr. Burns. All five of us have worked as a team for many years. We were on the front line of some of the most destructive weapons of all time. We always had to think about launching the nuclear warheads towards Russia, which effectively probably meant the end of human life after the Russians retaliated. We were thrilled to be out of that decision-making process, but we have no doubt that we would have launched those weapons if the orders were given by the president. In short, we could have been responsible for the deaths of more than twenty million people. Now we have a chance to participate in such an exciting project and one that will save lives or the human race hopefully.”
The other soldiers all nodded their heads in agreement with the major’s comments.
Tom said, “Nevertheless, you have fantastic skills and loyalty to duty. I would like to offer you a chance to be cloned once we are on our way. To do that we will need to collect some DNA samples from you and the soldiers.” Tom turned towards the president. “And to be honest, after Donald Trump, I did not think I could ever stand another politician. However, President Stevens, you have really impressed me with your dedication and the way you care for people. I could certainly use someone like you to help me deal with the Russians in the future, especially if they keep cloning Ivanov. So, what do you say? Shall we collect some DNA samples?”