Dancing on the Edge of Tomorrow

Chapter 1.

One hundred thousand miles above North America, an Low Orbital Station to Station transport coasts along its path to its destination. Looking for all the world like a passenger jet of the late twentieth century stripped of its wings, the passenger transport offers to its passengers a remarkable view of the blue cloud-wrapped Earth…

..a view which is lost on Captain Jacob Merlingter, United States Air Force, as he keeps his eyes on the veiwscreen in the second class cabin he occupies instead of the coveted window seat. Judging from his pressed and ironed clothing, one would guess he is on some sort of business outing, but the truth was, Captain Merlingter was just in the habit of ironing.

On the veiwscreen is a report on the news from the Californian Space Agency’s Irvine Asteroid Resource mission, launched less than a year ago.

“..reports from the leader of the IAR Mission, the first manned mission to the asteroids for the purpose of finding materials, confirms the theoretical reports of mineral resources available. On a study of twenty four separate rocks in the search area, twenty two were found to have a high metal content of iron and titanium, as well as plethora of other usable mineral resources.” The news anchor, a pleasant looking Hispanic woman in a red casual suit, smiled at the camera. “In a press release, Governer Ian Thompson of California, also current chair of the California Space Agency, announced that it is the intention of the CSA to share the data the IAR mission collects with the rest of the world.”

Captain Merlingter snorted. California was populated by a bunch of crazies, as well as home to the USA’s aerospace industry. Where else but California would there be popular support for a state-run space agency, and then elect as Governer one of its most outspoken supporters? Not that it mattered that after the final screwup with the space shuttles and the International Space Station, the CSA was in the right place to take over America’s position in space from NASA, and that it was only the CSA and the Californian economy that managed to put his own ass into space, as well as the newly-forming United States Naval Aerospace Force.

The man sitting next to Merlingter sighed loudly, “Goddamned Californians. We finally find something to pull the US economy out of the gutter, and they’re going to share it with the world? Buncha idiots, if I say so myself.” The man’s northeastern accent was hardly noticeable, but Merlingter caught it.

“I dunno, maybe they think the CSA owes the rest of the world something for, oh, July 18^th, 2007?” A man in a tidy business suit said a bit softly from the other side of Captain Merlingter’s neighbor. “You know, when NASA had their final fuckup, an emergency shuttle exploded, and we had 19 American lives on a space station falling out of orbit? Certainly wasn’t the CSA’s fault, but their one attempt to save those 19 lives didn’t even launch. They had to depend on the Russians, Japanese, and Chinese to save ‘em.” Merlingter’s neighbor visibly darkened a few shades.

“I don’t see how that relates to all that wealth out there in the ‘roids that the Cali’s are just going to give awa-“ The middle man’s tirade was stopped by Jacob Merlingter’s hand on his shoulder. The Air Force Captain had recognized who the man on the end was.

“I think,” Merlingter said, “That you ought to pay some respect to Dr. Bangler. After all, he might feel a little in debt to the people who rescued him from that station. At the very least, keep your fucking yap shut.”

The middle man’s jaw worked for a second, moving up and down, then stopped. He resumed looking straight ahead, while Captain Merlingter nodded at Dr. Bangler. “An honor to be on the same flight as you, Docter,” he started, but Bangler cut him off.

“Please, sir! If we are to share the same flight, call me Brian. And your name, sir?” Brian Bangler asked.

“Captain Jacob Merlingter, USAF, at your service Doctor- er, Brian.” Merlingter smiled, and Dr. Bangler chuckled softly.

“Doctor Brian… its got a nice ring to it…” He smiled, and was about to speak more when a tone came on in the cabin, warning of an impending message from their pilot.

From the intercom came a tinny sound. No expense was spared in making the safties for the passenger ship, but money was scrapped from other budgets. “This is the Captain. We are approaching Simak Station, and will arrive at dock in 10 minutes. Please be prepared to undergo breaking maneuvers of up to one and two tenths normal Earth gravity. Make certain you are strapped in your seats until the attendants inform you to disengage your restraints. That is all.”

Doctor Bangler looked at Captain Merlingter. “Captain, I would love to further introduce myself and meet you, but I have to meet with someone on Simak as soon as I disembark. Shall we meet on the promenade, in say about two hours from now? There’s a candy store there I intend to visit while I am on Simak, and if we could meet and talk..?” There was a note in Bangler’s voice that caught Merlingter’s attention, that shoved down the good Captain’s protest before it even formed.

“I’d be delighted,” Merlingter found himself saying, and the doctor nodded. “I shall see you in two hours then, Captain Merlingter.” Jacob nodded back.

Interlude – The Author-series Space Habitable Stations

One of most inspiring moments in the recent history of the US Space Program was when the Californian Space Authority announced its intention, immediately after the events of after July 18^th, 2007, to not only return to space, but to build a presence up along the low and middle Orbitals with habitable space stations. Since the Biodome Experiment, which proved it was possible to maintain a closed living environment without much input from outside resources, it was known that had anyone the resources, the ability, and the gumption to reach out, there could be colonies in orbit.

At the time, Earth’s only space station was the ISS, which was heavily damaged and slowly falling back into Earth’s atmosphere. The idea of America immediately going back up into space, bigger and better, was ridiculed by most of the world after the light of NASA’s screwup – and criticism in the US was stronger, with the most outspoken of the non-Green protesters saying it was not worth the risk to put more Americans in potential danger.

However, those critics were tempered by the silent legions of the adults who had grown up on the hopes of the future, whose quiet support in the physical world, and total vocal support on the Internet, showed that the majority of people in the US were either undecided or supporting the idea. However, to silence all critics, the Californian State Government decided to put questioning to rest.

California had a special election with only one item on the ballet, one question posed to Californian voters. “Shall the State of California and the State of California alone, supply funds to the Californian Space Authority for the development of Space, as per Special State Senate Bill 23?”

Given a mandate of 93% of the total voters in the highest turnout since California’s 2004 Recall Election, the State of California began raising money, selling bonds, and redistributing tax money to finance the project, and was pleasantly surprised when the Aerospace industry in California announced their intention to work as closely with the Californian Space Authority as possible, and work at-cost to assist in the construction of new state facilities, be it on planet – or off.

Four months after the disaster on the ISS, the first cargo space transport launched from the newly commissioned and still under construction Mojave Interplanetary Spaceport, carrying what would become (And still is, by today’s date) the command module for the first of the Author class space stations: The Californian State Station Jules Verne. Not even all the modules were completed, and there wasn’t certainty that there would be the budget for the project, but a year later, the Jules Verne was online as a functional space station and up-the-grav-well port for space programs.

Designed for long term habitation, expansion, and with a large communications network, the Jules Verne was self-sufficient in terms of atmosphere – something the ISS never had been. Worries about how the space program was draining the Californian economy were answered when the CSA was approached by their counterparts in other countries, asking to rent space on the station for cargo shipments, and to help build their own Author class stations. Within a year, the US went from being the least of the space powers, to being able to have their last remaining space program call the tune the others danced to. Even 7 years later, after a total of 14 civilian stations have been built in orbit, the Author class stations were still a major economic force.

Chapter 2

Two hours later, Captain Merlingter found himself ‘standing’ in front of the Simak Station Candy Store – although calling it just a candy store would be saying that space is slightly large. The store was the consumer front of a zero gravity candy manufacture, and its Jewish-American owners brought the original design straight from their old family owned store in Brooklyn (So said the sign, at least), and didn’t just sell candy: Soda, icecream, magazines, books – actual hardcopy versions of the latest bestsellers, still a rarity in orbit – they all lined the shelves of the Berkowitz Candy Store. Jacob had hardly ever seen such a site back on Earth, much less expect to find one up in orbit.

Of course, Merlingter mused to himself, if they did their candy manufacturing in space, bought the organics from one of the orbital farms, it’d explain why the store was able to function. Not many spacers were traditionally candy-eaters, but judging from the heavy traffic in the store, they were changing their ways. Of course, while the prices were more than Merlingter was used to – he was in orbit, afterall, and everybody who could easily get to Simak on a regular basis or live there could easily afford the prices.

That and, as Merlingter sipped his chocolate malt, waiting for Doctor Bangler, it did taste good.

Doctor Bangler, what did the man want exactly? Jacob thought to himself, and what would he want with an Air Force Captain, anyhow? Unless he knows about my trans-

Merlingter’s line of thought was interrupted when he heard Dr. Bangler’s voice behind him, coming out of the store. “Oh, there you are, Captain.” Merlingter turned around, and there was the good Doctor holding a similar cup. “I’m sorry, I assumed that you’d be inside already, so I took the back way in.”

“The back way in, Doct-“ Bangler looked at Merlingter, and he corrected himself, “Brian? Isn’t that staff only?” Jacob was slightly confused, he had been watching the front (and to his thinking, only) entrance for about forty-five minutes, hoping to catch Doctor Bangler first. Bangler, to Jacob’s further surprise, nodded. “I’ve been coming here steadily for quite some time, and it has become, ah, convenient at times for me to come and go quickly.” Bangler patted his stomach, “Certain nutritionist nurses sometimes insist on me having HEALTHY snacks while I work, could you believe it?”

Captain Merlingter nodded, expression serious. “I do, sir, and a vicious beast those are. I wouldn’t face ‘em short of having the entire US Space Force behind me.” Bangler laughed, and Merlingter’s expression eased. “Well, now that that is over, what can I do for you, Brian?” Smiling, Bangler shook his head, “Its not what you can do for me, its what I can do for you, Jacob. Do you have someplace private we may talk?” Merlingter nodded, eyes closed in thought, then he opened them.

“My quarters were assigned to me, and she should be reasonably secure. Is this thing classified?” Bangler shook his head, “No, its nothing that wouldn’t be announced in three days time, when we both board the Enterprise.” Noting the good Captain’s expression, Jacob Bangler nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly what it means. Now, your quarters, Jacob?”

Despite the station’s size, Merlingter’s quarters for the next three days were rather close to the stations commercial deck, only a twenty minutes walk from the prominade. The two men walked in silence, but Jacob’s mind was racing. He’d been involved with the Enterprise only for a short while, but even a short of time he’d spent with her, he would have heard something about someone as important (or at least, as well known) as Doctor Bangler being assigned to the ship.

The United States Space Navy Enterprise. First of the carrier class of the same name. Its hard to keep secret the fact you are building a mobile warship in orbit, but through a good amount of guile, the US government just managed to do it, hiding it behind the hull of a giant space-only transport vessel. Of course, the vessel also had the free holds to make it the largest transport vessel currently built anyhow, so it wasn’t even a lie. Technically.

It didn’t help matters much that the US managed to build 5 of the things nearly under the noses of everyone in the world, with the tacit agreement of the CSA. It wasn’t even until a few weeks ago that their existence was officially admitted to by the White House. In a matter of weeks, the strategic balance of power had shifted in the military equations down on Earth. The US was the first – and so far only – nation to field a military force in space beyond glorified police. It was raising tensions world-wide, and the US was slowly becoming more belligerent in its dealings with other nations, a rise from the tones it had been taking over the past ten years, nearly rising to the levels a decade ago under the second President Bush. But while pertinent to his situation in general, going over those facts again didn’t help Merlingter figure out why he was about to step into his quarters with one of the most celebrated theoretical physicist engineer in space.

“Well, its not much, but it’d be good to sleep and talk,” Merlingter said as he walked into the seven foot cube that consisted of a bed, a nightstand, a lamp, an alarm clock, and not much else. Dr. Bangler closed the door, then Jacob motioned to him to take a seat on the bed, while he cleared off the nightstand to use as a seat. “Now that we’re here, what can I do for you, Doctor Brian?” There was a little nervousness in Jacob Merlingter’s voice, but it was totally overridden by curiosity.

“Well,” started the dark haired doctor, “This is more of an introduction meeting before we officially meet.” Jacob nodded for the doctor to contine, which he did. “Well, you are assigned to Enterprise Wing 1, Third Flight, as Flight Officer? Well, the military ‘acquired’ my services for testing some new equipment, and for the testing I got them to, um, acquire you, specifically.” Merlingter blinked.

“Me? Why me, of all people? Its not like I have a record in flying capability, or appeard in anything. In fact, I’m surprised you even know me at all, that wasn’t the impression you gave me on the lfight over here…” Several scenarios played out in Merlingter’s head – for him, mystery suspense thrillers were read often – while Doctor Bangler explained himself.

“No, Captain, I did hear of you, or specifically, of a flight of yours that never made it off the launch pad. One that you finally gave up taking because your ship was not ready for re-entry, and would have killed you and the people you were to be rescuing.” Understanding dawned in Merlingter’s mind, but the doctor continued. “Not your fault, the ship was ahead of schedule on completion and shouldn’t have been ready to take off in any event. I read the after-action report when I was safe, mind you, and at the time I didn’t blame you either.” Bangler grinned, “But I can’t help but ask for the man who hijacked his own ship when he learned that the crash upstairs happened, and nearly flushed his own career in the process, shouting that if anyone had any honor they’d help him launch to save lives.”

Merlingter looked away, “I wasn’t quite thinking right at the time, Doctor. You can’t credit me with anything. I didn’t do anything but threaten to shoot some people, and sit in a ship that couldn’t come back down.”

“Yes, and what made the final decision was the fact you signed off on the paperwork not three hours before that the ship wasn’t ready to re-enter the atmosphere, yet you were still willing to risk it.” Dr. Bangler’s voice took on a slightly harder tone than before. “Captain Merlingter, there’s several new technologies being implemented onto your flight’s ships. Ones that haven’t been quite tested as much as I like, but the USSN is pushing me to get them out, and these days, they’re my primary source of funds for the projects I want to work on, and I really don’t want to push this on anyone…”

“But if you did have to push it on anyone, you want someone who’d be willing to risk a lot to make certain his people lived, is that it?” The captain’s tone was neutral, as if the man was waiting to decide on something important, and that decision depended on Brian Bangler’s next words.

“We may have conquered near-Earth space, Captain,” Dr. Bangler said, “And even have some minor resource colonies on Luna, but anything past the moon is the far frontier, the new lands past the Mississippi. There’s already a few brave souls on Mars, and a scouting team in the Asteroids, but the point is we’ve only a small toehold in space, and anything new and unknown is automatically dangerous… which is being dumped on your flight. Can you take re-“ Bangler paused, then continued, “I’ll not bother asking if you can take responsibility. I’m asking you if you will take responsibility for what may happen.”