Escape to the Stars!

  Chapter 8: Milestone

  Turning to face the camera that was tied to the Earth Network News link, The Commander quietly cleared his throat and hoped his mouth wouldn’t dry out during the momentous speech. At a signal from his aide standing behind the camera, The Commander gazed into the lens and imagined almost 14 billion people looking at him expectantly.

  “I am Commander Harris of the Lagrange Five space-yards. I have the privilege to announce to all of humanity that GenStar One has reached a major milestone!” He paused a moment to allow the cheering in the background to die down.

  “I was informed today that the last hull-plate was sealed into place. This will allow us to begin pressurizing the interiors of both habitats. The main reactor is already providing the light and power needed inside the habitats. It soon will be providing heat as well!”

  “Once the habitats have been tested air-tight, they will be spun-up to one-third gravity to allow the workers to complete the interiors without having to wear their space suits.” He heard a loud reaction from the representatives of the ship-fitters.

  “Many of these workers will actually live aboard GenStar One to allow them more time to work without having to transit between the station and the ship. GenStar One will soon host a population of nearly twenty-thousand workers, all working to complete the ship so that humanity can sail among the stars!”

  Looking off-camera to his wife, and then back at the lens, the Commander added “I have been authorized to announce that the selection process for colonists will begin immediately.” Loud cheering interrupted him. When he could make himself heard again, the Commander looked intently into the lens and said “All of the governments of the Earth have pledged to offer the best from their citizens as candidates for the program. Not all of them will be chosen. Only those that are the best fit to a position, regardless of gender, ethnicity or nationality, will be further screened for suitability.”

  “We here, and all who have worked over these last 55 years to this point, wish all candidates Good Fortune. Thank you and good day.”

  A signal from the camera-operator told him that he was off the air. He slumped slightly and then headed towards his wife. She clung to him encouragingly and whispered up to him “That was a beautiful speech Marty.” He clasped her to him, knowing that the announcement of the selection process would bring up old pains for them. Their only son had died in a traffic mishap while attending college. He had been tapped early on for participation in the project as an Engineer and the family had discussed the best ways to prepare him for eventual candidacy in the colonization process. His death had been a severe blow to them.

  Leaning back to look up at him, his wife added through a tight throat, “Jimmy would have been pleased too.” He said nothing but hugged her tightly, oblivious to the general revelry around them. When he could do so, he guided her away from the throng and to their quarters. She had joined him aboard the station once his second-in-command had moved to the ship to oversee the on-board progress. She had taken over the Major’s quarters and the Commander had the Damage Control crew put a private hatch between their adjoining quarters. He smiled to himself at the privileges his position sometimes granted him.

  He wasn’t alone with such an arrangement. Many of the officers and senior staff had brought their spouses aboard as space aboard the station was vacated. It was a temporary but significant morale-booster.

  With the responsibility over the ship’s completion largely in the hands of his second-in-command, the Commander oversaw the conversion of some of the space station’s areas to transient quarters and training facilities. Much of the final training of the colonists would take place here. Temporary quarters allowed them to buffer the transfer of colonists as living quarters aboard the ship were made ready.

  The Commander knew that neither he nor his wife would be selected to become colonists. It had been a sore-point throughout the duration of the project that service during the building of the ships did not automatically grant someone a greater chance at being selected. Besides, they were too old. His wife had sadly told him shortly after their son had died that she would decline to go if selected.

  Debate about the selection process had been on-going since the project had started with the commissioning of the Malaysian Space Elevator. Acrimonious and sometimes violent debate had been heard throughout the intervening years about who should be excluded or included. Many scandals had rocked the selection committee over the years as various individuals and organizations had sought to influence the selection process for each area of need. Some wealthy and influential people had been exposed trying to get themselves or family-members preferential treatment.

  A copy of the Selection Protocol had been leaked to the public a short time before that day’s announcement. Riots had rocked many capitals around the globe when it revealed what types of people; behaviors or DNA characteristics would be screened-out. Many died in the protests themselves or as a result of individuals exacting revenge or retribution on people that seemed to have gained the advantage. The furor was still being quelled in many spots. The Commander pitied those tasked with the actual selection and screening process.

  The Commander opened the door to their quarters and led his wife inside. He ushered her through the private doorway to allow her time to change and be alone. He headed to his terminal and ordered up a meal for them, to be enjoyed here in his quarters. While he waited, he mentally reviewed the schedule for the next few days, seeking to minimize his time away from the station to allow the maximum time to spend with Grace. He made a note to take her on a tour of many of the areas that most civilians never got to see.