With the tour complete, Ari turned to Jack. “As we stand right now, what’s our best bet for an arrival time?”
“It won’t be completely dark down there until 2117,” Jack said, “...that’s Israeli time. Based on current intel, the Syrians aren’t planning to attack for another forty-five minutes, maybe 2200. Unfortunately, that’s also the time Adie’s comrades should be returning from town. Everything considered, I think our best bet is to arrive just after dark.”
“Okay,” Ari said, shifting his gaze to Merrick. “Let’s plan to be on site at 2120. That gives us a forty-minute window to get her out. So, what time do we need to depart?”
“Well, it’ll take ten minutes to pass through the airlock and launch. The transit to Earth is two hours, that’s thirty minutes of acceleration, one hour of coasting, and thirty minutes of deceleration. Then, we’ll make a partial orbit, descend, and approach. That should take another twenty minutes.” Merrick paused to calculate. “We’re looking at two and a half hours from the time we strap in until we touch down in the compound. That means we should be moving toward the airlock by...1850.”
Ari checked his wrist display and turned to address the crew. “We have thirty-five minutes to brief. Merrick, why don’t you get us started?”
Merrick reached and touched the only lit icon on the pilot’s console, and the cabin came to life. “Just a few things,” he said. “First, as your pilot, I’ll be responsible for crew safety. Everyone here has a job to do. I do not intend to interfere with your work. However, if a safety issue arises, I’ll be the first to let you know. Doc Stratford is the mission commander; that includes the plan, its execution—everything. What he says, goes. During the transit to Earth, everyone will need to remain strapped in, except for the coasting phase. So if we don’t cover everything during this briefing, we’ll have an hour to address it. As far as seat assignments, Doc Stratford will sit next to me in the command position, Brooke at the med station, and Katie just behind her. Of course, Jack will be at the ops console, and Doc Maran, you’re just behind him next to the cabinet there. Because this is a tactical rescue, we’ll be employing full optical camouflage going in and coming out. During that time, ops will be blind and unable to visually monitor our activities. Communications will be audio only between Jack and Candy Rayborn, our ops controller.”
———————
The outer surface of the landing craft was composed of form-fitted optical panels. A number of miniature imaging sensors, strategically embedded in each panel, captured whatever scene was in front of them. This imagery then passed through a central processor, which assembled a composite image and displayed it on the opposite side of the craft. For example, imagery of clouds captured by topside sensors were instantaneously displayed on the bottom side of the vessel and vice versa, thus providing effective camouflage.
———————
“Now if somehow I should become incapacitated while we’re on-site,” Merrick continued, “and it’s time to leave, just press this icon.” He pointed to the only red icon on the left edge of his console. “That will initiate an emergency protocol. The autopilot will engage and take you to the nearest uninhabited area. When you arrive, a distress beacon will be triggered, and ops will dispatch a second landing craft with a spare pilot to return you to the ship.” Merrick went over several other issues before Ari asked Jack to brief the latest intelligence.
Throughout Merrick’s briefing, Jack had been receiving updates from Candy Rayborn via a pea-sized receiver in his ear.
“As things stand,” said Jack, “the Arab nations have made no further changes to their attack plan. We’re still looking at 2200. The Syrians are coming down from the north in force. Lead elements are staging just north of Adie’s kibbutz, within shooting range. If they get the attack order while we’re on the ground, our first indication will probably be cover-fire. I would expect any resistance from Adie’s comrades to be short-lived, maybe ten minutes at most. The hope is that we’ll have done what we came to do and be outbound before the shooting starts.”
A nervous shiver went up Katie's spine. Walt, the only one to notice, put a calming hand on her shoulder and gave a reassuring pat.
“Tell us about the layout of the kibbutz,” Ari said. “How many people are in the compound right now, and where is Adie?”
“The compound has thirteen buildings,” Jack said. “It’s surrounded by a barbwire fence and a half dozen guard towers. Most of the buildings are living-quarters except for a central dining facility and a rather large multipurpose building. They also have two good-sized vegetable gardens and a rifle range. The majority of the residents have gone on their weekly trip to town, about thirty minutes away. Twelve people stayed behind: ten guards, the cook, and Adie. At present, Adie is in the kitchen helping the cook.”
Walt broke in. “What if she’s still helping the cook, or worse yet, talking with one of the guards when we show up?”
“That’s a good point,” Jack replied. “It’s our hope that she’ll be in her room by then. But if not, we’ll be using flash capsules to separate her from the others.”
The comment set off an immediate alarm in Merrick’s head. “Oh, good grief, the launch-pod!” he declared, red-faced and checking the time on his com-link. “It’s still on the workbench in the equipment room! I’ve been so caught up in the reconfiguration, it completely slipped my mind.”
“How long will it take to install?” Ari asked, not overly concerned.
“At least thirty minutes, and we don’t have thirty minutes.”
“Then don’t sweat it,” Ari said calmly. “The pod was a last resort anyway. I have five capsules right here.” He patted the pouch on his hip. “Should be plenty.”
“That is so exasperating,” Merrick snarled, disgusted with the oversight.
Ari stepped forward and took hold of Merrick’s arm. “Look, we’re all under a lot of pressure here. Don’t worry about it,” he said, motioning Jack to continue.
Jack gave a half nod and went on. “There is simply no way to know how things are going to play out. Everything is fluid. We don’t know where Adie will be or who she’ll be with when we arrive. Beyond that, the Syrians are highly motivated and ready. If they’re feeling trigger-happy tonight, we might very well show up right in the middle of a firefight. In the end, I think we’re just going to be making it up as we go along.”
“Just so everyone understands,” Ari said. “I asked Doc Maran, Brooke, and Katie along in case things don’t go as planned. We’re going into a potentially dangerous situation, and we may be dealing with injuries. If Adie is injured, sedating her may not be the best course of action. And if she’s conscious, things could get a lot more complicated. That’s where a psychologist and two nurses will be a very valuable asset.” He smiled at the trio. “So I’m glad you’re here.”
“We’re running a little short on time,” Merrick said to Ari. “Did you want to talk about the armor?”
“Before we get to that, I need to mention something,” Ari said, pausing for effect. “The responsibility for this mission rests with me and me alone. Things may not go the way we expect. We may experience difficulties and make mistakes. If you have to make a judgment call, I want you to know that I trust you implicitly, and I will back your decision as if it were my own. Should your decision prove to be a wrong one, it will be between you and me. If it’s serious enough to get the attention of the senior council, I will answer for it. All decisions made on this mission, whether mine or not, belong to me.” Ari secured a personal agreement from each crewmember before moving on. “While we’re on the ground, there will be a maximum of three people at risk—Adie and I primarily, but in the event something goes wrong or I need someone to cover my return, Merrick may have to step in. The rest of you will remain on-board.” He paused and changed the subject. “Merrick spoke of armor. If you will excuse us for a moment, we’ll suit up so you can see what we’re dealing with. And while we’re on the subject, in the int
erest of comfort, we won’t be wearing the armor for the first portion of the transit, just the undergarments. They’re made of fairly heavy fabric, so I don’t think anyone will be too embarrassed.”
The two men moved to the starboard side gurney and energized the barrier.
“Before we suit up, let me give you one of these flash capsules,” Ari said, removing a bright yellow sphere from his hip pouch, “just a little insurance. We can pair them with our suits during the coasting phase.”
They donned the undergarments, and with Merrick’s help, Ari added his armor.
“Not as complicated as it looked,” Merrick said, securing the last of the latches. He dismissed the barrier.
“Well, what do you think?” Ari asked, turning around slowly to give the crew a good look.
“Boy, that’s impressive,” Brooke said, shifting her attention to Merrick. “I really like the underwear.”
Merrick motioned the crew closer and gave them an overview of the suit, its capabilities and weaknesses.
———————
The armor was of a technology stemming from one of the latter Marcovan wars—light weight and flat black with articulated plating and joints. The ensemble included four parts. The deep gray undergarments were one piece, from foot-covering to the skin-tight hood, and consisted of a seamless, densely woven, elastic material with a closure from the neck to the crotch. The lower armored portion of the suit, also one piece, included leggings, heavy boots, and armor for the abdomen. The upper armor protected the chest, arms, and neck. Each wrist module consisted of six protruding buttons in two rows of three. The helmet, which completed the ensemble, was fully armored, both outer shell and face shield. A lens and prism system superimposed a tactical display on the interior visor. Flash-canceling technology in the face shield, though originally intended to nullify blinding laser weapons, had seemed to Merrick the perfect antidote for the flash capsules. The helmet was nearly soundproof and thus required an internal com-link with audio sensor and speakers. The armor provided one hundred percent coverage in the front, with somewhat less protection in the back.
———————
Merrick fielded a few questions and glanced at his com-link. “Look, we still have some things to discuss, but it’s time to get moving. We’ll cover the rest in transit.” He asked the nurses to help remove Ari’s armor in order to get them familiar with the helmet, latches, and other closures.
Five minutes before departure, Pastor Granger stepped through the entrance.
“I asked the chaplain to see us off,” Ari said as the crew extended a greeting. “Thanks for coming, Pastor.”
“And thank you for asking me, Doc. Why don’t we pray and get you folks on your way?” Heads bowed, and he began. “Dear Lord God, who is like You? Awesome works and miraculous deeds follow in Your wake. We know that nothing is impossible with You, that You have and will continue to deliver Your people from the most difficult of circumstances. This small company of Your children is about to embark on a mission of mercy. Their sole intent is to save the life of a young woman in mortal danger. Their cause is just. Their intentions are upright. They bear no malice toward anyone. Therefore, if it would please You, Heavenly Father, we ask that You would spare Adie’s life and bring this crew home. We ask this in the powerful name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The chaplain shook the hand of each crewmember and wished them all a safe journey.
CHAPTER 29
Merrick ensured the chaplain was well clear before raising the ramp and sealing the cabin. The engines began to spool up. With landing struts extended, Merrick brought the craft up one foot off the deck and eased it forward toward the launch platform. Once inside the airlock, he settled the craft down onto the platform and waited for depressurization. When complete, he dismissed the only barrier separating them from the vacuum of space. Artificial gravity kept the landing craft secure on the platform as it extended out fifty meters and tilted down forty-five degrees. Then launch control removed gravity and retracted the platform.
Merrick applied a slight forward thrust, propelling the craft down and away from the ship. At a quarter mile out, he laid in a course for Earth entry and throttled up. In a very short time, the vessel achieved its target acceleration of .3 g.
“Sure makes you glad for headrests, doesn’t it?” Brooke said.
“Amen to that,” Walt agreed.
While Merrick and Jack gave full attention to their consoles, the others remained conspicuously quiet, their minds preoccupied with endless variables surrounding the mission. Merrick noticed the silence and tried a little small talk to break the tension. “So, Doc,” he said to Ari, “in your wildest dreams, did you ever imagine anything like this when you left Marcova?”
Ari smiled. “I was a nervous wreck when I left Marcova…. It’s a miracle I’m even here.”
Merrick rolled his head right. “Now, you’ve got to tell me what that’s all about.”
Ari paused to recollect, and said, “I was still a couple of months from finishing med school when they made the crew selections. Doc Raphin was selected early on. Of the three student doctors that competed for the other position, I came in a rather disappointing second, so I began making alternate plans. Later, when the crew was called to assemble, the selectee got all the way to the spaceport and then just backed out—pulled her application.”
“Good grief,” Merrick said. “Why would anyone do that?”
“Seems she received a marriage proposal that she couldn’t resist—a fellow graduate. He had no interest in the Earth mission and gave her the age-old ultimatum...she chose him.”
“But didn’t that put you in a bind?”
“You have no idea. I was fifteen-hundred miles from the spaceport when I got the call—had to scramble to catch the last transport out…. And it wasn’t just me. Because I was to be key personnel, my mom and dad were allowed to join the mission, which they very much wanted to do. Fortunately, they were only a few hundred miles from the embarkation point.
“Anyway, I arrived at the local terminal just in time to see my transport lift off—not my finest hour…. The only thing I could think to do was sit down and pray. So that’s exactly what I did. I just told the Lord that I was His, and as badly as I wanted to make the Earth mission, I was going to trust Him. If He wanted me to go, then He would provide a way.”
“That sounds impossible,” Katie said.
“Ah, but with God, all things are possible,” Ari said. “When I finished praying, I sat back and for several minutes just stared out the window. I was sitting in the first of a half dozen terminals. From my position, I could see all of them stretched out in a long curved line. That’s when I spotted the medevac transport at the far end, maybe two miles away. Now, I’d flown as an intern with medevac for six months as part of my schooling, and I knew their hub was at Cranford Field—”
“Right next to the spaceport,” Merrick said.
Ari gave a nod. “Anyway, I grabbed my gear and headed for the terminal. Typically, those transports don’t stay on the ground more than thirty minutes—just long enough to load the patients and go. So when I finally got there, I was shocked to see they were still on the ground. The senior flight nurse told me the transport was heading straight back to the hub as soon as the emergency shuttle arrived from the hospital. When I asked her if there were any spare seats, she said they were all taken except for a jump seat—for crewmembers only. I told her I was a doctor, but she said that I had to be qualified aircrew. Now, that jogged my memory. When I was flying with medevac, someone told me that aircrew status, once granted, lasts two years. I checked my tablet, and there it was...due to expire in three months.
“The emergency shuttle arrived as they were throwing my gear in the hold. The cabin was packed with patients, so they put me right to work…. Believe me, I was a very happy conscript.
“I put a call through to my parents en route, and they met me at the spaceport. We took the last shuttle up to the ship—arrived four hours b
efore she departed for Earth—one amazing answer to prayer.”
“Some story,” Merrick said, shaking his head. “Thanks for sharing that.”
Conversation continued unabated until Merrick powered down the engines, and they began to coast.
Brooke rubbed her neck as she rose from her seat. “What a relief. You wouldn’t think three-tenths of a g would tie you down like that.”
Katie joined her in the back of the cabin where Walt played the willing patient as they ran through a multitude of systems checks.
Meanwhile, Merrick, Ari, and Jack went over the armor: its functionality, programming, and vulnerabilities. Afterward, Merrick configured the suits from the pilot’s console, setting the coded flash capsules to detonate remotely, one at a time, from the left wrist module. In the same way, he set up the suit disintegration trigger on the opposite wrist, activated by a multiple key-press. He then took a seat at the com/intel console to program a duplicate trigger on the multi-image display, enabling Jack to vaporize the suits in the event of the dreaded worst-case scenario.
“Dear God, let’s hope I never have to touch that,” Jack said, replacing Merrick at the console.
Merrick offered a loud, “Amen!”
Scanning his display, Jack noticed two Syrian commanders in what appeared to be a serious exchange. After a few minutes of monitoring, he swiveled toward Merrick. “Looks like the Syrians intend to use fighter aircraft during the assault; all the more reason to apply camouflage early.”
With Merrick’s nod, Jack touched the ops controller’s window on his display and updated Candy Rayborn.
“I understand,” Candy replied, “audio only; inbound and outbound.”
“Also, we’ll be on the ground in a little over an hour,” Jack continued. “I can see Adie is still with the cook, but I don’t have time to listen in. The cockpit’s a little busy right now.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Candy said. “Be back with you shortly.”
Merrick checked the time and signaled Ari. “Fifteen minutes to auto-braking, we ought to suit up.”
“Let’s wait for them,” Ari said, referring to the nurses at the back of the cabin. “I want to make sure they’re familiar with the gear.”