Quazum

THE TAKE OFF 9

A group of professional mechanics all stood around staring at the pair of formal shoes sticking out from beneath the large solar jet. Dr. Palmer was lying on a wheeled board rolled under the engine, while the mechanics stood by watching.

“Get me a ‘Multi-Penza bolt,” yelled Palmer.

The workers looked around before one scientist responded nervously, “A snag bolt? Are those in the Andar Tool kit?”

Dr. Palmer strained under the engine before reaching out and impatiently slapping the concrete. “Come on! Multi-Penza from the bolt drawer!”

“Yes sir!” answered Eddie. The young mechanic then raced to the back of the facilities and slid open multiple drawers, searching through the overstuffed cabinets.

“Is there something I can do, Dr. Palmer?” asked another engineer politely. “Anything else you need.” All remained quiet as Palmer lay motionless.

When Eddie returned, he pushed the wrench under and announced with excitement, “I found this bolt in the barrel drawer, but I think it’ll fit the Multi-Penza.”

Dr. Palmer grabbed the tool and without even trying to connect yelled out, “This is just a damn solo penza.”

“It was all I could find, but I can get...”

“I need the Multi-Penza. Do I have to roll out and get it myself?

“No sir. I can find one,” yelled Eddie before running off again.

“Do we at least have a pair of pliers I can use for temporary compression?” asked Palmer, still lying down out of sight.

Another mechanic then shuffled through his pocket and pulled out a multi-tool. “I’ve got some right here, sir. I always carry this around for emergencies.”

Dr. Palmer grabbed the tool and quickly made an adjustment before sliding out from under the engine. Cleanly dressed in the formal uniform, Palmer had messy hair and oil spots on his face. “This is not a two-hour flight to New York with a stewardess passing out drinks. There is no room for imperfection!”

Engineers uniformly nodded their heads in response.

Palmer rolled his eyes and looked around. “Don’t you have jobs to do? The Quazmopolis mission will be taking off in five hours. Let’s go!”

“Yes sir.” Engineers ran off, and the working noise sounded out again across the SEA warehouse. Dr. Palmer wiped his hands and face with a disposable towel before Eddie raced back breathing heavy.

“I got it! It was buried under the sera-bolts.”

“Get under that mantissa, seal the vent, and test the charge!” Dr. Palmer finally stood, looked around the warehouse, then put back on his officer’s hat and adjusted his tie.

* * *

The bedroom was dark, but Lacy’s eyes were wide open as she stared at the three-dimensional digital clock on the bedside table, which read four twenty-nine. Lacy then reached out and put her hand over and waited.

“Come on...” Lacy mumbled. “Change already.”

When numbers on the clock finally switched to four thirty, Lacy tapped the top of the clock and jumped out of bed. She then ran to the bathroom with excitement.

“Good morning, Miss Lacy,” announced the bathroom computer in an intelligent English voice. “Your mission is running on schedule. Plans are in order for the seven-day exploration of the Quazmopolis moon in the Kepler Solar System. Mission will be taking off this morning at ten o’clock, and you are expected to arrive at Space Exploration before six o’clock.”

Lacy pushed a button on the wall of the bathroom and announced, “Full thermostatic shower, with vaster soap and laxer shampoo. Temperature at one twelve. Uhhh... Just five minutes with a thirty second warning.”

Hot water from the shower began spraying, and steam rose as Lacy jumped in. A soap-based liquid shot out from the electronic shower dispenser, and when soapy bubbles landed in Lacy’s eyes there was no pain or discomfort. She instead began humming and scrubbing her body with the automatically dispensed soap.

After three minutes, the color of the water changed, and Lacy began scrubbing her hair with shampoo, also from the electronic dispenser.

“Decrease temperature, and prepare a towel,” said Lacy as the shampoo bubbles fell to the shower floor.

“Evelin towel? Or Carboxin?” Two colors of towels, different sizes and shapes, then came out from the side wall and unfolded.

Lacy looked at the two towels. “The Evelin towel is fine.” She then grabbed the circular green towel and began drying. The other towel folded and mechanically reentered the wall. Lacy then ran over to the automatically open closet door and pulled out a formal suit.

The computerized clock was still speaking, “We’ll have clear skies today, and temperatures will rise to a high of seventy-five degrees. Records of temperature and cloud conditions will be kept for review when you return. And we would all like to personally wish you good luck on the Quazmopolis mission!”

* * *

Another group of engineers were standing at the side of the solar jet calmly taking measurements when Dr. Palmer walked around the corner. “What’s the current reading of contained power?”

The scientists looked up surprised and immediately began rechecking meters. “Uhhh... Solar power is close to eighty-seven percent capacity,” answered Eddie as he adjusted the dial.

“And the sun will be coming up in just a few hours so we should then have full capacity before takeoff,” said another scientist reading from the meter.

Palmer was annoyed again, then looked around at an old-fashioned electronic plug. “I want full capacity now. Get that engine charged!”

“You want us to just plug it into the wall? I don’t think that’s necessary...”

Without hesitation, Palmer began pulling out a cable from behind the solar jet. “It’s an antique method of power we call... electricity! Plug these wires in, and get a full capacity charge. Now!”

Eddie then grabbed the old wire and ran over to plug it in. “The solar jet batteries will be fully charged in less than thirty minutes.”

“Fine,” responded Palmer. “We’re travelling more than a thousand light years away, and I will not stand for imperfection!”

“Yes sir,” answered both engineers as they stretched dirty cables across the floor.

Palmer read from his small computer before turning to Eddie. “Has the seal of the vestibule been tested?”

“Uhhh... I think it’s all set.”

“You think...” Dr. Palmer looked around in disgust again. “Check seals on vestibule doors, and reset the launch down system.”

 “I think the vestibule is already sealed, and the launch codes have been documented.”

“The system is showing point zero one four turbulence. Open all seals and recheck for zero illumination.”

Eddie looked around the solar jet. “I guess I could start a new...”

“Check it now!” yelled Dr. Palmer before rushing out of the mechanical zone again.

Engineers mumbled under their breath and continued preparations before Eddie spoke up, “We’ve got to do everything he says. Palmer is paying for this, and explorers are risking their lives.”

“But triple-checking is a waste of time.”

“Just do what Palmer said.” Eddie then climbed a ladder and began checking sealed openings on the solar jet.

* * *

Lights from the stars and moon shined across the open area lighting up the Space Exploration entrance as Palmer ran across to the main building. He pushed open big doors and hurried down the long dark halls. Offices were empty, and no one was in sight.

When Palmer walked into the oversize control room, the many desks were empty. Lights shined from all the individual computer screens at each table, and large monitors on the walls showed various camera angles from inside and outside the solar jet. Other monitors showed video of the colored rock on the Quazmopolis surface and the beautiful sky.

Janitorial workers walked into the control room laughing but stopped when they saw Palmer reading from monitors.

“Oh, we’re sorry Dr. Palmer,” said one. “Anything we can do to help? Or maybe we should just come back at a later time?”

“No! I want all these monitors cleaned and reset to a proper color balance... And you can organize the press room for a professional presentation. Monitors will be displaying video, and we’ll have reporters recording standups and conducting interviews. I want everything looking professional and state of the art.”

“Will this be live?”

“I’ll decide what’s live when the time comes,” said Palmer before rushing out of the control room.

* * *

Formally dressed in military uniform and pulling a suitcase, Lacy hurried towards her front door when she heard a whistle. She immediately spun around to see the beautiful cockatiel bird, Clive, jumping around a large open area.

Lacy walked over and put her face up to Clive’s face. “I’m leaving for about two weeks. Your automatic bird feeder and cleaner will keep fresh food and water. And the computer will play a light whistle music during the day. You’re just going to have to hold out. Okay?”

Clive whistled again before Lacy quietly spun around to a small goldfish in an aquarium bowl. “And you’ll have automatic sprinkles in the morning and afternoon. Goodbye Nigel.” Lacy then pulled her suitcase out and down the steps of her apartment building.

Lights were off in all rooms of the building, and the external complex was lit with altruist lighting floating in the air. The same moon lit up the parking lot as Lacy pulled her wheeled luggage towards the white module automobile.

“Good morning, Miss Lacy,” said the car in a formal voice.

“Shhh... It’s almost five o’clock. No external audio.” Lacy touched her finger print to a spot on the handle to immediately open the trunk, then rolled her suitcase to the back. She then climbed into the driver’s seat, and her door was automatically sealed.

“Time is four forty-seven. Current temperature is fifty-six with highs today rising into mid-seventies...”

Lacy interrupted, “Take me to Chris’s apartment.”

“Traffic is light. Would you like the faster route, or the scenic route near the beach?”

Lacy was hardly listening. “The fastest route please... Let’s go!”

As the car backed out of the long driveway and made turns, Lacy read from her computer screen, and announcements continued. “Temperatures on Quazmopolis are expected to peak at around one hundred fifty-two today. And that’s about two hours prior to the solar jet arrival.”

The car quickly merged onto the near empty freeway and dramatically increased in speed. The digital computer continued quoting numbers and information about the Quazmopolis mission. Lacy took a deep breath and looked around deep in thought as the car continued.

* * *

Dr. Palmer was sitting alone at the computer in his office and pushing buttons on the monitor. He read information from his phone and studied complicated graphics flashing on the screen before the computer spoke up, “The Quazmopolis mission is running on schedule, with a launch time now in four hours and seventeen minutes.”

“Have we tested solar panels in the storage vestibule?”

Computer hesitated before responding, “All solar panels in the fourth vestibule are currently sealed.”

“I want them tested,” shouted Palmer as he began touching icons on the screen and typing on the keyboard. “And close the engine correlation! I want all readings documented and posted.”

A live video feed of Eddie then popped up speaking directly into the monitor, “Yes, Dr. Palmer. We’ve installed all modifications to solar vestibules and have found no irregularities.”

“Then why isn't that posted on my computer?  I want all readings documented!”

“I can start a new measurement after we...”

“Now!” answered Palmer as he reset his computer readings. “I want the solar jet in full operation mode before scientists arrive... And before the press begins asking questions.”

“Yes sir,” replied Eddie. “I’ll have everything ready.”

Palmer then closed the communication monitor screen and began studying the amazing images of the multi-colored rock surface with the yellow colored sky over Quazmopolis.

* * *

“Tap, tap, tap.”

Ben Thomas was lying motionless in bed. The sound of the light taps on the window had no impact on his deep sleep.

From outside, a polite voice whispered, “Ben, it’s five o’clock.”

“Knock, knock, knock.”

After the knock on the door, Ben reluctantly opened one eye and read the glowing time of 4:59 AM on the curved three-dimensional alarm clock. When the clock changed to 5:00 AM, a sweet and sexy female voice from the clock spoke up, “Good morning, Ben. The time is now five o’clock on Tuesday morning. And you’ve got a big day scheduled.”

“Shut up!” Ben yelled at the clock, before rolling over, and quickly falling right back to sleep.

Outside, Lacy stood with her ear up to the door and trying to peek through the window. She had her arms crossed just trying to keep warm before finally pushing the doorbell button.

“Ding, dong.”

“Ben, it’s five o’clock. Let’s go,” whispered Lacy as she reached into her purse. She pulled out her phone scanning movement inside the door. On screen, she saw poor quality black and white video showing no motion inside. “We’ve got to be at the Space Exploration by six.”

The knob finally began to move slightly, and the door slowly creaked open. Lacy then jumped and hurried into Ben’s apartment, quietly closing the door behind her. “I thought maybe I could fix some breakfast while you’re taking a shower and getting dressed.”

“Just let me sleep for about fifteen more minutes.”

Lacy turned on kitchen lights and immediately started the computerized coffee maker. “Today is the big day, and we can’t be late. We have a press conference this morning, and several meetings, before take-off. Very important.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“And once I leave, we won’t be seeing each other for about two weeks.”

“Where were you last night?” asked Ben as he walked back. “I thought you were going to come by. I stayed up waiting.”

Lacy opened the fridge and began pulling out pans and laying them around the stove. “We were working late again. I told you, we’ve been taking tests and planning the details of this Quazmopolis exploration every night! It’s crazy.”

Ben then yelled from the bathroom, “I wanted to have the wedding before this stupid mission... just to get it over with.”

“I’ll be back from the mission in a week. You have to wait.”

“It’s a mission to the middle of nowhere for a week, then another week of quarantine,” answered Ben. “This is just bad timing all around.”

“I’ll be worth the wait. I promise you.” All was silent before Lacy looked up. “Ben? Are you going back to sleep?”

The toilet then flushed, and Ben slowly walked out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. He immediately began kissing and pulling Lacy towards the bedroom. “I need you now.”

“Ben, what are you doing? Come on.”

“Just one time before you leave. Please.”

“We don’t have time for that. I told you,” responded Lacy with a smile. “You’re just going to have to hold out.”

“We’re about to be separated by light years,” replied Ben as he tugged Lacy’s arm. “I need you, now.”

“Fine,” Lacy said as she was pulled towards the bedroom. “We can skip breakfast, and you can skip your shower.”

“I’ll be fast,” replied Ben. “I promise.”

“And safe! Right?”

“Of course. Very safe as always.”

“And this will be the last time before the wedding, right?”

“Not a problem. My family is handling everything.” Ben kissed Lacy as they lay down on the bed before Ben looked up and smiled. “You know? Maybe I can even get your dad to come to the wedding.”

“Yeah right,” answered Lacy sarcastically as she took one final look at her watch.  “No thank you.”

* * *

“Is Palmer in his office?” asked Eddie and other engineers as they walked up carrying engine parts from the solar jet.

Alice the secretary was unpacking her purse and sitting down when she looked up. “Yes, he’s in his office with the door closed. That usually means he’s not seeing visitors.”

“This can’t wait,” mumbled another engineer as they walked up to Palmer’s door.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

As Eddie reached down to the knob Palmer’s door suddenly swung open, and Palmer hurriedly walked out.

Eddie got out of the way, then said politely. “Sir? We have a cracked fiscal band on one of the solar panels, and...”

“I don’t have time for that. Alice, get me media relations...”

Eddie continued alongside. “Dr. Palmer, it’s on the east side of the wing.”

Palmer finally stopped and looked annoyed. “Well, grab another one, and reattach it.”

“Do we have more fiscal bands?” asked another engineer.

“I’ve got a warehouse filled with them. Take the next one in line, and attach it to the buffer under the wing.”

Eddie seemed confused as he mumbled to other engineers. “Oh, I guess we could move it over, and attach a new fiscal band.” The other engineers then followed Eddie out.

Palmer hurried over to Alice keeping busy behind her desk. “Open up doors for the press room ten minutes early, and lay out the updated video display.”

“Yes sir,” replied Alice.

“And double check press feed of audio and video connections.” Dr. Palmer then hurried back into his office and closed the door.

* * *

As the clock on Ben’s bedside table softly advanced to six thirty, the pretty computer voice began announcing politely, “The time is now six thirty. Leaving at this time could get you to the Space Exploration Agency by seven o’clock. Mission to Quazmopolis is scheduled for take-off this morning at ten...”

“Shut up!” yelled Ben to silence the clock again.

Ben was lying on Lacy before she pushed him over and began climbing out of bed. “Okay. It’s time, Ben. Let’s go.” Lacy grabbed her carefully folded clothes off the bedside table and began neatly putting them back on. “We’ve got thirty minutes to load the car, drive through traffic and get to the Space Exploration Agency by seven. It’s not going to be easy.”

Ben finally got up slowly and picked up yesterday’s military clothes off of the floor. “Just call it SEA. It’s shorter and means the same thing.”

“SEA just makes it sound like we’re going on a boat. Space Exploration is conducting a second mission to a moon with an atmosphere capable of supporting life! I think that’s big.”

“It’s just the colored rock that’s got Dr. Palmer all worked up. The temperatures can never support natural life.”

“New elements, new rock formations. This could be a historic mission our kids will one day read about in their history class.”

“Great,” replied Ben sarcastically as he pulled up his pants.

“We’re like God creating Adam and Eve.”

“Historical importance.” Ben seemed annoyed as he tied his tie in the mirror. In a formal voice Ben sarcastically announced, “I’m Dr. Palmer, risking human lives in this hot, colored space moon, in the middle of nowhere. And I’m picking up all the costs.”

“That’s a terrible impression,” responded Lacy with a smile as she turned and quickly headed out.

Ben finally put on his officer hat and followed Lacy. “I’m pretending to support this mission. But between you and me, I think this whole exploration is a giant waste of time and money.”

* * *

Pilot Jenkins, a heavy-set man scheduled for the Quazmopolis mission, walked around the solar jet in a busy zone and looked curious. He began climbing the staircase leading to the interior of the solar jet and entered the cockpit. After sitting down, he examined settings. When everything appeared proper, he looked around and opened a small compartment at the bottom right corner.

“Ring!” As the alarm began ringing, Jenkins immediately closed the cabinet door and looked around waiting.

Eddie ran up the stairs and into the cockpit. He looked confused. “Are you okay, Pilot Jenkins?”

“I was just checking settings of the jet I’ll be driving. I don’t know why alarms were going off?”

Eddie immediately began adjusting the settings and was apologetic. “Dr. Palmer’s just got safety features on every part of the jet. He wants no mistakes on this mission. Every rule must be followed.”

“Yeah, I understand. I want no mistakes too.”

As Eddie resealed the compartment, Jenkins continued. “You know? They’re double checking everything in our special assigned suitcases, and I just wanted to bring some extra stuff...”

“Well, Dr. Palmer is really strict about things going out. He wants to use water extracted from the humidity, and a food supply regenerated on the Quazmopolis surface.”

“Oh, I know. That’s all we’ve been talking about for the last year. But I’ve got less than a pound of a personal medicine I can just keep in this little compartment, and no one has to even know about it.”

Eddie looked around nervously before answering with a smile, “Sure, I’ll add an extra pound of weight to the cabin measurements. Not a problem.”

Pilot Jenkins then reached down and shoved his bottle of brown liquid into the compartment, then sealed it back as Eddie adjusted settings. “Thank you, Eddie. This is truly going to be a trip to remember.”

* * *

In the car, Ben was swerving in and out of traffic. Wearing the tight seat belt, Lacy gripped the side of the door and gritted her teeth. She finally said politely, “Ben, I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t change lanes without signaling. Just put it back in auto, and let the car drive itself.”

Ben, looking tired and sleepy, continued his reckless driving. “Hey, I’m faster than ‘auto’, and I’m willing to break laws. I promised to get you to SEA on time, and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Lacy then looked around noticing drivers of other cars looking annoyed, as Ben’s self-driving car cut across busy lanes and exited the busy freeway. After a polite smile and wave, Lacy continued. “I’ll be leaving my car in your driveway parked next to your car.”

“Fine.”

“Remember, you only need to take it out once during the week. Just drive it around the block, get it washed, and drive it back. And park it in the same position.”

“What’s the point?” asked Ben. “We can do all that when you get back.”

“I want my car to be kept up, and you already agreed. Just drive it once to work, and get it washed. Not a big deal.”

“Fine.” Ben yawned before slamming on his brakes and letting an older pedestrian pass.

“Oh, I knew this was a mistake,” said Lacy looking around. “Ben, I just can’t be late. Today of all days! I knew giving in to you would be something I’d regret.”

“I told you I’d get you there on time, and I mean it.” Ben then hit the gas and continued down side streets.

“I have to get into my approved gear, we have tests and meetings, and a press conference with Dr. Palmer.”

“Palmer is doing all this just for the media attention. He does none of the work and takes all the credit. I think this whole thing is a scam.”

“Palmer does all the work. He’s been researching Quazmopolis for the last ten years,” said Lacy with a conviction. “And planning this entire mission for the last year and a half. I’m just thankful to have been selected.”

“Screech!” Ben slammed on the brakes again, then swerved through another line of traffic before finally turning into a curved driveway and pulling up to the security parking guard in front of the beautiful building.

“Morning Mr. Thomas! Good morning Miss Meaux,” said Charles the attendant with a smile as he pushed buttons to start the hi-tech gate opening.

Lacy leaned over to wave to Charles and yelled through the window, “Today’s the big mission. I might not see you again for a couple of weeks!”

 “I know everything’ll be fine, Lacy. But I’ll still keep my fingers crossed. Good luck!”

“Thank you, Charles!” Lacy waved again as Ben’s window began to close, and the gates finished opening.

As Ben pulled into the parking lot of the glass-covered Space Exploration, he sped up the long driveway.

“Okay, let me out!” yelled Lacy as she opened the door slightly.

When Ben came up to the drop-off area, he resisted even slowing down. “Just let me park. It’ll just take thirty seconds, and then we can walk in together.”

“I’m jumping out if you don’t come to a stop. I mean it, Ben.” Lacy then put her leg out the open door, and dragged her heel on the driveway before Ben came to a stop.

“Will I be able to see you before take-off?”

“Probably.”

Ben leaned over to give Lacy a final kiss and whispered, “I love you.” When he opened his eyes, he saw Lacy had jumped out and was rolling her special white case up to the front. Ben watched her entering and looked disappointed as the doors closed.

Lacy looked down at her phone as she walked through the front door. The time flashed to seven AM showing she was on time. Hurrying down the hall, Lacy waved to Alice, the receptionist, who immediately pushed a button to open the sealed doors.