Read Acts of Survival - Orbit the Sun – Part 11 Page 2

  The silhouette of the mars Explorer stood out sharp and clear against the backdrop of the planet. “Well there it is,” said Andrew. “We should be at our closest in about eight hours?”

  Matt was almost mesmerized. “It’s funny; for such a famous spacecraft I’d forgotten what it looked like?”

  “I haven’t.” said Alisha. “I was still at school when it left. It was part of the reason I went into space: I desperately wanted to be aboard.”

  Andrew turned to her. “And after all those years now you will be.”

  She looked at him disapprovingly. “It’s not that long ago?”

  He smiled apologetically. “I remember it leaving too. It was completely different to anything of the time?”

  “Or now?” added Mathew.

  “And because of it,” said Andrew. “We learned so much about space travel even if it was proved not to be the best way to cross the cosmos?”

  Mathew s gaze centered on the long lattice framework that defined the crafts axis. “That bulbous structure is the reactor?”

  “Yes, and that wheel like thing… I can’t remember the technical name? Is the shielding. While we are talking about that don’t whatever you do approach from the rear; the reactor doesn’t have any shielding.”

  “I think I’ve had enough to do with radia…tion.” Mathew’s words faded as he realized Andrews experience had been even worse.

  Andrew let the unsaid pass; instead he looked at Alisha. “I don’t know if you remember but the wheel shields the crew?’

  “And provides counter revolution to the crew module.” She added. “Which is the crew module?” Alisha looked at the two cylinders either end of the propeller like arm almost at the front of the lattice axis.

  “It’s probably hard to see at this angle but one is larger than the other. The smaller one is… or was, the extra storage area.”

  She smiled. “It’s a long way to go for your shopping?”

  “Almost a kilometer, but there is a kind of monorail joining them.”

  “It’s moving?” she suddenly said in surprise.

  Andrew was surprised too. “So it is…but it’s not been in use for years?”

  “It’s not fully operational: that’s you job, but they keep it running to maintain it’s height.” Mathew tried not to sound as if they should have known that already.

  “Of course.” said Alisha slightly embarrassed. “Even this far out there would be drag from the atmosphere to slow it?”

  Andrew was slightly concerned. “You have factored that into your getting there?”

  “Matt nodded.

  Alisha’s voice sounded unhappy. “I hope you have; not only do we have to hit a tiny target it’s moving as well?”

  “Whatever you do, make sure you get back.” Said Andrew seriously. “The shuttle will be ready and waiting to leave, and it needs a pilot.”