Rendezvous & Revelation


    It was an unassuming mining ship that first noticed the “dark spot”. The ore cruiser ‘Terra Twin’ was busy trying  to get a navigation fix.  The ship’s computer announced that one of the main navigation stars was obstructed by an object *NPR.  The commander of th vessel, Jeffrey Calan responded “Switch to secondary nav-set, and display object at full magnification”.


    “Fix positive, object displayed” replied the computer.


    “How far are we from the object?” requested Calan.


    “Approximately 70 million miles” replied the computer.


    “Well we can’t get a good look from here” he said under his breath. “Alter course to intercept object, proceed at one thousandth, * decal to 1500 fps When we are within 25,000 miles, brake ship and alert me at 10,000 miles from surface” He instructed before taking his leave.  As Calan left the central command cell, his ship’s hull began to hum as the fusion drives accelerated smoothly.  He made his way aft to the communications room.  The computer tech Murray Dean was already there, and in good spirits.


    “Hiya Jeff,” he greeted his old friend.  “Who do we bother today?  Terra or whichever UW station in the core is fastest responding?”


    “Terra, Murray. Sooner rather than later, we could have a possible situation on our hands” Jeff explained.


    “Okay” acknowledged Murray, turning to his desktop.  He spoke directly at a black globe standing on a two-inch cylinder base.  “Terra Twin OC 1732 of Charon Mining Co. registry TATNCH 1732, calling Terra Comm, or any UW station inside Mars orbit.  We have detected large object NPR in this sector.  Please advise!”  Passing his hand across the globe from left to right, Murray turned to Jeff and said “I’ll broadcast on repeat until something comes in. Guess we’re gonna be famous Jeff.”


    At this point the computers voice cut off Jeff’s reply, “Stationary ship located 10,000 miles from objects surface commander.”If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    “Acknowledged, maintain course.” He directed.  “You were saying Murray?”


    “No object big enough to eclipse a star has ever been NPR in 16 centuries! I am just saying, this is gonna be a big deal.”  Murray rotated his chair and began typing into his computer. “According to this, everything that large was sighted and recorded from Terra before Luna was explored!”


    “Well I don’t know if they give medals to computers yet, Murray, but the log disk will tell them the computer located ‘the big ugly’ not us.”


    “Yeah I suppose you''re right,” Murray sighed.  “But it’s a thought that may come true.”


    “Meantime,” said Jeff trying to stifle a small grin. “Set me a full crew meeting in 20 minutes.”


    “Righto!”  Murray replied as he turned back to his ‘eight ball’ as he called the visible part of his microwave transceiver.  The entire desk consisted of all of his equipment. Amplifiers, filters, linguistic computer and telemetry recorder as well as other miscellaneous gadgetry.  He touched two fingers to the left side of his desk and spoke, “Full complement meeting in 18 minutes, thank you.”  Murray smiled to himself as he looked at the chronometer over his door, Chung is gonna have a fit.” he muttered.  Her gym period was 18:00 to 20:00. It was 18:09 now, 18:08 ships time.  Jeff back in the command cell queried his computer for more information on the object.


    The computer responded quickly and clearly.  “Object diameter 16,000 meters, approximately 10 old Earth miles across, spheroid shape.  Initial analysis of radar image identify it as  a  nickel iron alloy, mostly smooth with several dents and gouges present, possible collision damage.”


    “Motion?” inquired Jeff.


    “Negative. Object is stationary relative to star field.  There is no evidence of energy or radiation present. Object is either hollow or composed of lighter objects within. Gravity pull is significantly less than a non-metallic asteroid of comparable size.”


    “Commander,  all other compiled data on UO as acquired.”  It was 18:16 ships time, Jeff scowled a little, he wasn’t our call to Terra Comm. has been answered, shall I articulate?”


    “Yes” Jeff answered with anticipation.


    “Terra Comm. Satellite stations GS Geneva 15, message from United World Science Affairs Council to Commander Calan, ore cruiser Terra Twin of Charon Mining Co. Inspect and record UO parameters.  Remain with UO until arrival of research vessel Argus enroute from Venus within eight hours subjective.”


    Jeff addressed his computer “Transmit all present observed data immediately to GS Geneva 15 and going to be on his survey engineer’s good side for a while.


    “Commander?” the computer said.


    “Yes.”  Jeff answered.


    “Addendum to previous message.  Prominent UW scientists postulate UO is a wandering asteroid.”  Jeff threw his head back as he walked out of the command cell and laughed. Half of those scientists had never set foot off the planet. Ducking his head to avoid a beam, he made his way to the common room.