Command Decision

Chapter 2-2

Josh walked down the long corridor following their escort. Each room they passed was filled with people. What was strange, they all paused when he and Ash passed by to stare at them before bursting out in excited conversation.

“Something is up,” Ash whispered, glancing at the rooms as they passed. “I swear I’m getting the feeling that we are about to be fed to the lions or something.”

“It’s the ‘or something’ that has me worried,” Josh retorted under his breath.

He slowed his stride before coming to a stop when Lydia paused outside of a room. Her hand gripped the door handle and she smiled at the two of them with a hint of pride and anticipation. Josh was pretty sure she could feel their frustration and curiosity.

“Commanders, I’d like to welcome you to Project Gliese 581g,” Lydia said, pushing the door open and motioning for them to step through.

Josh glanced at Lydia before he stepped through the door. His eyes widened when he saw instead of a conference area, they were in what looked like a huge training room. Dozens of people paused as he and Ash stepped inside.

In the center of the room was a strange looking spaceship, or at least a section of it. He walked forward, his eyes glued to the futuristic design. His gaze ran over the outer hull. Small windows around the bottom gave a hint as to what might lie inside. This was far different from the space shuttles that he had seen.

“What is this?” he asked with a frown.

“It’s a replica of the Gliese 581 Starship,” a soft voice replied. “A long range spacecraft made specifically for an extended exploration.”

Josh turned to watch as a slender woman in her early thirties walked up to him. She was wearing a pair of faded blue jeans and a white cotton top. Her brown hair was piled up on the top of her head in a messy bun with small wisps fanning her face. Her dark brown eyes were piercing and held a look of curiosity and an intense assessment of them – as if she was evaluating whether he and Ash measured up to her expectations. In her left hand, she carried two binders.

“Dr. Julia Marksdale,” she said, holding out her right hand.

“Josh Manson,” Josh replied, shaking her hand before turning as Ash stepped up.

“Ashton Haze, but everyone calls me…,” Ash started to say with the easy grin that melted most women’s hearts.

“Ash,” Julia Marksdale finished with a smile. “Your reputation is well documented, as is Commander Manson’s. We are honored to have you as part of our team. Lydia, I’ll introduce them to the Gliese’s command center, if you like, while you let everyone know that they have arrived.”

“Thank you. Gentlemen, I leave you in very capable hands,” Lydia replied with a smile. “We’ll meet for the in-depth briefing in an hour.”

Julia nodded. She waited until Lydia had walked away before she turned back to look at them. Josh’s eyes instinctively moved down to her left hand – it was bare and there was no sign of a ring having been on it. His curiosity grew when she turned and looked up at the replica. She waved her hand toward it and gave them a smile filled with pride.

“It is slightly different from the aircraft you are used to flying. Would you like to see the inside?” she asked with a smile when both men nodded.

“Is this replacing the shuttles? It was my understanding that private companies were taking over the development of reusable spacecrafts to ferry astronauts around,” Ash commented, glancing up at the massive circular pod.

“This is slightly different,” Julia replied. “While this has several private backers, this spaceship is designed for an interplanetary mission.”

Surprise coursed through him at her words. He glanced at Ash. His friend had a what-the-f**k-does-that-mean expression on his face. He felt the same way as he started forward.

“Project Gliese 581g is an international project that was started six years ago. It is projected to launch in eighteen months, if all goes well,” Julia said as she stepped around to a steep, portable staircase.

“What has to happen for it to go well?” Ash asked.

Julia stopped on the fourth step and turned to look down at them. A small smile curved her lips. Josh could feel that assessing look as she scanned both of them again.

“Whether or not you both agree to accept this mission,” Julia replied, turning to climb the stairs. “The team needs you, but this mission is on a volunteer basis because of its nature.”

“It would be nice to understand what in the hell is going on. Usually the briefing comes first,” Josh retorted behind her.

“I second that,” Ash responded in a frustrated voice, staring back at Julia. “It’d be nice if someone actually told us why we are here.”

Julia bit her lip and nodded. “Let me show you the Gliese 581 and I’ll explain what I can before the meeting,” she replied, turning to finish climbing the steps.