Command Decision

Chapter 2-4

Twenty minutes later, Josh and Ash sat in a large room that looked more like a mini-theater than a conference room. Every seat was filled. Julia had escorted him and Ash to the front row and indicated for them to sit down before she had stepped up onto the small platform next to Lydia.

Josh’s mind buzzed with the information Julia had shared just minutes before. He glanced down at the binder in his hand. Julia had explained that he had been selected as the commander and Ash had been selected as the pilot for a very special mission into space. While she did not go into much detail due to the limited time, he was piecing together what he had seen. This was a top secret, international mission, possibly to Mars, definitely deep space. He half wondered if the scientists had found something on their nearest planet that hadn’t been leaked to the news yet.

“Good morning. Thank you for taking time off of your busy schedules. This morning, I’m happy to welcome the last two members to our team,” Lydia announced, glancing at Josh and Ash for a moment before scanning the group. “Lt. Commander Joshua Manson will be the commander of the Starship Gliese 581 while Lt. Commander Ashton Haze has been chosen as the pilot. Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to the rest of your crew. You’ve already met Julia. She is a Mission Specialist and will provide navigation and contact support. While both Mei and Sergi are new to the crew, they are not new to Project Gliese 581g. Dr. Mei Li Hú is from the Chinese space agency. She is a Mission Specialist with a background in computer science, biology, and environmental systems. The last member of the team is Sergi Lazaroff. His specialty is in mechanical engineering, payload, and weapons.”

“Weapons?” Josh asked with a frown as he glanced at the spec sheet in front of him of the Gliese 581. “Will the Gliese be equipped with a weapons system?”

“Only in Sergi’s dreams,” Mei interjected, drawing laughter from everyone.

Lydia smiled at their teasing before she answered Josh’s question. “At the moment the answer is no, but we have not eliminated the possibility. The biggest drawback is the technology. We’ve advanced considerably over the last few decades, but a weapons system is still more science fiction than reality,” Lydia said. “This is a review for many of you, but the countdown has begun. In eighteen months, Project Gliese 581g will depart for the Earth’s first interplanetary mission.”

“Interplanetary,” Ash replied with a slight shake of his head. “This is huge. It would have been nice to have more than eighteen months to prepare.”

Julia turned to stare at Ash with a strained smile. “I understand your reservations, Commander. The tight deadline is unavoidable,” she explained. “The original crew for the mission would have received slightly more time to prepare. It is regrettable that the four of you won’t have the same opportunity. On a positive note, both Sergi and Mei have been on several missions to the International Space Station and have worked on the Gliese 581’s construction. It helps that they are familiar with space travel.”

“What happened to the original crew?” Ash asked with a raised eyebrow.

“They and the backup team were killed when the two helicopters they were on crashed while returning to the compound. There is only one original member of the crew left. I had a meeting in Washington that night and was delayed. It is the only thing that saved me, and possibly this mission. We lost some brilliant men and women in the crash, including my father,” Julia replied in a quiet tone that resonated throughout the room.

“I remember hearing about it on the news, but didn’t realize the magnitude of it. I’m sorry for your loss,” Josh replied somberly after a minute of silence.

Josh studied Julia’s pale face. There was more to the story, but something told him it was personal. He could see the shadow of grief in her eyes when she explained the tragic accident that took the original crew members.

Josh caught Ash’s glance that told him his friend felt it as well. Turning his head, he stared at the others in the room. He listened while different project managers shared reports, progress, and issues they were having. It wasn’t until the end of the briefing, after Julia and Lydia quietly congratulated all of them for their selection as members of the crew, that he felt a nagging suspicion there was still more information being withheld.

“I look forward to the mission,” Josh responded with a sharp nod.

Ash was silent for a moment before he sat back in his seat. “Eighteen months to departure, huh?” he replied with a grim smile. “We have a lot to learn.”

“Yes, you both have a lot to learn in a short amount of time, but I promise you will also have the best team in the world behind you,” Julia said with a relieved expression.

“Does anyone have any questions before we begin?” Lydia asked, stepping up to the front again.

“I do,” Josh said with a twist of his lips.

“What is it, Commander?” Lydia asked.

Josh studied Julia’s face as he asked his question. “Where exactly are we going?” he asked.