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Earth's Knell
Earth's Knell
Earth's Knell
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Earth's Knell

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Many scenarios have been written about an asteroid disaster in modern times, but none have addressed the probability of storing humans on the Moon and other planets. Earth's Knell looks at this possibility in depth, dealing with the secrecy required to keep Earth's workers from leaving their vital jobs while the authorities prepare to save as many humans and other species as possible.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherJT Duxbury
Release dateSep 18, 2009
ISBN9781301004645
Earth's Knell
Author

JT Duxbury

JT Duxbury's Personal Profile:Moving across the sci-fi community with his uncompromising debut story Earth's Knell, the mature Wisconsin native, JT Duxbury, has been defined as an engagingly original writer. His propulsive writing blends dreaming with a reality attitude and a sharp eye on what could be. Readers have compared him to a modern day 'Mark Twain'. His writing soars with a passion and intensity of a mature dreamer set to leave his mark on futurist fans in need of a fresh style.JT Duxbury was born and raised in west central Wisconsin and made his entrance into the arts, at age twenty-seven, as a country music singer and lead guitarist. While working as a part time musician, he earned an associates degree in industrial electronics and went on to become a proficient electronics technician, computer programer, and now an author.

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    Earth's Knell - JT Duxbury

    JT Duxbury/Earth's Knell 73

    EARTH'S KNELL

    BY

    JT DUXBURY

    Copyright © by JT Duxbury 2006 - 2009. All rights reserved

    Published by JT Duxbury at Smashwords

    This book is available in print along with others by this author at http://stores.lulu.com/cdbooks

    ISBN 978-1-4357-4563-6

    Smashwords Edition, License Notes

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be

    re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with

    another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it

    with. If you’are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased

    for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your

    own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    Reader's review

    Earth's Knell - refreshing fiction or foreshadowing? 10 May 2006, by: S.L. Hack

    How would a government handle an asteroid hitting earth? Probably very close to how it is told in Earth's Knell. This is a story with cold truth and realism not found in many fiction stories. I was refreshed by the common sense approach to how people in our society would act when faced with such a potential holocaust. Recommended for that rainy afternoon or winter read.

    Prologue

    Anthony Harris, a forty-two year old astrophysicist for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, pressed the page button on his desk phone to summon his boss the director of that institution. He stood for a moment with his left hand in his back pocket, the other hand finger combing his slightly graying dark brown hair. He wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers and sat down placing his head between his hands to massage his temples.

    Fighting middle age spread, Anthony worked hard to maintain his body's shape. His hazel eyes blended well with a ruddy complexion to set off a normally stoic appearance. Today, however, that stiff upper lip quivered.

    His phone began to ring and Louise Goddard's image appeared on his computer's video screen. The attractive middle aged woman's face always brighten Anthony's day; but today her soft blue eyes did little to lift his spirits.

    Anthony? I really hate to rush, Despair rang in her voice. She stood back from the Web camera and Anthony could see her shapely body clad in a powder blue business suit and soft pink blouse. I'm between classes, can you keep it short?

    Ah . . . oh. This is . . . He sighed and pushed a lock of hair from his face. I have the worst possible news.

    Your voice Anthony, you don't even sound like yourself. What's happened?

    Anthony watched her facial expression lighten as he said, We need to have a meeting as soon as possible.

    Well, get on the chopper and get down here. Can you give me a clue?

    Sure . . . in brief, we have incoming, five-point-two miles across. It collided with asteroid 1997 XF11 last night, now they're both heading our way. The trajectory prediction is dead on for mid to late 2028.

    Her face grew pale. Twelve years. A slight whistle escaped. Well we've got a little time. Better bring your toothbrush; you may be here for a few days.

    He nodded. I thought so.

    A picture of his wife wearing a scorn on her face presented to Anthony's mind and he thought, Sara's gonna love hearing that. I think she's leery of Louise.

    Louise continued, I'll look over what you have, and then decide who needs to be notified. Louise's expression turned to concern. And we'll probably need a meeting by conference call. She paused watching him for a moment. 'Um, you filed a report last month about an unexplained explosion near the asteroid belt. Is this the result of that?

    Yes. He picked up a photograph from his desk and looked at it. I've been following the progress of the debris heading our way. I had the new Magellan space telescope check in on it from time to time. There are video streams and stills on my site. He waved the photo in the air.

    Does anyone else know about the collision? Louise leaned forward staring directly into the camera.

    I haven't said anything to anyone but you. My wife was here in the office with me when the explosion occurred but she doesn't know about the incoming. Unless . . .

    Unless what?

    Well, they're still visible on the Magellan. Anyone using the system could run across them.

    She shook her head. Not good, I better call Willie in Honolulu and have him block those coordinates from view. Sara has Top-Secret clearance so no problem there.

    Anthony turned and made an entry on his computer's keypad. Use my number four PIN to open the files on my site. He looked at the camera and forced a smile.

    "That sounds good. I'll go in and get my students to work on something, and then come back and see for myself.

    Have the chopper pilot tune one of his phones to secure channel 'Bean Bag'. I'll call if I have a question—And Anthony?"

    Yeah?

    Calm down . . . We'll figure something out.

    Anthony heard subliminal compassion dancing in her voice. I'll try. He began to stand. I'm on my way.

    Louise added, Why don't we meet in your hotel lounge at five. If this is as bad as you sound we'll both need a stiff one.

    Well, I guess one won't hurt. Okay, five then. Later. As the screen turned black he mused for a moment. That look in her eye. It always makes me feel good but . . .

    Chapter 1

    Woodland, California was a rather nice town. Nestled at the foot of the Cascade Mountain Range in northern California, folks there were traditional, everyone knew everyone else. Then growth came to the town because of the high cost of property in larger nearby cities like Sacramento and San Francisco. People wanted to raise their families away from the big cities; many took advantage of the lower cost of living and commuted to their jobs.

    Anthony Harris was one of those transplanted commuters but he was a telecommuter. The job allowed him to do most of his work from home, and then once a week drive to his office in San Francisco. Other times he'd go by helicopter to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena for meetings and such.

    Anthony, his wife Sara and their two daughters Nicole and Melissa once lived a comfortable life in their three-bedroom, ranch-style-home just five miles from the heart of Woodland. The family enjoyed the splendor of the mountain that rose up to the east of the property. Many evenings Anthony would sit in the backyard and stare into the star-scattered abyss of space, marveling at its majesty, its complexity.

    He felt fortunate he had a job he enjoyed and satisfied that his family was away from the bad things that can happen to people who lived in large cities. This was truly the good life . . . until the 20th day of January 2016, when Anthony had the dubious—honor of naming an asteroid, 2016 Earth Knell+1.

    ***

    February 1, 2017.

    Because Anthony was a top player with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he shuttled between his home, his office in Pasadena and the Department of Defense in Washington, DC. In this way he stayed on top of the 'what to do about the asteroids' decisions.

    Once a small panel of trusted experts was convened, it took almost a year before the group could agree on a resolution. Based on existing records, these were the main points of their plan: Article 1 dictated that no action to set the asteroids off-course could be taken until they were less than six months distance away. Article 2 required that only those with Top-Secret clearance would be allowed access to information regarding the asteroids. If their plan to divert the asteroids failed, then Article 3 contained a contingency plan as follows: The United States Government would send several spaceships holding an as-yet-unknown number onboard. Their missions: to colonize planets now believed to be inhabitable.

    There was much disagreement about who should be selected for the flights. After considerable debate, Anthony convinced the panel that at least two people from the 'grassroots of society' should be included in each crew. He never had to bring them up but Anthony had his reasons. There was no need to mention them in this report. Suffice it to say that, in Anthony's opinion, while education would be important to the colony's beginning, diversity would help it survive long-term. The strength of his convictions were later reinforced when he was asked to make the initial presentation of his discovery to two separate groups of people chosen as the professional and technical contingent of the crews. Physical labor and hard times were a stranger to many of these candidates.

    When Anthony's part of the resolution was approved, it mirrored his desires with two catches: Harris must take charge of recruiting and training the 'grassroots' people, as specialists in the art of survival and unpredictable living conditions. He was honored by the former assignment and hoped he would not be too overwhelmed by the latter. Fortunately, Anthony had the room to accommodate such an undertaking on his property.

    Anthony's part of the program was in place. Now all he had to do was find people with the Wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job, and enough guts and street smarts to ensure the survival of the human race on an alien planet.

    ***

    To maintain the secrecy surrounding the asteroids, the project of building a spaceship for a mission to colonize Mars was proposed and engineers were set to work drawing up the plans. The panel of experts remained on the job and acted as the steering committee for all final decisions. The panel's next decision was to hand the responsibility to supervise the construction and sailing of the space vessels over to the U.S. Navy. Anthony Harris was asked to remain in the loop to maintain cohesion between the military and civilian requirements of the project.

    ***

    May 10, 2017, Moon Base Armstrong.

    Lieutenant Commander James Royal of the United States Navy, stationed at the newly commissioned Moon base, walked into his small office. James Royal, Jim he liked best, was the kind of Native American you never forgot. At five-feet-six inches tall, he stood above most men in self-worth and accomplishments. His blue eyes, lighter complexion and stubborn nature he received from his Irish father, but his loyalty, drive and cunning in battle, he received from his Cherokee mother.

    Jim moved over to the porthole as he did every morning and peered at the blue and white ball that appeared to be just dangling in space. Well, it's still there. He thought, and then snorted softly through his nose and ran his hand over his black hair. Funny, all my years on submarines down there I never missed home as much as I do on this assignment. Wonder what Jay is doing?

    He turned away from his view of Earth and looked down at his gray metal desk where stood a framed photograph of his wife. He picked the picture up and looked closely, following the lines of her pretty Cherokee features with his eyes. I miss you, sweetheart. He sat the frame on the desk and adjusted its position so he could glance at it while doing his morning work, and then took his seat and began to sift through his emails. Hmm, a letter from the U.S. Department of Defense? What 'da heck's this? He marked the document for viewing. Briefly it read:

    To: Lieutenant Commander James Royal

    From: The Department of the Navy

    You are hereby ordered to report to the office of The Secretary of Defense, in the Pentagon Building, Arlington, Virginia, at 0800 hours, on the seventeenth day of May 2017.

    He looked away and fixed his eyes on the door in front of him, and then turned to the order and read it again. He looked at his wife's photograph, as an uncharacteristic giddy emotion wove its way through his mind. I'm coming home. He gasped, and then his eyes widened. But why? My rotation isn't up for three months. And what the heck would they want of me at the Pentagon? Wait a minute, he smiled, Secretary of Defense, Harry Lang. Man I haven't seen him since we served on the Springfield.

    ***

    May 17, 2017, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.

    Lieutenant Commander Royal checked his uniform and tie then reached for the doorknob leading to the Secretary of Defense's office. He squared his shoulders then opened the door and stepped smartly toward the outer office desk to announce his presence.

    An efficient looking, attractive woman with brunet hair smiled and looked him up and down. Secretary Lang is on a phone conference right now, as soon as he's done I'll let him know you're here Commander. Please take a seat.

    She pointed with her open hand to a brown leather sofa against the opposite wall. He nodded then turned and sat down as instructed.

    A few minutes later, the pretty receptionist looked up and said, He's off the phone. She pressed a button and said, Lieutenant Commander Royal is here, Sir . . . Very good, Sir. Yes, I'll hold your calls, Sir. She looked up. The Secretary will see you now, Commander.

    Jim nodded and stood. Thank you Ms.? He elevated his eyebrows.

    Pleased with the dashing commander's attention she stuttered. Jen ah, Jenny White, Sir.

    Jim paused then smiled. Ms. White. He turned and opened the door to the inner office.

    Harry Lang's voice called from across a large lavishly furnished rectangular shaped room. Jim Royal, Harry walked briskly across the thick pile carpet extending his hand. That ugly face of yours brings back some of the most pleasant memories of my naval career.

    The men shook hands heartily.

    With a respectful tone in his voice, Jim said, Ah, belated congratulations on your appointment. then smiling, I couldn't have been happier when I heard. With your gift of gab, always knew politics was your game.

    Thanks, Harry placed his arm around Jim's shoulder for a moment, and then pointed to a puffy lounge chair. Sit right there. Something to wash the Moon dust out of the pipes?

    Jim shook his head as he sat down. Oh, it's too early for the hard stuff, n' Jay's with me at the hotel. She don't like me drinkin', just a Pepsi if you got one. Jim looked at his watch. Might even be too early for that.

    Harry stepped to his desk phone and pressed a button. Jenny, bring us a Pepsi and a coffee for me, please. He released the button and turned to face Jim, then sat against the edge of his desk. He smiled with a weak effort. Curiosity's killing ya', right?

    The Commander leaned forward in his seat with his hands on his knees. You're kidding. You call me back from a moon station for a private meeting. Darn right, I'm curious. I've always prided myself on my patience but this one's got my stomach churning, I'll admit.

    Well, this is as serious as it gets. Secretary Lang looked down and then back to his guest. My dear friend, I'm going to offer you the opportunity to live to be a doddering old man . . . then he whispered, barely audible, on another planet.

    What? Jim's face went white as the muscles over his cheekbones began to twitch. Harry held one finger to his lips and stepped close to his friend's side.

    Jim whispered, What makes you think I'd want to live on another planet? And why the heck are we whispering?

    Whispering again, Harry said, 'Cause this planet may be uninhabitable in a few years. Then in a normal tone of voice, It's Top-Secret.

    The Commander slumped back in his seat and stared at his friend's somber face. I'm ah, hum, I'm stunned. Just start from the top and go slow.

    I'll do better than that; I'll show you a video block after Jenny brings our drinks. This is Harry squinted his eyes and shook his head slowly for effect. very. . . closely. . . held. You can't even tell Jay until I say so. We've made up a cover story for you to tell her. I'm sure even with her delectation of your coming home early, she's as curious as you.

    Jim nodded in agreement. So give me the high lights 'til Jenny arrives.

    The Secretary shook his head. Can't. We godda' go into a secure room.

    Whoa, I'm speechless, didn't know I was all that important. Jim pushed a finger in the air. Maybe you can explain why me? I know we're friends but something this heavy.

    Harry walked to his desk chair and began to sit as Jenny walked through the door. You might know she'd bring the drinks just as I go ta' sit down.

    Jenny handed Jim his Pepsi then Harry his coffee and said, Anything else?

    Harry shook

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