Launch by Richard Perth Read Free Book Online

Corporation and has
developed a highly efficient process to win the prize. The company wants to
avoid the public hassle of building a power plant. Instead, it’s working with
NASA to build and launch a manned, fusion-powered starship.”
    Claire remembered David talking about a
starship during their dinner in Las Vegas. “Starship Enterprise ?”
    He shook his head. “Starship Origin .
NASA calls the program Quad Fusion Thunder. If the engines work properly during
the first test flight, the Fusion Prize will be awarded. Fusion NRG’s patent
rights will then be released into the public domain. Other firms will use the
patents and engineering to build fusion power plants without royalty costs.
    “Origin will be built at Vandenberg Air Force Base at the expense of Fusion NRG. The
corporation will walk away with forty-five billion in tax-free profit. The
world will be left with a clean, cheap, safe, and virtually limitless source of
power that can reduce pollution and stimulate the world economy. It can also
provide more clean water and save lives.”
    Claire raised an eyebrow. “Where’s Origin going?”
    “They’re still deciding that. The most probable
destination is Minor, a star two hundred and fifty light years from here. The
crew will only age three years during the trip because of the phenomenon of
time dilation. They will spend about one year flying to Minor, one year
exploring the star and its planets, and about one year flying back to Earth.”
    “Time dilation? Isn’t that one of Einstein’s
theories?”
    He nodded. “The faster anything moves the
slower time goes for it. Theoretically, time would stand still for anything
traveling at the speed of light. Origin will be flying to and from Minor
at near the speed of light.”
    With a feeling of dread, she realized where the
discussion was going. “How much time will pass on Earth before Origin comes back?”
    “Five hundred and three years,” David said.
    The aroma of coffee filled the kitchen as she
said in a small voice, “And you want to go.”
    He nodded. “And I want you to go with me.”
    With raised eyebrows, she asked, “How can I do
that?”
    “NASA wants a married couple for the crew.”
    Claire realized that, whether he knew it or
not, he had just proposed. She believed he loved her, but he had not said so.
She knew she loved him and felt rising excitement. Should she say yes? Claire
was torn and didn’t know what to do but felt she had to do something. She
reached under the counter, picked up a skillet, and put it on the cooktop.
    David’s eyes widened. “What are you going to do
with that?”
    “I don’t know. I might fry some eggs. When will Origin launch?”
    “July fourth, 2050.”
    “That’s more than four years from now,” she
said.
    “Yes.”
    “So that would be more than seven years of our
lifetime before we could start a family?”
    “Yes,” he said.
    “That’s not good enough, David. I want a home
and family. Soon. Now. Yesterday.”
    “There are other considerations.”
    “What?”
    “In terms of human suffering, the twenty-first
century will be by far the worst in human history.” he said.
    “It already is.”
    “Yes, and it’s going to get worse. If we have
children here, they’re going to grow up in this century,” he said. “What kind
of a life will they have? What kind of life will our grandchildren have? Our
great-grandchildren?”
    She reached past the skillet to get cups and
saucers. David reached the kitchen door before he stopped. Claire looked at
him. “Where are you going?”
    “Nowhere, just stretching my legs,” he said and
went back to the chair.
    Claire put cups and saucers on the table,
poured coffee, and sat down.
    He’s talking like we’re already married! How
do I answer that?
    After a long silence, he said, “What do you
think?”
    “About what?”
    “Our kids’ future,” he said.
    “We’re only going to have one of our own. The
rest will be adopted.”
    He said, “Our