Panspermia Deorum by Hylton Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

idea. Having an outpost on
the red planet with a surfeit of supplies but nothing to take their
mind off sheer survival, planted the seed. With even rudimentary
technology, by current standards, the crew could actually track
Chocolate Orange from there. With no atmosphere to contend with,
and the distance between the two planets, they had two advantages.
Less interference from planetary magnetic fields, and hackers who
were dependent on the internet. This line of thought led to
reinforcement of his preference to concentrate the overwhelming
proportion of expertise and resource on option 1 in the deflection
strategy. The calculations of time and place would manifold,
leading to even more potential rendezvous coordinates. Narrowing
down the candidates to single figures had to begin immediately,
because of the implications for design of appropriate projectiles
and their delivery time.
    *
    The family
reunion was, as expected quite strained. Geraldine tried her best
to at least get the conversation going by giving the two of them
privacy; she disappeared to go shopping in the city.
    “When can we
see Sophie?” asked Julien.
    “Whenever it’s
convenient for you. Everything revolves around your schedules,
Julien. She’s in a bad way, so you had better prepare yourself for
a shock. I know you’ve always doubted …even ridiculed the diagnosis
of mental illness, as has Eugene. But you may not recognise your
daughter.”
    “Is Eugene
coming?”
    “No, he seems
to think that Sophie’s problem is of her own making…or merely
seeking attention He didn’t at first, but gradually found, as I
did, that he couldn’t get through to her. He simply says she’s in
the best place for her condition and he never visits her now… she’s
his sister and he won’t see…I’m sorry, it’s just so
distressing.”
    “So, do you
think he would come if I ask him to?”
    “No, I don’t.
None of us are the same people you left behind… that you abandoned,
to save the entire human race in that God-forsaken place at the
other side of the world. Let’s go to the therapy unit, just talking
about Sophie is no substitute for seeing her.”
    They took a
taxi to the therapy centre, which in times gone by might have been
labelled as a Sanatorium. It was a tremendous shock for Julien to
see all manner of unfortunate young people wandering around
aimlessly, whispering to themselves. Sophie was in her room, not
feeling well enough to stand up unaided. Massive black halos
circled her eyes and a flimsy nightdress clung to her skeletal
frame. He couldn’t even tell if she recognised him, so devoid of
expression were her facial features. He broke down emotionally and
turned away, thinking he was going to faint. The nurse came to his
rescue with a chair.
    When he
recovered a handhold of composure, he tried to make visual
connection once more. A weak smile was her only response. No words
could be cajoled from Sophie.
    “I think we
should go to the cafeteria, Julien,” said Elise, “we can come back
when the nurse has helped her…look, she can’t even go to the toilet
herself. She vomits after every attempt to eat. They are certain
she isn’t bulimic, but I’m not convinced… I don’t believe it. They
say it’s normal, part of her reaction to going cold turkey. They
expect it to last another three or four weeks.”
    They walked
solemnly to the coffee machine, but there was a queue so they sat
at the nearest empty table. It was an unexpected outburst.
    “Elise, don’t
accuse me of suggesting another quick fix of convenience, but I
can’t go back to work after what I’ve just seen. I want to
understand what is really going on here. Will these people allow us
to take Sophie and her medication away for a break? This place may
have a good reputation but it would depress the hell out of me in
less than a day, and you told me she’s depressed.”
    “It was
recommended by our doctor, whom you’ve always respected. And, you
haven’t yet seen her