Spindrift by Allen Steele Read Free Book Online

resources,” he added, as a mischievous grin crept across his face.
    â€œI think you can see where this is going.” Beck leaned forward to place his empty wineglass on the table. “We mean to send the Galileo to Spindrift, with the intent of investigating the origin of these signals.” He nodded toward Sinclair. “This will be a bilateral mission. After all, it was the Union Astronautica that discovered Spindrift…”
    â€œAnd ESA has the means to get there.” Ramirez toyed with the untasted drink in his hand. “Not a bad idea, if you have a ship capable of reaching the object…Spindrift, I mean…when it makes its closest approach.” He searched his memory. “Just short of two light-years, about two and a half years from now. You’re going to be cutting it close, even with diametric drive.”
    â€œWe have a certain…well, edge…that gives us confidence that we can make it,” Harker said. “In order for us to achieve our launch window, we’re looking at a departure date of June 1.”
    Ramirez raised an eyebrow. “So soon? That’s only six weeks away.”
    â€œWe believe that it can be accomplished.” Beck settled back in his chair, steepled his fingers together. “We already have a good crew, with Captain Lawrence in command…sorry he can’t be here, but he’s attending to other matters just now.” Harker made a face, but said nothing. “And we’re presently assembling our science team, with representatives from both the Union Astronautica and the European Space Agency.” He paused. “Which is why we’ve asked you to be here, Dr. Ramirez. We’d like to have you aboard.”
    The glass slipped from Ramirez’s hand, spilling wine across the dark green carpet. He barely noticed the waiter as he rushed forward to sop up the mess with a terry-cloth towel. His heart skipped a beat; for a moment, it was hard for him to breathe. No one in the room spoke; Ramirez waited for someone to grin, laugh, tell him it was just a gag— Oh, no, we’re not serious…You’re staying behind, to act as a consultant —but everyone simply gazed at him, waiting for a response.
    â€œSure,” he said at last. “I’d love to.”
    â€œSplendid,” Shillinglaw said. “We were hoping you’d say that.” He grasped Ramirez’s shoulder as he gazed at Harker. “You’ve got your astrobiologist, Commander…the best in the business.”
    Harker gave him a tight smile, then nodded to Ramirez. Sinclair let out his breath and shook his head, while Beck asked the waiter to fetch a round of champagne so that they could make a toast to the mission. None of them noticed Shillinglaw as, still holding Ramirez’s shoulder, he leaned forward to whisper in his ear.
    â€œThere, you see?” he said softly. “You didn’t really want to jump out that window, now did you?”
    THREE
    MAY 29, 2288—TSIOLKOVSKY STATION,
NEW GUINEA SPACE ELEVATOR
    L ike a silver caterpillar ascending an impossibly long strand of silk, the tram from New Guinea climbed the last hundred yards toward its berth within the station’s outer hull. As it approached the terminus, the vehicle began to decelerate, the conical fairing of its nose bisecting to reveal the flanges of its docking module. The tram almost seemed to coast the rest of the way home; it slowly entered the sleevelike berth, then there was a slight jar as it came to a halt.
    A recorded voice came through speakers within the passenger lounge, announcing the tram’s arrival. First-time travelers, impatient to board the elevator for its descent, unbuckled themselves from their seats. Clutching the straps of their carry-on bags, they began to waddle toward the hatch leading to the boarding gate, careful not let the soles of their stickshoes leave the floor’s densely fibered carpet. The gate