Theos spacecraft - Action plan
"Isn’t it exciting to think that the two of us are going to save the Earth, my love?" said Elisa, gazing at the Colonel with the eyes of a loved-up kitten, as she reached for his hand.
“‘My love’? Isn’t that moving a little fast?” Jack chided her frowning.
Elisa winced, then when the Colonel smiled affectionately and stroked her cheek, she realised he was teasing her. “Swine! Don’t play tricks like that on me again or I’ll show you” and she began pummelling his chest with both hands.
"Okay, okay" whispered Jack, hugging her lovingly. “It was just a silly game. I won’t do it again.”
The sudden embrace had a calming and relaxing effect on Elisa. She felt all the tension she had accumulated up to then, suddenly melt away like snow in the sun. After all that had happened in the last few hours, it was just what she needed. She melted into his arms and slowly closing her eyes, leant her head against his strong chest and let herself go completely.
Azakis, meanwhile, had slipped into the dreadfully crampedH^COMbooth and was waiting for an answer to his communication request on the holographic screen in front of him.
A series of multicoloured waves, starting from the centre of the screen, began creating an effect similar to that of a stone thrown into the calm waters of a pond. All of a sudden, the waves gradually began to fade and the hollowed and time-marked face of hisEldersuperior, started to appear.
“Azakis," said the man smiling slightly, while he slowly lifted his bony hand in greeting."What can this poor old man do for you?"
"We revealed the truth to the two terrestrials."
“A bold thing to do," commented theElder,holding his chin between his thumb and forefinger. “And how did they take it?"
“Let’s say that after their initial legitimate amazement, I think they reacted very well." Azakis paused briefly then said, in a very serious tone,"We suggested using the superfluid toroid to them."
“The toroid?" exclaimed the other, rising to his feet so fast even a youngster would have been jealous. “But it hasn’t been fully tested yet. You do remember what happened last time, don’t you? We could create an uncontrolled gravity fluctuation with that thing and there’s even the risk of creating a mini black hole."
“I know, I know only too well" replied Azakis quietly. “But I don’t think there’s an alternative. This time, if we don't use drastic measures,Kodon’spassage could be fatal for the terrestrials."
“What’s your plan?"
“The orbits of the two planets are estimated to intersect in just under seven days. If you could get them to prepare the toroid and have it brought here to me at least a day in advance."
“That’s not much time, you know."
“You’ll have to leave me a small margin for the positioning, configuration and activation procedure."
“I’ve got a bad premonition," said theElderrunning a hand through his silvery white hair.
“Petri’s with me. It’ll all be fine."
“You’re two clever guys, I don’t doubt that, but be very careful. That thing could become a lethal weapon."
“You just try and let us have it in time, leave the rest to us. Don’t worry."
“Okay. I’ll get back to you as soon as everything is ready. Good luck."
His superior’s face vanished from the monitor that went back to sh