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  They also have added a new department to the administration. This department is "Safety and Standards." The governance committee originally brought up the issue of safety, but it was from a legal standpoint. After they consulted with me, I decided that due to the dangers that space presents that there needed to be some kind of technology implemented to prevent accidents. They are looking through the options now and should have something soon. The SDH has seen issues with components manufactured by different companies not being compatible. For example one of Ted's suppliers produced a pump with varying bolt holes, which needed different bolts and nuts. So now he has to carry multiple sizes of nut, bolts, and tools for each of them. Then there is the cost of launching all the extra sizes into space. So they decided to create a standards department similar to the American National Standards Institute, but unlike the ANSI they are going to limit the number sizes. They will be adopting many of their standards and modifying them as needed.

  That pretty much covers everything. Did either of you want to add anything else?"

  "Not that I can think of right now," stated Ted.

  Jackie asked with some concern in her voice, "How are the new standards going to affect the mining project? If I have to redesign everything to the new standards that are going to push us back months."

  "It should not affect the mining project very much. Mainly because your project is mostly completed and you already have the tools and equipment that you need. Going forward through any new designs will need to be compliant with the new standards. I have sent you the files of what we discussed today."

  Standing up Ted put out his hand, "I'm confident that we are making progress. By the way, I would like to get some of that coffee."

  Chuckling as I shook his hand and replied, "It's a special blend that I have made. I would be happy to send you some."

  Launch site, Lagrange 5.

  "Theodore, I am glad you could be with us by video conferencing for the launch of our first asteroid mining vehicle. The launch video and data streams will start in a moment. Ben is here with me and will be watching the launch.

  As you know the launch will be happening outside our construction hanger in the space colony test area. Let's see what the techs have been doing," after switching lines, "control this is Miss Van Swan, where are we in the launch sequence?"

  Control, "T -19 minutes. The vehicle is being loaded with fuel, should be completed at T -6 minutes."

  "Thank you control. Theodore, Ben and I are going to go to the cafeteria to get a cup of coffee and a Danish. We will be back in about 10 minutes."

  Ben, "Sounds like a good idea to me, just sitting here listening to the mission control counting down and going through the checklists is driving me nuts."

  T -8 minutes

  Upon returning to the control room, "What is the launch status?"

  Control, "Coming up on T -7 minutes and all systems are a go. Fuel payload is presently at 85%.

  T -8 minutes and fuel payload is at 89 %

  T -7 minutes and fuel payload is at 95%. All other systems go.

  T -6 minutes and fuel payload is at 98%

  T -5 minutes, the payload is still a 98%'s, initiating a hold on launch. Vehicle support, this is mission control we have a problem the fuel payload is staying at 98%."

  Vehicle support, "A visual inspection of the launch vehicle is showing fuel around this craft. Please stand by while we determine the cause."

  "Jackie, I thought that this was going to good," said Ben. "Do you have any idea what the problem might be?"

  Jackie, "There could be any number of..."

  Vehicle support, "We found the issue control. The emergency relief valve was set to open and has been reconfigured to closed. Diagnostics reports every at 100%."

  Control, "Roger that vehicle support, re-starting lunch at T -7 minutes and counting."

  "As I was saying there were any number of things that could have caused the issue. Controls decision to call a hold was a correct one. Vehicle support was visually monitoring the vehicle which accounted for the quick response time. Ben, that had me worried for a moment there."

  Control, "T-6 minutes and fuel payload 100%

  Ben, "I feel the same way after all asteroid mining is a key component to becoming self-sufficient and supporting earth in the long run."

  Control, "T -3 minutes and counting. Fuel payload is holding at 100%, pressure 30 pounds per square inch. Initiating the rocket engine fuel pre-heater.

  T -2 minutes and counting. Heaters at 2°C and rising. All systems go

  T -1 minute and counting. Heaters have reached the launch temperature of 60°C.

  T 20 seconds and counting, all systems go. Final count, five, four, three, two, one, we have ignition all systems go."

  As the vehicle passed through the space colonies radiation shield. Suddenly there was a bright blue flash and some kind of halo around the vehicle. "Vehicle support, please provide visual status of the vehicle."

  Laughing as he reached past Jackie, Ben pressed the microphone phone button.

  Ben said, "Control this is Ben, I can answer that question, I probably should have given you a heads up. What we saw was an interaction between the vehicles exhaust and the colonies radiation shield as it passed through. As you can see it has already returned to normal, so no reason for alarm. Ben out."

  Ben, "Well your first asteroid mining vehicle is on its way, can you tell me again the destination and the time it will take to get there?"

  "After reviewing some different asteroids we decided that the first one would be Nemesis," said Jackie, "Since it is one of the most studied asteroids due to size and location we had a better idea of its composition. It is expected to take approximately 29 days to reach Nemesis.

  Control Room, Control Space Station, Lagrange 5

  I cannot believe that 29 days have already passed. The space colony control room was much differt than I thought it would be. We should be seeing updated telemetry from the asteroid mining vehicle at any moment. The next hour will show if all the hard work is going to pay off. "Look, alive people, we should be getting the updated telemetry from the mining vehicle."

  "Yes Miss VanSwann," said one of the technicians quietly. "The countdown clock estimates touchdown telemetry in one minute and 20 seconds. We will begin showing the feeds at the one minute mark."

  Suddenly the main display screen lit up with a picture showing the cratered surface of nemesis. At the edge of the video, we can see some of the retro thrusters flames. Along the right side of the screen, various data is being monitored. They are a countdown clock, distance, fuel remaining, vehicle temperature, anchors, and analysis. The countdown and distance timers are rapidly counting down to zero.

  When the countdown and distance timers hit zero, there is a slight jarring of the video, and then the distance showed that was slowly increasing again. A thruster engaged to maintain contact with the asteroid.

  Nervously waiting, Jackie could not believe how well things had gone up to this point, the charges for the anchors should fire at any moment and attach the vehicle to nemesis. There was another jar on the screen, and three of the four anchors showed that they had a good connection and had pulled the vehicle tight to the asteroid. Telemetry indicated that all thrusters had shut down.

  "Okay, three of the anchors are attached. The data shows that the vehicle is stable. The vehicle started the system check and should take about 10 minutes to complete," reminding the technicians of the mission parameters. "Once we have confirmation that the vehicle is within parameters, we will transmit further instructions. Keep in mind that it will take approximately 20 minutes each way for the vehicle to receive any commands and respond back. So, folks, it is going to be a long day." Everything looks good at this point."

  Technician, "The system check has completed and is indicating a 98% readiness. Checking data to determine why we do not have 100% readiness." The technician screen was showing her scrolling through menus too fast to determine what I was seei
ng.

  "Thank you."

  "Jackie, the propellant system indicates that we have 18% less fuel than was projected at this point in the mission." While continuing to scroll through information on the screen. "The telemetry indicates that upon approach the vehicle had to maneuver more than expected to avoid other asteroids in the Nemesian group."

  "It could've been worse. Go ahead and transmit instructions for the vehicle to unpack and proceed with the first laser spectroscope test," Seeing no sense in waiting for the results, I headed out the door. It will be several hours before the tests complete, and we get an answer. "Since this is going to take a while I am going to go get some work done. Let me know if there are any problems."

  Several hours later came the announcement, "Ms. VanSwann to control room please!"

  Arriving at the control room Jackie asked, "So what do we have so far?"

  "The unpacking completed over an hour ago and it went smoothly. The spectroscope laser deployed normally and obtained a plasma sample of the asteroid for analysis. We should have that analysis at any moment." As the technician completed his comment, the data analysis started scrolling by.

  Jackie, "Let's bring the composition up on the main display." This should be interesting.

  Composition analysis

  Carbon – 50%

  Water – 25.5 %

  Amino Acids – 11%

  Metals – 5%

  Miscellaneous – 8.5 %

  Well, the composition is a little bit different than the long-range spectral analysis predicted. The metals are way off, but the water and amino acids are higher. We can work with that.

  "Looks good. Initiate the mining program. Place the highest priority on replenishing propellant, then begin the collection of carbon for the next stage. Please forward status reports every 24 hours to my inbox." Hum, shouldn't take long for the miner to replenish the propellants but with the lower metal content, it will take longer to construct the large rail-gun.

  Rose Garden, White House, Washington DC

  The White House Rose Garden was looking somewhat cluttered with the rows of chairs facing the two podiums and the flags of the United States and United Nations. People are fluttering around and talking in subdued voices in anticipation of a major press release.

  The loudspeakers made a crackling noise, and the national anthem started playing. A Few moments later they announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the national anthem."

  Then the various dignitaries exited out of the white house and took up positions on either side of the podiums. "Please welcome President Jose Rodriguez and UN secretary-general Kumar Ganesha for this historic announcement."

  President Jose Rodriguez "After many months of negotiations and diplomacy, we are here to announce a historic initiative that will improve the lives of billions of people worldwide.

  Today I am proud to announce the "World Pride and Fairness Accords," the Secretary-General Kumar Ganesha will explain what the accords mean. The accords are the right thing to do, it is also just and worthwhile. We are above all else a compassionate country, and we will show that by helping our third world brothers and sisters."

  Secretary-general Kumar Ganesha "For too long there have been First, Second and Third world countries. While most people in the first and second worlds live in comfort and luxury, the third world has lagged behind and lived in misery, without adequate food, clothing or housing. The Accords are designed to bring the third world up to the level of the rest of the world."

  "The world can no longer afford for the first and second worlds to frivolously spend money in areas that do not benefit everyone. This is especially true with maintaining large military forces and the development of space. The developed countries have agreed to cut back their military forces by 20% and invest the money saved in developing the third world. The UN has issued a directive that all countries and companies will stop the wasteful development of space. The first world countries will be working with Aerospace companies to retool for third world development. I now turn this back over to President Jose Rodriguez."

  President Jose Rodriguez "Please quiet down! Just moments ago, I signed the Sustainable Earth Initiative executive order requiring all branches of US military to cut spending by 20% next year and another requiring all space development to be suspended within 18 months, start developing products and tools for the third world. In addition to that, I have issued a memorandum to all government agencies to support this initiative."

  Someone in the crowd yells, "You cannot do that, you do not have the authority. I demand you rescind the order. The United States is not a dictatorship." The secret service quietly leads the person out as he keeps screaming.

  The President continues "Again this is the right thing to do. These countries need the rest of the world's help. As a compassionate country, we can not turn our backs on them. Thank you for your time and join me in celebrating as we move into a new world."

  County Club, Washington DC

  It is hard to believe that it has been almost two years since we started the holding company and had the first meeting. I just wish it wasn't under such dire circumstances, I thought entering the Club.

  "Andre, have my guests arrived yet?" I asked the host as he slipped him a tip.

  Andres replied, "Yes, sir, they are in the meeting room."

  "I am expecting a box to be delivered shortly, would you please have that sent to the meeting room?"

  "Yes, sir."

  Upon entering the meeting room, the members are quite excited and even agitated in some cases. I noticed Theo waving for me to come over to where he is standing with Jackie. It only took a moment to get to them.

  "Hi, Jackie, Theo. It is quite the predicament have we found ourselves in with the Presidents news conference yesterday. Have you got a feeling for what the other members are saying and thinking?"

  Theo responded, "Well there seem to be two prevailing sentiments. The first is that there is nothing that we can do and we're going to have to go along with the executive order and the second is that we fight the order. I hate to say it, but I'm on the fence. It would be a shame to throw away all that we have accomplished and developed for space, but at the same time going against the federal government is scary."

  Jackie, "I am getting the same messages and have the same feeling as Theodore."

  "Thank you both for your thoughts; I am going to call the meeting to order and get started. Ladies and gentlemen thank you all for coming today, I know it was short notice. Let's go ahead and get the meeting started.

  With the president's announcement, I know you all have questions and wonder where we are going to go from here. My legal team has reviewed the executive orders that the president has issued. They have determined that the executive order does not meet legal or constitutional guidelines. As a result, I have set up a legal fund to fight this in court. Our initial filing is a request to stay the executive order until the legal issues are resolved."

  Andre, "Mr. Wilson your package is here."

  "Andre, you can leave the package here by me," said Ben.

  "The way I see it, we do not have much choice but to continue. With the deteriorating world economy, declining resources and food shortages, we need to develop the resources of space or we will have a world collapse!

  Let's start out with where we are today. Over the last two years, we have made a lot of progress in accomplishing our goals.

  We finalized the Space Habitat Design as of last week, and we are ready to construct the first 250 foot sphere.

  The asteroid mining vehicle started sending materials back last week, due to the distance it will be several months before they arrive. The vehicle has only had a few minor problems. We will be launching the second mining vehicle in less than a month.

  The electro-magneto radiation shield that we launched last year is working as designed. It is currently running it at 10% power, and it is providing protection from the solar wind. Once the power has been increased to 80%, it
will shield an area 5 miles in diameter.

  Recently we launched a 4G cell phone unit and laser up-link for communications within the colony and too and from Earth. We had substantial savings by using the previous cell phone hardware over developing our own communications and parallel data modes. It also allows us to add additional security features for communications.

  As far as launch vehicles, Humanity Holdings space division currently has two of the material lifters and 10 of the bulk cargo lifters. Next month a third spaceship design, the first passenger lifter will come on-line, along with that we will be getting additional material and bulk cargo lifters soon. So as you can see with the lifters, we are ahead of schedule by almost a year.

  What I propose is that we go ahead and continue with the project in secret at this point. SDH is currently working up an accelerated completion schedule for the space colony and asteroid mining projects. That information will be available in a few days.

  Let's have a vote on continuing as we are now with a review again in six months. Jackie will be collecting the votes."

  It took a few minutes for everyone to vote. During which Jackie suggested that the Andre tally the votes.

  "Andre, thank you for counting the votes," said Jack. "The vote is 32 yes to continue and one no vote. So the yes votes to continue have it at 32 to 1. We will proceed with our plans for the next six months and review again at that time.

  I see some of you seem to be curious about the box that was delivered earlier. Well, let's get to that now. Earlier, I mentioned the colony communications system and to connecting the earth. In this box are cell phones that have encryption enabled. It is imperative that we keep our information and voice conversations private. Due to the current political environment, the legal department recommended that we add the encryption at this time.