When the President of the United States made his national address and confessed to the world the danger that approached, the world was stunned beyond belief. It had been over a year since Eric had joined the Stargazer project, and NASA estimates had asteroid impact scheduled less than five months away. This seemed like something out of a movie: an asteroid hurtling for the planet whose impact could possibly be an extinction level event. The President made it clear to the public listening that his government was using all its resources to stop it. The President also told everyone that many nations all had plans going forth. There were backups to their backups, and that humanity would hold nothing back in their attempts to stop the incoming disaster. The people's response was a lot lighter than earlier expected. Many of the people refused to believe it was true and thought it was a sick joke, while many others cried themselves to sleep that night as the feared that the world would be over in a matter of months. There were no major riots, but once it all sunk in police forces were expecting them. It seemed like the world was suffering from the first stage of grief; denial. They refused to think that the world was going to end, and chose to instead fight. The government opened a bond program, not much different from war bonds, offering the people a chance to donate money to the extreme budgets of the programs that were in place to stop the asteroid. Much to everyone's surprise, the money was flowing in as people wanted to save their nation, the world, and especially their own ass from being wiped from existence. People around the world were using up all their savings, hoping that it might be enough to save their children's future, but giving up their own.
Eric Saunders wasn't with the national address, but he kept his thoughts to himself for the time being. At that moment, his goal was to get his house in order before Drummond returned a week after the address. He seemed happy when he walked in but that would soon change.
"Is there something wrong, Dr. Saunders?" he quickly asked.
"Just a bit," Eric replied, "There were a few things missing from that address. When does the President intend to reveal the Stargazer project?"
"Later." Drummond answered.
"Define later." Eric asked.
"About two months from now," Drummond said with a sigh, "We're waiting until after the last ship leaves orbit."
"The people will not take that well," Eric said, as he could hardly believe what he was hearing. "How do you think they're going to respond when they find out that the last ride to safety left without them? They're going to be pissed when they find out that they were never even considered to become a passenger."
"I don't care what they think," Drummond honestly replied, "And at this point neither does the President."
"I guess not," Eric said, resisting the urge to toss a chair at him. "I'm sure you both feel terrible when your rooms are already booked."
"The President isn't going," Drummond replied, "And neither am I."
"You're not?" Eric said, dumbfounded by the comment.
"No," Drummond confirmed, "My Commander in Chief has chosen to remain with his sinking ship. As a member of the US Army, my place is by his side as he bravely faces the asteroid with the rest of the country."
"I had no idea," Eric said, "Are you sure about that?"
"Not really," Drummond confessed, "But the President is confident that our other plans to stop the asteroid will work. So much so that he's turned down his ticket for Mars. He's not the kind of guy to cut and run, and I admire him for it."
"So, who is going to be in charge of the Stargazer program?" Eric asked.
"We are going to send a four Star General and he will co-ordinate the situation with one hand picked civilian." Drummond explained, "The President wants that civilian to be you, Doctor Saunders."
"Me?" Eric replied, "Has this guy lost his marbles?"
"Your knowledge of the engines makes you the perfect person," Drummond continued, "Your voice must be heard, because the engines will make the difference between success or failure for the Stargazer program."
"Alright," Eric said, despite this being more responsibility than he wanted to take on. The thought of the military being in charge of the Stargazer project entirely was enough to make him want to sign on. "I'll do it, but this General better not be a hot head that wants everything his way or the highway. It has to be someone I can reason with and make compromises or it won't work."
"I'll tell the President," Drummond said, "Get the last two ships ready to fly. You have two months to get them up there."
"Acknowledged," Eric replied. He then stood there for a moment and paused while he was hesitating to say something.
"Is there something else?" Drummond asked.
"There is," Eric said, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out am small piece of paper. "There are thirty names on this list. I want them all to be on the last ship leaving with me and my daughter."
Drummond took the paper and scanned the list. "Who are these people?"
"I made a lot of calls to the best schools around the country," Eric answered, "Some of these people are kids that have the potential to be geniuses. Many of them come from schools like M.I.T. and it's my hope that one of them will step up and eventually become my replacement. Someone I can teach everything I know about the engines to because despite my best efforts, I'm not going to live forever."
"Why so many?" Drummond asked, "Wouldn't one or two do the trick?"
"I'm hedging my bets," Eric answered, "A lot can happen between here and Mars. A few of those are also personal but also necessary to the success to this mission."
Drummond stood there and continued to look over the list. "One of these guys is a celebrity Chef!"
"If anyone can make the rations and eventual foods we grow on Mars taste good, it'll be him." Eric replied, "The last thing we want is the Stargazer mission to fail because of riots caused by bad food."
"You are seriously pushing your luck here," Drummond said.
"I know, but these will help us." Eric continued, "Besides my daughter, I haven't asked for anything. I haven't even accepted a salary! I've been doing all this for kicks and the chance to save the human race just in case all else fails. This colony is going to be a logistical nightmare, so the more professionals we have out there, the better chance we have of surviving."
"Alright," Drummond said, as he folded up the piece of paper and put it into his pocket. "I'll get them all onboard, but I have a condition of my own."
"Name it," Eric replied without hesitation.
Drummond reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it up and handed a small photo to Eric. It was a young boy, no more than six years old.
"Who's this?" Eric asked.
"My son," Drummond answered, "His name is Gabriel."
"You want me to take him and his mother onboard?" Eric asked.
"That would be nice," Drummond said, smiling, "But it's not possible. His mother died two years ago; breast cancer."
"I'm sorry," Eric said, realizing what was being asked of him. "You want me to take him?"
"Yes," Drummond replied, "We already approved your daughter, so I've submitted Gabriel as your nephew. If command realized what I was doing, the chain would break down and other military personal would try to get their family onboard. I need you take him and get him out of here."
"Alright," Eric said, patting Drummond's shoulder with his hand, "I'll take care of him as if he were my own. Jessica and I will take care of him. He'll be safe."
"Thank you," Drummond said, wiping a tear away.
"Get that list approved," Eric said, using whatever leverage he had.
"Consider it done," Drummond replied, "Just have those ships in orbit as soon as you humanly can. We can only hold this story for so long. If this leaks, the riots and people trying to get onboard will be overwhelming."
"It's already done." Eric informed him, "Get me my people and your son onboard and we'll launch within the next day or two."
Drummond had a look of surprise on his face. "What are you talking about?"
Eric smiled as the cat was not out of the bag. "I've been less than honest with you and the government about the progress of the project."
"Are you serious?" Drummond asked.
"Like a heart attack," Eric answered, "Stargazer One and two left orbit four months ago."
"You've already launched?" Drummond said, shocked.
"We left in the dead of night." Eric replied, "An advantage of working in the desert, no one can see a rocket flying into space, and even if they did we had people to prevent it from going online."
"Where's Stargazer One and Two right now?" Drummond asked.
"If they followed the instructions I have them with regards to burning the engines," Eric replied, "They should already be at the Red Planet. Their head start will make it easier for the other ships to settle in. Construction of the colony will be twenty percent complete by the time Stargazer Three and Four arrive, which also launched six weeks ago. Stargazer Five and Six will launch tonight after the sun goes down. The last ship, which is called The Elpis, will leave when your son and my people are all onboard. We've already collected about ninety percent of our passengers and are just waiting on the last few we're having trouble finding."
"But ... how?" Drummond asked as he suddenly began to realize that Eric had been given way too much power of the project.
"I doubled the staff once I realized the President was keeping our project under wraps." Eric answered, "We've had two crews working twelve hours shits around the clock for six months. Get your son packed and back here as soon as possible. Once the people on my list and your son are here, I intend to launch as soon as possible."
"You did all this without consulting us or the President?" Drummond asked.
"You said it yourself; this could leak at any time." Eric replied, "Getting those ships in the air and away from the people and the riots is priority number one. The success of this mission is vital to the survival of the human race. I didn't have time to ask for permission, and I think you know why."
Drummond paused to collect his thoughts. "How much time do I have to get my son onboard?"
"You have two days," Eric answered, "Since the Elpis is the last of the Stargazer fleet, launching at night will not be necessary. We'll give the people quite a show, don't you think?"
"As much as I want to punch you in the face," Drummond said as he was doing everything to control his anger, "I have to admit that your actions may have improved the odds of this mission succeeding."
"You have no idea," Eric confirmed.
"What the hell does that mean?" Drummond asked, scared of what else he might not be aware of.
"No time," Eric said as he tapped his watch, "Go get Gabriel, and I mean now."
Drummond wanted to say something else, but Eric was right. He bolted from the room and to the car waiting outside. He would get more answers from Saunders when he returned with Gabriel. Lucky for him, Drummond had been packing his son's things for more than a few days. All he had to do was pick the stuff up and bring it back with his son for Eric to take over. He had no time to talk to the President, choosing to remain silent until The Elpis and his son were in orbit.