"It gives twelve people a chance of surviving though," said Megan. "It's more than any of us have at the moment. It's worth considering."

  Jackson agreed. "It will provide hope to those dozen people. Perhaps Moskva can act as a lifeboat until help arrives from Earth."

  Georgia wasn't convinced. "Are you going to select who goes and who stays? I don't want that task. And instead of hope, it's only delaying the inevitable. There has to be another, better way."

  Megan shook her head in disbelief. "You're prepared to let Redmayne and the Professor leave and condemn the rest of us to death. After what he's done? Georgia, you've become blinded by your desire to build a better society. Can't you see it's not ready for that? Maybe it never will be. You have to think straight and save our people. At least you'll be alive to try again. We've been beaten by Zhang. It's time to admit defeat and escape while we still can. Please!"

  "Megan's right," said Jackson. "You've tried the best you can but we're out of options. Let the governments back on Earth deal with the matter. If they refuse to re-supply the general, then he and his crew will be starved off the planet. And we can return and start again."

  The conversation ceased as Molloy, Anna and Mancuso entered the control room, looking dejected at their failure to repair the particle accelerator. Georgia walked across to Anna and shook her hand. "Welcome Professor. I wish we were meeting under different circumstances."

  "Thank you, commander. I am sorry I could not be of any help. Did we interrupt your conversation?"

  Georgia quickly repeated over the main points of her discussion with General Zhang, before outlining the options, or lack of them, that were available. "Is there any means of disrupting the particle beam, to reduce its effectiveness?" she asked, looking at Molloy and Anna for an answer.

  Both shook their heads. Molloy said, "I thought about this on the journey back from Yorktown. If we fired the main engines on the remaining ships, we could create a large dust cloud that would hinder their targeting ability. The beam would still slice through the cloud, vaporizing the dust particles and destroying anything in its path. And we don't have enough fuel to do that more than once. You'd need to know when to expect the attack too so that the rockets could be started before the general is within range."

  "We do know when the general will attack," exclaimed Jackson. "He told us we had four hours. That was nearly fifteen minutes ago but it allows us to plot his orbits and where he'll be attacking from. Surely, we can narrow that down even further with satellite analysis. Can't Ground Control help with that?"

  "It's a defensive measure and still doesn't allow enough time to prepare Lexington, even if we prevent it from being a target first time around. It will still be there on the next opportunity Zhang has, and then he'll have a clear shot," said Georgia. The room went quiet as everyone accepted that the position looked bleak.

  Redmayne had been sitting silently for several minutes, largely ignored by everyone else in the control room. He took the opportunity to say, "there is another way, but I'm not sure you're going to like it."

  Chapter 28

  Georgia sat down across from Redmayne. Despite the fact she was reluctant to listen to anything the man had to say, now was not the time to be constrained by the past. In any case, no one in the room had anything to suggest and they were running out of time. "Okay Redmayne, what's your solution?"

  Redmayne waited a few seconds, for dramatic effect. It was clear he wanted everyone to pay full attention. "You're right about defense being useless against the Chinese. It only delays the inevitable. So, we must do something more proactive. You can thank Jackson for this suggestion. He's absolutely correct that we can plot the Taipei's orbit thanks to Zhang's indiscretion. We would have needed that information to more precisely target your particle beam, if it was still functioning. However, we can still attack the general in other ways." He paused again and walked to the window, fully aware of the pairs of eyes follow him as he crossed the room. "With the spaceships at your disposal, you could use one effectively as a missile to stop him in his tracks. It's the last thing he'll be expecting."

  Mancuso didn't like how smug Redmayne looked. "Great idea, Einstein. Unfortunately, none of the supply ships are fitted with sophisticated enough guidance to hit an object traveling at over fourteen thousand miles an hour. Lexington is the only vessel that could possible do what you suggest, but it's now loaded with half our supplies and is our only way off Mars. If we need to leave in the event of an emergency, we don't have any other human rated ships."

  Georgia agreed, "You're right Joe. None of our ships make viable missiles. But Redmayne's on to something. And he has the Russian landing craft. Perhaps we could use that instead."

  "No, wait," objected Anna. "Kiev is my escape route back to Moskva. You promised we would be allowed to leave if I came here to help you. It was a huge disappointment that your weapon was irreparable, but I have done what you asked. Are you now breaking your promise?"

  "I'm sorry, Professor," replied Georgia. "I wish there was another way. You must be able to see that I need options to save everyone here. Remember, it is your comrade that suggested this course of action after all."

  Anna sneered at Redmayne. "He is no comrade of mine. He is a traitor and cannot be trusted. Perhaps no Americans can be trusted."

  Megan laughed, "I guess you found it hard to make friends at Derzost too, Redmayne. Surely that should tell you something about your character."

  "There's no time for cheap jibes," said Georgia. "I need to know if using Kiev as a missile is possible."

  "Yes, it's possible," replied Redmayne, reluctantly. "It would require precise calculation as the closing speed of the two vehicles would be close to eighteen thousand miles an hour. That's five miles per second. And the target is maybe thirty feet wide."

  "But we only get one shot at this. If you miss, then we're sitting targets," said Jackson. "With that level of precision, I don't fancy the odds of success."

  "There's a sure way of improving those odds," said Molloy. "You're thinking of Kiev as one giant missile. If that was true than I'd rate the chances of success as slightly better than zero. However, if there's a way we can detonate Kiev a fraction of a second before it reaches Zhang's ship, we create millions of deadly projectiles covering a wider area. It only takes one or two of those projectiles to impact the target. At five miles per second, their ship will be obliterated. That is a far more realistic alternative."

  "It certainly is," said Georgia, suddenly more positive. "Does anyone have anything to add?"

  Anna said, "I still have objections to remaining here. None of you were at Derzost when it was attacked. You have no idea how terrifying the experience was, and I don't want to go through it again. But if this is the best opportunity of saving the crew, then I am willing to agree to the plan."

  "Before we get ahead of ourselves, there is one major obstacle," added Redmayne. "Someone will need to pilot Kiev. Its computer systems are designed to take it to the Russian mother ship with the use of directional beacons. We don't have time to rewrite the navigational programs for automated flight. Someone will need to be aboard the vessel to take manual control and override the guidance systems. In fact, it will require two people; one to pilot the ship and the other to calculate any deviations to the trajectory. However accurately we plot the Chinese ship, we'll need to take account of course corrections and there will only be a few seconds to do so.

  "So, it's a suicide mission!" exclaimed Jackson. "You want people to sacrifice themselves in order to save the rest of us."

  Redmayne shook his head. "Not necessarily. Kiev does have an escape pod. But there is no denying the fact that whoever is on board will be risking their lives. I wouldn't like to calculate the odds of survival."

  "I knew it was too good to be true," said Mancuso bitterly. "You have a way of being a huge disappointment."

  Redmayne shrugged. "Georgia wanted options. I've given you a very good one. It may not be perfect and there are consequences. Do you have anything better to offer?"

  Mancuso blushed and looked as if he wanted to punch Redmayne. Somehow, he managed to restrain any violent urges he had.

  "You seem to have the most experience with that landing craft. Are you prepared to risk your life or are you expecting one of us to save your miserable existence?" asked Megan, keen to see Redmayne's reaction.

  "Megan, if we proceed with this plan, we can't force anyone to carry it out," interrupted Georgia. "We need to stay calm."

  "The Doctor's right though," said Redmayne. "It's my idea and I am the only one here with any experience of flying that vehicle. After what I've done, I can't expect anyone to risk their life for me. I'll pilot Kiev if that's the plan you decide to go with."

  Georgia nodded. "Okay, time for a vote then. Does everyone agree to taking out General Zhang with the Russian landing craft?" She looked around the room as everyone slowly showed their approval. "Thank you. In that case, there's no time to waste in making the necessary calculations. Jackson, I believe you have some explosives for your seismic sources, as well as some remote detonators. We'll need those in order to blow up the Kiev."

  "Yes, I do, sis," he replied. "They're still on one of the supply ships but easily accessible. I know where they are."

  "Joe, go with Jackson and retrieve what we need. Then report to me on Kiev so we can install the explosives in a suitable location."

  "I'm on it, Georgia," Mancuso replied as he headed out of the door, followed closely by Jackson.

  Molloy said, "there's still the question of who accompanies Redmayne. You need someone who can make spontaneous calculations under extreme pressure. There's no room for error in either targeting Zhang or using the escape pod at exactly the right time. Chances of success are extremely small"

  Georgia stood up to face Molloy. "I'm fully aware of that, lieutenant. That's why I'm going to be his co-pilot!"

  Chapter 29

  Georgia hurried along the corridors to her quarters with Megan scampering close behind. "You can't do this Georgia. Order someone else to go in your place."

  "Who should I send? Mancuso? Or how about Molloy? I can't order anyone to do it, Megan. It has to be me. I'm as competent as anyone else here to read the instrumentation and make any course alterations."

  "It's no time for heroics. You're too important to this mission and to me."

  "I have no intention of dying today or anytime soon. I've cheated death more than once and I can do it again." By now, Georgia had reached her quarters and was searching through a drawer for a change of clothes.

  "You're not indestructible, Georgia! You've been lucky so far, but everyone's luck runs out eventually."

  Pulling her t shirt over her head, Georgia replied, "My mind's made up. You know me well enough by now to know how stubborn I am."

  "I do. But I wouldn't be your best friend if I didn't try to stop you."

  Georgia sat down on the bed to change her trousers. She knew Megan meant well and provided sound advice. There had been days when she wondered how she could have coped without Megan's friendship. In fact, she was the only person other than Jackson that Georgia had ever relied on or trusted completely. She stood up and gave Megan a hug, holding her tight until she thought she might start crying. "I knew you understood. I promise you I'm coming back. I know I'm not invincible, but I have to do this for me, as well as everyone else on the base."

  Megan wiped her eyes. "Don't let me down. I'm not ready to spend the next two years here without you. You're like having a little sister. We confide in each other. I'm never going to be able to have the same conversations with anyone else."

  "Maybe not. But you need to get back to the medical center and start packing. You all need to be away from the base in case this plan doesn't work."

  ***

  Redmayne was waiting for Georgia by the main airlock. Molloy had been told about his previous actions and was watching him closely, ensuring he behaved himself.

  Redmayne smiled as Georgia approached. "I offer to put my life at risk for the base and you still don't trust me," he said.

  She marched up to him, looking him squarely in the eyes. "I'll never trust you, whatever you say or do. What we're about to do is not an act of redemption. It's borne through necessity. Not for one moment does this wipe out the murders you committed. Remember, you're responsible for the deaths of some good men, with families. I'll be grateful if this plan works, but that is as far as it goes."

  She turned and began to climb into her spacesuit, controlling her breathing to regain her calmness.

  Redmayne stared at her, hardly recognizing the strong woman he saw in front of him. Was this what he had done to her? He didn't recall her being so assertive or full of anger. Two years earlier, she had been far easier to manipulate. Now, he saw a natural leader who understood her own mind and appeared to be respected by her crew. He could appreciate why people would follow her. If circumstances were different, he'd do the same. He glanced at Molloy and received another cold stare in return.

  There was a spare spacesuit hanging up that looked approximately his size. He climbed into it, carefully checking the seals around the gloves and boots before pulling the helmet over his head and following Georgia into the airlock. After her recent outburst, he decided it was best not to try any more small talk. Georgia maintained her silence as they stepped out of the airlock and onto the hectic plain in front of Alpha Base.

  The pair of them climbed onto a pair of nearby speeders and headed out in the direction of the Russian landing craft, passing several astronauts who were making their way to Lexington on foot. A robotic tractor was towing a trailer laden with supplies. The scene reminded Redmayne of wartime evacuations he'd only ever seen on television. To be part of an actual evacuation was surreal.

  Georgia finally spoke as they approached the dark silhouette of Kiev. "You head inside and commence the pre-launch checklist. I need to check on progress at Lexington. And don't think of leaving without me." Georgia altered her course without another word, leaving Redmayne to stare after her.

  ***

  Around the base of Lexington was a hive of activity. Georgia spotted Vicky Morris in the middle of all the organized chaos, coordinating the loading of supplies onto the huge spaceship, and the stacking of pallets arriving from the supply ships. There was a steady train of robotic tractors and trailers traveling to and fro between ships, with astronauts shepherding supplies. It looked chaotic but Georgia appreciated it was all being well controlled efficiently by Vicky. At any other time, it would be a joy to behold.

  She slowly rolled up to where Vicky was standing, careful not to get in the way of a robotic trailer carrying two large white pallets. "How's it going?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

  Vicky had seen Georgia's approach and was expecting the question. "Okay so far, commander. There have been no equipment failures which means we're ahead of schedule. I'm concerned that we have less than an hour of daylight left. The darkness will slow us down and the temperature drop will cause problems with the tractor units. We can use their heaters but that will drain the batteries. However, we will be finished long before all the fuel has been pumped in."

  "Excellent work, Vicky. Don't tell Joe but you're easily as good as him." Georgia gave her a friendly wink. "We have a plan which means we hopefully won't need to use Lexington to abandon the planet. However, it's reassuring to know that the ship will be ready if my plan doesn't work out."

  "Good luck," replied Vicky. "I'm sure you'll succeed. I believe in you."

  ***

  Georgia found her way from the airlock to the command deck where Redmayne was busy working through complex calculations on one of the computers. The interior of Kiev was far more basic than Georgia had expected. The corridor from the airlock was dark and claustrophobic, with a metallic floor that echoed with every step she took. Bare gray walls were streaked with dents and scrapes from numerous cosmonauts passing back and forth. The flight deck was sparse and dimly lit, with most of the light coming from the two computer monitors. For Georgia, the whole ambiance felt quite depressing after the open spaces and brightness of Alpha Base. No wonder the Russians are always so miserable, she thought.

  "How are your calculations progressing?" she asked when Redmayne failed to acknowledge she'd walked in. Or maybe he was just ignoring her.

  He stopped what he was doing and sat back in his seat. "Frustratingly slowly. There are too many variables at the moment. We only need to be a degree out or get the speed wrong and we'll miss the target completely. This is far more complex than I expected."

  "I understand that, but is it possible? If not, then we desperately need a new plan." Redmayne's statement made her nervous to have trusted him on this, there final hope of survival.

  "I didn't say I couldn't do it," he replied. "Any additional information we can get on Zhang's position will be an immense benefit. Don't worry Georgia, I think this is still our best plan."

  "You'd better be right about this. Everyone else is expecting you to fail. General Stockton has targeted Zhang with all the satellites we have in Martian orbit. They should shortly give us a detailed picture of his orbital trajectory and inclination. Unless Zhang performs any late course corrections, the Taipei will be in the exact place we expect it to be."

  "Thanks for letting me know. I've been literally pulling my hair out for the past ten minutes. I need that information soon or there won't be time to complete the calculations."

  "They'll be through within the next fifteen minutes. Are you sure this ship will get us there?"

  Redmayne laughed. "Don't be fooled by the aesthetics. I know how Kiev looks but the Russians know how to make reliable spacecraft. She'll work fine and do the job when we need her to."

  Georgia wasn't convinced but it was too late to find an alternate plan. This had to work although the bravado she'd felt speaking with Megan was beginning to sound hollow.

  "We have visitors," Redmayne said as a red light on the console in front of him began to flash. "That will be Mancuso and your brother."

 

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