The Ruins of Arlandia - By William Wood Page 0,2
plenty of time to add ribbons and decorations. His father and mother sat in the middle seats talking, but Calvin was completely unaware of what they were saying. He was full of conflicting emotions, excited and terrified at the same time. He was excited that after two months of briefings and simulations the Sorenia was going to launch. He was terrified that he would make a mistake and let everyone down. Calvin closed his eyes. He was so tired he could feel sleep tugging at him. He couldn’t remember the last time he slept well. He opened his eyes, afraid he would fall asleep.
As they got closer, Calvin saw the fields that surrounded the Space Command dome were covered with tents.
“Look at that,” Foster said. “Some of them have been camped out here all week.”
“It’s not every day you get to see a space launch.”
There were little tent cities all over, in every open spot. Thousands of people gathered near small fires, sitting on foldout chairs and blankets on the ground. Many were setting up large cameras. Closer to the dome was another group of people. This group held signs and marched along a sidewalk as close to the dome entrance as it could get. Security guards watched them warily. The signs read, “Stop the launch,” “You’ll kill us all,” and “Don’t bring the Dark Terror.”
The protesters screamed as the hover car passed by. They sounded like an angry, jumbled mess. Calvin couldn’t understand what they were shouting. Security quickly waved the car through the gate, and it stopped in front of the entrance to the dome.
Two men in dark blue security uniforms opened the hover car doors. A small reception waited for them outside. One of them saluted Calvin’s father.
“Senator Range,” The man said. “It’s good to see you, Sir.”
“Captain Vinder,” Foster said, returning the salute. “It’s good to see you too. I have to say, though, I didn’t expect a reception.”
“We don’t get distinguished visitors every day,” Captain Vinder said. “Or get to witness what could possibly be the last manned space launch.”
“So you’ve heard the rumors,” Foster said.
“Just rumors,” Calvin said.
“Yes,” Captain Vinder said, smiling. “Just rumors. Lieutenant Range, it’s a pleasure.” Calvin tensed and straightened his back even more than it already was. The captain offered his hand before Calvin had a chance to salute. Calvin shook his hand reluctantly, but with a firm grip. It felt strange to be treated so well by a captain, since Calvin was only a lieutenant. But when your father is a senator, that’s what you get.
“It’s an honor to meet you,” Vinder said. “It’s going to be a spectacular launch.”
“Yes, Sir,” Calvin said. One of the security agents retrieved Calvin’s suitcase from the trunk and handed it to him.
Calvin and his parents were escorted into the space center’s main building. Calvin half expected to find another group of people waiting to greet them on the inside. He was accustomed to a painful ceremony everywhere his dad went. He was relieved when there was no one there. They stopped into the entryway—a wide-open space in the large glass dome.
Foster looked at his son, and he smiled. “This is it, Son,” he said. “We’ll say goodbye here.”
“OK, Dad,” Calvin said.
“We’re going to watch in the control room.” He looked into his dad’s face and saw worry there.
“What’s wrong? I’ll only be gone for five days. We’re not even allowed to leave our solar system.” Calvin wasn’t able to hide his disappointment.
“I’ve been trying to change that,” Foster said.
“I know, Dad,” Calvin said. “It would be easier to change the planet’s orbit.”
“You’re right,” Foster chuckled, remembering that he had said that many times himself.
Foster appeared to struggle with what to say. Finally he said, “I envy you. Even if it is only around our system, it’s going to be an adventure. Oh, I almost forgot, I want to give you something.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small gold medallion, hanging on a long gold chain. He held it out to Calvin.
“My father gave this to me, the day I went into space for the first time. I want you to have it.”
“Thank you, Dad,” Calvin said, taking it from him. He put it around his neck and hid it under his shirt. His mother smiled sadly. Calvin knew that smile; he’d seen it before. She was trying hard not to cry.
“Be careful up there,” Foster said. “The Sorenia is old. You’ll get a lot of experience repairing equipment.