Descending Road - IT'S COMING THROUGH HERE by Dana W. Paxson

IT’S COMING THROUGH HERE

2380 CE

So that’s it. They’re going to toss me out for failing and refusing, stick some new guy in there, give him the money, and let him take the credit. Gene looked down at his hands; they were knotted into fists. Chanie elbowed him, as if to warn him to get control. “Well, Senator, I’ve done the best I can with what you’ve all given me. I’m sorry it hasn’t been up to expectations.”

“Wait a minute,” the Senator said. “You’ve got the wrong idea. I haven’t told you the best part. You’ll get all the money we can find for you.”

Gene almost fell off the front edge of his chair, but managed to slide back into a safe position. “I don’t understand. You’re not going to cut the program?”

“Cut the program?” The senators, all of them, were grinning or chuckling. Senator Orbaker leaned forward, staring intensely at Gene. “We’re giving you ten times your current budget, and we’re giving you a gift that, unfortunately, can’t leave this room.”

Gene, completely bewildered by this point, could only play to Senator Orbaker‘s punch line. “And what’s that?”

“In spite of the unfortunate investigation of your approaches to the Sinese group, we are charging you with a confidential mission to the Sinese, to facilitate any and all steps that will help you complete the survey task we have just given you. They will supply money and technical know-how; you have the astronomy and space and management expertise to get a team working and productive, with them on it. Your money is mostly for running this project.”

Gene held up a hand. “Wait. What is this about, Senator? We’re cleared to the top, you know that. Tell me what’s going on. We’ve never worked with the Sinese at this level before.”

The Senator’s grin faded. “That’s because we’re all in one big basket here, including the Sinese out in space. We’re doing this because that star, Thorin 74, is coming right through this place where we’re sitting.”

“The Earth?”

“Almost. They’re telling us that the projections put it at the orbit of Neptune, on its passage through the plane of the Solar System.”

“Oh, my God.”

“Exactly. Do you get it now, Gene?”

Gene looked down again at his hands; they were shaking. “Absolutely. We’re finding havens for the human race.”

Story List	SURPRISE ME	Author Page
USER SURVEY	PUZZLE ME	MAKE ELM MARK

HOVER Lucida Bright BARE	HOVER Lucida Bright FULL	HOVER Palatino Linotype BARE
HOVER Palatino Linotype FULL	HOVER Times New Roman BARE	HOVER Times New Roman FULL
PAD Arial BARE	PAD Arial FULL	PAD Lucida Bright BARE
PAD Lucida Bright FULL	PAD Times New Roman BARE	PAD Times New Roman FULL


	IT’S COMING THROUGH HERE 2380 CE So that’s it. They’re going to toss me out for failing and refusing, stick some new guy in there, give him the money, and let him take the credit. Gene looked down at his hands; they were knotted into fists. Chanie elbowed him, as if to warn him to get control. “Well, Senator, I’ve done the best I can with what you’ve all given me. I’m sorry it hasn’t been up to expectations.” “Wait a minute,” the Senator said. “You’ve got the wrong idea. I haven’t told you the best part. You’ll get all the money we can find for you.” Gene almost fell off the front edge of his chair, but managed to slide back into a safe position. “I don’t understand. You’re not going to cut the program?” “Cut the program?” The senators, all of them, were grinning or chuckling. Senator Orbaker leaned forward, staring intensely at Gene. “We’re giving you ten times your current budget, and we’re giving you a gift that, unfortunately, can’t leave this room.” Gene, completely bewildered by this point, could only play to Senator Orbaker‘s punch line. “And what’s that?” “In spite of the unfortunate investigation of your approaches to the Sinese group, we are charging you with a confidential mission to the Sinese, to facilitate any and all steps that will help you complete the survey task we have just given you. They will supply money and technical know-how; you have the astronomy and space and management expertise to get a team working and productive, with them on it. Your money is mostly for running this project.” Gene held up a hand. “Wait. What is this about, Senator? We’re cleared to the top, you know that. Tell me what’s going on. We’ve never worked with the Sinese at this level before.” The Senator’s grin faded. “That’s because we’re all in one big basket here, including the Sinese out in space. We’re doing this because that star, Thorin 74, is coming right through this place where we’re sitting.” “The Earth?” “Almost. They’re telling us that the projections put it at the orbit of Neptune, on its passage through the plane of the Solar System.” “Oh, my God.” “Exactly. Do you get it now, Gene?” Gene looked down again at his hands; they were shaking. “Absolutely. We’re finding havens for the human race.”