“This doesn’t worry you?” Quinn asked.
“No, it’s a crap shoot,” Tucker replied. “It’s a chance we’re all gonna take. Even though we’re prepared for the power loss, we still could smash right into the new moon. Or Planet X.”
“Certainly it’s not as big as they’re saying,” Quinn stated.
“Big enough to kill us all,” Sam said. “What are you going to do with the information?”
“Oh, I’m not saying a word,” Quinn replied. “It is my judgement to keep this quiet. Like Tucker said, we’re here to save them. Where or rather when we arrive isn’t important, as long as we do. Just kind of throws a monkey wrench into getting things ready for the ARC.”
“But hey,” Tucker stated, “we have to go through under the assumption that we’re making it better for whoever lands there. For all we know these four images may be fifty or a hundred years apart from each other, progressively. But I agree with your decision. I’d wait until you land.”
Quinn nodded. “Thank you. And thank you for sharing this. It certainly gives me a heads-up. And”—he lifted his plate—“thanks for the sandwich.”
Quinn returned to looking at the probe photos and discussing them with Tucker and Sam. A part of him hoped, somehow, someway, while he was in Siberia, he could get Tucker to change his mind. Even if he had to pull out the trump card that they had cows on Genesis Two.
<><><><>
Quinn spent the night learning about the Robinson mission, and in a way he envied them. They didn’t have the regulations and rules that Genesis did. It seemed more relaxed—a pilgrimage to a new world. Only it wasn’t new. While he didn’t expect Marshman or Tucker to believe him, Quinn would keep everything he learned a secret. But he would use that knowledge.
His chopper was due to arrive late the next morning, giving Quinn time to see the ship, to learn about the Lola. A part of him didn’t want to go. He wanted to stay but that wasn’t an option. Like Tucker he’d made a commitment.
Tucker walked with him to the landing field where his helicopter waited.
He stopped a short distance from it to say goodbye, far enough away so the blade noise wouldn’t drown him out.
“I have to say, Tucker, this has been a true pleasure.”
“Thank you,” Tucker replied. “I have read so much about you, I felt I knew you.”
“Yeah, but you have read a lot about every astronaut going up there.”
“I have. I really wanted to be a part.”
“And now you are,” Quinn said. “I only wish I could have somehow persuaded you to come back with me. We will really need you and no one can compare.”
“That’s very nice of you to say,” Tucker replied. “And I’ll tell you”—he leaned into Quinn—“that cow was awfully tempting.”
“Yeah, I played the trump card.”
“I have a feeling we’ll meet again,” Tucker said. “Either you’ll be waiting for us or we will be waiting for you.”
“Let’s hope.”
“You have that peanut butter and jelly sandwich I made for your trip?”
Quinn patted his bag. “All ready to eat on the flight. You make a good one.”
“It’s all in the bread,” Tucker replied. “Good thing I know how to make it and we have enough supplies for me to make it.”
“Without an oven?”
“Did the Pilgrims need an oven?”
“Yeah, they just made one,” Quinn said.
“True.”
“Well, my new friend.” Quinn extended his hand. “Be safe.”
“You as well.” Tucker shook his hand.
“I’ll see you on the other side,” Quinn said, then he backed up and turned. He walked to the helicopter, crouching down as he neared it. Before stepping inside, he looked back. Tucker stood there watching. He waved once more to Tucker before getting on board.
Something inside of Quinn told him it wasn’t goodbye, that somehow, some way they would meet up again.
At least he hoped.
Tucker Freeman would be a good one to have around when they landed on the Noah, or rather, as he’d just learned, Earth in the future.
But to Quinn, it might as well be a new world, because judging by what he’d seen, it was not the same. Nor would it ever be.
NINE
Siberia. One Week Later
It was time.
There was a buzz in the air for launch day. The final checks had been made, everything was in order and it was just a matter of time. Tucker couldn’t believe, with just under five hours’ flight time to the Androski, they would be on the other side in under eight hours.
As he walked around the base, he thought of the old days of flight. How the astronauts needed hours to prepare for liftoff. Systems checks, suits checked, life-support systems, and each astronaut being secured in.
It wasn’t like that now.
Technology had advanced.
It took no more time to prepare than it did for a domestic flight from one city to another.
They were almost ready to go.
Tucker double-checked the cargo and made sure he had what he needed in his personal bag. He would go back and check things one more time before they sealed the hatch.
On his return to the hanger before heading to the craft, he could see the families waiting to go. Watching as their belongings, limited to one bag and box each, were loaded onto the ship. Tucker wished he had gotten a chance to meet them and to know them, but they’d been hidden away beforehand.
He would have time to learn who they were once they arrived. After all, they were part of the new civilization.
The multinational crew, however, he had gotten to know over the course of ten days.
He learned that he was on the fence whether he liked Commander Merks. He respected him, wasn’t crazy about him. It wasn’t that he
