Trajectory

By Stephen Cheshire

"When the moon falls, heroes rise...

In Trajectory, danger lurks at every turn as Callisto, one of Mars's moons joins

Earth's orbit, causing catastrophic consequences. As the world is plunged into

darkness and chaos, a former astronaut, firefighter turned cop, airline pilot,

prisoner, and a space shuttle enthusiast must c

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Jun 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9789361726255

Book preview

Chapter 1

Yakutsk, Siberia

T

he Zorya Project Power Station. Located in Yakutsk, Siberia, this project had dated back to the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. The project is being used to convert solar energy to nuclear energy.

A thick, light grey cloud covered the complex. Snow crashed into the ground, building up by the second. Armed personnel patrolled the electrified perimeter fence that led to a huge tunnel. Doctor Kostin Tarasovich walked through the corridors. He approached a huge silver door with an identification card reader is just to its right. Kostin tapped the card against the reader.

Ирис Признание, it said.

Kostin held his right eye to the reader.

Welcome, Doctor Tarasovich.

The door opened, allowing him to enter. He entered the main generator room. Lined up in straight lines were tube-shaped generators that were going to  provide many nearby towns with the electrical power created by the project. Kostin walked along the metal walkway, staring down into the huge, silver  generators. He arrived at a set of metal steps that led up to the main control room, which oversaw all  operations. It was a slow climb to the control room door. The machine bleeped after he tapped his ID card on the reader. He entered the main control room slowly. The room went silent as all the support staff  focused their attention on him, their eyes locked on him. Kostin arrived at his seat, which overlooked the entire control room through a transparent window.

Sir, he heard.

Kostin  kept his head down on his chin.

Sir, he heard again.

Kostin finally looked up.

We're ready when you are.

Kostin looked at the line of operators.

Begin, he said.

Kostin sat down. The operations team began the process of starting up the generators. One after the other, small lights on the side of the control panels began to illuminate. Kostin started to type slowly into his keyboard. An image of an antenna dish appeared on the screen. The control room went silent as he hit the enter button. The image of the antenna was illuminated from red to orange. A slight rumble was heard in the control room. The snow continued to thunder down from the grey sky, building up around the antennae container. The four sides of the container started to fold open, crunching down into the built-up snow. The antenna designed to connect to the main Zorya Space Station started to fold out, pointing up through the thick clouds. Kostin waited for the computer to turn from orange to green. It was anxious to wait for the control room. The computer gave a bleep, switching the image of the antenna to green, declaring it ready for use.

Now it’s up to them, he spoke, looking at the picture of the three Zorya Space Stations mounted onto the wall.

Doctor Viktor Grigorev was in his quarters. He sat down on his chair, overlooking the Russian Federation. The sun was dead ahead of him, towards the north. He had been looking at it for the last twenty minutes. His lab coat was hanging on the back of the door. He heard three sudden knocks on the door.

Come in.

He looked back, watching the airlock door open.

Doctor Grigorev, a man said as he entered.

Viktor stood up from his seat.

We're ready, he spoke. Doctor Tarasovich is waiting to speak with you.

Viktor tipped a nod.

Also, Dmitriy Egorov-Viktor looked up after hearing the name of the Russian president.

-wishes to speak with you via video call.

Viktor gave a slow nod. He had a glass of water on the desk next to him, which he picked up, drinking it  quickly.

The corridors were gleaming. He came to another door. It opened, revealing load of Russian staff and scientists who were awaiting him. The huge screen in front of the control room displayed a picture of the sun. Viktor walked down the row of silver metal stairs which led to his desk. He sat and began typing slowly into the keyboard. He started a video call with the Russian president. Dmitriy could be seen on the screen a moment later.

Doctor Grigorev.

Mr. President, sir, he replied. Pleasure to be speaking with you.

I thought I would call you, Dmitriy said, and wish you and all the Zorya Team good luck on this historic event. It makes me proud to be a Russian.

Yes, Viktor replied. We're all ready and waiting to begin.

You must let me know how the test goes, he said. This has been over ten years in the making, dating back to the Cold War plans began for the Zorya project.

Thank you, sir.

Good luck, Dmitriy said.

The call ended. Kostin waited for the screen to clear, then he held the radio button down.

Doctor Tarasovich, he called.

The radio was static for a few seconds.

Receiving you loud and clear.

Viktor waited.

We're ready to proceed with the experiment, Viktor said.

Receiving loud and clear, Kostin replied again. We're all ready and  waiting to begin with the test.

The entire command centre for the project was silent.

Proceed.

Viktor looked at his computer. The operator for the computer in front of him radioed Zorya One and Two. Viktor trembled as the commands were given. The two other space stations of Zorya that he could see in the distance through the window came onto the screen in front of him. Both stations’ solar panels began to open, revealing glistening silver plates.

All extractors ready.

Viktor looked down at his screen. On top of the main station opened up another set of panels. Viktor continued to observe the panels, which were linked to the converter which was going to convert the solar energy to nuclear. Underneath  the main converters,  a silver sphere was lowered. It was able to rotate to align with the power plant in Siberia. A small green box suddenly appeared indicating the location of the power plant. The sphere lined up with the box. It bleeped as it connected with the power plant.

Connection complete, the computer called.

The Zorya Space Station was all set and ready to go at last. The room turned to Viktor for him to begin the solar extraction process.

Begin the extraction phase one, he instructed.

Viktor heard the keyboards clicking as they waited for the beginning of the experiment. The operator for the computer turned to look at Viktor sitting at his desk as she hovered her finger above the enter button of the keyboard. She made eye contact with him, and Viktor gave a very slow nod. She turned, placed her finger on the button, and tapped it.

The screen gave a monophonic bleep. The two images of Zorya One and Two appeared on the screen, switching from red to green. The extractors on Zorya One and Two started to extract the energy from the sun. Viktor looked at the screen, where green blocks were building up. He watched as the power continued to build in the converters. One more green bar and they could begin the process of beaming the power down into Russia. Viktor waited patiently for the last of the solar energy to be converted.

Finally, the last green bar beeped. He stared at the control room as they waited for him to begin to the conversion. He turned in his seat, hitting the enter button. The power surged up in the sphere, and then the energy finished building up. A strong beam of energy beamed down into Russia from the station. Viktor turned his head, looking at the screen and watching the image of the energy being sent into Earth. Kostin looked at his computer, where the screen had switched from the view of the antenna to the line of generators. The power was shown being sent to the main generators from a huge display board on the right of his table. It was an anxious wait for the next stage of the experiment. The board showed some neighbouring towns that were linked to the Zorya Project. Kostin stared at the map, looking at the small town in the top left-hand corner of the screen, which was around ten miles from the complex. A black switch was in the middle of the line showing its linkage to the town. Kostin held onto the switch, placing his right thumb and finger on it.

Hold on to your butts.

Kostin turned the isolation switch to the right, and the small light illuminated. The power was sent from the generators in the direction of the town.

The Lavrentie family sat around the dining table, staring up at the clock. Only the sound of the crackling fire in the living room spoiled the silence of the anticipation. The family wassilent as they watched  the second hand of the old battery-powered clock. A flicker was heard, and the lights in the house started to illuminate one after the other. The father of the family got up from the old wooden chair and walked over to the window. The new streetlights all started to illuminate, one after the other, lighting the street. House after house slowly started to glow.

Kostin looked up at the screen, where very small LED lights started to light up green, indicating that power was running to the estate. Kostin turned the onlooking controllers, where eyes were all on him.

Ladies and gentlemen, he said.

The controllers were silent.

We have power.

The room started to cheer. Kostin went to the radio to contact the station.

Did you hear that, Zorya? Kostin called. We have power!

Viktor looked around the control room of the station, watching everyone cheer. He smiled, looking down at all the cheering staff. Viktor caught a glimpse of the screen again.

The green image of the other stations started to suddenly switch to red.

He frowned down at them, screaming, Red, something is wrong!

The controllers continued to cheer and clap. Viktor suddenly felt the space station starting to vibrate. It continued to intensify, and the clapping and cheering from the control team finally came to an abrupt stop.

Viktor looked at his screen, it had suddenly changed. He could not believe his eyes. He was looking at an image of the Zorya Space Station’s orbital route around the Earth.

What is it? Doctor Anosov Gaspar asked.

Viktor was silent as he continued to look at the screen.

What is it? Anosov demanded again.

We're being pushed out of Orbit.

The vibrations in and around the space station continued to intensify.

I’m aborting the test, he called abruptly.

The vibrations suddenly got worse. Viktor began the shutdown procedure, and the system was shut down slowly, one station after the other.

Come on, abort, Anosov yelled.

I am, he replied.

Kostin turned quickly, looking into the complex. The red alarm light had switched on. The huge generators were vibrating and starting to spark.

What the hell? He muttered.

Kostin ran to the radio and hit the call button.

What the hell is it doing?

Viktor didn’t reply as he continued to shut the system down.

Shut it down, Kostin called.

Viktor gave two more clicks on the keyboard, and Zorya Two and Three both stopped extracting solar energy. The energy being beamed down into the Siberian complex was cut.

The houses that were lit with energy from the space station went dark. The father of the Lavrentie family got up quickly and looked out of the window, where he watched the streetlights and other houses all cut out one after the other. The vibrations throughout the space station came to a stop.

Viktor watched the screen, seeing the space station’s orbital path around the Earth start to return to normal.

That’s good, he said. Nice and easy.

Slowly, the space station started to re-join the Earth’s orbit. The vibrations had stopped.

This is Zorya Two, Viktor heard from the radio.

Viktor looked down at the radio, waiting for the next communication.

We're evacuating, they spoke. We have sustained heavy damage.

Viktor got up and walked over to the transparent window. He put his hands on the back of his head and watched as the small capsule pods from Zorya Two dropped down towards  Earth.

Evacuate, Viktor ordered.

But sir, Anosov protested.

Evacuate, he said again. That is an order.

Viktor watched as the Russian scientists and staff were loaded into the evacuation capsule. Anosov turned, looking at Viktor.

I’m staying with the others, he replied.

But doctor, he pleaded.

No, he snapped. I vowed to protect this project at all costs.

Anosov looked at the small selection of armed security who were waiting with him.

I’ll brief the president when I can, he said. Now go.

The airlock was sealed. Viktor watched as the pod dropped from the evacuation chamber and plunged towards Earth. He turned and walked back into the main control room, where he stood by the window, looking at the sun in the distance.

Chapter 2

D

octor Harley Gray stood at the front of Lecture Theatre Thirty-Six of The University of San Diego. He was a former Astronaut for NASA, and now a lecturer of Astronomy and Astrophysics. A microphone was attached to his head. He looked up to see a couple of his students looking down at their cell phones. He knew they were reading about Callisto, which was going to begin passing the Earth that night.

Guys, please, he said. I know you are all as excited about tonight  as I am, seeing my pretty face on TV.

The students all smiled, some with a slight giggle.

Before we finish, he continued. Do you have any questions?

The students were all silent.

So that concludes my lectures on a Brown Dwarf.

He raised his wrist to look down at his watch.

Okay, he said. I have to leave early due to my television interview tonight.

The students started to close up their textbooks, andone after the other the students left the theatre.

Harley walked out into the university grounds. He looked up and saw the sky was blue and clear,with not a cloud in sight. Mya Edwards walked over to him. Harley just kept looking up at the sky.

Doctor Gray.

Harley turned his head, looking at Mya as she stood by him. She was holding her folders in her arms, portrait and tight to her body.

Hey, Mya, he said. Well done on your last assignment.

Thank you, she replied. I’m looking for graduation later this year.

I remember my day, he said. That was before being selected for NASA.

Mya and Harley started walking through the University Grounds.

How’s your wife? she suddenly asked.

Harley stopped, placing his hand on the back of his head slowly.

She... he spoke, she is good. I think she is just about to finish her last session of chemotherapy treatment.

Mya reached into her bag. She pulled out a small business card.

Here, take this.

Harley accepted the business card.

When my grandmother was ill, she explained, she helped me. I like you, you’re a great lecturer, and I owe a lot to you.

Harley looked down at the business card.

See you on TV tonight.

Harley stared down at the card as Mya walked off.

***

Theo Simpson of NASA was sitting at his desk in the NASA headquarters in Washington D.C. He looked up at the screen in front of him. It showed Callisto’s route from Jupiter.

Callisto is on course, he said. It will be in view of the naked eye tonight at ten forty-eight.

Doctor Cristian Burke frowned, looking over at Theo.

You have already said that, Burke said monophonically from behind.

Theo turned his head to look in the direction of Doctor Burke.

Well, he said, that is why I was picked for this. I remember it being on the news about it falling out of orbit.

Theo picked up his toy magnets of the planets. He slowly started pushing them together, chasing them along the desk.

Is that all you do, play with them toys all day? Burke questioned.

Of course, Theo replied. I did while I was at university in Texas.

Theo pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and clicked on the US news app. When the application loaded, he scrolled to the top and clicked on Space News. A story about the Zorya Space Station was featured there.

What do you think about the Zorya Project? Theo asked.

I know, Cristian said. I was reading about it this morning. That’s the only thing I agree with - that Morgan disapproved of Dmitriy Egorov.

Who? Theo asked.

Cristian looked over at Theo.

Dmitriy Egorov, he replied. President of Russia. Anderson doesn’t agree with the project.

Theo looked down at the news article.

It’s saying, he said, that during the initial stages of testing, the station was nearly knocked out of Earth’s orbit.

I wish it did fall out of orbit, Cristian remarked. Close the whole goddamn project down.

Theo looked down at his cell phone at the picture of the Zorya space station taken from space.

Chapter 3

H

arley was wearing a grey suit. It had been dry cleaned for the TV interview, which was that night  with Ella Cooke, the Presenter of the Ten O’clock show. He pulled his iPhone out and clicked on the Skype app. A picture of his Eileen appeared on the screen. She had a gleaming smile.

He looked out of the window, towards the western sky. It had started to turn a light purple.

Eileen appeared on the screen.

Hey, she struggled to say.

Harley slowly sat down on the couch.

Hey, how are you feeling?

Eileen took a few seconds to think. 

Sorry I can’t get to you this evening, he said.

It’s fine, she said. We're all looking forward to, seeing you on TV tonight. The  whole hospital is excited.

Harley smiled.

So that’s it.

What’s it? he said, feeling panicked.

The end.

The end of what? he asked frantically.

The chemotherapy, Eileen spoke. That was the last dose.

What have the doctors said?

Eileen took a deep breath.

They need to wait, he said, before they can run any tests to see if all the cancerous cells have been destroyed.

Do you want me to come down tonight? he asked. I’ll just call them and say I can't do the show.

No, She struggled. There are a lot of people waiting to see you.

Harley heard the door slam.

Emily’s home, he said. Hey, Emily.

Emily entered the living room.

Mom is on the phone.

Emily walked over to the phone, looking to see her mom.

Hey, Emily, Eileen spoke softly.

I’m coming to see you this weekend, Brett is coming too.

Good, she said. Hey, listen to me.

Emily looked at her mom.

How are you doing at school?

Oh, I’m fine, she replied. Trust me

Are you up to date on all of your work, ready for college?

Yes, mom.

I mean, she said, this isn’t affecting your schoolwork, my treatment?

Emily looked at her mom, trying not to tear up.

Mom, the school knows, she said. Principal Valient is aware and wishes you the road to recovery. They have also arranged for one-on-one lessons if I need it.

Eileen smiled.

That’s good.

Harley looked up. A black car had parked outside, ready to take him to the studio.

Hey, listen, he said.

Eileen looked at Harley.

I’ve got to go.

Okay, Eileen said. We’re all going to be watching you.

Harley smiled.

I’ll see you later, he said to Emily.

Emily didn’t reply.

***

Streetcar driver Enrico Mantis slowly walked into the San Diego Transit depot. His head was down, and he was looking at his iPad. He was playing a space shuttle simulator. For ten dollars a month, it was his favourite game. He had dreamt of being an astronaut since he was a child.

He was on the late shift for driving the San Diego streetcars. Scott Jones, the duty manager looked up, noticing Enrico walking into the main reception. He had a straight face, knowing what Enrico was about to talk about.

Here we go, he mumbled to his colleague. I would rather be flying the shuttle.

Enrico continued to look down at his iPad. He was entering the Earth’s atmosphere on the game. Scott looked at the manager next to him as Enrico stood in the middle of the reception area, still playing the game. Scott looked down at the time; he was due to leave the depot soon to start his route.

Enrico, he said.

Scott watched Enrico just playing the game.

For God’s sake, he uttered. Hello?

Enrico looked up.

Oh, he said. Sorry.

Enrico looked at Scott as he held onto the timetable.

Thank you, he said. See you later.

Scott didn’t reply as he walked through the depot into the yard, looking at his colleagues. He arrived in the depot.

Enrico got onto the streetcar, walking to the front cab. He opened the door and sat down in the front seat, looking out the front. The lights switched on as he switched on the power.

He closed his eyes, opening them a second later to look out the front of the shuttle. They were above the Earth ready to re-enter the atmosphere.

All yours, commander, he heard.

Enrico was given a wink from the other astronaut in the right seat. He looked forward as the shuttle entered the atmosphere. A plasma trail travelled over the top of the shuttle as the heat shield lit up. The plasma stopped, and Enrico looked forward to see they were over California. He smiled as they descended towards Edwards Air Force base.

Arm the gear, he ordered.

The gear was armed.

Gear down now.

The gear lowered down. Enrico pulled the nose up, flaring the shuttle above the main runway. The back wheels hit the ground with a thud. The nose lowered. Enrico released the parachute, and the shuttle slowed to a stop.

Good job commander, someone said. You did it.

Enrico smiled. He looked out of the window, seeing journalists crowded outside, all with cameras ready to take pictures of him for the local newspapers.

Enrico, he heard.

Enrico looked at the astronaut next to him, who was calling his name.

Enrico, he said again

Yes? he asked.

Enrico, he heard again.

Enrico stared at the astronaut.

Enrico! Scott yelled.

Enrico took long deep breaths and saw Scott standing by the cab window.

Can you, for once, please not dream about space shuttles and focus?

Oh, Enrico said. Right.

Enrico shook his head, zipping his bag up after looking in at his toy shuttle. He started the streetcar up, pulling out of the depot onto the main track that led into the city.

Chapter 4

H

arley sat down onto the red couch. He watched the audience as they started to fill the studio.

Nervous?

A bit, he replied.

Don’t worry., she said. Once you get talking, you’ll never shut up. That’s what I was told.

Harley smiled.

I know, I’ve seen you in action.

They all say that, Ella smiled.

The countdown on the clock hadn’t started yet. It was just under an hour until Callisto was due to come into sight.

Eileen entered the living area of the hospital.

Are you excited about, seeing your husband on TV? the nurse asked.

I sure am, She said weakly.

Eileen staggered from left to right as she sat down. Her eyes started to close a few seconds later.

Mrs. Gray? Nurse Tabitha Newson asked.

Tabitha looked at Eileen.

Mrs. Gray? Tabitha asked again.

Yes? she said.

Are you okay?

I’m fine, she replied. It’s the chemo. It’s taking its toll now.

Eileen looked at the television.

The producer walked out onto the set, headset over his head. Harley looked at the camera.

Okay, people, the producersaid. On, in three, two...

The cameras started to roll.

And it’s a welcome from me, Ella Cooke, she said into the camera. It’s the Ten O’clock Show, and on this very special Friday edition, live with us for this special phenomenon, we have Doctor Harley Gray from the University of San Diego. He has come in to talk to us about this very special cosmic event.

Harley nodded at the camera, looking at the audience. Ella turned to Harley.

Doctor Gray, she spoke. This is an amazing event, a moon from Jupiter, as you have said, has been dislodged from its orbit and is going to pass Earth, visible to the naked eye.

Yes, he replied. It's amazing. I personally cannot wait to see it; I’ve been driving my family mad about it.

I bet you have, she replied. So, let’s get this clear.

Harley looked at Ella.

This moon, Callisto, she said, has had its trajectory path calculated by the space agency, and it's going to move straight past us and have no effect on us whatsoever?

That’s right, Harley replied. It will come and it will go throughout the day.

What do you mean by that?

Simple, Harley replied. The Earth is rotating at twenty-four thousand miles per hour, so, as the Earth rotates, Callisto will appear to us at different times of the day, sometimes brighter at night as it continues its journey.

So, does the agency have any knowledge on what has caused this moon to dislodge from the orbit of Jupiter?

No, unfortunately nothing, he said. Absolutely no idea, it could have been hit by some space debris, or anything. No one knows or will likely ever know. We might be able to assess the rear of it when its passes the Earth to see if it can give an indication of structural damage.

Let’s ask the audience if they have any questions.

Ella looked at guest members as they held their hands up.

Yes, Ella asked, pointing to one of the guests.

Hello, Doctor Gray, the member said. So, are we absolutely, one hundred and ten percent sure that moon is not going to hit the Earth and has no way of joining our orbit?

There is absolutely no way on God’s Earth, he replied, that Callisto is going to join us in our orbit. Its trajectory path is past us, and onto outer space.

***

Eileen looked up at the clock. It was almost ten forty-eight. She felt a slight dizzy spell in her head. She slowly started to get up of the couch.

Mrs. Gray, are you okay? Tabitha asked.

I’m- Eileen spoke. I’m fine.

Tabitha helped Eileen off the couch. They slowly arrived at the huge window. They looked in the direction of the northwest. The lights were out and the blinds were open.

So, any minute now, Tabitha said. We should start to see it.

Harley looked at the countdown on the screen in front of him.

One minute, people, Ella yelped.

Harley looked at the clock as it continued to count down.

Countdown, people, She called. Ten, nine, eight.

The audience started to countdown to ten forty-eight.

Two, one, Tabitha called.

Everyone cheered. They looked into the northern sky. A small dot started to appear. Eileen staggered from left to right.

Mrs. Gray? Tabitha asked.

Eileen collapsed.

Mrs. Gray! Tabitha said loudly.

Ella looked at the screen in the studio.

As you can see, Harley said, Callisto is now on course to pass  Earth. It will be an amazing sight.

Ella looked at the producer, who was holding onto his cell phone. He nodded. Ella heard her earpiece go static. She turned to the camera.

We’re going to go for a break. I know you’re all  probably outside right now, so we’ll see you in a couple of minutes.

Harley looked at Ella as the lights came back on in the studio.

Mr. Gray, the producer said.

The cell phone was handed to Harley.

Hello? he said.

Ella looked at Harley as his eyes opened wide.

I’ll be there as soon as possible.

Chapter 5

H

arley arrived at Willow Creek Hospital.  It was around six miles from the city centre. It was a quiet area just outside of the city. Clean gardens, lights lighting the road leading up to the building. Not a speck of dirt was on the cobbled roads. He got out of the taxi and looked into the clear, crisp night sky. He looked in the direction of the north, seeing the moon starting to come into clear view as it got darker by the minute.

Harley entered the hospital room. He looked to see Eileen lying down on the bed. She turned her head to the left, looking at him.

I can only give you five minutes, the nurse said.

Yes, that’s fine, he replied.