Bleaker

“
“So are you the computer guy on this mission?” Tucker asked.
“No, I’m the engineer. I actually designed the craft for the Robinson Mission.”
“The Robinson Mission?” Tucker asked. “Is that what it’s called?”
“It is.”
“I wonder why.”
Sam shrugged. “I didn’t name the mission, they did. I did name the ship though. It’s called The Lola.”
“That’s an odd name for a ship.”
“It’s a cool name.”
“It’s also pretty impressive,” Tucker said. “Really. You designed the ship for this mission.”
“No, I designed the ship, the mission found me. Just like they found you. My accomplishments and theories. Which you will hear about tomorrow. But I think the ship is nothing compared to the Sharm. Now that’s impressive.”
“Thanks.”
“You had to have made a bundle from that. How rich did it make you?”
“Rich?” Tucker said confused. “Was I supposed to make money from it?”
Sam chuckled. “That’s funny.”
“I wasn’t joking.”
The smile dropped from Sam’s face. “For real?”
“Yeah, it’s a humanity thing. Who makes money from saving humanity?”
Sam started walking toward the door.
“Wait,” Tucker said. “Did you make money from the Lola design?”
“I made a ton of money. But that doesn’t matter now, does it? Let’s head out. We have an early flight tomorrow.” He pushed open the door.
“Where are we going?” Tucker asked. “Or aren’t you at liberty to say?”
“I’m not at liberty to say, but I’ll tell you anyhow. The base is located in the balmy paradise of Siberia.”
That made Tucker laugh. “Okay, then don’t tell me.” He shook his head and followed Sam out. He figured that was Sam’s way of pacifying him, or telling a joke. After all, there was no such thing as the balmy paradise of Siberia.

SIX
Siberia
Tucker really felt that Sam was perpetuating the joke when he kept saying, “The parka is a bit much.”
Tucker smiled and thought how Sam must have really taken him for some country bumpkin. Anyone with a right mind would know that a parka was needed in Siberia.
He had gotten to know Sam some the night before. They drank and talked. Sam was only a few years older than Tucker and Tucker envied him. He smiled and remained jovial even with his tragic life.
“I was so excited,” Sam had told him. “My first mission up there was exploratory, basic, every space agency was doing them.” He pointed up as they sat on his balcony. “I went, only to come home and find an earthquake had wiped out our village. My wife, two kids, parents, everyone…gone. I wanted to go up there and never come back.”
“Now you are,” Tucker told him.
“Now I am. But I will tell you. I can’t wait to get back to Siberia. I was there two months ago, it was beautiful. If it wasn’t space, I’d go there and live. You don’t need a coat.”
What a jokester, Tucker thought.
Until, of course, he arrived.
Suddenly, Tucker looked like a fool for not only carrying that coat but wearing a heavy sweatshirt.
It was warm, balmy, and more than that, it was green.
Marshman was there to greet them when they stepped off the private plane. He was a smaller man, balding with glasses. He extended his hand offering a warm handshake. “Didn’t Sam tell you about the weather?” He nodded to the coat Tucker carried.
“Yeah, but I thought he was joking. It’s Siberia. When did things change?”
“About six months ago,” Marshman replied. “Didn’t you know?”
“I’m sorry I was bull balls deep in preparing to get selected for the Genesis, which I didn’t,” Tucker said.
“But we have you and couldn’t be happier,” Marshman told him.
“What exactly is this mission?” Tucker asked. “I’m here, so I guess you can tell me.”
“Yes, yes, I can,” Marshman replied. “Let’s get your things inside, and I’ll explain.”
<><><><>
“Meet Lola,” Marshman said as they approached what looked like an airfield and the craft, Lola.
Tucker didn’t need to ask if it was solar charged. Usually on the ships the solar panels retracted, but these covered the top of the tubular-shaped object which looked like a jumbo jet that had been cut in half, rather than something that would be ejected into space.
While it was shorter than a plane, it was wider. The wheels kept it closer to the ground than Tucker had ever seen.
“Okay…why is it so low?” Tucker asked.
Sam explained, “After everyone boards and the engines start, it’ll lift.”
Tucker nodded. “And how is this thing gonna get up there?”
“My designed propulsion system. It didn’t work for the ARCs, but this, it works like a beaut. She’s been up there four times. You know, just some test runs. But she takes off like a jet.”
“Enough power to punch through the atmosphere?” Tucker asked.
Sam nodded. “Like the movies they used to make.”
Tucker whistled. “Well, this is impressive. Why here? Why Siberia?”
Marshman answered, “Global position, secrecy. We’ve been working on the Robinson for nine years.”
“What kind of mission is it?” Tucker asked.
“Like the Genesis, a colonist mission. It’s pretty much a one-way ticket, Captain Freeman,” Marshman said. “This is mainly a privately funded project.”
“You said different countries,” Tucker said.
“That’s true. Japan…” Marshman pointed to Sam. “The other three, Russia, the UK, and Germany, because they built this bad boy.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry. Girl.”
“The UK, meaning you?” Tucker asked. “Will you be going along?”
Marshman shook his head. “No, not me. I’m your control down here. Plus, I have too much family and I think I need to see what happens to the world.”
“Now, I am not a continuity of mankind expert,” Tucker said, “but how are we gonna colonize with five people? Unless you’re just wanting to set up farming and technology for when the ARCs arrive.”
“Yes. In a sense,” Marshman explained. “As you know the Genesis selection process was precise. Those selected, even the crew, had to have a specific skill set needed to set in place a long-term survival plan. A new world. They also agreed to be paired off with a procreation partner, how that will end up working out…” Marshman shrugged. “Who knows.”
“This is much smaller,” Tucker said. “So we aren’t carrying