The Twins Paradox by Alan Gasparutti (best contemporary novels txt) 📖

Space Agency claimed to have discovered an 'object' heading towards Earth. He mentioned this, in Russian, to Professor Kamilichenko, but didn't show his annoyance at the table.
This was raised at the meeting afterwards, where Fred and the Professor said they had noticed this earlier, too. The President was a little angry at first, but anger soon turned to worry when Fred asked what they should do about all the hype and prophecy that would inevitably be heard all around the world now that the 'cat had been let out the bag'. He was also concerned how the terrorists would react. Mr Boritzov was also concerned, as there were similar problems on his own doorstep, so to speak.
Professor Kamilichenko then announced that the he believed this was no asteroid heading towards Earth, but a comet. Professor Marshall wasn't so sure and asked Professor Kamilichenko how he came to this conclusion. Professor Kamilichenko said that it had been discovered around the Kuiper belt, or was possibly from the Oort Cloud at the edge of the solar system where comets were known to orbit. He was uncertain why it was traveling at such a high speed, but said that without better evidence, he believed it to be a comet. Moreover, he introduced a model of a spaceship designed to destroy any comet heading towards Earth. This had a strong, radio-active laser beam, which, when fired at the comet, would vaporise it's frozen elements, and would deflect what remained of it.
Professor Marshall was impressed with the model, though he wasn't convinced that this was a comet, and asked Professor Kamilichenko if this could have any effect on an asteroid. Professor Kamilichenko believed that this would be effective, but hoped it would not be necessary.
Professor Marshall didn't wish to argue the case further for the time being. Instead, he asked about the Russian's reports and images of the 'comet'. It turned out that the the Russian's had been receiving data from the International Space Station exactly the same as that sent to NASA. Both Professor's wanted to continue monitoring the object, and so agreed to exchange records. As Moscow was ahead of Houston, timewise, Professor Kamilichenko's team would send his records to NASA at about 08.00 each morning (11.00 pm at Houston). Dr Steve de Pierri would then analyse the data at 09.00 the next morning, before NASA's data was received at 10.00. After this was analysed, records would be sent to Moscow, to be picked up by a member of Professor Kamilichenko's team who was on a night shift.
As they discussed this, Professor Kamilichenko stated that the latest data was in line with that of recent days. It was also acknowledged that both sets of statistics agreed that the object, asteroid or comet, would come to within five million miles of Earth, sometime in February 2008.

Though there had been a few disagreements in Moscow, the meeting went well. That however, was the easy part. The difficult task now was to keep as much information as possible away from the general public at home. A bigger problem still, was how would the rest of the world react, and how the US (along with Russia and Europe) should handle the situation.


Moments of Doubt

Both NASA and the Russian Space Federation found it very helpful exchanging images of the 'asteroid'. With two images a day, it would be easier to spot any change of movement.
As it was, there appeared to be no change of movement over the next three months. As the object' came closer and closer to Earth, one thing the images seemed to prove was that it was not a comet, as the Russians had suggested, but more likely, an asteroid. It's speed remained very fast indeed.
All parties tried to play-down the asteroid, emphasising that it would not crash into Earth, but this didn't stop the doom-merchants. Islamic fundamentalists proclaimed that the asteroid was to collide with Earth, and that this was as a punishment to the US and UK. Many Christians referred back to Nostradamus, claiming he had prophesised Napoleon, Hitler and 9/11, and that doomsday lay just around the corner.
These suggestions, however, were relatively few. This was helped by the fact that NASA, the Russians', the ESA, and additionally the Chinese and Japanese space agencies all agreed that the asteroid would, at it's closest, be around five million miles away from Earth. Or so they thought.

Back on the Interstellar Pilgrim, they were now swiftly approaching the orbit of ZR4. By now, many more of those in hibernation were awoken. The Interstellar Pilgrim herself was very busy. Commander Ondichi called a meeting of the full council to discuss the plans ahead for their intended target, ZR3, otherwise known as Earth. Major Retono chaired the meeting.
“Thank you everyone for attending this meeting,” he greeted all those present. “If you are not already aware, we are quickly approaching our intended destination. I would like, with the help of the rest of the full council, to put in place plans for the forthcoming mission. Consequently I have invited other important crew members along to help construct the forthcoming plans. Before we discuss ZR3, however, I wish to refer the next item on the agenda to Professor Wagstaff.”
“Thank you Major,” said Professor Wagstaff before turning to rest of the council. “As some of you may know, I have been monitoring ZR4 and have found very little difference to the planet since when we last came this way.”
“Are there are any signs of life?” asked councilor Julius.
“There appear to be no signs of life at all,” replied Professor Wagstaff. “There is very little atmosphere in which to retain the heat required to develop life.”
“What about water?” asked councilor Cartney. “Have we not diverted comets towards ZR4, to despatch water?”
Major Retono, who hadn't been keen on the original idea in the first place, then quickly stepped in.
“For those new members of the council, and those with a non-scientific interest, could you please explain, Professor Wagstaff, the process of diverting comets to hit ZR4,” he asked.
“Certainly,” the professor replied before turning to the rest of the council. “Comets comprise a number of elements and substances, including ice, frozen methane and nitrogen. It is intended that the impact of the comet crashing into ZR4 will heat these components.”
“Can you please explain the process?” asked Commander Ondichi.
“These components will all evaporate to give ZR4 an atmosphere,” Professor Wagstaff explained. “The water vapor will form clouds, which will later fall as rain. Nitrogen will remain in the upper atmosphere, as will methane, which will act as a greenhouse gas to maintain heat on ZR4.”
“Surely, one comet will not be enough to give ZR4 a new atmosphere,” commented councilor Cartney.
“It appears that ZR4 has two polar caps which should contain water,” said Professor Wagstaff. “These will be heated by the initial impact and will evaporate along with the water from the comet. We have also diverted a second comet, which will hit ZR4 at a later date.”
“How large are these comets?” asked councilor Julius.
“These are both fairly large comets, the first one in particular,” replied Professor Wagstaff.
“How long will it take to develop life?” asked councilor Utan.
“Water alone cannot develop life,” replied Professor Wagstaff. “Professor Schmidt and I have discussed ways in which ZR4 can be heated and for an atmosphere to be created.”
“I believe other suggestions are also being considered in the effort to develop ZR4?” Major Retono said to Professor Wagstaff. “Could you please elaborate on them?”
“ZR6 has a satellite which contains an atmosphere, including liquid methane,” Professor Wagstaff explained to the council. “This may be transported to ZR4 to further enhance a greenhouse effect to heat the planet.”
“Are you satisfied that this will create life on ZR4?” queried Major Retono.
“Similar experiments have been successful in developing planetary life-forms on previous missions elsewhere in the cosmos,” Professor Wagstaff informed the council. “Professor Schmidt and I are confident this will be successful again. However, we must first see what happens following the comet impacts.”
Major Retono then turned towards Professor Schmidt.
“What have you made of ZR3?” asked Major Retono. “Our records suggest an atmosphere made two-thirds of Nitrogen and one-third Oxygen. Does this seem to be the current quantity of ZR3's atmosphere?”
“Not quite,” said Professor Schmidt. “This is made largely of Nitrogen in the upper atmosphere, plus small quantities of Carbon-Dioxide and Methane. ZR3 should be safe to visit however, as there is plenty of Oxygen, water, and hence life, in the lower atmosphere.”
“Have you detected any life on ZR3?” asked Major Retono.
“There appears to be a multitude of life-forms on the planet,” Professor Schmidt informed the council. “Indeed, there appear to be creatures suited to many different habitats and locations, including some similar to ourselves.”
“How large are these life-forms?” asked the commander. “Do any of them seem dangerous, as were those creatures our ancestors left behind many, eons ago?”
“There are some large creatures, but none as large as those who our forefathers left behind on ZR3,” replied Professor Schmidt. “There even appear to be creatures like us.”
“When you say creatures like us, do you mean human or ape?” asked Major Kong.
“Probably both, though I cannot say with great certainty as yet,” replied Professor Schmidt. “Those which I refer to seem to have developed a commanding life of ZR3. There also appear to be structures orbiting ZR3 which are not satellites in any form we know of. I suspect they may be created by some of the creatures on ZR3.”
“You believe there is intelligent life on ZR3?” queried Major Kong.
“Probably,” replied Professor Schmidt. “I cannot say how intelligent with any great certainty as yet, however.”
“Intelligent enough to develop their own satellites?” queried Councillor Cartney.
“This would appear to be so,” replied Professor Schmidt.
“What are their habitats like?” asked Councillor Utan.
“Most creatures appear to live on land,” said Professor Schmidt. “However, some creatures appear to be able to fly. There is also a great deal of water on ZR3, which is probably occupied by other creatures. I will inform the council of more information the closer we progress towards ZR3.”
“What is the temperature range on ZR3?” asked councilor Julius.
“Temperatures will vary depending upon location and timescales,” replied Professor Schmidt. “However, these appear to be at the upper end of our temperature range.”
“Have you detected any natural activities on ZR3?” asked Major Retono.
“There appear to be occasional violent winds,” replied Professor Schmidt. ”There also appear to be regular explosions in some places. Whether this is due to weather, volcanic activity or otherwise I cannot say with great certainty at the moment.”
“Professor, I would like to arrange to examine your records of ZR3 at some time,” requested Major Retono. “I would also like to see your observations, particularly as we approach ZR3.”
“You don't doubt my words?” queried Professor Schmidt.
“No, no,” replied Major Retono. “However, if I, or any other members of the Interstellar Pilgrim, are to visit ZR3, we would like a closer inspection of the data ourselves.”
Major Kong seconded Major Retono's suggestion. Other council members agreed, and the proposal was carried.
“I propose that in the meantime we reduce speed, so as we may have more time to study ZR3,” suggested Major Kong. “I believe we require more time to assess the situation ahead of us.”
“We are currently reducing speed,” Major Retono pointed out. “I do, however, agree that we should continue to reduce speed further for the reasons suggested by Major Kong, and I therefore second the proposal.”
“If we are to visit ZR3, do we have any plan as to where we should arrive?” asked Commander Ondichi.
“We would have a wide range of locations in which to land,”