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

moment, but I would like to thank my colleague for his help and assistance throughout our mission,” Clint said to the crowd. “I would also like to thank all those who trained us both, above and beyond the call of duty.”
Clint then passed the microphone to Cornelius.
“I would like to echo my colleagues’ sentiments, and to say that I'm proud to be American,” he added.
The crowd cheered ceremoniously as Clint and Cornelius stepped back. The cries didn't die down until the President came forward and blew into the microphone.
“Thank you ladies and gentlemen, thank you,” he said to gain their attention. “I also wish to pay tribute to Professor Frank Marshall and his team for their careful monitoring of the asteroid. Without their experience and guidance throughout this dangerous episode we may not be here today.”
The President then called Professor Marshall, Steve and Robert forward, before presenting them with medals. Professor Marshall then went up to the microphone.
“May I take this opportunity to thank Steve and Rob for their time, dedication, and effort in identifying the threat to our planet, whatever surprises may have occurred along the way,” he said to the crowd. “I would also like to thank the President and Mr Luddolmans for their full support throughout the past nine months.”
As they stepped back a few paces, the US flag was raised at full mast. The President then came to the microphone once more.
“Once again, the world can thank America for saving this planet,” he said to the crowd. “We do not choose to do what is easy - we choose to do what is necessary, however difficult it may be.”
As the crowd clapped and cheered, Steve quietly asked Clint whether JFK had once said something similar, to which Clint nodded.
The President then continued - “This is the land of the free, and will always remain so. May God bless these heroes, without whom we may not be here today, may God bless you all, and may God bless America, thank you.”
They crowd clapped and cheered again, before everyone on the stage turned to the US flag, and gave their salutes, as Whitney Houston sang the Star-Spangled Banner. The President and the others were led to three open-topped limousines, as everyone in the crowd waved to them and cheered, as though they had just won the war.
To the crowd and the President, it probably seemed like the United States had won a war. Clint and Professor Marshall were very sceptical however. Steve, Robert, and Cornelius has witnessed enough not to rule out any further odd occurences. Even Fred Luddolmans wasn't absolutely sure this was the end of the saga.

When they arrived at Cape Canaveral HQ, Clint and Cornelius were escorted to the shower room. New clothes had been left outside the showers for each of them. They were both pleased to take off their space suits, and felt refreshed and clean, and not over-heating.
After their showers, Clint and Cornelius were escorted to the Medical room, to be checked over. While Clint was with the doctor, and Cornelius waited outside, Professor Marshall came along.
“Hi there Corny, welcome back to Earth,” the Professor said to him. “You'll have to tell me about mission Armageddon sometime - we didn't get much chance to discuss things backstage.”
“Nahh, not really,” said Cornelius. “The President's speech didn't last too long, though, thank God. He usually has a lot more to say.”
“Perhaps he was thinking of you and Clint,” said the Professor. “After all, you must be exhausted.”
“You're joking aren't you?” Cornelius commented. “This President only thinks about himself.”
Professor Marshall simply grinned.
“I suppose you're Republican?” Cornelius queried. “You must be, or you'd have had a lot to say about this President, wouldn't you?”
“Republican, but with a small 'r',” replied the Professor. “Where's Clint, by the way – with the doctor?”
“Yeah, he should be due out soon,” said Cornelius.
“Well, can you tell him, I know a quiet bar not too far away,” Professor Marshall told him. “Steve and Rob are coming along with me tonight. You're both welcome to come along too. If you're interested, meet me in reception at 7.30.”
Just then, Clint came out of the doctor's office.
“Hi Clint, how are you doing?” Professor Marshall asked.
“Oh, okay,” Clint yawned.
“You sound like I feel - like you're in need of a rest,” said Cornelius. “What did the doctor have to say?”
“Not a great deal,” Clint replied. “I've got to go to NASA HQ in Houston for further checks.”
“Is that because of your seizure?” asked Professor Marshall.
“I think so,” said Clint. “The thing is, I'm sure that was no epileptic seizure. I'm sure I heard voices of some sort, as though someone was trying to contact me.”
“Well, perhaps you might like to tell me all about it tonight,” the Professor suggested. “I'm taking Steve and Rob for a meal tonight. You and Corny are both welcome to come along too.”
“I might just take you up on that,” said Clint. “How about you, Corny?”
“I'm up for it,” Cornelius replied, as the doctor invited him into his office.
“I'll see you tonight then,” said Clint. “In the meantime, I'm going to the rest room to get some sleep.”

By 7.30 that evening, Clint and Cornelius were both feeling a lot better, and had each had a good rest. Like Clint, Cornelius had to have another, more-thorough medical at NASA HQ two days later. He too, thought he was fine, and that the whole episode may not be fully over just yet.
By the (very) end of the evening, all five of them had enjoyed themselves. Rob had tried to pull a few young ladies, while the others were half-drunk. It was a good job the medical was two days later.
At his medical, Cornelius underwent x-rays to check for any radiation which may have been contracted, unknowingly, on the mission. He also had neurological tests on the nerves and brain, to check for signs of any nervous disorder. However, the tests were negative. Cornelius felt relieved, pleased at the thought that he could now go back to his old base in New York State. As he came out of the medical room, he met Clint. After a brief chat, they exchanged telephone numbers and email addresses, shook hands and bid farewell, before Clint went into the medical room.
Clint underwent the same tests as Cornelius. His tests all proved negative, too. Clint felt relieved, not to say vindicated, that there were no signs he had contracted epilepsy. Doctors were still not fully convinced, however, and simply referred to the results as inconclusive. They gave Clint a telephone number to contact, and asked him to report any seizure or nervous attack in the future.
Clint was looking forward to going home and to see his family, whom he had only briefly visited for a few weekends, plus Christmas and Easter, over the past nine months. Was it that long he had been away, he wondered?
Before going home however, Clint had one final appointment at Houston, to meet Fred Luddolmans at the Marriott hotel.
“Good afternoon,” he said to the lady on reception. “Could you tell where the Eagle Conference room is?”
“Yes, certainly,” the lady replied. “Take the lift to the first floor. You'll find the Eagle Conference room is the third room along.”
Clint followed the lady's instructions, checked his letter of appointment against the room, and knocked on the door. He heard no reply, so went in. To his surprise, he saw Professor Marshall by the table.
“Hi Frank, this is the Eagle Conference room, isn't it?” Clint asked, as he read his letter again to double-check that he was in the correct place.
“Yes it is Clint,” said Professor Marshall. “What brings you here?”
“I've got an appointment with Mr Luddolmans at 2.30,” Clint informed him.
“That's odd, so have I,” said Professor Marshall. “I wonder what he wants us for?”
“I don't know,” replied Clint. ”This letter I was given is rather vague. Did you get a letter of invitation too?”
“Yes, I did, but my letter is pretty much vague, as well,” said Professor Marshall. “I don't suppose Corny's in on this too, do you?”
“Nahhh, I doubt it,” said Clint. “I saw him coming out of the medical room at NASA HQ. He told me he was booked on the 3.15 flight to Buffalo.”
Just then, Fred Luddolmans came into the room.
“Hello guys, I hope you haven't been waiting here too long,” he said.
“No, we haven't been here long,” Professor Marshall replied.
“Good, good,” muttered Fred. “Now, I'll bet you've both been wondering what you're doing here.”
Clint and Professor Marshall looked at eachother for a second.
“Well, I've got an offer for both of you that you won't want to turn down,” Fred said to them. “The offers are pretty much the same, so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone, as they say in England.”
“You don't mind me asking, sir, but what do the offers consist of?” asked Clint.
“I was just about to come to that,” said Fred. “By the way, you can call me Fred – I'm not really one for titles. I mean, what are they – just a few letters before your name?”
Clint and Professor Marshall looked at eachother again, each of them thinking this all seemed a little odd. Fred then handed them each a large envelope.
“I'm going to ask you both to have a little read of the contents in your envelope,” Fred said to them. “Let me know how you feel about the offer. If you need any advice or assistance, just ask.”
While Clint and Professor Marshall carefully read the documents from the envelope, a familiar 'Thriller' jingle could be heard. It was Fred's mobile.
“Excuse me a minute, gentlemen,” said Fred. “I shouldn't be long.”
As Fred went out of the room, Clint and Professor Marshall discussed the proposals, and how they may be affected. Clint seemed rather positive about the proposal, though Professor Marshall wasn't quite so sure. They decided to exchange email addresses, and to keep in contact. Fred then came back into the room.
“Hi guys, I'm back now,” he said to them. “What do you think, eh?”
“Well, I had considered retiring, but hadn't made any plans,” Clint told him. “I've often found that just when I want to put my feet up, something new comes along.”
“Like operation Armageddon?” queried Fred.
“Yeah, something like that,” replied Clint. “I had been expecting to be called back to Afghanistan, or maybe Iraq.”
“I didn't know you'd been to Afghanistan?” queried Professor Marshall.
“Oh, it wasn't for long, I'm glad to say,” Clint told him. “I only went there on a few reconnaissance trips – assess where bin Laden was hanging out.”
“How about you, Frank,” Fred asked Professor Marshall. “What do you think? Have you got any plans or ideas in mind?”
“Er, to be honest, I hadn't thought about retirement,” he told Fred. “I'm happy in my current role at NASA and don't really feel like putting my feet up just yet.”
“Wouldn't you like to relax at home with your family each day? Have a little think about it,” Fred queried, before turning to Clint. “You seem quite pleased.”
“Oh I am pleased, not to say relieved,” Clint replied. “This wasn't quite what I had expected.”
“Tell me Clint, how old are you now, if you don't mind me asking,” Fred queried.
“Fifty-one,” Clint informed him. “I'll be fifty-two in January. Is there a date this is to take effect from?”
“No specific date has been outlined yet, but probably Monday after next,” Fred told Clint. “That date will be up to you and the academy Commander. Do you have