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

the Commander.
“Yes,” replied the Major. “The report is from rather old data, but from what I have observed, ZR3 does not appear to have changed in anyway at all.”
“I didn’t know Professor Schmidt was aware of our current destination,” Commander Ondichi queried.
“I had to speak to somebody with some knowledge on the Zorontin solar system, sir,” replied Major Retono. “The Professor had already worked out that we were heading for the Zorontin system, anyway.”
“I presume we are the only people who, officially, know where Interstellar Pilgrim is heading?” queried the Commander.
“No-one else is aware of our destination, with the probable exception of Lieutenant Jamess, but I don't believe he is aware if the significance of ZR3.”
“Lieutenant Jamess?” queried the Commander. “Last time I was around, he was Captain.”
“Apparently Major Kong appointed him, after Lieutenant Kumarisarov failed to come out of hibernation successfully,” replied Major Retono.
“I wasn't aware of that,” said the Commander. “That was a shame – me and Kumarisarov went back a long way.”
“I know, I know, sir,” said Major Retono. “Unfortunately, these things happen from time to time. I only found out about it second-hand myself, sir.”
“You said you’ve observed other planets,” Commander Ondichi queried, after pondering for a few minutes in silence.
“Yes, but none of them seem capable of holding life,” replied Major Retono. “Professor Schmidt’s report suggested that there was some atmosphere on ZR4, but from what I have seen, most of it may have evaporated as there seems to be hardly any sign of this. It does appear to have two poles, though.”
“Perhaps we may see something more on ZR4 the closer we get,” suggested the Commander.
“Possibly,” said the Major. “Professor suggested that we could deflect some comets towards ZR4. If the comets crashed into ZR4 perhaps the ice and other elements in the comet could eventually settle to leave water and some atmosphere on the planet.”
“Hhmmmm,” mumbled the Commander, in deep thought. “You know we’ll have to put such a suggestion to the Full Council?”
“I realise that,” said Major Retono. “That’s why I brought this to your attention.”
“I’ll have to think carefully about this,” said the Commander.
“We have to notify the Full Council of our destination soon, anyway, Sir,” the Major pointed out.
“Do you think we could deflect a comet onto the right course?” asked Commander Ondichi.
“I think we can, Sir,” replied the Major. “Professor Schmidt certainly thinks we can. “
“I don’t think deflecting comets will be easy,” said the commander. “Ask Professor Schmidt to come to my office in two hours.”
“Yes Sir,” replied Major Retono.
Commander Ondichi then went to the library to read if this had ever been done before. There were several references to comets crashing into planets, and the subsequent development of water, and oxygen, on the planets involved. Then, eventually, there was an item about a comets being deflected by a missile into the course of a planet. As he read on, he found that, dozens of years later, these comets had successfully smashed into the planet and created the necessary ingredients for life. The explosions had also given off carbon dioxide and methane to heat the planet, so the water could remain in it's liquid form. He took the particular book with him to his office.

The commander then had a brief discussion with Professor Schmidt regarding his proposal.
“I note your proposal,” the Commander said to the Professor,” but do you really believe that a missile can be sent to deflect a comet onto a course billions miles away, and still manage to hit it’s intended target?”
“I do believe so,” replied the Professor. “Indeed, it has been done before.”
“Do you not think this may be deflecting from our intended target, ZR3?” said Commander Ondichi.“
“Not really, sir,” replied the Professor. “It may be the best opportunity to help life evolve on ZR4.”
“I accept that, but have you thought about what may happen if the comet careered off course?” asked the Commander. “Perhaps it may head towards ZR3, destroying any life there?”
“I’m certain this will not happen,” said Professor Schmidt. “I will sort the missile projection and timescale, and will monitor the comet daily. Even if the comet is deflected into the wrong path, we will be travelling at a greater speed and can either re-deflect the comet into the right course, or deflect it away altogether.”
“As long as it is not directed towards ZR3,” Commander Ondichi told him
“Besides, we don’t know for sure if there is life on ZR3,” replied Professor Schmidt.
“Possibly not, but we won’t have a better chance to end this never-ending voyage through the cosmos and settle down onto our own world, than we have now,” emphasised the Commander.
“There is a comet field a lot closer to ZR4 than the one we have just passed,” said the Professor.
“It may not be trillions of miles away from ZR4, or ZR3 for that matter, but it’s still billions of miles away,” stressed Commander Ondichi. “Besides, there is also an asteroid belt nearer to ZR4. If a comet hit one of the asteroids it could deflect both onto totally different courses.”
“I’m sorry we disagree, sir, but don’t forget that if we have the technology to deflect a comet towards ZR4, we will also have the technology to deflect a comet away from ZR3, should that ever be the case,” re-emphasised the Professor.
Commander Ondichi then thought to himself for a while.
“An announcement of our intended destination will have to be made to the Full Council soon,” he said. “I’ll invite you to the consultation – if you still wish to put forward your suggestion, you may do so then.”

Over the next few weeks, as the Interstellar Pilgrim was progressing closer and closer to the centre of the Zorontin solar system, Professor Schmidt visited the observatory regularly. He paid careful attention to ZR4, assessing what little atmosphere it had, and how it could be developed and expanded. He also paid close attention to ZR3, but being further away, images were rather unclear, and were often obscured by another object revolving around the planet.
It was not long after that the Full Council consultation was held. It was agreed that priority would be given to exploration of ZR3, to seek out any life forms, with a view to colonizing the planet.
It was also explained that ZR3 was from where they had originated a long, long, long time ago. Many of the councillors were excited with the opportunity to return to the planet from which they came, particularly after all the hazards and obstacles they had come across.
Professor Schmidt gave recommendations that ZR4 be explored at some point, saying that it had some atmosphere and required a new catalyst to increase this to suitable levels. Many on the ‘Council were opposed to the proposal, including Commander Ondichi and Major Retono. The support for Professor Schmidt’s proposal was greater than first thought though. The idea for creating new life, and the promise to watch any comets closely, and ensure the protection of ZR3, helped convince the ‘Council to support his proposal.
It was also decided to wake many of the people on the Interstellar Pilgrim, from hibernation. This included Dr Stardust, who would monitor ZR3, and Major Kong, who would assist in leading the mission.
There were pictures all around the Interstellar Pilgrim of it's people on various planets, some of which they had colonized over the millenia, and some they remained in contact with. It was decided that, some people would remain on the Interstellar Pilgrim.
As they journeyed ever-closer to the centre of the Zorontin solar system, it was ordered that Interstellar Pilgrim should slow down. Views of ZR3, ZR4 and the other planets became clearer and clearer. As they approached the inner comet & asteroid field, careful planning went into the proposal of deflecting comets with accurate precision, each to hit ZR4 on different points of it’s orbit.
As each day passed, the view of the planets became slightly clearer. Dr Stardust monitored ZR3, while Professor Schmidt monitored the comets and their courses.
Major Retono monitored the course of the Interstellar Pilgrim. This included other, much larger planets, passed on the way. None of these were of any interest as they seemed to hold no hope of life. Indeed, some of the planets’ satellites seemed to be of more interest.
Priority, however, was the journey to ZR3, signs of life it may hold, and whether the crew of the Interstellar Pilgrim could eventually settle there, which was the plan of Commander Ondichi.
Nightmare In Dentdale

One quiet, cold and clear November afternoon in the Dentdale valley, Cumbria, England, a young lad, darker, more and more stars appeared, with a full moon becoming brighter by the minute.
“Come in Daniel, or you’ll catch a cold,” his father, Peter, said to him.
“Dad, what are all those stars in the sky?” Daniel asked.
“Come in and I’ll tell you,” said Peter. “And close that door behind you.”
As Daniel closed the door, he kept asking his father about the stars.
“They’re all like our sun,” Peter told him.
“Are they little suns?” asked Daniel.
“No, no, no,” said Peter. “They just look that tiny because they are a lot, lot further away.”
Daniel sat and thought to himself for a moment.
“Many stars are bigger than our sun,” Peter told him. “Some of the stars are not stars at all.”
“Are some of them like the moon,” Daniel queried, trying to ascertain what his father had just said.
“I suppose a few of them are,” Peter replied. “Some of them are planets, like Venus and Jupiter.”
“Are they like our world?” asked Daniel.
“They orbit the sun, just like our Earth, but otherwise they are very different from Earth,” Peter told his son. “If you want to know more about the stars and planets, there are a few books on the shelf in your brother, Richard’s bedroom.”
Just as they were talking, Richard walked into the room.
“Could you show Daniel some of your books on stars,” Peter said to him as he put his coat on. “I’ve got to get to work now, so I’ll see you both tomorrow. Say goodbye to mum for me too.”

Peter worked at the military radar station high on Great Dun Fell, thirty miles away. Amongst other things he checked weather and radar reports, to see any odd ‘objects’ in the sky. Anything odd had to be reported, as it could be a ‘Star Wars’ project by China, Russia or Iran, and may pose a threat to the United Kingdom later.
That evening, Peter noticed one small speck on this evening’s sky which was not at the same point in the constellation of Cepheus the previous evening. But what could it be, he thought? Was it a spy satellite? Or could it be just a faint variable star? Could it be a new and distant nova? Or could it be something hurtling towards Earth?
“Is something the matter?” asked his colleague, Jack.
“I’m not sure,” said Peter. “Take a look at these pictures.”
Jack looked closely at yesterday’s picture of the same area of sky around Cepheus, and compared it to this evening’s image.
“I can’t see much,” said Jack. “Certainly nothing that’s obvious.”
Peter then pointed to the small speck on the current skyline. Jack looked at the image several times over, but was unsure as to what it may be.
“It’s probably nothing, but I think you should report it to the Duty Manager,” Jack suggested.
“That’s what I thought,” said Peter. “I could give her a call, I suppose, though perhaps I should go and see her directly.”
“I’m not sure if she’s in at the moment,” said Jack. “Why don’t you send a message, for now. You