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

It was travelling at astronomical speeds. We need to find out what made it do so, why it reduced in speed the closer it came to Earth. That was no ordinary asteroid.”
“I know, Frank, I know, but it's considered that there are more important issues in the world today,” Fred told him. “NASA became a very important cog in the US wheel for nine months, but now NASA have done their job, there are other matters of greater significance out there, I'm afraid.”
“This is why you're retiring me, isn't it?” Frank said angrily. “The President wanted to get rid of me, didn't he? He probably thought 'who's that dumb ass who couldn't monitor the asteroid properly'. Well you can tell him from me that that asteroid has done everything we've stated, which is why it needs to be studied in depth.”
“I know, Frank, I know,” Fred said again. “I've kept the President informed about the asteroid. I've told him what an excellent job you and your colleagues have done, in monitoring the asteroid, designing Big Bessie, and successfully deflecting The asteroid away from Earth.”
“And I don't suppose he took a lot of notice,” Frank commented.
“On the contrary,” said Fred. “The President has even spoken to Moscow about this, to fully clarify the asteroid's movements. That's precisely why it has been agreed to pass the matter elsewhere.”
“Where to?” Frank asked. “Military Intelligence?”
Fred said nothing.
“This isn't something you can pass to the Military to sort out,” Frank emphasised. “You need experts to monitor the asteroid, people who know what to look for and when to look for it.”
“Trust me Frank, this will be examined by experts,” Fred assured him.
“What experts?” asked Frank. “The whole matter is being censored, isn't it? Just like Roswell.”
“I'm sorry Frank, but I can't say any more,” Fred said to him.
“Well what do I say to Steve and Rob, monitoring the asteroid, eh?” asked Frank. “What if I tell my team to continue monitoring the asteroid?”
“Well if that were to happen appendix 12 of your retirement plan may come into play,” Fred told him.
Frank thought carefully to himself for a minute, before asking, “What if I told the papers about this whole matter?”
“Again, appendix 12 of your retirement plan may come into play,” Fred told him. “Think about it.”
The room went quiet for a few minutes, as Frank Marshall thought to himself about whether to renegue on accepting the offer of retirement.
“Look Frank, is it really worth all this hassle?” Fred said to him. “This has been decided by the President, a President who has less than a year of his term to run. In 8 months we'll have a new President, who may decide to re-open the matter to NASA, and to the American public.”
“It doesn't feel nice that you've got me over a barrel, but I suppose you're right,” Frank sighed.
“Of course I'm right,” Fred said to him. “It's time you thought about yourself, Frank. Look after number one, you.”
Frank then shook Fred's hand, before saying farewell and leaving the room.

Relatively Speaking

Professor Frank Marshall went to NASA HQ the next day as usual. Nobody had a clue about his future. Until just before noon, when he went to see Dr Steve de Pierri in his office.
“Hi Steve, how's things with you today?” he asked.
“Hi there Frank,” Steve replied. “Where have you been these last few days? We were beginning to wonder whether you'd gone to the ESA, to discuss this asteroid.”
“Oh no, nothing like that I'm afraid, though I wouldn't mind a trip to Rome or Paris,” Frank told him. “In actual fact, I've had some important matters to examine, plus a couple of appointments to attend.”
“Was it all related?” Steve queried, to which Frank just nodded his head. “Can I ask what this was about?”
Frank wasn't very good at keeping secrets, and just kept grinning.
“It wouldn't have anything to do with me?” Steve asked curiously.
“Oh what the hell,” Frank said to himself. “You're going to find out soon enough, so I don't suppose it will harm if I told you now. I’ll be retiring next month.”
“You kept that quiet!” said a very surprised Steve. “How long have you been planning this? I didn't think you intended to retire.”
“Well, to be honest Steve, I didn't intend to retire, not at this time, anyway,” Frank told him. “I was offered a golden handshake and felt it was too good to turn down.”
“Was that as a reward for all that time and hard work you've put in, in recent months?” Steve asked, a little sarcastically.
“You could say that,” Frank replied, before he got the gist of what Steve meant. “I know you're really responsible for monitoring that asteroid, and compiling all the related data, but I've had to co-ordinate everything, inform the Secretary for Defence and the President. I've even travelled to Moscow.”
“True, true,” Steve mumbled. “I can't say I'd have wanted to fly to Moscow, and arrive there at midnight.”
Just then there was a knock on the door. It was Robert Langman. Frank went to the door to let Robert in.
“I'm not disturbing anything, am I?” Robert asked. “Is everything alright?“
“Why it's perfect,” Frank replied.
“Oh,” mumbled Robert. “What's the good news?”
“I've been offered a golden handshake,” Frank explained. “I'm due to retire next month. Anyway, I'm glad you're here, Rob, because there are a few things I wanted to ask each of you.”
“How can we help, Frank?” Steve asked.
“Well, that asteroid you've been monitoring,” he said to Steve and Robert. “How are things going? Have you noticed anything odd about it recently?”

“No, not really,” replied Steve. ”I'm still monitoring it each day, but there are no signs of movement, no signs of it veering off it's current orbit. To be honest, it's just like the Moon – there's nothing there.”
“Well, I think this might be a good time to call this project a day,” said Frank, hoping there would be no objections from Steve and Robert.
“Oh it's no trouble monitoring the asteroid, or should we refer to it as Moon2?” Steve replied. “I've not quite finished mapping it just yet. It shouldn't take long to complete.”
“How long?” Frank asked.
“A few more days, probably,” Steve replied. “The thing is, it isn't always where you would like it to be in the sky. It orbits faster than the Moon, so it varies precisely where it is each day.”
Frank thought to himself for a moment or two. “Will it be ready by Friday?” he asked
“Yeah, no problem,” replied Steve. “You don't mind me asking, Frank, but why do you want to terminate this little project just now?”
“I believe there are some other major projects we'd like you to concentrate on,” Frank told him, uncertain as what these 'new projects' may be.
“That's right,” said an excited Robert, as Frank looked on rather bemused. “That comet heading for Mars which I've been monitoring, it’ due to collide in the next few weeks.”
“Thanks for pointing that out, Rob,” a relieved Frank said to him. “Yes, I'd like you to concentrate your time working with Robert. The final outcome may help us understand how the Earth was formed.”
“Do you think Mars has enough of an atmosphere to contain any comet explosion?” Steve queried. “For that matter, do you think Mars has enough gravity within it to maintain an atmosphere?”
“I don't really know,” Frank told him. “That's what I want you and Rob to determine, so we may know what to expect. Anyway, I'll leave you two to discuss things amongst yourselves. Good day to you both - I'll be in my office if you need me.”
As Frank left the room, Robert and Steve looked at eachother.
“That's a surprise, Frank retiring,” Rob said to Steve after Frank had left.
“When you've been here as long as I have, you learn never to be surprised by the unexpected,” Steve commented to Robert.
“Oh, how long have you been here?” Robert asked.
“Fifteen years,” Steve told him.
“That's quite a while,” Rob muttered. “Frank must have been here a long time?”
“About sixteen years, not much more than me, actually,” said Steve. “To tell you the truth, he came here as an Oil Surveyor. Someone on a surveying project had an accident, and Frank got his job.”
“Well it looks like he won't be surveying Mars, after the comet has smashed into it,” Robert pointed out. “Come to my room and I'll fill you in on all the details I've got on the comet.”

Back on the asteroid, alias Moon2, also known as the Interstellar Pilgrim, Professor Wagstaff was also closely watching the comet and awaiting it's Martian impact with bated breath. He was discussing all the possibilities and probabilities with Professor Schmidt, and what surprises lay ahead.
“It seems like everything's running smoothly for you,” Professor Schmidt said to his scientific colleague. “Is there any chance that you may be able to help me on my project?”
“Quite possibly,” Professor Wagstaff replied. “Are there any problems?”
“No, not really,” Professor Schmidt said to him. “It's just that this whole project of monitoring Earth is much bigger than anyone imagined.”
“Oh, why's that?” asked Professor Wagstaff.
“There are so many different life forms, too many to count,” Professor Schmidt replied. “There are so many humans, too. In fact, some countries have more than one billion humans.”
“By jove, that's astronomical!” said an astounded Professor Wagstaff. “How many are there altogether on the planet, I wonder?”
“Too many to count,” replied Professor Schmidt. “There are so many different people and so many countries in which they live in. There are several different beliefs, too.”
“Beliefs?” asked Professor Wagstaff. “What sort of beliefs?”
“On different parts of the planet, people believe in various religious, super-human, spiritual leaders,” Professor Schmidt informed him. “If you ask me, these are more mythical than realistic, but too many people believe in them. People have fought wars because of their beliefs. In fact, there are wars going on right now due to some of these beliefs. Like those suicide bombers we saw pictures of, you remember?”
“It makes you wonder whether it's worth trying to settle on Earth,” Professor Wagstaff commented. “We'll see what happens to ZR4, er, I mean Mars, when that comet smashes into it.”
“We won't be able to settle there just yet,” Professor Schmidt pointed out.
“No, not just yet, but when the second comet impacts, we may have a better chance,” said Professor Wagstaff. “If the atmosphere is strong enough to contain any oxygen or water from the first comet, the second comet impact will increase the chances of life. Then all we'd need is to give Mars would be some methane and carbon-dioxide to keep the planet heated. Who knows what may happen after, especially with a helping hand.”
“I think we should call a Special Scientific meeting,” said Professor Schmidt.
“And what might that be?” asked Professor Wagstaff.
“A meeting like we had recently, with the commander and Major Retono,” explained Professor Schmidt. “I think they should be informed of current events. They're the real decision-makers here. Whatever we suggest to do will require they're authority.”
Fortunately, both Commander Ondichi and Major Retono weren't busy at the time, and soon came to Professor Wagstaff's office. Professor Schmidt emphasised his concerns, and that he felt the Interstellar Pilgrim and it's people may be best seeking habitation elsewhere. Professor Wagstaff then outlined the possibilities of Mars and both the forthcoming comet impact plus a further impact in the future. Then, however, Professor Schmidt raised another concern.
“Do any of you know the timescales system on Earth at all?” he asked the others.
“I know they