A Comet Visits Earth

The Comets Tail

Chapter One

Major Richard Core put his paper down, and, for the thousandth time, thought about how he ended up here. He was sitting deep in a hole inside a mountain in Montana. He was inside what used to be a missile silo but was now a research facility for the Air Force. They are studying the effects of climate change. There are no missiles here any longer, just telescopes and drones that could take samples of the air and water around them. A full crew that was really just passing time until they could be mustered out. Most of the people here, except for the scientists and doctors, were there for a reason.

In Core's case, he understood exactly why he was here. It had been explained to him in vivid detail by a very pisted off General. The fact that the General was a vindictive bastard, and his wife was a very beautiful woman being ignored by her husband led to an inevitable conclusion. Colonel Richard Core was a fast-rising career officer that had been decorated several times over the years. He could easily catch the eye of a bored officer's wife wherever he was stationed. It was a situation that cried out for a solution. A solution that he was happy to provide. He had done so at a few of his other posts without incident. However, this particular wife wanted to punish her famous General husband and took videos to show him.

Needless to say, his career took a sudden downward turn. The General decided to find the most worthless position he could and busted him to Major. That is how he ended up in this deserted hole in the mountains in Montana to serve out his hitch.

Most of his men there with him had crossed someone at some time and ended up here for the same purpose. His crew worked ten days straight and were relieved by Captain Susan McCormick and her crew for ten days. Ten days on and ten days off. The scientists worked, but the rest of them did next to nothing. This had gone on for nearly a year, and he was seriously thinking about leaving early. Captain McCormick was here because she had refused the advances of a base commander, and he took it personally. He had been told the others had similar stories, but he didn't really give a shit.

His quiet morning was interrupted by his signal officer, Airman Josiah Schwartz.

"Sir, we have a communique from headquarters." He handed Core the paper and left.

What now, he thought as he opened the paper.

To: Major Richard Core

From: Colonel Stanley Preston

Commander: Malmstrom 40

th

Helicopter Squadron

Great Falls, Montana

"You are to receive Dr Mary Watson on the fourth of this month. She will explain to you the purpose of her visit. You are to provide whatever she needs."

Schwartz was still standing there. "Send an acknowledgement."

"Yes sir." He turned and left.

What the hell was this? The last thing he needed was another doctor. He was up to his neck in scientist "doctors" already. Well, it wouldn't take long. The fourth was the day after tomorrow. Damn, McCormick wasn't due for four more days. He would have to entertain this one by himself.

Two days later, the chopper from Malmstrom landed on their little pad in the valley below. There really wasn't much in the way of roads around there.

Dr. Mary Watson was led into his office. She was a good-looking woman of her early forties. "Welcome, Dr. Watson. Welcome to "Climate Hell". At least, that is what the lay people here call it."

"Thank you, Major Core." She actually smiled. He wasn't expecting that. "I would like to talk to your scientists, please."

"Certainly, let me take you right to them." They headed for what was now the laboratory. It used to be the command center of the missile silo.

They arrived to find the scientists working hard on something. "Let me introduce you to everyone. This is Dr Benny Benjamin, Environmental Studies." They shook hands. "Dr. Latisha Emerson, Natural Resources Studies, and Dr. Raymond Staples, Animal Husbandry, for some strange reason."

Staples got upset again. "Major, we have had this discussion..."

He wanted to go on, but Core waved him off. "No offense intended, Doctor Staples. That's the lot.'

"Thank you. Major."

She turned away so he assumed he had been dismissed. That was fine by him, and he went back to his office.

It didn't take long for them to call him and ask him to return. He did so.

Everyone was talking over each other, very excitedly. Watson held up her hands and they stopped. She turned and looked at Core.

"Major, we have a major, if you will excuse the pun, event happening very soon. A comet will pass very close to the earth. It will not hit the earth, but the earth will pass through the tail. We have been ordered to study the effects of the tail on the earth's atmosphere. You are isolated here and above most of the pollutants affecting our atmosphere. We are bringing several computers and pieces of equipment to study as much as possible. This will happen in one month."

Core looked at her like she was crazy. "How long have they known about this comet? A year, two? Why are they just suddenly showing up at our doorsteps?"

"Of course they knew and have set up studies all over the earth. However, the Air Force decided they wanted to test the effects for the Air Force. General Masters recommended you personally."

Of course he did. One last dig. Whatever, it beat what normally happened here. "No problem, Doctor. I will go tell my crew." He left to pull his crew together.

Over the next month, choppers landed on the pad regularly. They set up new computers. They set up launching pads for small rockets to send up and test the atmosphere. They set up sensors at the top of the mountain to take readings. By the time they were finished, the command center looked like a real science lab.

Dr. Watson came to his office when they were finished. "We are ready. What about your men?"

"I have talked to Captain McCormick. We have decided to have both crews here when the comet arrives, just in case. We will have our sixteen crew members, your scientists, and we have added a couple of nurses to our medical staff, just in case."

"Sounds like you are ready. What about regular supplies?"

"We have filled the freezers and storage compartments to the rafters. We don't really know if we will need to be inside for a while. At least we have food and water to last for several months."

"That won't be necessary." Dr. Watson laughed. "We are not going to be marooned here."

"Nevertheless, I like to be prepared. The base has also assigned a chopper to be here with a crew, just in case we need it."

Core called for a meeting of his crew in the mess hall after Captain McCormick's shift arrived. The sixteen crew members, plus the medical doctor and her two new nurses all convened together.

"I want to set up a plan for a division of our labor for this assignment. I will be in the command center with the scientists. Sergeant Fareed and Sergeant Towns, you will be stationed at your computers to monitor all cameras and instruments. Airman Schwartz and Airman Vanderbilt, since you are communications, you will monitor all outside communications.

Captain McCormick and her second, Lt. Burns will be in charge of firing the test rockets remotely. Security, Sergeant De Louis and Airman Perkins, you are responsible to ensure we are sealed airtight. We want no outside

contaminants until the scientists say it is safe. Master Sergeant Davis, you will have the rest of the men monitor every other compartment of this base to ensure nothing happens that could compromise this silo. The medical unit will have everything ready for an emergency. Have I missed anything, Captain McCormick?"

"No, that is all we discussed."

"Good. Lt. Douglas and I will be with the scientists. This happens in two days people. We will have a drill in the morning to ensure everyone knows their stations. Dismissed."

The drill went off without a hitch. Core looked for Dr. Watson.

"Are you guys ready for all your tests? Does Captain McCormick know what she needs to launch your rockets into the atmosphere?"

"Yes, we are ready."

"So, Doc, what do you really think of this?"

She sat down heavily in a chair and ran her hand through her hair. "This should be nothing. However, humans weren't here the last time a comet came this close to the earth. We are going to penetrate the tail near enough to the comet that we will bend the orbit of the comet. They have models, but we don't know for sure what will happen."

Core looked at her. "I can't tell whether you are just tired, or worried."

"A little of both, I'm afraid." Core brought out a bottle of whiskey and offered her a drink.

"I have had a few cases of this here to help me pass the time in this boring rocket to nowhere. Cheers." They drank to whatever was next.