Sol

SOL

By

Mark Paul Sebar

Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Sebar Publishing

First Printing December 2012

Copyright all text and illustrations in this story © 2012 All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress, United States of America

ISBN 978-1-930246-51-5 TXu

http://www.sebar.com/pub

Table Of Contents

Chapter 01

Chapter 02

Chapter 03

Chapter 04

Chapter 05

Chapter 06

Chapter 07

Chapter 08

Chapter 09

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Other Titles

About the Story

At the end of this story on the very last page. Make sure to reply to the e-reader’s survey and rate our tale if available on your ebook reader hardware. We hope you enjoyed the adventure as much as we wrote it.

Chapter 01

The date, the near future. Location, the new Florida Space and Astronomic Research Control Center. Solara was dressed in her slender white outfit, clipboard in hand, pen dangling nervously as she studied the numbers. She was the senior project lead on this critical mission that would check to see if a negative explosion could beam energy back to the earth to the new matrix. The world was waiting to hear such things and here she was at the forefront, her long brown hair flowing below her shoulders. She was a beautiful woman, no doubt whom had worked excessively hard to get to where she was. The pressure was great, in fact so great to accomplish this mission that its very signs were easily stamped upon the faces of the team, with hers being the biggest stamp of all.

A phone call could be heard ringing in the background and sure enough, an administration assistant approached Solara, politely tapping her on the shoulder. Yes, she quietly acknowledged his presence as the young man gave her a written notice. She read it, and then smiled politely nodding to him, turning to her assistant. Ken, she called to him. It’s my mother again and this time, it seems quite critical.

The higher-ups turned to glance at him, while she made her way to a control panel. She studied some figures then turned to them. Tomorrow we should be there. I have to leave for the day. One of them nodded as she gathered her things together. Then she exited the control room down a hallway to a locker area. She entered where she came face to face with a big security guy named Ted. He had been in a recent war, an honored veteran, sharp, dashing with sandy blond hair, and a tall physique to match. He had his down to earth charming side that many a gal might fall for…except this one.

Going somewhere? Ted asked in a teasing sort of manner.

Yes I am. You might want to stick to your job as the head of security and try hitting on me less, she replied in a tone that just brought out the worst in him.

Hey, how did you know—?

She turned before exiting the locker room, and then winked at him. I know! Solara exited the room and Ted quickly followed.

What about my charm? he mired.

She stopped at the end of the hallway as an assistant passed them both. Then she spun about. I’m not interested, she grimaced, continuing out the building, flashing her badge as she passed armed security with Ted hot on her heels, which brought a modest grin to the faces of the armed guards at the door. They had seen this before and old Teddy boy was up to his moments in lady troubles again, or so they thought. As for your charm, she added while walking, it’s not working on me.

Hey, I’m not that bad once you really get to know me, he protested walking alongside her.

And that’s the problem she told him, as she arrived at her BMW. I don’t need to get to know you after work, she smiled hitting the remote, which activated the canopy as it slid back and opened for her entry to the jet cockpit. He stood there hands at his sides as she stepped in glancing up at him. I need to take off now, if you will stand back. While Ted watched her, his hands still at his sides, the canopy closed, the BMW powered up and then the gear retracted and it began to take low flight to the sky.

A security guard approached. Women…huh!

Yeah, Ted watched the BMW disappearing from the base. Women.

Solara piloted the BMW through heavy sky traffic and the jetcar flew lower through the downtown area of New Miami. The brilliant sunset over the Caribbean, highlighted a very stressful day at the center and what she had to face once more. The dash on the BMW was showing that she was approaching the tall hospital structure. The brilliant giant orange disk of the sun seemed to stand sentinel over the edge of the world as she set the computers to auto-land her at the right parking level.

The car’s landing struts came out and it slowly tilted left, and then gently leveled off, approaching a large landing area with all kinds of traffic coming and going. The vehicle came to a rest and powered down while the body sunk a bit on the struts supporting it and the canopy opened. She exited the vehicle and walked towards glass doors that swished open for her.

She walked past many others going to and from their destinations and family and friends as well as robotic and human hospital staff. Finally, she arrived at the room and suspended in mid air on a cushion of magnetic air was her mother Thadena, who was staring out the window at the magnificent sunset. Grand, just grand, her mother smiled as she turned her head on the invisible pillow to glimpse her very beautiful daughter. There was a special bond here, something that ran very deep between these two ladies. It was more than just a mother and child, but a heavenly bond that one could sense. A love that could last beyond death, whatever that was. After all, did we really die when our bodies failed us or was there a pleasant and rewarding afterlife for good people? The question was one she did not want to contemplate.

I came to check in on you, Solara walked cautiously around to Thadena’s bedside, glancing out the window at the sun’s long rays. They said your condition has worsened and I wanted to—

No need child, Thadena reassured Solara. We are here for a short time that seems to accelerate as we grow older, and then we are gone as are the people and animals we knew and loved; and eventually even our civilization.

Solara took a deep breath, gently holding her mom’s right hand, while turning to glimpse the brilliant sunset. That never changes, she told her, gently squeezing her mother’s hand, feeling its warmth and the bright smile that it brought upon Thadena’s tired face.

Yes, Thadena replied. That will go on for a very long time, but eventually in the end, it too shall change. I only wish your brother could be here with us.

No, she replied sternly to her mom. He’s a cold blooded murderer and the life sentence they gave him, he will spend thinking about those he killed.

He still is my child, from the same flesh and blood that you are. If only your father was alive, he would have prevented your brother from having committed the horrible crimes that he did.

But he’s not, mother. He is where he will be for his remaining days upon this small blue world. She took a deep breath of air and turned to the window facing the large disc of the sun as the day was drawing to a close. When you are gone, I will truly be alone here.

What about that security guy Ted, the big man where you work? He does love you.

I don’t love him,—she sighed in jest—it is a fantasy of his. He sees me as a possession and nothing more.

How can you be so sure, child?

A woman senses things, understands that he is enamored with me only as a plaything, a sexual toy and a trophy.

Thadena glanced up at the ceiling, closing her eyes a moment, taking a painful breath, and then relishing every moment of peace and quiet. I feel you should explore him, give him a chance.

No mom, I know in my heart he is not right and I will not pursue that relationship with him. He is nothing more then infatuated with me for the time being and that will change, leaving me hurt and abandoned. I shall remain alone and try to live as best I can with only myself to rely upon.

I see, Thadena replied, her tone filling with great disappointment. There is no way you will ever change?

No mom, it has been my destiny to have this career and we are on the verge of finally solving the world’s energy problems for good, by a direct tap stream from that, she replied while pointing to the setting sun. It hung low as if wishing them a goodnight, while the stream of sunlight across the ocean bid them a farewell, even if temporarily.

I am tired Solara. I need to get rest now.

Okay mom, but I shall return to check on you—I love you.

I love you too sweetie. Now go and find success in your project. Make me proud.

With those words spoken, Solara glanced one last time from the window at the orange large disk so very far away, smiled at Thadena and then walked out of the room, leaving her mother to roll her head and also stare at the sun. Beautiful, Thadena said aloud to herself closing her eyes.

Inside the BMW jetcar, Solara flew off course for a short time over the ocean and directly outward toward the sun and the endless stream of light that reflected from the Caribbean waters. Well, now it’s your turn to come through. She grabbed the control stick and caused the jetcar to veer right as she peeled off back toward the mainland. Inside, she knew what her mom said was clearly the truth. Her work had made her life so busy, that she did not take time to fully live life as her parents once had, and their parents before them. It remained a sad fact, yet what she was doing would benefit her entire world and others in the solar system if it proved successful.

She set the controls of the jetcar and then sat back, hands off the stick as the computers piloted the vehicle back to her base of work. Running her hands through her hair, she took a deep breath, pondered a thought of Ted and her together, shook her head in disbelief and then enjoyed the ride back over the everglades of Florida. It had been a long day and now they had serious stuff to nail down, and the time had come to hunker down to their work.

The BMW began to close on the base coordinates when the computer dial started beeping her. She grabbed the stick and took it off autopilot. Then she gradually deployed the landing gear and brought the jetcar to a very slow hover, and then a descent until it touched down in her assigned landing spot. She powered it down and touched the canopy, which lifted, and then slid back allowing her to exit. It was nighttime outside and the crickets were chirping away as usual. She grabbed her purse and walked away from the vehicle as its canopy closed. Ted approached across the lot. He clearly appeared delighted that she had returned. Well? he questioned.

Well what, she replied in a harsh tone.

How’s your mom doing?

As best as can be expected in her condition. We were both observing the sunset.

Yeah, Ted quipped in a chuckle. It was quite a beauty if I say so. Anyhow, I was wondering if you mentioned us to…

Yes, if was brought up and no, we are not an item, Solara replied, her tone almost scolding.

You mean there’s no us?

Bingo, she replied, continuing to walk as he turned and pursued her across the lot.

Now come on, at least give me a chance to show you the real me, he smiled in jest.

That’s what I’m afraid of, she replied as she pushed past the guard at the security doors with Ted hot on her heels. The guard smirked as Ted followed her past the guard and into the hallway.

Afraid of what? It’s just a first time get together, a little sim-wine, a nice hot dinner and some romance to get things going. What’s wrong with that?

She stopped and spun to him at the entry to the control center as everyone turned to glimpse them both. Everything, she casually replied before fixing his tie and then turning and entering the control center, leaving Ted to stand there a few moments. Some of the other women watched him and smiled, one of them even winking at him as he threw up his hands and then turned, walking away. Solara took a seat at her control desk and studied a tablet of info laying there. She turned to Ken. How long?

Arrival time is about 1 week on schedule or four hours your way.

I like my way best, Solara smiled. Besides, we cut time by going directly to the spot and save credits in the process.

It’s not what the committee of your peers agreed on, Ken shot back.

No, it is entirely my call. The shields will hold.

Even if they’re not up to full strength? Ken questioned.

My calculations show the shields should hold. If we have put this one together properly, there should be no issues and we can send it right in. Solara’s confidence was as sure as she had ever been and she knew this project and the star all too well, or so she thought. Schedule a course correction, set path of entry, then once it is moving properly, post power to the plasma shields to full. I believe that within its four hour run, the shields will work out.

Okay Solara, I’ll issue your orders immediately and get the changes required. Ken walked away to several other desks and began to have the crew issue the requested changes from the project head that Solara was.

Meanwhile, out in space, the probe began slowly turning, as it started to face the overwhelming brilliance of the star; and that sunlight glowed off the probe’s shields that appeared like a fishbowl surrounding the craft. Every moment that occurred, it drew closer towards the corona of the sun that glistened with a heat and gravity warning of danger do not approach, yet the earth based machine did just that as the time ticked away.

So far so good, Ken informed her and the others. Telemetry looks good and the shields are at sixty-two percent.

That is much better than I expected, Solara replied with a bit of overconfidence that pressed at her subconscious thoughts and vices, fears that this may very well fail. Had she pushed too hard? Did she make the wrong suggestion in this random decision, bypassing what had been agreed upon by all of them? If it went as expected, then everyone would consider her premature actions just. However, if she had made the wrong decision to go ahead and bypass the committee’s recommendations, the consequences to her career could very