Solar Express (64 page)
Authors: Jr. L. E. Modesitt
In the meantime ⦠she did have a base to run, and she only had a few hours to make certain it was presentable to whatever DOEA contingent was about to descend upon her.
Something else that was likely another price to pay.
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LRT [AI2]
8 D
ECEMBER
2114
Tavoian stood by the airlock door, holding his kit bag in his left hand. His knees were shaking, despite the low gravity, as the lock doors opened. He stepped out toward the woman who stood there, her mouth opening.
“Chris⦔ Her voice caught. “You ⦠you're ⦠the DOEA contingent?”
“All of it ⦠for better or worse. The colonel couldn't think of a better place for my low-grav rehab. I did promise you⦔ He didn't know what else to say.
He didn't have to.
Her smile, brighter than a lunar day, was more than enough as she stepped forward, her intense green eyes meeting his as she took his hand.
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2 D
ECEMBER
2197
A
LAYNA
W
ONG
-G
RANT
(2085â2197)
Nobel Prizeâwinning scientist Alayna Wong-Grant died in her sleep at 0131 UTC on this date. The Noram-born astrophysicist received her doctorate from Princeton University at the comparatively young age of twenty-eight. After taking a postdoctoral appointment as the resident astronomer at the Combined Farside Lunar Array (COFAR), she pursued her interest in solar dynamics and, in particular, a study of solar multi-fractal mini-granulations. As part of her other duties at COFAR, she discovered what appeared to be a comet, an object classified prosaically as 2114 FQ5, which became the Solar Express, the only alien artifact yet discovered. Her studies of solar dynamics and the interaction of the Solar Express led to the formulation of her Gravitonic Theory of Spacetime [GTS], for which she later received the Nobel Prize for Physics, and which is the basis of the Gravitonic Drive. After several years with a number of observatories, she succeeded Dr. Jay M. Mehlin as director of the Williams Observatory consortium, and as professor of astronomy at Williams College. Upon her retirement from direct observational activities, she remained as Director Emerita until her death.
She was predeceased by her husband of seventy-one years, Brigadier General Christopher A. Tavoian, who served as the Noram Space Command's director of outer planet studies for nearly fifteen years, and who was the only survivor of the expeditions sent to investigate the Solar Express, for which he received the Medal of Valor. The couple had two daughters and five grandchildren.
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L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
, is the bestselling author of more than sixty novels encompassing two science fiction series and three fantasy series, including the Saga of Recluce and the Imager Portfolio. He lives in Cedar City, Utah.
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Tor Books by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
