Chapter 1 Prelude
In a few more seconds, United Planets cruiser C-57-D would be 100,000,000 miles from Altair 4, the safe distance necessary to avoid damage from the exploding planet. The countdown to the planet's doom began 24 hours earlier when the reactors of the planet's core were set to overload and trigger a massive chain reaction. It was too late to question the wisdom of the decision to destroy the planet. The process was irreversible and reaching a safe distance was now the highest priority.
Several crew members and the boatswain were gathered near the astro-navigation station at the center of the main deck. Their attention was focused on the replica of the ship at the center of the crystal astro-navigation sphere and the robot at the helm controls. It was strange to see Robby the robot seated at the console because he had always been seen standing until today. But there he was, performing the duties of an astro-navigator. The ship model at the center of the crystal sphere was level and straight, indicating level and straight flight directly away from the doomed planet.
Commander Adams took Altaira's hand as they turned away from the astro-navigation station and walked toward the main view plate adjacent to the engineer's station. Crewman Randall sat at the engineer's console with his attention focused on the ship's chronometer and with a com-link in hand. Adams pointed to the view plate, “See, Altair 4, the bright speck below the star.” The main sequence star Altair was a slightly brighter dot near the middle of the view plate.
“15 seconds.” announced Randall. Altair 4 had already exploded but it would take another 15 seconds for the light and radiation of the blast to reach the ship.
Adams moved behind Alta, putting his arms around her waist as they both faced the main view plate and he spoke softly and slowly. “There's Altair, your father, my ship mates, all the stored knowledge of the Krell. Five seconds... four...three... two... one...”
In the view plate, the light from the explosion of Altair 4 expanded to a bright white disk set against a black background studded with pinpoints of bright stars. The brightness of the disc overwhelmed the nearby pinpoints of light and cast a bright light on Adams and Alta. The disc created by the glowing debris field held its place for several seconds, then quickly receded and then suddenly disappeared. Adams turned his attention to Alta as she turned to look away from the view plate and toward him, returning his gentle embrace and resting her head on his shoulder for comfort.
“Alta,” he said, “about a million years from now, the human race will have crawled up to where the Krell stood in their great moment of triumph and tragedy. Your father's name will shine again, like a beacon in the galaxy.” Adams slid his hands down from her shoulders to her arms, pushing her back slightly to look into her eyes while she lifted her head from his shoulder and looked back into his eyes. “Yes, it's true, it will remind us, after all, we are not gods.”
Adams pulled Alta closer, cradling her head on his shoulder again as she tightened her arms around him. Altair 4 was the only home she had ever known. Her father was the only man she had known until the arrival of United Planets cruiser C-57-D and its crew, and Commander J. J. Adams in particular. Emotions she had never known, grief, romantic love, fear and anxiety, had taken her on a chaotic and stressful emotional ride in the past few days. She was emotionally spent and physically exhausted.
Adams had some idea of what she must be going through and walked her toward the officers quarters at the stern of the ship. He thought Doc Ostrow's quarters would be best for her. She was present when Doc revealed the secret he had learned about the great Krell machine, and then died. Being in Doc's quarters might refresh that dreadful memory, but these were the most suitable quarters for a young woman on her first space voyage. The cabin was small but it was private and afforded some space to store her belongings. Doc was a cultured man and the small personal items he placed in his cabin reflected his refinement. Adams walked behind her and stopped at the doorway, pointing to the two aluminum trunks the crew had moved into the cabin.
“Alta, I have some things to take care of now. Why don't you start unpacking or rest. We only have a few minutes. I won't be long, and...” said Adams, hesitating to say more. Alta had enough on her mind now and he thought it best to give her some privacy and time to escape, even if it was for only a few minutes.
Adams closed the cabin door, took a deep breath, pulled himself to attention and walked briskly back to the astro- navigation station where most of the crew had now gathered around the robot. He asked the boatswain “Is all the gear and equipment stowed?”
“Closing up the compartments now sir.” the boatswain responded while pointing