3...2..1...no go. |
3...2..1...no go.
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May. 19th, 2009 @ 03:17 am
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Reed turns around and sighs loudly. "NASA's already put too much into this, how can they just pull the plug?" He takes a seat at the table and turns off the ray emitting device. He looks back at Nick.
"What about the astronauts that just up and disappeared? Isn't that worth the money? Isn't anyone else worried about a U.S. spacecraft going missing?"
"Politics, Richards. It's all about politics. They control the money an' new things catch their interest."
Nick shrugged.
"I wanna find out what happened to 'em as much as you do, but I don't control the purse strings. My hands are tied."
"It's always politics." Reed slumped his shoulders in defeat. It could be years before he would ever have a chance to test his shielding technology.
"Nick, I didn't want to say this to any of the politicians, but I think this could be a lot more serious than anyone thinks. That disappearance could be a sign of some sort of potentially hostile extraterrestrial force....I'm worried."
"I know an' I'm sorry. If it were up t' me, you'd be launchin' as soon as it was humanly possible."
Nick nodded.
"Me too, Richards, but my hands are tied. If somethin' comes knockin' on our doorstep, we'll deal with it."
"I hope it can be dealt with, if something does come. I hope we don't come to regret this." Reed thought back to the strange encounter he had in college, years ago...
"How long until NASA starts dismantling everything?"
"You an' me both, Richards."
Nick shrugged. "Government is quick t' cut fundin', but they ain't exactly on top o' the ball when it comes to gettin' rid of stuff. We still have stuff sittin' around from World War II that they haven't gotten around to gettin' rid of. Could be a year. Could be a few decades."
"I see." Reed leaned back in his chair and pressed his fingers together, a bit lost in thought for a moment. "There could still be time then, to do a few more tests, just for a bit more research. Might as well make the most of this."
"That's up to you," Nick said. By rights, the project should end immediately, but if the man wanted to tinker for a bit, Nick would let him. "I'm just playin' messenger boy. I gotta get back t' the 'Carrier. Stay outta trouble, Richards."
"I will." Reed said as he stood back up and walked over to Nick, offering his hand. "Thank you for all the help, Colonel. It's been a pleasure."
Nick took the hand and shook it. He nodded. "Wish I had better news for ya. Take care of yerself."
"You too." Reed nodded back and went back to his table. He turned the ray back on and went back to jotting down notes as he did before. This turn of events was not welcomed, but as he said before, he would make the best of his situation. That didn't mean lie down and quit though. It just meant improvising. Reed needed to make a few phone calls...
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