First Steps (Founding of the Federation) Read Free Page A

their new generation of Topaz reactors up and
running. For obvious reasons they haven't flight tested them, but we
can work on that with a bit of political smooching.”
    Zubrin
sat back. “Well, we've been getting some flak for being a
strictly American mission. If we go international, we could lose some
support from the conservatives, but pick up international support and
funding... and smooth over some hard feelings...I was planning on
doing it anyway but this is an extra bonus.” Luigi nodded.
    Mario
shrugged. “Politics. Way over my head.”
    Luigi
smirked. “If it doesn't bolt together or have a certain sine
wave curve to it, most things are.” Mario chuckled.
    “I
don't know how this would fly,” Nick said examining the paper.
“Well if we can get with Boeing or GE, we can build the test
bed plasma rocket in a couple months. Getting funding is the tricky
bit. But once we do, and if we can get the Russians on board, we can
fly a lot faster than one hundred eighty days to Mars...”
    ...*...*...*...*...
    "How
is the chain of command supposed to work out? Do I report to Nick or
vice versa?" Luigi asked as he looked over to Dr. Zubrin. Nick
and Mario had left to go about their duties.
    "He
reports to you. I brought you on as the program director. Think of
him as a liaison and a partner. He knows where the bodies are buried;
he has a wealth of knowledge. Someone upstairs has been grooming him
for political office. I expect him to jump ship in a few years."
    Luigi
shook his head. "Good to know. Working for someone half your age
must suck."
    Doctor
Zubrin shrugged. "He'll get over it. You are both adults, I
expect you two to work it out as adults. He knows you’re a
genius."
    Luigi
smiled. "Why thanks."
    "But
he knows all geniuses are idiots when it comes to the public and
politicians." Luigi's face fell into a polite mask until he
caught Zubrin's smile.
    "Oh
ha ha," he smiled.
    ...*...*...*...*...
    “So
Nick, can I call you Nick?” Luigi looked over to the man who
nodded.
    “As
long as I can call you Luigi,” Nick replied.
    Luigi
smiled running a hand through his hair. “Are you in the running
for the Mars crew?” Nick shook his head.
    “My
wife and daughter would kill me. SLOWWWLY.”
    Luigi
shook his head. “Why?” Luigi asked.
    Nick
sighed. “Do you have any idea what you’re in for? Sixteen
to twenty hour days seven days a week are the norm. Time all over the
country, weeks, months away from your family. And that is just the
training! The mission is projected for three years!”
    Luigi
grimaced. “Yeah. I can see where they wouldn't be happy.”
    Nick
scowled. “It's not just the mission or the danger; it is the
whole moving around. Moving from Texas to Alabama, to Florida, back
to Texas, and now DC.” He shook his head. “They are still
in Texas by the way; I am supposed to be finding a place to live in
my copious free time.”
    Luigi
chuckled. “They will find a way to punish you later.”
    Nick
groaned. “Don't remind me. I never heard a credit card cry
before,” Nick grumbled. Luigi laughed, slapping him on the
shoulder.
     
    “So,
we have the Russians on board?” Luigi asked excited. He'd heard
the boss had been in some high level meetings that morning, all
morning and the better part of the afternoon.
    Zubrin
nodded, swirling his drink. “But for a price, the Chinese are
having a fit.”
    Luigi
sighed. “Are they at the table?”
    Zubrin
nodded. “Some higher ups are debating on using us as a
bargaining chip.”
    Luigi
sat back. “Can we spike their guns?”
    Zubrin
looked confused. “How so?”
    Luigi
smiled. “What about if we go truly international? Open it to all nations who want to participate and help fund it?
Including China.”
    Wendy
sucked in a breath. “Damn, that would be wild. A UN mission?”
Wendy was one of the bureaucrats in the office. She was a good woman,
had a good head on her shoulders and she was young like Mario and
Luigi.
    Luigi
shook his head. “No,