Rocket! An Ell Donsaii story #4) Read Free

approval. Some recipients of the Physics scholarship slots might be specified by the donor. Finally, the donor wishes to remain anonymous. This last is very important—so important that attempts to determine who the donor is may result in a loss of this funding.”
    They all stared at her in consternation. Finally the Chancellor said, “Um, we’ll just have the University’s attorneys write up an agreement…”
    He paused at a minute shake of Ell’s head. She said, “You can readily access your AI’s (Artificial Intelligence’s) audio record of what I just specified. You will find that the first 115 million has been deposited anonymously into your public account in the past few minutes. I have ported you the website where Physics research proposals can be posted for approval.” She looked at the Physics Chair, You might warn your faculty that they won’t be funded they aren’t enthusiastically teaching their undergrad and grad students. Otherwise, there need not be any interaction between the University and the donor. The money will continue to arrive as long as the donor is satisfied that you are fulfilling the spirit , not just the letter of what I’ve laid out for you. No need for an agreement. Thank you for your attention.” Before anyone in the stunned room got enough of a grip to say anything she had slipped out the door.
     
    ***
     
    Washington D.C.— Today the White House announced negotiations intended to reduce the disruption of the communication industry that has been caused by the quantum entangled chips introduced by PGR Comm. The stock markets have reacted violently as the capabilities of the new chips have become evident and this unrest…
     
    Dave Slager looked around as a loud “bang” sounded behind him and a tremor ran through the Space Station. Slager closed his eyes. It was a micrometeorite strike. Sounded like a pretty big one. The station was “armored” with Kevlar padding to protect against strikes but the sound of this one had been different, as if it hit something that wasn’t armored?
    Jim Sasson yelled, “I think it hit the CRV!”
    Slager grimaced. Sasson was more excitable than the typical astronaut but everyone cut him some slack because he was such a genius. However, yelling that the meteorite had hit the Crew Return Vehicle which was intended to evacuate the space station scientists in case of an emergency? That seemed akin to yelling “fire” in a theater to Slager. Unfortunately, the CRV was one part of the Station that wasn’t covered in Kevlar, so Sasson may well be right.
    About thirty minutes later Emil Taussan pulled himself into Slager’s area.
    Slager looked at him with raised eyebrows.
    Taussan shook his head, “I’ve inspected the interior of the CRV and it seems fine. No atmosphere leak. But I think Sasson’s right so I will suit up for an EVA (Extra Vehicular Activity or “spacewalk”) and inspect the exterior.”
    Slager shrugged his shoulders, “OK, better safe than sorry.” He turned back to his work.
     
    ***
     
    Washington D.C.—NASA announced today that a meteorite strike had damaged the rocket nozzle of the Crew Return Vehicle which serves as an “escape pod” for the International Space Station in case of emergency. NASA said they expected to be able to send up a replacement nozzle on the next supply ship. Apparently they believe that the nozzle can be replaced by an EVA mission.
     
    Mary and Ell strolled together across the campus of NCSU in Raleigh.Steve prowled about a hundred feet in front of them. As head of Ell’s security detail, Steve had agreed that having her walk with Mary made her look more like the other students and so was good “coloration.” He himself was “pretending” to be a grad student crossing campus on a similar course.
    Ell nudged Mary, “Steve doesn’t do ‘oblivious grad student’ very well does he? He looks more like a panther searching for its next meal.”
    Mary stifled a laugh, “It is