S2/03. Convergence

3.1 Linda West

Spring 1998, Space Research Center, Oasis Springs

Sunday, short before ten at night, Frank held his key card towards the turnpike sensor in front of the gates of the Oasis Springs' Space Research Center.

"Doesn't it look suspicious if you clock in at this time?" Linda worried.

"Nah. I often come to work late at night. It’s quiet then."

"What about the cameras?"

Frank snorted. "Nothing ever happens, so no one cares. The night guards are too busy playing Tetris."

Linda prayed he'd be right.

Last Thursday, not long after Frank had left and just before Linda could figure out the meaning of his rather awkward departure, the phone had rung.

It was him.

"I need to show you something," he had said. "Are you free Sunday evening?"

"I- I believe so," Linda had replied, completely caught off guard.

"Great. I'll get you at nine."

There had been a pause and Linda had tried to think if she really hadn't forgotten any other obligations besides going to bed in time to be rested at work the next day. Alas, she'd probably have to skip on some sleep this Sunday since she'd confirmed already, so she hoped it would be at least worth it.

"It's a date." Frank had interrupted her pondering.

"Okay." Linda had replied, no less perplexed than before.

That probably was worth sacrificing some sleep, though.

Another short pause in which neither had known what to say, then he had said good bye and hung up.

The last thing Linda had expected after the not-kiss, was a date invitation. And certainly not where it took place.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Frank said.

Beautiful couldn't come close to describe it.
It was breath taking.

Right in front of them stood a huge rocket; the newest model according to Frank, shimmering silvery blue in the moon light.

Linda had never seen a rocket before, except on a screen.
It was gigantic!

"It only goes up to the space station so it’s smaller than the old rockets that did the whole space travel," Frank explained. "Not much though, most of its fuel is used to get out of earth’s gravity. Going up would be easier if we could just build an elevator."
He laughed.

"It must be amazing to be up there and be able to look down on our planet," Linda said.
How did it feel?

"I can’t wait for it," Frank said.

"And to travel beyond our galaxy..." Linda pondered. She was a little envious.
She'd always been more prudent than adventurous, but this place tugged on her most precious childhood memories; dreams, and stories of faraway galaxies.

Dr. Joseph West, professor for astrophysics at Newcrest university, was one of the pioneers revolutionizing space travel. He'd loved his work so much, instead of telling his daughters good-night stories of princesses and dragons, he told them of the farthest places in the universe, planet systems with multiple suns, plants that glowed at night and aliens that weren't so different from earth's humans, but instead of talking with voices they talked with their minds.

Linda had listened with utmost ardor and often dreamed she'd once visit those worlds.

As she'd grown up, modern long-distance space travelling from earth's space station had quickly come from theory to common practice, but she'd eventually chosen a different path and studied botany instead of astrophysics.

The loss of her grandmother and her father's beginning illness made her wish for a simpler and more secure future. Space travel was dangerous and uncertain, and most of all, she couldn't bear the thought of being separated from her loved ones for possibly years without the slightest chance to talk to them. Who knew how much time they'd have left together?

And since she loved plants and nature as much as stars and adventure tales, she'd never regretted her choice. Even less when she'd been chosen for the research team to study extraterrestrial plants. Maybe being Dr. West’s daughter had played a role in that decision, but nonetheless she'd been excited to have this chance.

"Come, I'll show you around a bit," Frank said.

The bridge was impressive, but Frank's lab wasn't any less. He'd finished already the blueprints for his new rocket drive and started building a prototype – just after three days. Linda didn't understand much of the technical details he explained to her as it wasn't her profession, but enough to see that his work was brilliant.

"You’ve done science an invaluable service," Frank said, very earnestly. "This will eventually save a lot of lives."

Linda shook her head. "It was my father’s work, not mine."
She was so proud of him.

"It was you who gave it a chance to be used," Frank smiled. "Come," he said and took her hand, warm and firm. Like the few times before that he'd touched her, it elated her spirits and lit up her heart. Maybe she was in love, after all; at least a little bit!

He led her to the elevator and up they went to the highest floor, through a door, and out on a roof terrace.

"Look," he said and pointed up. "At night, there’s no better place to be than here."



Above them the night sky stretched wide and dark, full of countless, bright shining stars.

"We're in the middle of the desert, far from any light pollution. You can even see the Milky Way from here." He pointed to an irregular line of densely clustered stars. "Inspiring, isn't it? There are so many stars in the universe. As many as the infinite discoveries that we'll still make; far ahead, or here, on earth. Most of the times we don't even know how to use what we discover, but one day they might prove to be invaluable. We can never stop exploring."

It was awe-strikingly beautiful, but the longer Linda looked at the sky, the lower her heart sunk.

She'd never develop technology that'd advance humankind to a greater future, nor would she explore new worlds that'd broaden its horizons. Her field wasn't one with impressive discoveries that changed history, it was a small and overlooked little field in science that she'd chosen because she'd lacked the courage for something greater.

If she was honest, this was just another world she didn't really belong to... the world of her father, the brilliant astrophysicist, and Frank, the brilliant spaceship engineer, and all the other brilliant men and their brilliant work she couldn't compete with.

What kind of legacy could she leave behind compared to them?
Suddenly she felt very small.

"Peanut butter 'n' Jelly or BLT?"

Frank held up two sandwich boxes and forgotten were any career aspirations or scientific discoveries.
Linda was hungry! Before he'd picked her up, she'd been so absorbed in writing a paper that she didn't have enough time left to eat anything. Not that she'd worried much, usually dates included some sort of food. Usually one would expect something fancier than packed sandwiches, but she wouldn't complain now.

Linda sceptically eyed the boxes. She didn't know the brand.

"Is the peanut butter chunky or creamy?"

 
"The good stuff of course," Frank smirked.

"Chunky," he added, reading Linda's questioning face.

"Then BLT, thank you," she said.

"What, you don't like chunky peanut butter?"

"Why does everyone like chunky?" She mused while unwrapping her sandwich. "It's just poorly blended – do you know what happens if you don't properly blend test samples? You'll get wrong results." She bit into her sandwich – Frank was right, it was pretty good!

He grinned and shook his head while opening the other box.
"You’re funny."

"And a scientist," she added, with emphasis.

"Thoroughly." He smiled softly.

Her own reply perplexed her. Why did she urge to defend herself? In front of Frank, of all people?

Could it be that the lack of prospects for scientific success bothered her so much? Possibly; she couldn't deny it. If she just thought longer about it, she could never be content to sit idle in her cosy corner of plants while Frank built humanity's future with giant strides. Especially not if they'd become more than just friends – she flustered a little at the thought that it could be very likely, after all.

But she needed to feel equal to her partner.

She was a little embarrassed. As she was uncontent with her situation, she'd have to change it, not lash out in her frustration. Step out of her comfort zone and out of the secure but unimportant little lab job she had at Newcrest University, and instead apply for new research projects where she could achieve greatness too. Tomorrow she would try and find new opportunities of putting her scientific skills to better use.

She shivered a little. The thought was frightening and exciting at the same time.

"You're cold, aren't you?" Frank guessed and wrapped his arms around her. "Shame on me for not bringing a jacket to put on your shoulders."

"I prefer this," Linda replied, her new resolution charging her with a boldness she usually didn't possess. She would ensure she'd be able to look into the eyes of this amazing man without feeling inferior.

The future would be bright and exciting.