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into space can also drop a thousand tons of armor and troops
anywhere on Earth, runway or not.”
    He let his words sink in for a few seconds.
“The UN can drop a platoon of tanks anywhere they want, with supporting
infantry and artillery. That’s what this is all really about.” He looked
at the faces that hovered in front of them. Good, it’s finally getting
through their skulls. “There’s not going to be any space fleet and you know
it, just those airships and a private UN army.” He nodded to give his own words
emphasis. “And where are they going to build those airships?”
     

Commencement
    Turtle Bay
    Manhattan, New York
    January 27 th , 2026
    F rank looked up as Ellen walked into his office. She hadn’t quite
believed his story when he’d arrived home late two weeks earlier but his dogged
insistence had led her to reserve judgment. The next morning when they’d driven
to the airport, she remained quiet until they approached the same spot where
Frank had passed through the fence the day before. The soldiers were still
there but a team of military engineers was now putting up a guardhouse and
permanent gate.
    “This is crazy,” she muttered quietly as an
unarmed guard scanned their driver’s licenses. To the left, behind a temporary
sandbag revetment stood four men holding assault rifles. To her evident
amazement, they were waved through and Frank drove over to where the fighter
had been parked the day before. Today’s ride would be far more comfortable.
    “Hello again, sir.” The same Air Force
captain was waiting for them on the tarmac as Frank climbed out of the vehicle.
“Don’t worry about your bags,” he said as an airman reached inside the driver’s
door to release the trunk. “Ma’am!” This with a nod to Ellen who was standing
by the car, looking up at the Gulfstream corporate jet that sat where the
fighter had previously parked. He looked back at Frank. “The rest of your party
is already aboard, so you can take off as soon as the bags are stowed.”
    Frank nodded his thanks at the officer
before turning to Ellen who was staring up at the blue, wreathed planet on the
aircraft’s tail. “So,” he called out, waiting until she turned to look at him.
“Still think I was out drinking with Kim yesterday?” She was still on the
fence, trying to get a handle on the moment and he walked over to put an arm
around her waist. “And your dad will still say I’m not good enough for
you!”
    She laughed and punched his shoulder, a
little too hard for comfort. “Jury’s still out!” She looked back at the waiting
aircraft and its guards. “This is all real, isn’t it?” She looked back at him.
“The UN actually sent a jet here to pick us up because they want you to build
them a fleet?” She cocked her head to the side, hesitating. “So, you made peace
with them?”
    “Call it a cease fire,” he answered with a
shrug. “Anyway, I’ll have full run of the Secretariat so maybe I can find the
guy who screwed Dad over…” As usual,  the darkness lifted quickly. He knew
he wouldn’t make himself feel any better by tracking the man down and had made
a promise to himself that the project would come first. However much he might
hate the UN, humanity needed a way to defend itself.
    “Actually, they didn’t just send a jet,
this one is at my permanent disposal. I’m going to be travelling everywhere our
contractors operate and we can’t afford to wait for scheduling issues with
other departments.” His grin faded as he began to think about the responsibilities. if I screw this up, we lose our planet. “I’m still not convinced they
got the right guy for this,” he said lamely.
    Ellen moved to stand in front of him. “Who
else is dumb enough to take a job this big?” She grinned. “Seriously, Frank,
I’ve heard you and your dad complain a thousand times about how the military
contractors are always late and over budget. You’re used to working for
shareholders and they’re