Chapter  2 Antarctica continued…

Rhett began his visit to Earth meeting in Reykjavik Greenland with Ali Ebrahim, Secretary General of Global States United (GSU). A few days later he met his wife Koral Blackwood and their daughters Jules and Chante when he arrived in the town of Konni Bay. It had been a little more than two years since he had been home and his daughters had grown more than he had imagined. Jules was now 12 and Chante was 8. They were beginning to show their mother’s beauty. Though this was his first time in Antarctica it was the second Christmas his wife and daughters had spent there. Rhett being with them, making this a very special occasion for them all, especially for his daughters. They quickly retreated to the hotel suite Koral had reserved. There they began to re-acquaint with one another and to prepare for the next day’s journey.

Later that evening with Jules and Chante asleep in their room, Rhett and Koral retired to a small booth in the iconic Floating Iceberg cocktail lounge off the hotel lobby.

“I’ve missed you.” Koral began.

“I know it’s been hard. I’ve missed you too.”

“I was lonely. At least you had Ofelia!” Koral said with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

“Ofelia? She’s my virtual associate! You know she doesn’t physically exist.” Rhett had sensed this conversation was coming. He still didn’t know quite how to proceed.

“Of course, she’s virtual, she exists only in your mind. I should not have to tell you, that’s where love resides.”

Rhett swiveled his chair and looked out the massive window and across Konni Bay to the islands. In a way, it was true he reflected. He had developed an intimate relationship with Ofelia. They were together every second, they worked together on all aspects of the project, and shared private thoughts. Ofelia knew more about him than anyone else. Rhett began to speak slowly.

“I take your point, Koral. Ofelia was my constant work partner and confidant. But I was not in love with her. Despite my prolonged absence, I do love you. My only other love has been for the project. Even now it was difficult to pull me away.” Rhett paused considering the work he had left unfinished. “Anyway, she’s Virgil’s associate now. I no longer have the link or implant. The bots have been purged from my brain and filtered from my circulation.”

“Well, that’s something I guess; at least for the two months. What then?”

“Listen, Koral, this is a chance to reconnect. I still have a passion for our relationship. We can rekindle what we have temporarily lost. I can get close to the girls again. We can be a family once more.”

“You say that now…” Koral interjected.

 “I admit the Ellie 5 project has been my life’s passion. But a solution is in the making.”

“Uh-huh, sure. You’re still the smooth talker. Let’s get a drink.” Koral replied.

“Truth is,” Rhett continued.  “I’m not going to accept another project from the Secretary-General. After Ellie 5 I’m finished.”

“You’ve had a falling out with Ali?!” Koral asked.

A cocktail server approached.

“Hi, my name is Rochet. Have you both decided on something? You’d like to start with a cocktail perhaps?”

“Two Floating Icebergs with Moon Shot Vodka and Lime,” Koral ordered.

“Would you like the Full Moon Shot, a Gibbous Moon Shot, or a Crescent Moon Shot?” Rochet asked.

“I think a Harvest Moon Shot for both of us!”  Rhett answered. 

“What’s a Harvest Moon Shot? And, where did you hear of it.” Koral asked.

“I always do my research. It’s a Full Moon Shot with a splash of Tequila Gold. Uh, where were we? Oh yea. No, Ali’s on board. I arrived early at his request. I just spent the last few days meeting with him. He’s dealing with some pretty strong and disruptive opposition forces.  Ali has not been able to build a commitment to the continuous support of the Space Settlement Program. It’s hit or miss.”

“Hit or miss? Ali Ebrahim, the Secretary General of GSU does not have the executive power to execute a successful program? One supported by popular acclaim?” Koral, not especially attuned to politics asked incredulously.

“You got it. The point for us is that the Ellie 5 archipelago is nearing completion. The first five islands should be finished in a few months after I return. I won’t stick around for the sixth and most ambitious island. Then we can be together for good…. perhaps get a summer place in Konni Bay,” Rhett said.

“Yea, lots of luck with that. Do you know how long the waiting list is? Even rich people are hurting everywhere, seeking respite in the best place they can find.”

“Perhaps Ali can help. He and I go way back.” Rhett offered.

“If Ali put you at the head of the line there would be a global insurrection,” Koral responded.

Their drinks arrived, smoking from the floating dry icebergs.

“That bad, eh?”

“No. I don’t know. You know me and politics.” Koral answered. “Anyway, cheers.”

“We can always live in one of the Islands in space. Ellie 5 Alpha is quite nice. The ones coming online and planed for the future will be amazing. I can’t wait to see Ellie 5 Zeta, even if I’m not there to run the project.”

“Uh huh.” Koral took a sip of her drink. She wasn’t buying that proposition.

“You watch, they will eventually all be like resorts. We, –uh they will be able to reproduce different Earth environments—as they were 300 or 400 years ago.” Koral looked at Rhett closely. She sensed his great enthusiasm for the Space Settlement Project and wondered if he could truly leave it to live permanently on Earth.

The next day the Blackwoods began their trip to the Polar Resort. Rhett was especially looking forward to the Stunt Helicopter experience. However, a few minutes into their ride it took a particularly steep dive followed by a rapid ascent before a rocky cliff. There was an unaccounted-fo, strong downdraft at the face of the cliff. Telescoping blades extended for extra lift as they had hundreds of times before. Blade rotation accelerated to the limits. One of the blades broke free. The Stunt Copter vibrated and gyrated fiercely as the autopilot fought for control. It was not successful. The Stunt Copter careened down and briefly touched its skids on a steeply inclined snow-covered slope. It then flipped over before plunging into an icy chasm.