We Begin Bombing In 5 Minutes

The state of TIAH

August 11th, 2006

in 1984, an accidentally open mike dooms President Reagan's reelection prospects. During his weekly radio address to the nation, a technician asks the president for a sound check, flipping the mike on and opening the show to a live channel as he does so. The old actor in him quipped, "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes." Unknown to either the President or the technician, this was heard by people around the world, and the Soviet Union, rather predictably, demanded an apology for this attempt at humor. When Reagan stammered through another half-hearted attempt at laughing the situation off, his popularity plummeted, and polls for his Democratic opponent soared. Reagan recovered somewhat by the time of the November election, but still only managed 46% of the popular vote against former Vice-President Mondale, who won the election with 53% of the vote, and assumed office as the 41st President of the United States the following January.

in 2017, the Eagle docks inside the Pokor for what both crews assume is the last time. There is much sadness on both ships as Najib Kasem and Monkar prepare the Jump device to take them back to Amandara. Commander Patterson and Captain Mawrao share a drink with each other, and Mawrao says, “You know, I never expect anything like this to happen in my life. I pretty sure that I spend my whole life with just Amandarans, and never see aliens. Even though we part in not the best way, I would not trade for anything our trips together.” Commander Patterson raises her glass and replies, “Captain, you took the words out of my mouth. It has been an honor, a privilege, and a delight to share our journey with you.” Najib Kasem, meanwhile, makes some small adjustments to the Jump device that are unnoticed by Monkar, and then says, “Are you ready to initiate?” Monkar replies affirmatively, and warns the crew that a jump is about to be initiated. Kasem activates the machine, and they all disappear in a flash of white light.

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Good long fiction from the AH. See a review of Warp at Universe Pathways Magazine

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