RJ was in the control center when Brad returned. “How did it go?”

“They were screaming at each other when I got there. I told Carter that if there's one more incident, he's out. If things go as usual, he'll behave for a day or two. I don't understand how he made it through selection. There had to be better candidates.”

RJ remained silent for a few minutes. “His credentials were great. I probably should have booted him, but I thought he would straighten out. Ok, let's sleep him tonight. He's scheduled to be the second on call, right behind Fitzpatrick, for any issues related to the reactor that occurs during the sleep. If he's awakened, he'll need to put himself back out, when the problem is solved. Check with the others; make sure that they're comfortable with him handling issues. If they want, we'll move Waterman to second on call and put Carter last. Also, make sure that he knows the criteria for when to summon help and what he can do on his own.

“Once that's done, turn him over to Amy, she'll show him how to re-attach himself to the sleep systems if needed. Also, tell her to sleep him as soon as she's comfortable with that.”

“Sounds good,” Brad agreed.

As Brad left the room, a beeping emitted from the communications console. “Gate One reports that the last truck we're expecting just entered the compound,” A young woman named Abby, at the communications station reported.

“Good, let me know as soon as they're gone,” RJ instructed. She rubbed at her temples, wishing she'd managed more sleep.

A couple of hours later, RJ worked the communications console. A few moments later a voice boomed through the speakers. “Draper here.”

“General Draper, this is RJ Anderson at the mountain.” The last delivery has arrived. If you don't have anything else coming here, we're going to secure the facility.”

“No RJ, we don't have anything else for you. Proceed with securing the facility,” Draper replied.

“I assume that means the efforts to alter its course haven't been successful?”

“No. For ten days in a row, we've detonated two, five megaton warheads, as close to the comet as we could, but they've had no effect. The last pair detonated six hours ago. It's just moving too fast for us to get the blast close enough.”

“Okay, I understand. We'll commence the locking down sequence now. We should be complete in about forty-eight hours, which will give us a good twenty-four hours before it arrives.”

“Sounds good to me. General Fitch is here, and we've been discussing it. We want you online with us, two hours before the comet arrives.”

“No problem. Are we still expecting arrival at 0930 eastern time?” RJ asked.

“Right about there,” Draper agreed.

“Okay, we'll be online at 0730 your time, east coast.”

“Good.”