Chapter 4-The view from above…..

     Steve had a front row seat to the end of the world.  He was aboard the International Space Station 240 miles above the earth.  That meant he was 240 miles from the closest infected but it also meant that he was 240 miles above his family.  At least NASA had the foresight to go and get the astronauts families and keep them safe on base.  Steve was the Chief Science Officer for the mission.  He and 4 other astronauts had docked with the ISS just a day before the crisis began.  Initially Steve’s mission was to perform a few routine science experiments.   Due to the crisis all of the astronauts missions had been changed to reconnaissance.  It was very hard to get any reliable information on earth.  Within 24 hours of the breakout communication had broken down.

     Steve had been monitoring the planet for an hour of his 4 hour watch.  It was hard to believe what was going on down there.  From up here everything looked normal, except for the fire that is.  Great plumes of smoke filled the atmosphere above half of the United States.  He was told that was due to the Los Angeles area fires.  The sun was rising on the European Union when all of the sudden there was a bright flash over London.   Steve immediately called command on the video link.  “Command this is ISS do you copy?”  ”Roger, loud and clear ISS” they replied.  “You guys aren’t going to believe this, but there has been a nuclear detonation over London” Steve said.  “ISS confirm please, did you just say there was a nuclear detonation? ” command questioned.  “Roger that, Nuclear detonation above London”  There was a pause from command, before they could respond there were 3 more nuclear blast on the continent.  “Command, there have been 3 more blast above Europe!” “Roger that ISS, Intel says that the Brits may be bombing to try and stop the spread of the infection.” “Command, the crew and I were wondering if we could get an update regarding our families.” “Copy that ISS, your families are all doing fine, we will try to get them in here for a video conference sometime in the next 24 hours.” “Thanks command, we’ll let you know if anything else happens.”  “Roger that ISS.”

     Steve sat for the rest of his shift keeping a silent vigil over the planet.  He watched as city after city went dark.  He wondered if he would ever be able to go home and see his family again.

 

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