Comet! (an Ell Donsaii story #5 ) Read Online Free Page A

she was wearing high heels if he hadn’t seen the shoes for himself. She moved gracefully and turned to face the cameras again saying, “I’ll take one question from each of you.” She pointed at Sherry Simson, one of the reporters in the front, “Yes?”
    Bilstock winced when the young reporter asked, “ Is it true that you’ re the same Ell Donsaii who won four gold medals in the Olympics three years ago?”
    If Donsaii thought it was stupid question she didn’t show it. She m erely smiled and said, “Yes , ” as she pointed to another reporter.
    “We understand that you have developed a significantly cheaper means to ‘ launch to orbit. ’ Is this new technology related to the recently developed PGR chips ? Th os e chips are said to be based on the paper you published in Nature . ”
    “Yes, the two technologies are both based on that paper and on the mathematics described in it… Next?”
    “Wait, wait!” the second reporter exclaimed, “I have a followup. Did…”
    Donsaii shook her head. Still smiling, she waggled a finger at him, “ One question each please . M ake ‘em good.” She pointed to the next reporter.
    “The PGR chips have caused tremendous upheaval in the communication industry, can we assume that something similar might happen in the satellite launch business?”
    “Well, certainly there will be changes. As it becomes easier and less expensive to get into space , the number of businesses that will benefit from a presence in orbit will increase exponentially. However, I expect that you are actually concerned that the current space launch industry could be facing stiff competition from this revolutionary new technology ? Please rest assured that President Teller has already begun taking steps to ensure that those companies will be able to license the new tec hnology from D5R and continue to compete on a relatively level playing field . Next? ”
    “Do you favor Vice President Mansfield or Senator Flood in the coming Presidential election?”
    “Oh, I won’t comment on political issues. I’m sure that each candidate plans do the very best they can for our country , each according to his own perspective .”
    The questions went on for quite a while and Donsaii let each reporter ask a single question as promised. When all of them had had an opportunity she said brightly , “Thank you for your attention and interest,” and slipped out of the lit area. A milling gaggle of reporters and videographers followed her through the terminal but, without seeming to hurry, she quickly left them behind. By jogging occasionally Bilstock managed to follow closely enough to see her slip into a car in front of the terminal and pull away. He noted with surprise that she’d been alone in a Ford Focus. Somehow he’d expected her to take a limo or drive some exotic car. Oh well, I guess just because you’re famous it doesn’t necessarily follow that you’re filthy rich, he thought.
     
    ***
     
    Kitt’s Peak National Observatory, Arizona — The Observatory reported today that the new comet discovered by Wilson Daster had actually been independently reported a few minutes earlier by another amateur astronomer, James Hearth, thus leading to a name change. Further orbital data analysis continues to suggest that c omet Hearth-Daster will pass fairly close to Earth , putting on quite a display in our skies …

     
    Ell walked back to her house from the horse barn where she’d been working out with Steve and several other of her security team. She saw Amy’s car parked outside and found Amy in the kitchen unpacking groceries. “Hey, how are things?”
    “I’m thinking you haven’t been out to the road yet?”
    “No, why?”
    “There’s a bunch of gawkers and reporters out there.”
    Ell closed her eyes and tilted her head back a moment, then quietly said, “Damn!”
    “I didn’t think you’d be happy.”
    “No , but I was afraid of this.” Ell turned to stare out the window. The driveway