Launch

Earth had undergone a massive reorganization after the 2025 World Terrorist Conflict. Although no Government officially sanctioned or appeared to be actively involved in this conflict terrorists both religious and economic fought with each other on such a global scale that their actions shattered economies and destabilized political infrastructures worldwide. Oil stocks were at an all-time low, with the result that more reliance was being placed on thermonuclear power. Individual governments of the world threw more and more effort and assets into ending the multifaceted terrorist activities often to the detriment of their own people. Responsibility to maintain basic civil infrastructure including energy supply was gradually subcontracted from government agencies to huge multinational contractors. The multitude of conflicts finally ended after a series of thermonuclear mega power station accidents threatened global survival with an overwhelming radiation fallout affecting two thirds of the globe and threatening the very existence of life itself. A hundred million people perished within one month. The shuttle sat hovering just above the surface of the guide rail, suspended on its super-conducting magnetics. The pilot yawned, having just completed his pre-flight check. Throwing his arms wide and stretching he spoke into his helmet, "Traffic Control, permission to launch?" The craft was rapidly approaching the launch point, travelling at about 1.9 klm/sec. For a brief mom...