(Based on characters in The Lightning in the Collied Night)

July 19, 2051

Here we go! Katherine thought as she stepped into the conference room in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington. She turned off her phone, tucked it back into her purse, and looked around the sparsely furnished room as her eyes adjusted to the subdued lighting. Four committee members were already seated at the long head table. The other three members, including NASA Director José de la Cruz, were talking quietly about ten feet away. José looked up and noticed the red-haired woman in a tailored navy skirt suit and white blouse standing by the door.

“Katherine, welcome!” José said with a warm smile as he approached her and gave her a quick embrace. “It is good to see you again.”

“Thank you, José. And thank you, and the committee, for inviting me here today.” Katherine had worked with José for over 15 years. Based on that history, she knew that, despite his warm welcome, she needed to watch her back with him.

“I am glad you agreed to be considered for this important position. I believe you are an excellent candidate; I foresee no issues with your confirmation today.”

“I appreciate your confidence in me, José.” Katherine was confident in her ability to excel in the position for which she was being considered by the committee. But she was wary of the impact her painful experiences with José and the chair of the committee, Senator Irene Wilkes, could have on her confirmation.

“We will begin in a few minutes. Please, help yourself to refreshments if you would like,” José said as he nodded toward the beverages and snacks on a credenza along the nearest wall.

“Thanks, José.” Katherine poured herself a glass of water from the credenza and sat down next to the journal clerk at a small table facing the committee’s table. Her eyes panned the committee members. She was all too familiar with José and Senator Wilkes. She’d worked with Secretary of Defense Susan Powell, Air Force Chief of Staff James Stewart, and Senator Joshua Craig enough to consider them fair minded. She didn’t know Representatives Lattana Sayavong and Jeffrey Bridgewater, but no red flags had popped up during her research on them.

All the committee members took their seats. Senator Wilkes, in the center chair, tapped her gavel on its sound block. “Let this meeting of the Prometheus Oversight Committee come to order,” Wilkes announced. “I’ll remind everyone that these proceedings are classified Top Secret. The purpose of today’s meeting is to consider Dr. Katherine Etter for the position of Project Director.” She looked at Katherine and smiled. “Welcome, Dr. Etter. Thank you for being with us today.”

Not the most sincere smile I’ve ever seen… but at least it’s a smile. “Thank you, Senator Wilkes. I’m honored to be considered by the committee.”

Wilkes introduced the committee members, then added, “Dr. Etter’s credentials and experience have already been reviewed and discussed by the committee.” She looked at the committee members to her left and right. “Therefore, today’s meeting will focus on any questions you have for her.”

Secretary Powell raised her hand, “I have a question, Senator.”

“Go ahead, Madam Secretary,” Wilkes replied.

“Dr. Etter,” Powell began as she looked at Katherine, “you’ve led Top Secret projects before, correct?”

“Yes, Madam Secretary. Two of my projects were Top Secret, and two others were Secret, including my current project at Boeing Launch Services.”

“Good. How did you ensure the security of those Top Secret and Secret projects, Dr. Etter?”

“I’ve had extensive training in security principles and practices—for example, I’ve earned the SFPC, Security Fundamentals Professional Certification. But I’m not a security expert. Thus for each of my Top Secret and Secret projects, I ensured there was such an expert, or experts, on the project team. If I’m confirmed by the committee, I’ll ask for your approval to add a security expert to my team.”

Powell smiled, “We already have someone in mind for that role, Doctor. I’m glad to see we’re on the same wavelength.” She turned toward Wilkes. “I have no other questions, Senator.”

Senator Craig lifted his hand. “Go ahead, Senator,” Wilkes said.

Craig looked at Katherine, “Dr. Etter, are you familiar with Quantum Drive?”

Katherine’s eyebrows raised almost imperceptibly. Quantum Drive? This IS an interesting project! “Yes, Senator. I’ve attended technical briefings on it and kept up to date on its progress.”

“What is your assessment of the technology, Doctor?”

“When it’s perfected, it will be a giant leap forward in spacecraft propulsion, enabling practical missions to any planet in the solar system. I’ve advocated its use at BLS once it’s been proven.”

At Katherine’s last words, Craig shot a glance at José de la Cruz, then turned back to Katherine. “Thank you, Dr. Etter.” He told Wilkes, “No further questions.”

Representative Bridgewater looked in Wilkes’ direction. “I have a question, Senator.” Wilkes nodded, and Bridgewater turned to look at Katherine. “Dr. Etter, your track record of success on your projects is impressive.” There’s a BUT coming, Katherine thought warily. “But, can you please tell us about the project where a spacecraft exploded on liftoff, destroying it along with the launchpad?”

Katherine closed her eyes for a moment as she recalled the spectacular failure eight years earlier during the first test of a new spacecraft design. Three people on the ground were seriously injured, but fortunately the ship had no crew and no one was killed. “There was a design flaw in the fuel valves for the boosters,” Katherine explained calmly. “Our quality checks and tests failed to catch it.” In fact, the checks and tests would have caught the problem… except the lead test engineer had decided to take a short cut rather than risk a project delay—a short cut Katherine never would have approved, had she known about it.

Chief of Staff Stewart interjected, “What could you have done to prevent it, Doctor?”

Katherine thought for a few seconds. “General Stewart, I read once, ‘Sometimes things call out to us and we know them with total certainty. Yet, the certainty eludes us…’ I believed my team and I had covered every possible test scenario. But the enemy of certainty is the human factor.” Stewart nodded knowingly. “However, regardless of how and why the test failed, it was on me. It was my project, and my responsibility.”

Stewart smiled slightly. “Thank you, Dr. Etter. I have no more questions.” Bridgewater said the same.

“I have just one question, if I may?” Representative Sayavong asked Wilkes, who nodded once at her. Sayavong looked at Katherine. “Dr. Etter, are you married, or are you living with someone? And do you have any children living with you?”

What the heck?! Katherine was shocked and rankled by the question. “Representative Sayavong, I… may I ask how that question is relevant to this position?”

Sayavong looked apologetic. “I’m sorry about the question, Dr. Etter. The reason I’m asking is, full-time project team members need to live at the Prometheus base. That base is in a remote area—you could say it’s in the middle of nowhere. And there are no provisions for housing spouses, partners, or children. As you know, this project could run for more than two years.” She paused. “Will that be a problem?”

Katherine smiled inwardly, Looks like my lack of success with long-term relationships is a plus, for once. “No, Representative—that’s not a problem.”

Sayavong nodded. “Thank you, Dr. Etter.”

Wilkes looked at the committee members. “Thank you all for your questions.” She turned to José, at her immediate left. “Director, do you have any questions for Dr. Etter?”

“No, Senator—I am satisfied with what I have heard,” José replied.

“And I have no questions,” Wilkes added. Hmm, that might be a good sign. But more likely… not so good, Katherine thought glumly. Wilkes looked directly at Katherine, “Dr. Etter, is there anything else you would like to say to the committee before we adjourn to vote?”

I think less is more here… “I’d just like to say, Senator, and other members of the committee, I understand the vital importance of this project to the United States, and the entire world. I believe my experience leading similar astroscience projects would help ensure its success. I’m honored and excited to be considered by this committee for Project Director. Thank you.”

“Thank you, Dr. Etter,” Wilkes replied. “I ask that you wait outside the room while we deliberate and vote.”

Katherine got up from the table and walked out of the room. The Sergeant at Arms was standing just outside the door, and the two women exchanged nods. Katherine sat down on a padded bench across the hallway from the conference room. She took out her phone, turned it on, and started checking messages.

Thirty minutes passed… then an hour. What’s taking so damn long? Katherine wondered, and worried. Not quite the sure thing José said it would be! Then José came out of the conference room and walked over to Katherine; she stood up as he approached.

“I offer my congratulations to the new Project Director for Project Prometheus,” he said with a broad smile as he extended his right hand.

Katherine exhaled with relief and shook his hand. “Thank you, José! I was beginning to get a bit worried.”

“There was no reason for concern—it was never in doubt.” Then why did it take over an hour? Katherine mused. “We are fortunate to have you leading the project. And, about that,” José continued, “I will be in touch with you regarding details, but please plan on being in Kansas City no later than August 7 to transfer to the base.”

“Understood, José. I’m excited to get started!” Other committee members were leaving the conference room, and Katherine lowered her voice. “May I ask what the vote was?”

“It was 6-1. As I said, there was never a doubt.”

“Can you tell me who dissented?” As if I don’t know…

José looked up and down the hallway, saw that no one else was within earshot, and confided quietly, “Senator Wilkes.”

Well, not surprising. But, I wonder why, exactly? “Thank you, José. And thank you for your support.”

“No need to thank me, Katherine. I am glad that Prometheus is in your capable hands.” He looked at his watch. “But if you will excuse me, I need to return to my office for a meeting. I will call you tomorrow. Safe travels back home.” He walked down the hallway, toward the elevator.

Katherine saw Wilkes leave the conference room and walked up to her. “Hello, Senator.” Wilkes turned around, and Katherine could see she was not at all happy.

“What can I do for you, Dr. Etter?” Wilkes said icily.

“I was wondering if you would share with me why you voted against my confirmation.”

Wilkes glared at Katherine. “Prometheus is vital to the future of this country, and the world. It is essential that its director be not only an exceptional project manager, but also a person of unquestioned ethics and character.”

Katherine forced her mouth to not gape open in amazement. Ethics and character? She’s talking about MY ethics and character? Of all the…! With great effort, she kept her voice calm and controlled, but it was tinged with indignation. “May I ask, Senator, what you find lacking in my ethics and character?”

Wilkes looked at Katherine with contempt. “I think you know. Good day, Dr. Etter.” The senator turned around and headed for the elevator.

Katherine was baffled. But then it hit her, like a sharp slap in the face. No… it can’t be THAT! It’s the 2050s, for God’s sake!