Jupiter's Reef by Karl Kofoed Page B

applauded vigorously.
    “And you’re the Sensor, Mary Seventeen?” the President asked, looking Mary up and down.
    “Nice to meet you, Mr President,” said Mary, checking her zipper. “May I ask what you’re the President of?”
    A titter of laughter ran through the crowd. The President smiled graciously and he surveyed the faces around him nervously. “That’s right,” he continued, still smiling. “No one mentioned I’d be here. Well, it was a surprise.” The man studied Alex for a moment. “I’ve been asked a lot of tough questions but this one ...” he chuckled and looked around again. “Okay. Fair question. Well, I’m the President of New America. Two and a half years, now.
    “But today I came here to meet you, Alex Rose and you, Professor Stubbs and announce that as a gesture of support for science and exploration. And to ...” the President looked at a something hidden in his left hand, “and to commemorate the ratification of the Republican Constitution, we are funding your return trip to Jupiter.”
    “Thanks, Mr. President,” said Alex. Then he leaned forward. “No one told us your name ,” he whispered.
    The President slapped Alex on the arm and chuckled, but Alex saw the man’s eyes go cold. Alex was positive he’d offended the man deeply.
    “I’m sorry, Mr President, sir,” said Alex. “I meant no offense. Nobody tells me anything.”
    “Yes, yes,” he smiled at a camera, “Stephen T. Brown.” and smoothed a lock of hair being teased by the wind, “Steve Brown, President and current CEO of EarthCorp One, New America. Call me Steve.”
    Alex smiled as graciously as possible while his mind struggled for engaging subjects to discuss. “Thanks, President Brown,” he said. “So you’re commander of the armed forces?”
    The President looked around nervously. “The armed forces? Uh ...”
    “Just curious, Mr President,” said Alex. “Just conversation.”
    “Well, Alex, it was great chatting,” said the President. “But I have to go. I really want you to meet mom one day. She’s glad you made it. And, uh, I hope you like our planet.” He laughed and took Alex’s hand again. “This Jupiter stuff. Amazing! Great!”
    The President waved as he hurried off surrounded by a group of soldiers in black armor. Alex noticed that they also carried the long black rods.
    Another group of soldiers pushed past Alex and entered Diver , carrying gear Alex couldn’t identify.
    “Hold on,” he yelled at them. “Be careful in there!”
    Alex started to follow the soldiers when the media began shouting questions at him again. “Tell us how you like Earth. How does it feel to be back?”
    He shook his head, then leaned toward one reporter’s camera and said “Thanks.” He smiled a toothy grin, and added, “I like Earth very much. I’m from here originally.” Then he turned toward Mary and shrugged.
    The reporters took that as a cue.
    “Mary,” shouted an elderly woman in a red jacket. “Can clones function with normals? Do you fight a lot?”
    Someone else asked her age and another, a man with dyed black hair and arching eyebrows, asked stridently if Alex “... expected to father children by a clone.”
    Alex was stunned by the questions. Mary lowered her eyes.
    Professor Stubbs stepped between Alex and the reporter.
    “Still muck-raking, Sam?” he said. “Sorry, but this isn’t scandal, Sam, it’s science and there’s nothing we can tell you that hasn’t been published in the journals or on the Net. Except, of course, that we had a safe landing here today. Alex met the president and now we’re all ready to get to work.”
    As Sam was about to ask another question, Johnny Baltadonis appeared out of nowhere on his G-scooter, pushing his way through the crowd of reporters.
    “Excuse me. you vultures,” he shouted. “Let me talk to my friends!”
    Alex smiled when he heard Johnny’s voice. The crowd parted and old Johnny rolled up to join Alex, Mary and Professor