Prologue - Freeman and his family

The buzzing of
the alarm clock was the first thing to enter his consciousness.  His
eyes fluttered open, and he stared at the cruelly glowing digits inches
from his face.  Why do they schedule these things so early? 
Despite the mental protest, he shook himself awake and listened to the
alarm clock continue in its persistent efforts.  The little box had
begun to play part of the "Aerospace in America" Podcast, which he cut
off mid-introduction by slapping off the alarm switch.

 

The routine of the morning carried him through his tiredness.  He
watched himself shave in the mirror: chocolate skin, short-cropped black
hair, slightly sunken eyes, a build that had seen forty-three years of
life and only thirty of regular fitness.

 

"Honey?"  It was the fuzzy, half-asleep voice of his wife Shari
from the bedroom.  He peeked his head through the door.  "Love you,
hon.  Going to work early."

 

The rituals of dawn were nearly over before he came fully awake,
and stepping out of the shower, he reflected on the circumstances of his
early departure.  This was an early meeting after all.  It might have
been a preschedule.

 

Finishing his transition from sleeping human to suited professional
with a final adjustment of his tie, Dr. Freeman Haight gave one final
nod to ritual - he saluted his father's photograph, framed atop his desk
in its customary place, on his way past his office and out the front
door.

.......

Like many of his colleagues, Freeman lived in Maryland and
commuted.  Living outside the Beltway was something of a tradition for
government-connected professionals in Washington, D.C.  The traffic
wasn't particularly odious and the trees were nice while they lasted.

 

His phone rang; he automatically reached for it, and his daughter's
smiling face on the receiver.  "Mawnin daddy!" she called gaily, and
Freeman smiled.  "Good morning, sweetie.  Is mommy up yet?"

 

"Uh-huh.  She said I could call."

 

"You're a very good girl for asking permission."

 

"Daddy, why din't you make backfast this morning?"

 

Freeman smiled gently.  Samisha would have doubled the size of the
dictionary if she were allowed to.  "Daddy had to go, sweetie.  I've got
a big meeting today.  But I promise I'll come home as soon as I can,
and make you dinner!  Okay?"

 

"Okay, daddy."  He watched his daughter back away from the phone,
saw his wife's face appear instead.  "You take care of yourself,
rocketman," she said with a loving smile, and he nodded.  The call
ended.  Finally, the day felt like it had really started.