Nobody moved. Noises could be heard continuously from open communication channels. The symbol indicating the bomb on the display had now approached the edge of Amazonis Planitia. Beside the symbol, its velocity was indicated. The time till the first container intercepted the bomb was counting down in the corner of the display.
The count had reached zero and was now counting up, but velocity of the bomb had not changed. The information was provided by an observation satellite above the equator, so if the bomb changed its course, it will soon appear on the display. The count reached three, but no changes were observed. As the next count after the next passed, there was still no change. And when the last tanker passed the intercept, there had still been no changes.
Holding their breath, the entire crew watched the count. When it reached thirty, chief Zanak's shuttle reached the intercept point. He had to turn the tail of his shuttle toward the plunger on his own. It was possible but stretched the limit of human ability. His shuttle passed the bomb with a relative velocity of seven kilometers per second. They felt that the plasma stream puffed out from the shuttle was too thin and of short duration.
----- But he is chief Zanak. So he can do it...
Ensign Yagisawa thought. He had watched Zanak operate his shuttle as if it was a part of his body. So Yagisawa thought he had enough skill to do it.
The count reached thirty. There was no change on the display.
He had failed...
Someone muttered in a very small voice. Now they hoped that Zanak could at least land safely. The commander was to take the microphone to order the crew to shelter. But he stopped. He opened his eyes with a surprise and stared at the display.
A change appeared on the display. It was a small change but it was enough to prevent the bomb from impacting into the line.
Someone shouted with joy. Soon after it, everyone was cheering. Everyone was pounding each other on the shoulder and laughing.
"Keep quiet. Wait till Zanak lands safely."
The commander, who was staring the display with a sullen face, said in a loud voice. The mood soon changed. The symbol indicating his shuttle-cargo vanished. Soon it reappeared intermittently with the information of its velocity.
"Fucking observation satellite ! It erroneously reported the shuttle crashing because its altitude had fallen too low. It can't have crashed yet."
Zanak struggled to lift his shuttle using its engine at a full power. The point on the display went out and reappeared again and again.
He can do it. He can use atmosphere lift and make his shuttle glide. Stick to it a little longer !
They stared at the display so hard that their eyes ached. Then the point on the display went out again. This time it strayed out. When they had nearly given up, the point reappeared. And stayed. In fact, its altitude increased. When they were sure that its velocity was stable. Joyous pandemonium broke out. Then Zanak's voice was heard over the bustle. Slowly and steadily his voice became clearer.
"Hello, Olympia Base ! Can you read me ?"
The commander tightly grasped a microphone in his hand and said,
"We read you loud and clear. The bomb flew over the base. It will fall far from here. Wait a minute. We're launching a tanker for you."
----- I wonder if he volunteered for this mission because he loved Mt. Olympus. He may have taken off because he couldn't tolerate the bomb would make the mountain's shape.
Yagisawa thought. Zanak only cheerfully said.
"Fantastic ! The view of Mt. Olympus that I saw when I pointed the tail of my shuttle at the bomb was wonderful! I will be the first and last man who watches this mountain with his own eyes from such a close orbit!"