"We detected a slight leak in the fuel tanks. We believe that the sensors were faulty, that there was no leak, but we felt in the interest of safety it would be best to abort the mission. Orbital alignment is not critical and we can attempt a relaunch within 2 weeks. When we know more we will make further informa- tion available." The NASA spokesman left abruptly. The CNN newsman continued. "According to NASA, a malfunctioning fuel monitor was the cause of today's aborted shuttle launch. However, several seconds before the announced abort, our video signal was cut by NASA. Here is a replay of that countdown again." CNN technicians replayed one of their video tapes. The video monitors within Mission Control were not clear on the replay. But the audio was. "Look at the goddamned monitor for Chrissakes. Just look." Then the video went dead. * * * * * Steve Billings received an urgent message on his computer's E- Mail when he got home from classes. All it said was PHONE HOME He dialed NEMO directly this time. <<<<<<CONNECTION>>>>>> He chose CONVERSATION PIT from the menu. La Creme was there, alone and probably waiting. What's the panic? YOU DON'T KNOW? <<CREME>> Just finished exams . . .been locked up in student hell . . . NASA ABORT . . .SHUTTLE WENT TO SHIT. <<CREME>> So? More Beckel fuel problems I s'pose. UH . . .UH. NOT THIS TIME. NASA GOT AN INVITATION. <<CREME>> From aliens? SETI finally came through? NOPE. FROM CHRISTA MCAULIFFE. <<CREME>> Right. SERIOUS. SHE WELCOMED THE CREW OF COLUMBIA. <<CREME>> Get real . . . I AM. CHECK OUT CNN. THEY RECONSTRUCTED THE VIDEO SIGNAL BEFORE NASA SHUT THE FEED DOWN. THE MONITORS HAD A GREETING FROM CHRIS- TA. ABORTED THE DAMN MISSION. <<CREME>> I don't get it. NEITHER DO I. BUT, DON'T YOU PLAY AROUND IN NASA COMPUTERS? <<CREME>> Sure I do. Poke and Play. I'm not alone. AND REPROGRAM THE LAUNCH COMPUTERS? <<CREME>> Never. It's against the Code. I KNOW THAT, BUT DO YOU? <<CREME>> What are getting at? OK GOOD BUDDY . . .STRAIGHT SHOOTING. DID YOU GO IN AND PUT SOME MESSAGES ON MISSION CONTROL COMPUTERS? <<CREME>> Fuck, no. You know better than that. I HOPED YOU'D SAY THAT. <<CREME>> Hey . . .thanks for the vote of confidence. NO OFFENSE DUDE. HADDA ASK. THEN IF YOU DIDN'T WHO DID? <<CREME>> I don't know. That's sick. NO SHIT SHERLOCK. NASA'S ONE PISSED OFF PUPPY. THEY HAVEN'T GONE PUBLIC YET, BUT THE MEDIA'S GOT IT PEGGED THAT HACKERS ARE RESPONSIBLE. WE MAY HAVE TO LOCK IT UP. Damn. Better get clean. YOU LEAVE TRACKS? Nah. They're security is for shit. No nothing. Besides, I get in as SYSOP. I can erase my own tracks. BETTER BE SURE. I'm not going back, not for a while. THERE'S GONNA BE SOME SERIOUS HEAT ON THIS. Can't blame 'em. What d'you suggest? I'm clean, really. BELIEVE YOU GUY. I DO. BUT WILL THEY? I hope so . . . * * * * *