The Glass Lady: A Novel

Rapid Response Team Memorandum Top Secret/Do Not Photocopy To: Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) From: U.S. Space Defense Operations Center, Colorado Situation Report: Unmanned Soviet Kvant-3 space laboratory destroyed by defective U.S. Orbital Weapons Platform. Communications inoperative. Soviet retaliation imminent unless immediate action taken. Target: U.S. Low-power Atmospheric Compensation Experiment (LACE)—the most powerful weapon in orbit. Equipped with SECRET hydrogen-fluoride, five megawatt chemical laser, LODE 4-meter firing mirror, and Teal Ruby AFP-888 aiming mechanism. Current Status: 38 degree circular orbit at 130 nautical miles FULLY ARMED AND OUT OF CONTROL. Operation: U.S. astronauts Colonel William Parker and Lt. Commander Jacob Enright to fly Space Shuttle Endeavor in mission to deactivate LACE. Risk Factor: HIGH Special Orders: In event of mission failure, U.S. shuttle crew to be terminated with EXTREME PREJUDICE. Brief: Presidential briefing NOT RECOMMENDED.