Fanfic Sampler #5, Lunarites: Michael Bass makes his pitch

[thatcrazycajun]

From the pilot, in which Michael Bass gathers the select group of scientists to sell them on his vision:

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     "Between 1969 and 1972, we landed men on the Moon four times," said Bass, rising from his seat and walking out in front of the wall screen as it went dark. "Since the end of 1972...nothing." He spat the last word in disgust. "Nothing! Nobody has been back in 35 years...not even for another visit, never mind permanent settlement. We've been wasting time we don't have, diddling around with shuttle missions to near orbit and a politically crippled space station that can't do half of what it should do. And all the while, the world's population keeps growing, they keep on starting senseless fucking wars, the climate keeps warming, and the resources to house and feed and support them all keep on dwindling." He paced the carpeted floor in front of the wall screen. "The last President finally got the Moon back on NASA's radar, but they've planned it in the usual slow, plodding, over-cautious, government-funded way. If we do it their way, nobody even gets to the Moon again until 2012—and no colony until decades after that. Two...thousand...twelve!" he cried, slamming his copy of Heinlein's book down angrily on the table.
    Then he looked up at them. "Well, I say it's already been too goddamned long--that we should be up there building a colony NOW! Should have been years ago, in fact. And from there, developing mining, chemical and electronics labs, production facilities, medical research labs, staging areas for landings on Mars and the other worlds...the whole nine yards. And we shouldn't have to be going to politicians in Washington—or anywhere else—with hat in hand every fiscal year to beg them for the money to do it, only to have them whittle down the funding to less and less each year after."  He ticked them off on his fingers, item by item. "And the real kicker? We already have all the technology to do a Moon colony, and do it cheap, on the shelf or on the drawing board—today." He grinned at Joe. "Or rather, we do now, thanks to you, Dr. Aronofsky; you've given us the final piece of the puzzle--the last thing that was keeping us from getting this project off the ground...so to speak."
    He looked at each of them in turn, blue eyes boring into theirs relentlessly, his eyes pleading with them. "I intend to put a fully functioning colony on the Moon this year, with my own personal fortune...and your help. Now...who wants to make history? Which of you will sign on to become the first privately funded lunar pioneers? Who wants to help me save the human race from extinction?" He sighed and subsided a bit, holding up a hand. "Don't answer yet. You are all the best of the best, from around the world and in every needed field of science and technology. This doesn't happen without you—either up there working, or at least down here advising...so please read the materials you've got in those folders," and here he held up the book again, "and read this, too. Then tomorrrow, we'll all gather here again for brunch and you can give me your decisions. If you see problems, tell me that, too, and we'll begin hashing them out right here. Thank you all for coming...and listening." The lights came up and the doors opened. 

Comments

[scifantasy.livejournal.com]

I assume the book is Harsh Mistress, yeah?

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

Close, but no cookie: The Man Who Sold The Moon. Bass' ambition is nothing less than to be a real-life Delos "D.D." Harriman, and not only found a lunar colony, but eventually retire there himself.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]