Chapter Four
"C'mon, c'mon, get up! The comet's visible!" said Sapphire, shaking her friends awake.
Sleepily they all came out of their tents, swiping halfheartedly at their hair to get rid of the bed head.
"Got coffee ready, and set up the telescope," said Sapphire.
"You sure are excited," said Topaz, yawning.
"I haven't seen the comet since I spotted it on the monitor. I really want to find out how it's developed since then," she answered, handing her amber-eyed friend a cup fixed the way Sapphire knew she liked it.
The others picked up their cups and took a drink, trusting the brilliant troll girl to have gotten it right, and they were not disappointed.
"I put red plastic over the lens of your flashlights so it won't ruin your night vision," said Sapphire, "And I got your binoculars out." She pointed at them, sitting on the table. "As soon as you've finished your coffee we can go."
Oh, but that was too great a temptation! Ruby, Amethyst, Topaz, and Onyx shared a look and a grin. Then they slowed down drinking their coffee, taking great pleasure with each sip.
Sapphire stood waiting, getting more and more impatient by the minute. She started hopping from one foot to the other, then pacing in a circle. Finally she was almost ready to strangle them to get them to move faster. They ignored her antics and continued to drink. At last Sapphire broke out a spell bead, and they decided the joke had gone on long enough. They all laughed.
"Okay, okay, we were just messing with you!" said Ruby, finishing off her coffee and standing up.
Sapphire looked annoyed, but returned the bead to its place on her bracelet. Then she put several eyepieces in her pocket and picked up the telescope. "I found a good clear spot we can watch from. It's over this way." She led the way, her friends still snickering.
A few minutes walk and they found the clearing. Much of the clear, bright night sky to the south and east was visible.
"There it is!" said Sapphire proudly, pointing.
Overhead there was a streak of white across the sky several times longer than the full moon.
"It looks like some meteors I saw once, only it stays," commented Topaz.
They studied the comet through their binoculars, and Sapphire showed them the nucleus with the telescope. A few more people came over and joined them. The telescope was popular, showing them stars and planets. Finally, though, the sky grew light and the stars and comet disappeared for the day.
The BFFL went back to the tents and ate breakfast before packing up and heading home. It was agreed that it would be a day they would always remember.
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It was three days later when Sapphire came home from classes to find a message waiting.
"Miss Trollzawa, this is Dr. McTroll. I need to speak with you and Miss Trollberger. There's no hurry, but I have some news about the comet you should know. Call me at the Observatory's number when you get a chance. Goodbye."
She immediately called Jade. "Hey, can you come over for a bit? I just got a message from Dr. McTroll."
"I did too," said Jade, "You've got a speakerphone and I don't so I'll be over in a half-hour or so."
"Okay, see you then," said Sapphire, and disconnected.
She ate a light dinner while she waited, and went online to read a paper on an experiment to create a new trollement.
She heard the door when Jade let herself in (they had long since given each other keys to their houses. Jade's parents were glad, since Sapphire had agreed to keep an eye on the place when they went out of town).
They sat in the living room and Sapphire dialed the number, putting it on speaker.
"Hello?" came a familiar voice.
"Dr. McTroll? It's Sapphire Trollzawa and Jade Trollberger, returning your call," she responded.
"Oh, good! Glad you called!" he said, and paused. "Well, no sense in drawing it out. The gravity of our planet is affecting the comet's orbit, and as of yesterday there is an eleven percent chance it's going to hit us after it rounds the sun."
Jade and Sapphire looked at each other. "Well... that's still pretty good odds," Jade said at last.
"True, but it IS a concern. As the discoverers, you do have a right to know," he said.
"what about a public announcement?" asked Sapphire.
"That's the next thing," said McTroll, "One will be made this coming Saturday at the new conference center. We would like you two to be here for it."
"I'm pretty sure I can swing that," said Sapphire.
"Me too," said Jade.
"All right, then. I'll expect you here before noon on Saturday. If the orbit changes again, one way or the other, I'll let you know."
"Thank you sir. See you Saturday," said Sapphire.
"Goodbye," added Jade, and the astronomer rang off.
Sapphire sat back. "This," she announced, "Is SO the drama!"
"Yeah..." said Jade, "I mean, the odds are in our favor, but it's a real possibility."
The friends sat in silence for a few minutes.
"Should we tell anyone?" asked Jade.
"I... don't think so," answered Sapphire, slowly, "It's probably best to make sure everyone knows all the facts at once. And the best way to do that is to wait for the announcement."
"Makes sense. I'm not sure I'd want to tell my parents, anyway." Jade grinned. "They've been so proud of me, finding a comet that everyone's seen by now."
"Mine too," agreed the other. she thought for a few seconds. "Let's tell them we're taking part in a press release about it, and they can tape it for us."
Jade grinned. "Great idea!"
"Say, since you're here, want to go try that magnification spell?" asked Sapphire.
"Sure!" said Jade, standing up.
The partners in science headed for the laboratory in the back of Sapphire's house.
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Sapphire had called her friends, and they met over at Ruby's house to hear her announcement.
"That is sooo neat!" said Amethyst when Sapphire finished telling everyone about Saturday's plans.
"Wow," deadpanned Onyx.
"You get to be on TELEVISION? That's great!" enthused Topaz, clapping.
"It sure is!" said Ruby, "Say, want ME to be your spokes troll?" she primped her hair. "I'd look great on TV."
Sapphire grinned. "I think we can handle it."
"But that's not all, is it?" asked Topaz.
Sapphire looked at her blond friend sharply. "What do you mean?"
"I know you. There's something else and you don't want to tell us," she clarified. "I know! You need a new outfit to be seen on TV!"
"Actually, not a bad idea!" agreed Ruby. "You want to look your best and most professional when you're up there, right?"
"Right," nodded the freckled troll-girl.
"So let's go shopping!" said Amethyst.
Sapphire stood up, hesitated, then sat back down. "Tope's right; there is something else."
"Let's see," said Onyx, "The comet is going to hit the planet and kill off all life."
Everyone but Sapphire laughed. Then the others noticed she wasn't joining in, and stopped.
"I knew it," said Onyx.
"It isn't, is it?" asked Amethyst.
Sapphire looked at her hands as she wrung them together. "There's a little better than ten percent chance it will."
"Is that what the press conference is about?" asked Amethyst.
"Yeah," confirmed Sapphire. "But please keep it to yourselves. I thought you all needed to know, but don't tell ANYBODY! We don't need rumors getting started."
"Okay, we won't," confirmed Ruby.
Onyx looked at Amethyst. "Hey, cheer up. Last time, you brought on the end of the world. Now you're off the hook."
"Oh, that's VERY reassuring, Onyx. Thanks a lot," said Amethyst, but she did smile just a bit.