Charles sat down, as the newsman said, “Scientists are at a loss as to what went wrong with the experiment.  Doctor Pekenpoe cannot be reached for comment, because all communication with the scientific station at the North Pole has been lost.  A supersonic aircraft is, at this time, nearing the station and we expect some sort of information from Doctor Pekenpoe at any time.  To repeat, for those of you only now tuning to WNN, the tragedy that has taken place was caused by the experiment to tilt the Earth somehow going awry.

“When the magnetic interrupters were activated at nineteen hundred this evening, the entire world vibrated to the extent that massive earthquakes have destroyed a number of major cities around the world.  Cities with major to complete damage that we know about at this time include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santiago, London, Bombay, Moscow and Paris.  According to the information we have, most of these cities have been literally devastated, with enormous loss of life.”

Charles jumped to his feet and yelled out at no one in particular, “Margie’s in LA!”  He paced back and forth in front of the screen, as the newsman continued to report disaster after disaster taking place around the world.  Huge tidal waves had been created, which were expected to inundate the entire coastlines of all the continents at least a hundred miles inland!

***

As their ship approaches a return to Earth orbit after a cruise to the inner planets, an experiment to tilt the Earth to create a year-round climate has caused the destruction of the Earth.  They have no home to which to return.  Now, Captain Matlin is faced with making the most God-awful choice.  They do stand a chance of finding an inhabitable planet, so mankind might survive, but his choices are to rid the ship of at least half the people, or just destroy his ship and end it all right there.  How could he possibly select who would die and who would live?  How could he play God?

Unscheduled Journey ventures into the realm of human frailties, the possibility that the impossible can become reality through ones wishing for it.  The things not understood by humans, because it is beyond our grasp.  Is there a God?  If so, what exactly is he?  Did he cause the entire universe to be created?  Did he create man?  Or is man but an accident?  Does this God think of himself as a God, or does he, himself, wonder what he truly is?

This story delves into all the above in the context of an enjoyable work of fiction.