Wishing Star

"What is the probability that 'Wishing Star' does falls within the acceptable  known impact site?" A voice echoed in the room of 5 men and 3 women.

“With 99.9999% certainty...” came the instant reply from the military general in a solid blue uniform occupying the lone seat opposite the seven other individuals.

“Well  I would not say certainty if  it is not  100%”  came a dry reply from one of the senators.

“It is within the appropriate success range as outlined in your approved project plan for contingencies from this committees guidelines. “ the general growled back.

“Once again can you explain why this is the best course of action” another man dressed in a neat suit inquired.

The general looked at the man with signs of irritation. He replied curtly:

"'Mothers Helper' travels up into space and identifies a 'Present' of suitable size, mass, and composition. It is then put into the calculated deteriorating orbit. At this point the 'Present' stays in orbit for the desired duration before impacting on the target within our desired destruction range. This to is calculated within 99.9999% percent accuracy. At this point physics works its magic and the desired target area is destroy. We can calculate force impacted, crater depth and width. We will know where exactly something existed before it was completely destroyed.  Nothing, not the tiniest shred of nuclear material will survive. In addition “Mother‘s Helper“ catches a ride on the descending “Present“ and all evidence is destroyed. There will be no way the target country will be able to prove that we perpetrated the attack”

3.5 billion years later the first mission to the third planet of the system showed no life on the small, desolate, crater-scarred rock with one moon