Major Jack Whalen was the pilot for the upcoming mission. Commander Mike Patterson was the overall commander of the operation. The plan was to launch at 0845 and rendezvous with Stargazer four hours after takeoff.
President Blake and First Lady Dee watched the event from the Situation Room at the White House, along with Chief of Staff Jake Arnold. Ellen and I were patched into the White House from my office. Sarah Watson joined us. The camera was stationed a quarter mile from the launch pad, but the blowing snow made visibility terrible. I popped another Maalox into my mouth.
“I keep reminding myself that bad-weather space launches are becoming a common practice,” the President said, “but looking at that rocket through the snow scares the hell out of me.”
The voice from Mission Control at the Kennedy Space Center was both familiar, and, given the weather conditions, ominous.
“T minus five, four, three, two, one, we have ignition.”
The three main rocket engines together provide almost 1.2 million pounds of thrust and the two solid rocket boosters provide a total of 6.6 million pounds more. The total thrust at takeoff is about 7.8 million pounds, enough to launch a rocket and enough to blow snow in every direction.
Not a word was spoken at the White House or Federal Plaza in New York. Finally, President Blake broke the silence.
“In a little under four hours we’ll know where we stand,” the president said. “Ranger will approach Stargazer, and we expect to see the hostile spacecraft docked to it. Once we open shortwave radio communication, we’ll know if we’re going into combat or a welcoming party.”
Stargazer appeared in view from Ranger as the ship approached.
“We can see the answer to our first question,” the President said. “Another spacecraft is docked with Stargazer. Hey, how the hell do you spell Rosetta?”
“Good news so far, Mr. President,” Rick Bellamy said. “That dumb spelling error should have alerted Cranston and Mullin that something wrong was about to happen.”
“Nance, take a look,” Bill Cranston said. “We’re being approached by another spacecraft. Look at the words painted on the fuselage—United States of America.”
“And they didn’t even misspell it,” Nancy said. “I expect to hear a message on the radio shortly.”
“Stargazer, Stargazer, this is United States Spacecraft Ranger, Navy SEAL Commander Mike Patterson speaking. Come in please and identify yourself.”
“I’m astronaut Nancy Mullin and I’m here with Bill Cranston.”
The entire conversation was transmitted from Ranger to the loudspeakers at the White House and my office in New York. When Nancy Mullin identified herself, all of us totally freaked out—cheers, tears, and fist pumps.
“And I’m astronaut and Marine Corps reservist Bill Cranston. Commander, did you serve in Afghanistan?”
“Yes, I did.”
“So, if I said ‘who goes there’ I would expect to hear one of the secret code words. Do you have one for me, sir?”
“Bugaloo, Mr. Cranston. I hope that word is good enough.”
Bill gave Nancy a thumbs-up sign.
“Before I explain our plans, please tell me what happened to the two astronauts who docked the misspelled Rosetta pod.”
“They came aboard with guns drawn,” Nancy said, “but they weren’t fast enough. We shot them both and launched their bodies into space.”
The president’s situation room and my office once again broke out into happy bedlam.
“Please tell us your plans, commander,” Nancy said.
“My orders are to relieve you both after your successful mission and to take you back with us on Ranger. I have five men with me. Two will remain aboard Stargazer and take command. You folks will join us for our return to Kennedy Space Center. Please let me know how you wish me to proceed. I understand that you have reasonable security concerns after the last time you were visited.”
“Commander, please enter Stargazer through the supply pod that’s attached. We’ll unlock it for you. I know that you are armed, obviously, so please enter the main compartment with your weapons held in front of you pointed backward. Bill Cranston and I will have our guns trained on you. I assure you that we’re well experienced in the use of firearms. After we’ve collected your weapons and are satisfied that you’re friendlies, we’ll then invite you to join us for lunch after returning your guns to you. Then I’m going to ask each of you to sign your name on a pad, making sure it’s legible, and include your mailing addresses and phone numbers. You will be the first people on our guest list.”
“Guest list?” Patterson asked.
“Yes, Bill and I are inviting you all to our wedding to be held in the very near future.”
After the six men came aboard Stargazer, Nancy said “You guys look a little green.”
“Well, except for our two relief astronauts here, the rest of us have never been in space before,” Commander Patterson said. “I think I’ll just have cheese and crackers for lunch.”
They heard a voice over the loudspeaker. “Please stand by for the President of the United States,” Jake Arnold said.
“The fact that you can hear me tells us that the communication blackout has ended, if it ever existed in the first place,” President Blake said. “We’re all breathing easier after what we’ve just heard. I congratulate all of you on a successful mission, and I congratulate you, Bill and Nancy, on your upcoming wedding. You give a new meaning to the word crewmates. Command of Stargazer is now under the United States government. The Rosetta Corporation, no matter how you spell it, is still out of communication with Stargazer, or at least we think it is. I’m going to turn the microphone over to Phil Duncan, Operations VP of Rosetta, who is standing next to me. Using White House equipment, he’s going to work with you on sending signals to your satellites. Our simple objective is to stop this August blizzard and return our weather to something approximating normal. Enjoy your lunch. We’ll speak again shortly.”
Duncan worked with the astronauts, existing and new, on getting the satellites under control.
“The President is back on the line, Rick,” Jake Arnold said.
“Rick, I’m sure we’d love to say, ‘and they all happily lived thereafter,’ but we know that’s anything but the truth. Bartholomew Martin is the essence of evil, and nothing brings out his evil more than when he’s thwarted in one of his missions. It’s obvious that he wants to take control of Stargazer, and then take control of the world’s weather. Nobody, including the people at Rosetta, knows exactly how he wants to do it, but what he’s done with the weather so far shows that he’s on his intended path. Nothing will stop this guy but blunt force, which is exactly what I aim to give him. We’ve got to stop this bastard before he succeeds in his original goal. Ever since I beat him in the election, he’s wanted revenge, and to use our country to deliver it. He tried to create America’s first dictatorship and came damn close. I’m not going to give that fuck another chance another chance.”
Dee gave the president a disapproving look when he used the word “fuck.”
Chapter 58
August 19
Bill Cranston and Nancy Mullin boarded Ranger for their trip back to earth. They strapped themselves into their seats, along with the other four members of the flight. Major Jack Whalen, pilot and commander of the reentry flight, handed them a message.