“Come on, baby, drop…” Yuri said, absentmindedly opening his mike.
It seemed like an eternity before the temperature started to drop, first by tenths of a degree and then finally by full integers.
“It’s working,” Nikolai’s voice said, a touch of static still present.
“Da, this is fortunate,” Olga said, her voice expressing obvious relief. “How long do we need to maintain vacuum, Yuri?”
“Let’s get it below thirty degrees, and then we reseal and check for atmospheric pressure,” Yuri said. “It may take a while as the heat is radiated away. It’s not like there’s an atmosphere to dispel it.”
“I guess we stay a bit longer, eh?” Olga asked, a slight upturn to her lips visible through her helmeted faceplate.
“I think so, Olga,” Yuri said. “Perhaps long enough to see what happens down there. Perhaps.”
Apollo 21
Lunar Surface, Marianas Plain
In the near future, Day 48
“Houston, this is Blackjack. Rover successfully deployed. Request authorization to commence lunar operations,” Julie said, using her internal mike system as she stood outside the lander and took in the vast display of grey dust, illuminated by the intense overhead lights of the lander.
“Blackjack, this is Houston. We copy rover readiness, and authorization to commence lunar operations approved,” Jack’s voice came across the main channel.
“Roger that, Houston, commencing first stage to target. Will update at waypoint one.” Julie clicked her mike.
There was a pause before Richard Crandon’s voice came across, less formally than usual. “Blackjack, this is Houston. Congrats on being the first woman to walk on the moon, Julie. We’re celebrating down here. Make us proud.”
Julie smiled as she keyed her mike. “Roger that, Houston, will do. Give my regards to your team. Excellent job. The lander flew like a charm.”
There was no reply as Julie stepped up and into the rover, seating herself and closing the access door. “You ready back there?” she said.
“Let’s get this over with before our Chinese friend arrives,” Craig said using their short range FM radio channel. Craig sat facing the rear in a seat directly behind the lone operator seat. The plan was for Julie to back him up to the device and he would use the robotic arms to manipulate the diamond tip of the alien device, taking it and storing it in a cargo compartment at his feet. The rover was heavily shielded in order to perform its mission so close to the device and the alien signal generator.
“Just hang on,” Julie said, punching the master control lever forward and engaging the electric motors, which started to whine at the sudden demand. She then flipped two overhead switches, and a row of intense halogen lights lit up, illuminating the terrain ahead of her for well over a hundred yards. Headlights also came on as well as a rear light, so Craig could see out the back.
“Keep us on the ground,” Craig said, referring to the moon’s low gravity, only a sixth that of the earth’s.
“I didn’t backseat fly, so you don’t backseat drive,” Julie said, her tone serious but a huge smile coming across her face.
“Right,” Craig said, his voice trailing off to silence as he also flipped a switch, killing most of the lights on the lander, and the rear of the rover was plunged into a deeper darkness.
NASA Space Center
Houston, Texas
In the near future, Day 48
“Do we tell them, Gloria?” Vice President Lee asked via his secured radio phone from the Houston control center observation room perched a floor up with glass windows overlooking the mission center’s main floor.
“Not yet,” President Powers said. “We have a situation developing right now, and I don’t want to complicate things further.”
“They already know about the Chinese nuke. What’s the issue in telling them about the dead Russians?” Lee said.
“The nuke was to light a fire under their asses and get them moving. Telling them what they may find there could only hinder them at this point. We’ll have NASA inform them when they’re ready for their final approach.”
“Do we also update them on the nuke?”
“I don’t know yet. It may be better if they think they have more time,” Powers said, her voice somber. “I’m sure their team leader would call abort if they knew.”
“So what? You give the order and override?” Lee said, his voice sounding incredulous.
“That’s not how a democracy operates, John. We need to respect the process.”
“And withholding this information respects the democratic process exactly how?” Lee asked.
“National security matter, John, and you know it. We’ll let them know as soon as we can. In the meantime, we’ve had something come up.”
“Please tell me it’s something good, Gloria.”
“We’ll see, John. Just keep our crew up there on schedule. I’d like to see them return.”
“I would like that as well,” Vice President Lee finished, hanging up the phone.
Chapter 29
Anticipation
People’s Republic Space Command
Beijing, China
In the near future, Day 48
Hun’s hand had almost trembled as he handed the lunar map to his uncle and watched him leave the complex. That was hours ago, and Hun had returned to the control center to monitor the progress of their sole astronaut. He kept checking his pager, and Lin looked at him suspiciously as he paced back and forth yet again near his console.
“You really need to be less obvious,” Lin said, practically whispering to her boss as she walked over and stood near his console, papers in her hands.
“Obvious? What do you mean?” Hun asked, his voice sounding stressed as he stopped his pacing and stood facing his junior technician, the control room somewhat dim, primarily illuminated by console workstation lights, main screen monitors, and computer display equipment.
Lin leaned in even closer. “I have no idea what you did or are doing, but it’s obvious you’re up to something.”
Hun took a deep breath and walked over to his chair to sit. Perhaps sitting would be less obvious? he thought to himself. He took another breath and then looked at Lin, noticing that Chon was watching them closely from his nearby console. “I’m fine now, Lin. Just nervous about Colonel Sing is all.”
Lin nodded and then looked at Hun’s waist. The old fashioned pager started to vibrate, its small screen glowing an eerie green color. “You still use one of those?” Lin asked, her eyebrows arching.
Hun shrugged and pulled the old pager from where it was clipped to his belt. It was his uncle saying he had his lunch ready. The older man had worked in the space program for decades and had retired a long time ago but still had his access card to the common areas on the grounds of their facility. Hun looked at Lin, putting the pager back. “I’ll be right back.”
Hun left, walking past the guards and down the hallway till he came to the main lobby after opening a set of double doors and passing yet another security checkpoint. He greeted his uncle and motioned to one of the chairs by the window, and the two men seated themselves.
“Thank you, Uncle, I appreciate the thoughtfulness,” Hun said, looking around the room and setting the lunch bag on the small table located between the two men.
His uncle nodded, his demeanor calm. “I took care of the errand you requested. I can’t predict the outcome, but the task is done.”