“Thanks, will do,” answered Viktor before resuming work and whistling again.
Allen took off the headset and frowned. “Where’s Peter?”
Bernie reached for the headset. “He had a leak in his tank. We’re getting him into another suit.”
“How long has Viktor been down there on his own?”
“Almost two hours, and surprisingly he is almost done installing all ten bolts. He has had no problems and appears to be finishing up in the time frame we expected both men to take. It’s amazing he is seventy-five years old. He seems like a natural down there, and funny thing, he whistles while he works. He really is having a good time.”
Shaking his head, Allen relinquished the headset to Bernie. He crossed to the window and looked down into the pool, watching the astronaut, now knowing it was Viktor. “Wow,” he mumbled. He turned back to Bernie. “What is that tune he’s whistling?”
“We were all trying to figure that out. No idea. We think it must be some Russian tune or something. Kind of catchy, though, don’t you think?” said Bernie, still smiling.
“Have Peter and Viktor come to my office when they’re done,” Allen said as he stomped out.
“Yes sir,” answered Bernie.
BOTH ASTRONAUTS SAT IN THE CHAIRS across from Allen’s desk. They had just taken a shower and dressed in SpaceQuest’s issued jumpsuits.
Allen steepled his fingers, elbows on his chair arms. “Looks like you did a good job with the drill today, Viktor. How do you feel?”
“Some sore and tired. But I happy how aches and pains go away when working in microgravity. I had fun in drill today,” said Viktor with a big grin across his face.
Though Peter was discouraged about not getting the opportunity to work in the pool, he figured it was probably a good thing. The drill was perfect to show Allen what Viktor could do. He nodded. “Yeah, by the time I was ready to go, I was told Viktor had already finished. Pretty inspiring.”
“To be honest, I thought you were Peter when I first saw you,” said Allen to Viktor. “I was happy to learn it was you. I’m feeling more comfortable you will be able to handle this assignment.”
Viktor straightened up in his chair.
Allen went on, “I talked to Doug today. Sounds like we have a launch date. June 28. Apparently the moon’s phase will be such that most of our sites should be lit, along with the hope China’s could be as well.”
Hearing the date sent chills down Peter’s body. This was really happening. “Wow, we could be arriving at the moon on July 4. How ironic.”
Allen tilted his head. “Yeah, I guess if everything went to plan, you could.”
Allen continued, “As you know, I have been concerned on how the VASIMR engine was going to be placed behind the Soyuz. The procedure manual does not tell us how this placement should be done, and I question you two moving it around the station on your own.”
“Considering its size, that would be a trick,” said Peter. “But zero gravity makes it doable. Of course it would be much easier if we could get the space station’s robotic arm to move it for us.”
“Exactly,” said Allen emphatically. “In fact I mentioned that to Doug. The problem is the ISS crew would need to operate the arm. They will not do it voluntarily, especially since the current commander is Russian. Doug later came back with a good suggestion.” Allen took a moment to refer to his notes.
Peter contemplated bringing a gun to force the crew to cooperate. He would hate to, especially knowing some of the astronauts and fear of the revolver accidentally going off. “What’s that?”
“Doug suggests you two claim there is a bomb in your capsule, set on a timer. If the crew does not help, the bomb will explode at a designated time, seriously damaging, and potentially even destroying, the space station.”
“Will there be a bomb?” asked Viktor.
“No, it will be a fake bomb on the floor of the Galileo positioned so you can show it to them if you have to. Hopefully this will be enough to cause the crew to help.”
“I know Commander Sokolov. I work with his father years ago. He respects me,” said Viktor.
“Well, that will help,” replied Allen. “Nonetheless, Doug feels the crew needs something to force them to act on our behalf. They will not do it voluntarily, or should I say, the many countries who own the space station will not voluntarily hand over the VASIMR engine or a Soyuz. Viktor, you knowing the commander should make the process easier. The crew, of course, will probably figure out what the two of you are planning to do and why. They may even want to help, but will have orders they must follow. Stating there is a bomb gives them a reason why they must help.”
With all the nations and temperaments involved, Peter felt it was wishful thinking that a bomb threat would get them to cooperate. But he figured it couldn’t hurt. “All sounds reasonable to me.”
“Great, that takes care of that. One more thing, Doug told me the CIA picked up Rob Foster earlier today and he will be in town tomorrow, staying at an LAX hotel.” Allen passed Peter a sheet of paper with the information. “Apparently there will be a CIA agent outside his door and you will have to use the code”—Allen looked at his notes—“‘Green apples clean teeth’ to get in.”
Peter shook his head. “Who comes up this shit? Green apples clean teeth?”
Viktor spoke up, “Maybe they tell you something.”
Peter smiled as Allen said, “Doug suggests you visit him at the hotel later tomorrow, and of course, don’t inform Foster what’s going on.”
“Got it.”
Allen took one final look at his notes. “That’s all I have. So what’s on your agenda now?”
“Bernie wanted to give us a run through of the launch procedures, then dinner and a night of intense studying,” said Peter as he got up from his chair, ready to leave.
Moving much slower, Viktor followed. Allen walked them both to the door. Viktor moved like an old man in pain. Allen asked as he held the door open, “Are you okay, Viktor?”
“Gravity hurts,” said Viktor with a forced smile as he passed. “I be fine after hot bath and sleep.”
17
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Peter stared straight through the street light, not seeing when it changed to green, his mind in another world. He was mentally beat and had completely relaxed his mind. He was glad to get out of the SpaceQuest facility, even if just for a meeting with Rob Foster. As long as he was in that building, there was always something he should be doing preparing for the mission. He and Viktor had been going 24/7; they slept, ate, and worked at the complex. Every spare moment had been dedicated to the mission. The thirty-minute drive to Rob’s LAX hotel was going to allow him time to mentally relax and unwind.
A loud honk jolted Peter from his relaxing blank stare. He rubbed his eyes, snapping himself out of it before checking his rearview mirror and seeing an angry motorist motioning him to go. How long has the light been green? He lifted his hand, signaling his apology, before putting his foot on the gas. He glanced at Viktor, wondering why he wasn’t alert to the green light and smiled as he saw his partner in the same exhausted trance.
While Viktor was taking his little mental nap, Peter took his hand off the steering wheel and turned on the radio, hoping for soothing music. Exploding sounds of heavy metal music came blasting out of the speakers, shocking the hell out of him. He quickly shut off the loud noise, but it was too late. The damage was done. Viktor had been shaken back to awareness, giving Peter a traumatized look.
Peter said, “Sorry about that. I guess whoever had this car last must have been rocking out.”