Sie bowed his head lower in disgrace.
A weighty pause filled the space over the conference table before Kuang continued. “Sie, I am disappointed you failed us; however, I cannot reprimand you until we resolve this crisis. You are too deeply ingrained to replace at such a short notice, and I want our best men overseeing this mission. If the U.S. launches a rocket to the moon, I still want you managing the operation to insure we change those codes before they do.”
Sie slightly lifted his head, both surprised and happy he was going to be left on the project. “Thank you, sir. I will not let you down.”
“Who do you think should be the taikonauts on this mission?”
Sie thought for a moment before answering. “Sir, I recommend sending only two men since we do not plan to land. This will keep the weight down and help our men beat the Americans to the moon. I feel the most qualified men for this mission are Tang Liwei and Nei Zango. They have already flown the mission, and are familiar with the laser.”
“Will they be able to reprogram the laser on the back side?” asked Kuang.
In a firm voice, Sie replied, “Yes, sir. I will make sure of it.”
PETER SLOWLY CRAWLED out of the Galileo simulator, helped by a couple of assistants. Squeezing out of that small hatch in his flight suit was a tight fit. He felt good about the exercise, especially after successfully landing the capsule with the tough obstacles thrown at him. Allen had directed Bernie to train both men on how to return Galileo to Earth in case of emergency or if they were unable to dock at the station. Allen wasn’t as concerned about saving the men as he was saving his capsule. Galileo was an expensive piece of equipment designed to be reusable, and since it was currently SpaceQuest’s only operational capsule, Allen wanted his baby back if at all possible. Besides, there was always the possibility of trying the operation again.
Viktor waited for his turn as Peter was helped up. Taking off his helmet, he flashed a cocky smile. Viktor smirked. “Nice job. I bet old Soviet cosmonaut can do better.”
“You’re on, old man,” said Peter, slapping his partner’s back. He was always open for some friendly competition. “If you lose, you stay in tonight studying, and I get the evening out with your daughter. If I lose, I stay in and you go out with her.”
“Deal,” said Viktor before putting on his helmet and being helped into the simulator.
Peter sauntered over to the control room to see how he did. Sitting next to Bernie at the control panel was Anya, there to learn and observe the training. She winked as he approached; he smiled back. “So how did I do?”
Bernie answered, “Good. Checking from the data it looks like you landed safely. There were only some minor issues which I can debrief you on later.”
Peter cheered inside after hearing those remarks.
Bernie excused himself as he focused back on Viktor, talking to him on the headset, getting him ready for his simulation.
Anya stood, and leaning toward Peter whispered, “You look pretty damn hot in that flight suit.”
Peter smiled. “Well, thank you.” He leaned over to her, whispering back, “I have to say, you always look hot, no matter what you’re wearing, or for that matter, not wearing.” He pulled away, giving her a suggestive eyebrow wiggle.
Anya just smiled. “Are you going to be able to get away for dinner tonight?”
Peter had been promising her the last few days he would take her to a nice Hollywood restaurant. The problem had been finding time. Though there was always studying to do, he figured tonight would probably work. Besides, he planned on winning his bet with Viktor. “Baby, it’s a date.”
She smiled. Peter excused himself to get out of his flight suit and get more comfortable.
He returned a short time later dressed in SpaceQuest-issued sweats. He walked up behind Bernie and Anya and could see on the control panel Viktor had just finished the simulation. With cockiness in his voice he asked, “So did the old man crash and burn?”
Bernie turned with an impressed look on his face. “That old man never ceases to amaze me. He landed that thing perfectly. At least you don’t have to worry about getting home safely if you pass out up there.”
Surprised, Peter said to Anya, “Oops. It looks like your dad is taking you to dinner tonight.”
Anya pouted. “Why?”
“We had a little bet on who would do better in the simulation, and you were the prize. Sounds like I lost, sorry,” said Peter with a slight grin.
Viktor approached. “How old cosmonaut do?”
“Viktor, you were pretty damn impressive,” said Bernie. “You hit every mark and landed it perfectly. Great job!”
“Better than Mr. Novak’s?” asked Viktor with a slight grin.
“Sure was,” said Bernie.
Viktor turned to Peter, “You study tonight. I eat steak.”
Anya asked in a sweet tone, “Nana, is it okay if I go out with Peter instead? You and I can go out another night.”
Peter demurred. “Anya, I made a bet and lost. I need to pay up. Go and enjoy your dad tonight.”
Anya gave her dad that look, the same look Maria would have given him. That look no father could ever say no to. Viktor turned to Peter, sighing. “You know, I tired. I could use sleep tonight. You go. I’ll take her another night.”
Anya stood and hugged Viktor. “Thanks, Nana.”
Obviously Viktor was a softy when it came to his little girl. “Well, I still owe you,” Peter said. “Make sure you remember.”
“I remember, no problem,” Viktor said with a grin.
PETER WAS IN HEAVEN. Sitting across from him was one of the most beautiful women he had ever had the pleasure to sit near. The hint of mesquite smoke floating in the air teased his senses about the steak that would soon be coming. By his side stood an elegant silver champagne bucket on a stand containing a fine bottle of champagne already poured by the waiter. Their table was elaborately decorated with beautiful stemware, plates and glassware, all perfectly placed on a beautiful white tablecloth. It doesn’t get much better than this! Thank you Viktor!
Peter lifted his champagne glass. “A toast to your dad for allowing me to renege on our bet today so I could spend a wonderful evening with his daughter.” They started to move their glasses closer when he added, “Of course losing to your dad was an example of what a great astronaut, excuse me, cosmonaut, your dad is. I’m fortunate to have him on board for the mission. To a good man.”
Anya quickly added before their glasses met, “Don’t forget, he’s also a great father.”
Peter nodded slightly as their crystal glasses lightly touched. They both took a sip while gazing in each other’s eyes. Then Anya said, somewhat jokingly, “You’re going to bring Dad back home safely, right?”
What was he to say? She was being facetious, but he was hoping not to think about dying during this special evening, or for that matter, her father dying. Peter was hoping to focus just on Anya. Whatever he said would probably be remembered later, so he felt it best to say nothing and just smiled, sipping his champagne. He hesitated another moment before saying, “You love your father very much, don’t you?”
“With all my heart. Growing up, I was very close to him. I was kind of an ugly duckling as a child. I was this skinny girl with glasses, braces, acne… it wasn’t pretty. All the kids use to pick on me. There were times I would look in the mirror, upset with the image I saw. One day I didn’t realize I had the bathroom door slightly open, and Dad saw me standing there, crying. He said nothing, but knew why I was upset. He told me years later, seeing me upset broke his heart. From that moment on, he was always complimenting me on how pretty I was. He said it so much I started to believe it. By the time my braces came off and I got rid of the glasses, I was a confident young woman, thanks to Dad.”