Peter opened it. “Hello, Officer.”
“What’s your hurry at this time of the morning, son?” asked the policeman, a crusty old gentleman.
“Sorry about that, I have an important meeting at Kennedy,” said Peter, hoping that would suffice.
“I need to see your license and registration,” said the policeman sternly.
Peter slightly tilted his head. “I have a slight problem there. I accidently left without my wallet this morning.”
“Is this your truck?”
“No, sir, it’s the company I work for,” said Peter as he handed the registration to the policeman.
“Do you have any identification?” asked the policeman as he reviewed the registration.
“No, sir.”
“What’s your name and where do you live?” asked the officer while he opened a small notepad to write down the information.
Peter held a Texas license, though he had not lived there for years. He owned a Houston home, but since SID kept him on the road most of the time, he elected to rent it out. “Peter Novak. I’m from Houston, Texas.”
“Do you know your license number?”
Peter had no idea. He knew his CIA ID number that he would have given out in the past, but he couldn’t use it now. “Sorry, I don’t.”
“You’re not making this easy for me, son. How do I know you’re not stealing this truck? We have had a rash of stolen trucks over the last few months.”
Peter pointed to the SpaceQuest emblem on the side door. “Not sure why anyone would want to steal a company truck like this. You can call SpaceQuest and verify who I am and that the truck isn’t stolen.”
The policeman studied Peter for a moment, as if deciding what to do. He then said the words Peter didn’t want to hear. “Please step out of the truck.”
As Peter opened the door he pleaded, “Sir, I really need to get to Kennedy.”
The policeman chuckled. “Why? You have some rocket you have to catch?”
Yes I do, damn it! But he couldn’t say that. “Believe me, it’s a very important meeting.”
“I’m sure it can wait,” said the policeman as he radioed into the station. As Peter waited by the car, he looked over at the base. In the far distance, he could see the Newton 9 waiting patiently, ready to fly. He was in trouble. This could cancel the launch!
The officer put his radio away and grunted, “Place your hands on the vehicle and spread your feet.”
You’ve got to be kidding me! Doesn’t this cop have something better to do than take me in?
The officer started patting him down. “Is there anything in your pockets I should know about?”
“No, sir.” Peter shrugged. The officer grabbed his right arm and swung it around his back as he stood Peter straight up. He grabbed the other arm and swung it around before Peter heard two loud snap sounds in sequence as handcuffs locked his wrists together. The officer practically dragged him toward the police car, Peter shaking his head the whole way while trying to figure out a way out of this mess. Suddenly a car driving on the causeway started to slow down as it approached. Peter looked at the driver. Bud Duron! Bud had a surprised look on his face when he realized it was Peter and he immediately pulled over. The policeman opened the back door, and, before Peter could get in he saw Bud running toward them waving a hand yelling, “Hey Jerry, what’s going on?”
A huge sigh of relief came over Peter; Bud knew the cop.
The policeman said, “Hey, Bud. Do you know this guy?”
“Yeah, it’s Peter Novak. He works for us at SpaceQuest.”
The policeman put Peter in the car and closed the door. Peter sat watching the two chat in front of the car, Bud looking pretty animated. Soon the policeman came back to the side of the car and opened the door. “It’s your lucky day, son. You’re free to go.”
“Thank you, Officer,” said Peter as he was helped out of the police car and the handcuffs were taken off.
As he and Bud walked back to their cars Bud asked, “Where the hell were you coming from?”
Rubbing his wrists Peter said, “I had to take care of some personal business.”
“Well it’s none of my business what you were doing, but does Allen know you were off the base?”
“I hope not. But I’m now late for my medical check.”
Bud looked over at the rocket in the distance. Turning back, he said, “Well good thing I was driving by.”
Peter smiled. “Yes, good thing.” Arriving at the truck he placed his hand on the door handle and said as Bud walked by, “I need one more favor. I forgot my SpaceQuest ID; I need your help getting back on base.”
Bud stopped and gave Peter a perplexed look. “I guess it was pretty important business to make you forget your ID and risk cancelling the launch. Let’s hope Allen doesn’t find out about this. I have a meeting with Allen, so follow me and I’ll get you on.”
PETER RAN DOWN THE HALLWAY to medical, knowing in his gut he was late. He looked at his watch. Shit—7:20a.m.! He opened the door and sitting on the examination table was Viktor, shirt off, being checked out by Dr. Johnson. On the other side of Viktor was Allen, who looked steamed.
“Where the fuck have you been?”
Peter looked at Viktor, who shrugged as if saying he had done all he could. Peter said to Allen, “I know… I know… I’m sorry. I had to see Anya one last time. Everything’s fine. I’m here and ready to go!”
“We were looking all over for you. Your partner hasn’t been any help. I was coming close to cancelling this whole goddamn thing!” Allen glared at him.
Peter patted him on the back, hoping to calm him down. “I should have told you. Sorry, but everything’s okay. I’m ready to go and do this. We have come too far to cancel now.”
Allen looked at Peter for awhile, his face still red with anger. “You know I wanted you two quarantined last night. I can’t afford either one of you getting sick.” Allen grabbed Peter’s shirt by the collar and pulled him close. He looked him dead in the eye. “Don’t cross me again, Peter. I need to know I can count on you 100 percent. I have too much riding on this. I need to know you’ll do as you’re told. I don’t want some renegade flying my equipment.”
This was the first time Peter had seen Allen mad, and he didn’t want to see it again. “Allen, really I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. It was the wrong thing to do.”
Allen let go of his collar and backed up a bit. “Okay.” He turned to the Doctor and barked out, “Check them both out and let me know if there are any issues.” With that he stormed out the door, slamming it behind him.
“Wow, he was pissed,” said Peter with a slight grin.
Viktor said, “Yeah, he say he cancel launch. He here before me, mad I was two minutes late. I think he nervous. I cover best I could.”
“Sorry, Viktor. Well, looks like we’re back on track.”
Viktor smiled. “Everything go okay with Anya?”
Peter couldn’t contain his grin. “It was wonderful. Exactly what we both needed.”
Viktor patted Peter on the back. “Good. Then all okay with me.”
PETER AND VIKTOR SAT in their lounge chairs in the suit-up room, cleared by Dr. Johnson. They had eaten breakfast and finished their preflight meetings. The weather was cooperating and everything was on schedule. The time had come to put on their flight suits before being shuttled over to the rocket. Peter looked over at Viktor, who appeared to be taking a nap, totally relaxed. Technicians were bustling all around getting their suits ready. Peter used the moment to close his eyes and review his checklist for the launch.
Peter felt a slight nudge. Opening his eyes, he saw Omar standing above him.
“Peter, do you need to use the restroom before we start suiting you up?”