“Gentlemen… you are go for undocking in 5 seconds… 3… 2… 1… Good luck,” said Boris.
Viktor pushed in the button with the poker to initiate undocking and the muffled sound of clamps lifting in sequence circled them as the ship released from the station. After placing the pole in a secure place, Viktor wrapped both gloved hands around the controllers on either side of him. A slight grin crossed the veteran’s face. Viktor lightly pulled back on the left controller momentarily catching Peter off guard before remembering the controllers were in the opposite position as on American ships. The thrusters fired as the spacecraft slowly moved away from the station.
“Say goodbye to space station,” said Viktor.
Peter had a small porthole window by his elbow, allowing him a view of the station. He watched as his last home with people slowly drifted away. It was just the two of them from this point on, a thought that saddened him. He looked at Anya’s picture, realizing he was leaving the world he knew forever. He was going to miss it.
“How we look outside?” asked Viktor.
Peter shook his head clear and looked out. “All clear, looking good.” Staring at the station, he was still impressed—a technological marvel the world should be proud of. What a cool place to stay… not too bad as a hotel. Viktor pushed the controller forward to its original position, stopping the thrusters as the Soyuz slowly floated away.
30
ON OUR WAY
Bill Edwards lifted the private phone in his office at Camp David, answering a call from Doug. He’d been waiting to hear when the rogue astronaut team would return safely to Earth.
“Sir, I was just informed that it looks like our order to stop the mission has been ignored,” Doug said.
“What? They ignored our order to cease?”
“It appears that way, sir. Our men are in the Soyuz, not Galileo. We just received this update from one of the ISS crew members. They just undocked with the station. Apparently the commander is still trying to stop them.”
“Damn it! I was told these men would follow orders. Don’t they know China has a fueled rocket and are just waiting for them to launch? It’s a doomed mission!”
“Yes, sir, they were told.”
“Call me with any future developments. I have no choice but to get back to the White House and hold an emergency press conference denouncing this before it becomes public. Damn it!” Bill slammed the phone down.
VIKTOR HAD CHECKED over all of their instrumentation, and they were ready for the TLI burn once Boris gave them the go.
Boris needed to wait until their trajectory was lined up perfectly before giving the signal. “Roger. Looks like you have six minutes until TLI,” said Boris.
“Roger. Six minutes until TLI,” answered Peter.
Peter looked out his window for his last close up of Earth, filled with mixed emotions. Dad, I hope I’m doing the right thing.
Viktor said, “Everything be okay. You doing a brave and wonderful thing for country and your dad.”
Peter continued to look out the widow. “I pray we’re successful.”
“We be,” answered Viktor confidently. “So know button to push?”
Viktor hooked the wiring to fire the VASIMR engine to the parachute deployment switch, which was on Peter’s side. Fortunately it was positioned where he could reach it without using the poker. “Yeah, this one.” Peter pointed to the switch protected by a plastic cover. All the instrumentation was labeled in Russian.
“That be it,” said Viktor grinning.
“One minute till TLI,” radioed Boris.
Both astronauts pushed back in their seats, preparing for the high g-force they would soon be experiencing. Peter lifted the protective cover and took one last look at Anya. Wish me luck, baby.
“Twenty-five seconds until ignition. Good luck, gentlemen, and Godspeed,” said Boris.
“Thanks for everything,” radioed Peter.
“10… 9… 8,” said Boris as Peter lifted his arm and brought his glove finger to the switch, “2… 1… fire engine!”
Peter flipped the switch and quickly pulled his arm back, preparing for the explosion that was going to rock the hell out of him.
Nothing! Nothing happened! He couldn’t believe it, the engine didn’t fire! “Oh, shit,” said Peter. If the engine didn’t fire, they weren’t going anywhere and the mission was doomed.
Viktor started to unbuckle his belt straps. “Hold on, it may need little ole Soviet persuasion.”
Viktor leaned over and flipped the switch to the off position before giving the control panel a couple of hard whacks with his gloved hand. He positioned himself back in his seat, buckling up before saying, “Try again.”
Peter shook his head, questioning such an easy solution would solve the problem. He casually flipped the switch, expecting nothing—suddenly he was thrown violently back in his seat by a force he didn’t expect. The engine’s power fiercely shook the capsule as they were hurled into deep space. He couldn’t believe the amount of g-forces they were experiencing and wondered if the Soyuz could handle it. He also wondered if he would be able to flip the switch when Boris gave him the command to shut off the engine. Grunting, Peter said, “We have firing.”
“Roger,” said Boris.
Peter held on for dear life, riding out the rough ride. He had to remind himself he was riding a makeshift spacecraft never tested or studied, and no one knew exactly how it would respond. This TLI burn was much rockier than the proven Saturn V that took men to the moon.
“Coming up on five minutes of the burn. Prepare for cut-off,” said Boris.
“Roger,” grunted Peter.
“Five seconds until shutoff, 2… 1. Mark,” said Boris.
“Roger.” Peter lifted his arm through the g-forces and flipped the switch. The engine immediately stopped and a sudden calmness settled over the capsule. Peter radioed, “Engine shut off complete, how’s our trajectory look?”
The radio was silent for a moment before Boris said, “Looking good from here. How’s your speed?”
“Speed 11,300 meters per second.”
“Good. I’m sure you’ll probably need some course corrections later in the flight, but all looks good from what I can see,” said Boris.
“Roger,” said Peter. Boris had done as much as he could to help them. Peter and Viktor would have to rely on Russia’s mission control for course corrections later in the flight.
Viktor said in English, “Boris, it was privilege work with you. I thank you from bottom of heart.”
“Viktor, it was an honor working with you. My dad always spoke very highly of you. I hope you two are successful.”
“We be successful, thanks to you,” said Viktor.
“Good luck, gentleman. It’s now time for me to get my hand slapped,” said Boris as he ended transmission.
SIE’S HAND TREMBLED as he dialed up Kuang’s phone number. He had lost face. He felt terrible for letting his country down and for misguiding his boss. He had just been informed the American astronauts just launched into deep space in a makeshift rocket put together at the space station, surely destined for the moon. He had already ordered Shenzhou 10 fueled and for Tang and Nei to prepare for launch. Unfortunately they were going to be well over thirty hours behind once they left orbit, due to his ill advised recommendation not to fuel. Sie wasn’t sure if their powerful rocket could make up the deficit. He had to tell his boss the terrible news.
“Hello,” answered Kuang.
“Hello, sir, it’s Sie.”
“Yes?”