“Good! Keep me informed,” said Kuang before hanging up.
He was not rooting for the Americans, but discrediting the American moon landings was becoming a lost cause, and Sie didn’t want the taikonauts to die for nothing. He was going to take advantage of his last moments in charge to make sure he did what he could to save Tang and Nei. After all, those men were there because of his failures and he didn’t want to end his career being responsible for the deaths of two Chinese heroes, men he respected and cared for. He wasn’t worried about the repercussions from his actions. He was going to be fired anyway.
SILENCE FILLED MARIA 1 as the ship approached the back side of the moon. Viktor and Peter were strapped in their seats, having completed all of their tasks in preparation for the maneuvers to come. The moment of truth was fast approaching for both astronauts. Peter nervously rubbed his hands back and forth on his thighs under the laptop strapped on his lap. Peter looked over in Viktor’s direction, but with all the stowage in the way, all he could see was the bottom of his legs and arms. Peter turned to look at Anya’s picture. He reflected on their recent conversation, happy to hear her voice and pleased she seemed strong. Neither mentioned the communication could be their last and Peter prayed it wouldn’t. He touched her picture. This is it baby. Wish us luck.
Viktor broke the silence. “I think we take shot vodka for good luck.”
Peter was a little surprised by the offer since Viktor mentioned the vodka was for after they had completed the mission. Maybe Viktor was a little nervous too. Peter liked the idea, hoping the vodka might calm his nerves. “Sounds good to me.”
Viktor’s hand came out from under the stowage holding the plastic bottle, top already off. Peter grabbed it and before taking a chug said, “To our success and proving Dad walked on the moon,” then squeezed the bottle, forcing a glob of liquid into his mouth.
“Amen,” said Viktor.
Peter pulled the bottle from his mouth and a couple of droplets leaked out and floated in front of his face. He extended his tongue, catching each one. “That tastes damn good for straight Vodka,” he said handing the bottle back.
“It premium Russian vodka. Maria and I bought it together to drink on anniversary. She died before we could share it.”
Wow. He’d assumed Viktor brought it along because a shot of vodka was just another cosmonaut tradition. Moved, he said, “I appreciate you sharing it with me.”
“Maria bring us luck. She sit with God now pointing us out, say, ‘Watch over those men. Help them succeed. Then bring Viktor to me.’”
Peter smiled, happy to see Viktor so in love and at ease with dying.
“Maria 1, this is Mission Control,” said Dmitri over the radio.
Peter answered, “Roger, we read you, over.”
“Peter, we did a final check of your coordinates and everything looks good. This will be our last transmission until you two come around the back side. We wish you and Dad the best of luck, over.”
“Roger. We appreciate all the efforts from you and the controllers. We plan on talking with you shortly, over,” said Peter.
Viktor chimed in, “Dmitri… A man sees pretty girl in bar, whispers in ear, ‘Tell me those three special words that will make me walk on air,’ over.”
“What?” asked Dmitri.
“I give punch line when come around back side. Love you, son.”
“Love you, Dad. Over and out,” said Dmitri.
Peter smiled. “So what does she tell him?”
“I not tell you. You wait too. Reprogram that laser and save our ass, then tell you,” said Viktor.
Peter laughed, shaking his head. The old man knew how to put everyone at ease.
DMITRI WAS SITTING QUIETLY at his consul tapping his pen, feeling the intensity throughout the room while he and the flight controllers waited to hear back from Maria 1. The clock had started and they had a good forty-five minutes before hearing anything back. There was nothing he could do while Peter and his dad were on the back side of the moon, out of contact. He felt they had a fifty-fifty chance of coming back around safely and in the right orbit.
Feeling a tap on his shoulder, Dmitri turned to see Anya, her mascara a smudged mess around eyes reddened from crying and lack of sleep.
“Dmitri, I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
Dmitri grabbed a chair from the desk next to him and patted the seat. “Sure, have a seat.”
Anya shifted from one foot to the other. “Can we please go to your office?”
Since there was nothing he could do at that point to help Peter and his dad, he said, “Sure.” He escorted her out of the room and on down the hallway to his office. After closing his door and sitting at his desk he caught his sister wiping her face with a crumpled tissue as she sat across from him. Trying to cheer her up he said, “Don’t worry, Dad and Peter will be all right and make it around safely.”
Anya wiped her nose and wrung her hands. “I need to tell you something.”
Dmitri was all ears, wondering what else could be bothering her with everything going on. “What is it, sis?”
Anya looked to the floor for a moment, as if trying to figure out exactly how to say it. She looked up and with a forlorn look said, “I’m pregnant.”
Dmitri widened his eyes. He didn’t know what to say. “Is it Peter’s?”
Anya scowled at him, the jut of her chin calling him ridiculous for asking. “Yes!”
Dmitri looked out his window for a moment, shocked by the news. Looking back he asked, “Does Peter know?”
“No. I just confirmed it yesterday. I haven’t told him because I don’t know if I should. In fact I haven’t told anyone. That’s why I wanted to talk with you. What should I do?”
Dmitri was silent for a moment, looking at the picture of his family on his desk. He always hoped Anya would have a child, but assumed it would be when she was happily married. Now she would be a single parent. Trying to be positive, he said, “This is great news, but you were probably right not saying anything to Peter, especially with all he has on his mind right now.”
“But what if they don’t make it around? I would hate if something happens and I didn’t tell him.” Anya started to cry.
Dmitri crossed to his sister, bending down and giving her a hug. “They’ll make it around, don’t worry. I have all the confidence in the world in those two men. Once they do we can decide when the right time is to tell him. I know he’ll be ecstatic about the news, and so will Dad.” While still hugging her, he lightly patted her on the back. “Anya, this is wonderful news. Congratulations.”
Not saying a word, Anya just squeezed her brother tighter.
34
LIFE IS PRECIOUS
“I’ve got the signal,” said Peter with excitement in his voice. Maria 1 was now swinging around the back side of the moon, captured by its gravitational pull.
That he was receiving transmission from the laser was both good and bad news. The bad news was the laser did, in fact, exist. The signal he was receiving confirmed the laser was now tracking their spacecraft and in the process of arming itself to fire upon them. The good news was his equipment picked up the transmission and he had the possibility of disarming the laser. After weeks of training for this instant, he was now at the moment of truth. The first and foremost pressing question was did the Chinese change the factory codes that originally came with the laser from Byington Corporation? If he was wrong in his assumption and the Chinese did change these with a new set of codes back on Earth, he would be unable to access the laser’s operating system. There would be nothing he could do. He and Viktor would be dead in less than twenty minutes.