Peter appreciated Viktor’s humor, and started taping the cyanide capsule inside his helmet in a location where he could reach it. Because of Viktor’s story, he wrapped the tape completely around the capsule so it couldn’t escape if he pulled the tape with his teeth. He would just bite through the tape to break the capsule in his mouth.
Peter was dressed in his EMU suit thanks to his partner’s help, minus his helmet and gloves. He floated awkwardly in the spacecraft, unable to sit in his seat because of the rigid suit. Putting it on in the tight quarters was one of the most difficult challenges he ever encountered. He had to contort his body in painful positions, some he didn’t even know he could do, but with no other option, he endured the pain.
Viktor was also suited up, but in his flight suit. Though the pressure suit wouldn’t protect him from the harsh conditions of space when the hatch opened, Peter sensed the cosmonaut probably felt more dignified dying in it. Once Viktor’s helmet was on he would also be able to talk to Peter until his last breath. Viktor planned on having his cyanide capsule in his mouth when the hatch was opened. He told Peter once his body started to feel the effects of the deadly outside conditions, he would immediately bite down, killing himself instantly.
The UN session was scheduled to start in a little over two hours. Their time was coming to an end. Peter would open the hatch on the back side in thirty-five minutes. This would give him enough time to get out of the hatch and be prepared to take pictures when Maria 1 flew over his dad’s site. He would download the high resolution pictures on the next turn around the back side and transmit them to Earth when he came back around. He figured the UN session would be well underway by that point, and after sending the pictures he would set up the live video feed.
Maria 1 was now just five minutes away from going around the moon and out of communication with Mission Control. “I call in again,” said Viktor.
Peter understood why the father wanted to say goodbye one last time to his children. He was still amazed how calm Viktor seemed, knowing he had a little over thirty minutes to live.
“Mission Control, Maria 1 here, over,” said Viktor.
“Maria 1, this is Mission Control, over,” answered Dmitri.
From that point on, Viktor spoke to both Dmitri and Anya in Russian and talked all the way until the transmission was lost. Though Peter did not understand much that was said, the emotions in their voices moved him greatly. It made him think of those important in his life, his mom, Anya and his unborn child. He stayed quiet as they spoke, not wanting to interrupt Viktor’s last moments with his children. He was going to have his opportunity to say his goodbyes later. He closed his eyes, wondering if he was doing the right thing.
“I’M AFRAID IT’S TIME,” said Peter sadly. They were approaching the time he would have to open the hatch, killing Viktor. Though he was eager to accomplish the tasks he was sent to do, he knew when he floated out he was not coming back. It was an odd moment for Peter as they faced death.
Before putting on their gloves and helmets, Viktor extended his hand. “Thank you again to take me on adventure. Don’t worry for me, I happy.”
Not surprised Viktor was trying to put him at ease even though he was about to die, Peter grabbed his partner’s hand and sternly shook it as he steadied himself with his other hand. “Viktor, it was a pleasure flying with you. There is no way I could have ever completed this mission without you. I was honored to fly with such a distinguished and experienced cosmonaut who now will always have the distinction of being the first Russian ever to orbit the moon. You will be remembered alongside some of the great cosmonauts. Thank you.”
“We team. A good team,” said Viktor smiling. Still holding his hand he continued, “You now my son, since father of my grandchild. I proud you my son. You be hero to America. I sure you question if you do right thing. But you save America. What you go do be in history books that your child read. You should be proud.” With that, Viktor pulled Peter to him and they hugged. As they separated, Viktor said, “Now let’s get your gloves on.”
Peter extended one hand while he continued to hold himself steady with the other. While slipping the glove on and locking it in place, Viktor said, “You lucky you see your dad’s site up close. I sure he look down on you, pleased.”
Peter smiled as he moved his fingers making sure the glove fit right before bringing the other hand around. While Viktor put on the second one Peter said, “I hope the pictures pick up his footprints. It will be amazing to see those footprints just as he left them forty years ago, almost like going back in time.” Peter thought of that for a moment, wondering what his dad would have thought if he knew his son would fly over where he stepped forty years later, solely to prove it actually happened, and his son would die doing it. Peter just shook his head.
Once the gloves were on, Viktor grabbed Peter’s helmet. Before placing it over his head he looked Peter directly into his eyes. “I confident you do everything perfect. Go make us proud.”
Peter just smiled as Viktor placed the helmet in position, securely locking it in place, cutting off all the outside sounds. The cosmonaut patted the helmet before giving a thumbs-up sign.
Peter helped Viktor put on his flight suit gloves and helmet. Once both astronauts were dressed, Peter did a radio check. All was good. Time to begin depressurizing the spacecraft so the hatch could be opened. “Tell Maria hi,” said Peter over the radio.
Viktor smiled. “I do, and you tell Anya and Dmitri I love them and I die happy.”
“Roger.”
Peter attached the tether line that would keep him connected to the spacecraft. Viktor moved the camera and lens over to one side seat before floating over to the other trying to give Peter as much room as he could before buckling up and starting the depressurizing of the cabin. Neither said a word. Once Peter knew the pressure was getting close to where he could open the hatch, he leaned over to his partner and put out his balled fist. Viktor instantly knew what to do as he tapped the top of his fist and they did their Galileo fist bump, perfectly. Peter smiled as Viktor gave him an encouraging wink before saying over the radio, “Pressure at .2 bar. You are go for opening hatch. Good luck, son.”
“Thanks, Viktor,” said Peter as he worked himself slowly around in the tight quarters so he was turned toward the hatch, his back to Viktor. Peter initiated the venting valves in the hatch to depressurize the remaining .2 bars. Once the inside pressure was equalized with the outside he initiated the sequence of opening the hatch. He took a deep breath before turning the final handle that would free the small door. He was going to say a final goodbye before pulling the door open. But something within stopped him and instead he said it to himself. Goodbye, Viktor. He pulled with all his might, overcoming the small remaining pressure gradient, and opened the hatch.
Peter suddenly heard a loud grunt over his radio and assumed Viktor had bitten down on the cyanide capsule. Sadness swept over him. He put his head down, thinking of his partner dying. He elected not to turn around and watch. Instead with his head down he took a deep breath. You were a good man, Viktor. Thank you for everything.
Once the hatch was completely open he found maneuvering around it difficult. With the hatch in his way he couldn’t move to locate the camera so he blindly reached behind him, feeling for it. He shuddered when he accidentally bumped into Viktor’s floating arm, which was completely limp. Peter felt a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach as he gently pushed the arm down and continued feeling around for the camera, finally locating the long lens already connected to the camera. He grabbed it and pulled it behind him as he maneuvered to the entrance. He awkwardly tried to pry himself out of the small hatch, feeling like a cork coming out of a bottle. Once he had the backpack portion of his suit outside the opening, he was free to push off with his hands.