Embarrassed his private conversation might have been heard, Peter straightened up to greet his boss. “Myself, as usual.”
Gavin had a big grin plastered on his face as he walked around his desk. “So how’s our local hero?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
Gavin quickly took a seat. “You did a great job saving those cosmonauts. Once again you made the agency look good.” He put both arms on his desk as he brought his hands together and interlocked his fingers. “The President has even invited you to the White House. He would like to personally thank you for everything you’ve done.”
Peter bowed his head respectfully. “Boss, you know I was just doing my job. But thanks. It would be an honor to meet the President.”
“I’ll have Lola set it up.” Gavin unlocked his fingers to reach over and grab a file. As he opened it he said, “Sounds like your little buddy you saved is raising a big stink.”
Peter tightened both fists; Gavin was talking about Carlos. “He’s not my buddy.”
Gavin chuckled. “That’s what I’ve heard. In fact, he’s claiming you punched him.”
Peter looked Gavin straight in the eyes with a sly smile. Though it was unacceptable for agents to lose control, they were still human. “Do you think I punched him?”
Gavin studied Peter for a moment. Peter could tell by Gavin’s smirk, he knew the truth. “Nah, I don’t think you did.”
Peter winked. “Well, that works for me.”
Gavin leaned back in his chair. “Carlos is also pissed off at Russia. FKA decided not to give specifics on the rescue and instead told the media the cosmonauts were brought back early due to Carlos freaking out and putting the crew in jeopardy.”
Peter uncrossed his legs as he chuckled. “He did freak out. I have no idea how that guy qualified for that flight. FKA needs to do a better job screening their tourist candidates.”
“It’s my understanding Carlos is getting his father involved, and they are trying to sue FKA for defamation of character and requesting a full refund on his trip.”
Peter shook his head as he grinned.
Gavin crossed his arms. “He’s telling the press there was an explosion on the Soyuz, and an American was sent up to save them. He suggested they track down the astronaut.”
Peter tilted his head, wondering if Carlos actually knew his name.
Gavin got a look as if he was about to give a punchline to a joke. “He says the astronaut’s name is Peter Robinson.”
Peter laughed out loud. “Good luck tracking that guy down.”
Gavin nodded as he leaned back toward his desk and started sorting through the papers in the file. “I think it will all eventually blow over.” Gavin perked up when he found the paper he was looking for. “So I have another assignment for you.”
Peter tightened. He was hoping to get over to Russia right away. “Boss, is it possible to get a little time off first?”
Gavin closed the file and set the paper on top. “I know you deserve it, but unfortunately this is a time sensitive mission and I think you’re the perfect man for the job. If you accept it, you need to get into the field right away.”
Peter cringed. He’d never turned down an assignment. “What’s the mission?”
“Are you familiar with EarthOrbit?”
EarthOrbit was one of the commercial space companies vying for a long-term contract from NASA to haul astronauts and supplies to and from the space station. They were a direct competitor with SpaceQuest. “Absolutely, I know them.”
“Some red flags have been raised about the company lately which concerns us. The latest was the quick hiring of Chris Riddick.”
“Somebody hired that asshole? How come he’s not in jail?”
“NASA was unable to prove he conspired with the Chinese, so all they could do was fire him. Anyway, we feel he still has a connection with China, and they could be using EarthOrbit as a springboard for something.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Because you flew Galileo to the space station and worked with SpaceQuest, we feel EarthOrbit would be interested in hiring you. We want you to become a part of their team and see what you can find out. They’re currently in the process of hiring a Manager for Astronaut Safety and Mission Assurance.”
Peter was still hoping to get over to Russia. “So what’s the rush?”
“This position was to be filled last week. One of our agents contacted the hiring agency late last week pretending to be you and submitted your resume. When EarthOrbit learned you were applying, they agreed to hold off making a decision until they interviewed you.”
“When’s the interview?”
“8 a.m. tomorrow. Fortunately their headquarters are in Houston.”
“Sounds like you were pretty sure I’d take on the assignment.”
Gavin smiled. “You haven’t turned one down yet.”
Peter tightened his jaw as he looked out the window.
Gavin piped up. “There’s one minor snag with this mission.”
Peter turned, his eyebrow raised. “What’s that?”
Gavin studied Peter for a second, stalling. He cleared his throat. “Chris Riddick will be your boss. That’s who’ll be interviewing you tomorrow.”
“Shit. You’re kidding me.”
Gavin lifted both hands as if surrendering. “Hey, it’s not like you haven’t worked for him before.”
Peter put his hand through his hair as he leaned back in the chair. “You know I can’t stand that guy, especially when I worked for him. He’s the main reason I left NASA. You and I both know it was probably his lies that were the final straw leading the United Nations to question if we landed on the moon. He basically backstabbed all of NASA and America, which led to my father’s death.”
“I know. It won’t be an easy assignment. But, I think you have the best chance of getting hired.”
Peter shook his head as he turned and looked back out the window. Thinking he had found a reason why he shouldn’t be the agent he turned and smugly said, “Chris knows I work for SID.”
“He knows you used to work for SID. But like everyone outside of the CIA, he should believe you left the agency to take on the mission to the moon. He might question whether you’re still associated with the agency. If so, you’ll need to convince him you burned bridges when you took the mission, ending any chance of rejoining SID.”
Peter rubbed his chin. He just finished a mission with one asshole, and now he was considering taking on another with an even bigger asshole. A faint voice in his head was telling him to pass on the job and get over to Russia. Though the voice was probably right, Peter couldn’t turn down an assignment. “Okay, count me in. But you owe me one, Boss.”
12
EARTHORBIT
Sweat was developing all over his body as Peter strutted up the stairs toward EarthOrbit’s main entrance. Overhead, low, scudding dark clouds obscured the sun, promising thunderstorms. It was starting out to be a typical, hot and muggy August day in Houston. Peter was dressed in a navy blue suit with a patriotic, red tie. As much as he hated wearing the monkey suit, he needed to give the impression he was executive material.
There was nothing remarkable about the large white building as he arrived at the entrance. He wiped the few beads of sweat off his forehead before opening one of the glass doors that led into the lobby. A gust of cool air greeted him as he entered. He quickly located the reception desk and aimed straight for it. As his footfalls drummed up an uneven echo in the empty lobby, he did a relaxed scan of his surroundings. The lobby had an old ’60s feel with wood paneling decorating the walls. He was surprised to see old pictures of NASA rockets symmetrically placed instead of photos of their own rockets. Though the furniture looked new, it was all in a futuristic ’60s design. Peter assumed the owners wanted those entering to feel nostalgic for the old triumphant NASA days. They were probably hoping to influence NASA big wigs that EarthOrbit was of the same mold. The company was definitely taking a different approach than SpaceQuest’s ultra-modern facility. Peter figured this was just one of the many differences he would encounter between the two competing companies. Though he was a big fan of SpaceQuest and their operation, he had to be open-minded. He would have to adapt to EarthOrbit’s style if he wanted to be a part of their team.