INITIATE FINAL PHASE
With the air conditioner running full blast in his mom’s home, Peter had to fold his arms tightly around his body to stay warm. His dad’s office was always the first room to cool down. As he stood freezing, he stared at one of his dad’s many NASA group shots hanging on the wall, the one with all the crews involved on the USSR/USA space mission in 1975. He focused on Chris Riddick, who was on the support crew. Of all the men in the picture, only he had the camera red-eye effect from the flash, giving him a sinister look.
He remembered Chris’s comment earlier in the day about helping his father, implying Chris had saved his father’s career. His dad never spoke highly of Chris and definitely never volunteered any information indicating the man rescued his career. Instead, Peter heard countless stories on how his dad often saved Chris’s ass.
The familiar aroma of his mom’s famous pot roast cooking in the kitchen started to penetrate his senses as he crossed to the chair behind the desk and sat. The office was just as it was when his father died. He looked down at the only two items resting on the bare desktop, a picture frame at each corner. One had an elegant picture of his mom and the other had Peter’s official NASA photo. He smiled as he lifted his photograph to get a closer look. He then looked past the picture to the chair across from him, recalling when he sat there and first told his dad he was just selected in the new astronaut class. His dad was so excited he practically flew out of his chair to give him a congratulatory hug. He later cautioned him that Chris harbored an old grudge, which might affect Peter getting a crew assignment. When Peter questioned why the ill will, his father’s response was always vague. He simply stated Chris often backstabbed fellow astronauts to better his position. His old rival had damaging information which he threatened to use. When pressed for specifics, his dad felt it was water under the bridge and not worth discussing.
His dad’s concern was ultimately valid. Peter never got an assignment even though he was one of the top astronauts in his class.
Peter put his hands behind his head as he leaned back in the chair, scanning the many other pictures and mementos that decorated the walls. But his eyes were drawn back to that picture with Chris, wondering what the man meant by his statement.
The partially cracked office door was suddenly pushed completely open, breaking Peter’s concentration. His mom stood in the doorway with a cooking apron on. He assumed she was there to tell him dinner was ready. Like all his past visits, she was going all out to make him a spectacular, home-cooked meal. The joy was radiant in her face. “What are you doing, son?”
Peter pulled his hands off the back of his head. “Just reminiscing.”
His mom navigated around the two chairs across from the desk as she proudly scanned the walls. “I love this room. I come in here every day to read or relax. Whenever I’m in here I always feel your dad’s presence.”
Peter could sense his mom’s undeniable love for his father. Something he felt he could have someday with Anya.
After a brief stroll around the office, his mom sat in one of the chairs across from him. “I know your dad is very proud of you for what you did. Taking on that dangerous mission and restoring his good name and our country’s.”
“I’m just glad it all worked out and I made it back safely.”
His mom’s face lit up. “Me too!” She put both hands in her lap, turning her head toward the picture of his dad and Viktor. “Though I’m sorry Viktor didn’t make it back. He was a good man, a good friend.”
Peter looked over at the same picture. “It was in this office that I offered him the assignment. He was so gung-ho and excited. He was ready to go right then. He didn’t care he wasn’t coming back. He said he was doing it for Dad.”
His mom slowly turned her head and directed her eyes at him. “Son, Mr. Alexandrov was always impressed that you stepped up and took responsibility for breaking that simulator at Star City. He thought you were very brave taking full blame for Dmitri’s actions, especially having to answer to military soldiers. I bet you he accepted that mission to repay his debt to you.”
Peter looked back at the picture. He rubbed his fingers over his mouth as he stared. He never thought of it that way. But he was the one who ultimately made the decision to cover for Dmitri. His dad left it in his hands to make the call, and his father said he would support whatever choice he made. “You might be right. Regardless, I was lucky he did join the operation. Not just because of his expert flying skills, but also because of his humor and coolness. There’s no way I would have survived that mission without him.”
She turned with a grim smile. “Your dad always said he was one of Russia’s best.”
“Victor proved that more than once.”
She leaned forward. “Did he know about you and Anya?”
“He did. We talked about it quite a bit. He was very supportive of the relationship.”
“Good, though that doesn’t surprise me.” She gave him a wink before crossing her arms and leaning back in the chair. “So how are you and Anya doing anyway? I was surprised she went back to Russia.”
Keeping his elbows on the armrest, he lifted both hands as he nodded. “Me too. I think something is bothering her. I’m assuming it has to do with the miscarriage. I was—” A soft chime from his pocket interrupted him. “Sorry.” He pulled out his cell phone and looked at the incoming number. It was a local call. Thinking it could be EarthOrbit, he excused himself. “I need to get this.”
His mom mouthed, “Go ahead.”
He pressed the answer button before bringing the phone to his ear and looking past his mom. “Hello.”
“Hello, Peter, it’s Chris.”
Peter forced himself to respond with a chipper voice. “Hello, Chris, it’s great to hear from you. I hope you’re calling with some good news.”
Chris sounded impatient and was blunt. “Walter was very pleased with you today. He decided you’re our man.”
Interesting he said it was Walter’s decision. “Great, that’s wonderful news. I look forward to working for you again.”
“We were wondering if you could start tomorrow.” Chris’s voice was flat and emotionless. He didn’t sound too enthused over Walter’s selection.
Peter was still hoping to get to Russia, but SID wanted him to start as soon as possible. “No problem. What time should I come in?”
“How about 10 a.m.? You need to first meet up with personnel before you’ll be brought over to my office.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be there at ten with bells on. I’m looking forward to being a part of the EarthOrbit family.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow.” Before Peter could say goodbye, the phone went dead.
His mother inclined her head. “Was that Chris Riddick?”
How in the world could his mom have picked that up? He lifted an eyebrow. “Yes. He’s going to be my new boss.”
A disgusted look crossed her face as she stood up. “Dinner will be ready in ten minutes.” She turned and marched straight out the door.
Though she knew not to ask for too many details concerning his business, her response was odd. He looked back at the USSR/US crew picture and picked out Chris. With his fingers resting on his mouth, he began to lightly pat his index finger on his lips. “What do you think you know about my father?”
PLOPPING HIS FEET up on his desk, Peter made himself comfortable in his new office at EarthOrbit headquarters. In his lap were the files of the men training to fly the company’s first rockets into space. He was now their boss, and it was his responsibility to make sure when the time came, they were ready to fly. Presently the training group had six men. Of these men, only Jesse Johnston had any experience in space. He had one Shuttle mission under his belt and was considered the senior astronaut and leader of the team. Peter barely remembered the young man from his days at NASA.