It was best if Jose personally investigated the company. “That would be great. I’m just looking for anything unusual, anything that may have raised a red flag. Also, it would be great to get a contact I can follow up with later to get more details.”
“Well, let me see what I can find out and I’ll get back with you.”
Peter stressed that his report was due within a week and asked Jose to call him directly on his cell phone, ensuring the man wouldn’t learn Peter’s real name and be confused.
IN THE DEPTHS of the Neutral Buoyancy Training Lab, known as the NBTL pool, Peter floated in a tight-fitting EarthOrbit spacesuit designed solely for water training. He had expressed his sincere gratitude to the suit technician for piecing together his suit, which closely matched his body’s dimensions. Unlike space, he was not weightless within the garment with grooved parts. If it had been loose-fitting, he would have become uncomfortable in certain orientations over time, especially upside down. Since he came in late for training, there were no custom-fit suits for him. In fact, he was still waiting for his mission spacesuit to arrive.
At the bottom of the pool, Peter was inside a barren metal shell replicating the Iris capsule. He and Blake were going to execute an underwater simulation of Blake’s EVA. Both men had already been weighted properly by their support divers, insuring natural buoyancy, allowing their movements to emulate those they would experience in microgravity. The objective of the exercise was for Blake to exit the hatch and move around on the outside of the metal shell. Blake needed to get accustomed to the locations of the handholds and practice moving from one handle to the next using his bulky gloves without losing his grip and floating away from the ship. Though he could tug on his umbilical cord to pull himself back to the ship, management didn’t want to risk damaging the lifeline.
The number-one priority for Peter during Blake’s EVA was to observe his partner’s progress and assist if any problems occurred. He was also responsible for taking pictures and video of the historic spacewalk, which would be transmitted back to Earth for the whole world to see. The climactic point of the EVA would be Blake waving a small American flag after he reached the last handhold, which was about eight feet from the hatch. He would then re-enter the capsule.
Instead of being hooked up to the spacecraft’s oxygen system, Peter received his air from a small portable unit. He was learning how to maneuver around the unit while being hooked up to its short umbilical cord. He also had a small plastic box that simulated the camera. He steadied himself with his free hand while waiting for his partner. Rays of light from the underwater, bright spotlights crisscrossed within the interior like the thin sticks through the plastic container in the game KerPlunk. A lot of air bubbles started floating upward outside the small entryway, signaling someone was below the hatch. Soon Peter was briefly blinded by the reflection of a spotlight bouncing off a visor before realizing it was Blake’s helmet as he slowly rose into the opening.
His partner radioed, “I am at the hatch.”
The test coordinator’s voice answered Blake. “Roger. Diver Two will be there in a second to help you in.”
“Roger.”
A look of panic appeared on Blake’s face, worrying Peter for an instant. Blake gradually brought both arms up and folded them around his visor so each elbow pointed toward Peter. Blake then started opening and closing them, mimicking a large shark’s mouth as he did the catchy theme song from the movie, Jaws. “Dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun.…da-na-naaaa!”
Peter laughed at his partner’s shark impression when the test coordinator’s voice cut him off. “Quit clowning around, Blake.”
Blake wiggled his eyebrows at Peter before stopping the arm movements. “Roger, Boss.”
Peter remembered his old Russian partner clowning around in SpaceQuest’s training pool. Though he hoped he didn’t have to fly the mission, if he did, he was convinced flying with Blake wouldn’t be boring.
THE CONFERENCE ROOM was buzzing from the many small discussions going on as the management team eagerly waited for Walter to start the meeting. With the scheduled blast-off just eight days away, the hope was to get the final go ahead from each manager for a September 21st launch. If everything was cleared, the support team and astronauts would transfer over to the Nevada launch site for final preparations.
Peter sat to the left of Blake, who was reviewing the revised mission procedures manual passed out to all the attendees. Peter had not opened his as of yet. His immediate concern was that his backup was missing. Peter was saving a seat next to him for Jesse, the only remaining one left at the table. This was a meeting the young commander couldn’t miss if there was any chance of him taking Peter’s place and flying the mission. A disturbed look crossed Walter’s face as he looked toward the empty chair before turning to Chris and resuming a private conversation. Peter squeezed his pen as he looked toward the doorway. He was wearing two hats in the meeting, one as the commander of the mission, and the other as the boss of the astronauts.
Blake nudged him with a surprised look as he pointed to something in the manual. Before Peter could look down, the conference door rattled open. He let out a deep sigh when Jesse hustled in. The man had a big grin as he walked with a skip in his step, showing no signs of any back pain. He quickly settled down in the chair next to Peter.
Peter shot him a stern look. “You’re late!”
Excitement animated the veteran’s voice. “Sorry Boss, I had to stop by medical. Good news. I just got cleared to fly. I’m 100 percent.”
Peter bit his upper lip as he nodded. Though he was pleased with the news, a slight stab of disappointment flashed through him. A small part of him was looking forward to going back into space. Regardless, he was happy to see the commander excited. Keeping his cool, he leaned over. “That’s great, but let’s not bring it up now. I’ll have a private meeting with Walter afterward to see about putting you back on the prime crew.”
Jesse gave an enthusiastic nod.
Walter called out as he looked in Jesse’s direction. “All right, looks like everyone’s finally here. Let’s get this meeting underway.” The room quieted down as Walter turned toward his flight and launch directors. “Gentlemen, are we ready to do this?”
The launch director spoke up first. “The Zeus rocket has been moved to the launch pad and at this point is on schedule for a September 21st launch.”
The flight director eagerly followed with excitement in his voice. “Mission control is pumped and ready to go, sir.”
Walter smiled at the young director’s gusto before scanning the table. “Does anyone else have any concerns or reasons on why we should not launch on the twenty-first?”
The room stayed quiet. Walter’s voice became deep and certain. “Good, then let’s create some history.” Walter looked at Peter. “How has the training been going?”
“Great. We’ve practiced all phases of the mission and feel confident and ready to go.”
“How about the spacewalk?”
“Blake looks like a veteran in the NBTL pool. I’m certain he’ll do a great job.”
Chris jumped in as he looked over at the equipment manager. “Is Peter’s spacesuit in yet?”
The manager looked uneasy as he swallowed hard. “No, sir. It was supposed to be in late last week. I’m told it will be overnighted tomorrow, so we should have it Saturday. We ought to be able to do a fitting that afternoon.”
Walter jumped in. “That’s cutting it close with the astronauts transferring to the spaceport on Sunday.”