That just isn’t right, Li thought, his anger rising as they transitioned into the final form. I worked my butt off. I trained my butt off. I earned my place. I’ve always fought for what I had. I don’t care what any of them say.
Li began to realize that he no longer heard the lead instructor calling out moves. He began to look up at those who surrounded him and realized they had stopped. All of their eyes were on him, and then it dawned on him that he had begun the wrong form sequence. They had started a new one the day before. Lost in his thoughts, he had erred. Li stopped and bowed to the instructor.
The instructor said, “Seems the prospect of training with the Americans has already started to affect your discipline.”
“No, Shifu!” Shouted Li, with his eyes lowered.
“Ah, so then, you think you are better then everyone now because you have been selected, is that it?” queried the instructor.
“No, Shifu!” replied Li again, his voice sounding more dejected, his eyes looking even lower to the ground.
“Then enlighten us.”
“I lost focus while thinking about the great glory we will bring our nation, Shifu.”
“You will bring us only shame if you behave in this manner. You will bring us only death. It is not your purpose to wonder and gloat and be in awe. It is your purpose to execute and act out the will of your nation.”
“Yes, Shifu.”
“Now, it is your purpose to sit up here facing the class, drink some water, and relax as your fellow taikonauts start the form over again from the first.”
No sound was made from the individuals in the platoon, but Li could feel their hatred burning at him through their eyes.
“Shifu, I would like to…”
“Do not shame yourself a second time!”
“Yes, Shifu!” Li shouted as he ran to the front, picked up a water bottle, and sat down facing the group.
“Besides,” the instructor continued, “you should be used to the rich and relaxed existence.”
At this, the crowd let out a laugh, and Li’s face burned with embarrassment and infuriation.
As luck would have it, Han was in the front row directly in front of Li. Han never looked at Li for the entire ten forms. His discipline was strong. His disappointment for Li was even stronger. Li could feel it, and he vowed to never make a mistake like that again.
Chapter 12 - Location: Star City, Near Moscow, Russia
Cigar smoke and the smell of vodka filled the confines of the tiny conference room at the Russian Federal Space Agency Headquarters. This decor literally looks like it’s been around since the 70s, 60s—maybe even the 50s, thought Brent. The room was cramped, hot, and loud. There were liters of 80 proof vodka sitting right in front of Brent, and drinking it or not drinking it was the least of his worries. Brent had a bad feeling about where all of this was heading.
The ride from the airport had been pretty straightforward. A twelve-hour flight from Beijing, followed by a two-hour ride here to Russia’s Space Administration. Johnson had told him along the way that there were two parts to today’s mission: recruitment, and then a special surprise. Brent didn’t like surprises, not in space, not on trips to Russia. Especially not on trips to Russia.
The man to his left wore a business suit that looked the same age as the conference room. He had a cigar in one hand and a drink in the other, and he kept offering Brent the bottle. As a matter of fact, it was impolite and rude to refuse. Brent’s resistance wearing down, he looked up across the table to see the cold hard stare of Administrator Johnson.
He turned to his comrade to his left, and spoke in Russian. He had picked up a bit from his time on the ISS.
“Regrettably, I must decline,” he said. “My stomach is feeling ill”.
“Bah! This will make your stomach feel better,” said the man, slapping Brent on the back. He started to pour a glass but stopped when the main doors opened to reveal the Russian Administrator of space, Vadim Kuznetsov. Everyone at the table shut up and stood, and Brent followed suit.
Kuznetsov was followed by Yuri Danko and Natasha Predurnska. Yuri was the nation’s most well-known cosmonaut and the most experienced. His bright blonde buzz cut and tall lanky frame set him apart from the majority of the corps. He held the world record for the most time in space, and now in his late-forties, he was approaching the end of his career. What a great final mission, to fly by the planet Mars.
Natasha was the number two pick, and though not as experienced, she represented the new breed of Russian cosmonauts.
Yuri stood to Brent’s right, and Administrator Kuznetsov moved to stand beside Johnson.
“Good to see you again,” said Johnson.
“Indeed, it is,” said Kuznetsov. “We caught you on the news in China, making quite a proceeding of the recruitment of Han. China is a great friend of Russia, but they are still relatively new to this game of space, so it is understandable that they would flex their might and make a big show of the event. Hope you’ll forgive us if we’re not as given to… excessive celebration and ceremony.”
“No forgiveness needed,” said Johnson. “We’ve both been in the space game, as you call it, for quite some time. Now, while space travel is rather routine—”
“Especially now that you have your own manned launch capabilities again,” interjected Kuznetsov, a bit tongue-in-cheek.
“Of course,” said Johnson, “but I would say we grew closer for the arrangement while it lasted, wouldn’t you? Now that we have our own launch capabilities again, space travel is a bit routine. But you and I can hopefully agree that this journey to Mars is anything but.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” Kuznetsov said. “And officially, for the sake of minor ceremony and posterity, we formally accept the roles of number one and number two Russian cosmonauts as part of the program. Though we all have worked together to form the program, we will rely on the Americans as the primary program managers, if you will. Though any glory and accolades will go to the group of nations present for the flyby. And the honor will go to the human race as we continue on our forward course of progress.”
Johnson had a big smile on his face. “We’re more than happy to share that glory with the people of this world, as you say, Administrator.”
“Of course, since you have won out the day as primary program managers,” said Kuznetsov, “anything that goes wrong with the program—and most assuredly it will not, but if it did—would fall back into your lap. I’m sure you are well aware, yes?”
Johnson smiled even bigger now. “We’re pretty used to taking on the bulk of the work and responsibility for big challenges. This will be no different. Glad we are in agreement. Shall we shake on that?”
“Shake? I’ll do you one better, here behind closed doors and away from the cameras. We’ll drink to that!”
The room laughed and cheered. Glasses were filled and vodka passed around. The glass in front of Brent was filled.
“To our united journey,” said Administrator Kuznetsov, and he raised his glass. Everyone raised their glasses. “Let us drink to the success of our project.”
Everyone drank. Brent quickly dumped his vodka and pretended to take a shot, not wanting to catch the attention of the man to his left. Instead, he caught the attention of Yuri, who looked down at where the vodka had landed.
“You know, we will charge you for the cleanup of that,” said Yuri. “This floor has never had a drop of vodka spilled on it…”
Brent turned to face Yuri. “Well, you know what? From the looks of the clumsy people in here, I’d say that this floor has seen more than its fair share of vodka spills.”
Yuri inched close to Brent’s face. “You calling me a liar?”
Brent leaned in closer. His and Yuri’s noses were almost touching. “I’m not just calling you a liar,” said Brent. “I’m calling you a no-good yellow-bellied liar.”
The room quieted and all eyes turned to them.
Yuri’s eye twitched.
Brent’s lip
twitched.
“Draw!” shouted Yuri.
Brent and Yuri raised their hands up in mock guns and mock fired at one another. Laughing now, they hugged one another. The room, realizing this was just the game of two old friends who had spent almost a year together in space, went back to their conversations and drinks.
“It’s been too long,” said Brent.
“Indeed it has, old friend,” said Yuri. “And you seem to have aged twenty years.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. So, you excited for this or what?”
“This is the mission. I was selected for it. I will be four years away from my family. My boys. Heck, odds are we won’t even make it up there. But let’s just say I have a job to do. And I will do it.”
“Great outlook, pal,” Brent said.
“Sorry you won’t be going along for the ride, odds or no odds.”
“Ah, you’ll be fine. Besides, I couldn’t stand another year with you in cramped quarters. It’s your smell, really.”
Yuri laughed. “Well, looks like here is where we are parting ways.”
“Oh,” said Brent as he turned to see Johnson signaling him over. “Take care, Yuri.”
“Same to you, Brent.” And as he walked away he said, “And by the way, I’m really impressed with you dumping that drink. I’ve read that you’ve been having issues with that lately.”
Brent could only stare after him. Not you too, Yuri! I’ve got to find who is writing all this stuff. And when I do…
Brent approached both Administrators still shaking his head. “Pleasure to meet you, Administrator Kuznetsov.”
“I’m sure it is, Mr. Carlson,” said Kuznetsov. “Now, Administrator Johnson here has just barely convinced me that you have the clearance for the tour.”
“The tour?” queried Brent.
“Oh, good. Glad that Johnson could keep that part of the bargain.”
“Shall we away then?” said Johnson.
Four armed Russian soldiers emerged from behind the door, assault rifles at the ready.
Brent turned to Johnson. “So this was your big surprise? I knew I hated surprises for a reason.”
“Calm down, Mr. Carlson,” said Kuznetsov. “This is just the armed escort for the tour. If you will come right this way.”
They boarded an elevator.
“We are heading down thirty stories below the earth,” said Kuznetsov. “Back in the Cold War days, we built these massive underground hangars to perform our research, engineering, and construction with little fear of interruption, should there be a nuclear attack.”
“Great,” said Brent. “You know I don’t mind going up in space or in an airplane, but heading practically into the Earth’s core isn’t really my idea of a good time. Does anyone want to fill me in on what’s going on?”
The military men just kept staring ahead. Johnson and Kuznetsov exchanged glances. Kuznetsov nodded. Johnson stepped forward and raised up the binder he had been carrying. He flipped to a page and turned it, motioning for Brent to take a look.
“Does that look familiar to you?” said Johnson.
“Wait,” said Brent. “This is part of our group’s proposal for a multinational, multi-corporation vessel that can get us to Mars using the best of the technology from our varied nations and corporations.”
“That’s correct. Now turn to the next tab.”
Brent turned the page to reveal a rough graphical design of just such a vessel. “Hey, that’s not bad. Not exactly what I had in mind. Actually, she’s kind of ugly.”
Johnson laughed. “What were you expecting, the Enterprise? That’s what you get when you match up tech from twenty-five nations. You get a mutt. Well, this mutt’s name is the Journey I. You don’t like her?”
“No, I love her,” said Brent. “She’s great! But how will we get it done in time? Something this ambitious…”
“The only way we would be able to get it done in time is if it were already started,” said Johnson.
“I agree.”
“And that’s why we’re here.”
At that, the elevator bay doors opened with an accompanying pneumatic whir, revealing the cavernous space of the underground Hangar Bay 99. The room was so massive that it took Brent a moment to realize his eyes weren’t being tricked by an optical illusion.
Hundreds of workers moved to and fro, some in orange body suits and others in biohazard suits. Like bees in a hive, they buzzed back and forth, but all centered around the queen of the nest, the centerpiece of the room, the nearly completed body of the Journey I spacecraft.
“My God,” let out Brent. “I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it, Mr. Carlson,” said Kuznetsov.
“You guys really can put something together when you put your minds to it.”
“So, still think she’s ugly?” asked Johnson.
Brent laughed, “Not at all!”
“As humorous as you may think this is,” said Kuznetsov, “I hope you realize the gravity of the situation. This is the most ambitious project in human history. This is, in part, from funding from the astronaut’s nations, as well as the countries that just wanted their designs to become a piece of the journey. All these parts, ideas, and technologies have existed for a while. It’s just now that we’ve put them together in this configuration. Then, disassembling them in logical chunks and shipping them around the world for a massive launch schedule that will start next year.”
“Oh, I appreciate it, sir,” said Brent. “I am in awe of it. This might just be the best surprise of my life!”
“So happy to hear that,” Kuznetsov said, hardly able to contain his distaste. “Now, if you don’t mind, we will be ending the grandstanding and sightseeing tour, and we’ll be sending you away, as we must return to the actual business of space exploration.”
“Can I get just fifteen minutes more to look around?” said Brent. “Can I?”
Kuznetsov looked over to Johnson and said in exasperation, “Can I actually tell our guest no?”
“You can try,” said Johnson. “I haven’t had much luck in my ten years knowing him.”
“Very well,” said Kuznetsov. “Fifteen minutes more.”
Brent practically sprinted over to the Journey I spacecraft.
Chapter 13
Later that evening, Yuri parked his black, government issue SUV in front of his house located on the space administration compound. He got out slowly, knowing what he was most likely going to face when he got inside the house.
Scratch that, make it before I get in the house, thought Yuri, seeing his wife, Irina, already standing on the outside steps waiting for him.
“So, I assume you saw the news?” said Yuri.
“No,” said Irina, “but my phone has been ringing off the hook with friends and family who did. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
“And what am I doing now?” she said. “You’ve been gone for so long, and now you’ll be gone again for what? Three more years?”
“Four,” said Yuri. “Four years. But you can visit, and we’ll have web cam technology on the vessel.”
“Web cam technology? That’s how our children will get to see their father as they grow up?”
From behind Irina, the sound of a mini stampede was rising, and then three young boys with blond hair came bursting through the door.
“Papa!” they shouted in unison as they jumped into his arms and gripped up at him.
Looking back at his mother, one of the kids said, “Why are you crying, Mama?”
“Because Daddy is going to Mars,” said Yuri, “and she is so happy for me. Isn’t that right Mama?” He looked into her eyes with love, knowing she didn’t want to upset the kids.
“Yes, of course,” she said. “I am so happy. You should be so proud of your papa.”
“Yay!” they shouted.
“Mars is so far away! Can we go?” one of his little ones asked.
“You can’t come with me, bu
t you know what you can do? You can get ice cream! Who wants ice cream?”
“Me, me, me!”
“Then go get your little butts in the truck. Go on, get in there.”
They raced to the SUV, leaving Yuri and his wife alone.
“They love you so much, Yuri bear.”
“I love them. And I love you. You know that, right?”
“Yes,” she said, tears rolling down her face. “I know that, and I love you. I know you have to do this. And I will make sure you have everything you need.”
“Oh? From the sound of that, we might just have a fourth on the way.”
“Yuri!”
Yuri laughed, moved in, and kissed her, grabbing her ample body in his arms.
“Eww!” he heard from behind, the kids voicing their disapproval.
“Oh, you are going to get it!” Yuri mock yelled at them.
The kids all ducked under the windows in the SUV.
“Let’s go get some ice cream,” said Yuri. “That makes everything better, yeah?”
Arm in arm, they walked to the SUV.
Just as Yuri reached for the door handle to let Irina in another black SUV pulled up and two men in dark gray business suits and black sunglasses stepped out. One of them shouted, “Yuri, there’s been a development. We need you to test it out.”
“Now?” said Yuri, looking to his kids, who were now staring at him with sad expectant faces through the window.
“Now.”
Yuri turned to his wife.
“Go,” she said, “we’ll get the ice cream. Your country needs you.”
Yuri couldn’t figure out how to interpret that last part as he watched her get in and drive off with the kids, leaving him there alone at the curb.
He turned to the two suits, and said angrily as he walked towards them, “This better be very very important.”
“It is Yuri. This might just be the big Journey engine drive breakthrough that we’ve been hoping for.”
Mars Journey: Call to Action: Book 1: A SciFi Thriller Series Page 5
