His boss sat before placing his arms on the desk. “Once again, you did a hell of a job out there. With all of your space experience, you’re becoming a valuable asset to this agency.”
Peter curled in his lips. A tinge of guilt tugged at him knowing he would be giving his notice. “Thanks, Boss.”
“Because of your long list of heroics, the President has offered to meet you on your time. You call the shot when.”
Peter was pleased Anya was going to get to wear her red dress for its intended purpose. He motioned toward his crutches. “Great, I think I’ll hold off until I get rid of those damn things.”
“No problem; you just tell me when.” Gavin flipped open the file in front of him.
Exhaling a deep breath, Peter leaned in. “So have we figured out what China was up to?”
Gavin leaned back as he crossed his arms. “Well, the specifics are above my pay grade. But it sounds like China was using EarthOrbit as a front to steal U.S. space technologies to eventually set up space-based offensive systems. Part of their overall plan looked to first discredit our space program before eventually ruling space.”
Peter shot him an astounded look.
Without blinking, his boss answered in a matter-of-fact tone, “Yep, a scary thought, huh? But thanks to you, that won’t be happening.” Gavin paused for a moment. “We also learned they were involved in the explosion on the Soyuz. Apparently they were testing their detonation system with the hopes of also grounding the Russian spacecraft. Thanks to its spherical design, the spacecraft was able to withstand much of the external explosion.”
Peter was stunned. “I can’t believe China was able to sneak that device onto a Soyuz.”
“Considering the state of the Russian program and its economy, I’m not surprised, especially when you consider the spectacular failure of the Proton rocket recently due to a part being carelessly installed backward. It wouldn’t take much to bribe a worker at Baikonur.”
Disappointed, Peter asked, “Have we informed the Russians?”
“Yes, they were shocked to hear the news and question if we have our facts right. They are going to do their own internal investigation.”
Peter planned on discussing the specifics with Dmitri later.
“You should be aware the President wants this kept secret, as well as the fact that China was behind the explosion on Iris. We want to continue with the ruse that the explosions were due to faulty spacecrafts.”
Peter unlocked his arms in surprise, mystified by the President’s action. “Why? A man died up there.”
Gavin looked unnerved and his voice remained steady, coming across in a reassuring tone. “I know. But right now we don’t want to alarm China. We plan on going through EarthOrbit’s list of contractors to try and flush out more Chinese operatives. After we have turned over every stone, we’ll then present our findings and the President will take the appropriate action.”
“Okay, good. So was Walter China’s inside man at EarthOrbit?”
“No, it turns out the owner of EarthOrbit was. He hid behind a camouflage of companies and is of Chinese heritage. It looks like China was financing the whole operation. The president of the company appears to have been merely a puppet for the owner, doing as he was told. Walter Goings was unaware of the bomb on Iris.”
Peter was glad the president was innocent. “What about the shop manager, Carl Stewart, any idea how he died?”
“He was poisoned, and two suspects were arrested.”
Peter shook his head as he lowered his eyes. “Did they have a link to China?”
“One did. He looked to be working undercover for China’s secret service.”
Peter looked up. “Carl was a good man. Thanks to him, we learned of the bomb, which ultimately saved the International Space Station. We need to make sure his family is taken care of.”
Gavin nodded with determination in his eyes, “I’ll make that happen.”
Curious about Chris’s involvement, Peter asked, “How about Chris Riddick?”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but the old man looks to be clean, though as you know he has a serious addiction to gambling.” Gavin leaned over with a sly smirk. “I hear you beat the shit out of him.”
Peter fought the impulse to berate the man as he rolled his eyes. “I hit him a few times. I wanted to stop, but he seemed to be enjoying it.”
Gavin fell back laughing. “I’m sure someone enjoyed it.”
Peter just smiled and folded his arms. “How about EarthOrbit, will the company still exist?”
“That’s a good question. Don’t know, but I hear our government might take over ownership.”
Peter hoped that would happen and eventually the government would sell it to a private enterprise. He saw many advantages in having a commercial spaceport in the country. “What about my request on setting up college funds for Blake’s boys?”
“Approved! They will be able to attend any public college in Texas, free of charge.”
That was a relief. “Great, thanks.”
Gavin laced his fingers together on his stomach as he directed an intrigued look Peter’s way. “Before we get into too much detail on your mission, I wanted to run something by you.”
Uh oh, here it goes. Peter sat up in his chair, expecting his boss to bring up another assignment. He had made up his mind, no matter what, he would turn it down. Since this would be a first, he was sure it would lead to telling Gavin he was done.
“How would you like my job?”
Peter’s jaw dropped as the words hung in the air for a moment. “What? Where are you going?”
“With the success of the agency, Jack has decided to run for public office, and I was given his job. We discussed it and agreed you’d be the perfect man to lead SID.”
Peter was caught off guard. He hadn’t even thought of the possibility of doing a desk job for the agency. If he took the position, he and Anya would have to move to Virginia. He rubbed his chin for a moment. “Thanks, Gavin, I feel honored. I’m definitely interested, but I need to first run it by my fiancée.”
Gavin shook his head as a lopsided smirk began to creep across his face. “I still can’t believe you’re getting married. I used to live out my fantasies through you. I understand; let me know what you two decide.”
A grin fell on Peter’s face as he stared out the window.
ONE YEAR LATER
FOR THE FIRST time, Anya’s expression reminded Peter of her father. He studied her face, wondering what the connection was. Then it hit him, the unique wrinkle on her forehead, which he had never seen before. The few times he ever saw the brave cosmonaut with a similar wrinkled brow, he was straining and deeply focused, just as Anya was now.
Peter was losing all circulation in his hand due to his wife squeezing it so tightly. Blood was starting to become visible due to her fingernails digging deep into his skin. He simply accepted the nuisance considering the intense pain she was going through with every contraction. He thought she was crazy, requesting to deliver their child naturally. With all the drugs out there, he tried to convince her otherwise. She showed how she could be stubborn too, flatly rejecting an epidural. No matter what Peter said, she was not having it. Even when she described the labor pains as feeling like someone was reaching inside and trying to rip out every single organ, she never relented. She insisted that the rest between each contraction was enough to sustain her. She wanted to feel her body giving birth like her mother had. He was proud she stuck to her guns.
Although Peter had participated in all the birthing classes, he never really took them seriously. He was so sure his wife would opt for drugs. Due to his lack of attentiveness in class, he was screwing up their breathing exercises. He looked at her with a pleading expression as if to say, “What should I do?” Through the excruciating pain, Anya looked almost amused as she gave him an understanding nod before she closed her eyes and seemed to go off to a better place in her mind. She simply surrendered and accepted the pain, which appear
ed to make it more bearable. He just stared in awe, impressed.
After hours of intense labor pains, Anya was about to reward both of them with the miracle of life. The question was would it be a boy or girl? Anya was adamant on not knowing their child’s sex until delivery. Though Peter had a few opportunities to find out, he decided to wait and be in the dark with her. Of course, this made decorating the baby’s room a challenge.
The doctor announced the head had crested and the labor nurse barked to keep pushing. Anya’s breathing increased as she knuckled down, the wrinkle still visible on her forehead. She took in one final deep breath before looking directly at Peter. With determination in her eyes and a sheer force of will, she gave another hard push. “Uggg.”
Peter’s palms were sweating as he tried to cheer her on. “Come on, baby, you can do it.” He didn’t look to see what was happening, but could tell the nurses and doctor were busy.
Finally the doctor called out, “It’s a boy!”
Anya collapsed backward in the bed from exhaustion, pale and shaking. She instinctively grabbed hold of the squirmy infant the doctor had plopped onto her belly. Now that Peter’s hands were free, he quickly grabbed a damp towel and leaned over to dab the sweat off her forehead. “Good job, honey.”
Still breathing heavily and gently holding her baby, she turned and locked eyes with Peter. She spoke in a silky calm whisper, “Maybe I’ll use drugs next time.”
Peter chuckled as the baby cried. “Good idea.”
The soft voice of the nurse asked, “So, Father, would like you to cut the umbilical cord?”
Peter’s smile widened hearing his new title. He answered proudly, “Absolutely, I have to do something to help bring my boy into this world.” He was handed a small pair of metal scissors. He focused on his son, who was flushed, pink all over with a good deal of dark hair. Peter smiled big as he humbly cut the cord before leaning back toward Anya, who had a glow about her. “He’s beautiful.”
A broad smile crossed her lips. Tears of joy and exhaustion streaked her face.
Soon it was visiting hours and friends were coming and going. The nurse had suggested keeping the baby in the nursery to make sure no infections were passed. Anya had freshened up and was sitting in the bed. Peter’s mom had volunteered to be the escort to whoever wanted to view the little boy. She was practically giddy with excitement after finally becoming a grandmother.
A name for the boy had not been decided. Since its sex was unknown until birth, neither had put much effort into coming up with a name. Anya had mentioned if she had a boy she liked the name “Paul” because of St. Paul, but nothing was ever settled. With the room finally quiet, Peter decided it was time to make a decision. As he was about to ask, a soft knock on the door interrupted him.
Peter called out, “Come in.”
Jesse poked his head in. “Am I disturbing anything?”
Sensing his SID agent was apprehensive about entering, Peter reassured Jesse by waving him in. “Not at all, Jesse, come on in.”
Jesse slowly opened the door before entering with flowers and a big, white teddy bear with a big pink bow on its head. “Sorry I’m coming around late. It was tough getting out of the office. So how’s the mother doing?”
Anya straightened up slightly. “I’m doing great. Thanks, Jesse.”
Jesse lifted up the gifts. “Well, here is a little something for you and the little tyke from the agency.”
Anya cooed. “Oh, how sweet. Thanks.”
Peter got up. “I’ll take those, buddy.”
Jesse looked at his boss with a sly expression. “Lola wanted me to point out that she picked out the teddy bear, and purposely picked a girl one. She figured if you ended up having a boy, the little guy would probably have a little of you in him.”
Both Anya and Peter laughed as he set the gifts with the others.
After some light conversation, Jesse wanted to discuss business. “Peter, you got a call from Tang. I went ahead and took it. He wanted to let you know he was able to get Ying’s husband a job at CNSA.”
Peter appreciated Tang taking care of his request. After the taikonaut retired from space travel, he too was promoted to a desk job, Manager of Space Operations. Peter asked his friend if he would help out the young mother. Her family would be more accepted in Beijing, where it was not uncommon to have more than two kids in a family. He was sure Sie Wang had something to do with it since he made most of the decisions for the agency after taking over after Kuang’s death. The former CNSA manager was found innocent of any crimes and reinstated to the agency with honors. His placement had been part of the organization’s makeover after the cause of the space accidents were made public. CNSA and their programs had become much more transparent to the world since Sie had taken over.
Finally, the room was quiet. Visiting hours had ended and the two of them were alone with their baby. Anya looked dead tired. Her eyes were closed, the baby sleeping peacefully on her chest. Peter took a moment to take in the beautiful sight, spinning his wedding band on his finger. He couldn’t believe he was looking at his family. A joyous feeling overtook him, convinced he had finally cracked the code of life. He leaned in close and whispered in Anya’s ear. “We need to name our little boy.”
Anya gradually opened her eyes. “Yes, we do. Any ideas?”
“Well, I like Paul, but during your labor I felt there was only one name that would work for my boy.”
Anya straightened up a little, her eyes opening wider. “And what name is that?”
Peter lightly stroked his boy’s head as he proudly proclaimed, “Viktor.”
Her blue eyes sparkled with the suggestion. “Aw, are you sure?”
He leaned over and pushed her dark bangs out of her eyes. “Absolutely.”
She lifted her sleeping child so his face was toward her, carefully supporting his head. “What do you think? You want to be named after your grandfather?” She brought the baby back to her chest. “I love it. However, I want one change.”
Peter furrowed his eyebrows. “What’s that?”
“His middle name has to be Thomas.”
Peter grinned. “Viktor Thomas Novak. I like it, sounds strong.”
“It does.”
“With a name like that and his heritage, he’ll probably be the first man on Mars.”
Anya reached over and patted his arm. “Slow down, honey. Let’s first worry about getting him out of kindergarten.”
Peter leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. “Deal.”
Space Hoax (Hoax Trilogy Book 2) Page 30
