Rogue Stars

by C Gockel et al.

  “That’s about right,” Mr. Smith said. “What you haven’t learned yet is that the president will be going public with this information tomorrow evening. Too many science civvies have detected the transmissions and are discussing their significance. A couple of university types are even putting two and two together and linking the event with the Chinese mission.”

  “Yeah, I’ve seen the news. Going to be groundbreaking stuff, but won’t that tip off the Chinese that we’ve been spying on their space program?” Jack said.

  “They know, just not the extent that we’ve been surveilling them. The bigger problem right now is Russia—” Smith said, being interrupted by Tom.

  “Damn! Told you them Ruskies would be involved.”

  “Now, Tom, don’t go jumping to conclusions,” Marge said, sitting back down and looking across the table at the old mechanical engineer.

  “Actually, the man is right, to a degree. Brown, can you go to section five?” Smith said.

  Mrs. Brown advanced the presentation, skipping over the title and stopping on a schematic of two rockets laid side by side along with a data bar on the right side indicating various technical specifications such as height, weight, thrust, payload in tons, propellant type, and capacity, amongst a myriad of other detailed data.

  “The first rocket is an Energia IV, and our sources tell us the Russians are planning to launch three of them in a row starting today,” Smith said, looking around the table for reactions. He needn’t have searched too hard.

  “What do you mean by ‘in a row’?” Lisa asked.

  “As in one today and the next two shortly thereafter,” Smith said.

  “How shortly?” Jack chimed in.

  “We don’t know . . . yet,” Brown said, advancing to the next slide where an Energia IV was fully fueled and ready for takeoff.

  “We should have something soon. Today’s launch is to retrieve our astronauts from the Russian Pride,” Smith finished.

  Rock looked around and saw a bit of surprise on everyone’s face except for Tom, who had a look of I told you so written across it as clear as day. “So that’s why the president has to go public,” Rock said.

  “That and what we already discussed,” Smith said. “It was rather abrupt of them, and our people have been incommunicado since Sunday. The Russians are passing messages to them, so that tells us they know. Well, that and their current activity.”

  “I told you . . .” Tom said, grinning as if he had won some sort of contest.

  “Do the Russians have that kind of lift capability?” Jeff asked.

  “Well, they are currently booked for nearly a dozen launches over the rest of the year,” Marge said. Everyone looked at her in bewilderment. “What? I watch the news, too, you know.”

  “That’s not news, Marge,” Jack said. “Not normal news, at any rate.”

  “She’s correct,” Smith said. “We’re surprised they were able to swap out the payload in only five days.”

  “That’s not too difficult to believe,” Rock said. “They keep a crew module at the ready as part of their emergency procedures. Wouldn’t be too difficult to swap the payload module.”

  “I didn’t realize you knew so much about Russian space program procedures,” Brown said, narrowing her eyes.

  “Smith, didn’t you share my file with your colleague?” Rock asked, looking at the man.

  “Need to know,” Smith said, “and she didn’t need. Brown, Mr. Crandon spent several years as our NASA liaison with ESA and Ruscosmos as part of our joint space exploration venture a few years back.”

  Rock felt his boss Lui lean in closely before he spoke. “At least he used mister this time.” Then just as quickly, he leaned back.

  “Understood,” Brown stated.

  “So what’s the plan?” Rock asked, eager to finish this meeting and get to work.

  “You and your team find a way to get to the moon within three months. No limits on your resources.” Smith nodded.

  “That’s impossible,” Lui said. “It will take that long just to organize a plan and start allocating human resources, not to mention physical assets. My people will need more time.”

  “Sorry to hear you say that, Director Lui,” Smith said uncharacteristically. “You can tell the president yourself in person when she arrives tomorrow evening.”

  “Well now, that’s just great,” Tom said. Everyone sighed.

  6 Opening Moves

  Home

  Houston, Texas

  In the near future, Day 7

  * * *

  The reentry was successful, and Julie felt relieved there were no complications. Despite the thrill of being an astronaut, she was always a bit anxious when she had to use Russian equipment to reach space and back. The mere act of being an astronaut was far more dangerous than any actuary chart could illustrate.

  She was upset that she only had two days to spend with her family. There were no explanations, only orders. Craig and she were to report to NASA headquarters for extended duty on Monday, and that was that. It was so odd.

  Maybe not so odd at how quickly they were flown back from Hawaii. They had landed less than a thousand miles west of Honolulu and were picked up by a joint fleet of Russian and American naval ships and then quickly flew to Hawaii by helicopter and then flown directly to Houston and released with the medical exam having been performed on the plane.

  She was in good shape, no muscle atrophy due to the rigorous exercise program they utilized while in space, but the sensation of being home only twelve hours after leaving the Russian space station remained surreal for her. This was definitely not being done by the book.

  She had slept Friday night in her own bed, restless and constantly being reminded that gravity now had a hold on her, and she had woken early, disoriented and a bit frazzled. That soon disappeared when she had the chance to spend the day with her family.

  Later that night, dinner was exceptional and not only because she could eat it with her family, but because it was solid and not that liquid goo she had been eating for nearly two months. Sure, they had a few solids like candy, granola bars, and dried fruit and meat, but nothing substantial. Nothing that would fill the belly like it did on earth. That part she did not miss about being in space.

  “When do you want to put the kids in bed, hun?” her husband, Ed, asked, picking up a few plates and putting them in the sink.

  Julie looked at Thomas and Olivia in the front room watching one of her childhood favorite shows, Tom and Jerry, on Nick at Night when the show was cut short and replaced by an empty podium with what looked to be the presidential seal. “That’s odd,” Julie said.

  “What is it?” Ed asked, looking to the living room as well.

  “Seems there is something urgent on the news, but I’ve never known them to cut into a children’s program on cable before,” Julie said, moving around the table and grabbing Olivia and setting her in her lap, hugging her tightly.

  “Why do they do that?” Thomas asked, not too happy at the interruption.

  “Something important?” Ed joined the family.

  “I don’t know,” Julie said. There’s no news announcer and no sound, just the presidential podium at the White House.”

  They didn’t have long to wait. President Powers began her address and within ten minutes had explained the events that had occurred on the moon a week ago. She ended by stating that the United States of America, working closely with our British and Japanese allies, would be sending a team of specially selected and skilled astronauts to the moon to investigate. There was no press personnel, and when she finished, the screen paused for a minute before the children’s show resumed as if nothing had happened.

  “Daddy, what does that mean?” Olivia asked, wiggling in her mother’s lap.

  Ed looked at Julie, eyes wide, mouth moving but nothing coming out for a long moment. Finally he managed a few words. “I think it means Mommy’s going to the moon.”

  “Now that’s bitchin!” Thomas sa
id, half jumping, half running around the room. Neither parent seemed to notice.

  Rock sat in his recliner in his study, watching his wife’s reaction. Sally had been with him for over three decades and was used to his long and unpredictable hours. All of their children were grown and out of the house.

  “So that’s what you’ve been up to?” she asked.

  “Yeah, it will get worse before it gets better.”

  “So for all week you kept this to yourself?” she asked, a hint of hurt crossing her countenance.

  “We’ve been through this a dozen times before, Sal. You know I can’t discuss some matters,” Rock said.

  Sally looked at him in amazement. “We’re talking about goddamn aliens here, pardon my blasphemy.” Sally came from the Bible Belt, so she often apologized for her language. Rock was used to it. “Couldn’t you have told me about this, at least?”

  Rock sighed. “Probably, but with the DC trip and countless meetings, debriefs, and other crap, I haven’t had the time.”

  “You should have found time for this,” she said, turning back to the television and changing the channel to one of the major stations that were now discussing the president’s address to the nation.

  So much for operational security now, Rock thought, and the president is going to owe me big time for this one. Rock wasn’t sure how long Sally would hold this grudge. Better to get back to work and let her cool down. The news was too surreal, and despite knowing about it all week, he was sure many of his fellow Americans would be digesting this for a long time to come.

  People’s Republic Space Command

  Outside of Beijing, China

  In the near future, Day 9

  * * *

  Hun Lee didn’t see this one coming. It was Monday evening, and earlier that weekend, the president of the United States just dropped a bombshell on the entire world. The reaction in his department today had been swift and brutal. Director Chui was taken from the Beijing offices under armed escort, and any pretenses of being discreet, or even secretive, were non-existent.

  Several cabinet politburo members were dismissed from their positions, including the Minister of the Air and Space Bureau and the Minister of Scientific Affairs. The entire country was talking about the incident, despite the strong censorship of the internet and an ironclad grip over every media outlet. Most news, indeed facts, could be quashed by the state-controlled media, but this bombshell had a life of its own. It managed to worm its way into every part of Chinese culture and society.

  Hun never bothered to leave his office, waiting for security to arrive and escort him to who knows where. He had telephoned his wife and told her he loved her. She returned the sentiment and then cried. That told Hun all he needed to know. He turned the volume up on his small flat-screen television mounted to the wall.

  The entire State Council had met and issued a statement. It appeared after trying all day to suppress the information, they must have decided to roll with it instead. Better to control than conceal was an old Chinese expression, and the Communist party followed it well. The Chinese Lunar Mission Explorer was simply maintaining radio silence while it investigated the phenomena, and much attention was paid to the fact that the Chinese were the ones to have made the historical discovery. The Americans’ statement had even said as much. Lies were most effective when mixed with truths.

  Hun found this line interesting as he half expected his government to resist for several days till something could be concocted. Saving face was something the West did not understand about his culture. Unusual that the Americans went public with something so groundbreaking, and Hun was ruminating what the motive could be.

  Then he heard the commotion as well as the rhythmic, pulsating steps of high boots that could only signify the arrival of the state’s security forces. His time had arrived.

  “Commander Lee,” a man in military uniform stated as he entered his office with two armed guards followed by another older man, also in uniform. Hun could see several more military staff through his window outside in the hallway, several of them bringing in electronic equipment.

  “Yes, I’m Hun Lee,” he said, standing and coming around to face the men in front of his desk. They could take a lot away from him, but he would go with his dignity in front of his staff, if nothing else. He looked through the doorway and could see the faces of several of his team members who had not left the office despite the work day having completed over an hour ago.

  “This is General Wang,” the younger officer said, pointing to the older man as he stepped forward and looked at Hun from head to toe.

  “Sir,” Hun said.

  “I’ll be taking over as director of the People’s Republic Space Command. You and your team will take orders directly from me and my staff. Are we clear, Commander Hun?” The general was no nonsense, straight to the point, not surprising in a military professional.

  “So I’ll be staying?” Hun said, his facial expression giving away more than he knew.

  “Of course. You’ve only recently been appointed to mission lead, and as its commander, you’re in the best position to execute the next phase of our space operations.”

  Hun didn’t like the way the man used the word execute, but his surprise at not being sacked overwhelmed his good sense, and in a sloppy gesture better he had left undone, Hun Lee saluted the general. “Yes, sir, General Wang. Your first orders, sir.”

  Hun realized how he must look, but he didn’t care anymore. He was sure the general wouldn’t understand his confusion, and it didn’t matter as the man’s serious countenance started to display the faint outline of a smile. “Get us back to the moon. Major Wu will prepare a lunar rocket for our first mission, and then you and your team will take over once we have reached lunar orbit,” Wang said, nodding to a man in uniform just behind him. The general then turned, exiting the office and asking one of his aides where the director’s office was located.

  When the room cleared, Hun walked back to his desk and sat down, placing his head in his hands and not caring what his staff thought of him for a moment. He breathed easier and then realized he had no idea how to accomplish what the general just demanded. Hun started to feel dizzy again.

  Vostochny Cosmodrome

  Siberia, Russia

  In the near future, Day 9

  * * *

  Vlad set his phone down and sighed. The heavy launch would continue in a few hours despite the change in plans. Those damn Americans had no idea how to keep a secret. No wonder they had to be a republic. No sane government would have done what they did, the way they did it. What did they think they were going to accomplish? If it was worldwide chaos and pandemonium, then they pretty well were succeeding from what the news reports were indicating.

  “Something bothering you, boss?” Aleksey said, entering Vlad’s office without knocking.

  “Have a seat, Alex. I take it we’re prepared, then?”

  “Of course. We’ll have the heavy ready for launch this evening. We just missed the morning window, so we’ll have to wait for twelve hours,” Alex said while sitting and wiping his hands on his jumpsuit. “Small problem to take care of.”

  Vlad understood that a lunar launch had only two optimal windows within which to launch efficiently. One consisted of a direct launch, slinging around the curvature of the earth and straight toward the moon. The other one did the same thing, but only after circling the earth first, using the increased speed of any launch vehicle at its perigee for a boost assist. It took more time, but the escape velocity was higher and actually resulted in a quicker trip. They had missed that window and now faced the direct launch, which burned more fuel but was manageable by the Energia X rocket.

  “Yes, I received the report and passed it on to Moscow this morning before the American announcement,” Vlad said, looking across at his chief engineer and setting down his pen he had just picked up.

  Alex chuckled. “That was a stunner. Didn’t see that one coming. I take it the Gordust reached it
s new orbit?”

  “Yes. Didn’t Yosef tell you?” Vlad asked.

  “No. Yosef was working on securing the orbiter, and they were having problems with the exploding bolts. He feared they weren’t going to fire reliably based on the way the orbiter was wired so we didn’t get a chance to talk yet, but they finished not long ago.”

  Vlad smiled. Yosef would work all day and all night if he had to. He felt confident the orbiter would be ready to go in time as the report indicated. “Good, so he finished early. Still, that’s cutting it close, only a few hours before launch. We’ll have to fuel it soon, and I wouldn’t have cleared that if you hadn’t finished the preparations on the orbiter.”

  “And the Gordust?”

  “Ah yes, the burn went perfectly Saturday. Three hours and the new altitude adjustment was achieved. It will be ready for the next phase,” Vlad said, smiling at Alex.

  Alex returned the smile and stopped his compulsive hand gestures against his jumpsuit. “Good thing we made those module pod support bars load bearing, eh, Vlad?”

  “Indeed, though we could have never imagined an operation like the one we’re about to perform. Orbit adjustments are one thing, cosmic travel is something entirely different.”

  “You think the Americans will see this one coming?” Alex asked.

  “Not a chance, Alex, not a chance. I wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen the authorization for it.”

  “Well, no matter what happens, we’ll have six more heroes of the Russian Star,” Alex said, referring to their government’s highest award.

  “Agreed, Alex,” Vlad said. Either in person or posthumously, Vlad thought privately.

  “What is that American saying?” Alex asked. “They will shit their pants when they find out.”

  “I think it’s piss their pants, Alex, though my English is rusty,” Vlad said.