Moon Hoax (Hoax Trilogy Book 1)

by Paul Gillebaard

  Johnny was pretty straight-laced with no sense of humor. “I see. Would you like your regular table, then?”

  Peter smiled. “Privacy would be perfect, my man.”

  Johnny showed no reaction as he turned to escort Peter to his table. Peter followed, double checking the dining room to make sure his friend was nowhere to be seen.

  As they reached the table Johnny asked, “What does your gay friend look like?”

  Peter chuckled. “He’s a short, dark-haired Russian. You can’t miss him. I’ll have my usual drink too.”

  Johnny slightly bowed his head in acceptance, turned and left.

  Peter was looking forward to seeing his old friend. Though he hoped to learn helpful information on both the laser and China, he was also looking forward to catching up with his buddy. Peter had known Dmitri ever since they were young boys playing and getting into trouble at the Soviet Union Space Complex in Star City, near Moscow. Their fathers were both a part of the U.S.-USSR space mission of the mid-’70s where the superpowers would each send up their own spacecraft and dock together in space. Peter’s dad was the backup commander for the United States while Dmitri’s father, Viktor, was the flight engineer on the Soviet’s prime crew.

  Since Tom was a moonwalker, he had enough clout to request his son come along during his training at Star City. Against this request at first, the Soviets eventually gave in due to the prestige Tom brought to the mission. In fact, the Soviets went a step further and had Viktor bring along his eleven-year-old son, Dmitri, so Peter had someone to play with. Though they spoke different languages, the two boys still found ways to communicate, mixing a little Russian with a little English and using a lot of hand gestures. As adventurous boys and admirers of their fathers, both Dmitri and Peter dreamt of flying into space one day. They played on the grounds of the space complex and often pretended they were on a space mission, taking turns who was the commander. They eventually made a blood pact that if one flew in space, the other would do what he could to make sure the other flew.

  Dmitri went on to become a cosmonaut, flying a couple of successful missions, while Peter had yet to go in space. Dmitri and Viktor became the only Russian father and son to have flown in space. The Alexandrovs were considered Russia’s first family of space and were famous throughout their country. This prestige they held within Russia’s space program helped Dmitri obtain the assistant director position at the Russian Federal Space Agency, also known as Roscosmos, or FKA. Peter knew his friend would be as open as he could on any intelligence as long as it did not jeopardize his country or FKA in any way, just as Peter would be with him. Dmitri might have never become a cosmonaut if not for Peter and his father.

  Before too long, Dmitri walked in the restaurant. The short, forty-seven-year-old Russian man with dark hair still had that boyish face Peter knew from years ago. Though his waist looked a little bigger, he still looked to be in good shape. Peter stood and casually waved in Dmitri’s direction. Seeing his wave, Dmitri smiled and began walking toward the table. Peter, in Russian tradition, greeted his old friend with a gentleman’s hug.

  Dmitri said, “It’s been a long time, my dear friend, how are you?”

  As they both took their seats, Peter once again was impressed with Dmitri’s English, even though he still had his Russian accent. He remembered back when they were boys and spoke different languages. Back then Dmitri basically knew two English words, “yes” and “no,” the same two words Peter knew in Russian, “da” and “nyet.” Yet they were able to communicate, play, and be friends. Today, Dmitri spoke English with confidence which Peter assumed was because of his current position having to deal with NASA and so many Americans. Peter responded, “I’m good, considering what has been going on.”

  “Yes, it must be tough on your family, and especially your dad. How is he handling all of this?” asked Dmitri.

  “It’s been hard on both Dad and Mom. We just hope all of these lies are proven wrong soon!”

  Johnny approached the table with Peter’s drink and asked what Dmitri would like.

  “Give us two shots of your best vodka and a glass of Chianti,” replied Dmitri.

  Peter smiled. It was a tradition between them to always start off with a shot of premium vodka.

  After Johnny left to get the drinks, Peter asked, “So, how is your father?”

  “He’s good, but he misses Mom. Ever since she died, he seems to be lost with what to do with his life. He’s living a nice retired life in a beautiful home in southern Russia, but he is lonely and bored. He calls me all the time wanting to know what’s going on at FKA and giving me advice. He means well, but he can sometimes be bothersome. Unfortunately with my schedule, I just can’t get down to see him as much as I would like.”

  “I was sorry to hear about your mom passing away. She was a wonderful person, and what a great cook!”

  Dmitri smiled. “Yes, she was a good cook. We all miss her cooking, especially Dad. He has a lady who comes over to cook and clean, yet he complains about her all the time. I try to explain to him no one can come close to Mom’s Russian cooking. No matter what I say, he’s just hard on this lady.” Slightly chuckling Dmitri continued, “He even says the food he had in space tasted better. Bottom-line, he misses Mom and the space program. I know he wishes he could go back in space one last time, but of course that’s unrealistic at his age.”

  “Well at least the two of you got the opportunity,” remarked Peter with a slight burn of jealousy.

  Dmitri tilted his head to one side. “Peter, why didn’t you ever get to fly? You had to have been one of NASA’s top astronauts?”

  “Chris Riddick, plain and simple,” snapped Peter.

  “Yes, I remember how Chris treated us at Star City. All the other comrades were nice to us, but not him. He was jealous of your dad. He probably should have been dismissed back in the ’70s. It’s amazing he is still at NASA with his shoddy background.”

  “Maybe he slept his way to the top,” Peter suggested with a smirk. Then in a more serious tone he said, “I was surprised he still held a grudge after all those years. Dad tried to warn me, but I thought he only had issues with Dad. Regardless, I’m happy with my current situation. I still might get up in space someday.”

  Dmitri nodded. Peter hadn’t told him the specifics of his current job, only that he worked somehow with the government. Secrets involving national security always stood between them, but Peter knew Dmitri understood that all too well. Rarely did either of them let it dim their friendship.

  Johnny arrived with the drinks and Dmitri grabbed the two vodka shots, giving one to Peter. He raised the shot glass in the air. “As is our tradition, a toast to Comrade Tom, for saving my ass.”

  Peter held his glass high before drinking the full shot in one gulp, as did Dmitri.

  As Dmitri set his shot glass down he spoke from the heart. “Peter, I often think of the sacrifice your dad made. The life I now live is greatly due to both you and your dad, and for that I am grateful.”

  Peter held up his empty shot glass giving an imaginary toast. He always thought it ironic; of the two of them he was the one who never flew in space. He stared at his shot glass remembering back to that night over thirty-six years ago at the Soviet space complex.

  AS A TEN-YEAR-OLD BOY, Peter was startled awake to a loud rapping on his window in the middle of the night. Thinking it might be Dmitri, he snuck over to peek out. Seeing it was his friend, he scrambled to open the window. Dmitri’s face was as white as a ghost and he was out of breath. Dmitri started talking a mile a minute in Russian. Peter had no idea what he was saying. He kept hearing the word trenser, which he thought meant simulator. He remembered the two had talked about one night sneaking into the training center to check out the Soyuz simulator and assumed that’s probably what he did. Wanting to make sure, he asked, “Simulator?” and put his arms out to simulate flying. Dmitri sadly nodded as he said, “Da.” Peter wondered why he was so upset and figured he must have been caught or
something. Dmitri began to cry, saying something else Peter didn’t quite understand, but he thought he heard the word otets which he thought meant father. Dmitri then turned around and trudged away with his head down.

  Peter assumed his friend was going to tell his father what happened. He felt bad as he watched Dmitri walk away. He slowly closed the window and sat back on his bed, head in his hands, thinking back to the day before when they talked about sneaking into the training center. He never thought either of them would actually do it. Now his friend was in trouble. Not sure what to do, he decided to go tell his dad.

  Peter walked into his dad’s room and woke him. As his dad slowly opened his eyes, Peter began telling him what happened. His father told him to slow down and repeat what he was trying to say.

  Suddenly his father’s eyes widened as he quickly lifted his head. “Son, Mr. Alexandrov could be in serious trouble. If Dmitri was caught in the training center without permission, or even worse, broke something, Mr. Alexandrov could be kicked off the mission.” His dad sat up in his bed, rubbing his forehead. “Mr. Alexandrov’s bosses are very strict. It doesn’t matter if it was Dmitri who did wrong. Mr. Alexandrov will pay the price.” His father shook his head and looked straight ahead. “Dmitri is only out here because of you. Viktor is a good man, and a good cosmonaut.” There was a still silence for a moment before his father turned and raised his eyebrows. “Where’s Dmitri now?”

  “I think he was going back to their room to tell his dad,” answered Peter.

  “Son, we don’t want Viktor to be kicked off this mission, it means too much to him.” Tom reached for the phone from the nightstand, setting it on his lap.

  “Who are you calling, Dad?” asked Peter as he moved closer.

  “I am calling Viktor to see exactly what happened.” As his dad dialed the rotary phone Peter rubbed his hands together. He knew of all the cosmonauts, Dmitri’s dad was the only one his dad always talked about, and the only one he could understand through his broken English.

  After six rings, his dad assumed Viktor was not going to answer and was ready to hang up when Viktor’s voice came through the receiver.

  “Allo.”

  His father said later he could hear the sadness.

  “Viktor, it’s me, Tom. Peter just came in my room and said something happened to Dmitri. I was calling to see if he was okay.”

  Peter moved even closer to hear. “Dmitri okay. But hay got in trouble. Hay broke in Sorok Building tonight.”

  “Did he get caught?”

  “Nyet, but Soviet Comrade see him.”

  “Do they know it was Dmitri?”

  “Nyet, but he see boy. Zis all bad, I be sure off mission.”

  Trying to cheer Viktor up, Tom said, “I can’t imagine they would kick you off the mission just because your son was being an adventurous boy.”

  “He not only got in Sorok, he damaged trenser cunthroy panel.”

  “How did he damage the control panel?”

  “Dmitri hit vater glass, spilled vater on cunthroy panel.”

  His dad always said it was careless that the Soviet operators often left food or drinks around the control panel. Apparently Dmitri must have accidently knocked one over. Peter knew any water leaking inside the control panel could break it.

  Not knowing what to say, his father tried to be positive. “Viktor, you are one of the best Soviet cosmonauts. I am sure things will work out okay.” But his father put his head down when he said this, and ended the conversation as best he could before hanging up.

  Peter grabbed his dad’s leg, shaking it. “Is Mr. Alexandrov going to be okay?”

  His dad slowly turned and said, “Son, Mr. Alexandrov is not going to be okay. Dmitri did a very bad thing, and unfortunately his dad will probably be kicked off the mission.”

  “Will he be able to fly another mission someday?”

  Looking Peter straight in the eye his father said, “He will never fly in space. His cosmonaut days will be over. He and Dmitri will have to leave Star City forever.”

  Peter’s heart sank, and he put his head down. He was going to miss his friend.

  His father put his hand on his son’s leg, lightly patting it. “But maybe we can change that.”

  Hearing this perked Peter up and he lifted his head. “How?”

  “You and I will have to tell a lie. I know I’ve told you to never lie, but this is to protect a man, his family, and his future.”

  Peter had become a very honorable boy since being caught and strictly punished for a lie he told his father. This was the first time his dad suggested a lie would be okay. He was confused, but desperately wanted to help his friend. “How do we do that?”

  “Dmitri’s father says they only know it was a boy who snuck into the building. Since you two are the only boys on the base, it was either you or him. I have already walked on the moon and that’ll never change. Nothing I do in the space program will ever top that. If we say you were the one who snuck in, then NASA will discipline me. Sadly you’ll probably be sent home, but that’ll be it, and Mr. Alexandrov can stay on to fly the mission. I’m on the backup crew, but Victor is primary and this is his first space mission. If we do nothing, he’ll probably be kicked off the mission and out of the space program. His whole career ruined.” His father put his arm around him. “I believe this is the right thing to do, but I want it to be your decision. Whatever you decide I’ll support. It’s up to you.”

  Peter looked down at the floor, thinking on what to do. He was honored his dad was allowing him to make the decision, and he didn’t want to disappoint him. But he was scared of what might happen to him, and felt he would probably have to fly back home alone. After a few moments thinking of his friend and Mr. Alexandrov, who was always nice to him, he clinched his jaw before saying, “I’ll do it! I’ll hate having to go home, but if you think it’s the right thing, then I’ll do it.”

  His father smiled and gave him a big hug. “The Soviets may be a little hard on you for damaging their equipment, but don’t let it bother you. I’ll try to take the brunt of whatever they say to you. Just be apologetic.”

  Peter nodded. His dad immediately grabbed the phone and called Viktor again.

  This time it was just a couple rings before Peter overheard, “Allo.”

  “Viktor, it’s Tom again. Have you talked to anyone yet about what happened?”

  “Nyet. I vas getting ready call General Titov.”

  “Good! Viktor, I have been thinking about this. It sounds like from what you said, they know it was a boy, but probably don’t know who. I talked to Peter, and knowing how important this is to you and your family, he will say he was the one who broke into the training complex.”

  Peter didn’t hear a response from Mr. Alexandrov and moved closer to his dad hoping that would help. Peter looked at his dad, who shook his head as if saying Mr. Alexandrov was thinking about it. Peter sat patiently, before overhearing, “Tom, I von’t accept zis kind offer. I take blame. Dmitri did vrong, I handle.”

  “Viktor, I’ve walked on the moon and nothing can top that! This is your first mission!” His father continued to press until Mr. Alexandrov finally accepted his proposal. However, Mr. Alexandrov promised he would never forget this generous offer and would always be indebted to him and to Peter.

  Tom ended up being reprimanded by NASA for embarrassing his country, but was left on the mission. Nonetheless he was told by his superiors this would be his last mission, and therefore he never flew the Shuttle. Peter did have to leave for home and was not allowed back to visit his dad. Viktor went on to fly the U.S.-USSR mission, as well as two other missions to the Salyut Space Station. Because of Viktor’s roots and successes in the early part of the Soviet space program, the door opened for Dmitri to become a cosmonaut, and he ended up flying two missions himself.

  JOHNNY STOPPED BY THE TABLE to see if Peter and Dmitri were ready to order. Dmitri responded he had not reviewed the menu and asked for a few more minutes. As Johnny winked
and walked away, Dmitri turned to Peter and whispered, “Does he think we’re a couple or something?”

  Peter laughed. “Not sure where he would get that idea.”

  Dmitri gave Peter a quizzical look before studying the menu. Since Peter planned on getting his usual, he leisurely scanned the restaurant. An incredibly attractive lady entered from the adjoining dining room, escorted by a gentleman. Peter couldn’t help but stare at this beauty. She looked to be in her mid-thirties with jet black hair falling past her shoulders. She wore a short, form-fitting black business skirt and a white blouse, unbuttoned aggressively low. She completed this classy yet seductive ensemble with a beautiful pair of sexy high-heeled black boots; Peter’s favorite. She was dressed to impress. This was a woman Peter wanted to meet.

  As Peter continued to stare, the lady turned and looked his way. To his surprise she seemed to smile in his direction. Does she know me? She turned to say something to the gentleman before rotating back around, flipping her hair in a titillating manner as she started walking Peter’s way. Wow! She walked with a mesmerizing air of confidence. He assumed she must be a woman he had met in the past, maybe a past lover, or one of his one-night-stands. He scanned through his rolodex of past woman in his mind. Come on Peter, you’ve got to be able to remember this hot babe! No luck. Peter prided himself on his ability to remember faces, especially women he had dated. He frantically continued searching but he was still coming up blank.

  As she approached he felt he should be a gentleman and stood from the booth with a smile to give the impression he knew her. He was preparing to give her a hug, but to his surprise she walked right past him as if he wasn’t even there. She bent over and gave Dmitri a kiss on his cheek. Peter, feeling a bit silly, smiled. Dmitri, you lucky dog. He couldn’t help checking her out from behind—she looked good from all angles. Dmitri leaned away from the kiss, jerking his gaze from his menu, but upon seeing who it was, quickly stood and gave her a big hug, grinning.

  Peter, still standing next to the two, watched awkwardly. Finally he interjected with some jealousy, “Dmitri, aren’t you going to introduce me to your beautiful friend?”