CHAPTER 20
Major Bovarin and Captain Gorev maneuvered the Pitchka into Vallis Alpes. Starting from the position from which the Chinese had fired their missile, they moved south, mapping every inch of the lunar surface. Then Gorev heard something strange.
“Anton,” said the captain, “I am picking up some sort of regular frequency pulse. Like a homing beacon.”
“Can you get a direction, Viktor?”
“Yes, straight ahead. Not far away.”
“Then we continue straight ahead and map. Be sure our exterior cameras are ready.”
Ten minutes later: “The signal is getting stronger. We are nearing the source,” said Gorev.
“Turn on the cameras; we want pictures of what is here.”
“Cameras are on. Look there! About half a mile ahead. It looks like some sort of big packages…. very big,” said Gorev.
“I see them. I count five,” said Bovarin.
“I count five as well. Suggest we move to the left a little and stop forward motion. Cameras are rolling,” said Gorev.
“Holding position. What do you make of them, Viktor?”
“Unsure. I seem to remember reading about some inflatable habitats that looked like that, but I have never actually seen them,” responded Gorev.
“If that is what they are, Control needs to know this right away. Keep the cameras going while I contact them,” said Bovarin as he contacted Baikonur Control.
“General,” shouted Vavilov, “the Pitchka has discovered five non-lunar objects on the surface of Vallis Alpes.”
“What in the name of the Rodina is a ‘non-lunar object’?” asked Anikin with a raised eyebrow, clearly puzzled.
“Unsure, General. Captain Gorev thinks they may be inflatable habitats.”
“What? Is he sure?” Alarmed, Anikin sat straighter in his chair.
“He cannot be sure, General, but he believes he has seen something similar in his reading material.”
“Get our analysts on this immediately! Tell the Pitchka to look at the area around the objects. Look for digging, holes, anything that might be unusual.”
“Yes, General.”
“Anton, we are to look around the area for holes, digging, or anything unusual,” said Gorev.
“Easily done. Let’s make an expanding circle search around the packages and see what we find.”
Only minutes later, Gorev said, “Stop! Look straight ahead at the valley wall. Is that a cave entrance?”
“Yes, something like a cave entrance. However, it is more likely an exposed lava tube, and a big one,” said Bovarin. “Get this view on the cameras and send to Control.”
“Commander,” said Harry, interrupting the conversation among the group in the Moon site.
“What is it, Harry?”
“Our sensors are showing that the Pitchka has discovered the Chinese site and the supply deposits.”
“What are they doing now?” asked Van with concern.
“The Pitchka has just landed, and two men are out and exploring the lava tube entrance. I am placing it on the Ops Center main screen now.”
The group of Americans watched with intense interest as the Russian cosmonauts explored both the supply bundles and the lava tube entrance.
“So far,” said Dick, “they seem to be careful not to disturb anything, which is a good sign.”
“Yes, but you can bet their control center is all excited. The Russians now have proof that the Chinese are intending to set up shop on the Moon,” said Van.
“Other than a ‘Moon race’ issue, what’s the problem with that?” Brice asked.
“The problem,” said Dick, “is that Chinese space policy is to establish hegemony on the Moon and deny access to all others. And they seem to be on their way to doing just that.”
“Except for us, of course,” said Danny. “I mean, those of us here in this site.”
“Yes of course,” responded Dick rubbing his chin. “The question is, what do we do about it?”
After a moment, Van said, “Nothing,”
Everyone turned to looked at him at once. “What do you mean ‘nothing’?” said Brice.
“We do nothing for the moment. Just watch and wait to see what happens.”
“But somebody needs to know about this,” said Stan.
“Who needs to know? If you mean the US, they can do nothing except stir the pot. No, the Russians and the Chinese need the opportunity to work this out,” said Van.
“And if they don’t?” asked Dick with skepticism.
“If they don’t, they may be giving us an opportunity we can use,” said Van to a mystified audience. Perhaps a good scare is a way of unifying everyone, especially when it comes to space. I’ll just have to wait and see.
With Russian, Chinese, and even Brazilian involvement in space growing, the US government, especially NASA, was receiving popular pressure to join the race soon. But there were problems. Especially after the announcement of the apparent crash of the civilian Space Ship 4 on the Moon.
“Fred,” said John Ashley, a NASA administrator, from where he sat behind his desk in his Houston office, “what’s the status on the Atlantis?”
Fred Reynolds, the director of operations, replied, “We have two fusion engines installed, along with the fuel tanks. We have some fuel to test the engines, but the main supplier, EOS Chemicals, says that demands are outpacing their supply and we will have to wait.”
“Wait? This is the US government. Don’t they understand that?” said an indignant Ashley, pounding his fist on his desk.
“I suggested to them that we could be a major customer, but they didn’t seem impressed.”
“And how long do they expect us to wait?”
Fred waited a moment before responding to the question; the answer would not go well with the director.
“Indefinitely, sir. It seems that all their production has been purchased for the next year.”
“A—a year?” Director Ashley stammered as he abruptly stood. “That’s ridiculous! Who could be using that much fuel?” And then he sat, or more like fell, back in his chair.
“They didn’t say, but my guess would be the Chinese and the Russians. Perhaps the Brazilians as well.”
“Well who else is making the stuff? EOS can’t be the only source. Anybody here in the US?”
“There is some work being done in the Philippines, but that has slowed after the accident. Here in the US, inroads are being made, but large production quantities are not yet available.”
“We don’t need large production quantities yet. Just enough to get us to the Moon and back before we are completely outclassed. See what you can find—and soon!”
“Yes, sir,” said Fred with small hopes as he walked away. Unless that company in Texas, Sojourn I think their name is, can do something, I think we are SOL, he thought to himself.
“General,” said Mikhael, “Major Bovarin has hidden the cameras around the Chinese site as you ordered, and he is asking if you have any other directions before the Pitchka leaves the Moon.”
“Any word yet on a Chinese Chang’e launch?”
“No launches yet, sir.”
Interesting. They must be having problems, Anikin thought. “Tell the major to leave the site in the direction he came in from and then proceed to other mapping areas that we have not yet covered.”
“Yes, sir.”
Anikin pondered the situation for a moment as he tapped his fingers on the arm of his command chair. “One more thing, Mikhael. Ask the major to see if he can cover all his surface tracks with some sort of blast from his engines or thrusters before he departs. Best to keep the Chinese guessing.”
“Contacting the Pitchka now, General.”
“Did you see that, Van?” asked Danny watching the video of the Chinese site in the Moon-base Ops Center.
“You mean the dust cloud the Pitchka made before they left?”
“That would be it. What was that?”
“If I were the R
ussians, I would literally be wanting to cover my tracks so the Chinese wouldn’t know anybody was there. Stirring up a bit of Moon dust would cover them nicely.”
“Yeah, that’s true. Clever, those Russians,” mused Danny.
“Clever and dangerous. There is somebody in Russia playing a good game. Harry, who would be in charge of Russian space ops now?”
“Lt. Gen. Dimitry Anikin of the Russian Aerospace Defense Force and commander of space forces, Commander.”
“Doesn’t ring a bell. What can you tell us about him?”
“Lieutenant General Anikin was born in Ukraine in 1966. He joined the Soviet military and graduated from St. Petersburg Military Engineering and Technical University in 1988. After graduation, he trained as a fighter pilot and later served in the Titov Main Test and Space Systems Control Center.
“In 2003 he became the deputy chief of staff of the Russian Space Forces and then returned to the Titov Main Test and Space Systems Control Center as chief of staff and, later, commander. Prior to assuming command of space forces, he was the commander of Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
“The general is known for his conservative political positions and flare for strategic thinking. He generates loyalty among his commanders and men and is married with two children, both daughters.”
“Nice, tight summary, Harry.”
“Thank you, Commander.”
“What about his counterpart in China?”
“Less detail is known about him, Commander. Gen. Li Jing is seen as a rising star in the PLA, but has no flight or space experience. He enlisted in the PLA in 1968 and graduated from the PLA Military Academy in 1971. From there he was assigned to the Fourth Armored Brigade as a tank commander and later as a platoon commander. From there he served on the staff of the Central Military Committee and later the staff of the Thirty-First Army Group, whose mission is the potential invasion of Taiwan.
“Then he assumed command of the Second Armored Division, followed by a position as chief of staff of the Central Military Committee. Most recently he has been established as the first overall commander of the PLA space program.
“He is believed to be married with one child, but neither his wife nor child has ever been seen in public,” concluded Harry.
“Sounds like a nice guy in a beat-you-to-death-with-a-stick sort of way,” said Van. “So to sum things up, we have on the one hand a Russian conservative, who is likely quick thinking and has a good head for strategy. On the other hand, we have a hardheaded tank driver with no real skills except marching up the communist political chain. How did we get to be so lucky?”
“Lucky, Commander?”
“Never mind, Harry, that was meant to be rhetorical.”
“Yes, Commander.”
“You know,” said Dick, “I’m getting the feeling that the Chinese and the Russians haven’t achieved so much without some help.”
“You mean like our old pain in the ass Meier?” asked Van.
Seeing Stan’s and Danny’s puzzled looks, Dick continued, “For the benefit of our new team members: Mr. Peter Meier apparently had some similar neural characteristics as Van here. He also discovered a minor Host site in which were stored medical supplies and equipment, some robots, and an advanced computer. He used those finds to create a significant empire and cause Van and the Carson Group considerable issues. In the end, Van shot him. Until recently we thought he was dead, but now we aren’t sure.”
“You mean there was no body,” said Stan, getting the picture.
“Yes. No body. When Meier was shot, he fell into a moon pool built inside a cargo ship and sank. The body was never recovered. Now we find that the only supplier of fusion fuel is EOS Chemicals, a Meier company. And they are only supplying the Chinese and the Russians. In addition, the Chinese are flying a spacecraft exactly like the Passaro II, which is supposed to have crashed in the Gobi Desert. Now they have another one with the same engine from an unknown design source. The Russians, too, have come up with fusion engines for the Pitchka, also from an unknown design source.
“From our own research, we know that José Silva, president of Brazaero Technologies, had a silent financial partner. We also know that the leading company in fusion engine technology suffered a major accident and was eliminated from the race early. In addition, the leading fuel company also suffered a tragic accident and was temporarily eliminated from their production completion, thus giving Brazaero time to finish their work and launch. And finally, something you all don’t yet know, EOS Chemicals is in the process of buying the same Philippine fuel manufacturer. This could all be coincidence, but my money is on Meier being behind all of this,” finished Dick.
“Assuming this is the same guy, why would he want to do this?” asked Danny.
“For the money and the power,” answered Van. “First he sells ships or ship designs to the Chinese and the Russians and then becomes the sole source for the fuel. The spacecraft and engines are expensive, but the fuel profit will be enormous, especially if he takes control of Philippine production. He will have a monopoly for a period of time. Money and power, as I said.”
“If he is still alive, Commander, that is at least true for now,” said Harry.
“Why true for now?” asked Van.
“As you will remember, Commander, Mr. Meier suffers from ALS. We have not yet released a cure. Further, when I sent fireflies into the Europa facility last year, I saw notes suggesting that they developed a drug capable of forestalling the ultimate effects of the disease, but side effects remain.”
“What kinds of side effects?” asked Van.
“What limited amount I could see, Commander, suggested that the new Europa drug has the capability of affecting the neural system, especially the forward part of the brain dealing with rationalization and impulse control. All in addition to the normal symptoms of ALS. If this is true, Mr. Meier could indeed be reacting negatively to the drug even now.”
“So in addition to being power hungry, Meier may be going mad as well?” asked Van with shock.
“Not mad at this point, Commander, but he is likely becoming more unstable as he takes more of the drug.”
Everyone in the room looked stunned.
“That would make a lot of sense,” said Dick. “But that also suggests another, more personal concern.”
“What’s that?” asked Van.
“Meier hates you and, by association, the Carson Group. He’s also pretty certain that you’ve discovered a site and probably sees your hand in all of this new interest in space flight. This could become all about you if his drug reaction persists and he becomes paranoid or worse,” said Dick.
“I suppose it could. But we are making a lot of assumptions. We aren’t even sure he’s still alive, though I have to admit I have the feeling he is. Harry, time to turn Big Brother loose again to see what we can find out about José Silva’s silent partner,” Van said with conviction.
“Yes, Commander. I am starting now.”
CHAPTER 21
That same week, José Silva was utterly amazed by what he saw happening to his Passaro II—or, more correctly, to the Passaro III, as the current model was being called. It had been only a few weeks since he became part of this new company, and he was stunned at the rapid shift to large-scale manufacturing, which dwarfed his efforts at the old Brazaero facility. No more one airframe at a time. Across the giant production floor bathed in morning sunlight, he could see several air frames starting their way through the fantastic production line. No other facility in the world was investing in manned space vehicles on this scale. The manpower alone had to be a staggering cost.
In addition to two vehicles dedicated to his and Brazil’s use, there were already backlogged orders from India and France. India was being the most strident in their press for ships, especially for even bigger ones now on the drawing boards. Unlike the current plans of China, Russia, and even the US, India had its sights on Mars. They already had a vehicle in orbit around Mars called the Mangalyaan, which wa
s built and launched at only one-tenth the cost of the most recent US vehicle, the Maven. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), India’s state-owned space agency, was bound and determined to take their place with the major powers in space. However, Brazil was now the leading manufacturer of manned spaceships in the world.
Standing next to the production line with his friend Marco Acosta, José spoke loudly over the noise of the line. “I never would have imagined this site, Marco. This is a great time for Brazil!”
“And for you, José,” said Marco. “Had it not been for your persistence and technical skills, it is unlikely that we would be here witnessing this now.”
“It is kind of you to say, Marco,” said José with a gleaming smile. “I was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. By the way, I understand that Galactic Adventures is also now producing ships along the lines of Space Ship 4.”
“That is true. But they cannot yet match our scale, and the US government is pressing quite hard for all their production for the next year. Japan and Great Britain seem to want to hold out for one of those ships, but with our production rate, I am guessing they will come to us soon. There are even mining companies asking for asteroid-mining vehicles. Nobody wants to be left out of this,” noted Marco.
“Good, good. I have some ideas for mining vehicles. Did you ever think that Brazil would be in such a commanding position in the race for the stars?” asked José.
“Never,” said Marco with great conviction.
Privately José hoped Frederico never surfaced again.
Striding into the Baikonur Control Center on a sunny morning and taking his command chair, Anikin was no longer puzzled by what the Chinese were doing, and he had one less problem to solve. Relatively speaking, he was happy, except for his breakfast. “Mikhael. What good news do you have for me today? My lovely wife, Marta, let Lucya make breakfast this morning, and I need something to take my mind off the experience.”
Immortal Guardian: Hoast Saga Book 2 (Host Saga) Page 15