Moon Hoax

15 VIKTOR ALEXANDROV

Viktor drove up to the large entrance gate to Star City, the heart of the Soviet and Russian space programs and his past home when he was a young cosmonaut. Two young guards toting AK-47 rifles immediately approached each side of the car. The one on the driver’s side gave a cold stare as he leaned in and grabbed Viktor’s ID. He quickly straightened to attention and saluted before respectfully giving the ID back. He announced Viktor in Russian and yelled to open the gate. Viktor saluted the soldier, wondering if the young man knew of his accomplishments or if he was simply passing him through because he had the same surname as the assistant director of the FKA. Viktor smiled, happy to be getting in.

Viktor was visiting the base to perform a traditional cosmonaut ritual of asking Yuri Gagarin for his guidance and blessing in his preserved office, now part of a museum. It was the same ritual he had carried out before all of his previous space flights.

Ever since Viktor arrived in Russia the day before, he had been busy getting his estate in order and his visa revised. This was his last stop before heading to the airport to fly back to the States to meet up with Peter in California. As Viktor drove the short distance to the Training Center, he remembered that terrible day when he heard of Yuri’s senseless death. Yuri was admired by all his comrades, especially after his historical mission as the first man ever in space. Viktor was stunned when he learned his mentor, the indestructible Yuri, died during a routine training flight in a MiG-15. From that moment on, no exercise or assignment was ever routine to Viktor. He took each one seriously.

Viktor took a deep breath before walking into Yuri’s office. He had already confirmed there were no tours scheduled for the day. He slowly opened the door and peered tentatively in. He was pleased to see the empty office just as it was during his last visit over thirty years ago before his final mission. He walked up to a red velvet rope divider surrounding Gagarin’s desk and passed under it. The office still had an old ’60s feel, including a musty smell. Visiting this room was like stepping back in time, and a flood of memories started pouring through his head. Amid the nostalgia, the realization he was spending his last moments in his home country hit him. A grim smile crossed his lips.

Viktor sensed himself moving to Gagarin’s desk in a trance and sat at the adjacent table, reflecting on his many visits. He had only fond memories of the room. On the table was the log book all cosmonauts wrote in before their missions, some just signing, others leaving a brief note. The same log book he had signed years ago. The old and slightly tattered book looked its age. Gathering himself, he carefully opened the tome and found the page he had signed in 1975 before his first mission.

Lead me to honor my country and family, Viktor Alexandrov.

Reading that caption brought a smile to his face. He rubbed his finger slowly over the writing, wishing he could turn back time, if only for a day. He closed his eyes, holding on to that thought for a moment, his motionless finger resting on the dried ink. He opened his eyes with a sigh before he searched out the other pages he had signed. After reminiscing over each, he turned the pages until he found the next empty space to write his new entry. He pulled a pen from his pocket and gently rolled it between his thumb and finger as he stared at Yuri’s old worn out leather chair, thinking of what to write. After a long moment, he dropped his gaze to the blank area where he placed the tip of the pen and wrote:

I fly as a cosmonaut in honor of a friend and ask for guidance. See you and Maria soon. Viktor Alexandrov.

The door handle clanked. He stiffened up as the door swung open. A tall soldier came marching in. Realizing he still had the pen in his hand, Viktor quickly shoved it into his pocket, hoping he wasn’t seen.

With a puzzled look the soldier asked, “Comrade Alexandrov, what are you doing here?”

“Oh, just looking back at some of my old log entries,” answered Viktor. As the soldier approached, Viktor carefully closed the book, hiding that he had just signed it.

“Sorry sir, but you are not allowed behind the rope.”

Viktor decided to play up his age and began moving like an old man, slowly rising from the table. “I understand, son. I’m just an old man reminiscing about the good ole days. Please forgive me.” He gingerly moved over to the rope and got ready to step over it when the guard abruptly put his hand out. Viktor’s heart stopped as he froze in place, wondering what the guard was up to.

The guard unlatched the rope. “Let me get the rope for you, sir. We don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

Viktor let out a sigh of relief before giving a slight bow in appreciation, saying, “Thank you, Comrade,” before slowly walking out the door.

ALLEN SHIFTED IN HIS OFFICE CHAIR, crossing and uncrossing his arms. Peter, having faced the same scrutiny, knew he was trying to size up Viktor, but the old man kept winking, a silly-ass grin plastered on his face. Clearly Allen was beginning to think the old man was a little psycho.

“So, you think you’re up for the challenge of flying to the moon?” Allen asked.

Viktor, sitting next to Peter, perched ramrod straight in his seat. “Yes, sir! I happy to be here, and I do what I can for successful mission.” Viktor still beamed from his tour of the facility. Watching the cosmonaut’s eyes widen as they went station to station was amusing.

Allen stared at the seventy-five-year-old Russian as though he wondered what the hell this bald old man was doing in his office. At least he could be pleased with Viktor’s English. Though he had a strong Russian accent, he was still understandable. Allen said he’d met other Soviet cosmonauts who flew missions in the ’60’s and ’70s and couldn’t understand a word they said. At least there wouldn’t be any problems communicating.

Allen leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head, not saying a word, obviously studying Viktor, who squirmed slightly in his seat, that damn smile still across his face. While Allen agreed Viktor was technically competent, he questioned his physical strength. “Viktor, I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Peter. My company has a lot riding on this mission. My responsibility is to get you two to the space station, and to be honest, that’s all I care about. There is a lot you two need to learn and train for in order for that to happen. If I see you are holding us back or not getting the job done, I will shut this whole goddamn thing down in a New York minute. This is not some joyride for you to fulfill some fantasy. I’m not going to waste my company’s time and resources on a project I feel will fail.”

Without missing a beat, Viktor said, “I see concern. I promise I give my all and make mission a success. You not worry about me.”

Peter patted Viktor on the back. “Viktor is the perfect man for this job. I can’t think of any other person I would want as a partner. I guarantee you we will work well as a team and complete whatever training is necessary. If you see either one of us not cutting it, I agree, shut it down.” Peter looked at Viktor before turning back to Allen. “And that won’t happen.”

Allen looked him straight in the eye. “Your words are nice, but I am an action guy. So we’ll see. But just know I’ll be watching closely. Any fuckup and you’re done.”

Peter nodded. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“All right, let’s get down to business,” said Allen as he scanned over a notebook on his desk. “Peter, I got a call this morning from Doug Rose. Apparently China will be announcing in a few days that they will be attempting their first moon landing in November.”

Peter snorted. “What a surprise. China has been telling the world they were over two years away from having the capability of landing. But now with the world convinced America never landed, they miraculously have a lander ready to go.” Peter shook his head in disgust. “They are more than happy to step all over us on their way to the moon, claiming they are the first to land. What a bunch of crap. We all know China has already landed. If they hadn’t, Viktor and I wouldn’t be here right now, willing to sacrifice our lives. At least it’s five months away and we don’t have to worry about them getting in our way. Hopefully if all goes to plan, the world will know China is the second country to land on the moon.”

Viktor responded with assurance, “I plan everything to go to plan. I not lose my life for failure!”

Peter and Allen looked at each other and smiled.