Moon Hoax

18 GOOD NEWS

“Sir, it looks like China knows of our plans to send a man to the moon.” Jack sat in the oval office next to Doug Rose and across from the president. He’d arrived to inform President Edwards of recently learned intelligence, and Bill had insisted Doug be present as well. Waiting for Doug to arrive before divulging his news had not been easy. “Our intelligence has confirmed CNSA moved out one of their Long March moon rockets a couple of days ago in Jiuquan and are preparing for launch.”

“How do we know China isn’t preparing the rocket for their publicized moon landing?” Bill asked.

Doug shifted in his seat. “Sir, it’s too early for that. China doesn’t plan on launching until November. They have shown in the past they usually place their rockets on the launch pad a week, maybe two, before lift-off. Doing it any earlier requires unnecessary maintenance and makes the rocket vulnerable to the elements.”

Jack nodded. “Our sources have confirmed this rocket is being positioned to intercept and stop any mission we launch to the moon.”

“When will they be ready to launch?” asked the president.

“Probably in a week,” Doug interjected. “But we doubt they’ll fuel it. They would probably hold off fueling until they’re certain we’re attempting to send astronauts to the moon. It would be too costly to have it sit fueled, and there is a long turnaround involved if they defuel it.”

“When is our man going to launch?”

“June 28, but this could change,” said Doug.

“Damn, so they’ll be ready. How long does their rocket take to fuel?”

Doug answered, “They usually take over a few days to have a rocket fueled and ready for launch. If pressed, I’m sure they could do it in less than forty-eight hours. If it wasn’t on the launch pad, it would probably take CNSA two to three weeks to get it to that point. So they’re definitely planning on something.”

“Any chance this rocket is being used for another mission?”

“Mr. President, this particular rocket is designed and built for deep space travel,” Doug said. “China has told the world their next deep space mission is the one to the moon, in five months. Hearing what Jack has learned from our intelligence, it sounds like they’re preparing this rocket to intercept any rocket we launch to the moon.”

The president leaned forward and pounded his fist on his desk. “How the hell did they find out about this mission? This was supposed to be kept top secret!”

Jack said, “We’re not sure, but we think it could have been Chris Riddick.”

Bill looked sternly at Jack. “I thought you locked that asshole up?”

Doug leaned forward. “Sir, we did, but unfortunately, this happened after we had made the decision to send a SID agent to the moon. Though the operation was treated top secret as you requested, with Chris’s high security clearance, he could have snooped around and come across information pertaining to the mission.”

“Damn it, there goes our element of surprise. Sounds like they’re just waiting for us to launch, then send up this moon rocket to intercept us.” Still glaring at Doug, the president asked, “Will China definitely send up a manned spacecraft, and if so, what would they do if they caught us?”

“Absolutely it will be a manned rocket, sir. No country has a weapon they could launch to intercept a spacecraft flying to the moon. However, I am not sure what they will do to stop us. Perhaps they have a particular type of weapon they could fire at our spacecraft. I seriously doubt they would ram us, since doing that would damage their spacecraft and prevent their taikonauts from returning home.”

Jack added, “We are unaware of any weapon they could use in space other than the MK Laser. Though we originally suspected they were firing that laser on the back side of the moon from their spacecraft, we now know they deployed it when they landed. So I doubt with the short time available they could set up such a weapon on their spacecraft. I question they’ve considered such a scenario. They probably don’t even know what they’ll do.”

“I never underestimate the Chinese. I’m sure they have a plan,” the president said. “Jack, I want you to continue to monitor the situation and see if you can figure out how they plan on stopping us.”

“Yes, sir,” Jack said.

The president peered at them both. “Should we call off the mission?”

Jack shook his head. “Sir, I don’t believe we should at this time. Keep in mind, SpaceQuest will be taking Peter up, and China knows their Newton rocket is not capable of flying into deep space. I doubt they would fuel their rocket at that point. They, of course, would still monitor the flight closely. Once it becomes international news that Peter is hijacking the escape pod, China will probably assume he is trying to reach the moon, and rush to get their rocket ready.”

“That is, if Chris didn’t inform them of our plan to hijack the escape pod,” Bill said. “If they already know that, they’ll fuel their rocket as soon as SpaceQuest puts their Newton 9 on the launch pad.”

“Sir, I am confident Chris didn’t have access to that information,” Doug said. “He was put on leave before any files or information pertaining to that option was put into our system.”

“Well, that’s good news,” Bill said. Leaning back in his chair, he put his hands behind his head as if in deep thought. After a few moments he turned to Doug. “How far ahead would our astronaut have to be to allow him to beat China to the moon?”

Doug put his head down as if working the numbers before saying, “Roughly a thirty-six hour head start. With the boost from the VASIMR engine, the flight should take four days from the ISS. If China reduces its weight load on the Shenzhou spacecraft, they probably could get there in two and a half days from Jiuquan.”

“Wow, that’s not a lot of time. How long does our agent need at the space station before he has the escape pod ready to fly to the moon?”

“Right now, with the spacewalks required, we are expecting two to four days after launch,” Doug answered.

“Unacceptable! They can’t be at the space station for more than two days. You just said it takes two days for the Chinese to fuel and we need a thirty-six hour head start. Therefore, we need to be out of there within twelve hours from when the Chinese start to fuel.” The president leaned forward and briefly pointed at Doug before bringing his hand to his chin, lightly rubbing it. “China will be monitoring the flight closely. I doubt they’ll figure out why he’s docking with the ISS initially, but once it’s known the Soyuz is being modified, China will quickly decipher what’s going on and start fueling. Four days is too long. Odds are, China will have their rocket gassed up and ready to go before our boy even climbs into the Soyuz for the moon. They will easily be able to catch him and destroy his spacecraft.”

“Sir, I will see what we can do to get the Soyuz ready in two days,” Doug said. “We also will do what we can to keep what occurs at the space station quiet as information starts coming in from the ISS crew. We will pass on only minimal details to the press.”

Bill frowned thoughtfully. “The problem we’ll have is the whole world knowing a rocket was launched from U.S. soil. Since we’re banned from all space flights, we’ll have to answer why it happened without our knowledge. Even though it’s a private firm’s rocket, it’ll be perceived as a rocket belonging to the United States. To combat the accusation, we’ll have to denounce the flight and offer our full support. We share ownership of the space station with other nations who will be pressing us for answers. So we must come across as supporting those nations and working to bring this mission to an end. Any holding back of information passed on from the crew will look like we are involved. It needs to look like some rogue agent acting on his own, attempting to clear his father’s name. We have to treat it as such and give the impression we are doing everything we can to help stop him.”

“Yes, sir,” Doug said. “But I do believe the ISS crew will be supportive and offer little resistance. I also believe we can prevent them from saying too much to Mission Control.”

“How can you say that, especially with the current commander being Russian?” asked the president with frustration in his voice.

“For a couple reasons, sir; one being since we need the crew’s help moving the VASIMR engine, we decided to put a dummy bomb in the capsule and scare them into cooperating. Second, there will be another man flying with Peter”—Doug paused—“who knows the Russian commander.”

Jack was startled to hear a second man was flying with Peter. He was informed Peter wanted to fly the mission alone. Knowing the second man was not an SID agent, he was curious as to who it was, wondering if Doug had provided a NASA astronaut. “Who’s going along with Peter?”

“Viktor Alexandrov, a Russian cosmonaut.”

“The Russians are helping us?” asked the president, wide eyed.

“No sir, they’re not. Actually I should say, Viktor the ex-Soviet cosmonaut, not the Russian cosmonaut. He’s retired. He’s doing this on his own, without Russia’s knowledge.” Doug shrugged. “Peter has a long relationship with Viktor. Actually, Viktor worked with Peter’s father on the U.S.-USSR mission of the ’70s. Peter insists his experience with the Soyuz and his Russian background will greatly help with the mission, and I agree.”

Jack asked, “Viktor Alexandrov? Isn’t he the father of the current assistant director of FKA? How old is he?”

“Yes, he is. He’s seventy-five. His son, Dmitri Alexandrov, is the assistant director at Roscosmos, and he’s an old buddy of Peter’s. Peter trusts Dmitri and informed him of the mission with the hopes he would influence Russia’s mission control for support after he hijacks the pod.” Doug turned to the president and continued, “Sir, having Viktor on the mission should also speed up modifying the Soyuz. With his help, the two should be able to finish the operation at the space station quicker, and hopefully in the two days as you suggest. Also, the ISS commander knows and respects him.”

“Do you really think a seventy-five-year-old man can handle the rigors of a demanding space mission?”

“Peter is confident he can. I receive updates from Allen, and he too was concerned about Viktor’s age. So far the old man has held his own during training, but Allen is keeping a close eye on him.”

Jack felt compelled to support his agent. “Sir, if Peter feels Viktor can handle it and can help with the mission, I am confident he can.”

The president took a moment to sip his coffee, obviously thinking. He said with a smirk, “So the plan is to scare the crew with a bomb?”

Jack said, “Yes, sir. I suggested this to Doug. The crew will be told it’s on a timer set to blow at a specific time unless they cooperate. Even though Doug suspects the ISS crew will want to help, I felt they needed plausible deniability, which could also help keep Mission Control in the dark.”

Taking charge, the president said, “Okay. Doug, I want you to make sure Peter and Viktor will not be at the ISS longer than two days. Jack, I want you to find out how China plans to stop our boys in flight. Let’s plan on a follow up meeting later next week updating me on the latest. Good day, gentleman.”

Both men nodded in agreement, shaking the president’s hand before they left his office.

VIKTOR SAT ALONE in SpaceQuest’s cafeteria having his breakfast while studying the Soyuz manual. He jumped when a tray plopped on his table and looked up at Peter grinning ear to ear as he pulled up a chair. In a chipper voice the younger man said, “Good morning, Viktor.”

Suspicion tapped at Viktor’s awareness of Peter’s body language. “Good morning. You look much happy. Where you been?”

Peter arranged his tray more neatly and picked up his fork. “Anya arrived okay last night and she’s safely checked into her hotel. Maybe you can stop by and see her at lunch.” He put his head down and started eating as if he did not want to discuss anything further.

Viktor knew there was more to the story, especially after stopping by Peter’s room earlier and it was obvious he had not stayed there last night. From the beaming smile on the boy’s face, Viktor was sure Peter spent the night at Anya’s hotel, but he didn’t want to pry. He was fond of Peter, and he and Anya were grown adults. However, being the father, he considered it his duty to give the boy a little grief. “I stopped by your room this morning and you not sleep there last night?”

Peter kept his head down, eating, not even glancing up as he nervously answered, “Anya seemed a little lonely last night, so I thought I should stay and keep her company.”

Viktor smiled, seeing Peter squirm. This was the first time he’d ever seen the confident young man look uncomfortable. He just wanted his daughter happy; if she was happy, he was fine with their involvement. However, he was concerned the two might get too close. He didn’t want Anya’s heart broken when Peter did not return from the mission. Losing her father was going to be hard enough. He decided he would let it go for now and get his daughter’s take when he met her later, and then decide what to do. He said nothing more as he continued to read.

An awkward silence fell as Viktor continued studying. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Peter slowly lift his head, looking more relaxed.

“I told Anya how busy we’ll be over the next few days and that we might not have much free time,” Peter said. “She hoped to have an opportunity to spend time with you.”

Viktor looked up, smiling. “You mean, spend time with you?”

Peter grinned. “Well, spend time with both of us. I was thinking, since she works for Zaftra, suggesting Allen take advantage of her being here to observe our training. I think it would be beneficial. Besides, it would allow us to see more of her.”

“I not sure it beneficial to mission, but sound good. It would be nice have Anya here, see her more before we move to Cape. Please no tell her mission a suicide. It be too hard on her.”

“Absolutely, that will be one of the first things I’ll mention to Allen to be kept secret.” Peter took a few more bites then said, “After meeting with Allen, I’m going back to Rob’s hotel to see if I can’t figure out how to change out those damn codes in less than twenty minutes. Doesn’t Bernie have you training on the Soyuz this morning?”

“Yes.”

“Cool. Give Anya a call. She is expecting to hear from you. Hopefully you two can have lunch together. I should be back later this afternoon.”

Viktor nodded and went back to his manual while Peter continued eating and grinning.

PETER WAS POISED as he sat across from Allen in his office. He was going to ask about Anya, but needed to first update him on his visit with Rob. “We might have a problem with the laser on the back side. From my meeting yesterday I learned there’s a complicated procedure I’ll have to perform at the moon to reprogram the laser. The exercise normally takes over an hour to perform. Unfortunately, I’ll have only twenty minutes, or we’ll be fired upon.”

Allen’s eyes widened with concern. “Are you going to be able to do it?”

“I’d better, or else why even attempt the mission?” Peter thought it best not to mention his other concern about the factory access codes possibly being changed. Why worry Allen on a speculation and give him reason to cancel the operation?

Allen’s tone hardened slightly. “Well, I’ll leave that up to you. Either one of us can pull the plug at any point. I’ll pull it if I feel you cannot successfully dock with the space station, or if it is obvious the mission will fail. I expect you to do the same.”

Peter definitely had concerns—he prayed the factory codes were never changed—but not enough to fold in the tent. “Will do.”

Allen laced his fingers across his gut. “I just got off the phone with Doug. We have other troubles.”

“What’s that?” Peter did not want to hear more problems.

“Apparently China has learned about the mission. Per Doug, they have one of their moon rockets sitting on a launch pad ready to go if we attempt a moon shot.”

Peter hissed through his teeth. “Shit! That’s something I didn’t want to hear.” He paused a moment, looking at the floor, before looking back at Allen. “What could they do? How can they stop us?”

“They aren’t sure. Doug is hoping to get more intelligence on that.” Allen shifted his bulk in the protesting office chair. “However, Doug feels China probably won’t launch when you lift off in the Newton 9, knowing it’s not capable of deep space travel. His concern is the news of the Soyuz hijacking leaking out before you leave the station by either the crew or Mission Control. If China gets wind of this, they’ll probably fuel their rocket, and per Doug, you’ll never be able to outrun one of their powerful moon rockets.”

“What does he suggest we do?” posed Peter.

“You need to have the Soyuz ready in two days after you arrive at the space station.” said Allen.

“Wow that’ll be a trick. Two days.” Peter sat for a moment trying to figure out how to make that work. Is that even possible? As his mind raced trying to come up with a way, he questioned what China would do if they caught him. Use some weapon? What weapon? Ram us?

Peter scratched his head as he looked at Allen. “Something doesn’t make sense.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m unaware of any type of weapon they would use if they caught us, and I question if they even have one. But even if they did, why chase us down? They have a laser sitting on the back side of the moon set to destroy us and—” Peter suddenly stopped in midsentence, his mouth open.

“What is it?” Allen asked.

“I got it! I know what they’ll do!” A big smile came across Peter’s face.

“What?”

“They’re going to try to beat us to the back side of the moon to change the factory codes on the laser so we can’t access it. This is actually good news.” Peter bounced his knee in excitement.

Allen arched his eyebrows.

Peter said, “The codes have not been changed! Why else would they launch a rocket? If China had changed the original factory codes, why send it? There would be no way for us to disengage the laser since we would have the wrong codes. Therefore, the laser would destroy our ship when we reach the back side. But if they weren’t changed, and we were able to get the original factory codes, we could reprogram the laser, disarming it and making it a useless piece of junk. Boy, someone is in trouble at CNSA for not changing those codes.” Peter thought of Sie, knowing he oversaw the MK laser project.

“What the hell are you talking about?” asked Allen, still lost.

Peter slowed down remembering Allen didn’t know the details on the laser and tried to explain it more simply. “The laser has factory installed access codes allowing you to enter the system. I acquired these from Rob yesterday. China could have changed those codes here on Earth, but it looks like they elected not to. It’s a complicated procedure and they never requested help from Byington, probably concerned the laser’s real use might be learned. If they had changed them, we would have been screwed when we got to the moon. I’m now confident China never changed them. Why would they? Who would send a manned mission to the moon when they put this thing up there? No country is even close. So now, they get wind the U.S. is going to the moon with a manned rocket. Why? So we can input those factory codes to disengage their laser. With the laser rendered useless, we will be able to orbit and take the pictures we need to prove China wrong. So they have no choice but to beat us to the moon so they can lock us out first. This is fantastic news. Okay, Viktor and I will make sure we leave the space station within two days. We definitely have to if we’re to beat China in a race to the moon.”

This was the right time to address having Anya on board. “One more thing—there’s a representative for Zaftra in town. I believe it would be beneficial to have her observe some of our training. She might be able to give us some insight on Zaftra’s computer system in the Soyuz.”

Allen gave a quizzical look. “What would we need her here for? I don’t see any benefit having a Zaftra rep around.”

“Well, she also has influence with Russia’s mission control which could be helpful when we hijack the Soyuz,” pressed Peter.

Arching his eyebrows again, Allen asked, “Who is this girl?”

Peter smiled. “Viktor’s daughter, Anya Alexandrov.”

“Oh, I see.” Allen tapped his fingers on the desk as he stared at Peter. “I don’t see any advantage having her here, but if you two want her around and it doesn’t interfere with training, then it’s okay with me.”

“Thanks, boss. One more thing—she doesn’t know it’s a suicide mission and Viktor would like it to stay that way.” Peter bit his lower lip.

Nodding, Allen said, “I’ll inform Bernie.”

“Thanks. I’m off to see Rob to work on reducing my time reprogramming the laser.” Peter hopped up from the chair with an extra skip in his step.