Paul Gillebaard - USSR Hoax

“Vant more child?”

Tom rubbed his lip. “Maybe someday.”

“I vish a girl. My vife, Maria, she pretty. I know girl pretty.”

Tom was feeling more comfortable with Viktor. He wasn’t acting like some crazy Communist who wanted America destroyed. The short man was becoming more human to Tom, erasing any preconceived notions he had of Russians.

“Maybe our boys meet someday, play.”

Tom seriously doubted that would ever happen, even if the joint mission actually took place. He just smiled at the cosmonaut.

“Spacevalk good?”

Tom sat back, impressed Viktor was inquiring about his Gemini flight. “Like any space mission, there were problems. But it was wonderful. I can’t wait to go back.”

“Maybe you go to moon?”

“Maybe. How about you? Have you been up yet?

“Nyet. I at bottom, but happy I here. I hope fly zis mission. Maybe ve share vodka in space?”

For the cosmonaut’s sake, Tom hoped the joint mission happened, even though Tom doubted he’d be a part of it. “That would be nice.”

Viktor took the pair of thick, black-rimmed glasses out of the case and slipped them on. He said in a more serious tone, “Vhere moon rocks?”

Tom assumed the small talk was over and nodded. He reached down and picked up the briefcase. He gently set the case on the table and slid it over.

Viktor adjusted his glasses slightly and looked at Tom. “Vat code?”

Tom had thought the Soviet was just going to take the case and leave. Tom rambled off the numbers from memory. “9, 2, 9, 6, 1.”

Tom heard soft clicks as Viktor turned the small dials. A sudden loud snap signaled his co-conspirator had entered the numbers correctly.

Viktor lifted open the cover, blocking Tom’s view. After hearing movement within the case, Viktor’s hand reappeared over the top before closing the case. Viktor had a big grin on his face as he removed his glasses. “Zis good. I take to room. Then ve go have vodka.”

A sudden fury swept over Tom at the sight of Chris Riddick entering the empty hallway of Building 4 at the Manned Spacecraft Center. Chris had his head down reading paperwork, unaware he was approaching Tom. The two had been on different travel schedules ever since Tom learned Chris had made a pass at Anne. Tom had been forced to suppress the anger while it festered deep within during his time in Geneva, waiting for the moment when he could release his wrath on the man. The opportunity had arrived.

For maximum effect, Tom kept quiet as Chris came closer. At the last second, Tom pounced and shoved his hands hard onto Chris’s chest. The man was caught off guard as he was firmly slammed up against the wall, causing paperwork to fly all over the place. Chris was speechless, stunned by the attack.

Pointing his finger at Riddick, Tom spewed venom as he fiercely shouted, “I thought I told you to stay away from my wife.”

Chris stood motionless for a moment, confused by the assault. “What are you talking about?”

“Anne told me you played that stupid-ass song on your piano and then tried to hit on her.”

Chris’s demeanor unexpectedly changed. He pushed Tom’s hand aside and bent down to pick up his papers.

Overcome with rage by the brush-off, Tom seized Chris strongly by his shirt, forced him back up and pushed him hard against the wall again. This time Tom held on as he stared directly into Chris’s eyes. “This is my last warning—stay away from my wife, or next time I’ll beat the crap out of you. I mean it!” Tom let go, waiting for a response. Not getting one, Tom felt he had gotten his point across. He turned in disgust and headed down the hallway.

When Tom reached Dick’s office, his blood was still boiling. He took a moment to get his emotions in check before entering.

His boss could tell something was up. “You look rattled.”

Tom mopped his brow. “I’m fine.”

Dick closed the file in front of him. “Good. So, sounds like all went well in Switzerland?”

Tom put what just happened in the hallway in the back of his mind as he took a seat. “It did. The transaction unfolded as planned.”

“Good, and no issues with the cosmonaut?”

Leaning back in the chair, Tom crossed his legs. “Nope. In fact, he was actually a pretty swell guy. The two of us ended up at a bar when we finished our business. After a few drinks, even his broken English became easier to understand. We were probably there well over an hour talking about all kinds of stuff, laughing and having a good ole time before he was called away.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. He’s a pilot like you, and I bet he’s even a family man. I doubt he has any hidden political agenda. He just wants to fly in space, which requires following orders passed down by the Communist Party leaders, regardless if he agrees with them or not.”

“You’re probably right.”

“Well I’m glad it all worked out and the two of you got along.” Dick put his hands behind his head as a magnanimous smile appeared on his face.

Tom could tell good news was coming, and he hoped it was what he expected.

“So, are you ready to start working on your mission, Commander?”

Adrenaline surged through Tom, hearing those words. He was finally going to fulfill his dream. He shot up in his chair. “You bet!”

“Good. Have you decided on who you want as your crewmates?”

Without hesitation, Tom shared his thoughts. “I have. I was thinking of Kirk Cooley as the Command Module Pilot and Dusty Robinson as my Lunar Module Pilot.”

Dick looked out his window while tapping a pen on his bottom lip. After a few seconds, he turned around with a relaxed expression. “I like it. Considering what the objectives are for the mission, I think those are good choices. I’ll submit the selections today and let you know what I hear. Once they’re approved, expect your training schedule to increase. You may want to tell Anne you won’t be spending much time at home over the next few years.”

“Don’t worry, she knows the drill.” Tom leaned forward. “So, can I tell her I’ve been selected for Apollo 16?”

“Absolutely. But keep in mind, even if your crew choices are accepted, we probably won’t make an official announcement until sometime next year. So please keep it between the two of you until then.”

Tom understood. He couldn’t wait to get on the phone and tell Anne to buy some champagne to celebrate some wonderful news. He expected her to press him for details over the phone, but he was confident he wouldn’t break under pressure. He wanted to tell her in person that her husband was going to the moon.

ONCE TOM ENTERED the house, Dino was the first to welcome him. He bent down to pet the excited dog. “Buddy, it’s always nice to be greeted by you. And to think you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for some lion cub.” As he scratched behind the dog’s ear, Tom whispered, “But you know who wears the pants in the family, right?” Tom smiled at his little joke. He looked up, surprised his son wasn’t close behind. Dino rolled over on his back hoping for more scratches. Tom obliged the wiggling dog, giving him a good, hard belly rub. “Dino, where is everybody?”

Tom figured Anne must have stepped out with Peter to pick up the bottle of champagne he had requested. To confirm his guess, he walked into the kitchen to see if there was a bottle in the refrigerator. The sound of the dog’s paws slapping wildly across the linoleum floor broke the silence as he followed his master. Dino bolted straight toward the treat jar on the counter, jumping up on his hind legs, loudly barking at the container. Tom quickly snagged a doggie biscuit and tossed it to the eager dog, quieting the mutt.