Paul Gillebaard: Space Hoax

Gavin leaned back as he crossed his arms. “Well, the specifics are above my pay grade. But it sounds like China was using EarthOrbit as a front to steal U.S. space technologies to eventually set up space-based offensive systems. Part of their overall plan looked to first discredit our space program before eventually ruling space.”

Peter shot him an astounded look.

Without blinking, his boss answered in a matter-of-fact tone, “Yep, a scary thought, huh? But thanks to you, that won’t be happening.” Gavin paused for a moment. “We also learned they were involved in the explosion on the Soyuz. Apparently they were testing their detonation system with the hopes of also grounding the Russian spacecraft. Thanks to its spherical design, the spacecraft was able to withstand much of the external explosion.”

Peter was stunned. “I can’t believe China was able to sneak that device onto a Soyuz.”

“Considering the state of the Russian program and its economy, I’m not surprised, especially when you consider the spectacular failure of the Proton rocket recently due to a part being carelessly installed backward. It wouldn’t take much to bribe a worker at Baikonur.”

Disappointed, Peter asked, “Have we informed the Russians?”

“Yes, they were shocked to hear the news and question if we have our facts right. They are going to do their own internal investigation.”

Peter planned on discussing the specifics with Dmitri later.

“You should be aware the President wants this kept secret, as well as the fact that China was behind the explosion on Iris. We want to continue with the ruse that the explosions were due to faulty spacecrafts.”

Peter unlocked his arms in surprise, mystified by the President’s action. “Why? A man died up there.”

Gavin looked unnerved and his voice remained steady, coming across in a reassuring tone. “I know. But right now we don’t want to alarm China. We plan on going through EarthOrbit’s list of contractors to try and flush out more Chinese operatives. After we have turned over every stone, we’ll then present our findings and the President will take the appropriate action.”

“Okay, good. So was Walter China’s inside man at EarthOrbit?”

“No, it turns out the owner of EarthOrbit was. He hid behind a camouflage of companies and is of Chinese heritage. It looks like China was financing the whole operation. The president of the company appears to have been merely a puppet for the owner, doing as he was told. Walter Goings was unaware of the bomb on Iris.”

Peter was glad the president was innocent. “What about the shop manager, Carl Stewart, any idea how he died?”

“He was poisoned, and two suspects were arrested.”

Peter shook his head as he lowered his eyes. “Did they have a link to China?”

“One did. He looked to be working undercover for China’s secret service.”

Peter looked up. “Carl was a good man. Thanks to him, we learned of the bomb, which ultimately saved the International Space Station. We need to make sure his family is taken care of.”

Gavin nodded with determination in his eyes, “I’ll make that happen.”

Curious about Chris’s involvement, Peter asked, “How about Chris Riddick?”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but the old man looks to be clean, though as you know he has a serious addiction to gambling.” Gavin leaned over with a sly smirk. “I hear you beat the shit out of him.”

Peter fought the impulse to berate the man as he rolled his eyes. “I hit him a few times. I wanted to stop, but he seemed to be enjoying it.”

Gavin fell back laughing. “I’m sure someone enjoyed it.”

Peter just smiled and folded his arms. “How about EarthOrbit, will the company still exist?”

“That’s a good question. Don’t know, but I hear our government might take over ownership.”

Peter hoped that would happen and eventually the government would sell it to a private enterprise. He saw many advantages in having a commercial spaceport in the country. “What about my request on setting up college funds for Blake’s boys?”

“Approved! They will be able to attend any public college in Texas, free of charge.”

That was a relief. “Great, thanks.”

Gavin laced his fingers together on his stomach as he directed an intrigued look Peter’s way. “Before we get into too much detail on your mission, I wanted to run something by you.”

Uh oh, here it goes. Peter sat up in his chair, expecting his boss to bring up another assignment. He had made up his mind, no matter what, he would turn it down. Since this would be a first, he was sure it would lead to telling Gavin he was done.

“How would you like my job?”

Peter’s jaw dropped as the words hung in the air for a moment. “What? Where are you going?”

“With the success of the agency, Jack has decided to run for public office, and I was given his job. We discussed it and agreed you’d be the perfect man to lead SID.”

Peter was caught off guard. He hadn’t even thought of the possibility of doing a desk job for the agency. If he took the position, he and Anya would have to move to Virginia. He rubbed his chin for a moment. “Thanks, Gavin, I feel honored. I’m definitely interested, but I need to first run it by my fiancée.”

Gavin shook his head as a lopsided smirk began to creep across his face. “I still can’t believe you’re getting married. I used to live out my fantasies through you. I understand; let me know what you two decide.”

A grin fell on Peter’s face as he stared out the window.

ONE YEAR LATER

FOR THE FIRST time, Anya’s expression reminded Peter of her father. He studied her face, wondering what the connection was. Then it hit him, the unique wrinkle on her forehead, which he had never seen before. The few times he ever saw the brave cosmonaut with a similar wrinkled brow, he was straining and deeply focused, just as Anya was now.

Peter was losing all circulation in his hand due to his wife squeezing it so tightly. Blood was starting to become visible due to her fingernails digging deep into his skin. He simply accepted the nuisance considering the intense pain she was going through with every contraction. He thought she was crazy, requesting to deliver their child naturally. With all the drugs out there, he tried to convince her otherwise. She showed how she could be stubborn too, flatly rejecting an epidural. No matter what Peter said, she was not having it. Even when she described the labor pains as feeling like someone was reaching inside and trying to rip out every single organ, she never relented. She insisted that the rest between each contraction was enough to sustain her. She wanted to feel her body giving birth like her mother had. He was proud she stuck to her guns.

Although Peter had participated in all the birthing classes, he never really took them seriously. He was so sure his wife would opt for drugs. Due to his lack of attentiveness in class, he was screwing up their breathing exercises. He looked at her with a pleading expression as if to say, “What should I do?” Through the excruciating pain, Anya looked almost amused as she gave him an understanding nod before she closed her eyes and seemed to go off to a better place in her mind. She simply surrendered and accepted the pain, which appeared to make it more bearable. He just stared in awe, impressed.

After hours of intense labor pains, Anya was about to reward both of them with the miracle of life. The question was would it be a boy or girl? Anya was adamant on not knowing their child’s sex until delivery. Though Peter had a few opportunities to find out, he decided to wait and be in the dark with her. Of course, this made decorating the baby’s room a challenge.