Paul Gillebaard - Space Hoax

“Well the news said his spacecraft landed safely.”

“Yeah, in China! After what he did, do you think they were waiting with open arms?” Anne lifted her hands and covered her face knowing her sister-in-law was just trying to help. She lightly rubbed her face as she whispered. “Peter, please be safe.”

Anne heard Virginia get off the bar stool and walk toward her. Her sister-in-law’s arm wrapped around her and she said in a consoling voice, “You know our government will get him out, especially after what he did.”

Anne slowly moved her hands from her face and saw the encouraging look on Virginia’s face. Virginia was happy her brother’s legacy was restored, as was she. Anne was immensely proud of her son for proving that his dad had walked on the moon, but Peter’s well-being was all she cared about now. She couldn’t bear to be without both her husband and her only child. Finally, the phone rang. Surprisingly, Anne couldn’t get herself to move.

Virginia nudged her. “Answer it.”

Anne looked at her sister-in-law as she drew a deep breath.

Virginia removed her arm before tilting her head and giving the reassurance Anne needed. “It’ll be fine. Go ahead, answer it.”

Anne slowly walked over to the phone. She stared at it for a second. God, please let him be okay. She gradually lowered her hand and grabbed the cold receiver. She closed her eyes as she lifted it to her ear. She timidly answered, “Hello.”

“Hello, Anne, it’s Doug Rose.”

“Hi, Doug. Thank you so much for calling me back.”

“My pleasure. It’s the least I can do after the heroic mission your son carried out. I have to tell you, not only is he a hero at this agency, he’s a hero to this country. In fact, the President of the United States calls him a hero.”

Anne opened her eyes, caring only about one thing. “Doug, is Peter okay?”

There was an uncomfortable silence. Doug’s voice turned serious. “We know the Chinese spacecraft had some problems when it entered the atmosphere; however, they did land. At this time, the Chinese are being vague on Peter’s condition. I’ve been assured our government is pursuing all options to make sure he’s safe and to get him home as soon as possible.”

Anne dropped her head. “Doug, do you think he survived?”

Again silence, before Doug answered with a definitive, “Yes.”

PETER TRUDGED UP the steep embankment carrying Ying’s sleeping baby through the trees that blocked the early afternoon sun. With no clear path up the mountain, he had to make one, going over bushes and under branches. He was happy to have had a few days rest at Ying’s family farm. No way could he have made this climb soon after returning from space. He looked back to see Ying struggling. They had been at it for almost two hours. Ying’s grandfather got them as close as he could, which was to the base of the mountains that bordered Kyrgyzstan. They were almost at the top of the ridge, and according to the grandfather, just past the peak was Kyrgyzstan.

“You okay?”

Ying stopped a second to wipe the sweat off her forehead. “I fine.”

Peter was impressed with the young girl’s strength and stamina. “We’re almost to the top.”

Ying bowed her head slightly before resuming the climb.

Peter came upon a hanging branch blocking his way. When he moved it to the side, he instantly stopped. A beautiful baby Panda cub was all alone playing at the base of a tree. It looked just like the many cute, cuddly stuffed toys he had often seen in stores, with its fluffy white fur and trademark black circles around its eyes. Part of him wanted to go pick it up and hug it. Ying walked up to his side and noticed the panda. A surprised look crossed her face. In a whisper she asked, “Where Mom?”

Peter quietly answered, “No idea. I haven’t seen her.” Though he didn’t know much about pandas, he knew any pissed off grown bear could kill.

Ying pulled Peter’s shirt. “Let’s go another way.”

Peter nodded as he turned, but in his rush he accidently let a branch swipe against Ying’s baby. The boy instantly woke with a wail. Peter looked back to see the panda cub scurry off in the opposite direction toward some bushes. Ying quickly grabbed her baby hoping to calm him, but regrettably, it was too late. A loud rustling sound started to come from the direction of the cub. Soon the bushes shook violently before an enormous panda emerged.

Peter kept his eye on the monster as he whispered, “Should we run?”

Ying was trying to muffle her child’s cries. “No. Not move.”

Peter stayed still, but the bear kept approaching. He had to do something. He quickly opened the survival kit strapped to his waist and quietly pulled out a smoke flare. He hurriedly pulled the cap before throwing the flare in front of the bear. Orange smoke instantly started shooting out one end with a loud hiss. Peter was relieved to see the bear retreat into the bushes. Soon the orange smoke had engulfed the area.

Waving the smoke from his face, Peter smiled. “That seems to have done the trick.”

Ying nodded as she motioned that they walk in the other direction.

After a few moments of walking, Peter’s heart sank when he heard helicopter blades. He turned and raised his hand for Ying to stop. She halted as she tilted her head, questioning why. He put his finger to his lips as he listened. It had been days since he had last seen any Chinese helicopters. He would have thought twice about using the flare if he thought choppers were patrolling. The faint sound started to increase. It was definitely a helicopter. He looked back at the bellowing orange smoke in the distance that now extended into the sky. There was no way the pilot would miss that. Damn!

Peter took the baby from Ying. “We need to find a hiding place, now!” They took off running, jumping over bushes as he scanned the area for cover.

Over by some large rocks, he thought he saw an entrance to a small cave. Perfect. He quickly hustled to the entry. The opening looked to be about three feet in diameter. He moved branches to the side as he peeked in. He could barely see in due to the blocked out sunlight. The hollow was empty and dark. Though it would probably be tight, it would work. He quickly motioned for Ying to get in as the helicopter approached. She reached for the baby. “No, get in first,” insisted Peter.

Ying got on her hands and knees before scampering into the small opening. Once in, her hands reappeared. Peter handed her the baby before swiftly gathering some branches. He quickly crawled in and covered the entrance with the sticks.

He was pleased the baby stayed quiet as the helicopter began to hover over them. Because of the smoke flare, he was sure the helicopter would land or send down soldiers on a drop line. Peter couldn’t believe his ears when he heard English being spoken over the helicopter’s PA system.

“This is the United States Air Force. Please come out and show yourself.”

Peter was cautious at first, wondering if the Chinese were playing a trick on him. He peeked through the branches to see the markings were definitely American military. He quickly brushed the branches aside as he jumped up and started waving and yelling at the chopper.

The PA blared, “We see you. Please stay put.”

A big smile crossed Peter’s face. He stuck his head back into the cave. “Looks like the good guys are here to save us.”

THE SMELL OF medicine filled the air as Peter dialed up Dmitri using the phone in the medical ward. He and Ying were safely at Manas Air Base. After a brief once-over by the doctor, Peter was finally free to make important calls. He had already tried calling Anya on her cell phone but got her voicemail. He elected not to leave a message, wanting to tell her directly he was safe and out of China. He hoped to reach her brother in Russia and find out where she was.