Orbit: A Novel by John J. Nance

Author:John J. Nance
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, Suspense, Space Opera, Technological
ISBN: 9780743476621
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2005-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

JOHNSON SPACEFLIGHT CENTER, HOUSTON, TEXAS,

5:00 P.M. PACIFIC/7:00 P.M. CENTRAL

“Ever hear of someone named Dorothy Sheehan?”

Griggs Hopewell’s voice is too recognizable for John Kent to need even a cursory introduction, and the calls between the two of them have been accelerating during the day.

“Should I, Griggs? Who is she?”

“Well, she’s from headquarters, as far as I can tell. But I’m wondering just exactly what she’s been sent down here to do.”

“I don’t recognize the name, but is she causing problems?”

“Twice today I’ve had safety stops declared out of the blue by people who would normally never pull the emergency brake, and she’s the only new kid in town.”

“I’m not following. Are you connecting dots between her and headquarters safety concerns, or are you just being your usual paranoid self?”

“John, you, better than anyone, know they really are out to get me. I’m a principled, purposeful paranoid.”

“You also ramble a lot, Griggs. So answer my question, please.”

“I’m just suspicious of who she is and what she’s doing here.”

“What’s her security clearance?”

“Total. She can go sit in the cockpit and honk the horn if she wants.”

“Shouldn’t be hard to find out who she works for.”

“I already checked. She’s a low-level safety compliance officer under Dick Whitehead in D.C. A long way down the food chain from our esteemed admini-shredder.”

“So, aside from that, any other show stoppers yet?”

“I love the confidence inherent in your use of the word ‘yet,’ John. No. So far as we know at this moment we will be able to get our bird off the pad in three days. We’ll set the launch window formally in a few hours. You should already have all the parameters.”

“Yes, I do. And our guys should already be there.”

“Your three T-38s arrived in the dark of night some two hours ago. No, my only big worry, John, is that someone’s waiting in the weeds to pull a safety stop at the very last second, and we’ll lose it. The window is very tight, and the long range on the weather is not encouraging.”

“By the way, Griggs, you are aware of what’s happening with that live transmission from the ASA craft?”

“Haven’t seen it but I’m aware of it. The passenger’s the only one left, correct?”

“Yes. Bill’s gone.”

“Instantly, I hope.”

“I’m sure.”

“What’s the guy up there talking about?”

“Personal stuff. He doesn’t know anyone is, ah, watching, or reading, or whatever. But it’s a real weeper and it’s leaching away manpower here. Every woman in the place is glued to CNN.”

There’s a chuckle. “The foxes aren’t watching Fox?”

“All the news outlets are broadcasting it live by now, and I’ve got a few of our number watching in case he says anything that could help us. Also, I’m ignoring your politically incorrect comment.”

“John, find out some more about Miss Fem-de-Dorothy for me, will you? She worries me.”

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