Aurealis #68 by Stephen Higgins (Editor)

Author:Stephen Higgins (Editor)
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: speculative fiction, science fiction and fantasy
Publisher: Chimaera Publications

'We're ready to go now,' declared Aldrin, after he was sure Armstrong and Collins had left the room. The scientists and techs ignored him; his pronouncements had nothing to do with their work schedules.

'Still more work to do on the shields, Boss.'

Aldrin turned and grabbed for anything, a prop for his performance. A wrench, it turned out to be, and he threw it down, where it bounced off the tiled floor. The floor remained predictably undamaged. The floor tiles were based on the same technology as the craft's exterior.

'The goddam shields are fine as they are. It's our butts on the line. You leave it to us to worry about the shields.'

Manx smiled in ritual response. 'No, it's not a risk that I'm prepared to take.'

'I flew over the Bible belt, Manx. When a man's gone up against those crazies, you don't talk to him about risk. Life is about risk.'

'And operations are about managing risk.'

'The damned Russians are going to beat us. Again.'

'And as I keep telling you, we don't care. Not one bit. Let them.'

'Not Gagarin. I've met him. I know that SOB. Don't roll your eyes at me, who the hell are you to roll your eyes at me? I risk my ass, I get to repeat my stories, you jumped-up clerk. Gagarin is a glory-hunting asshole and it's not right, he shouldn't be first.'

'He'll get the Order of Lenin, a big parade, a new television. He still has to live there. He still has to eat beet soup and horsemeat. What's it matter?'

'It's not right, it's just not right.'

'Hit the showers, Boss. Big day tomorrow. No booze tonight.'

'Fuck you.'

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