The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield

Author:Chris Hadfield [Hadfield, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quercus
Published: 2021-10-11T13:00:00+00:00

33

Mission Control, Houston

It was shift change, and the number of people in Mission Control had doubled. Each console was overcrowded as the oncoming crew listened to the details of what had happened, making notes and asking questions, so they could seamlessly take over responsibility. An Apollo mission was like a nine-day multi-person relay race where no one could let the baton of technical information and decision-making drop.

Kaz was briefing the oncoming shift CAPCOM. The State Depart­ment Field Office had provided a Russian interpreter, who stood calmly beside them, absorbing all the new jargon.

Just before his shift went off headset, Gene Kranz spoke.

“People, that was a helluva day. You worked through many serious problems, some unprecedented in the history of manned spaceflight.” He made eye contact with each console.

“We’ve got the tragedy to deal with, as well as the complexity of handling a new, non-English-speaking foreign crewmember. But the bottom line is we had a successful launch and have a resting crew, a healthy spaceship and a clear mission.”

“The real work is just beginning. Get some sleep. See you back here in”—he checked his watch—“fifteen hours.”

Kaz had given the U-Joint a long look as he drove home, but the idea of the noisy bar hadn’t appealed to him, especially knowing that another astronaut from the Apollo 18 crew would soon be joining Tom on the honor wall. He’d stopped at the grocery for supplies instead. He wanted a stretch and an easy run, a quiet beer and a bite, and maybe some time with Laura. He turned up and into his Polly Ranch driveway, parked and glanced at his watch as he got out and closed the car door. She’d said she’d try to come over after the long drive back from Florida, maybe get in around eight.

Perfect.

He tossed his bag on the sofa and put the food in the fridge, wrinkling his nose at the house’s stale air. Smells like an absent bachelor’s pad. He opened the screened windows as he changed into PT gear, letting the early-evening breeze blow through.

The sun was nearing the horizon as he stepped out onto the driveway and started his 5BX stretching. The disrupted schedule at the Cape and the long periods of sitting had made him stiff. He’d learned it was best not to think about it; just put the body through the practiced 10 minutes of isometrics, work smoothly to the limits, ignore the creaks. Let his mind separate and wander.

But the day kept crowding into his mind. He pictured what the crew was doing in the capsule as he transitioned from stretching to sit-ups. He guessed they would not be sleeping easily. Chad with his quick temper not responding well to all the changes of plan, and Michael trying to be a calming influence, minding the ship and doing the right thing. Both men on edge with Luke’s body hovering unavoidably and a female cosmonaut thrown into the mix.

A lot of tension on board.

He stood to do the back extensions, grimacing,

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