In Bulldog, Chad heard Michael’s call and thought about what that meant. He reached across and switched both him and Svetlana off hot mic. To respond, they’d need to push a transmit switch. He needed to be able to control what the cosmonaut said.
He checked the cabin pressure and began removing his gloves and helmet, gesturing for her to do the same. They’d need to eat, and then attach all the extra equipment to their suits before going outside. As he temp-stowed the gear, he went over the moonwalk plan in his head. It’s all on me. This was why he’d loved flying single-seat fighters. Only his decisions mattered. His skills, his ideas, his actions. Every one of those nobodies in Houston—hell, in Moscow too—needed him. The power of it was exquisite. Only he had the whole picture, and everyone else had to ask him for what they wanted.
He looked at the cosmonaut as she lifted the helmet off her head. Especially her. She’s mine to control.
They both heard the Russian voice simultaneously.
“Transmission test, transmission test, how do you hear me?” Chelomei paused briefly, and then said, “If you can hear me, call Houston for a comm check.”
Svetlana’s head whipped around to look at Chad.
He was looking directly at her, smiling oddly, as if he had anticipated her reaction. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he said one word to her. “Podozhdi!” The command for an underling to wait.
She was shocked. Had he just said a Russian word? She had to repeat it again in her head in order to believe it. He had, clearly, with no accent!
He held up his hand with a finger raised, staring at her intently—the clear signal to wait for him to do something.
Without breaking eye contact, he pushed the mic button on the control stick. “Houston, Bulldog, comm check.”
Kaz answered by reflex. “Loud and clear, how us?”
Chad sneered, just a little, his eyes boring into hers. “Five by, thanks, just checking.”
They waited. The voice spoke again in Russian.
“Thank you. Senior Lieutenant Gromova, if you can hear this transmission, cough twice.”
Chad thought about it, then pointed at her and pushed the mic button.
Svetlana was confused, but coughed as requested, her mind reeling.
Chad released her mic and toggled his own. “Sorry, Houston, she’s just coughing a bit in Bulldog’s dry air.”
“Copy, Chad, let us know if it’s a problem,” Kaz responded. “SURGEON is standing by.”
Chelomei was pleased—the astronaut was cooperating—but knew he had to keep it short. “Listen to me,” he said. “You’ll see we have parked Lunokhod in a very specific location. Just under the front of the rover, you’ll find a good-sized stone. You will retrieve it without telling Houston, and stow it separately in your ship, so you know which one it is. Click your mic twice if you understand.”
Chad pushed the mic button twice.
In Houston, Kaz heard the double click and a puzzled expression crossed his face. Someone bumped the mic button again? What the hell?
The Russian voice continued in Chad’s and Svetlana’s headsets. “We have your brother here, Major Miller. He is fine, but we hold him in our palm, like a dove.”
Svetlana saw Chad’s eyes narrow. What the hell is going on?
Chelomei waved for the cleric and interpreter to come closer. “Here is your brother,” he said. He held the microphone up to the monk’s mouth, pushed the button and nodded.
Ilarion was nervous, and Alexander quietly prompted him. “Speak to your brother, Father, he needs you.”
Oddly, the monk felt like crying as he spoke. “Yuri? Yuri, they say you can hear me but cannot answer. That is okay.” He felt the need to reassure his little brother as best he could.
Svetlana’s eyes widened even further. Yuri? This new voice had called Chad by the name of Yuri. Was this American astronaut Russian?
“Yuri, I am so proud of you,” the voice continued, full of emotion. “What you are doing is magnificent, and for all of mankind. You have taken great risks and traveled so far, and done our family honor, but also I will be so glad to see you safely back here on Earth.”
Chelomei frowned slightly and made a spinning motion with one finger. Wrap it up.
The monk grew flustered. “Um, there was something I wanted to say to you, Yuri. Ah yes—you will need much strength to complete your voyage. Know that you have it from me, and more importantly, if our blessed mother were still alive, her pride would be pouring over you.”
Alexander spoke softly. “Time to finish, Father.”