In Moscow, Chelomei had been waiting for this moment. He spoke urgently via the squawk box to Gabdul, poised at his console in Simfero-pol, 1,200 kilometers to the south. “Now!”
Gabdul slammed his control stick forward and held it. Not the time for caution.
In Houston, the interpreter next to Kaz called for Svetlana to exit the lander. Her white form came into view on the screen as she smoothly backed down the rungs. She turned and strode over to stand on the opposite side of Chad from the flag. She glanced at him and raised her visor to match.
Nixon nodded at Dobrynin, who quietly said, “Mr. President, as this is so important a day for my country, with your permission I’m going to speak to the cosmonaut in Russian, and then in English.”
Perfect, Haldeman thought, watching Nixon nod. No doubt as to who is in charge.
Behind the astronauts, a silver shape was slowly entering camera range. Kaz spotted it and spoke rapidly. “FLIGHT, their rover’s approaching Bulldog!”
Gene Kranz’s jaw was thrust forward, his eyes narrow. “I see it, CAPCOM.” The Soviets were doing this on purpose. His mind clicked through possible dangers and potential reactions.
Dobrynin turned towards the screen and raised his voice for the speakerphone.
“Major Svetlana Yevgenyevna Gromova, this is Ambassador Dobrynin. I bring you the greatest of congratulations and honors from General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev, supreme leader of the Soviet Union. Your sacrifices, skills and accomplishments are already legendary, and will be a permanent source of pride for all of history. We salute you—the first Soviet citizen to walk on the Moon.”
Major? I just got promoted two ranks. She responded formally.
“Thank you, Ambassador. I am deeply honored and forever grateful to be the fortunate first Soviet to be here, in this rare place, today.”
In Simferopol, Gabdul had been counting aloud. As he hit “treedsit-shest,” thirty-six, he released the hand controller. At full speed the rover should have traveled 20 meters. He looked to the screen for the updated still image, and said a quick prayer.
Dobrynin was still speaking. “Secretary Brezhnev asked me specifically to say he is greatly looking forward to welcoming you to the Kremlin on your safe return.”
“Thank you, Ambassador,” Svetlana said once more.
Dobrynin turned to Nixon. Neither man had been paying enough attention to the TV screen to notice the silver vehicle in the background. Haldeman had, though. He strode up closer to the television, frowning.
The Ambassador noticed Haldeman, but he was used to staying on topic while underlings dealt with distractions. “Mr. President, our nation celebrates with you in this shared cooperation, as we lead the world in space exploration. The support team in Moscow would also like to say a few words to Major Gromova.”
Lunokhod was now squarely in the center of the TV image.
There were several clicking sounds as the phone lines were patched through, and then Chelomei’s voice came clearly through the static. The Houston interpreter translated quickly as they spoke.
“Cosmonaut Major Gromova, this is Director Chelomei in TsUP. We salute your bravery, our first human explorer of the Moon, a true Soviet pathfinder and example to us all.”
“Thank you, Tovarisch Director.”
Haldeman turned to face the president. “Sir, they’ve driven their rover into the picture.” Disgust at having been taken advantage of was thick in his voice. The three men around the desk leaned closer to the screen to see.
Chelomei delivered his coup de grace. “With your historic landing at this Soviet discovery site, with Lunokhod, which has already been exploring for three months, directly behind you, your name will forever join the ranks of Gagarin, Tereshkova and Leonov. Pozdravlyayem!”
Chad whipped around to look, startled to see Lunokhod now just 15 feet away, centered behind them. Svetlana had turned as well, and nodded at the tactic. Smart move.
She spoke in response. “It is with great pride that I follow such heroes of the Soviet Union, and in the tracks of Lunokhod. I thank you and every member of the support team, Director Chelomei. It is a great honor to be here on behalf of you all.”
There was a pause. Kaz sensed the uncertainty as to who would speak next and stepped in. “Mr. President, back to you, sir.”
Haldeman stepped forward quickly and whispered in Nixon’s ear.
The President decided to ignore the rover. People were what mattered, not machinery. “The United States adds their congratulations, Major Gromova, on your historic human achievement. Major Miller, I’d personally like to thank you for skilfully piloting your ship to the surface and bringing another nation to the new world of the Moon.”