In the shadow of the Earth #4

Things were ramping up around the offices. People were in overdrive. NASA was quiet about the SEP flight, there was a instrumentation glitch that required half the CM panel to be ripped to shreds, and put back together. The Sun was still very active, five more flares had erupted over the past day and a half, thankfully all away from Earth. I had practically moved into my office, though the cot in the corner got little use.

One day, I got a call stating that an ad-hoc conference call was being organized, and to stay on the line.

"Alright, I'm ready to call this meeting to order. We've got myself, Edward Foulkes. Our Flight Director for SEP-010, Matt Peyton just walked in, I believe you know each other. "
"We do."
"Good. Kyle Burrows is with us as well, he's the G.C. here."
"I'm well aware of who's who."
"Alright then. Matt, why don't you explain our current predicament?"
"Thank you. Yesterday, we were able to confirm that our orbiter returning from the moon struck debris of an unknown nature. The crew are unharmed, but we have determined that the vehicle will not survive an interface with the atmosphere. We have already had the vehicle adjust its orbit so that she'll run out her fuel to near exhaustion to--"
"--What Matt is saying," Foulkes interjected.
"Is that we've got the situation salvaged. For now. What does AST have in mind?"

I took a moment to think it over.

"Well. Let's see here. MPCV isn't a viable option, and neither is a rescue flight from us. However, don't you have a prototype at Edwards?"
"We do."
"Then, ready her for flight, ASAP. AST can provide ascent tracking stations, and two abort sites, if need be."
"That could work. However, a deal like this doesn't come without strings."
"Indeed. AST doesn't want monetary reimbursement. We want NASA to lift the prohibition of landings near the Apollo sites. Specifically the Frau Mauro Highlands."

Silence.

"You can't be serious."
"I am. I understand that lives are at stake, but I've been told to make this clear. We want the rights to put down at Frau Mauro."
"We'll get back to you on that."
"Ok. Y'all need anything else?"
"Yes." Piped up Matt. "I need to deal with some private things with Patrick."
"Sounds good."

I could hear the others leave.

"Alright, they're gone."
"What do you need?"
"I heard through the grapevine that you got lung cancer."
"News travels fast. I suppose the networks have a hold of this?"
"No. I've been assured of that."
"That's a plus."
"So, do you think it was because of what happened on the Big D?"
"Probably. I don't know how high my dosage was, but when I hauled you out of there, you're badge read pretty damn high."
"I should get a screening then, shouldn't I?"
"Wouldn't hurt to be on the safe side."
"Indeed. Oh, and as if I haven't said it enough, thanks. I wouldn't be here if you didn't drag me off that boat."
"Don't mention it. Ah, look, I got to report back to my boss. I'll call you later."
"Alright. Bye."

I hung up, and left my office. I headed over to Jack's office. Hardline caught me in the hall.

"Patrick."
"George."
"So, how'd it go?"
"They're uneasy about us landing near Frau Mauro. I'll have an answer by tomorrow."
"That's good to know. Well, I need to get talking with our tracking stations."
"Alright. See you later."

We parted ways, and I continued on to Jack's office. I entered the open doorway and knocked on the door jam.
"Yo."
"So, I just got off the phone with NASA."
"What happened?"
"They're on the fence for now. Turns out, Constitution hit something on the way back, compromising the heat shield."
"Jeez."
"Yeah. So, that's where I'm at."
"Well, I've got good news for you. The CM is all put back together, and the technicians are feeling out the bugs."
"That's good. I figured we'd have had a hold, guess not."



Note: If you haven't pieced it together, Scav and myself are working on weaving each other's storyline into our respective stories, and I want to thank him for letting me do that. Thanks scav! Stay mostly harmless