Somebody Else's Space Program
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Chapter Eleven "... hello dere!..."
The project was coming along nicely. Colonel Bezschastnoi looked out over small base that was, if not swarming with activity, at least visibly active. There were reports on his desk he needed to read, but there was a test firing in an hour, and it was a brutal ride out to the range -- only a fool tested next to habitats.
Academician Zhidislav's new fuel had worked well in small quantities, and this was the first large-scale test. Zhidislav himself was supposed to arrive shortly -- although possibly not in time to see the test. This far out, transportation was iffy.
Group Leader Oehleris rapped on the frame of the open door. "Your car is ready now, sir."
"Thank you. Any word on the Academician?"
"No, sir."
"The launch is still on schedule?"
"Yes, sir."
The colonel grabbed his coat and shrugged it on. "Let's go, then."
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Unexpected company. There was a car with a general's plates sitting next to -- too damned close to -- the test stand. "Get that fool out of there."
"Ah, sir..."
The colonel sighed. "Very well." He climbed out of the car and hurried toward the small group of figures near the launch platform. "Gentlemen, gentlemen, we need to be somewhere else, please, immediately." How _do_ you stop a general from going where he wants to go? Short of leaving him there during the launch, which could be very satisfying, but ultimately unhelpful to the program.
The general finally moved, and they were at the viewing platform with ten minutes to spare. "What were you doing there, General? Didn't you see the warning lights and signs?"
"Bah. They mean nothing. I knew you would hold the launch."
"I would hold the launch if I knew you were there. But if you escaped my notice..."
At that moment the rocket blew up.
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"And your explanation, Colonel?"
"General, I will not have an explanation until after an investigation. This is not an... automobile accident. First, we have to find the pieces. Then reassemble the rocket. The missing pieces are what we really need to look for. And then there is the chance of sabotage. You were able to get to the launch site because we are not adequately funded for security. Who else might have, and planted a bomb on the rocket?"
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The new funding included guards under a different budget. Zhidislav arrived a day late, and was put to work re-assembling the vehicle on the floor of a hangar.
"But... I don't know anything about the mechanical end of this. I deal with explosives, chemicals..."
"Then you can look for evidence of explosives. Go!"
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