Somebody Else's Space Program
---
Chapter Sixty Eight, continued
"And send to me a token of thy fair esteem
That I may carry as my standard into battle."
Theniol stood as Ross returned. "Everything's nominal in the capsule. We were talking about falcons."
Ross nodded, slipped back into the CapCom chair. "Flight?"
"We're go for launch, Director."
The blue presentation folder was on the desk, closed, under Ross's hand. "Resume the countdown."
"Tee minus ten minutes and counting."
A hand on Ross's shoulder. Cisihlte stood there, holding a flat box, about twenty inches by fifteen, four inches deep. "This is for you."
A flier's jacket, but instead of the agency patch on the shoulder, there was the same design as the two fliers in the capsule were wearing -- the golden rose on the dark blue background. The note with the jacket was signed by all of the flier corps. "Thank you." Ross took an instant to shed his coat and put the jacket on instead. There was light applause in the room, then messages started coming in -- all nominal, but needful of attention.
Envyss's voice. "It looks like the falcon worked. Neither of us in here can see any birds in our fields of vision at all. How does it look to you?"
"Only the decoy on top of the tower." Some numbers read off, then, "Thank you for the jacket."
"It fits, I hope? You've lost some weight over the last few months . . ."
"It's fine. Let's get this bird off the pad."
---
It had taken some time for Narayana to get used to the constant soft murmur of words from Envyss, but now it was reassuring. "Those are prayers, aren't they."
"Yes. Don't worry -- I'm not depending on the gods to catch any mistakes we make. It's just . . ."
"It's the rose. That's special to you."
"Yes." Then, suddenly conscious of the voice recorder and the transmission, "Ground, how do we look?"
Ross's voice, "Looks good. You're still go for launch."
Narayana saw Envyss's lips move . . . was the word "khymreth" ? Not enough to show up on any of the recorders.
Countdown. Trembling as the engines started, the thrust built . . . finally, zero, and the holddowns let go, everything nominal . . .
"Dual Flight 5, did you get your roll?
"Roger. Roll complete." Numbers flowing. Just seconds and they were above the cloud cover. "Boy, that sun is bright."
"Copy that. Be careful -- 'Keetays dazzled himself on his flight."
"Roger."
Some seconds, then "We're go for staging."
"Roger. Staging looks good from here."
All the countless details, a reassuring routine of words and numbers. Ross's shoulders unknotted a bit, every time a milestone was passed. All the staging was done, time for a nap, then some experiments. EVA would be the next day, when the ground crew had slept.
Tracking changed to another ground station -- Ross was off duty as CapCom, although he was still getting updates as Director. Gallagher practically pulled him out of the chair and steered him to the lounge, where there was a small buffet waiting. Hot caffeine was waiting... Ross's hand was trembling -- he carefully held on with both hands. "It was a good launch, Ross."
"Thank you. And thank everyone else for me. I'm a bit more involved than usual -- I'm ignoring people. I'm sorry."
"Your mind is on the transmissions from the capsule -- exactly where it should be for a CapCom. I haven't noticed any hesitations because of language."
"I have enough sense to spit things out in two or three languages, in a hurry, if the first one isn't right there. Envyss is used to that. Narayana learned fast."
Someone started to make a joke about Envyss and Naryana being up in the capsule alone, then noticed the earring and ring combination and cut himself off. Then Valmiiki made a remark about "Ross's girls."
Ross picked up a pastry, took a bite, rinsed it down. "You're confused. They're both more masculine than I am. I'm just older."
Laughter, and they let Ross eat in peace.
---
"You have to sleep. Do I have to get Meds over here to dose you?"
"How do the other partners manage?"
"By not having a job with the agency. So they can do something else. Ross, you're unique." Gallagher steered Ross upstairs to the small apartment Ross and Envyss shared when there was a mission up. "At least fall over."
"That I can do." A big recliner, actually large enough for both of them, as long as no one minded cozy. "Don't hesitate to wake me up if anything..."
"Ross. No one has ever kept you out of the loop before. Why now?"
"I just worry."
"Understood." Gallagher looked around, "Where's your tape player?"
"Why?"
"He left me a tape to give to you, first night out."
Earlier, Envyss had mentioned making four tapes? And had only handed Ross one before the launch. Ross bolted up from the chair. "You didn't play it, did you?"
Gallagher smiled, then, "No. He said I could -- that it was harmless -- but I didn't see the point. It's for you, not for me."
Ross found the tape player, set it up. Gallagher let himself out. Ross settled back into the chair, pressed "Play."
His own voice, singing. But no song that he knew, it was in the hruss language, and he didn't even understand some of the words. Then he heard the name Jheraind -- this was a ceremony welcoming a new child. Ivar, the rose before Ross in the succession, singing over a baby Jheraind.
The voice was dead-on, given the changes in recording technology.
A short pause, then two voices together, this time in Ross's native tongue. It sounded like him and Envyss. But again, no song that Ross actually knew.
Ross fell asleep midway through the third song.
---
Wakeup was a phone call. There were two phones in the apartment, with two distinct rings. One was only used for emergencies.
No emergency this time. Ross answered, "Give me ten minutes."
"Not a problem. Everything's nominal."
"Good."
A quick shower and shave. He threw on a technician's uniform instead of more upper-echelon dress shirt and trousers. And comfortable shoes -- he was going to be pacing a lot today, to relieve the stress.
Meds met him just outside the room. "You need to go take a run."
"I have work to do."
"You need to not work yourself into nervous collapse. I can suspend you if you don't cooperate."
"Can I get an update first?"
"Yes. March right back in there right now and get your running shoes."
"Yes, sir," with a salute.
---
Two bodyguards, and one of the relief CapComs. "Absolutely no bobbles overnight. At 0900, they're ready to start EVA procedures."
"How did they sleep?"
"On and off. That's normal for micrograv, at least as short as our missions have been." Most of the CapComs had been up at least once at this point. "I'd love to be on a longer mission where I can find out if that changes. What sleep you get is very restful, though. An hour or two serves for four."
The bodyguard looked at his watch. "You've done the minimum that the medical officer required. Shall we return to Mission Control or do you wish to continue running?"
Ross stood for a moment, looking at Site Seventeen, then over at the site of the current, successful launch where crews were already cleaning and repairing the blast damage for later flights. "Yes. We have work to do."
---
Another quick shower. And this time Ross, deliberately, picked up the different, slightly spicier soap that Envyss used. In the hot steam, the scent created almost an invisible presence. "You're doing fine, love. I'll bring you home safe."
And the hot water hissed, "I know you will, partner of mine."
---
A loose tunic, no embroidery, but definitely hruss style. And the new jacket over it. A small loaf of fresh, hot bread smeared with honey and spices, almost too chewy to be a quick breakfast. Fruit and cheese, a hasty hand-wash after.
"Give me your reports."
One by one, the consoles reported, then Ross slid into place at the CapCom's station. "Good morning, children."
"Good morning, Ross. Do you know how many sunrises we get up here?"
"Do the window shades work?"
"Almost. There's leakage around the edges. Already noted for the later models."
"Anything to report?"
"Ready for today's EVA. We've were watching a slight overdraw on electrical, but the errors seem to have nulled out."
"Roger that. Everyone's dressed?"
"Helmets and gloves secure, just waiting for your word to pop open the hatch for a look outside."
"Do it."
Slow release of pressure, reports on how the suits were behaving. Finally, no air in the capsule, and Narayana eased the hatch open. "Remind me not to drop this -- we're going to need it on the way home."
Since the hatch was on hinges instead of freely floating, that got a laugh instead of a scowl. "Take the key with you so you don't get locked out if your roommate falls asleep."
"Roger that. Ross, are there any more of them where you got this one?"
"Yes, but I got the pick of the litter." Snickers in Mission Control. "What's your progress?"
"Hatch is open, I'm about to stand up. Bit of a tight fit here -- the suit puffs out more than expected. And the joints are stiff."
"Do you want to abort the EVA? Don't risk yourself if you don't think the equipment is right."
"No, I'll be okay. Here we go. Lanyard fastened . . . I'm out."
Envyss's voice, "Watch out for the sun."
"Roger. I'm turning to face away from the sun... Nice looking planet you've got there."
"Can you make out where the terminator is?"
"Lots of cloud cover -- I can't ID anywhere in particular right now. Time to try the toys. Envyss, hand me the boltdriver."
Quiet patter as the reactionless tools were tested in actual microgravity. "We need a better system for keeping the flier next to the work. With the bulky gloves, it's hard to hold on at the same time."
"Noted. Are you having fun out there?"
"It's great. The stars are so bright... I think I'm supposed to go back inside now. Hope this works."
Silence... some muttering from Narayana's microphone, and some heavy breathing. Then, Envyss reported, "In and hatch secured. Repressurizing the capsule."
Ross remembered to breathe. "Both of you inside now?"
Narayana said, "Counting noses -- yes, two of us. Are we expecting a guest?"
"Not unless you invited someone and didn't tell us. Any angels out there?"
A long pause. Then, from Envyss, "Nothing obvious. I'll leave other speculation to the theologians."
"Sounds good."
Medical checks, heartbeat and respiration were working their way back to normal. "You can have your meal and nap a little early if you like."
"Sounds good."
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