The three astronauts, trailed by a slightly puffing Dr. Justman stepped from the gantry elevator and into the ready room. Across the small room the hatch of the capsule stood open. Three men were already in the ready room, white-clad Charlie White, the chief of the Rocket Firing Division, and two of his aides.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UBoZsg2XA
"Good morning, gentlemen," said White, a chunky man in his early fifties.
"Morning, Chuck," Kirk said.
Pike, glancing around, said, "Are we late?"
"Traffic was awful," added McCoy.
White smiled faintly. "I see you're all in good spirits." He was clutching an flat brown package to his chest.
"Yes, they are," said Dr. Justman. "I can vouch for that."
"Outside of a toast-induced stroke, we're all tip-top," Pike assured him.
"Have you done the EDS tests yet?" Kirk asked.
"They're almost finished," said White.
"Do you want us to enter?"
White's fingers fiddled with the paper of the package. "Yes, in a moment."
"Something?"
The brown paper ripped under White's fingers. I'm not very good at things like this," he said, eyes down.
"Give a good old-fashioned try," urged Pike.
"I've known you----well, especially you, Colonel Kirk----the thing is, I've known you all for some time," said White, his face flushing. "What you're about to do today---I've spent my whole life...." He got the paper off the book he was clutching. "Well, I just want you to know I feel as though all I have ever worked for----it all has meaning today. I'm very proud today, proud of the program----proud of what I've been able to contribute to it in some small way. And I'm proud of you fellows." He started to hand the leather-bound Bible, paused to wipe at the corner of his eye, and then gave Kirk the book. "Anyway, I really would like you to take this Bible along with you---from me---a gift from all of us."
After a few seconds of silence Pike said, "Golly, Chuck, I don't know what to say."
"Try saying nothing for a change," suggested White.
"Chuck, thank you," said Kirk, patting the Bible. "We'll be honored to take this with us."
White cleared his throat. "Well, gentlemen," he said, "let's go to Mars."
"Mars?" McCoy blinked. "Are you kidding? I thought we were going to Disneyland."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhcekk2WLq
"Will you guys please shut up," said White, urging them toward the hatch. "Let's get started."
Brass band music flared up, more Secret Service men appeared, and then the Vice President and his wife arrived at the grandstand. The young usher escorted them to seats next to Congressman Johnston and his party.
Johnston rested his binoculars on a plump knee. "Good morning, Mr. Vice President, and you too, Gladys."
"Good morning, Irving," said Vice President Sephiroth. "Gladys, General Elder." Sephiroth was a lean man, with a face that was always touched with an expression of vague perplexity.
"And how," asked Johnston, "is the President today?"
"Why, he's just fine," replied Sephiroth , smiling a vaguely perplexed smile. "He asked me to personally express his regrets for not being able to attend the launch personally. However, as you realize, there are some other matters which require his attention in Washington."
"Re-election being at the top of the list, I'm sure," said Johnston.
The usher held out two pairs of souvenir binoculars. "Mr. Vice President, I hope you and Mrs. Sephiroth will be very comfortable," he said. "The agency would like you both to have a pair of these commemorative binoculars."
"Why, thank you very much," said the Vice President.
A grin on his broad face, the congressman leaned toward the young man. "What's your name, son?"
"Bailey, sir. David Bailey."
"You learn pretty fast, you'll do all right."
"Thank you, sir."
Nodding, Johnston settled back in his chair.
"This is Robert Sarnoff, Enterprise Control. We are now at T-minus 1 hour, 15 minutes and counting. Mission Control in Houston reports all systems are go, all lights are green. The weather is reported to be good, scattered clouds at five to ten thousand feet, the wind is from the east at eight knots, the sea is reported calm, with swells of less than two feet. The spacecraft is still on external power."
Zipping up her white jeans, the redhaired girl stood watching the TV screen. "You're missing everything," she called toward the bathroom.
The door opened wider and steam came swirling out, followed by Cox. His curly black hair was less rumpled now. He had on slacks and a pale yellow shirt. "Correction, I never miss anything of importance."
"The switch to internal power will occur at T-minus 15 minutes. Colonel Kirk has reaffirmed the completion of the EDS test checks. The launch escape system will be armed at T-minus 37 minutes. This is Enterprise Control."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaYAa4p0mQ
"And this is Robbie Cox, wondering where the hell is necktie is."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C48VR2eDg
The girl waved a hand toward a lamp. "You threw it over there last night."
Retrieving the tie from the lampshade, Cox said, "Why, I wonder did I do such a thing?"
"After you finished doing the Latin Hustle with it, you said you had no further use for it."
"Thank God I don't have total recall," said the reporter, reattaching the tie to himself.
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