Chapter III

 

12:27 The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena,  05.09.2018

Howard had gone through twelve NASA officials with increasing authority before he was finally able to speak to the director himself whom had been in Washington DC. The conversation had been necessarily cloak and dagger but it had frustrated the director and Howard, even now he could still remember it and the dressing down he had received for his trouble. When Howard made the call, he and Emilio shared an uneasy look as Howard turned the telephone onto loud speaker.

 

‘This is Administrator Stronach.’ Growled the man on the other end of the telephone. ‘Just who in the hell is this?’

 

‘Sir I am Howard Steven, I am a Mission Controller overseeing-‘

 

‘I know exactly who you are Mr. Steven.’ Cut in the administrator in a condescending tone. ‘I was just wondering if you knew who you are.’

 

Howard and Emilio visibly winced at Howard’s dressing down at the hands of the director, Howard didn’t dare speak for he had a feeling that the director wasn’t finished and it was good he didn’t for the director wasn’t.

 

‘I asked who you are as I wanted to know how you think you have the brass balls to demand to speak with me!’ roared the administrator, Howard imagined spittle flying from the man’s lips such was the  ferocity of his words. ‘Your title as a Mission Controller might sound important to anyone who didn’t know that your entire operation was run in one shitty room in Pasadena opposite a McDonald’s!

 

‘Tin pot mission controllers do not get to demand the attention of the Administrator of Nasa on a whim do you have any idea where I am? I am in Washington I am meeting with the President, the Secretary of Defence, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Your pet project has long since lost its shine and will be switched off as planned is that clear?’

 

Howard’s pupils dilated he shared a look with Emilio the meaning was clear did they already know, Howard couldn’t help himself he blurted out. ‘Why are you meeting?’

 

‘That is none of your fucking business.’ Growled the director. ‘Now be a good little boy and turn off your little instruments and get off the goddamned telephone.’

 

‘Answer. The. Fucking. Question.’ snarled Howard with venom in every syllable, with a firmness that he didn’t know he had, he surprised Emilio and it seemed even the administrator as the line was silent. ‘I need to know if you know already about what we have found because if you do then I am wasting precious time.’

 

‘If I know what?’ asked the director, his tone changing he was suddenly intrigued.

 

‘I can’t tell you, not over a telephone at least.’ Replied Howard. ‘But I need to know why you are meeting with the president, sir, I would not have insisted if it wasn’t of the utmost importance.’

 

‘It’s a fact finding operation.’ Stated the administrator after a pause. ‘We have had word that the Chinese and the Russian’s are making preparations for a moon base and the president wants to know if we can beat them to the punch, we are on the cusp of a new space race Mr. Steven.’

 

‘Then you don’t know.’ Replied Howard, his shoulders sagged it would have been easier if they already knew.

 

‘So it would seem.’ Said the administrator. ‘So what is it that I am meant to know?’

 

‘I can’t tell you.’ Replied Howard. ‘But I can show you, you need to get here as quick as you can.’

 

‘Did you not listen I am in Washington.’ Sneered the administrator. ‘I am-‘

 

‘Yeah I got it you are in Washington with the big muckety mucks.’ Chuckled Howard mirthlessly, he figured the only way to get the administrator here was to piss him off. ‘If you can’t connect the dots then you’re a bigger dumbass than they say you are. We are monitoring the Voyager probes and if we are looking at what we think we are looking at then the Russians and the Chinese are the least of our problems, get to Pasadena, hell you might as well bring everyone with you they will find out sooner or later anyway.’