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Chapter Seven

The Crew

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The Pentagon

Major Rebecca Childs sat expectantly in an impeccable room just outside the courtroom. Her nerves were tensed to the point that she had actually resorted to chewing gum for the past fifteen minutes she'd been sitting there. Her knees jumped up and down as her feet bobbed nervously. Her stomach was in knots and her mind was going on and on constantly, telling her over and over that it was all over. Iverson paced a few yards in front of her, equally nervous. Finally, the door opened.

"Major Childs, they're ready for you."

Rebecca turned to spit out her gum. When she realized there was no garbage can, she swallowed it stiffly, then stood to enter the room.

~

She stood before a long line of high ranking officers. Her hands seemed tied behind her back, but she stood strongly before them. An un-breaking stone structure in a torrential wind.

"Major Childs, a clarification: you and you alone were responsible for proposing the descent vectors for the shuttle, correct?"

"Yes, General." She nodded her head stiffly. Iverson shook his head in disappointment behind her and spoke quietly with Talma Stickley at his side.

"We have determined that the class "A" landing mishap experienced by the Shuttle Endeavor was caused by biased navigational data from the ground due to a brief geomagnetic disturbance." It was at this point that Purcell entered the courtroom. "Major Childs, the resourcefulness you showed in determining the descent vectors prove that you have exceptional navigation skills. You've brought much credit upon yourself, the space program, and the United States Air Force. Congratulations, Major." Beck could not hold back a smile. "You are reassigned with Commander Iverson and Flight Director Stickley to a new mission effective immediately. Transportation is waiting outside. Good luck and Godspeed, Major." He saluted her.

Operations Base. Undesignated Location.

"Are you sure you want to wear this tie?" Serge asked a nerve wrecked Josh Keyes.

"Why?" Josh stated breathily.

"I don't know. I mean you look so nervous about it. You look so..." he sighed sadly. Purcell stepped toward them, frowning bitterly. His eyes fell nervously, only momentarily, to Josh's tie.

"So, how are you holding up?" he asked.

"Oh, hi." Josh said breathily. "I'm good, I'm good." he fiddled with the tie a little longer. "I'm about to tell a couple hundred people the world is going to end." he added sarcastically.

"Well..." Serge started to say.

"I've had better days." Josh admitted.

"You look good." Purcell commented, tugging a bit at his own tie then walking away.

"Well, no, you don't look good." Serge commented immediately. His eyes were full of an uncharacteristic concern for Josh. He'd never seen the kid so nervous in all his life. He felt immensely sorry for him. Wishing he could take Josh's place, though knowing that wasn't possible. Serge was happy he could at least stand beside him for this.

"Why did he touch his tie like that?" Josh asked in a growing paranoia. He started to redo his tie immediately.

"You look like you're about to throw up. Do you want me to help with that?"

Zimsky was on the other side of the room, going over some papers when he saw Purcell on the other side of the room.

"Thomas, let me speak with you for a moment." He ran to catch up with the fast walking General. "Listen, wouldn't you rather I did this? I mean, given my reputation, I think that..."

"No. No." Purcell protested immediately. "Keyes is the lead here, Zimsky."

"Yes. Thomas, this is the most important scientific operation in history. And given my status, I feel it's my job to present-"

"Project Destiny was your job, Zimsky. And you went way beyond authorized limits. And let me tell...And let me tell you," he pointed a threatening finger. "I still, I want to know if Destiny caused this problem."

Zimsky was fuming at the insult of his own work being thrown so strongly at him.

"It's highly unlikely, but it may be the solution." he shot back bitterly. "Now I have not finished checking-"

"Excuse me." Purcell stated. He walked away leaving Zimsky more angry then when they had started the conversation.

Purcell made his way toward a small group of Air Force officers where Rebecca deviated from the group to shake his hand.

"Rebecca...I'm so glad I was wrong."

~

"Right over left." Braz told Josh casually. The elderly man wasn't even dressed formally for this meeting. Josh wished he had his air of uncaring, perhaps then he wouldn't be so obsessed over this damned tie! "No, the other left, the other left."

"Gentleman." Purcell addressed them.

"And then you..." Braz continued without noticing immediately. His gaze turned in time away from helping Josh who was still having an immense problem.

"Gentleman." They parted to allow room for the newcomers. "Commander Iverson, Major Childs, this is your crew: Doctor Brazzleton knows the ship;"

"Hello." Braz greeted each of them in turn.

"Doctor. Zimsky knows the planet;"

"Doctor." Iverson greeted formally.

"Doctor Leveque knows the weapon's system." Iverson bowed to greet Serge, but he turned away.

"Excuse me, ladies first." he smiled and shook hands with Rebecca. "Hi."

"And Doctor Keyes." Josh was still messing with his tie. Purcell cleared his throat to get the man's attention. "Doctor Keyes built the navigation system, so..."

Rebecca leaned in and shook his hand, smiling pleasantly. "Hi. Rebecca Childs." he nodded his head, trying to look pleased to meet them. He did the same to the Commander. "Bob Iverson."

"These are your fellow....fellow...what?" Purcell asked lightly.

"Terranauts?"

"Hello." came Stickley's voice from behind them all. "All this brain power over here is beginning to smell like burning batteries. Y'all better come and join in."

"Yeah." Josh turned and started rearranging the tie all over again.

Iverson cleared his throat.

"It's the simplest things that are always the hardest, huh?" he laughed.

"Yeah. It's official." Josh laughed, walking backwards with him. "I'm the least qualified person on this base."

"Doctor Keyes I'm sure the people in charge have every confidence in you." Iverson encouraged.

"Well, the problem is that I'm in charge." Iverson's smile faded. "Yeah. I know." he laughed.

The Commander started to walk away then to take his seat. Rebecca approached him a few moments later.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"Yes, please." Immediately Rebecca started to work on his tie for him. Josh looked up, slightly embarrassed. "You're an astronaut, and you can tie a Windsor?"

"Mm-hmm." she nodded as she tied.

"Is there anything you can't do?"

She smiled. "Not that I'm aware of."

Josh laughed nervously. "I find that incredibly intimidating."

"Yep. Most people do. Here." she smiled, adjusting his collar.

"Thanks." he breathed with a great smile of relief. Rebecca grinned. He had a lovely smile, whenever he was smiling, that was.

"You're welcome." she laughed.

They moved over toward the table where all the others sat waiting. Purcell, seeing Rebecca and Josh both ready, began to speak.

"Let me introduce our project leader, Doctor Joshua Keyes."

"Thank you. Thank you." Josh breathed as he sat. The audience applauded along with Serge, Iverson, and Rebecca. Josh, looking more nervous now than he did ten minutes ago, tried to loosen up the atmosphere. "Good evening. Good evening." had he looked to his left he might have seen Serge smiling proudly, but he never did. "Wow. This looks like a meeting for Nobel Prize Winners Anonymous." Serge and a few others laughed. Josh, sensing the renewed tension, began immediately. "I know you're all the finest in your fields and I've come a long way to be here. So I'll outline our program over the next three months..."

Author's Note: Yeah I know I'm sorry. But the scene ends there. I may have something happen to Beck, Agent Sands, but I don't think I'll kill her. Sorry.

This was much easier to write. I think I'm getting used to this...what should I call it, "Scripting"?

^_^ ~Adieu for now!