Colonel Tony Nelson and his wife Jeannie were enjoying the Fourth of July fireworks show over the Pacific Ocean. The display was especially impressive. They really wanted to do it right for the bicentennial celebration. Something was bothering Tony, though.
Jeannie, who was especially perceptive with or without powers, asked, "What is it darling?"
Tony knew better than to lie to Jeannie, "Nothing Jeannie, its just I've been thinking about the mission I'm going on in a few weeks."
Tony wasn't lying to his wife, but he was leaving a lot out. There was a Saturn V booster with an Apollo capsule on it waiting for him up the coast at Vandenburg Air Force Base, where he was temporarily attached. While he received a lot of publicity for his past space launches, if all goes well this launch will only be known to a select few military personnel. His crew were all military, men he knew and trusted. Tony would serve as mission commander, Navy Captain Les Wingate would be pilot, and Army Lt. Colonel Roger Healey would be the mission specialist. He hoped this mission would get Roger that promotion to full colonel. The three men, representing the three branches of the military, would be launched in the middle of the night to the abandoned Skylab station to do some military testing for the Joint Chiefs. If the mission were to be compromised, the cover story was that they would be making necessary repairs to the station—which was destined to fall out of the sky in a matter of a few years if the orbit wasn't stabilized.
"Happy 4th of July!" Roger Healey greeted the Nelsons with two California girls whose combined age might approach that of Roger's.
Tony smiled, Roger could always get him out of a funk, "Happy Fourth of July, Roger," he replied.
Jeannie also smiled, "Happy Bicentennial, Colonel Healey"
Roger told Tony, "You should have been here this afternoon, Les Wingate really put some local surf punks in their place. Our Navy friend knows his way around a surfboard."
One of the beach bunnies surprised Tony by speaking up, "Captain Wingate is a legend… the astronaut surfer. He had a chance to go pro, but went to Annapolis instead."
Tony replied, "Yeah, Captain Wingate and I are old friends."
Of course, the two girls knew who Tony Nelson was. Fame ended the necessity of introductions to astronaut groupies, but made wives jealous. It could be troublesome if your wife happened to have the power to literally turn you into an ass with the blink of her eyes. Tony minded his manners.
Almost on cue, Captain Les Wingate, USN, appeared. "Hey Tony, Roger, Jeannie, ladies," the tall astronaut greeted the group. The two beach bunnies started to melt. Les recently become single again. Now was Roger's turn to get jealous.
"Hey Les," greeted Tony, "heard you hung some ten."
The Air Force officer's attempt at surfing talk earned a laugh from Wingate.
The group sat around a fire on the beach, enjoying hotdogs chips and beer. They talked about the bicentennial, the new money, President Ford, the Freedom Train, most anything except the mission. Tony got a little concerned when they started talking about the Revolutionary War. Having been there once thanks to Jeannie, he didn't want to return. But Jeannie had also matured a bit, and minded her manners.
Later that MonthTony woke up precisely at 6:00 AM. T-18 Hours he thought. He said goodbye to Jeannie, which wasn't easy and hopped into his GTO. The car was getting old, and didn't get squat for mileage, but it left most of these 70s cars eating its dust.
He met Roger and Les at the flight surgeons office at Vandenburg. A young female Air Force Captain gave them the once over.
"Definitely not Dr. Bellows," quipped Roger.
"Whatever happened to him?" asked Les.
Tony answered, "Last I heard he's semi-retired, doing some part time work at a senior citizen's clinic. Not even doing psychiatry."
"He deserves the rest." Les replied.
More than you know, thought Tony.
After a mission briefing the Astronauts suited up and were taken by bus to the launch pad. Vandenburg had launched several satellites, but had not launched a manned shot… that the three had known about at least. The fact the government could keep a space launch a secret surprised Tony, but then again, he realized with the ratings of his last Moon shot, it may as well had been a secret. People stopped caring about space.
The rocket launched flawlessly at midnight. Within hours they were docking with Skylab. Roger quickly powered up Skylab, afterwards the three ate some freeze dried dinner and got some ordered sack time.
Tony had just fallen asleep when his sleep was disturbed. "Anthony," a voice had whispered in his ear. Half asleep, he thought it was his mother waking him up to go to school. Then with a jolt he realized who it was.
"Jeannie!" He half whispered, "What are you doing here!"
Jeannie looked at Tony crossly, "This does not look very safe, and why haven't they said anything about your mission on the television? I became very worried."
Tony tried to soothe Jeannie, "There is always risk in my line of work. The reason you haven't heard about the mission is because it is a secret military mission for the President. I assure you everything is going as planned. Please go home?"
"For the President?" Jeannie asked.
"Yes, for the President," Tony answered.
Jeannie had an idea, and went back to Earth. Tony thought Jeannie went back a little too quickly.
Summer was quickly coming to an end. The three astronauts spent the next six weeks testing various military equipment in the weightlessness and vacuum of space. Tony didn't like the idea of the militarization of space, but he was a good officer and followed orders. Jeannie also followed orders. Her only contact with Tony over those six weeks was by radio. Tony had the feeling Jeannie was up to something, but wasn't sure just what. That and the people at Vandenburg and Houston where unusually cool to him, but they wouldn't say why.
In early September, Tony, Roger, and Les splashed down in the unofficial Apollo 19. They were picked up by the USS Hancock, and there was a lot less fanfare when they arrived at the ship than in past missions. The Captain gave Les and Roger a very warm welcome, but simply told Tony, "General Schaffer wants to see you NOW, Colonel."
Tony replied by asking, "General Schaffer is on board?" that was unusual.
"He's in my ready room, and doesn't look happy." The ship's CO explained and ordered to a nearby Marine, "Sergeant Hollis, take Colonel Nelson to my ready room, showing him all military respect."
The Marine was silent, but respectful, and skillfully navigated the Air Force officer to the Captain's conference room. When he entered the ready room, Colonel Nelson came to attention. Before him stood the former Commanding General of NASA and the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Winfield Schaffer. The ship's captain was right, he didn't look happy. It must be something big for Schaffer to fly out here.
"Sir, for what do I owe this honor?" asked Tony, clearly worried.
"Tony, we've known each other a long time. Is there any way in the world you can explain this?" the General inquired while extending a rolled up poster.
Almost afraid to look at the poster, Tony carefully unrolled it. On the poster was his picture surrounded by a lot of red, white and blue. The caption read "Colonel Anthony Nelson for President… the Spirit of '76." Mentally Tony was screaming….Jeannie!