Chapter 15

Buck and Wilma watched from their hiding spots as the other Buck entered the cockpit. Several other attendants helped him to get situated in the pilot's seat, and get hooked into the shuttle's environmental controls. When they were satisfied everything was perfect, they all left the cockpit and noisily closed and locked the hatch. Within just moments, the other Buck was sleeping soundly. Buck scrambled out of his hiding spot and climbed into the copilot's seat. Wilma climbed into the seat behind the Buck still awake.

"Are you going to be able to get him out of his seat?" she asked.

"Probably not in this position. We'll have to wait until we're in space and in a less vertical position. I don't want to drop him all the way to the back of the cockpit, which is currently the bottom of the cockpit. I should be able to do everything I need to from here."

"Should be able to?"
"Most of the launch is computerized. I won't have much real control until we get rid of these rocket boosters. All we can do now is to buckle up and enjoy the ride. From here on, Wilma, I need you to be quiet. I'm tapping into NASA's communications."

She simply nodded, not realizing until afterwards that Buck couldn't see her. Buck hooked himself up to all the sensors except for environmental controls. Instead he turned on the oxygen supply of his space suit and indicated for Wilma to turn on her oxygen supply. Buck and the control room exchanged scads of information and bantering until it was nearly time for launch.

"T-minus one minute," said the tower.

Buck's heart raced. He'd almost forgotten the thrill of sitting atop a roman candle with countless pounds of thrust preparing to shoot him into the void of space. Buck pressed some switches on his console.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has displayed the 'No Smoking' sign. Please return to your seats and place them in their upright position."

"No unnecessary chatter, Captain Rogers!"

"Yes, Sir, General Roberts. All systems are a go for Ranger Three."

"Prepare for ignition."

"T-minus thirty seconds."

"Auto guidance is a go."

"Environmental controls are a go."

"Life signs are a go."

"Computer systems are a go."

"T-minus ten seconds."

"Ranger Three, prepare for ignition."

"T-minus five seconds."

Suddenly the ship began to vibrate violently. Wilma looked around nervously. "Ranger Three, we have ignition."

"Three… two… one… launch!"

The shuttle suddenly lurched straight up. The entire ship began to lift slowly into the air. "We have liftoff. We are now clear of the tower. Everything is proceeding as normal."

The ship began to rapidly pick up speed as it lifted higher and higher into the atmosphere. The shuttle rotated slightly as it continued to climb into the atmosphere. One of the computer attendants in launch control rapidly pored over the mass of data being processed by his computer. He looked at it strangely for several minutes before calling the attention of his superior.

"Sir, something's wrong with the thrust."

"What is it?"

"It's not as much as anticipated."

"Are we still in the green?"

"Yes, Sir, there is plenty to make it to orbit."

"Then what's the problem?"

"According to calculations, the shuttle is a little behind where it should be."

"How far behind?"
"A half mile."

"What would account for the discrepancy?"

"According to quick estimates, it's almost as if the shuttle had an excess weight of approximately three hundred fifty pounds."

"How is that possible?"

"There could be a micro-fiber block in the exhaust chamber."

"Anything life threatening?"

"No, Sir."
"Fine. Carry on. Keep monitoring the situation."

Several minutes later the booster rockets detached and the second stage fired to life, causing the shuttle to lurch forward again. The inhabitants of the cockpit were forced into the deepest recesses of their seats as the shuttle accelerated rapidly away from the planet far below.

"Initial detachment complete."

"Roger, Flight Control. Everything up here is looking good."
"Affirmative, Ranger Three. In thirty seconds we will be transferring you to Houston Main Control."

"Roger. Thanks, you guys. This was another flawless launch. When I get back, I'll buy all you guys lunch… on General Robert's tab!"

Once they made it to orbit, Buck disconnected from the seatbelts and turned off the microphone. He looked back at Wilma who looked pale.

"What do you think?"

"I don't know how your people did it. Don't your scientists know what inertial dampeners are?"
Buck shook his head. "Nope. Well, we should be able to move Buck from his seat now."

In the weightlessness, the process of moving the unconscious pilot to another seat proved to be easy. Buck then took the vacant seat while Wilma commandeered the navigator's chair.

"Give me a couple minutes and I'll have the calculations for the course change to the stargate," she said.

"If we use half of our supply of fuel at maximum burn, we should be there in three days."

"Three days?"

"Sorry, Wilma. This isn't exactly as fast as a starfighter."

She sighed. "I know. But what are we going to do for three days?"

"I brought a deck of cards. I can show you how to play gin rummy."

"What about food?"

"Remember, this was supposed to be a five month reconnaissance mission. There's enough food onboard for a few days."

She nodded. "I have the calculations."

Buck ran them into the computer and waited for a reply. A moment later, he tapped a button on the console. "I can make the course change in forty-two minutes when our orbit comes back around. In the meantime, sit back and get comfortable. We're gonna be here for awhile."