"Thrusters, guidance, navigation checklist complete."436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8YbXQ4UqG
"Roger, Enterprise. You are go for CSM-CM separation."
Dr. Roddenberry was pacing. He readjusted his glasses and gazed again around the Mission Control room.
One of the technicians at the tracking consoles caught his eye and indicated he need to talk to him.
Roddenberry went over to him. "How's it looking, Stebbings?"
"We may have a slight problem, sir."
"What?"
Stebbings punched a few keys and indicated the blip on the readout screen. "They may be a little off target."
"How far?"
"Might be as much as 200 miles."436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySvqNGLMCT
Roddenberry rubbed at his chin. "200, huh?"
"Which means it might take 90 minutes for the recovery forces to reach them."
"That's an unexpected problem," said Roddenberry. "But not a terribly serious one, I don't think. You keep me posted, though."
"I will, sir."
Janice Kirk picked up her coffee cup, then set it down.
Vina Pike got up, crossed the Kirk living room, and turned up the sound on the TV set.
Nancy McCoy picked up her coffee cup, then set it down.
"Enterprise, we are 10 seconds from Interface."
"Roger, Houston."
"8, 7, 6, 5, 4...…"
"This is the worst part," said Nancy quietly, "the worst part of all so far."
".....3, 2, 1. Interface!"
"Roger, Houston."
The TV screen showed them the Mission Control room, and it let them hear an odd buzzing sound---not a comforting sound, a warning sound.
"My God," said Janice, "what is it?"
"Enterprise IX, this is Houston. Enterprise IX, this is Houston."
No answer. The buzzing went on.
"Enterprise IX, we have a red on the heat shield. Do you copy?"
"My God, my God," repeated Janice, pressing a hand between her breasts.
"Enterprise IX, this is Houston. We show red. Do you copy?"436Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWmihGCnnf
A nine-year-old boy came running into the living room. "I was at Mark's and I'm late, mom. Did I miss...."
"Peter!" Janice jumped up, moved to the boy. "You'd better---you'd better wait outside."
"Enterprise IX, this is Houston. Do you read?"
"Why, mom? What's the...."
"Outside. Out of here!" She put an arm around him and almost dragged him across the room toward the doorway.
"Enterprise IX, this is Houston. Enterprise IX, this is Houston."
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