In Russia a grim-faced Yasenin turned to President Antonov. "You heard," he said through clenched lips. "They're gone."
"They're gone," Antonov repeated mechanically. "It was as though Leuchenko's last words came from across the room."
"His communications were relayed by the two crewmen on the lunar landing craft direct to our space communications center," explained Kornilov.
Antonov moved away from the window overlooking the mission control room and sat down heavily in a chair. For such a large bear of a man he seemed shrunken and withered. He looked down at his hands and shook his head sadly.
"Poor planning," he said quietly. "We threw Major Leuchenko and his men's lives away and achieved nothing."
"There was no time to plan a proper mission," Yasenin offered lamely.
"Under the circumstances, we did all that was possible," added Kornilov. "We still have the glory of the first Soviet men to walk on the moon."
"The luster has al
ready faded." Antonov's voice was leaden with defeat. "The Americans' incredible accomplishment will bury any propaganda value of our achievement."
"Perhaps we can still stop them," Yasenin said bitterly.
Kornilov stared at the general. "By sending up a better prepared fighting force?"
"Exactly."
"Better yet, why not wait until they return?"
Antonov looked at Kornilov with curious eyes. "What are you suggesting?"
"I've been speaking to Vladimir Polevoi. He's informed me that the GRU's listening center in Cuba has intercepted and identified the voice and video transmissions from the American moon colony to a location outside of Washington. He's sending copies of the communications by courier. One of them reveals the scheduled departure of the colonists for earth."
"They're returning?" asked Antonov.
"Yes," replied Kornilov. "According to Polevoi, they intend to link up with the American space station in forty-six hours, then return to the Kennedy spaceport at Cape Canaveral on the shuttle Gettysburg."
Antonov's face brightened. "Then we still have a chance to stop them?"
Yasenin nodded. "They can be destroyed in deep space before they dock at the space station. The Americans wouldn't dare retaliate after we confront them with the crimes they've committed against us.
"Better to reserve our retribution as leverage," said Kornilov thoughtfully.
"Leverage?"
Kornilov smiled enigmatically. "The Americans have a saying, `The ball is in our court.' It is they who are on the defensive. The White House and the State Department are probably drafting a reply to our expected protest this minute. I propose we sidestep the accepted routine and remain silent. Do not play the role of a victimized nation. Instead, we use our leverage and cause an event."
"What kind of event?" asked Antonov, straightening with interest.
"The seizure of the vast amount of data carried by the returning moon colonists."
"By what means?" Yasenin demanded.
The smile left Kornilov's face and his expression went dead serious. "We force the Gettysburg to crash-land in Cuba."
THE GETTYSBURG
November 3, 1989
San Salvador Island