Rude Astronauts Read Online Free PDF

right now. It’s insider info, and since the SEC’s been getting tough lately, I shouldn’t even be telling you this much. This is strictly between the three of us, okay?”
    “So why are you telling us anything?” Roy asked.
    “We’re going to need experienced people. Guys who have been up there already. If it’s going to succeed, it’ll be important that we use the resources we’ve already developed, so we won’t be starting over from scratch. We’ve got to get old Apollo vets back in the loop, and that means guys like you.”
    “So that means …” Howie began.
    “What it means is, if you guys want to go back to the Moon, you can do it now.” Roy started to speak, but Dick held up his hand. “Don’t tell me again that you’re over the hill, either. This isn’t Apollo all over. Age isn’t that important anymore, the medical requirements aren’t nearly as tough. As long as you’re in reasonably good shape and the docs know you won’t drop dead during lift-off, you can go. Even that bum leg of yours won’t rule you out, Howie.”
    “What about you?” asked Roy.
    Dick’s smile became a grin. “I’m already signed up. When the first expedition is picked, I’m on the A-list. As good as getting a reserved seat. We won’t be sending just three men, either.” He paused. “I want you guys along. Besides the fact that you’re my buddies, I know I can depend on you not to screw up. Say the word, and you’re on the list. I’m on the inside track for this.”
    The three of them were quiet for a few minutes, gazing at each other. Finally Dick broke the silence. “You’re not old yet, fellas. Roy, you’re in retirement only as long as you want to putter around with your boat. Howie, you’re an ex-astronaut only as long as you want to grade papers and give interviews to the college paper. I’m not promising a fountain of youth, but if you want some of your youth back again, it’s there for the taking. I know you’re both settled down and it’s hard to uproot. It’s been easy for me only because Grace is gone and Richard’s on his own. There’ll be sacrifices for each of you, that’s for damn sure. I can’t even guarantee that you’ll go. There’s always the chance that you’ll be working in the background, that you’ll be sitting on the ground when we light up the candle.”
    Dick pointed at the crescent high above the trees. “But if it works out, you can be up there again. On the Moon.”
    He paused. “So what do you say?”
    Howie and Roy were silent for a few more moments, then Howie slowly shook his head. “No, no … I’m sorry, but I can’t do it again.” He shrugged. “It’s something that I did when I was twenty years younger, but that’s all over now. I like being a teacher. I’ll give any advice or consultation that the company wants, but … well, I’d rather just sit this one out, thanks anyway.”
    Dick closed his eyes, nodded his head. “No problem, bud. I can understand where you’re coming from. I don’t blame you one bit.” He opened his eyes again and looked at Roy. “Okay. Eject, what about you?”
    Roy had been looking away: at the cabin, the lake, the quiet forest around them. The summer heat lay over him like a comforting blanket; the night was gentle, broken only by crickets and frogs and distant fireworks. Through the kitchen window he glimpsed Irene, reaching into a cabinet to fetch a Milk-Bone for Max, still talking to Beth.
    “I’m going to have to think about it,” he said slowly. “Can I have a little time for that?”
    Dick nodded his head. “Sure. No problem, as long as you don’t take too long. The snowball’s already rolling.”
    “Hmmm. I bet it is.” He remembered the frantic years of the Gemini and Apollo days, when no one was sure what the Soviets were doing, whether a Russian cosmonaut would be the first man on the Moon. That snowball rolled very fast, then; major decisions were being made virtually overnight. “I’ll give