The Perfected Astronauts Chapter 108 a Different Mission for a Shuttle Pilot

Day 70

Lauren Sandoe, Amanda Carson, Ben Dawson and Deede Demarco were transferred from the hospital to the training area. They were in bed most of the day. Before evening meal time they were helped to their chairs for the first time. They were wearing the temporary casts on their stumps. They were taken to be measured for their suits and all but the sockets of their prosthetics. The staff could start work on them.

Ted Zenger opened his E-mail. It contained an encrypted note. He entered his PGP key and opened the message. It was from Jeff. He read it and called for Seline. When she came to his office she stopped at the door. Because mission details were classified she knew she should not enter while a screen was open. She stopped at the doorway but he motioned her in and handed her a piece of paper.

She read it and broke into tears. “He wants you to shop for rings for him?”

“Yes.”

“You know nothing about jewelry.”

“I know that. And he is smart enough to know that.”

“Then why would he have sent it to you?”

“Because he knows I am smart.”

“You are, but not about rings.”

“And I’m sure he knows that. But he knows I will find someone who does know about rings to help me pick it. Do you know anyone who could help that might owe him a favor?”

“You know I’ll help.”

“Don’t you think he knew that?”

The message authorized him to spend $5,000. The two signature cashier’s check for Ted and a jeweler was in the mail. Ted should pick out the ring, have it sized and bring it along on the next flight. Ted knew this was authorized, all mail to and from the mission specialists was censored.

Dinner was a surprise to the four new mission specialists. There were over thirty people in wheelchairs. Somehow Amanda Carson thought the number would be lower. And she realized some more were in space. She looked around the room. Which of these gave two good legs? Which did not? Then she realized, it didn’t matter. They were all there for one reason.

Ted sent a message back to the cape asking for some additional information. The return message came through in about an hour.

Chas wheeled to the front. He called out fourteen names. Connie Chu, Wayne Hernandes’ Doris Walters, Mark Gabraski, Boris, Svetlana, Linda Davis, George Yang, Judy Sadler, Peter Plasso, Terri Ziemba, Larry Peccio, Valarey, Elena.