Simmonds moved nervously through the empty halls of the Rayborn Building. He was late for his meeting with Senator Harris. In his hands, Simmonds carried a brief case filled with sensitive documents about Harris' favorite project, Alpha. Harris had called Simmonds to Washington to discuss the rumors surrounding the Meta Probe astronauts. As he stood in the elevator that would take him to Harris' office, Simmonds did a mental review of his notes. He had prepared a speech for Harris. He knew that the moon couldn't take anymore nuclear waste. His grip tightened on the brief case, he hoped his plan would satisfy the old Senator.
Neil Harris was a veteran legislator from the State of Florida. His district lay in the heart of what some people would call Florida's Space Coast. Admired by his colleagues for his experience, Harris had a reputation as a hard ass. At times his mere presence in a committee meeting would strike fear in the hearts those in attendance. Almost from its inception, the space program had been Harris' baby. It provided millions of dollars and thousands of jobs to his Central Florida district. Several of his Texas colleagues frequently joked that there was more pork in his district than in any other district in the country. Secretly, he always shrugged it off as jealously, since their district held the other part of the space program and its budget was considerably smaller than the Cape's. Regardless of what his peers thought, Harris was a man with power. He could force budget committee votes with just a phone call. He could find money for the space program where none existed before. Harris was able to get whatever he wanted when he wanted it.
Commissioner Simmonds knocked softly on the open door of Neil Harris' office.
"Come in and close the door," a booming voice called out of the darkness.
Gerald Simmonds entered the dimly lit office still clutching his brief case tightly in his fist. He looked around the dimly lit room searching for the unmistakable silhouette of Senator Neil Harris. Movement over by the window caught Simmonds' attention. He spotted the old man standing near the window that over looked that Capitol.
"Well?" Harris called without turning around to acknowledge Simmonds' presence.
Gerald cleared his throat and walked to the center of the room. "I have the information you requested, Senator."
Harris continued to stare out the window, so the Commissioner continued, "Well, sir the situation with the moon is critical. It appears that the dumpsites are reaching a dangerous point. They can't take anymore. If we move any more nuclear waste up there could be serious results."
"What results are you talking about, Simmonds?" The senator lit a cigar as he continued to stare out the window.
"The same ones we were advised of three months ago, Sir."
The Senator turned to face Simmonds, "I thought we agreed never to discuss those findings!" He turned back around.
"We did. But the new tests confirm the previous findings. Furthermore, they are identical matches to those calculations done by Professor Victor Bergman before his death."
The Senator took a puff on his cigar and the smoke filled his office. "Simmonds, don't ever mention that man's name to me again. He nearly costs us the funding for this program with his Orwellian predictions."
"But he was right, Senator. We cannot continue to store our waste up there. The dumps are producing magnetic radiation just like Bergman said they would."
The Senator slammed his hand against the window causing the pane of glass to shake with fury. "Enough! Simmonds, do you realize what would happen to funding if Victor Bergman's ridiculous theories ever make it to the press?" The Senator turned around and stared through the darkness at Simmonds. "Do you?" He demanded.
"Senator, I realize what would happen to our budget if the news got out. However, I did bring you some alternate solutions to the problem." Simmonds lifted the brief case.
"Solutions cost money, Commissioner."
"Yes, sir but there are 300 men and women on the moon and they could all be at risk for whatever this...thing...magnetic radiation that's being produced by the dumps. According to the reports that Doctor Russell has been sending Gorski, she feels it's affecting the Meta Probe astronauts. Now, Commander Gorski..."
"Gorski is an damned idiot!" The old man interrupted. "He needs to be replaced."
Simmonds slowly shook his head. Every time someone didn't agree with the Senator, they were replaced. Simmonds was more than aware that he served at the will and pleasure of Senator Neil Harris. Therefore, Gerald tried to ride the fence. Gorski was the fourth Commander that has been assigned to Alpha since Victor first calculated that the nuclear waste was producing magnetic radiation.
"I want him gone by the end of the week, Gerald."
"Senator..." Simmonds stopped. He knew better than to argue with the old man. "Who do you think should replace him?"
"Well, that's an interesting question. I saw John Koenig give an interview the other day. The media seems to love him and he appears to love the space program. Is he competent?"
Simmonds really didn't like Koenig. Things seemed to have come easy for him since he started as an astronaut candidate. Koenig had slipped through the ranks quickly. He was intelligent and intense, quick to solve problems and integrate the ideas of others. He was liked by everyone he encountered, that was certain. The media loved him because he was the perfect example of an All-American astronaut.
"Yes sir. Koenig is competent."
"Can he be controlled?" The Senator turned and leaned forward against his desk.
"I don't know, Sir. He has his own ideals about the space program. I'm not sure he will play ball."
"Make sure he does! Pull some of that political bullshit you are so famous for." The Senator moved to sit at his desk and stared directly at Simmonds.
"Yes, Sir. I'll do my best." Simmonds stood perfectly still as he faced Harris. He waited for Harris to dismiss him.
"Good. Oh, there's one more thing... It's rumored he's fucking Helena Russell. Is that true Commissioner?"
Simmonds had heard the rumors about Koenig and Russell for the last few months. He'd seen them together at the Awards Gala.
"I've heard they are seeing one another."
The old Senator laughed, "Seeing one another. Ever the understated and discreet Brit, aren't you? That's a very... diplomatic way of stating what they're doing to each other, Commissioner, Gorski has been intercepting their E-mail. They get each other off at least three times a week."
Simmonds was shocked. He knew the old man was shrewd but he didn't think he would stoop so low as to order an invasion of privacy. "Why has he been reading their E-mail?"
"Because I told him to!" The Senator's big booming voice shot through the room. "I had to make sure she wasn't sending anything of her findings to that meddlesome reporter friend of her sister's."
"Is she?"
"Not so far. But she is not to be trusted. If her father weren't such a good friend of mine, she wouldn't be there. Tell Koenig if he wants to be Commander, he'll have to leave her alone. I don't want her sharing anything with him that might make him suspicious."
"Yes Sir, I understand." Simmonds waited to be dismissed.
The Senator came around his desk and shook Gerald's hand. "I'm counting on you my boy to keep this radiation thing under wraps. So far you've done a fine job. Just make sure you continue to do a fine job and your reputation will remain intact."
Simmonds felt the pressure on his hand increase as the old man spoke the last sentence.
"I'll do what I can, Sir." He turned and left the office as quickly as possible. He left the building and walked the short distance to his car. He threw his briefcase into the back seat with such force that it popped open and all the papers inside went sailing everywhere. Gerald sat behind the wheel of his car thinking about his meeting. He had a moral decision to make. Would he tip the press off to what was really happening on Alpha? Or would he do what Harris had suggested, forget about all the findings regarding the magnetic radiation. He removed the tape recorder from his pocket and clicked the off button. One day he hoped that recording would save his neck.
He decided that he would go to the moon and quietly gather the evidence that he needed to expose the dangers of storing any more waste on the moon. He would ruin his career but in the process he would vindicate Victor Bergman and possibly save the lives of 300 people. One thing was for sure, he would have to tell Gorski that he was being replaced as Commander. Then he would have to call Koenig into his office and try to convince him to play the Senator's game.
Upon his return to New York, Simmonds had summoned John to a meeting. He was going to appoint him Commander of Alpha. With the problems they were experiencing, maybe Koenig could get them through. The Meta Probe was in jeopardy and Simmonds could not afford any mistakes, his ass was on the line. The Senator had made that clear; if the Meta Probe was a failure, Simmonds could kiss his job goodbye.
John knocked at the door to his office.
"Come in."
Koenig opened the door slowly and entered.
"Ah, John. Come in, come in." Simmonds said rising from his desk. "Take a seat."
"Commissioner." John said, sitting in front of the desk.
"Did you have a good flight in?" He asked, politely.
"Fine. What can I do for you, Commissioner?" Koenig asked.
"Actually, John. I am going to do something for you. You're aware of the problems on Moonbase. I have been given authority to appoint a new Commander; Gorski is to be relieved. The most important thing is to get the Meta Probe launched."
"I agree."
"Good, then you'll accept the appointment as Commander." Simmonds stated, his voice reflecting the fact he had no doubt that Koenig would jump at the chance.
John's eyes narrowed as he watched Simmonds. He was suspicious of the man, wondering why he was suddenly being offered the position of Commander of Moonbase Alpha when, until this moment, he had never even been considered a candidate. But he did agree with the man on one thing, it was vital to the space program that Meta Probe launch with no problems, and on time. Gorski was a competent administrator, but he didn't know his vector from his velocity and would be useless when dealing with any mission related problems.
"The problems are that serious?"
"So it would seem." Simmonds said, moving around the desk, coming to John's side. "Remember, the most important thing is the Meta Probe. If it fails, the space program will be in jeopardy."
"I see, when do I leave?"
"Tomorrow morning, 0600." Simmonds said, handing him a file. "That's everything we have this far."
"Very well, Commissioner, I'll get the Meta Probe launched." Koenig stated as he stood to leave. As he reached the door, Simmonds spoke. "One other thing John. Your...ah...liaison with Helena Russell. You're aware that type of behavior is frowned upon by the commission." He said pointedly.
John stood a little straighter at the mention of Helena's name. How did Simmonds know about his relationship with Helena Russell? Or what type of behavior they were engaging in? They hadn't been secretive about their relationship, had been seen in public together more than once, but they also made an effort to be as discreet as possible. Neither wanted the attention from the media, as they were both involved with the space program, and certainly not from people like Commissioner Simmonds.
"Commissioner, I really don't see how my personal life is any of your business," Koenig stated, his suspicions of the man increasing.
Simmonds met his gaze levelly, his voice cool and controlled, the implication made all the more evident by his calm inflection, "My business is to get the Meta Probe launched, on time, and under budget. I believe you are the man to do that, but if your personal life should in any way interfere with your duties, I will need to reassess my opinion.
Simmonds moved a little closer to him. "As I said the commission does not tolerate fraternization between its command level personnel."
John looked at Simmonds hard. "Thank you, Commissioner, I am aware of the rules."
"So you are." Simmonds stated. "Good luck, John." Simmonds said dismissing him.
John turned and left the room, closing the door quickly behind him. He stood outside the door momentarily. He didn't have much time and he needed to make a video call.
Maureen J. Long
May, 2000