Feedback and crit welcome as usual. My Overall word count at this stage is 16,100 approx.
Mike tapped on the door of Carrie’s quarters and waited. He looked up and down the corridor smiling awkwardly at the people walking past. They stared and smiled back with awe recognising him straight away as the man they all wanted to be. Mike could feel their adoration in their looks, ‘if only they knew the man beneath the skin,’ he thought.
The door slid open and the light from the corridor spilled into the darkness. Mike leaned forward, sticking his head inside and looking around.
“Hello, Carrie… are you there?”
In the darkness he spotted her slender form turn over on her bed, “What do you want now?” she whispered.
“I need to speak to you Carrie.”
“I’ve said everything I wanted to. You know how I feel now so leave me alone.” She turned back over and buried her head into her pillow.
“Please Carrie, just give me five minutes. I need to chat to you.” He felt his patience thin a little.
She turned back over again and spoke softly, “Five minutes then, come in, close the door and switch the lights on.”
He did as she asked. The light flickered a few times before coming on she squinted at him, he could see from the redness around her eyes and cheeks that she had been lying there crying.
“May I sit down…?” Mike pointed at the foot of her bed. She nodded and he lowered himself. Her feet touched his back for a moment before she pulled her knees up away from him, a gesture he noted. She held his gaze for only a second at a time, looking away, then back at him.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“It’s Kelly. I… I’ve just spoken to her. She’s pregnant. We’re gonna be parents.”
Carrie let out a brief laugh, “So what… do you want me to be happy for you, to say congratulations to you both? I don’t think so. The one man I love more than anyone else is telling me his wife is pregnant. So I guess we’re no more, for sure, then. Great Mike, just great. But if this is supposed to make me feel better it aint.”
Mike looked at the mess he’d created. This tear sodden, broken woman was only like this because he’d made the mistake of letting himself cheat on his wife. He thought to himself, ‘I don’t deserve either of these women.’
“I didn’t want to hurt you Carrie. I know you must feel used but I never wanted any of this. I never wanted to cause any hurt.”
“You know what Mike, I said I loved you, and maybe I do, but it’s a lucky escape that I’ve had here. Despite how I feel I’d never come back to you because I couldn’t go through all of this ever again.”
“I don’t expect you to. I mean my wife is pregnant, I have a family now…”
Carrie interrupted, “Yes you do, and you’d better take care of them because that’s all you’ll have if you treat people like you’ve treated me. Your wife and your child, no one else will want to know you.”
“Listen!” Mike shouted, his raised voice startled Carrie making her wide eyed and a little fearful, “I’ve had enough. I came here tonight to sort this out. As your captain I’m ordering you to forget all of this. We have a job to do and we’re going to do it. I cannot change the past and neither can you. I never meant to hurt you but what’s happened has happened. We’ve got to get over this, and fast.”
A long pause ensued, and then Carrie said, “Yes captain. If that’s what you really want.”
“Yes,” he replied, “That’s what I want.”
“Well that’s what you’ll get, just remember this though. Is it your child she is carrying, cus if you can cheat she can too.”
Mike stood up and walked over to the door, “She’d never do that to me.”
“You’d like to think that wouldn’t you, just like I bet she thinks the same about you.”
Mike opened the door and as he stepped out said, “I’ll see you at the press conference tomorrow morning Carrie, don’t be late.”
*
Dan picked up his whiskey and took a huge gulp emptying the short glass in one go. He winced as the alcohol warmed the back of his throat, and then he closed his eyes, enjoying the warm glow that slid its way towards his stomach.
“Mind if I join you for one?”
Dan placed down the shot glass on the bar and opened his eyes.
“Hello Mike, pull up a seat.”
Mike grabbed a nearby stool and slid it across taking a position at the bar, sitting down Mike gestured to the barman, “Two more of those please,”
“You’ve been making quite a few waves these past few days Mike.” Dan spoke nonchalantly.
The barman walked over and slammed down a shot glass next to Dan’s and started to pour out the dark liquor. Mike ignored him and sat silently watching the barman, he then picked up his drink, raised it and said, “Cheers bud.” Before Dan could respond Mike had tipped it back down his gullet, “Keep ‘em coming,” he said. The barman nodded with what appeared to be appreciation as he filled the glass, this time almost to the brim.
“Hey, I’d take it easy.” Dan looked a little shocked.
Mike picked his glass but this time only took a gentle sip, “I will! It’s nice though aint it bourbon. It kills the pain… warms the cockles and makes the problems disappear”
Dan turned to look at his friend, “You’re looking a bit ragged mate, what’s up?”
“You won’t believe this, cus I should be smiling from ear to ear, jumping up and down like a madman with joy… Kelly is pregnant. I’m going to be a dad.”
“That’s great, so why the long face?” Dan’s voice sounded low, as if he was disappointed in Mike’s obvious lack of enthusiasm and energy.
“Because…” Mike paused briefly, “…I’ve seen another woman behind her back recently. I think I’m in love with her.” Mike picked up his whiskey and took another drink. Dan picked his drink up too, hoping that it would give him time to find something to say.
“You know over the months I’ve got to know you Mike I’ve always liked you. You’re an honest bloke, a good guy, so why would you do such a thing across your wife. I mean you’ve got everything anyone could want, a career, respect from your peers, a beautiful wife and now a kid on the way. What gives Mike?”
“I… dunno. I love my wife as much as I ever did, but I’ve fallen in love with this other woman too.”
“I don’t know if you can love two people at once.”
“Well you can, trust me, and it’s horrible. I can’t cope with it, I hate the lies and the deceit and the sneaking around like I’m doing something wrong. I just hate it.”
“Does this other woman know that you are married?” Dan ran his finger around the top of his glass and tapped his foot anxiously as he asked.
“Yeah, she does.”
“Well at least you aint lied about your wife, it might not count for much but I guess it counts for something…” Dan said trying to put a positive spin on things.
Mike sighed, grateful to have shared his terrible burden.
“…anyways Mike, look on the bright side. In a few days you’ll be away from all of this and you can concentrate on your time in space. Maybe time away from all of it will help you to sort things out, you know, see things more clearly.”
“Yeah maybe,” Mike said unsure whether to spring the secret of who his lover really was. He picked up his whiskey and with another swift gulp finished it. The warm feeling sank to his stomach but the aching and anguish he felt didn’t fade into it.
“Thanks for having a drink with me Dan, but I’d better call it a night.”
Dan raised his glass, then as he gently ran his other hand through his hair he said, “You’re welcome, here’s to a safe trip, I wish you all the luck in the world.”
*
Location: American Space Agency HQ.
Press Conference: 10.25am.
Commandant Anderson sat at the table before him the gentle click, click, click of the photographers digital camera’s and video recorders could be heard like the annoying tick of a clock you catch yourself listening to as you lie in bed trying to sleep; their was also the odd flash of brilliant white light making the commandant blink each time it occurred. As the chattering and shouting of the journalists lowered itself he began:
“Good morning to you all. You have all been invited here today as we introduce to you the crew members of the maiden voyage of what is likely to be the most important mission that mankind has ever undertaken. You will all be aware of the space programme, and its main aims to improve our knowledge of medicine and to help with security and economic issues. What you won’t know so much about is who will be kick starting this most important of missions. First may I introduce you to the captain of the mission. A man who’s expertise and ability has been proven to us over recent months and years with us here at the academy. His name might not be immediately recognisable to those of you outside of the space programme but he’s certainly a man of huge importance to the United States and the free world. Please welcome Captain Michael Hanlon.”
Mike stepped from behind the screen and out to a cheer and a huge round of applause. The cameras began to click and flash again. Awkwardly he strolled across to the table and took his seat next to the commandant. They shared a momentary awkward glance at each other, and then they shook hands and smiled for the gathered press pack.
“Thank you very much for such a warm welcome,” Mike said over the noise, the hacks and snappers all fell quiet and gave him their full attention, “It’s an honour and a great pleasure for me to be able to take part in such a great mission. It’s a proud day for me and for all of my family and friends back home in England. It’s been a lot of hard work and effort to get where I have today but it’s been worth it. I hope I can repay the great experiences I have had with loyalty and success. Now may I now introduce the three other people who I will be undertaking this trip with, please welcome to the stage Adam Chapman.”
Again a round of applause ensued, this time a little more measured and calm. Out stepped a tall thin man, with short curly hair and pale skin, dressed in his academy issue blue overall. He sat next to Mike and smiled, almost smugly.
Mike continued, “Adam is our co-pilot and also a science officer. He’ll be helping us get into space and then will conduct experiments as part of his tour of duty in space.”
Adam nodded his head and continued to smile. He didn’t speak.
“Secondly, welcome Dean Aldar.”
Another round of applause went up and out walked a talk, dark, handsome man with stubble and dark black hair and bright white teeth. He too was dressed in the same blue overall as his colleague but making it look like evening ware.
“Adam too is a scientist but primarily is an engineer. He’ll also be our chief pilot…” Adam sat down next to Dean and looked down at his hands which fidgeted awkwardly. The cameras hung on him longer than previously, continuing to flash away almost as if the snappers were enjoying capturing and causing his obvious discomfort.
“…and last but not least our medical officer Carrie Conti…”
Carrie stepped out and looked gorgeous. She smiled at the cameras with great confidence as she walked with great pride towards her chair. The cameras again flicked away. She flicked her hair slightly as she went. He overall was much tighter than the others and hugged tightly against her buttocks and breasts, the top unbuttoned enough to show a peep of her cleavage.
“…she will be working along side the scientists and will monitor the astronaut’s health and well being whilst in space.”
She took her seat next to Mike. She looked at him for a second and smiled, then looked away to face the waiting press pack. He knew her expression was for the cameras, the entire charade was for the cameras, he suddenly realised he didn’t want to be there with Carrie chatting about the mission. He wanted to be alone with her again so they could chat about their future, as friends. ‘Beam us up, Scotty’ he thought.
Commandant Anderson opened up the forum, “Thank you Mike… OK that’s the crew. Now do any of you guys have questions for them?” he paused as the hands showed themselves then pointed out one journalist near the front.
“Jerry Jones, ABC News. Captain Hanlon can you tell us what you bring to the role as captain and as someone who has never flown in space before do you think that you are ready to be taking such a prominent role?”
The room fell silent and everyone’s eyes and cameras looked upon him. His thoughts of being alone with Carrie were lost. He felt nerves yet again and sat silently for a second pondering his response.
“Well… to answer your first question I clearly don’t bring any hands on experience, but as someone who achieved some of the best grades and commendations during my training I feel that I bring absolute professionalism. As for your second question I feel ready, and the commandant feels I’m ready too. I wouldn’t have got the job if anyone thought I wasn’t up to it.”
“Absolutely.” Agreed the commandant with a big, cheesy smile on his face, “Next question… you,” he pointed.
“Hello, Jackie Smith, The New Yorker. What is your own personal aim from this mission?”
Mike pointed at his chest, “Is that question for me?”
“Yes sir,”
“That’s an easy one – I’m aiming for a nice and easy desk job when I return to Earth, with lots of pay and very few hours.”
The room filled with a gentle laughter. Mike smiled and turned to look at the commandant. Now, like Carrie, he too bore the false smile for the cameras.
“No seriously. Just to get the job done. This is the start of something big and it’s really great to be here at the start to get the ball rolling. Success is key and that’s not just the aim of the mission, it’s my personal aim too.”
“Next,” interrupted the commandant.
“Adam Fulham, Sky News UK, My source at the academy has told me about rumours of a rift between yourself Captain Hanlon, and Commandant Anderson is their any difficulties between the two of you?”
This drew a long, silent pause, Mike looked across at the commandant, “Do you want to take that question or shall I?”
Again, their was an even longer pause. The commandant leaned forward on his elbows and pointed at the journalist, “I’ll take it Mike. Listen… if their was a problem between us we wouldn’t sit here now playing happy families. Their have been some times of stress which have caused tensions but only professionally and never to the detriment of our work. We are good friends, we are professionals and their certainly are no problems between us now.”
Again their was a long pause, until Mike leaned across and put his arm around the commandant, “I love this guy, he’s been like a second father to me.”
This broke the tension in the room as a few people laughed. The journalist who’d asked the question scribbled notes down furiously and he even looked a little red faced that he’d asked the question in the first place. Mike took his arm back and everyone regained there composure.
“OK, a couple more questions and we’re done, you at the back…”
“Hello, I’m Keith Hastings, National Enquirer. My question is for Dean. Are you a suitable role model for the millions of youngsters who follow the space programme after the scandals in many of the tabloids regarding your drinking and womanising?”
“You don’t have to take that question Dean,” the commandant interjected.
“No, no it’s fine. I’ll answer it.” Dean shuffled around on his seat a little, then cleared his throat, “I don’t think that I’ve actually done anything wrong…”
“But three in a bed, all night drinking…” interrupted the journalist.
“Hey…” Dean interrupted back, “you asked me the question let me finish. I have done only what thousands and thousands of single American guys, and girls, do every day of the week. I’ve never broken the law. I dunno if you knew this but I’m over twenty-one so buying and consuming alcohol is no big deal. As for the womanising – it’s all consenting between adults and again is not illegal. If I was married and I was caught doing cocaine with a prostitute in a seedy hotel then you can judge me. Until then I think people should let me live my life my way. After all aint you ever done some of the things that I have? Or perhaps you write and talk about it because you want to do it but the chance has never come your way.”
The journalist looked smugly at Dean as he spoke, revelling in the fact that he’d made him defend his behaviour. Dean sat back in his chair and folded his arms. His anger was visible for all to see, including the commandant,
“Er…Well on that question I think that’ll be your lot for now, we’ve got a lot of last minute things to sort out. I’m sorry if you haven’t asked all of the questions that you had wanted to. Maybe next time you’ll be a little more constructive with what questions you do ask. Thank you everyone.” Commandant Anderson picked up his papers as he spoke and got up and walked away. Suddenly a tirade of questions was shouted out as the journalists hoped in vain they might get an answer. The crew looked at each other and collectively got up and followed the commandant from the stage.
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