Выпуск 21. Михаил Судаков

holding hands near shunting levers and were watching devices. Having waited for a few seconds and making sure in trajectory sustainability, they looked at each other and smiled. Igor raised his thumb up and with a nod of his head paid tribute to his captain for a well-done maneuver.

      IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

      – Good job, captain.

      TERRY TAYLOR

      – FCC, we are on the spot, our trajectory is stable. Ready to start spatial movement.

      The MCC applauded Terry and his team for the clear and masterful execution of the maneuver.

      RICH RUDIGER

      – Great job, «New light»! I’m paying for the parking.

      Employees working in the FCC and the IOS were calm and restrained. Everyone worked on the task assigned and tried to fulfill it with maximum efficiency.

      RICH RUDIGER

      – Terry, you have 25 minutes to move. Check the shuttle, crew and report on readiness. Tell the crew that if someone wants to chat with their relatives, then we are ready to provide broadcasting and communication.

      TERRY TAYLOR

      – Rich, roger that.

      Terry unfastened his belt and looked with equanimous eyes at each of the members of his team.

      TERRY TAYLOR

      – Astronauts, you have 20 minutes before we begin the preparation for spatial movement. If you want to chat with your relatives, you can do this in your personal cabins. FCC and IOS will provide broadcasting and communication. Watch the time and avoid delays. That's all I wanted to say.

      Having listened to the captain, brother and sister Zhou went down to their cabins through the transition between the levels. Anita Lewis was helping Jase Adesenya to keep his blog. He continued talking about his space journey. Anastasia Gradetskaya remained in the cockpit. She was looking out of the window and was watching the stunningly beautiful blue ball. Being the first time in outer space, she could not see enough of the Earth with its rich palette of colors and shades. She occasionally turned her gaze to the huge and massive International Orbital Station.

      IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

      – Terry, can you do the shuttle test yourself?

      TERRY TAYLOR

      – Yes, of course, I know this shuttle perfectly well.

      IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

      – Well, if you need me – I’m communicating with my family in my cabin.

      TERRY TAYLOR

      – No worries, my friend, the situation is under my control.

      Igor smiled, turned around easily and flew out of the cockpit in the direction of the transition between levels. Having flown the second level, he flew at speed to the first level of the space shuttle and moved towards his cabin. On the left of the door, there was a hand recognition scanner, a door unlocking and a button to automatically open the door. The cabin automatically recognized its owner and opened the door for him. Igor flew into his miniature room and the light immediately was turned on.

      The room had a semi-double bed with clips for sleeping in zero gravity, above the bed there were numerous closed shelves and lockers with personal belongings. Near the berth there was a desk with a built-in touch screen and a work surface. The lockers with personal items were over the table. The cabin had a personal shower, a toilet as well as special equipment for washing clothes and air conditioning.

      Igor took his personal on-board tablet, went into the application to communicate with his family, and waited for a connection with them. On the screen appeared his 17-year-old daughter Julia, 14-year-old son Daniel and his wife, Marina Tkachenko – a pleasant overweight brunette with touching face. They were in the in the meeting room of FCC. The room was modestly furnished with space-themed paintings on the walls. The Tkachenkos were sitting on the couch and were glad to see their hero.

      IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

      – Hello, my dear.

      Julia and Daniel greeted their dad. Marina was sitting modestly and decently next to the children, and also greeted her beloved husband.

      DANIEL

      – Dad, don't forget to bring me a souvenir from another planet.

      IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

      – I won’t forget, of course.

      JULIA

      – We love you and we are waiting for you, our hero.

      Igor was touched by daughter’s words.

      IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

      – Thank you, dear. I love you, too. Pass the tablet to mum.

      They handed the tablet to Marina.

      IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

      – How are you?

      MARINA TKACHENKO

      – I’m worried, of course. I'm the astronaut’s wife.

      IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

      – My dear, 30 days – and «Roscosmos» will send me on a well deserved retirement. And I will be with you.

      MARINA TKACHENKO

      – I know that. I’ll wait for you, Igor, as I have always been waiting for you. I fell in love with your longing for stars and space. I understand that for you this trip is the most important thing in your career. Having entered your name in the story, you can retire calmly, with a sense of accomplishment, and be with us.

      Igor was inspired by his wife’s words.

      IGOR VLADIMIROVICH

      – Thank you for your support, my love.

      MARINA TKACHENKO

      – Have a successful journey. I love you.

      Marina turned the tablet, and Julia and Daniel hit the camera. The family said goodbye loudly and cheerfully to their father.

      Terry was sitting in his place and was diagnosing the operation of the shuttle systems. Anastasia saw the lonely captain and flew up to him. The man drew his attention to the girl.

      ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

      – Do you think we will find the planet suitable for human life?

      Terry frowned.

      TERRY TAYLOR

      – If they are sending us there, it means that it exists. We only need to find it from those three planets that circle around the star «Alpha Centauri S».

      ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

      – As a linguist, I would like to meet intelligent beings on these planets and possibly come into contact with them. To look at their world, how they communicate and interact with each other and what their life is like.

      TERRY TAYLOR

      – Well, this is a good desire. The main thing is that they should be peaceful creatures and don’t gobble us up or dismember us for the experiments.

      Terry grinned, Anastasia frowned at him. The captain continued to diagnose the operation of the shuttle systems. The girl carefully watched his actions.

      ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

      – Sorry, you are busy, and I'm interrupting you with my questions.

      Terry looked at Anastasia and smiled.

      TERRY TAYLOR

      – Yeah, a little. Though you can sit next to me at Igor’s place.

      Anastasia was very surprised.

      ANASTASIA GRADECKAYA

      – No, please! I’m not sitting at Igor’s place. I had enough of his screams during the preparation for our journey.

      Terry laughed heartily.

      TERRY TAYLOR

      – Yea-a-a-ah! Igor is a serious man.

      ANASTASIA