"Okay . . . we're due to begin re-entry checkout in two hours. You guys might as well sit up here through the whole routine and watch how it's done."
"Thank you, sir."
The Major's expression sobered. "Only . . . who's going to tell Pierce and Howard that they've got to sit downstairs with the trainees?"
"Oh, I will," said Colt, with the biggest smile of all. "I'll be glad to!"
Age 27
IN THE COOL shadows of the Astro Motel's bar, Major Joseph Tenny did indeed look like a slightly overage linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Swarthy, barrel-shaped, his scowling face clamped on a smoldering cigar, Tenny in his casual civilian sports shirt and slacks hardly gave the appearance of that rarest of all birds: a good engineer who is also a good military officer.
"Afternoon, Major."
Tenny turned on his stool to see old Cy Calder, the dean of the press service reporters covering Vandenberg and Edwards Air Force bases, where the fledgling Air Force astronaut corps trained and worked.
"Hi!" said Tenny. "Whatcha drinking?"
"I am working," Calder answered with dignity. But he settled his tall, spare frame on the next stool. He reminded Tenny of the ancient bristlecone pine trees out in the high desert: so old that nobody knew their true age, gnarled and weathered, yet still vital and clinging to life. 69
"Double scotch," Tenny called to the bartender. "No ice. And refill mine."
"An officer and a gentleman," murmured Calder. His voice was dry and creaking, like an iron gate on rusted hinges, his face seamed with age.
As the bartender slid the drinks down to them, Tenny said, "You wanna know who got the assignment."
"I told you I'm working."
Tenny grinned. "Keep your mouth shut till tomorrow? Murdock's gonna make the official announcement at his weekly press conference."
"If you can save me the tedium of listening to the chubby Colonel recite once more how the peace-loving Air Force is not militarizing space before he gives us the one piece of information we want to hear, I shall buy the next round, shine your shoes for a month, and arrange to lose an occasional poker pot to you."
"The hell you will!"
Calder shrugged. Tenny took a long pull on his beer.
"No leaks ahead of time? Promise?"
Calder sipped at his drink, then said, "On my word as an ex-officer, former gentleman, and fugitive from Social Secu- rity."
