Iâm going to dole out crew positions. Iâd hoped to have more time to run simulations with all of you and not base your talents off a written exam, but it is what it is.â He scribbled a few more words down on the clipboard in his hands.
âPayload specialists will be Waffles and Dale. Guys, youâll be in charge of the auxiliary features of the ship, like the pulse cannon to disable the Newt . And anything that blows up.â
âAwesome,â said the twin brothers in unison.
Finch read on, his voice exuberantly bouncing up and down in pitch. Neil thought he sounded like his dad before a days-long camping adventure. They seemed to share the same zest for trips to locations without running water.
âMedical specialists are Sam and . . . well, Sam, youâll be alone. Your scores were off the charts. JP, youâll be in charge of radar. Most of our electronics have a few lingering bugs from whatever the space thieves have done, but it should work.â
Finch kept reading the list of new positions.
âOn consumables will be Riley and Corinne. There should be enough dehydrated food for two weeks on board, so food shouldnât be an issue. Plus the shipâs made to launch carrying enough bananas for twelve chimpanzees, so youâll be loaded up.
âHurbigg, youâll be our communications specialist. Youâll be the point of contact with the mission CAPCOM, Dallas.â
Neil couldnât help but feel that putting Biggs in charge of communication was dangerous. At the very least, he would set a record for the most times dude was said over official NASA airwaves.
âNow for pilots and deputy pilots,â Finch said as Neilâs heart began to thump. âJason 1 and Jason 2, from what Dallas has told me about your simulation, youâll be my deputies. Weâll need both of you ready to fly back in our stolen bird.â
The two high-fived gloved hands.
âAnd at the top of the chain of command will be Andertol and Grunsten,â Finch explained. âTheyâll report to me, and all of you will report to them.â
Neil wished he had enough time to explain to Finch how awful an idea giving Trevor power would be, and how heâd probably make everyone watch him do fencing exercises. But the commander was all business, and he didnât allow for a word edgewise.
âYour next-generation Whiptail, like I said, should be bug-free,â Finch said. âSince I wonât be in the ship with you, Iâll need to be alerted of any issues. Weâve got one shot. One shot to make it count. Letâs make it successful.â
Neil felt the seriousness of the moment. It was like a hot wave quickly washing over him. The subtle whirring of the elevator heaving them upward was still constant.
âSo if youâre not coming with us, who is commander? What are we supposed to do?â asked Trevor, his voice sharp and demanding. Neil could sense Trevor was vying to be selected.
âIâm no longer cleared for flight. During a space walk a few years ago, I had to save a satellite from drifting into orbit. Held on to the shuttle with my left hand and grabbed the thing with my free hand,â Finch said, demonstrating with an intense clenched fist. âTore basically everything in my right shoulder. Now my body canât withstand the g forces associated with space travel. Plus I canât fit in that spaceship; Iâll feel like Iâm in a dollhouse.â
Finch took two steps toward the liftâs doors, spinning to face all eleven gamers-turned-Air-Force-pilots-turned-astronauts. He placed a hand on Neilâs shoulder.
âBut, Andertol, I believe youâve got what it takes to lead this crew,â Finch said confidently.
Neil could feel sweat building on his palms as his throat slowly began to close.
âFrom what Iâve seen, and what Jones has told me, youâre the person for the job,â Finch said to