Read Escape Velocity: The Anthology for Free Online

comprised much of the upper section of the Rover, providing stunning views in all directions.
           Matthews drove in silence.
           Davis sat in the passenger seat with the Russians behind him in the rear section. He turned and faced the cosmonauts. “So are we allowed to ask why we're going out so far from the station?”
           “ It is allowed,” Gordonov said. “I am surprised you did not ask sooner. We are headed for the site where a Russian spacecraft crashed many years ago. We are to take pictures and cut off samples of the spacecraft.”
           “ What kind of spacecraft?” said Matthews.
           “ A sample-collection lander. It failed to return to Earth.”
           “ I remember that,” said Davis. “The Luna missions, right?”
           “ Yes, it was called Luna, I believe.”
           “ I thought none of them made it to the moon.”
           “ This one did. The engine failed to re-ignite and it remained on the surface.”
           The two Americans glanced at each other for a moment. An unspoken thought passed between them. Bullshit.
     
    It was several hours later when Matthews stopped the rover at the edge of a steep hill. “Well, this is as close as we can get,” he announced. “According to your coordinates, that lander is down in a canyon on the other side of this hill. Looks pretty steep to me.”
           “ Yes.” Gordonov said something in Russian to his partner and they began gathering up equipment and putting on their helmets. “We must try anyway.”
           The two Americans followed suit, sealing their helmets so the Russians could exit. After everyone was secure, Matthews shut down the oxygen pumps and vented the atmosphere from the rover. White crystals of suddenly frozen air poured from the vehicle and trickled slowly to the ground like snow.
           The Russians opened a rear door and climbed out, shutting it behind them firmly. They walked to the base of the hill and began to climb hard for the summit.
           They made good progress.
           “ Look at that,” said Davis. “Those two are in good shape.”
           As they watched in fascination, the cosmonauts used short hiking poles to work their way up the hill. Occasionally, a rock would dislodge from under their feet and roll down, but they continued steadily upward. It was obvious they had been in training for the mission a long time.
           Within a couple of minutes, the Russians had reached the top and disappeared over the other side.
           “ Gordonov,” Matthews called out over his suit radio. “Do you read me?”
           “ Affirmative. Everything is good.”
           “ Do you need any help over there?”
           “ No. We can see the spacecraft now. We are going down to it. The terrain is suitable. We do not require assistance.”
           “ Roger that.”
     
    Fifteen minutes later, Matthews looked at his partner. “What do you think?”
           “ I think we should go up there, buddy.”
           “ So do I. Get your helmet on.”
    The two Americans struggled up the rocky hill. When they reached the summit, they found themselves above a steep and narrow canyon.
           They had turned off their helmet radios to avoid alerting the Russian cosmonauts to their presence. Davis pointed into the darkness below and gave a thumbs-up. They started their descent cautiously. Boulders the size of cars were scattered at the bottom of the canyon. At first, they could see nothing, and then a silvery glint from one of the cosmonauts' suits flashed near some of the boulders.
           Matthews switched on his suit radio. “Gordonov?”
           “ I read you. We are fine. We do not require assistance.”
           “ Too bad. Look up. We're already on our way into the canyon.”
           A soft sigh came over the radio. “So be it. Do you see