DAY 176

Chas called the crew on station 1 and advised them that when Enterprise docked there three days from now Jeff, Bobbie, Olga, Ivan, Lyle, and Karen should be prepared to leave the station. There were protests but he was firm. They were needed on the ground. All were reminded that they could go back but for now they were needed here. 

 DAY 179

The Enterprise crew, Commander Win Chung shuttle pilot Glennis Brink and Flight Engineer Sue Faber shuttle would be placing twelve people in orbit.  They included Sylvia and her husband Tom, Jill and her husband Larry, John Ingrim, Nila Sanders,  Brad Keener, and Janice Sarth.  Sylvia and Tom will replace Jeff and Bobbie on station 1, Nila and John will be going to station 4 as medical and arming, Brad and Janice will go to station 6 as medical and arming, Jill and her husband will go to station 2 as medical and arming. Two Russians,  Yuriy and Marina would replace Olga and Ivan in logistics. The cargo hold contained little but spares. 

DAY 184

Enterprise made it’s journey and returned to earth. There was one event during the flight that broke the intense activity.  Just before leaving station 1 Glennis who was an ordained minister conducted the wedding ceremony for Jeff and Bobbie from the flight deck of Enterprise.  Karen and Lyle were maid of honor and best man.  The wedding plans that were three times postponed were finalized. Both the bride and groom’s parents along with relatives of the other returnees had been brought to the Cape to meet them on return. The other shuttle crews and families were there too.

When the ceremony was over the new couple and Karen and Lyle dressed in EVA suits for the trip home. When they got to the shuttle they had two hours till they were ready to undock.  Karen and Lyle called Glennis on the intercom and asked if she was busy. She responded that they were in waiting orbits.  Lyle asked if she still had the document with the wedding ceremony.  She responded yes.  A few minutes later Karen and Lyle floated just off the flight deck of Enterprise as they were pronounced man and wife. Karen was wearing the same gown Bobbie had previously worn. 

Ivan looked at Olga and smiled. “When we get down.”

The shuttle crew and mission specialists had no idea what was happening on the ground.  It was a Thursday evening just after eight PM Eastern time when the shuttle rolled to a stop.  The TV networks were advised that this would be interesting and all cut to the cape.  In Moscow it was three AM but those who were awake at the time saw it live.

Check the end of chapter 1 or my site for more chapters or stories by

Ralph Brandt

The Perfected Astronauts