Michaels grunted. “You have that right. You have all kinds of goddamn schemes coming out of the think tanks in the centers. Well, that’s fine. But I’ve always resisted, hard, any demand for a firm long-term strategy for the Agency. In all my time here. You know why? Because there’s so much damned opposition to the manned space program. Always has been, always will be. And every plan I produce — every damn statement — is a political fall guy, just a target for the opposition to shoot at. I learned all this from Jim Webb, back in the sixties. Webb defended Apollo at all costs — even at the expense of its own sequel. He knew what success with Apollo would mean: even more, its failure or cancellation. That’s partly responsible for the mess we’re in now. But, Joe, we’ve got to learn the lesson. Even if it means we’re mortgaging the future…”

Michaels poured them more drinks and talked some more, about tactics, detailed aspects of the proposals, about obtaining support from the military, the aerospace industry, other lobbies.

Slowly, Muldoon began to figure out that Michaels was thinking aloud, groping for a way forward. He’s talking tactics. He may be tired, but he isn’t played out yet; he’s telling us what he’s going to have to do to make this happen. He’s buying it.

After Michaels’s meeting, Udet sought out Dana. “Dr. Dana. We must speak. At heart we two are, I believe, at one in our ambition.”

Dana’s voice was disconcertingly thin, his eyes unreadable behind his glasses. “Once I would have said so, I think. But, I am now not so sure. Now, I am prepared to accept that I will not see humans travel to Mars in my lifetime — if the attempt incurs unacceptable risk.”

Yes, yes. But you did, nevertheless, accept Muldoon’s invitation to participate in this task group. If the dream was so feeble in you as you protest, then you would not even be here.

Udet felt oddly exhilarated; he felt a surge of kinship, almost, with this odd, bitter little man. But the battle is won, Hans. Do not endanger it with recklessness.

Udet disregarded the prompting of caution.

“Dr. Dana. I think we must address what is unspoken between us. We have worked together, in our strange way, for many years now. And we have, despite personal difficulties, achieved great things. I will build this ship. And it will be a memorial to your son.”

Dana’s head swiveled, like a gun turret. “My son has no connection to you, Udet. Make no claim on him.”

“Of course not. I only meant—”

“And as for us, you and I — we have roots far deeper than you may believe.”

Udet felt a prickle of fear. “Tell me what you mean.”

“That I was at the Mittelwerk.”