., mini. .

CHECKMATE

by Kent Walker

"We-have liftoff!" The Voice crackled-in Max's earphones, and that was all he heard until the ship left Earth's atmosphere. 'Ihen he allowed - himself a weak smile. It had finally been done.

~ Several decades ago, in the 1970's, there had

been a joint launch between the Soviethnion and the United States, but this would be the first joint landing on the moon between the two powerful countries. Since .the last cooperative effort, there had been several cold' wars and a general &crease in' space exploration, due mainly to poor economy. Now, however, the two nations were back cn speaking terms, and this mission would be a giant step in the political world for both.

Max studied Alexi for a moment, wondering how the Russian felt about him. As far as Max was _‘ concerned, Alexi was just another astronaut, and a pretty good me , Maybe if hefwasn't so damned serious, Max could get to like him. He was a pro- fessimal, that's for sure. He knew his business, and concentrated on it a great deal. He left little time for conversation, and that was fine with Max. He wasn't much of a talker himself. He eijoyed his work, and devoted a lot of time to it.

'Ihough it took almost a full day to reach the mom's orbit, it seemed to Max only a few hours.

"Rm a check, will you, Alexi?" Max spoke slowly to make it easier for the Russian. Max ' watched the blank face of the cosmmaut as he ran a routine check of fuel, applies, and oxygen. 'men he" saw Alexi frown, and run through the series . again. When he started the third check, Max asked him what was wrong. i

"'Ihe oxygen apply. It's impossibly low!"

"Let me see." Max studied the computer read- out. Heaskedthecatputerhmfartheoxygen’ supply would carry them. ‘

"According to the computer, Alexi, we'vegot enough oxygen to carry us 51.3823; of_the way home. He paused. "Or enough for one of us to make it all the way."

They hailended on the moon now, the computer

cbing all the work.

"Alexi, are you thinking what Icam? 'Jhis baby is rm through hmdreds of checks; there is no way the base boys could have accidentally forgotten to give us enough oxygen, our most important supply!" ' "You are saying are trying to kill us? Wkly?" , W

" No, Alexi. Not us. Just one. 'Ihere's enough oxygen to get one of us home. Don't you see? 'mey're playing political chess with .us. Which ever one of us makes it home, his country will be able to say they're the strongest, they have the will to survive and live, while theother country is weak and couldn't adapt. 'mey'll release notices saying sarething like the oxygen supply was

"Say It with Flow/em: Say it with Ours"

** 3 , My ‘ from?

FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS CORSAGES , GREEN PLANTS, FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS, DRIED AND SILK ARRANGEMENTS

and. & Berylfefiz

‘ ‘62 Grafton St; Phone: 892-4538 "-k : - _ u ‘ . 89275911 Sharlottetown,

uni-1*

’a judge prcnomcing sentende, he spoke.

trying to think ., ,. -

'THE UPEI sum. rhaul-scram. m. 1,- 1979.-er 10

___

damaged, and one, the weaker, died, while the other one applied good 01' American or Russian lam-how- _ You see? We're being used as political pawns!" _

"What can we do?" Alexi asked, feelingangry at being teed. .

"I say we can't let themwin, Alexi. I say wego outcnthemoon's surface, andjuststay ‘ there mtil our oxygen runs out. Sooner or later they'll send somebody up after us, and they'll realize that their little game didn't work, that we wouldn't fight each other."

"I think that is best, Max. We have little choice." I =

Both astrmauts slowly put then helmets on, realizing they had only a, few hours left. 'Jhe Russian was outside first, with Max close

"What shall we do, Max?" ‘

"Iet's take a look .over there, Alexi. See? Where the craters are larger."

As Alexi. turned to where Max was pointing, Max turned the switch on Alexi's helmet that cut off his oxygen supply. Alexi turned around, shodced. Max was surprised at how little time it, ., took. , He gathered (pup Alexi's oxygen supply tank, and said quietly, "Sorry ol' buddy, but I think I know better thanyouwhathastobe dcne."_ K

" He climbed back into the landing module and setacourse forhcne. - ‘

For several hours Max thought about Alexi and the damned game-playing politicians. 'Jhen, before hevrealized. it, his landing target was in sight. He wm to land beside a large platform where all the big-wigs for both comtries were. 'mey would allshakehishmdandmakespeedmes’thatsaid nothing but lies. 7 _ _

As he got closer to the platform, Max switched the controls‘over to manual. He could See the leaders cfthe United States andSoviet Unim waving and 7 smiling and locking j. -

Max turned his ship at _ 5..

"This is for Alexi. and said:

" ' 4‘ I A LV N .7 .1 x.-

by John Cumingham r

Alvin's hands were still shaking as-he finished reading his poem to the creative writing class. He slowly looked up into the circle of faces whid'x ’“’ surrounded him. Every eye in the room was focused coldly and critically on him. ’ He shifted uncomfort— ably in his seat. The room was silent for a long ‘ time. He fearfully awaited his literary execution.

"Al'em." .

'Ihe profeSsor cleared His throat. . ,

"To get things started — What did you / think of the poem?" asked Professor Wheeler, address- ing himself to the first student whose name he could remetber. ‘ 7 ,

Hortcn looked down at his copy of. the poem.

(he copy had been passed to every student. Horton studied it intently. ‘ Finally, he looked up. Like

"I liked it. It thought it was really good."

Alvin felt lightheaded. Someone liked it!

Professor Wheeler nodded. He turned suddaily to another student, cocking one eyebrow-as he spoke.

"I'd like to hear what you thought of i Greda.“ v . r

Freda scarmed the poem rapidly. , * ' v

"I liked it too," she Offered, "especially the line 'glcwing am astride the earth'. It's a good image." . ‘ Alvin's head was beginning to swell. No one in the classed seemed to notice. 'Jhey were all