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Secrecy and Deception Chapter 23

The Space Race (Wattpad | Ao3)

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Event: First Intercontinental Ballistic Missle is Launched

Location: Baikonur, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Date: August 21, 1957

Kazakh SSR stood by his cousin as they prepared to watch the launch of the R-7 Semyorka, a ballistic missile that they were attempting to launch to Kamchatka in this city constructed just for that purpose.

If successful, it would put them leagues ahead of the United States and the West, as this missile would allow them to laugh nuclear warheads against their opponents. More specifically, it would allow them to attack the USA. It was an important weapon that they needed to create before the USA got his hands on this kind of power.

Like with the creation of their nuclear weapons, Kazakh SSR was entrusted with supervising this project and ensuring its secrecy and success.

“Are you sure it will work this time?” USSR asked, his voice reflecting his annoyance with the failure of the earlier tests. He didn’t like this time being wasted, and he was busy enough with his other roles. There was a reason that Kazakh SSR was in charge of this and not his cousin. Kazakh SSR nodded.

“I am sure that it will succeed. The problems from the failed tests have been rectified and will not happen again,” he said. His cousin’s icy blue eyes seemed to bore into Kazakh SSR before he nodded.

“For both our sakes, let us hope you are right about this,” USSR said. Kazakh SSR nodded as a fog seemed to roll over his bond with his cousin, clouding his mind. USSR always got like this when he was stressed, and Kazakh SSR was sure that all of the subdivisions of their country could feel that stress.

Kazakh SSR wanted to respond, to reassure USSR that it would work, but the fog caused by his emotions made it hard to think. Kazakh SSR frowned, wishing he could do something to help.

But his cousin never liked nice words, preferring action to empty promises. Kazakh SSR kept his mouth shut. His cousin liked him better that way.

As the missile laughed, Kazakh SSR did his best to hide his nervousness, pressing his sweaty hands against his pants. They watched as the missile lifted off, and Kazskh SSR remained tense, just in case something went wrong.

But the missile continued its course, and nothing seemed to be going wrong. Kazakh SSR relaxed and felt some of the fog in his mind lift as USSR relaxed as well.

“Congratulations, Kazakh. This is a wonderful day in our nation’s history. I need to travel to Kamchatka now to see if the missile actually makes it to its target. I expect you to be in my office sometime tomorrow to discuss this. Understood?” USSR asked. Kazakh SSR nodded.

“Of course.”

A small smile curled its way across USSR’s lips—a rare sight—and then his cousin vanished. Kazakh SSR returned his attention to the missile making its way into the sky.

“Please work,” he murmured, “I don’t want this to fail. We need you.”

Kazakh SSR watched the missile until it vanished into the sky before smiling and returning to his hope, a new hope blooming in his chest. This would have to make the USA back down.

He knew it would.

• ───────────────── •

Event: Sputnik I lauched

Location: Austin, State of Texas, United States of America

Date: October 4, 1957

The Russians had launched an artificial satellite into space.

Texas has been convinced that the Russians were nowhere near advanced enough to do anything like that. Everyone he knew was convinced that it would be an achievement that Texas’ family would achieve first.

It was terrible news. Horrible news.

“Pa, have you heard the news?” Texas asked as he arrived at his father’s house. Pa hummed before nodding.

“It’s Mabel, but yes, we’ve heard. Your father was panicking slightly, so he and James left so he could calm down,” Mabel said. Texas frowned.

“If they’ve managed to launch something into space, their weapons must be far more advanced than ours. We’re falling behind, and if we fall behind…” Texas trailed off, and Mabel lifted an arm, an invitation for Texas to sit beside her. Texas did so, relaxing slightly as an arm was wrapped around him.

“I know, but there is time to catch up. Maybe we won’t be the first to have a satellite in space, but there are plenty of other achievements for us to get. The USSR is trying to threaten us, so we should be fighting harder to prove that we are not to be threatened and that no matter how much they create, we can do it better. After all, they only got their nukes from stealing them from us, so clearly, they are somewhat advanced but still need help,” Mabel said, her voice sounding both annoyed and pissed off. Texas frowned.

Mabel might have a point, but she also wasn’t in control of the body very often. She…she was often out of touch, and Texas wasn’t sure if she really knew how significant this was.

“I hope you’re right. I don’t like the idea of them being further ahead than us. I can only imagine how Alaska feels, being as close as he is to Russia,” Texas said. He would have to check in on his brother and ensure he was okay.

Texas mentally began to compile a list of states that would become anxious easily and stood up, looking around the room.

“What are you doing?” Mabel asked.

“I need to find Betty. I’m going to go make sure no one is freaking out too badly, and Pa’s cat may help,” Texas said before spotting the massive cat on the other side of the room. Betty didn’t protest as Texas picked her up, relaxing in his arms.

“I’ll be sure to tell your father where his cat went,” Mabel said as Texas left the room, calling out thanks as he went.

The Russians may have the advantage now, but there was no way Texas or his pa would let them keep it. They would overtake them, and they would keep an advantage in technology and weapons.

They had to. Who knows what would happen if they didn’t?

• ───────────────── •

Event: Sputnik II lauched

Location: Baikonur, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Date: November 3, 1957

“You’re going to do a great job, Laika,” Kazakh SSR muttered as he petted the dog that they were about to send into space. He knew that the chances of her surviving were very low, as they did not have a way to safely bring down Sputnik II from the Earth’s atmosphere.

The dog that he had come to love dearly was going to die.

Kazakh SSR wasn’t ready for that. He knew why they had to send her into space, the tests they were doing, and the information that she was going to provide, but that didn’t mean Kazakh SSR didn’t want a plan that ensured she lived.

Even without Laika, this satellite was going to be revolutionary. It would be the first satellite capable of making scientific measurements in orbit, allowing them to monitor Laika and the effects that space would have on living beings.

There was even a TV camera allowing them to monitor Laika!

If his cousin were here, he would be more focused on mocking the United States for his lack of space program, the fact that the only person who had managed to create a satellite and send it into space was him.

Kazakh SSR knew that was important, but to him, it felt more like a background argument that he was not a part of. His concern was ensuring the satellites worked, even if some of the science went over his head. His concern was Laika and ensuring she was prepared for her revolutionary journey.

He didn’t care about the actions of the Americans.

“I’m very proud of you,” Kazakh SSR said to Laika before petting her once again and then walking her over to the passenger compartment. “Is it ready?”

The man nodded, taking Laika from Kazakh SSR and doing any final checks needed for her trip. Kazakh SSR took a step back and sighed.

“Good luck.”

• ───────────────── •

Event: Explorer I launched

Location: Cape Canaveral, State of Florida, United States of America

Date: January 31, 1958

Florida was bored. That was the only reason he accepted his dad’s invitation to watch the launch of Explorer I. He had no interest in space and was not as obsessed with the arms race as some of his siblings were.

But his dad had asked to do this. His dad wanted him there. Florida had to show up.

“Hola, Papí,” Florida said as he approached his dad, arms crossed as he battled the nervousness caused by his anxiety.

“Hola, Florida. Thank you for coming. I know that this is probably not something you’re ever going to be interested in, but it is nice to spend time with you,” Dad said. Florida felt a slight trace of panic at those words, something deep within him worrying that something was wrong with his lack of interest.

“No, no, I’m interested in it,” Florida lied, wincing at the skeptical look his father gave him.

“Alright. I hope this is successful. The longer it takes for us to get a satellite into the air, the worse off we’ll be because the USSR will be able to make bigger and bigger strides, leaving us behind,” Dad said, the worry lines that have been present on his face since the Second World War began deepening.

“It’ll work. I believe in you,” Florida said. Dad smiled.

“Thank you. I just hope…” Dad trailed off, blinking rapidly, before shaking his head, “Sorry. They’re excited.”

Florida smiled.

“So am I,” he said, only partially believing it. Dad didn’t question it this time and instead placed a hand on Florida’s shoulder, turning back to stare at the rocket. Florida stayed silent, wishing to shrug his dad’s hand off his shoulder, but at the same time, not wanting to do anything to annoy his dad.

There they stood, side by side, as the rocket began to take off.

Florida heard his father’s breath catch in his throat as he was surely being drowned in his worries. But the rocket flew higher and higher into the air.

“See. I told you it would work,” Florida said. His father’s shoulders slumped as if a huge weight had been taken off them.

“Yeah…it did work. Now we’re catching up,” Dad said before turning to Florida. “Thank you for watching this with me.”

“You’re welcome, Papí.”

• ───────────────── •

Event: The Creation of NASA

Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America

Date: July 29, 1958

While America cared about the space race, he only cared about it in terms of beating the USSR, of having technological superiority. He didn’t care all that much about space or space exploration; it just wasn’t interesting to him.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, created as a successor to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, was just another agency in the ever-growing list America had at his disposal.

He didn’t think much of it. Hell, he didn’t even attend the signing of the document that would bring the organization into law. It wasn’t an intergovernmental organization, so it wouldn’t be personified. Just another thing that he was vaguely involved in.

At least, that’s what America thought.

He had been sitting in his room, reading The Catcher in the Rye, a book that many of his states—as well as James and Lydia, had recommended to him when suddenly he felt a bond snap into place.

America gasped in surprise, having not expected it, hand flying to cover his heart.

“What was that?” Caleb asked.

“It…I don’t know. It felt like a child bond but also an organization one? Hey, I haven’t forgotten about an organization I’m creating, right?” America asked.

“Not as far as I’m aware,” Lydia said, “The only thing I can think of is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, but that’s not something that can be personified…right?”

“It…it shouldn't be,” America said before putting his book down and standing up. The bond was tugging him to somewhere in his country. He could tell that much.

Could it really be…

No. There was no way this was NASA. NASA fit next to none of the criteria to be a personified organization. There was no way it could be him.

But when America brought himself to Florida, where the bond was telling him to go, there he found Florida with a teenager—a teenage personification with wings.

“Florida?” America asked. The unfamiliar personification, the one his bond was connecting him to, turned around, revealing America's seal on his face.

“That’s…Meri, that has to be NASA, right?” Caleb asked.

“Papí, meet…uh, meet NASA,” Florida introduced, looking sheepish. America had so many questions on the tip of his tongue. How was NASA personified? Why was NASA in Florida? Why did NASA have his seal?

“Probably because it’s an organization and not a state, so it wouldn’t have your flag?” Lydia suggested.

“How?” America ended up asking, more out of shock than anything else, before shutting his mouth with a sigh. He didn’t mean to ask any of those questions out loud, not wanting to interrogate the child about his very existence. “I’m sorry, I just wasn’t expecting a personification.”

“That’s alright. I don’t think anyone was. Florida was just talking to me about the Explorer I satellite. I wish I could have seen it. But it’s nice to meet you, Father. I am the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,” NASA spoke quickly, his voice lacking any sort of childish traits, just a clipped professionalism.

America didn’t question it. Countries and states aged weirdly, but organizations were weirder than even them.

“It’s nice to meet you too, NASA. I look forward to what we can do together,” America said.

A small part of him that he didn’t want to acknowledge was so smug about NASA being personified. America had a personification, and the USSR had nothing. Surely, that meant America was destined to win.

America tried to ignore it. Now wasn’t the time to be a country, but be a father.

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