The cabin pressure dropped to seven psi.

Atlantis hit the upper atmosphere. They were in radio blackout, twelve long minutes of silence when the friction of reentry ionizes the air around the orbiter, cutting off all communications.

"Atlantis, do you copy?" said Capcom.

Suddenly Commander Vance's voice broke through, "We hear you loud and clear, Houston." Touchdown, moments later, was perfect. Game over.

Applause broke out in the FCR. "Okay, folks I Good job," said Flight Director Carpenter.

"Debriefing at fifteen hundred. Let's all take a break for lunch.

Grinning, he pulled off his headset and for the first time looked Jack.

"Hey, haven't seen you around here in ages."

"Been playing doctor with civilians."

"Going for the big bucks, huh?"

Jack laughed. "Yeah, tell me what to do with all my money." He glanced around at the flight controllers, now relaxing at their consoles with sodas and bag lunches. "Did the sim go okay?"

"I'm happy. We made it through every glitch."

"And the shuttle crew?"

"They're ready." Carpenter gave him a knowing look. "Including Emma.

She's in her element, Jack, so don't rattle her. Right she needs to focus." This was more than just friendly advice. It was a warning, Keep your personal issues to yourself. Don't screw around with my flight crew's morale.

Jack was subdued, even a little contrite, as he waited outside in the sweltering heat for Emma to emerge from Building 5, where the flight simulators were housed. She walked out with the rest of her crew.

Obviously they had just shared a joke, because they were laughing. Then she saw Jack, and her smile faded.

"I didn't know you were coming," she said.

He shrugged and said sheepishly, "Neither did I."

"Debriefing's in ten minutes," said Vance.