Part IV, The Gettysburg: Chapters 52 - 54 Summary

As planned, the Russians simulate an order for the space shuttle to leave the space station and prepare for re-entry. All of Houston Control is compromised; they cannot communicate with either Gettysburg or the space station. The President is apprised of the situation and he orders two Air Force squadrons to be scrambled to escort the shuttle. If they are unable to redirect the shuttle the President will have to give the order for the shuttle to be shot down to prevent it from being taken by the Russians. The space shuttle is preparing for re-entry, but the pilot is becoming suspicious. For one thing, Merv Foley from Houston called him Don rather than Dave, and the shuttle's sensors are indicating that their landing path is off course and putting them down in...