Date Added: Friday 03 June, 2016
Reviewed by Chris Ross (October 2003)
The joint NASA-Russian exploratory space launch was minutes away. As the American Flight Commander for the mission, I approached my comrade counterpart and introduced myself.
"Clutch MacGroyne," I said to her.
"Ivanna Kutcherkokkov," she replied.
"Well Ivanna, glad to meet you."
The niceties completed, we boarded the starship and prepared for liftoff. While Ground Control initiated the countdown, I reached into my spacesuit and pulled out a Bolivar Petit Corona. Nothing like the thought of a luxurious spicy little smoke to calm one's pre-flight jitters.
Bolivar Petit Coronas have always been a particular favorite of mine, and this one would be no exception. It was a classicly-built Boli: a deep chocolate brown wrapper wound with such precision as to make it appear seamless. It was smooth and oily to the touch, and it felt heavier than one might expect from a 42 ring shorty, an indication that there was no skimping on the bunching of the filler.
The launch went without a hitch and soon we were above the Earth's atmosphere, streaki