Pegasus In Space
- Автор: Маккефри Энн
- Серия: Talents #3
- Язык: английский
- Жанр: Научная фантастика
Электронная книга - «Pegasus In Space». Краткое содержание книги:
For an overpopulated Earth whose resources are strained to the breaking point, there is only one place to look for relief: straight up. With the successful completion of the Padrugoi Space Station, humanity has at last achieved its first large-scale permanent presence in space. But there are those who, for motives of their own, want Padrugoi to fail. Standing in their way are the Talented, men and women gifted with extraordinary mental powers that have made them as feared as they are respected--and utterly indispensable to the colonization effort. Now, as sabotage and attempted murder strike the Station, it's up to the Talented to save the day. Only who is going to save the Talented?
Pegasus in Space is the tale of Peter Reidinger, first Tower Prime!
" 'Every rivet and girder in it.' " Johnny's grin was malicious as he quoted Ludmilla Barchenka.
"That's enough of that," Dirk Coetzer said and the others guessed that Johnny Greene was not above trying the admiral's patience with occasional references. The former etop pilot remained the only other Talent who had sussed out and could effect Peter Reidinger's gestalt in telekinesis.
The colony spaceship was still moored in the construction quadrant, with access tunnels to the various hatches, and was surrounded by small rigs, with nets of supplies attached by tethers. For this visit, all but the engine and fuel storage segments had been aired up and the artificial gravity turned on so the guests could move about more freely. The tour started in one of the levels in which cryogenically suspended astronauts would be stored in racks of specially engineered "cradles."
"We prefer 'cradle' to 'coffin' or 'tank,' " the admiral said, patting the nearest empty container.
Peter eyed it speculatively. "Like a single-passenger carrier," he said to Johnny Greene. Carefully, with well-rehearsed control, he was able to lay his hand, but not his fingers, flat against the container. John and Lance, knowing how difficult it was for Peter to make small motor gestures, exchanged glances over that little triumph.
"There are nine levels so we can accommodate a suitable colonial gene pool," Coetzer went on.
He showed them one of the storage holds, already half full of supplies, and demonstrated how the locks would operate to prevent oxygen leakage from any hull penetration.
"No Titanic disaster in space," Coetzer said with satisfaction. "The Andre Norton has been built to survive. The ship is separated into units, each one self-sufficient. From the bridge, the captain can remotely initiate the revival of passengers should that be necessary."
"Let's hope it isn't," murmured Dave.
The admiral took his guests further forward, into the living levels where the skeleton crew-Coetzer grinned at Peter-would be running the immense colony ship. Each crew member was to serve two years' duty on rotation for as long as the journey would last.
"Not that the Andre Norton will get to Altair any faster but certainly eventually." Of that the admiral was certain.
"Some degree of privacy is essential to crew well-being," he said, showing them one of the cabins, where he demonstrated how cleverly furnishings had been built into the wall spaces. "They also afford shielding," and he nodded to Lance and Johnny. "We learned that lesson even if we aren't likely to ship any psychics in the crew."
"Why not?" Peter asked, jerking his head around to the admiral.
"None have volunteered, Pete."
"I would," Peter said firmly, almost belligerently.
"I know, son, I know," the admiral said, a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. Coetzer thought he'd fleshed up a bit, had lost the bony look he'd had at the Inauguration. He was taller as well and had an unmistakable but modest confidence about him now. Nothing succeeds like success, Coetzer thought, remembering the comments on young Reidinger's progress that Johnny Greene was always dropping. Which was why Coetzer had never forgotten his promise to the boy. "But your future is linked with this planet. God knows I'd give anything to sail this ship out of our system, on her way to Altair."
"Why can't you?" Peter asked. Surely admirals could do what they wanted. Cut orders or something.
Coetzer chuckled. "Doesn't work like that, Pete. Now, come with me and I'll show you the nerve center of this ship."
"Admiral on the bridge," was the ringing cry, causing officers and ratings to snap to attention.
"As you were. If you'll-" Coetzer began, and stopped as he saw the awed expression on Peter's face. He'd never quite got over the wonder of the scene that was visible in the forward screen of the Andre Norton so he stood in respectful silence as Peter absorbed the panorama. The ship's prow, although parallel to the great wheel of Padrugoi, faced outer space. Sometimes the prospect terrified those with any degree of agoraphobia. Mostly the view reduced people to stark amazement and wonder, as it did Peter.
The hunger, the yearning for the unknown and the unreachable was visible on the boy's face. For a long moment, the boy was stockstill until Lance leaned forward and lightly touched his arm. Peter exhaled.
"Say again, Pete?" the admiral asked, sure that he had heard words on that breath.
"I only need to know where to stand," Peter murmured, eyes focused beyond the plasglass to the black space, pinpointed with stars.
"When you find out," Johnny said gently, "do let me know."
Peter gave his head a shake, grinned with sheepish apology to the admiral.
"Well, then, let me show you how the Andre Norton operates."
Peter was attentive, asked intelligent questions, but his eyes were constantly seeking the scene outside.
"He's mesmerized," Lance remarked quietly to Johnny.
"Has that effect, all right, " Johnny replied, giving a short sharp sigh. "Can't blame him. I ogle it every chance I get."
Once the bridge tour was done, the admiral offered his guests lunch in his quarters. It was obvious to the others that Peter would have gladly taken a sandwich to the bridge and stared at space until it was time to leave. But he had learned manners from Dorotea and, though he kept looking at space until the lift door closed it from sight, he recovered his poise on the way back to Padrugoi. He kept thanking the admiral throughout the excellent lunch,asking now and then about details he wished to make clear in his own mind.
"Would it be against security if I asked if I could have some, well, sort of details, like how she masses? And you know, some idea of her interior and her decks?" Peter asked while the adults were having coffee. He didn't like any stimulants. He hadn't needed any medication since he'd left the hospital. Other than his paralysis, he enjoyed very good health.
"We do have just the sort of documentation you'd like, Pete," the admiral said. "Oh, nothing that breaches security or shows more than the general outlines but the specs do include the dimensions as well as the mass, though that's estimated rather than actual. We know how much the components weigh in gravity. Of course, it isn't as if the Andre Norton were a seagoing ship and we'd know how much water she displaces." The admiral grinned. "But yes, you may have what we've prepared as a press handout at her Launch." He leaned across the table to Peter, who was on his right. "You will, of course, be on hand?"
"I'd be delighted, sir," Peter replied, beaming with gratitude.
"Good, that's settled. You are high on the invitation list," and the admiral winked.
"Any time I can be of service, sir, you have only to think it."
"Really?" and Dirk Coetzer rolled his eyes.
"Oh, not 'pathing you, sir, never," Peter assured him hurriedly.
The admiral grinned. "Just teasing. I'm well aware of the high ethics of Talent."
"Anyway," and now Peter paused to smile impudently, "you've got a natural shield that only lifts when you get very angry."
"Oh? I do?" Coetzer was pleased.
Now you've done it, Johnny said with feigned disgust.
Done what?
I've had the admiral believing I could read his mind so he'd tell me what I needed to know before I went in and found it.