"Asimov, Isaac - Lucky Starr 04 - Lucky Starr and the Big Sun of Mercury" - читать интересную книгу автора (Asimov Isaac)

"In any case, you are forgiven," said Lucky, and he glanced sidewise with some amusement at Bigman, who was listening, open-mouthed, to the old man's stately flow of words.
"I am past forgiveness," said the astronomer, "but it pleases me that you make the attempt. Meanwhile, I have ordered that quarters be placed at your disposal." He linked arms with both of them, urging them along the well-lit but narrow corridors of the Dome. "Our facilities are crowded, particularly since Dr. Mindes and his engineers have arrived andЧand others. Still, I imagine you will find it welcome to have an opportunity to refresh yourselves and to sleep, perhaps. You will wish for food, I am sure, and it will be sent to you. Tomorrow will be time enough for you to meet us all socially, and for us to find out your purpose in coming here. For myself, the fact that the Council of Science vouches for you is sufficient. We will have a kind of banquet in your honor.Ф
The corridor level was sinking as they walked, and they were burrowing into Mercury's vitals toward the residential level of the Dome.
Lucky said, "You are very kind. Perhaps I will also have the opportunity to inspect the Observatory.Ф
Peverale seemed delighted at that. "I will be at your service in the matter, and I am sure you will not regret time spent in such an inspection. Our major equipment is mounted on a movable platform designed to move with the advancing or receding Terminator. In that fashion, a particular portion of the Sun can be kept continually in view despite Mercury's motions.Ф
"Wonderful! But now, Dr. Peverale, one question. What is your opinion of Dr. Mindes? I'd appreciate a frank answer without any consideration for such things as diplomacy.Ф
Peverale frowned. "Are you a sub-temporal engineer too?Ф
"Not quite," said Lucky, "but I was asking about Dr. Mindes.Ф
"Exactly. Well"Чand the astronomer looked thoughtfulЧ"he is a pleasant young man, quite competent, I should think, but nervous, very nervous. He is easily offended, too easily offended. It has shown up as time has gone on and things have not been quite right with his project, and it is making him a little difficult to get along with. A pity, for as I say, he is a pleasant young man, otherwise. I am his superior, of course, while he is here at the Dome, but I don't really interfere with him. His project has no connection with our Observatory work.Ф
"And your opinion of Jonathan Urteil?Ф
The old astronomer stopped walking on the instant. "What about him?Ф
"How does he get along here?Ф
"I am not interested in discussing the man," said Peverale.
They walked on in silence for a short while. The astronomer's face was lowering.
Lucky said, "Are there any other outsiders at the Dome? There are you and your men, Mindes and his men, and Urteil. Anyone else?Ф
"The doctor, of course. Dr. Gardoma.Ф
"You do not consider him one of your own men?Ф
"Well, he's a doctor and not an astronomer. He supplies the one service the Dome must have and can't use machinery for. He cares for our health. He's new here.Ф
"How new?Ф
"He replaced our old doctor after the latter's one-year shift. Dr. Gardoma arrived on the same ship that carried Mindes's group, as a matter of fact.Ф
"One-year shift? Is that common for doctors here?Ф
"And most of the men. It makes it difficult to keep up continuity, and it is hard to train a man and have him leave; but then, Mercury is not an easy place to remain, and our men must be replaced frequently.Ф
"Then in the last six months how many new men have you received here?Ф
"Perhaps twenty. The exact figures are in our records, but twenty is about it.Ф
"Surely you yourself have been here quite a while.Ф
The astronomer laughed. "Many years. I hate to think how many. And Dr. Cook, my assistant director, has been here for six years. Of course we take vacations frequently. . . . Well, here are your quarters, gentlemen. If there is anything you should wish, do not hesitate to inform me.Ф
Bigman looked about him. The room was a small one, but it held two beds that could fold up into a wall recess when not in use; two chairs of which the same was true; a one-piece desk-chair combination; a small closet; and an adjoining wash room.
"Hey," he said, "a lot better than the ship, anyway, huh?Ф
"Not bad," said Lucky. "This is probably one of their better rooms.Ф
"Why not?" said Bigman. "I guess he knows who you are.Ф
"I guess not, Bigman," said Lucky. "He thought I might be a sub-temporal engineer. All he knows is that the Council sent me.Ф
"Everyone else knows who you are," said Bigman.
"Not everyone. Mindes, Gardoma, and Urteil. . . . Look, Bigman, why don't you use the washroom? I'll have some food sent up and have them bring in the general utility kit from the Shooting StarrФ
"Suits me," said Bigman cheerily.
Bigman sang loudly through the shower. As usual on a waterless world, the bath water was strictly rationed, with stern warnings on the wall as to the amount it was permissible to use. But Bigman had been born and bred on Mars. He had a huge respect for water and would no more think of splashing idly in it than in beef stew. So he used detergent copiously and water carefully and sang loudly.
He stepped in front of the forced-hot-air dryer which tingled his skin with its jets of bone-dry air and slapped his body with his hands to enhance the effect.
"Hey, Lucky," he yelled, "is there food on the table? I'm hungry.Ф
He heard Lucky's voice speaking softly but could make out no words.
"Hey, Lucky," he repeated, and stepped out of the washroom. The desk had two steaming platters of roast beef and potatoes on it. (A slight sharpness in the aroma indicated the meat, at least, to be really a yeast imitation from the sub-sea gardens of Venus.) Lucky, however, was not eating, but sat on the bed and spoke into the room's Talkie.
Dr. Peverale's face was gazing out of the receiving plate.
Lucky said, "Well, then, was it general knowledge that this was to be our room?Ф
"Not general knowledge, but I gave the order to prepare your room over an open hookup. There was no reason for secrecy as far as I could see. I suppose anyone might have overheard. Furthermore, your room is one of a few such that are reserved for distinguished guests. There is no secret about it.Ф
"I see. Thank you, sir.Ф
"Is anything wrong?Ф
"Not at all," said Lucky, smiling, and broke connection. His smile disappeared and he looked thoughtful.
"Nothing wrong, my foot," exploded Bigman. "What's up, Lucky? Don't tell me there isn't anything wrong.Ф
"Something is wrong, yes. I've been looking at the equipment here. These are special insulated suits for use on the Sun-side, I imagine.Ф
Bigman lifted one of the suits hanging in a special wall recess. It was amazingly light for its bulk, nor could that be attributed to Mercurian gravity, since gravity here in the Dome was maintained at Earth-normal.
He shook his head. As usual, if he had to use a suit supplied him out of stock rather than one built to specifications, he would have to reduce all fittings to the minimum and even so find it inconvenient to use. He sighed resignedly. It was the penalty he paid for not being exactly tall. He always thought of it that way: "not exactly tall." He never thought of his five foot two as being actually "short.Ф
He said, "Sands of Mars, they've got everything here for us, all set and waiting. Bed. Bath. Food. Suits.Ф