"Lee Edgar - Return to Andromeda" - читать интересную книгу автора (Edgar Lee)

тАШBut the new reactor? The uprated Proton Drive?тАЩ
Jim turned to face his superior officer. тАШWeтАЩre still talking ten years, Alan. Andromeda is one hell of a long
way away, even at 250,000 times the speed of light.тАЩ
тАШIs such a speed really possible, Jim?тАЩ
тАШTime will tell. It is three times faster than the ship has ever been before.тАЩ
Their conversation was disturbed by a smartly-dressed cadet who handed the Director a message. The
senior man read it carefully, frowned, and then gave it to Jim Duncan before turning back to the control
centre. He pushed a button on his desk. тАШWayfarer One, this is Orion Base Station. Do you read?тАЩ
тАШReceiving you, Orion,тАЩ responded a male voice. тАШGo ahead.тАЩ
тАШSteve, this is Alan Thompson. I have just received a signal from Europoort Launch Complex. General
Phillips has just ordered a shuttle to take off in an attempt to prevent you leaving for Andromeda.тАЩ
There was a pause and then: тАШHow long will it take for the shuttle to get up from Earth?тАЩ
The Director looked at Jim Duncan who flashed his open hands twice. тАШAbout twenty minutes at full thrust. I
suggest you get away from here as soon as you can.тАЩ
тАШVery well, Mr Director. IтАЩll be in touch.тАЩ
тАШGood luck, Wayfarer.тАЩ
тАШThanks. WeтАЩll need it.тАЩ

COMMANDER Stephen Carter switched off the radio and looked around the group of people who were with
him on the flight deck of Wayfarer One. тАШYou all heard that?тАЩ When it was clear that they had, he turned to his
wife. тАШLyn, how long to critical mass?тАЩ
The pilot looked at the screen of the red console in front of her. тАШTen minutes.тАЩ
тАШVery well. Prepare to activate Auxiliary Drive. LetтАЩs detach from Orion and get ready to fly.тАЩ He looked at
the other girl. тАШCourse ready?тАЩ
тАШIris confirms trajectory computed,тАЩ Cassi said as she glanced at the white screen which was the Interactive
Radar Identification System. Known affectionately as Iris, it had been originally developed simply as a
highly-sophisticated navigation aid. Since WayfarerтАЩs accidental trip to Andromeda, the computer had been
modified and Iris now controlled not only navigation but also all life-support functions of the interstellar space
cruiser.
тАШRelease docking clamps,тАЩ the Commander said.
тАШConfirmed clamps off,тАЩ said First Officer Hardy and a slight clunk was felt through the ship.
тАШActivate Auxiliary Drive.тАЩ
тАШAuxiliary Drive activated,тАЩ said Lyn. тАШCritical Mass in nine minutes.тАЩ
тАШVery good. Prepare for gravity assist.тАЩ
тАШAll navigation systems ready, Commander,тАЩ confirmed Cassi.
Gradually, the ship began to pull away from Orion docking area which seemed to retreat slowly in the vision
monitor until all of the station could be seen. Slowly, Wayfarer One turned until the huge blue and white
streaked sphere below came into view. Somewhere down there were enemies intent on destroying them.
тАШCritical mass in eight minutes,тАЩ stated Lyn.
тАШActivate main drive,тАЩ said Steve.
тАШConfirmed,тАЩ said Lyn as she efficiently tapped instructions into the drive computer. тАШCritical mass in seven
minutes.тАЩ
The ship accelerated as it pulled out of orbit and began to fall slowly towards the surface of Terra. In the
rear viewer, sunlight glinted off the superstructure of the shrinking space station.
тАШCritical mass in six minutes.тАЩ
тАШShuttle now on radar,тАЩ announced Cassi. тАШApproaching from the west.тАЩ
Steve raised one eyebrow. тАШEstimated time to contact at present speed?тАЩ
тАШTen minutes and twenty-two seconds.тАЩ
Lyn read her screen. тАШCritical mass in five minutes.тАЩ
тАШShuttle turning to intercept,тАЩ said Cassi. тАШEstimated time of contact now nine minutes and fifty seconds.тАЩ