"William Forstchen - Article 23" - читать интересную книгу автора (Forstchen William R)

developed with athletes wearing specially designed lightweight pressure suits racing up the steps; the
world record for the climb was now just under twenty-two days. A rung ladder inside the tower went up
for the next thirty-six thousand and seven hundred kilometers. A few crazies had asked to go for it,
though it would take years to finish the climb. The UN and Colonies Space Commission had come down
with a definite "No!" on that idea.

The computer screen showed that they were clearing the thirty-five-thousand-meter mark and Justin, glad
that he wasn't climbing, looked back out the window. The sky was a deep indigo and he could now
begin to make out the curvature of the Earth. Down below the entire Amazon basin was visible. The
replanted jungle, which had been saved and regrown throughout the 21st century, spread out before him,
its dark green glowing warmly beneath the midday sun.

"I'll miss the green of Earth," Matt said wistfully.

"If we get home for Christmas I'll take you to a pine forest. After it snows it's wonderful, the pine boughs
covered with white, everything so silent and smelling just wonderful."

Matt pressed his nose against the window for another look.

"Good-bye, Earth," he said almost sadly.

"Hey, we're heading back to the Academy, don't be so glum," Justin said.

"Yeah, I know. But it was my first time down there. I've been living out in space all my life going down to
Earth was about as exciting for me as going into space is for you."

"No frontiers down there," Justin replied. "Space is where it's happening now, and we're part of it."

"If you survive the Academy," a threatening voice behind them commented.

Justin froze as he slowly looked over his shoulder.

It was Brian Seay, their senior cadet instructor from the summer session. Seay towered over them,
looking like a shark contemplating his prey.

"How you doing, scrubs?" he asked.

"Glad to be going back, sir," Justin replied, trying to keep a knot from forming in his stomach at the sight
of the dreaded senior cadet.

Brian grinned slightly.

"Relax, you two, scrub summer is past. Glad the two of you made it. As of tomorrow you're plebes.
Plebes third class but still plebes, and that's a start at least. Congratulations!"

He leaned forward and extended his hand. The threatening look was gone and there was almost an air of
comradeship to his gesture. Hesitating a bit, Justin shook it.

"Look, there aren't any other cadets aboard this shuttle car so lets just relax for awhile, OK?"