"David Grinnell- To Venus! To Venus!" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grinnell David)

"Has anyone else agreed?" Borg asked. "Who could agree or disagree?
It's their probe, their signal, their interpretation and their announcement.
They say they have sent something up from Earth. We can check that.
They're right. They say that the thing was headed toward Venus. We can
check that; they're right. They say it headed right into the planet. We can
check that, too: they're right again. Now they say that it has landed and is
telling them something; we cannot check that. Jodrell Banks, Arecibo,
everything our side has is trying but we have not been able to pick up
anything. They tell us it is saying that Venus is offering us a warm
welcome. Hot but hearty. Plants and plenty. It contradicts everything we
knowтАж or think we know. What do you think?"

"I really don't know, sir," he said, lapsing into the formal address
because of his uncertainty, "but there are two main reasons which cause
me to question this report right off the top of my head. First, all the
information which the Free World has been gathering points to conditions
exactly the opposite of those you just described. Until now, the Russians
have agreed with our findings. Secondly, the Russians have a knack for
confusing the world. Sometimes, it seems, for the sheer sake of confusion."

Jim Holmes had approached the cubicle as Chet was talking and he
stood a few feet away, his suit bundled neatly under one arm while his free
hand held his tape pack report. Captain Borg glared at the suit and then
at the face of the geologist.

"Okay. Put that suit down and let's have your report." He accepted the
tape pack and filed it in the same receptacle which held Chet's report. He
motioned Jim to a seat next to Chet. Jim squeezed into place.

"You've heard about the Russian Venus probe?"

"Yes, they've been telling me."

"What do you think?"

"Me?" Jim brightened considerably. "Well, I wouldn't start planning a
new hotel or anything up there. I think it would take more
air-conditioning than we can afford."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, sir, that I refuse to believe it right now," Jim replied. "Unless
I was ordered to, sir," he added.

Chet barely suppressed a smile.

Borg stared for a moment. Then he sighed. "That makes it unanimous.
Five of us aboard. Five trained men, astronauts who think in terms of
space; some of us scientists in our own fields. And not one who is willing
to accept the Russian story." He shook his head. "I think I would feel