"Robert A. Heinlein - Stranger in a Strange Land - Original Ve" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

photographs taken by the robot vehicle showed a land unattractive by human
standards; her recording instruments confirmed the thinness and unsuitability of
the Arean atmosphere to human life.
But the Zombie's pictures showed clearly that the "canals" were
engineering works of some sort and there were other details which could only be
interpreted as ruins of cities. A manned expedition on a major scale and without
delay surely would have been mounted had not World War III intervened.
But the war and the delay resulted eventually in a much stronger, safer
expedition than that of the lost En my. The Federation Ship Champion, manned by
an all-male crew of eighteen experienced spacemen and carrying more than that
number of male pioneers, made the crossing under Lyle Drive in only nineteen
days. The Champion landed just south of Lacus Soli, as Captain van Tromp
intended to search for the Envoy. The second expedition reported to Earth by
radio daily, but three despatches were of more than scientific interest. The
first was:
"Rocket Ship Envoy located. No survivors."
The second worldshaker was: "Mars is inhabited."
The third was: "Correction to despatch 23-105: One survivor of Envoy
located."


III


CAPTAIN WILLEM VAN TROMP was a man of humanity and good sense. He radioed ahead:
"My passenger must not, repeat, must not be subjected to the strain of a public
reception. Provide low-gee shuttle, stretcher and ambulance service, and anned
guard."
He sent his ship's surgeon Dr. Nelson along to make sure that Valentine
Michael Smith was installed in a suite in Bethesda Medical Center, transferred
gently into a hydraulic bed, and protected from outside contact by marine
guards. Van Tromp himself went to an extraordinary session of the Federation
High Council.
At the moment when Valentine Michael Smith was being lifted into bed, the
High Minister for Science was saying testily, "Granted, Captain, that your
authority as military commander of what was nevertheless primarily a scientific
expedition gives you the right to order unusual medical service to protect a
person temporarily in your charge, I do not see why you now presume to interfere
with the proper functions of my department. Why, Smith is a veritable treasure
trove of scientific information!"
"Yes. I suppose he is, sir."
"Then why-" The science minister broke off and turned to the High Minister
for Peace and Military Security. "David? This matter is obviously now in my
jurisdiction. Will you issue the necessary instructions to your people? After
all, one can't keep persons of the caliber of Professor Kennedy and Doctor
Okajima, to mention just two, cooling their heels indefinitely. They won't stand
for it."
The peace minister did not answer but glanced inquiringly at Captain van
Tromp. The captain shook his head. "No, sir."
"Why not?" demanded the science minister. "You have admitted that he isn't