"Hogan, James P - The Genesis Machine p260-end" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hogan James P)

control system could be accurately registered on selected targets in normal space, it was necessary to calibrate it with a reference framework of known locations derived from previously resolved sets of spacelike images. But these images depended on the system being able to distinguish ordinary objects by viTtue of the low level of radiation that was generated by the spontaneous particle annihilations taking place inside them; this was not practicable from distances outside two hundred thousand miles, and it followed that a hypothetical space-borne J-bomb would not constitute a workable threat to either Brunnermont or any other potential target anywhere else on the surface of Earth.
Clifford was of the opinion that technology would one day progress to a point where these restrictions could be overcome, but by that time the reasons for their having been imposed in the first place would long have gone away. In the meantime, scientists would be able to continue their researches into the new physics in laboratories on the Moon, anywhere else in the Solar System, and perhaps, one day, beyond. For the next one hundred and eleven years, however, as far as this kind of activity went Earth itself was quarantined. That was regrettable, but it seemed a small price to pay.











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Chapter 26

The squat-nosed, ungainly surface-transport ship from Tycho Base slowed to a halt and hung amid the star-strewn black velvet of the sky over the observatory complex at Joliot-Curie, on Lunar Farside. In among the huddle of domes and receiver dishes that stood in the middle of the arid wilderness below, the massive steel shutters over the underground landing bay had already been rolled aside to uncover a splash of warm, yellow light and relieve the harsh monotony of the ash-gray dust. Its flight-control processors concluded their dialogue with the ground computers and the ship sank gently out of sight of the surface.
Inside the landing bay, after the shutters had closed and the bay had filled with air, an access ramp telescoped out to mate with the shipТs entry lock as the last moans of its engines died away in the new world of sound that had come into being. The lock slid open and the small procession of new arrivals made its way down the ramp to the reception antechamber.
Professor Heinrich Zimmermann, his face wreathed in a smile of delight, stepped forward to greet the three young people as they approached him.
УHow was your journey?Ф he asked as he shook each one warmly by the hand. УNo unpleasant complications, I trust?Ф
УVery relaxing,Ф Clifford told him. His face had
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filled out again and regained its fresh and healthy color. His eyes were shining brightly, just like old times.
УStarting to feel at home on this olТ dust ball already,Ф Aub said.
УAnd what about you, my dear?Ф Zimmermann asked, turning toward Sarah. УDo you think you will enjoy living here on the Moon?Ф
УWho cares?Ф she smiled, snuggling nearer to Clifford. УIТm still getting used to the idea of having my husband back again.Ф
Zimmermann smiled and turned to usher them in the direction of the far door of the antechamber. УFirst I must show you where the bar is and join you in a welcoming drink . . . just to keep our priorities correct. DonТt worry about your baggage and so on; that will be taken care of. After that, we will show you to the living quarters so that you can clean up, settle in, and rest if you wish. I would like to suggest that we dine together later, in the main dining room at 2300 hours . . . in case you havenТt got used to the local time yet, thatТs just over three hours from now. After that, I would be pleased to take you on a tour of the base and observatories. I warn you, itТs a bit of a rabbit-warren underground, and newcomers here tend to be confused at first, but IТve no doubt that you will get used to it.Ф
He stopped and looked down at the sign that had been positioned across the doorway to which their torturous route had by that time brought them.
УOh, dearЧit appears that we cannot get through this way. The tunnel is temporarily out of use for maintenance.Ф He sighed. УWe will have to go back a little way, up and across into the next dome through the interconnecting tube on the surface. I am sorry about this.. . . This way .. .У

~41R
As they emerged from the access lock of the tube and entered the dome, Zimmermann called them over to a viewing port in the outside wall. From it they were able to see the limit to which the surface constructions extended on one side of the base. The professor pointed to the bare tract of dust and boulders that lay beyond.
УThat is where you will be working,Ф he said. УThe area has been surveyed and we have completed preliminary designs for three additional domes to house the new laboratories. Initially they will all extend five levels down below the surface and be connected into the main complex, of course. The new GRASER will be built below the largest of them . . . roughly halfway between that prominent crater and that group of boulders . . . and the BIACs and associated equipment will be next door, about fifty yards to the left. The third is really for storage space at this stage; it will be useful should you require room to expand later.Ф
УIt sounds just great,Ф Clifford said admiringly. УI think weТre going to enjoy being part of your team here.Ф
УI am sure that I am going to enjoy having you on the team,Ф Zimmermann replied. УYou will also be pleased to learn that headquarters has now signed firm contracts, and the initial shipments of materials to begin construction should arrive within two months.Ф
Five minutes later, below ground level again, they settled themselves down around a table in the corner of the room that doubled as bar and informal social center for the base. It had a warm, friendly atmosphere enhanced by the background of piped music and the murmur of conversation from the dozen or so other persons already there. Zimmermann cast an eye

~17
around him as he sat down with a small tray of di and passed them around.
УI wonТt bother you with any introductions for nТ he said. УThere will be plenty of time for that la He sat back and raised his glass. УAnd now, friends, to what shall we drink? A successful par ship, I suppose . . .У
They responded.
УOne word of advice,Ф he said as they drank.
it easy with alcohol until youТve had time to bee acclimated. The gravity here can do strange things I suppose itТs a case of being light-headed b you start. . . literally.Ф
Clifford started to laugh. УHeyЧI nearly forg Al and Nancy asked me to give you their regards says heТs sorry that they left things too late for 1 to make the same launch that we did, but theyТr set for next monthТs.Ф
УYes, I know about that,Ф Zimmermann nodded a smile. УI understand that he found Nancy dif~ to persuade.Ф
УAw, sheТll be okay,Ф Aub tossed in. УEspe with Sarah around; they get along fine. She just living next to that lake too much. ThatТs all.Ф
УAlТs going off into the realms of science fict~ Clifford said. Zimmermann raised his eyes towarc ceiling.
УIs he really. . . ? What is it this time?Ф
УHeТs gotten all hooked up on the idea of bea energy through hi-space. He figures that one day be the way that energy will be piped to whereve needed, all over the Solar System . . . anywhere. got this picture of some enormous distribution netТ being fed from great big artificial black holes mu of miles out in space.Ф
УGood lord. . .У