"Donald Malcolm - The Unknown Shore" - читать интересную книгу автора (Malcom Donald)

Brandt inquired, "What's the report on the tanks?"

"I've cut in the manual emergency systems," Hertz replied. "That means
that both the primary and alternate systems are out. I have about three
hours to find and repair the faults. I'll get on with it, sir, if you don't
mind."

Brandt nodded. "I'll have food sent along to you, as well as someone to
hold your tools, if you'd like."

"Thank you, sir." Hertz was impatient to get started.

The three men went back to the cocoon room. While Durbin said his
piece about the generators and the lights, Brandt summoned Templeton
and the astrogator, Lieutenant Dunmurry. Rangone was also invited to
attend the meeting on the bridge. He and Barbara exchanged smiles as he
followed the Commandant out.

Once on the bridge, Brandt said to Dunmurry, "Find out where we are
please, Astrogator."

Rangone had left everything switched on. As before, only two screens
were working; they showed as little as Rangone had seen previously.
Brandt tried the radio and the Mayday signal. Both were still out of action.

Dunmurry said, "I'll have to take visual sights, sir. I'll give you a
position as soon as possible."

He climbed from the bridge to the observation bubble.

Brandt said to Rangone: "You knew that communications had failed?"

Rangone nodded. "I was the first to awaken and I immediately headed
for the bridge to get the distress call out. I tried the external scanners, too.
The view's still the same."

"It doesn't look good." The words were grim.
 There was a knock on the door. Brandt switched off the two screens
with their vistas of yawning darkness, composed his features, and said,
"Come in."

It was Laura McDonald, with a tray of food and drink. If she saw
anything amiss, she made no comment. Laura knew when to keep quiet.

She was about to leave, when Brandt asked her to stay. She didn't ask
why, but simply complied with the request. She looked shrewdly at
Rangone. Laura knew. She busied herself with the cups. '

"Is everything all right out there, Laura?"