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

"Yes, sir. For the present. We provided a meal and my girls have the
situation in hand. Questions are being asked about the delay in landing
and so on," she added obliquely.

For once the Commandant felt and looked inadequate. He said nothing,
and Rangone could see that her suspicions had been confirmed. What was
keeping Dunmurry?

Brandt could stand it no longer. "Templeton," he snapped, "See if you
can assist the Astrogator."

Raising his eyebrows a little, the aide climbed the ladder and tried to
open the hatch. It wouldn't budge. Bracing himself, he pushed up with
both hands. The hatch opened slightly at first, then gave all the way. Back
on the bridge, they could hear something bumping on the ceiling. Then
they became aware of a muffled sobbing. Rangone quickly followed
Temple-ton up the ladder.

Inside the bubble, he stumbled against Templeton and the two men fell
over the huddled body of Dunmurry. Scrambling to his hands and knees,
Rangone stared. Terror and awe suffused his whole being.

There, spread across his field of vision like the shield of a cosmic giant,
was the Galaxy.

Templeton wasn't saying anything. His face, reflected in the pale fire
from a hundred thousand million suns, was running with sweat. Rangone
forgot his own fear and passed a hand in front of the aide's eyes. He had
the satisfaction of seeing the man blink. He shook Templeton gently and
guided him towards the hatch.

"Go back down to the bridge. I'll get Dunmurry."

Whether Templeton understood or not, at least he was moving. The
surgeon turned his attention to the astrogator. The man's head was pulled
in between his knees; his hands were locked tightly over the back of his
neck.

This was going to be difficult. He'd need Donlevy. He went to the hatch
and asked Laura to get his assistant. He could see Templeton slumped in a
chair, a bemused expression on his face.

Brandt was looking up at Rangone.

"What's out there?"

Rangone took a deep breath. "Our Galaxy. We've come right outside it.
The shock of it sent Dunmurry into a catatonic trance, and if I hadn't
followed Templeton, he'd have gone the same way."