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

Brandt turned away, his fists clenching and unclenching. With his back
to Rangone, he said, "I don't have to tell you what it all adds up to, do I,
Commander?"

"No. We're like people who have spent our lives navigating among
millions of visible islands in a vast inland sea. Suddenly, inexplicably, a
great storm blows up and sweeps us before it and makes us castaways on
the biggest ocean there is. All our familiar landmarks are out of sight, over
the horizon. And we're lost, more lost than anyone has ever been since
time began. Dunmurry's trained mind couldn't comprehend the removal
of the stars, the essential points of reference for his work, and the strain
was too much."


CHAPTER THREE
Laura McDonald came back with a puzzled-looking Donlevy in tow. She
shook her head slightly to indicate that she hadn't said anything. The news
would have to come from Rangone. At least Tim would understand and
not have hysterics. Donlevy started to climb the ladder. Rangone put up a
hand.
 "You'd better let me explainтАФas well as I can, TimтАФbefore you come
up."

The phrasing had to be right. He was going to have to repeat it many
times within the next few hours.

"We're in very serious trouble. The ship is right outside the Galaxy. I
hope it's our Galaxy. Dunmurry, the astrogator, couldn't take the shock.
He's catatonic. Please come and help me."

Donlevy was noticeably pale, but composed. He climbed up beside
Rangone, who said to Laura, "Please keep an eye on Templeton. He might
need a hand to hold."

In the bubble, Donlevy was examining Dunmurry.

"It looks extreme. He might never recover his sanity."

He gazed past the man at the awesome spread of light. Out there,
beyond the fragile window, was the stuff of reality and madness. If one
stared too longтАж He shook himself mentally.

"We won't be able to use a stretcher."

Donlevy was glad Rangone interrupted his thoughts.

"He's not very heavy," Rangone went on. "If you can lower him through
the hatch, I'll manage to carry him to the deck."