"Norton, Andre - Solar Queen 03- Voodoo Planet" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

VOODOO PLANET
by Andre Norton

Another fine Iczelion (scan)/Nadie (proof) co-production.
Contents

*I
* II
* III
* IV
*V
* VI
* VII
* VIII



I

TALK OF HEAT--or better not--on Xecho. This water-logged world combined all the most unattractive
features of a steam bath and one could only dream of coolness, greenness--more land than a stingy string
of islands.

The young man on the promontory above the crash of the waves wore the winged cap of a spaceman with
the insignia of a cargo-master and not much else, save a pair of very short shorts. He wiped one hand
absently across his bare chest and brought it away damp as he studied, through protective sun goggles, the
treacherous promise of the bright sea. One could swim--if he wanted to lose most of his skin. There were
minute organisms in that liquid that smacked their lips--if they had lips--every time they thought of a
Terran.

Dane Thorson licked his own lips, tasting salt, and plodded back through the sand of the spaceport to the
berth of the Solar Queen. This had been a long day, and one with more snarl-ups than he cared to count,
keeping him on a constant, dogged trot between the ship and the fitting yard where riggers labored with the
slowest motions possible to the human body--or so it seemed to the exasperated acting-Cargo-Master of
the Free Trader. Captain Jellico had long ago taken refuge in his cabin to preserve the remnants of his
temper. Dane had been allowed no such escape.

The Queen had a schedule for refitting to serve as a mail ship, and that time allowance did not allow for
humidity playing the devil with the innards of robot fitters. She had to be ready to lift when the Combine
ship now plying that run set down and formally signed off in her favor. Luckily, most of the work was
done and Dane had given a last searching inspection before signing the rigger's book and reporting to his
captain.

The air-conditioned interior of the Queen comforted him as he climbed to his quarters. Ship air was flat,
chemically pure but unappetizing stuff. Today it was a relief to breath. Dane went on to the bather. At least
there was no lack of water--with the local skinners filtered out. It was chill but relaxing on his gaunt
young body.

He was sealing on his lightest tunic when the ramp buzzer sounded. A visitor--oh, not the supervisor-
rigger again! Dane went to answer with dragging feet. For the crew of the Queen at the moment numbered