"Carey Rockwell - Tom Corbett Space Cadet 03 - On the Trail of the Space Pirates" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rockwell Carey)

"Do we start showing people through the Polaris now, sir?" asked Astro.
"In the morning, Astro," replied Strong. "Tonight there's a big Solar Alliance banquet.
You three are invited, too.
"Er-" stammered Roger, "you mean-a banquet- with-uh-?"
Strong laughed. "More speeches? I'm afraid so, Manning. Of course there'll be plenty of
food."
"Well, it's not that we're against speeches," ventured Astro.
"Not yours anyway, sir," added Tom hastily. "But what we mean, sir, is that-"
Strong held up his hand. "I understand perfectly. Suppose you stay here on the
exposition grounds. Have a look around. See the sights, have some fun."
"Yes, sir!" The boys chorused their reply.
"Just don't spend all your credits at the first booth," continued Strong. "And watch that
Venusian cloud candy. It's good, but murder on the Earthman's stomach."
"Captain StrongI" A voice called from the platform above. It was one of the Venusian
delegates. "They want some pictures of you!"
"Be right there, sir," replied Strong. He turned to the boys and smiled. "You're lucky you
don't have to go through this. See you aboard ship later." Spinning quickly on his heel, he
made his way back through the crowd to the platform.
"What a great guy," sighed Tom.
"Sure is," agreed Astro.
"Well, fellas," announced Roger, "we've got twelve hours liberty and a small scale model
of the whole solar system to have fun in! What're we waiting for?"
Fighting their way through the crowds in the plaza, the three boys finally reached the
amusement area where they wandered among gaily colored booths and plastic tents, their
eyes lighting up with each new attraction.
Two hours later, stuffed with spaceburgers and Martian water, their arms loaded with
assorted prizes, won by Astro's prowess in the weight-lifting booth, Tom's skill as a
marksman, and Roger's luck at the wheels of chance, the cadets wearily returned to the
Polaris.
As they neared their section of the fair site they heard a harsh voice appealing to a
small crowd around the stand in front of Wallace and Simms' spaceship. A huge sign
spelled out the attraction: RIDE IN SPACE-ONE CREDIT.
Luther Simms, a bamboo cane in one hand, a roll of tickets in another, was hawking his
attraction to the bystanders.
"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! Step right up! It's a thrill of a lifetime, the greatest
sensation of the entire exposition. Ride a rocket ship, and all this for one credit! A lone,
single credit, ladies and gents, will buy you a pathway to the stars! Step right up-"
In laughing groups, the crowd around the stand began to purchase tickets and climb
aboard the old freighter.
The three cadets watched from the outer edge of the crowd.
"Hey, fellas," said Roger suddenly, "whaddya say we go?"
"What?" gulped Astro. "On that thing?"
"Why not?" urged Roger.
"But that hulk should have been shipped back to the scrap furnace years ago!" Tom
protested.
"So what, Junior?" drawled Roger. "Scared?"
"Don't be silly," replied Tom. "But with all the other things to do here, why should we-"
"Oh," said Astro, nudging Tom, "now I get it!"
"You get what?" asked Roger innocently.
"Those girls," said Astro. "They're just climbing aboard."