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

Tom turned his attention back to the great control panel, and one by one tested the
banks of dials, gauges, and indicators that controlled the rocket cruiser. Tom Corbett had
wanted to be a Space Cadet as long as he could remember. After taking the entrance
exams, he had been accepted for the rigid training that would prepare him to enter the ranks
of the great Solar Guard. He had met his two unit-mates, Roger and Astro, on his very first
day at the Academy, and after a difficult beginning, adjusting to each other's personalities
and the discipline of the Academy routine, the three boys had become steadfast friends.
As control-deck cadet and pilot, Tom was head of the unit, second-in-command to
Captain Strong. And while he could issue orders to Astro and Roger and expect to be
obeyed, the three cadets all spoke their minds when it came to making difficult decisions.
This had solidified the three cadets into a fighting, experienced, dependable unit.
Tom made a final check on the gravity generator and turned to the intercom.
"All departments, report!" he called.
"Radar bridge checks in O.K.," replied Roger.
"Power deck checks in on the nose, Tom," reported Astro.
"Right! Stand by! We blast as soon as the skipper gets around."
Tom turned to the teleceiver and switched it on. The screen blurred and then steadied
into a view of the spaceport outside. Tom scanned the launching ramp below, and, satisfied
it was clear, he switched the teleceiver to the spaceport traffic-control circuit.
"Rocket cruiser Polaris to spaceport control," he called. "Come in, spaceport control.
Request orbit clearance."
"Spaceport traffic control to Polaris," reported the traffic officer, his face in focus on the
teleceiver screen. "Your orbit has been cleared for blast-off. Orbit number 3847-repeat,
3847-raise ship when ready!"
"Orbit 3847," repeated Tom. "End transmission!"
"End transmission," said the officer. Tom flipped off the teleceiver and the officer's face
disappeared.
At the rear of the control deck, Captain Strong suddenly stepped through the hatch and
dropped his black plastic space bag on the deck. Tom got up and saluted sharply.
"Polaris ready to blast off, sir," he said. "Orbit cleared."
"Very well, Corbett," replied Strong, returning the salute. "Carry on!"
Tom turned back to the control board and flipped on the intercom. "Control deck to
power deck! Energize the cooling pumps!"
"Cooling pumps, aye!" said Astro.
From the power deck, the massive pumps began their whining roar. The great ship
shuddered under the pressure.
Tom watched the gauge that indicated the pressure control and then called into the
intercom.
"Radar bridge, do we have a clear trajectory?"
"All clear forward and up, Tom," reported Roger from the radar bridge.
"Strap in for blast-off!" bawled the curly-haired cadet.
Captain Strong took his place in the pilot's chair next to Tom and strapping himself in
snapped out, "Feed reactant!"
Spinning a small wheel at the side of the control panel, Tom reported, "Feeders at D-9
rate, sir!"
Then, as the hiss of fuel pouring into the mighty engines of the ship blended with the
whine of the pumps, Tom snapped out a third order. "Cut in take-off six yards!"
Receiving acknowledgment from below, he grasped the master blast-off switch and
watched the sweeping hand of the astral chronometer.
"Stand by to raise ship!" he yelled. "Blast off minus- five-four-three-two-one- zero!"