"Carey Rockwell - Tom Corbett Space Cadet 04 - The Space Pioneers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rockwell Carey)

things from here on in. Where is Captain Strong?"
"He said he'd be along in a few moments, sir," replied Roger.
"Well," said Walters, turning to Hardy, "no sense in beginning without Steve. Only have
to repeat yourself." He turned to Astro but not before he saw a grimace of annoyance cloud
the governor's face. "How are you making out with your classroom studies, Astro?"
"Uh-ah-" stammered the giant Venusian, "I'm doing all right, sir," he managed finally.
Walters suppressed a smile and turned to Hardy.
"One of the most important aspects of our training methods here at the Academy,
Governor," began Walters, returning to his desk, "is for the cadet to learn to depend on his
unit mates. Take Astro, for instance."
The two men glanced at the big cadet who shuffled his feet in embarrassment at being
the center of attention.
"Astro," continued Walters, "is rather shaky in the field of theory and abstract-scientific
concepts. Yet he is capable of handling practically any situation on the power deck of a
spaceship. He literally thinks with his hands."
"Most commendable," commented Hardy dryly. "But I should think it would be difficult if
he ever came face to face with a situation where his hands were bound." There was the
lightest touch of sarcasm in his voice.
"I assure you, Governor," said Walters, "that wouldn't stop him either. But my point is
this: Since a cadet unit is assembled only after careful study of their individual psychograph
personality charts and is passed and failed as a unit, even though a boy like Cadet Astro
might make a failing grade, his unit mates, Cadets Manning and Corbett, can pull him
through by making higher passing marks. You see, an average is taken for all three and they
pass or fail as a unit."
"Then they are forced, more or less, to depend on each other?" asked Hardy.
"Yes. In the beginning of their training. Later on, the cadets learn for themselves that it is
better for all of them to work together."
Once again the bell in back of Walters' desk chimed and he turned to speak on the
teleceiver to his aide.
"Captain Strong is here, sir," repeated the enlisted man.
"Send him right in," said Walters. Seconds later the door slid back and Steve Strong
entered and saluted.
After the introductions were completed and the Solar Guard captain had taken a seat
with his cadet unit, Commander Walters immediately launched into the purpose of the
meeting.
"Steve," he began, "Governor Hardy here has been appointed by the Solar Council to
head one of the most important projects yet attempted by the Alliance."
The cadets edged to the front of the couch and listened intently for what the commander
was about to say.
"But perhaps I had better let the governor tell you about it himself," concluded Walters
abruptly and settled back in his chair.
Captain Strong and the cadets swung around to face the governor, who rose and
looked at each of them steadily before speaking.
"Commander Walters stressed the fact that this was an important project," he said
finally. "No one can say how important it will be for the future. It might mean the beginning of
an entirely new era in the development of mankind." He paused again. "The Solar Alliance
has decided to establish a new colony," he announced. "The first colony of its kind outside
the solar system in deep space!"
"A star colony!" gasped Strong.
The cadets muttered excitedly among themselves.