"Donald E. Wollheim - The Secret of the ninth Planet" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wollheim Donald A)

going to go. A volunteer crew has been selected; several of them are in this
room." He nodded briefly to Clyde and to Lockhart-- "But although these
volunteers are among the best men in their fields, there isn't one of them who
couldn't be replaced by someone equally skilled in the same field. But there is
one person on Earth right now who may just possibly be unique. This person may
hold, by virtue of an experience not shared by any other human being, a special
key that will render easier the task that this spaceship must fulfill."
He turned to Burl, who sat tingling with suspense. "You, Burl Denning, are
apparently still carrying some sort of electronic or subelectronic charge which
is attuned to the controls of the Sun-tap station. We feel that you should be
along on this expedition. It will be long and dangerous, it will involve
landings on worlds no man has ever visited or expected to visit for hundreds of
years. There is an enemy in the sky who will certainly try to stop our single
ship. To be bluntly honest, the voyagers on this ship face such dangers as
explorers have not faced since the days of Magellan and Cook. Its chances of
return are remote. But with the permission of your father, which he has already
given, I would like to ask that you volunteer to join its crew."
Burl felt dizzy, his heart thumping painfully within his chest. He took a deep
breath, and then carefully, trying to keep his voice from quivering, he said,
"Yes, I'll go."
CHAPTER FOUR-- The Hidden Skyport
AROUND THE table there was a concerted sigh. Burl, his ears still throbbing from
his sudden excitement, realized each of them had been holding his breath.


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General Shrove smiled and glanced at the elder Denning, who sat expressionless.
It is not an easy thing for him, Burl thought.
At that moment, Burl knew that he had come of age. This moment of decision,
coming truly and literally like a bolt out of the blue, had thrust him into
man's estate before his time. He would show that he was able to carry this
burden.
Shrove now spoke to Lockhart. "Colonel, we are holding you to your schedule.
According to it, you can take off in five more days. Will you need any more time
because of this addition to your crew?"
The stocky air veteran shook his head. "Not at all. We'll be loaded and ready on
the hour I set. I'll take Denning in hand and brief him on what he may need to
know. Actually, we may even be able to get him a home-leave. After all, his
duties won't begin until actual planetfalls are made."
They rose from their seats. Burl stood up, uncertain as to procedure, but
Lockhart came over to him and took his arm. "Burl, we're going to have to give
you a run-down on the ship and plans. We've no time to waste if you want to get
a chance to say good-by to your folks later on."
"I understand," said Burl. He turned and waved to his father, who was in
conversation with the general. "I'll see you at home in a few days, Dad," he
called, then followed Lockhart out.
Outside the building they were joined by several other members of the conference
and immediately ringed about by a squad of Air Force men wearing sidearms. Burl