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When word was passed that landing would commence at noon, ship's time, Max went to the control
room and simply assumed that it was his right to be present. Simes looked at him sourly but said
nothing-- for an evident reason: Captain Blaine was present.
Max was shocked at his appearance. The Captain seemed to have aged ten to fifteen years since the
bad transition. In place of his habitual cheerful expression was one that Max had trouble tagging--until he
recalled that he had seen it on horses, on horses too old to work but still working--head bent, eyes dull,
mute and resigned against a fate both inescapable and unbearable. The old man's skin hung loose, as if he
had not eaten for days or weeks. He seemed hardly interested in what was going on around him.
He spoke only once during the maneuver. Just before the chronometer showed noon Simes
straightened up from the console and looked at his skipper. Blaine lifted his head and said in a hoarse
whisper, "Take her down, Mister."
An Imperial military ship in landing on a strange spot would normally guide a radar-beacon robot
down first, then home in on the beacon. But the _Asgard_ was a merchant liner; she expected to land
nowhere but at ports equipped with beams and beacons and other aids. Consequently the landing was
made blind by precomputed radar-automatic and was planned for an open valley selected by
photograph. The planet was densely wooded in most areas, choice was limited.
Simes presented a picture of the alert pilot, hands poised at the controls, eyes on the radar screen
portraying the view below them, while racked in front of him were comparison photographs, radar and
visual. The let down was without incident; starry black sky gave way to deep purple, then to blue. There
was not even a jar as the ship touched, for its private gravity inside its Horstian field kept them from
feeling impressed acceleration. Max knew they were down when he saw Simes cut in the thrust beams to
cradle the ship upright.
Simes said to the microphone, "Power room, start auxiliaries and secure. All hands, dirtside routine,
first section." He turned to Blaine. "Grounded, Captain."
Blaine's lips shaped the words, "Very good, sir." He got up and shuffled toward the hatch. When he
had gone Simes ordered, "Lundy, take stand-by watch. The rest of you clear the control room."
Max went down with Kelly. When they reached "A" deck Max said grudgingly, "It was a smart
landing I'll have to admit."
"Thanks," said Kelly.
Max glanced at him. "So you calculated it?"
"I didn't say that. I just said, 'Thanks.'"
"So? Well, you're welcome." Max felt his weight pulse and suddenly he was a trifle lighter. "They cut
the field. Now we're really down."
He was about to invite Kelly into his room for the inevitable coffee when the ship's speakers
sounded: "All hands! All passengers! Report to Bifrost Lounge for an important announcement. Those on
watch are ordered to listen in by phone."
"What's up?" asked Max.
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"Why wonder? We'll go see."
The lounge was crowded with passengers and crew. First Officer Walther stood near the Captain's
table, counting the crowd with his eyes. Max saw him speak to Bennett, who nodded and hurried away.
The large view port was across the lounge from Max; he stretched on his toes and tried to see out. All he
could see was hilltops and blue sky.
There was a lessening of the murmur of voices; Max looked around to see Bennett preceding
Captain Blaine through the crowd. The Captain went to his table and sat down; the First Officer glanced
at him, then cleared his throat loudly. "Quiet, please."
He went on, "I've called you together because Captain Blaine has something he wants to say to you."
He stopped and stepped back respectfully.
Captain Blaine slowly stood up, looked uncertainly around. Max saw him square his thin shoulders
and lift his head. "Men," he said, his voice suddenly firm and strong. "My guests and friends--" he went
on, his voice sinking. There was a hush in the lounge, Max could hear the Captain's labored breathing.
He again asserted control of himself and continued, "I have brought you . . . I have brought you as far as
I can. . ." His voice trailed off. He looked at them for a long moment, his mouth trembling. It seemed
impossible for him to continue. The crowd started to stir. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]