"Lee Edgar - Return to Andromeda" - читать интересную книгу автора (Edgar Lee)

‘But the new reactor? The uprated Proton Drive?’
Jim turned to face his superior officer. ‘We’re still talking ten years, Alan. Andromeda is one hell of a long
way away, even at 250,000 times the speed of light.’
‘Is such a speed really possible, Jim?’
‘Time will tell. It is three times faster than the ship has ever been before.’
Their conversation was disturbed by a smartly-dressed cadet who handed the Director a message. The
senior man read it carefully, frowned, and then gave it to Jim Duncan before turning back to the control
centre. He pushed a button on his desk. ‘Wayfarer One, this is Orion Base Station. Do you read?’
‘Receiving you, Orion,’ responded a male voice. ‘Go ahead.’
‘Steve, this is Alan Thompson. I have just received a signal from Europoort Launch Complex. General
Phillips has just ordered a shuttle to take off in an attempt to prevent you leaving for Andromeda.’
There was a pause and then: ‘How long will it take for the shuttle to get up from Earth?’
The Director looked at Jim Duncan who flashed his open hands twice. ‘About twenty minutes at full thrust. I
suggest you get away from here as soon as you can.’
‘Very well, Mr Director. I’ll be in touch.’
‘Good luck, Wayfarer.’
‘Thanks. We’ll need it.’

COMMANDER Stephen Carter switched off the radio and looked around the group of people who were with
him on the flight deck of Wayfarer One. ‘You all heard that?’ When it was clear that they had, he turned to his
wife. ‘Lyn, how long to critical mass?’
The pilot looked at the screen of the red console in front of her. ‘Ten minutes.’
‘Very well. Prepare to activate Auxiliary Drive. Let’s detach from Orion and get ready to fly.’ He looked at
the other girl. ‘Course ready?’
‘Iris confirms trajectory computed,’ Cassi said as she glanced at the white screen which was the Interactive
Radar Identification System. Known affectionately as Iris, it had been originally developed simply as a
highly-sophisticated navigation aid. Since Wayfarer’s accidental trip to Andromeda, the computer had been
modified and Iris now controlled not only navigation but also all life-support functions of the interstellar space
cruiser.
‘Release docking clamps,’ the Commander said.
‘Confirmed clamps off,’ said First Officer Hardy and a slight clunk was felt through the ship.
‘Activate Auxiliary Drive.’
‘Auxiliary Drive activated,’ said Lyn. ‘Critical Mass in nine minutes.’
‘Very good. Prepare for gravity assist.’
‘All navigation systems ready, Commander,’ confirmed Cassi.
Gradually, the ship began to pull away from Orion docking area which seemed to retreat slowly in the vision
monitor until all of the station could be seen. Slowly, Wayfarer One turned until the huge blue and white
streaked sphere below came into view. Somewhere down there were enemies intent on destroying them.
‘Critical mass in eight minutes,’ stated Lyn.
‘Activate main drive,’ said Steve.
‘Confirmed,’ said Lyn as she efficiently tapped instructions into the drive computer. ‘Critical mass in seven
minutes.’
The ship accelerated as it pulled out of orbit and began to fall slowly towards the surface of Terra. In the
rear viewer, sunlight glinted off the superstructure of the shrinking space station.
‘Critical mass in six minutes.’
‘Shuttle now on radar,’ announced Cassi. ‘Approaching from the west.’
Steve raised one eyebrow. ‘Estimated time to contact at present speed?’
‘Ten minutes and twenty-two seconds.’
Lyn read her screen. ‘Critical mass in five minutes.’
‘Shuttle turning to intercept,’ said Cassi. ‘Estimated time of contact now nine minutes and fifty seconds.’